A clinical review was performed in 52 cases with the foreign body in the gastrointestinal tract who underwent the endoscopic extraction of fereign body at our hospital from June 1985 to October 1989. The results are as following. 1) The most prevalent age was under 10 years of age (21 cases, 40.4%), and male was more prevalent than female (M:F=1.6:1). 2) The most common site of foreign bodies was esophagus (35 cases, 67.3%), next stomach (15 cases, 28.9%). 3) The foreign bodies in esophagus were coins (18 cases, 51.4%), meats (7 cases, 20.0%), bones (5 cases, 14.3%), other food materials or metals (5 cases, 14.3%)in order of frequency, and those in the stomach wer bezoars (7 cases, 50.0%), coins (2 cases, 14.3%), suture materials (2 cases, 14.3%), others (baduk stone, pin, tack, cross). 4) The combined diseases with upper gastrointestinal foreign bodies were the passage disturbances (11 cases, 21.2%) due to stenosis, and schizophrenia (1 case), aleoholism (1 case). 5) Complications by foreign bodies were 8 cases (15.4%), such as eisophageal laceration or ulceration (4 cases), esophaigeal perforation (1 case), aspiration pneumonia(1 case), duodenal obstruction (2 cases). 6) Successful rate of the endoscopic extraction was 88.5%(46 in 52 cases). And 6 unsuccessful cases were 4 cases who have gastric bezoars too hard and large to extract, a case with esophageal perforation, and a case with bezoar in the third portion of duodenum.
Bezoars ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Duodenal Obstruction ; Duodenum ; Esophageal Perforation ; Esophagus ; Female ; Foreign Bodies* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Lacerations ; Male ; Meat ; Metals ; Numismatics ; Schizophrenia ; Stomach ; Sutures ; Ulcer

The septum formation(web) of bile duct is an uncommon disease. Its rarity and vague symptoms result in delayed diagnosis. However, the increased use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography(PTC) have resulted in greater awareness of this entity and understanding of its natural history as well as an increased frequency of diagnosis. We have experienced 4 cases of common bile duct web, which were associated with stones in the bile duct, confirmed by operation.
Bile Ducts ; Common Bile Duct* ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Diagnosis ; Natural History

Vitamin C acts as a antioxidants and as free radical scavengers in biological systems. The objective of this study was to examine whether the administration of vitamin C could improve the skin flap survival. Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 40) were divided into 4 groups (n = 10); normal saline, vitamin C 200 mg/day, vitamin C 500 mg/day, vitamin C 1000 mg/day were injected subcutaneously to each group (n = 10). A classic caudally based random flap (2 X 7 cm) was elevated on the dorsum of rats and then sutured to its normal position. On the 3rd, 7th, 14th days postoperatively each animal was evaluated for percentage area of flap survival by paper template technique, thereafter rats were sacrificed and we obtained tissue from the distal ends of the flap. Following is our results. 1) The experimental group treated with vitamin C revealed an increased rate of random pattern skin flap survival compared with the control group (p < 0.005). 2) There was correlation of vitamin C dosage with flap survival rate (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.971). 3) The biopsy of the control group showed extensive atrophy and necrosis. However, New capillary proliferation and collagen deposition were noted in the vitamin C 200 mg and 500mg treated group. In the vitamin 1000 mg group, microscopic findings were very alike compared with normal rat skin texture. Finally, we concluded that the Vitamin C supplement increases survival rate of random pattern flap in rat skin flap model, and flap survival is correlated with vitamin C dosage.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; Ascorbic Acid* ; Atrophy ; Biopsy ; Capillaries ; Collagen ; Free Radical Scavengers ; Necrosis ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin ; Survival Rate ; Vitamins*

