PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess and investigate the epidemiology of pertussis in infants under 6 months of age. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted between October 1, 2011 and April 30, 2013 in CHA Bundang Medical Center, Seongnam, South Korea. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or culture was used to detect Bordetella pertussis in nasopharyngeal aspirates from case patients who were hospitalized for acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). In addition, multiplex real-time PCR assays were also performed to detect 6 etiologic viruses, including adenovirus, human metapeumovirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus and rhinovirus. RESULTS: Of the 79 enrolled case patients, whose median age was 2 months of age, the most common diagnoses uncovered in this study were acute bronchiolitis (60%) and pneumonia (28%). B. pertussis infection was found in 13 cases (16%), in which 7 (53%) was coinfected with respiratory syncytial virus and 1 (7%) with influenza A virus. Of the 13 patients with B. pertussis infection, 6 (46%) were not vaccinated with the diphtheria, tetanus toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine, while 6 (46%) received 1 dose, and 1 (8%) received 2 doses. CONCLUSION: B. pertussis infection was present in 16% of under 6 month-old infants, who were hospitalized for acute LRTI. Therefore, a nationwide epidemiological surveillance of pertussis, including institutions that cater to infants under 6 months of age is necessary and needed.
Adenoviruses, Human ; Bordetella pertussis ; Bronchiolitis ; Diagnosis ; Diphtheria ; Epidemiology ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Infant* ; Influenza A virus ; Korea ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Paramyxoviridae Infections ; Pertussis Vaccine ; Pneumonia ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prospective Studies ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Rhinovirus ; Tetanus Toxoid ; Vaccination ; Whooping Cough*

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common inflammatory pruritic skin disease worldwide, characterized by the infiltration of multiple pathogenic T lymphocytes and histological symptoms such as epidermal and dermal thickening. This study aims to investigate the effect of vinpocetine (Vinp; a phosphodiesterase 1 inhibitor) on a 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like model. DNCB (1%) was administered on day 1 in the AD model. Subsequently, from day 14 onward, mice in each group (Vinp-treated groups: 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg and dexamethasone- treated group: 2 mg/kg) were administered 100 µl of a specific drug daily, whereas 0.2% DNCB was administered every other day for 30 min over 14 days. The Vinp-treated groups showed improved Eczema Area and Severity Index scores and trans-epidermal water loss, indicating the efficacy of Vinp in improving AD and enhancing skin barrier function. Histological analysis further confirmed the reduction in hyperplasia of the epidermis and the infiltration of inflammatory cells, including macrophages, eosinophils, and mast cells, with Vinp treatment. Moreover, Vinp reduced serum concentrations of IgE, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-13, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1. The mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, Thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) were reduced by Vinp treatment. Reduction of TGF-β protein by Vinp in skin tissue was also observed. Collectively, our results underscore the effectiveness of Vinp in mitigating DNCB-induced AD by modulating the expression of various biomarkers. Consequently, Vinp is a promising therapeutic candidate for treating AD.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that typically follows an infection or vaccination and has a favorable long-term prognosis. We describe the first reported case of ADEM after vaccination against novel influenza A (H1N1). A previously healthy 34-month-old boy who developed ADEM presented with a seizure and left-sided weakness 5 days after vaccination against novel influenza A (H1N1). Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed elevated cell counts. T2-weighted images and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images revealed multiple patchy hyperintense lesions in the frontal and parietal subcortical white matter and the left thalamus. After the administration of intravenous corticosteroid, the patient's clinical symptoms improved and he recovered completely without neurologic sequelae.
Cell Count ; Central Nervous System ; Child ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Drug Toxicity ; Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; Preschool Child ; Prognosis ; Seizures ; Thalamus ; Vaccination

PURPOSE: To evaluate of the role in carcinogenesis of p53 over-expression and bcl-2 inhibition in early gastric and advanced gastric cancers, we investigated the immunohistochemical tissue status of 31 primary early gastric-cancer patients and 31 primary advanced gastric-cancer patients. METHODS: DO7, the monoclonal antiserum to the P53 protein, and clone 124, the monoclonal antibody to the bcl-2 protein, were used for the immunohistochemical analysis of the 31 surgically resected primary early gastric cancer specimens and the 31 surgically resected advanced gastric-cancer specimens. The expressions were scored and divided into negative, positive, low expression, and overexpression. RESULTS: The clinicopathologic parameter; tumor depth of invasion, histologic type, and differentiation, were not related with the expression status of p53 or bcl-2. Of the 31 primary early gastric-cancer patients, 14 exhibited p53 overexpression and 16 showed negative the bcl-2 expression; 5 cases had both p53 overexpression and negative bcl-2 expression. Of the 31 advanced gastric cancer patients, 19 showed the p53 overexpression, and negative bcl-2 expression, 15 exhibited both p53 overexpression and negative bcl-2 expression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that cell cycle alteration and apoptosis control by p53 and bcl-2 may play roles in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer. However, there are many other mediators that may facilitate carcinogenesis. This study proved that bcl-2 is a valuable prognostic factor.
Apoptosis ; Carcinogenesis ; Cell Cycle ; Clone Cells ; Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms*

