A pulse oximeter is used widely on account of its convenience and very few complications. We experienced a case of accidental burning by a pulse oximeter sensor. An 83-year-old woman underwent total hip replacement surgery. A pulse oximeter (Oxisensor II N-25, Nellcor Puritan Bennett Inc., USA) was placed on the left index finger. The patient complained of pain on her index finger 5 minutes after the operation began. A localized skin burn was found underneath the sensor of the pulse oximeter. The skin burn healed without any sequelae.
Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Burns* ; Female ; Fingers ; Humans ; Skin*

Forty-four strains of Helicobacter pylori were isolated from Kosin Medical Center were tested of resistance to antimicrobial agents, and the mechanism of resistance to clarithromycin was investigated. We determined the MICs of amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, clarithromycin, and metronidazole by agar and broth dilution method. To detect the mutations of 23S rRNA which is associated with clarithromycin resistance, a 3'-mismatched polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis with restriction enzymes BbsI and BsaI were performed. The nucleotide sequence of 23S rRNA was determined. All H. pylori strains appeared to be susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulinic acid, but 2.3% of strains (1 strain) are resistant to amoxicillin, 13.6% (6 strains) to clarithromycin, and 15.9% (7 strains) to metronidazole. No PCR products was observed by the 3'-mismatched PCR. A 291 bp of PCR product was not digested by BbsI, but was digested by BsaI, which was a characteristic of the A2143G point mutation in the 23S rRNA gene. The nucleotide sequencing analysis revealed that all resistant strains had A2143G, T2182C, and T2244C mutations in 23S rRNA gene.
Agar ; Amoxicillin ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Base Sequence ; Clarithromycin* ; Genes, rRNA ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Korea* ; Metronidazole ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein lipase(LPL) is a key enzyme in the metabolism of serum triglyceride(TG) which is utilized in the peripheral tissue as free fatty acid and stored in adipose tissue. LPL gene consists of 10 exons which encode 475 amino acids and more than 9 LPL gene polymorphisms have been reported. LPL gene polymorphism is related to lipids level and the severity of atherosclerosis in coronary artery disease. In Korea, LPL polymorphism has not been reported yet. The purpose of this study is to konw the incidences of LPL gene polymorphism and it's relationship with blood lipids level and the severity of atherosclerosis. METHODS: Subjects were divided into three groups; normal controls(n=50), coronary artery disease(CAD, n=51) and cerebrovascular disease(CVD, n=52). The PCR- amplified genomic DNA from peripheral white blood cell was analyzed with restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP) by two different restriction enzymes(Pvu II, Hind III). RESULTS: Total cholesterol(TC) was higher in CVD than in controls and CAD (203+/-60mg/dl vs 188+/-37, 167+/-42, p<0.01). Triglyceride(TG) was also elevated in CAD(166+/-65mg/dl vs 122+/-62 in controls, p<0.05). HDL cholesterol(HDL-C) was higher in controls than in CVD and CAD(49+/-9mg/dl vs 36+/-10, 44+/-9, p<0.05). The incidence of Hind III RFLP and Pvu II RFLP was not different among groups. There was no correlation between LPL gene RFLP and lipid profile. There was no correlation between LPL gene RFLP and severity of coronary arterial stenosis. The incidence of Hind III RFLP (-/-) homozygotes was lower in Korean than in other country(5% vs 7-10%). The incidence of Pvu II RFLP (-/-) homozygotes was lower in Korean than in other country(10.3% vs 18-29%). CONCLUSIONS: The LPL gene mutations in intron 6 and 8 have no direct effects on the lipid profiles and the severity of coronary artery disease. Although LPL is a key enzyme in TG metabolism, two mutations in this study could not change the activity of LPL, nor were a marker linked to other site of mutation(s). The mutation(s) in exon which encode amino acid for enzyme activity should be detected to dissect the pathphysiologic mechanism in the atherogenesis.
Adipose Tissue ; Amino Acids ; Atherosclerosis ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; DNA ; Exons ; Homozygote ; Incidence* ; Introns ; Korea ; Leukocytes ; Lipoprotein Lipase* ; Lipoproteins* ; Metabolism ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of nitric oxide (NO) donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC) on the motor functional recovery of a reperfused rat sciatic nerve. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight rats were divided into the following 3 groups: SNAC, methylprednisolone (MP), and phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-treated groups. A 1 cm segment of the sciatic nerve underwent 2 hours of ischemia followed by 90 minutes of reperfusion. The results were evaluated using a walking track test, muscle contractile test and an examination of the muscle weight and histology at various reperfusion periods. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in the sciatic functional index (SFI) and contractile force of the SNAC-treated group compared with the MP and PBS groups. The SNAC group showed earlier improvement in the SFI measurement between days 7-28. The contractile force and muscle weight of the extensor digitorum longus muscle began to be restored earlier in the SNAC group after day 11, while the others showed progressive atrophy until day 21. The histology examination revealed less severe degeneration and earlier regeneration of axons in the SNAC-treated rats than the other groups. CONCLUSION: The supplementation of NO is effective in promoting the motor functional recovery of a reperfused peripheral nerve and has the potential to replace or augment steroids as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of nervous system ischemia/reperfusion injuries.
Animals ; Atrophy ; Axons ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Methylprednisolone ; Nervous System ; Nitric Oxide* ; Peripheral Nerves* ; Rats ; Regeneration ; Reperfusion ; Sciatic Nerve ; Steroids ; Tissue Donors* ; Walking

