No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Citrullinemia*

The aim of this study was to determine the applicability of reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) for routine diagnostic use and for the detection of enteroviral mentigitis. Primers were selected in the highly conserved part of the 5'-non-coding of the enteroviral genome. Enteroviral RNA was detected by the RT/PCR in routinely collected cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) of patients with aseptic meningitis who had admitted to the dept. Of Pediatrics. MinJoong Hospital, KonKuk University from May to July 1993. Enteroviral RNA was detected in one third of CSF specimen. Our results demonstrate the significance of the RT/PCR in the diagnosis of enteroviral meningitis.
Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Diagnosis ; Enterovirus* ; Genome ; Humans ; Meningitis ; Meningitis, Aseptic* ; Pediatrics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Reverse Transcription* ; RNA

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are believed to be common in the general population, and constipation is one of the most representative GI symptoms. However, the prevalence and risk factors of functional constipation are not well known in Korea. We aimed to study the prevalence of, and risk factors for, constipation in the elderly. METHODS: We randomly selected 852 among 854 (excluded by cancer and dementia) subjects, ages 65 yr and older, in three different geriatric welfare facilities in December, 2003. The prevalence of functional constipation was based on the Rome II criteria and the survey on risk factors for constipation was performed. RESULTS: Functional constipation had a prevalence of 26.6% and there was no difference between men and women. Exercise, fluid, fruit, vegetable intake, anal diseases and age related risk factors were associated with constipation. CONCLUSION: In the elderly, constipation is a common complaint. Further studies are now required for risk factors of constipation.
Aged* ; Constipation* ; Female ; Fruit ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors* ; Vegetables

Only two cases of gastric intramural hematoma (IMH) caused by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) have been reported to date. This is the first reported case of gastric IMH caused by EMR, treatment of which required hemoclipping and transcatheter arterial embolization. The patient had a normal coagulation profile and no relevant medical history. About 8 h after completing the EMR, the patient vomited approximately 150 mL fresh blood and complained of abdominal pain. Endoscopy showed a 3 x 7 cm hematoma with active surface bleeding in the gastric antrum. Hemoclipping of the bleeding site on the surface and transcatheter arterial embolization of the left gastric artery were performed. Thereafter, conservative management including administration of a proton pump inhibitor was performed, and the lesion resolved. A review of relevant previous cases and this case suggested vessel damage secondary to the submucosal injection itself to be a reasonable causative mechanism for the gastric IMH.
Abdominal Pain ; Arteries ; Endoscopy ; Hematoma* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Proton Pumps ; Pyloric Antrum

BACKGROUND: This is a retrospective study of 42 pregnancies from 33 women with prosthetic heart valves who were on anticoagulation regimen prior to or during their pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Of the 17 women with bioprosthesis, 15 had 21 pregnancies following cessation of the anticoagulation therapy which resulted in the delivery of 20 healthy babies and 1 abortion. Remaining 2 had 3 pregnancies maintained with heparin, resulting in 2 healthy babies and 1 spontaneous abortion. RESULT: Among 16 women with mechanical heart valves, there were 7 pregnancies during which warfarin was used and this was associated with 4 fetal wastages(2 therapeutic abortion, 1 spontaneous abortion and 1 stillbirth with cerebral hemorrhage). However, in pregnancies where heparin was used, there was no fetal wastage. A patient who did not take anticoagulant for the first trimester and took warfarin for the remaining period and a patient who did not take anticoagulant during pregnancy delivered normal babies. There was an other fetal wastage in a patient on anti-platelet therapy for the first trimester and warfarin therapy for the remaining periods. There was 1 minor petechial complication in a heparin administered group. CONCLUSION: The study indicates that woman with bioprosthetic heart valves can go through pregnancy without undue risks or complications. On the other hand, the use of warfarin during pregnancy in women with mechanical heart valves, was shown to be associated with unacceptable high risk for the fetus. However, in the same group of women, judicious use of heparin during pregnancy was accompanied by a much reduced risk. The safety and adequate therapeutic range of heparin usage under such circumstances are subject to further studies.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Abortion, Therapeutic ; Bioprosthesis ; Female ; Fetus ; Hand ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Valves* ; Heart* ; Heparin ; Humans ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Pregnancy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Stillbirth ; Warfarin

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is characterized by the intensive infiltration of lymphoid cells, the presence of EBV, and the better prognosis over typical adenocarcinoma. Thus, it was assumable that viral latent proteins may be responsible for the recruitment of a certain T cell repertoire to EBV-associated gastric carcinoma. METHODS: To examine above possibility, EBV gene expression in gastric carcinoma tissues and usage of TCR among the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were analyzed. RESULTS: EBV specific DNA and EBERs RNA were detected in 4 out of 30 patients. RT-PCR analysis revealed that all 4 of EBV-positive tumor tissues expressed EBNA1 mRNA and BARTs and LMP2a was detected only one sample out of 4. However, the EBNA2 and LMP-1 transcripts were not detected in these tissues. CD8+ T cells were the predominant population of infiltrating lymphocytes in the EBV-positive gastric carcinoma. According to spectra type analysis of infiltrating T cells, 10 predominant bands were detected by TCR Vbeta CDR3 specific RT-PCR from 4 EBV-positive tumor tissues. Sequence analysis of these bands revealed oligoclonal expansion of T cells. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that clonally expanded T cells in vivo might be a population of cytotoxic T cells reactive to EBV-associated gastric carcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma ; DNA ; Gene Expression ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating ; Prognosis ; Proteins ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Sequence Analysis ; T-Lymphocytes