This is a retrospective study on condylar fracture of mandible. The stucy based on a series of 112 patients who had treated for the fractures of mandibular condyle on Kyunghee Dental Hospital from January, 1989 to August 1997. We studied the age and sex distributions, causes of fractures, location of fractures and so on. The results as follow : 1. The ratio of male : female was 4:1, and the highest frequency of condylar fractures was registered among patients aged to 21 to 30 years. 2. The most common cause of condylar fractures was fall-down(47.7%), followed in incidence by direct-blow(27.9%) and traffic accidents(20.7%). 3. Subcondylar fracture had highest incidence(50%), and followed by condyle head(27.4%) and condylar neck(22.6%). 4. 9.7% of condylar fractures had occurred bilaterally and in cases of bilateral condylar fractures, condylar head fractures(58.33%) was hightest incidence. 5. Mandibular symphysis was most commonly involved in condylar fracture(63.4%), and 27.7% of condylar fractures had not any other mandibular fractures.
Female ; Head ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Mandible* ; Mandibular Condyle ; Mandibular Fractures ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Statistics as Topic*

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Yacon (Samallanthus sonchifolius), a common edible plant grown throughout the world, is well known for its antidiabetic properties. It is also known to have several other pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-allergic, and anti-cancer effects. To date, the effect of yacon on gliomas has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the effects of yacon on the migration and proliferation of C6 glioma cells stimulated by fetal bovine serum (FBS). MATERIALS/METHODS: Cell growth and proliferation were determined by evaluating cell viability using an EZ-Cytox Cell Viability Assay Kit. FBS-induced migration of C6 glioma cells was evaluated by performing the scratch wound healing assay and the Boyden chamber assay. We also used western blot analysis to determine the expression levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), a major regulator of migration and proliferation of glioma cells. Matrix metallopeptidase (MMP) 9 and TIMP-1 levels were measured by performing reverse transcription PCR. RESULTS: Yacon (300 microg/mL) reduced both the FBS-induced proliferation of C6 glioma cells and the dose-dependent migration of the FBS-stimulated C6 cells. FBS-stimulated C6 glioma cells treated with yacon (200 and 300 microg/mL) showed reduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and inhibition of MMP 9 expression compared to those shown by the untreated FBS-stimulated C6 cells. In contrast, yacon (200 and 300 microg/mL) induced TIMP-1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these results, we suggest that yacon may exert an anti-cancer effect on FBS-stimulated C6 glioma cells by inhibiting their proliferation and migration. The most likely mechanism for this is down-regulation of ERK1/2 and MMP9 and up-regulation of TIMP-1 expression levels.
Blotting, Western ; Cell Proliferation* ; Cell Survival ; Down-Regulation ; Ethanol* ; Glioma* ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Plants, Edible ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcription ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; Up-Regulation ; Wound Healing

PURPOSE: To analyze the general characteristics of isolated SLAP (superior labrum anterior to posterior) lesions of shoulder and to evaluate efficacy of arthroscopic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 43 athletic patients with 46 isolated SLAP lesions. The mean follow-up period was 21 months, and mean patient age was 25 years. Twenty seven patients presented with injury to the dominant shoulder, and 3 had bilateral involvement. RESULTS: Pain and clicking were the most common symptoms. The mechanism of injury was assumed to be chafing in 27 cases, compression in 9 cases. Type 2 lesion was commonest (30 cases). The single most sensitive test was the compression-rotation test, which was positive in 92% of patients. The average UCLA score at the last follow-up was 31.6 points; 18 cases ranked as excellent and 21 as good.Postoperative performance data was obtained for in 27 athletes, 19 were able to return to their sports. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic surgery for an isolated SLAP lesion resulted in 85% of patients being rated good or above, and 70% of athletic patients were able to resume sporting activity.
Arthroscopy ; Athletes ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder* ; Sports