Pseudo-obstruction of the colon, first described by Ogilvie1 in 1948 and usually referred to as Ogilvie's syndrome, is a specific variety of adynamic ileus. It is characterized by massive colonic dilatation with a clinical and radiologic findings very similar to mechanical large intestinal obstruction, except that there is no organic obstruction. The cecum is usually the site of greatest dilatation, though the whole large bowel may be involved, from the terminal ileum up to the rectosigmoid junction. The dilatation is rapidly progressive and, if untreated, may even cause cecal necrosis and perforation, with highly increased mortality rate. The syndrome has been associated with various metabolic and organic dysfunctions, and has been observed following gynecologic as well as simple surgical procedures; yet its occurrence has been rather uncommon. The followings are two case reports with this syndrome.
Cecum ; Colon* ; Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction* ; Dilatation ; Ileum ; Ileus ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Mortality ; Necrosis

The most common metastatic sites of gastric cancer are liver, lung, bone and adrenal gland. However, skin metastases from gastric cancer are relatively rare. We herein report a case of advanced gastric cancer with perianal skin metastasis in a 70-year-old male. On admission, patient presented with epigastric pain. Endoscopy and abdominal CT scan demonstrated the stage IV gastric cancer. He had one painless nodule on perianal skin area, biopsy of that lesion showed a feature of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma clinically from the stomach. We suspected that the perianal lesion was originated from gastric cancer.
Aged ; Anal Canal ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Staging ; Skin Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/*secondary ; Stomach Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Mutation of Cationic trypsinogen gene is clearly associated with hereditary pancreatitis and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis. According to literature, this mutation is occasionally occurred in patients with pancreatitis in Western countries and Japan. The aim of this study was to find out whether the mutation was observed in Korean patients with chronic idiopathic pancreatitis. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples of 11 patients with chronic idiopathic pancreatitis were collected consecutively, and DNA was extracted from the samples. Polymerase chain reaction was performed in exon 2 and 3 of cationic trypsinogen gene. Then, DNA products were purified and sequenced. RESULTS: The mutation was not found in exon 2 and 3 of cationic trypsinogen gene in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: There was no cationic trypsinogen mutation in Korean patients with chronic idiopathic pancreatitis. Further large sampled cohort study is needed.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Chronic Disease ; English Abstract ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Mutation ; Pancreatitis/*genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Trypsin/*genetics ; Trypsinogen/*genetics