From Jan. 1991 to Apr. 1996, 99 cases of microsurgical tubal reversal were performed in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chunchon Sacred Heart Hospital of Hallym University. 80 cases among them were followed up over 1 year postoperatively. The results were as follows : 1. The mean age of total 99 women was 32.5 years(24~42 years), and the average interval between tubal sterilization and tubal reversal was 7.2 years(1~17 years). 2. The methods of sterilization were laparoscopic fallope ring in 59 cases(59.6 %), laparoscopic electrocautery in 30 cases(30.3 %), tubal ligation during cesarean section in 9 cases(9.1 %) and minilap in 1 case. 3. The most common reason for tubal reversal was remarriage(61 case, 61.6 %) and the next was desire for son(16 cases, 16.2 %). 4. 80 cases(81 %) among the total 99 women were followed up over 1 year postoperatively. Intrauterine pregnancy was documented in 59 cases(73.7 %), 53 viable fetuses and 6 spontaneous abortions. Ectopic pregnancy was noted in 3 cases(3.8 %). 5. Pregnancy rates according to maternal age were as follows ; 88.9 % in less than 30 years, 70.3 % in 30~34 years, 71.4 % in 35~39 years. Two normal pregnancies were resulted from 4 women over 39 years. 6. Pregnancy rates according to the method of sterilization were as follows ; 78 % in fallope ring, 89 % in tubal ligation during cesarean section, 55 % in electrocautery. The statistical differences between each groups were not significant(p = 0.053). 7. Pregnancy rates according to the site of anastomosis were as follows ; 81.4 % in isthmicisthmic, 67.1 % in isthmic-ampulla. There was significant statistical difference between them(p = 0.011). 8. Pregnancy rates according to the postoperative tubal length were as follows ; 60 % in less than 4cm, 66 % in 4~6 cm, 95.4 % in more than 6cm(p = 0.024). 9. Among the 59 pregnant women, 38 pregnancies(65.4 %) were resulted within six months after surgery, 48(82.3 %) within one year, and 55(94.2 %) within 2 years. 10. Pregnancy rates according to the interval from tubal sterilization to tubal reversal were as follows ; 89.6 % in less than 5years of interval, 74.5 % in 5~10 years, 44.4 % in 11~15 years(p = 0.230).
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Cesarean Section ; Electrocoagulation ; Female ; Fetus ; Gangwon-do ; Gynecology ; Heart ; Humans ; Maternal Age ; Obstetrics ; Pregnancy Rate* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Pregnant Women ; Sterilization ; Sterilization, Tubal

PURPOSE: By virtue of advances in scientific methods and technical systems, there has been a rapid growth in the number of end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients treated using continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) as their primary renal replacement therapy. However, there are various catheter related complications that are limiting factors in patient and catheter maintenance. This study was aimed at introducing of the techniques of CAPD catheter implantation designed for reducing the complication rate, as well as conducting an investigation of the incidence of CAPD catheter related complications and patient survival and catheter survival rates. METHODS: We performed 234 cases of CAPD catheter implantation using a conventional surgical method (n=162, between January 1993 and December 1997) or a modified surgical method (n=72, between January 1998 and December 1999), and retrospectively reviewed the patient's medical records to elucidate the incidence of early catheter related complications and the catheter removal rate in relation to the surgical methods. RESULTS: There were 21 cases (23.8%) of peritonitis in the modified group, which was less than that in the conventional group (79 cases, 48.8%) (P=0.036). There were 9 cases (12.5%) of exit site and tunnel infection in the modified group, which was less than that in the conventional group (36 cases, 22.2%) (P=0.019). We were able to reduce the peritonitis as well as exit site and tunnel infection by a long segment of tunneling and immobilization of the catheter to the skin. Nine cases of leakage (5.5%) have occurred in the conventional group and one case (1.3%) in the modified group; the difference was statistically significant (P=0.046). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that our modified surgical methods can reduce the rate of early catheter related complications.
Catheters* ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Incidence ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Medical Records ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Peritonitis ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Survival Rate ; Virtues

BACKGROUND: We have demonstrated recently that citrus red mite(Panonychus citri) is the most important allergen in citrus-cultivating farmers with asthma and/or rhinitis. OBJECTIVE: A cross-sectional survey was performed to evaluate the sensitizat,ion to the citrus red mite and the effect of environmental exposure on the specific sensitization among primary school children living in rural areas of Cheju Island. Material and METHODS: A total of 4,490 children (from ages 7 to 12 years) living in rural are- as were enrolled in this study. Each subject was evaluated by a questionnaire developed by International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Childhood (ISAAC), and a skin prick test with 11 common inhalant allergens including citrus red mite. RESULTS: On skin prick tests, the most common sensitizing allergen was Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus(7-9 years : 22.7%, 10-12 years : 25.5%), followed by D. farinae(20.4%, 21.8%), cockroach(9.6%, 12.8%), and citrus red mite(8.8%, 12.6%). The sensitization rate to citrus
Allergens ; Asthma ; Child* ; Citrus* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Environmental Exposure ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Jeju-do* ; Mites* ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis ; Skin ; Surveys and Questionnaires