BACKGROUND: Vibrio parahaemolyticus belonged to the new 03:K6 serotype was demonstrated an unusual potential to spread and an enhanced propensity to cause infection in the worldwide. Recently, increased numbers of V. parahaemolyticus 03:K6 had been isolated in Korea, and we analyzed the prevalence and molecular genetic characteristics of V. parahaemolyticus 03:K6 isolates. METHODS: V. parahaemolyticus were isolated from clinical specimens of patients with diarrhea in Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea, from 1998 to 2005. The serovars of isolates were determined by slide agglutination test with specific antisera. All isolates were examined for the presence of tdh/trh genes. AGS-PCR method detecting the new 03:K6 clone was used in this study. We analyzed clonality of these isolates by infrequent restriction site-polymerase chain reaction (IRS-PCR). RESULTS: Thirty-six strains were isolated from 1998 to 2005. The main serotype of isolates were 03:K6 (24/36: 67%), All of them have tdh gene but not trh gene and an unique toxRS gene of the new 03:K6. The morphotypes of 03:K6 isolates show a same pattern of IRS-PCR, but can easily be differentiated from non-03:K6 and 04:K68 isolates. CONCLUSION: The 03:K6 was a main serotype of V. parahaemolyticus isolated from 1998 to 2005 and they show same molecular characteristics.
Agglutination Tests ; Clone Cells ; Diarrhea ; Humans ; Immune Sera ; Korea ; Molecular Biology* ; Prevalence* ; Seoul ; Vibrio parahaemolyticus* ; Vibrio*

Background: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTD) is a hereditary polyneuropathy associated with a life-threatening risk of pulmonary complications.Case: A 61-year-old male with CMTD for 40 years was admitted for the drainage of an abscess in his left ankle. Total intravenous anesthesia was administered, and an electromyography device was attached to the hand for neuromuscular monitoring; however, the response was not measured. Kinemyography and acceleromyography devices were attached to both hands, and responses were obtained. After neuromuscular blockade (NMB) with rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg, the train-of-four (TOF) response on kinemyography was normally measured, but the post-tetanic count on acceleromyography consistently showed 0 during anesthesia. Sugammadex 200 mg was injected to reverse the NMB. After 5 min, the TOF ratios for kinemyography and acceleromyography exceeded 90%. The patient recovered without any complications. Conclusions For CMTD patients, acceleromyography or kinemyography is superior to electromyography, and sugammadex can be used to reverse NMB successfully.

The effects of fentanyl anesthesia on the changes of hemodynamic(HR, BP), blood suger, electrolytes and ABGA during induction of anesthesia and cardiopumonary bypass under fentanyl anesthesia were studied in three groups of 30 patients. The results were as follows: 1) The changes of HR & BP were significatly decreased under fentanyl anesthesia compaired to morphine anesthesia. 2) The level of blood sugar was increased during whole procedures in all groups and it was the least in large dose fentanyl group. 3) The changes of electrolyte and arterial blood gas value during CPB were not remakable.
Anesthesia* ; Blood Glucose* ; Electrolytes ; Fentanyl* ; Humans ; Morphine