PURPOSE: Rectovaginal fistula (RVF) after low anterior resection for rectal cancer is a type of anastomotic leakage. The aim of this study was to find out the difference of leakage, according to RVF presence or absence and to identify the optimal strategy for RVF. METHODS: All female patients who underwent low anterior resection with colorectal anastomosis or coloanal anastomosis (n = 950) were retrospectively analyzed. Patients' demographics and perioperative outcomes were analyzed between the RVF group and leakage without the RVF (nRVF) group. We performed 4 types of procedures—primary repair, diverting stoma, redo coloanal anastomosis (RCA), and conservative procedure—to treat RVF, and calculated the success rates of each type of procedure. RESULTS: The leakage occurred in 47 patients (4.9%). Among them, 18 patients (1.9%) underwent an RVF and 29 (3.0%) underwent nRVF. The RVF group received more perioperative radiotherapy (27.8% vs. 3.4%, P < 0.015) and occurred late onset after surgery (181.3 ± 176.4 days vs. 23.2 ± 53.6 days, P < 0.001) more than did the nRVF group. In multivariate analysis for the risk factor of the RVF group, the RVF group was statistically associated with less than 5 cm of anastomosis more than was the no-leakage group. A total of 35 procedures were performed in 18 patients with RVF for treatment. RCA showed satisfactory success rates (85.7%, n = 6) and, primary repair (transanal or transvaginal) showed acceptable success rate (33.3%, n = 8). CONCLUSION: After low anterior resection for rectal cancer, RVF was strongly correlated with a lower level of primary tumor location. Among the patients who underwent leakages, receipt of perioperative radiotherapy was significantly high in the RVF group than that of the nRVF group. Additionally, this study suggests that RCA might be considered another successful treatment strategy for RVF.
Anastomotic Leak ; Colectomy ; Demography ; Female ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Radiotherapy ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Rectovaginal Fistula ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report a case series of in vitro matured (IVM) oocyte freezing in gynecologic cancer patients undergoing radical surgery under time constraints as an option for fertility preservation (FP). METHODS: Case series report. University-based in vitro fertilization center. Six gynecologic cancer patients who were scheduled to undergo radical surgery the next day were referred for FP. The patients had endometrial (n=2), ovarian (n=3), and double primary endometrial and ovarian (n=1) cancer. Ex vivo retrieval of immature oocytes from macroscopically normal ovarian tissue was followed by mature oocyte freezing after IVM or embryo freezing with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. RESULTS: A total of 53 oocytes were retrieved from five patients, with a mean of 10.6 oocytes per patient. After IVM, a total of 36 mature oocytes were obtained, demonstrating a 67.9% maturation rate. With regard to the ovarian cancer patients, seven IVM oocytes were frozen from patient 3, who had stage IC cancer, whereas one IVM oocyte was frozen from patient 4, who had stage IV cancer despite being of a similar age. With regard to the endometrial cancer patients, 15 IVM oocytes from patient 1 were frozen. Five embryos were frozen after the fertilization of IVM oocytes from patient 6. CONCLUSION: Immature oocytes can be successfully retrieved ex vivo from macroscopically normal ovarian tissue before radical surgery. IVM oocyte freezing provides a possible FP option in patients with advanced-stage endometrial or ovarian cancer without the risk of cancer cell spillage or time delays.
Cryopreservation* ; Embryonic Structures ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Female ; Fertility Preservation ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Freezing ; Humans ; In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Oocyte Retrieval* ; Oocytes* ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Uterine Neoplasms

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly that results from an incomplete obliteration of omphalomesenteric duct. But only 10% of Meckel's diverticulums are symptomatic. The most common presentation in children is painless rectal bleeding, while intestinal obstruction is more common in adults. Obstruction with a Meckel's diverticulum is usually attributed to intussusception, volvulus, inflammatory adhesion, or an internal hernia. Author's experienced multi-directionally rotated Meckel's diverticulum causes intestinal obstruction with gangrenous change in a child and removed successfully with laparoscopic assistance. To our knowledge, this appears to be a first case report of a torsion of Meckel's diverticulum associated with intestinal obstruction in Korea, which was treated by laparoscopic procedure.
Adult ; Child ; Hemorrhage ; Hernia ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction* ; Intestinal Volvulus ; Intussusception ; Korea ; Laparoscopy ; Meckel Diverticulum* ; Vitelline Duct