The homing properties of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs) have stimulated intravenous applications for their use in stem cell therapy. However, the soluble factors and corresponding cellular receptors responsible for inducing chemotaxis of AdMSCs have not yet been reported. In the present study, the migration capacity of human AdMSCs (hAdMSCs) toward various cytokines or growth factors (GFs) and the expression of their receptors were determined. In a conventional migration assay, PDGF-AB, TGF-beta1, and TNF-alpha showed the most effective chemoattractant activity. When AdMSCs were preincubated with various chemokines or GF, and then allowed to migrate toward medium containing 10% FBS, those preincubated with TNF-alpha showed the highest migratory activity. Next, hAdMSCs were either preincubated or not with TNF-alpha, and allowed to migrate in response to various GFs or chemokines. Prestimulation with TNF-alpha increased the migration activity of hAdMSCs compared to unstimulated hAdMSCs. When analyzed by FACS and RT-PCR methods, hAdMSCs were found to express C-C chemokine receptor type 1 (CCR1), CCR7, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), CXCR5, CXCR6, EGF receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1, TGF-beta receptor 2, TNF receptor superfamily member 1A, PDGF receptor A and PDGF receptor B at both the protein and the mRNA levels. These results indicate that the migration capacity of hAdMSCs is controlled by various GFs and chemokines. Prior in vitro modulation of the homing capacity of hAdMSCs could stimulate their movement into injured sites in vivo when administered intravenously, thereby improving their therapeutic potential.
Adipose Tissue/*cytology ; Cell Movement/drug effects ; Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects ; Humans ; *Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology/drug effects/*metabolism ; Receptors, Chemokine/genetics/*metabolism ; Receptors, Growth Factor/genetics/*metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology

The homing properties of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs) have stimulated intravenous applications for their use in stem cell therapy. However, the soluble factors and corresponding cellular receptors responsible for inducing chemotaxis of AdMSCs have not yet been reported. In the present study, the migration capacity of human AdMSCs (hAdMSCs) toward various cytokines or growth factors (GFs) and the expression of their receptors were determined. In a conventional migration assay, PDGF-AB, TGF-beta1, and TNF-alpha showed the most effective chemoattractant activity. When AdMSCs were preincubated with various chemokines or GF, and then allowed to migrate toward medium containing 10% FBS, those preincubated with TNF-alpha showed the highest migratory activity. Next, hAdMSCs were either preincubated or not with TNF-alpha, and allowed to migrate in response to various GFs or chemokines. Prestimulation with TNF-alpha increased the migration activity of hAdMSCs compared to unstimulated hAdMSCs. When analyzed by FACS and RT-PCR methods, hAdMSCs were found to express C-C chemokine receptor type 1 (CCR1), CCR7, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), CXCR5, CXCR6, EGF receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1, TGF-beta receptor 2, TNF receptor superfamily member 1A, PDGF receptor A and PDGF receptor B at both the protein and the mRNA levels. These results indicate that the migration capacity of hAdMSCs is controlled by various GFs and chemokines. Prior in vitro modulation of the homing capacity of hAdMSCs could stimulate their movement into injured sites in vivo when administered intravenously, thereby improving their therapeutic potential.
Adipose Tissue/*cytology ; Cell Movement/drug effects ; Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects ; Humans ; *Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology/drug effects/*metabolism ; Receptors, Chemokine/genetics/*metabolism ; Receptors, Growth Factor/genetics/*metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology

No abstract available.
Lymphoma*

From March, 1992 to March, 1996, a total of 279 patients underwent coronary bypass surgery at the Sejong General Hospital, Puchon. We selected 22 patients with severe left ventricular(LV) dysfunction from them. The criteria were the presence of global or segmental abnormalities of left ventricular contraction and LV ejection fraction(EF) less than 35% based on biplane LV angiography by planimetry method. The mean age of 17 male and 5 female patients was 60+/-5.6years(range:47~73 years). All had the anginas, which were Canadian class II in 6, class III in 12 and class IV in 4. All patients except one had the history of previous myocardial infarction more than once. Seven of them had the symptoms and signs of congestive heart failure, such as dyspnea on excertion and increased pulmonary vascular markings. Their mean LVEF was 29.4+/-4 5%(range : 18~35%) and mean LV end-diastolic pressure was 18.7 +/-8. 2mmHg(range:10~42mmHg). 21 patients had 3 vessel-disease and 1 had 2 vessel-disease. Complete revascularization was tried with the use of 16 internal mammary arteries and 60 sapheuous veins and 3 radial arteries grafts. The mean number of distal anastomosis was 3.5+/-1.1. Concomitantly, one mitral valvuloplasty and annuloplasty was performed in the patient with moderate mitral regurtigation. The hospital mortality was 4.5%. During the follow-up, there were 3 late deaths. Of 18 survivors, 2 patients were lost in follow-up 24 and 27 month respectively after operation and the remaining 16 patients have bcen followed up with an average of 30.4 +/-13.4 months.15 patients had improvement with respect to angina but 8 patients still have the continuing or progressing heart failure. The 1-year, 2-year and 3-year actuarial survival rate was 85.2, 69.1, 46.1%, respectively. This study indicates that coronary artery bypass sur ery can be performed in the patients with severe LV dysfunction at acceptable risk but does not greatly contribute to the improvement of congestive heart failure.
Angiography ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gyeonggi-do ; Heart Failure ; Hospital Mortality ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Male ; Mammary Arteries ; Myocardial Infarction ; Radial Artery ; Survival Rate ; Survivors ; Transplants ; Veins ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left*

A real-time PCR assay using hybridization probe (HybProbe) has been developed to detect Brucella (B.) melitensis strains. The primer and HybProbe sets were designed based on the gap gene of chromosome I with a specific single nucleotide polymorphism of B. melitensis. Specificity of the assay was confirmed by comparison to reference Brucella species and other related strains. In the melting curve analysis, B. melitensis generated a peak at 67degrees C unlike those for other Brucella species observed at 61degrees C. Sensitivity of the assay for B. melitensis ranged from 20 ng to 200 fg of genomic DNA. The ability to identify 94 Mongolian B. melitensis isolates using the real-time PCR assay was identical to that of classical biotyping methods and differential multiplex PCR. These data showed that this new molecular technique is a simple and quick method for detecting B. melitensis, which will be important for the control and prevention of brucellosis.
Brucella ; Brucella melitensis* ; Brucellosis ; DNA ; Freezing ; Mongolia* ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Q-fever is a vector-borne (Coxiella [C.] burnetii) zoonotic disease that is an increasing public health concern. To date, some research about Q-fever prevalence in dairy herds and human patients has been reported in Korea, but information about Korean native cattle is scarce. To measure the prevalence rates of C. burnetii in Korean native cattle, a total of 1,095 bovine serum samples collected during 2010~2013 were analyzed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sixty-eight heads of cattle were diagnosed as positive and while 19 heads were suspected (positive rate = 6.2%). Interestingly, Jeju province had a seropositivity rate six times greater than that of other provinces (18.9% vs. 3.2%). High seroprevalence might be caused by wide distribution of ticks in Jeju province compared to other regions. Based on these data, extensive monitoring of C. burnetii infection in cattle, tick distribution, and climate changes is required.
Animals ; Cattle* ; Climate Change ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Head ; Humans ; Korea ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Seroepidemiologic Studies* ; Ticks ; Zoonoses

Q-fever is a vector-borne (Coxiella [C.] burnetii) zoonotic disease that is an increasing public health concern. To date, some research about Q-fever prevalence in dairy herds and human patients has been reported in Korea, but information about Korean native cattle is scarce. To measure the prevalence rates of C. burnetii in Korean native cattle, a total of 1,095 bovine serum samples collected during 2010~2013 were analyzed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sixty-eight heads of cattle were diagnosed as positive and while 19 heads were suspected (positive rate = 6.2%). Interestingly, Jeju province had a seropositivity rate six times greater than that of other provinces (18.9% vs. 3.2%). High seroprevalence might be caused by wide distribution of ticks in Jeju province compared to other regions. Based on these data, extensive monitoring of C. burnetii infection in cattle, tick distribution, and climate changes is required.
Animals ; Cattle* ; Climate Change ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Head ; Humans ; Korea ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Seroepidemiologic Studies* ; Ticks ; Zoonoses