Estrous cycle -related histological and histochemical changes in the vaginal epithelium of mature female rats were studied with PAS (periodic acid Schiff) alcian blue pH 2.5 and biotinylated lectins (DBA, SBA, PNA, BSL -1, sWGA, UEA -1, RCA -1, Con A and LCA).The prominent characteristic changes that occured during the estrous cycle were mucinous transformation in proestrus and cornification in estrus. In proestrus, the superficial mucinous cells of the epithelium were increased in number and enlarged in size, and the amount of acid and neutral mucosubstances was more increase in proestrus than in diestrus and metestrus. About the binding pattern of all lectins examined to the superficial mucinous cells, in diestrus, the binding pattern of these cells showed a similar affinity as in metestrus with intense DBA and UEA -1 reactivity. In proestrus, however, these cells were reactive with seven lectins examined except LCA and PNA, and DBA, SBA, BSL -1, RCA -1 and UEA -1 reacted more strongly than in diestrus and metestrus. In estrus, the superficial cornified cell layers showed a weak reactivity of SBA, BSL -1 and PNA. In diestrus and metestrus, the mucinous cells in the intermediate layers of the basal portion of vaginal fold stained with eight lectins examined except LCA and showed the same binding pattern to the superficial mucinous cells. About the distribution of glycoconjugates in the intermediate layer, the upper spindle cells showed different binding pattern according to the estrous stages. In diestrus, estrus, and metestrus, these cells showed a affinity for all lectins examined. In proestrus, however, DBA and PNA staining were not observed, and stained more intensely with sWGA, SBA and UEA -1, and less intensely with BSL -1 and RCA - 1. In estrus, DBA and PNA reactivity reappeared as trace, and RCA -1 and sWGA reactivity increased. In metestrus, sWGA reactivity reduced and BSL -1 and UEA -1 increased continually. The lower rounded cells of the intermediate layers stained with all lectins examined in estrus, with six lectins examined except Con A, DBA and UEA -1 in proestrus and with five lectins examined except DBA, UEA -1, sWGA and BSL -1 in diestrus and metestrus. BSL -1 reactivity for the layers increased in proestrus, estrus and metestrus, and PNA reactivity increased in estrus and reduced in metestrus. The basal layer of the vaginal epithelium showed different binding pattern to the different portion of vagina, and showed faint staining of BSL -1, SBA and RCA -1, and moderately staining of BSL -1 in proestrus and estrus. In conclusion, alpha /-N -acetyl -D -galactosamine, alpha /-D -galactose and alpha -L -fucose participate in the mucinous transformation of the vaginal epithelium, and beta -N -acetyl -D -glucosamine participates in the cornification of the vaginal epithelium.
Alcian Blue ; Animals ; Diestrus ; Epithelium* ; Estrous Cycle* ; Estrus ; Female ; Glycoconjugates ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lectins ; Metestrus ; Mucins ; Proestrus ; Rats* ; Vagina

BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular effects of muscle relaxants may be produced by a muscarinic receptor block, ganglion block, increased noradrenaline release and blockage of it's reuptake or histamine liberation. However certain analogues of steroidal muscle relaxants directly cause relaxation of isolated vascular smooth muscles. Rocuronium is the 2-morpholino, 3-desacetyl, 16-N-allyl-pyrrolidino derivative of vecuronium, known to have a relative lack of ganglion blocking, sympathomimetic effects or histamine release. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and action mechanism of rocuronium on isolated aortic smooth muscle in rats. METHODS: The ability of rocuronium to elicit a direct relaxant effect on vascular smooth muscle has been studied using isolated rat thoracic aortic rings contracted with phenylephrine (PE). Each ring of aortic arteries was suspended on wire supports in a 20 ml tissue bath under 2 g of resting tension. All tissues were bathed in Tris Tyrode solution at 37degrees C and 100% oxygen was supplied. RESULTS: Rocuronium 10(-4) M and 10(-2) M shifted the cumulative concentration-effect curves of PE to the right significantly (P<0.05). This relaxation effect of the aortic rings was not reversed with L-NAME or methylene blue pretreatment. However indomethacine shifted this curve to the right, and intracellular calcium release and extracellular calcium influx decreased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: From the results obtained with this experiment, it is concluded that the relaxation effects of rocuronium is not endothelium dependent and in part, is related with cyclooxygenase inhibition. Rocuronium inhibited intracelluar calcium release and extracelluar calcium influx.
Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic* ; Arteries ; Baths ; Calcium ; Endothelium ; Ganglion Cysts ; Histamine Release ; Indomethacin ; Methylene Blue ; Muscle, Smooth* ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Norepinephrine ; Oxygen ; Phenylephrine ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Rats* ; Receptors, Muscarinic ; Relaxation ; Sympathomimetics ; Vecuronium Bromide

