No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Campylobacter* ; Enteritis*

An emblem is a symbolic representational image that stands for a certain organization, concept, team, or society. This study investigated the emblems of the sleep societies in South Korea and the international sleep societies in which they were registered as members. Three South Korean sleep societies were found by searching for the keyword ‘sleep’ in the Korea Citation Index. Subsequently, we identified three international societies in which the three South Korean conferences participate. The emblems can be classified according to their composition. Taegeuk patterns represent yin and yang, electroencephalography that stands for the objective indicator of sleep, and the acronym or abbreviation indicating the name of the society. All emblems in this study were combinations of pictorial images and letters. The pictorial image of the Korean Sleep Research Society is the only emblem representing an inset with Hangeul. The emblem is a medium that conveys diverse meanings beyond representation. The societies have attempted to embody the identity as well as their directions.

The role of infectious agents in the etiology of inflammatory diseases once believed to be non-infectious is increasingly being recognized. Many bacterial components in the indoor dust can evoke inflammatory lung diseases. Bacteria secrete nanometer-sized vesicles into the extracellular milieu, so-called extracellular vesicles (EV). which are pathophysiologically related to inflammatory diseases. Microbiota compositions in the indoor dust revealed the presence of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Escherichia coli is a model organism of Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae. The repeated inhalation of E. coli-derived EVs caused neutrophilic inflammation and emphysema in a dose-dependent manner. The emphysema induced by E. coli-derived EVs was partially eliminated by the absence of Interferon-gamma or interleukin-17, suggesting that Th1 and/or Th17 cell responses are important in the emphysema development. Meanwhile, the repeated inhalation of Staphylococcus aureus-derived EVs did not induce emphysema, although they induced neutrophilic inflammation in the lung. In terms of microbial EV compositions in the indoor dust, genera Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, and Staphylococcus were dominant. As for the clinical significance of sensitization to EVs in the indoor dust, EV sensitization was closely associated with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and lung cancer. These data indicate that biological ultrafine particles in the indoor dust, which are mainly composed of microbial EVs, are important in the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases associated with neutrophilic inflammation. Taken together, microbial EVs in the indoor dust are an important diagnostic and therapeutic target for the control of chronic lung diseases, such as asthma, COPD, and lung cancer.
Acinetobacter ; Asthma ; Bacteria ; Dust ; Emphysema ; Enterobacter ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Escherichia coli ; Extracellular Vesicles ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; Inflammation ; Inhalation ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-17 ; Lung Diseases ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung ; Microbiota ; Neutrophils ; Particulate Matter ; Pseudomonas ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Staphylococcus ; Th17 Cells

An emblem is a symbolic representational image that stands for a certain organization, concept, team, or society. This study investigated the emblems of the sleep societies in South Korea and the international sleep societies in which they were registered as members. Three South Korean sleep societies were found by searching for the keyword ‘sleep’ in the Korea Citation Index. Subsequently, we identified three international societies in which the three South Korean conferences participate. The emblems can be classified according to their composition. Taegeuk patterns represent yin and yang, electroencephalography that stands for the objective indicator of sleep, and the acronym or abbreviation indicating the name of the society. All emblems in this study were combinations of pictorial images and letters. The pictorial image of the Korean Sleep Research Society is the only emblem representing an inset with Hangeul. The emblem is a medium that conveys diverse meanings beyond representation. The societies have attempted to embody the identity as well as their directions.

BACKGROUND: Chronic cough is commonly defined as a persistent or recurrent cough exceeding 3 weeks duration and the prevalence of chronic cough is reported to range from 14-23% among non-smoking adults. Irwin et al previously reported that common causes of chronic cough are postnasal drip syndrome asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux using the anatomic and diagnostic protocol. OBJECTIVE: To determine the spectrum and frequency of chronic cough and to aid establishing algorithmic approach for chronic cough. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We prospectively evaluated 105 consecutive and unselected immunocompetent patients complaining of chronic cough utilizing modified anatomic and diagnostic protocol proposed by Irwin et al. Initial diagnosis was made by history, physical examination and laboratory test including spirometry, methacholine provocation test, and 24 hour pH monitoring. Specific treatment was done based upon initial diagnosis and cough score was compared before and after treatment. Reassessment was done in case of treatment failure. RESULT: The causes of cough were determined in 100 of 105 patients(95% ). Cough was due to one condition in 94.8% and two in 15.2%. 121 causes of cough were identified and their spectrum and frequency were found to be postnasal drip syndrome (39.3% ), asthma (32.2% ), gasteroesophageal reflux (14.1%), chronic bronchitis (5.0%), others (4.1%: drug-induced, bronchiolitis, endobronchial tuberculosis, and lung cancer). History about nasal symptoms was useful, but history about gastroesophageal reflux were not useful for the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that anatomic and diagnostic approach for evaluating chronic cough is also useful in Korea and the most common causes of chronic cough are postnasal drip syndrome, asthma and gastroesophageal reflux.
Adult ; Asthma ; Bronchiolitis ; Bronchitis, Chronic ; Cough* ; Diagnosis ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Korea ; Lung ; Methacholine Chloride ; Outpatients* ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies* ; Spirometry ; Treatment Failure ; Tuberculosis