The scimitar syndrome, a rare complex anomaly, is defined as an anomalous right pulmonary venous drainage, partial or complete, to the inferior versa cava. The shape of the Turkish curved sword (scimitar) huts provided the name of this syndrome. Additional characteristics of this syndrome such as hypoplasia of the right lung and of the right pulmonary arterial tree, anomalous arterial supply of the right lung from the aorta, dextrocardia and bronchial anomalies are common. Recently we experienced a case of scimitar syndrome (adult form) in a 19-year-old woman patient, so we report the case with a brief review of the literature.
Aorta ; Dextrocardia ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; Scimitar Syndrome ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the involvement of several organs patients with Marfan syndrome in Korea. Also the clinical features in childhood patients with Marfan syndrome were assessed. METHODS: Thirty-eight cases of Marfan syndrome were enrolled in this study. Clinical evaluations of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and occular system were performed in all cases. RESULTS: The musculoskeletal system was involved in 32 cases (84.2%) and occular system in 24 cases (63.1%). Cardiovascular abnormalities were found in 19 cases (50.0%) at initial evaluation. Family history was involved in 21 cases (55.2%). Ectopia lentis was found in 17 cases (70.8%). Severe myopia and iris abnormalities were also present in 14 cases (58.2%). The ascending aorta was dilated in 13 cases (34.2%). Emergency operation was performed in 3 cases (7.9%) because of a dissecting aorta. Mitral regurgitation and prolapse were found in 29 cases (76.4%) and other valve insufficiency was accompainied in 5 cases (13.1%). Of the 38 cases, 29 patients (79.3%) were less than 15 years of age and their major manifestations were occular problems in 23 cases (79.3%), and family history in 17 cases (58.6%). In one infant, severe heart failure was the predominant clinical feature. CONCLUSION: The clinical features of Korean patients with Marfan syndrome were summarized in this report. Heart failure was the main manifestaton in infantile Marfan syndrome. Early treatment with beta-blocker and valvular replacement can prevent fatality, i.e. aortic dissection, in this disease, concern and management should be advocated in the early detection of Marfan syndrome.
Aorta ; Cardiovascular Abnormalities ; Ectopia Lentis ; Emergencies ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Infant ; Iris ; Korea ; Marfan Syndrome* ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Musculoskeletal System ; Myopia ; Prolapse

PURPOSE: To investigate the biochemical change in serum and 24-hour urine after therapy with Urocitra(R) in patients affected by urolithiasis, who had hypocitraturia alone or associated with other metabolic disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eighteen patients with evidence of 1 or more stone attacks within the last 3 years participated in the present study. They were 78 men and 40 women (6 to 78 years old, with a mean age of 47.01 12.95 years). All of the patients received 15 to 20ml of Urocitra(R)-solution or 5 g of Urocitra(R)-C powder, three or four times daily for 3 months. Before treatment, 24-hour urine and venous blood samples were obtained, while patients were maintained on a random diet, and analyzed for various stone risk factors. After 1 week, 1 month and 3 months of treatment, samples were again obtained and analyzed in the same manner. Thereafter, we compared the biochemical values before and after treatment. RESULTS: In all three follow-up periods Urocitra(R) induced a significant increase in urinary citrate (p<0.001) level. Urinary potassium (p<0.001), pH (p<0.001) and total volume (p<0.05) also increased significantly after 1 and 3 months of therapy, as did urinary citrate excretion in patients with hypocitraturia and normocitraturia. Urocitra(R) did not alter calcium, sodium or phosphorus urinary excretion. There was no significant change of serum chemistry after administration. CONCLUSIONS: Urocitra(R) was effective in increasing urinary pH and citrate. Furthermore, it was relatively free of side effects, except for minor gastrointestinal distress. Thus, our study provides physiological and clinical validation for the use of Urocitra(R) in patients affected by urolithiasis, who have hypocitraturia alone or associated with another metabolic disorder.
Aged ; Calcium ; Chemistry ; Citric Acid ; Diet ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Male ; Phosphorus ; Potassium ; Risk Factors ; Sodium ; Urolithiasis*