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gabexate, a protease inhibitor, has been known to prevent pancreatic damage following ERCP. We conducted a prospective and randomized study to assess the preventive effect of gabexate. Methods: Of the 96 patients enrolled, 46 were treated with gabexate and 50 with placebo. The groups were similar with regard to sex, age, body-mass index, and the final diagnosis of ERCP. RESULTS: 24 patients (25.0%) had elevated pancreatic-enzyme levels; the frequency was similar in the two groups (P=0.48). Mean serum amylase value at 4 hours after ERCP was similar in patients with elevated basal level (220.5+/-43.2 U/L) and those with normal basal level (170.4+/-31.2 U/L). After the procedures, serum amylase values were lower in the gabexate group (137.1+/-19.8 U/L) than in the placebo group (212.0+/-50.4 U/L). The differences were not significant in the mean levels of amylase between the groups for any of imaging of the pancreatic ducts (pancreatic-duct imaging, 201.5+/-49.4 U/L, bile-duct imaging, 153.7+/-30.0 U/L). But in the patients with pancreatic duct imaging, serum amylase values were significantly higher in the placebo group (295.0+/-97.6 U/L) than in the gabexate group (112.0+/-10.6 U/L)(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic treatment with gabexate does not reduce pancreatic damage related to ERCP, but only in the patients with pancreatic duct imaging there were the significant differences between in the gabexate group and in the placebo group.
Amylases ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde* ; Diagnosis ; Gabexate* ; Humans ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Pancreatitis ; Prospective Studies ; Protease Inhibitors

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is an uncommon disease of unknown etiology that is characterized by massive tissue infiltration of eosinophils in the tissue layers of various areas of the gastrointestinal tract. An accurate diagnosis is difficult as clinical presentations, symptoms, endoscopic and radiologic findings are nonspecific. A 51-year-old man visited our hospital presenting with abdominal pain. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed diffuse hyperemic mucosal lesions at the stomach, duodenum. Symptoms and endoscopic findings deteriorated rapidly after three days. Small amounts of eosinophilic infiltration without malignant cells was confirmed from biopsy. However, we could not exclude malignancy and performed a subtotal gastrectomy. Stomach specimen showed eosinophilic infiltrations, and the patient was finally diagnosed as eosinophilic gastroenteritis. We report a case of atypical eosinophilic gastritis with rapid deterioration mimicking Borrmann type 4 advanced gastric cancer.
Abdominal Pain ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Duodenum ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Eosinophils* ; Gastrectomy ; Gastritis ; Gastroenteritis* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms*

The bone scanning has been routinely used for initial report in 1970s showed a high incidence of positive-up to 45%-results in preoperative assessment of these patients. But recent reports have questioned the routine use of bone scanning in preoperative basis by the result of much lower positive result as rate less than 1%. On this point, we analyzed 224 cases of breast cancer, which were operatively managed in the period from January 1990 to January 1995 at the department of surgery, Korea university medical center. All the cases were performed bone scanning preoperatively and followed up more than 3 months. The analytic evaluation was done about age, stage of disease, serum alkaline phosphatase level according to menopausal status and its correlation to the result of bone scanning. The result was 14 positive cases(6.3%) from bone scanning in 224 breast cancer cases, but only 8 cases(3.6%) were true positive with bone metastasis. While 35 stage I cases and 69 stage IIa ones had no true positive, 1 among 63 stage IIb cases(1.6%), 5 among 46 stage IIIa cases(10.9%) and 2 among 11 of stage IIIb ones(18.2%) had true positive. There were high bone metastasis rate in premenopausal patients(5/108 cases, 4.6%) than postmenopausal patients(3/116, 2.6%) (p<0.05). The alkaline phosphatase level shows no significant differences between true positive and other groups(p>0.05). All true positive patients' alkaline phosphatase level shows within normal limits. According to this result, we think that preoperative bone scanning is unnecessary as a routine procedure in Stage I and IIa breast cancer patients. Stage IIb needs more and further study for confirming the indication of bone scanning as combinations with other predictive indicator or symptoms. About Stage III disease, we conclude the bone scanning is absolutely helpful.
Academic Medical Centers ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Korea ; Neoplasm Metastasis*