A 25-year-old woman complaining of dyspnea on exertion, coughing, fever and chills was admitted in January, 1998. Her clinical, radiological, and pathological findings were compatible with hypersensitivity pneumonitis and precipitin antibody to Trichosporon cutaneum was detected in her serum. Although some cases of T. cutaneum-induced hypersensitivity pneumonitis developed during the winter season were reported in Japan, there had been no report of such a case in Korea. This case suggests that T. cutaneum-induced hypersensitivity pneumonitis can develop beyond the summer season in certain environments.
Adult ; Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic* ; Chills ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Japan ; Korea ; Seasons ; Trichosporon*

BACKGROUNDS: Thymic carcinomas are very rare tumors that are often associated with extrathoracic metastasis to other organs. However, it is well known that thymic carcinomas rarely metastasize to the spine, and the prognosis, treatment, and natural course of this disease are not yet standardized. METHODS: We describe seven thymic carcinoma patients with spinal metastasis who were diagnosed and treated in our institute from January 2006 to December 2011. We performed surgical treatment and adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, in consideration of each individual disease's course, and we regularly followed up the patients. RESULTS: Of the seven patients, five were male and two were female. Six had metastases in the thoracic spine, and one had metastases in the lumbar spine. An extradural lesion was found in five patients, and two patients had both extradural and intradural lesions. The period from the primary diagnosis to spinal metastases varied widely (range, 1.23-14 years). After surgery, all patients showed an improvement of back pain and radicular pain. Two patients were lost to follow-up, but the other five maintained ambulatory function until their final follow-up. Four patients died because of pulmonary complications accompanied with the disease's progression. One patient died from uncontrolled brain metastases. After surgery, the median survival was 204+/-111.43 days. CONCLUSION: Because metastasis to the spine from thymic carcinoma is very rare, there are no treatment guidelines. Nevertheless, we suggest that appropriate surgical management of the metastatic lesion is necessary for the preservation of the patient's quality of life during survival.
Back Pain ; Brain ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lost to Follow-Up ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Prognosis ; Quality of Life ; Spine ; Thymoma*

Polymyositis is a inflammatory connective tissue disorder of unknown etiology involving predominantly skeletal muscle, characterized by progressive symmetrical proximal muscle weakness, elevated serum muscle associated enzymes, characteristic pattern of electromyography, mononuclear cell infiltration in muscle, and skin lesions in dermatomyositis. Interstitial lung disease in association with polymyositis occurs in 5~10% of cases, with generally a poor prognosis and its subclassification may be a useful predictor of survival. We have experienced a case of polymyositis associated with bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP). The patient was a 54 year-old woman presented with progressive weakness of both lower extremity and weight loss during 6 months. She had been diagnosed as BOOP by transbronchial lung biopsy 2 years ago. She had typical symptoms, physical signs and elevated serum muscle associated enzymes with characteristic findings of myositis on electromyography and muscle biopsy. Her chest roentgenogram showed slightly improvement of underlying BOOP as compared with that of 2 years ago. Because wound infection was developed at the skin biopsy site, steroid was not used. She finally expired due to sudden cardiopulmonary arrest.
Biopsy ; Bronchiolitis Obliterans* ; Bronchiolitis* ; Connective Tissue ; Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia ; Dermatomyositis ; Electromyography ; Female ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Lung ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Weakness ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Myositis ; Pneumonia ; Polymyositis* ; Prognosis ; Skin ; Thorax ; Weight Loss ; Wound Infection

Idiopathic hypertrophic spinal pachymeningitis (IHSP) is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory disorder characterized by marked fibrosis of the spinal dura mater with unknown etiology. According to the location of the lesion, it might induce neurologic deficits by compression of spinal cord and nerve root. A 58-year old female with a 3-year history of progressive weakness in both lower extremities was referred to our institute. Spinal computed tomography (CT) scan showed an osteolytic lesion involving base of the C6 spinous process with adjacent epidural mass. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an epidural mass involving dorsal aspect of cervical spinal canal from C5 to C7 level, with low signal intensity on T1 and T2 weighted images and non-enhancement on T1 weighted-enhanced images. We decided to undertake surgical exploration. At the operation field, there was yellow colored, thickened fibrous tissue over the dura mater. The lesion was removed totally, and decompression of spinal cord was achieved. Symptoms improved partially after the operation. Histopathologically, fibrotic pachymeninges with scanty inflammatory cells was revealed, which was compatible with diagnosis of idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis. Six months after operation, motor power grade of both lower extremities was normal on physical examination. However, the patient still complained of mild weakness in the right lower extremity. Although the nature of IHSP is generally indolent, decompressive surgery should be considered for the patient with definite or progressive neurologic symptoms in order to prevent further deterioration. In addition, IHSP can present as an osteolytic lesion. Differential diagnosis with neoplastic disease, including giant cell tumor, is important.
Decompression ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dura Mater ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningitis* ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Physical Examination ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Cord