PURPOSE: The determination of HER-2/neu gene amplification has become necessary for the selection of breast cancer patients to undergo anti-HER-2/neu therapy, using a humanized monoclonal antibody. Chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) detection of the HER-2/neu gene, a newly developed method, utilizes a robust and unique-sequence DNA probe labeled with digoxygenin, which is sequentially incubated with antidigoxygenin fluorescein, antifluorescein peroxidase and diaminobenzidine. The aim of this study was to establish a CISH assay for the detection of HER-2/neu amplification. The results were compared with those of the immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods, most frequently used for detecting HER-2/neu alteration. METHODS: CISH was performed in 4 groups of infiltrating breast carcinomas. Each group was comprised of 20 cases in which the HER-2/neu stati had previously been scored on a four value scale: 0, 1+, 2+ and 3+ by IHC. The results of CISH and IHC were compared for each tumor group. The HER-2/neu gene amplification detected by CISH was thpically visualized as large DAB-stained clusters or by many dots in the nucleus. RESULTS: The concordance between the CISH and IHC was 95% (kappa=0.901). Three IHC-positive cases (score 2+) showed no gene amplification and one IHC-negative case (score 1+) showed gene amplification by CISH. CONCLUSION: The current study showed excellent agreement between the CISH and IHC methods. CISH is an accurate, practical and economical approach for determining the HER-2/neu stati in breast carcinomas. It is also a useful methodology for confirming the IHC results in paraffin- embedded tumor samples, so offers a promising alternative to IHC in a routine diagnostic setting.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; DNA ; Fluorescein ; Gene Amplification ; Genes, vif ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization* ; Peroxidase

OBJECTIVES: Bisphenol A Di Glycidyl Ether (BADGE) is the major component in commercial liquid epoxy resins, which are manufactured by co-reacting bisphenol A with epichlorohydrin. The authors investigated the acute toxicity of BADGE. METHODS: BADGE was administered by a gavage to 8 week old SPF Sprague Dawley rats in a single dose of 0 (negative control), 0.37 (Diethylstilbesterol, DES), 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 mg/kg/day of BADGE. Each treatment group contained 7 rats. The general status and weight of the rats were observed for 14 days. The rats were anesthetized by ether at 14 days, and the changes in morphology, organ weight, sperm count and motility, and hormone level were measured. RESULTS: All the rats treated with BADGE had diarrhea on the 1st day. The rats administered BADGE at 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg/kg/day showed a soiled perineal region and soft stools with diarrhea until the 3rd day. The 8000 mg/kg/day BADGE rats had diarrhea for two days followed by emaciation, soiled fur, a soiled perineal region, staining around the mouth and were moribund for three to eight days. No weight gain was observed after the 1st day in the 2000, 4000, and 8000 mg/kg/day BADGE rats and after the 7th day in all the treatment groups compared with the control groups. Some treatment groups were observed to have a decrease in the weight of the heart (BADGE 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/kg/day), liver (BADGE 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 mg/kg/day) and prostate (BADGE 4000 mg/kg/day) compared with control group. The weight of the liver was significantly lower in all treatment groups compared with the control group. The relative weight of the liver (BADGE 1000 and 4000 mg/kg/day) was significant lower than the control. No pathological changes were observed in the brain, liver, thyroid, heart, spleen, kidney, lung and prostate. The number of spermatid in the seminiferous tubule in the testes was lower in all treatment groups than the control. The sperm motility tended to decrease with increasing concentration but the sperm count was similar in all treatment groups. The plasma Estrogen and testosterone level were similar in the control and treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that BADGE induces general, hepatic and reproductive toxicity at 1000 mg/kg/day.
Animals ; Brain ; Diarrhea ; Emaciation ; Epichlorohydrin ; Epoxy Resins ; Estrogens ; Ether* ; Heart ; Humans ; Kidney ; Liver ; Lung ; Male* ; Mouth ; Organ Size ; Plasma ; Prostate ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley* ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Soil ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatids ; Spleen ; Testis ; Testosterone ; Thyroid Gland ; Weight Gain