OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Cytochalasin B (CCB) on the cytoskeletal stability of mouse oocyte frozen by vitrification. METHODS: Mouse oocytes retrieved from cycle stimulated by PMSG and hCG were treated by CCB and then vitrified in EFS-30. These oocytes were placed onto an EM grid and submerged immediately in liquid nitrogen. Thawing of the oocytes was carried out at room temperature for 5 seconds, then the EM grid was placed into 0.75 M, 0.5 M and 0.25 M sucrose at 37degress C for 3 minutes, each. These oocytes were fixed in 4% formaldehyde for an hour and then washed in PPB for 15 minutes 3 times, then incubated in PPB containing anti-tubulin monoclonal antibody at 4degress C overnight. And then, the oocytes were incubated with FITC-conjugated anti-mouse IgG and propidium iodide (PI) for 45 minutes. Pattern of microtubules and microfilaments of oocytes were evaluated with a confocal microscope. RESULTS: The rate of oocytes containing normal microtubules and microfilaments was significantly decreased after vitrification. The rate of oocyte containing normal microtubules in CCB treated group was higher than those in non-treated group (53.7% vs. 48.9%), but the difference was not significant. The rate of oocyte containing normal microfilaments in CCB treated group was significantly higher than those in non-treated group (64.5% vs. 38.3%, p<0.05).CONCLUSION: Microfilaments stability could be improved by CCB treatment prior to vitrification. It is suggested that CCB treatment prior to vitrification improve stability of cytoskeleton and then increase success rate in IVF-ET program using vitrification and thawing oocyte.
Actin Cytoskeleton ; Animals ; Cytochalasin B* ; Cytoskeleton ; Formaldehyde ; Immunoglobulin G ; Mice* ; Microtubules ; Nitrogen ; Oocytes* ; Propidium ; Sucrose ; Vitrification*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Cytochalasin B (CCB) on the cytoskeletal stability of mouse oocyte frozen by vitrification. METHODS: Mouse oocytes retrieved from cycle stimulated by PMSG and hCG were treated by CCB and then vitrified in EFS-30. These oocytes were placed onto an EM grid and submerged immediately in liquid nitrogen. Thawing of the oocytes was carried out at room temperature for 5 seconds, then the EM grid was placed into 0.75 M, 0.5 M and 0.25 M sucrose at 37degress C for 3 minutes, each. These oocytes were fixed in 4% formaldehyde for an hour and then washed in PPB for 15 minutes 3 times, then incubated in PPB containing anti-tubulin monoclonal antibody at 4degress C overnight. And then, the oocytes were incubated with FITC-conjugated anti-mouse IgG and propidium iodide (PI) for 45 minutes. Pattern of microtubules and microfilaments of oocytes were evaluated with a confocal microscope. RESULTS: The rate of oocytes containing normal microtubules and microfilaments was significantly decreased after vitrification. The rate of oocyte containing normal microtubules in CCB treated group was higher than those in non-treated group (53.7% vs. 48.9%), but the difference was not significant. The rate of oocyte containing normal microfilaments in CCB treated group was significantly higher than those in non-treated group (64.5% vs. 38.3%, p<0.05).CONCLUSION: Microfilaments stability could be improved by CCB treatment prior to vitrification. It is suggested that CCB treatment prior to vitrification improve stability of cytoskeleton and then increase success rate in IVF-ET program using vitrification and thawing oocyte.
Actin Cytoskeleton ; Animals ; Cytochalasin B* ; Cytoskeleton ; Formaldehyde ; Immunoglobulin G ; Mice* ; Microtubules ; Nitrogen ; Oocytes* ; Propidium ; Sucrose ; Vitrification*

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is an unusual disease characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of gastrointestinal tract, peripheral eosinophilia, and gastrointestinal symptoms. There are mucosal, muscular, and subserosal types, of which the subserosal type is the rarest. We experienced a 32-year old male patient with the subserosal type of eosinophilic gastroe-nteritis, who was presented with abdominal distension. The ascitic fluid revealed increased eosinophil count. With oral prednisolone, diarrhea and ascites rapidly disappeared and eosinophils in peripheral blood returned to normal. We report this case with a review of relevant literature.
Adult ; Ascites* ; Ascitic Fluid ; Diarrhea ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Gastroenteritis* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Male ; Prednisolone

OBJECTIVE: Cross-sectional survey was performed to evaluate prevalence of allergic rhinitis and its causative allergens in people in rural area of Cheju Isl~and. Subject and METHOD: A total of 1,236 people with 1,055 children and 181 adults in rural area of Cheju Island were enrolled in this study. In children, 544 were males and 511 were females, and their mean age was 12.3(ranging from 7 to 16) years. In adults, 78 were males and 103 were females, and their mean age was 50.1 (ratging from 18 to 87) years. Evaluations included a questionnaire survey, and skin prick test with extracts of Japanese cedar (Cryptomera japonica, J cedar) pollen and citrus red mite (Panonychus citri, CRM) as well as eleven common inhalant allergens. RESULTS: Prevalence of chronic nasal symptoms was 40.6% (429/1,055) in children, and 45.8 % (83/181) in adults. Prevalence of allergic rhinitis based on positive nasal symptoms on the questionnaire and positive skin response to one or more of the 13 inhalant allergens were 15.4 % (159/1.035) in children, and 19.3% (35/181) in adults. Of 1,035 children, skin-test response was positive in 37.6%, and common sensitizing allergens in order of decreasing frequency were Dermatophagoides pteronpssinus (DP) (26.6%), D. farinae (DF)(22.6%), CRM(14.2%), cockroach(11.3%) and J cedar(9.7%). Of 181 adults, skin-test response was positive in 25.9%, and t,he most common sensitizing allergen was CRM(16.5%), followed by cockroach(11.0%), DP(9. 9%), DF(9.4%), and J cedar(6.6%). Of 159 children with allergic rhinitis, the common sensitizing allergens in order of deereasing frequency were DP(79.2%), DF(67.3%), CRM(35.8%), J cedar(32.7%), and cockroach(27.0%). Of 35 adults with allergic rhinitis, the most common sensitizing allergen was CRM(68.6%), followed by DP(40%), DF(34.3%), cockroach(34.3%), and J cedar(28.9%). CONCLUSION: Allergic rhinitis is a very common disease with a prevalence of 15.4% in children and 19.3% in adults in rural area of Cheju island, and common sensitizing allergens include house dust mite, citrus red mite, cockroach, and Japanese cedar pollen.
Adult ; Allergens* ; Child ; Citrus ; Cockroaches ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Cryptomeria ; Female ; Humans ; Jeju-do* ; Male ; Mites ; Pollen ; Prevalence* ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis* ; Skin ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of bee venom allergy in Korea is unknown, OBJECTIVE: We performed a cross-sectional study to evaluate the prevalence of bee venom allergy and importance of risk factors, such as age, sex, and atopy, in the development of the allergic reaction in children and adults living in rural area of Cheju Island. Swbject and METHOD: The prevalence was investigated in subjects with 1,054 children and 370 adults (701 male, 723 female), aged 7-87 years, living in rural area of Cheju Island. A history particularly focused on the systemic reactions after the bee stings was taken in all subjects. Skin prick test,s to common inhalant allergens, including house dust mites, fungi, tree, grass, mugwort and ragweed pollen, cockroach, animal epithelium, Japanese cedar pollen, and citrus red mite were performed. RESULT: The prevalence of bee venom allergy was 5.8% (mild systemic reactions 5.0%, severe systemic reactions 0.8% ). The prevalence was higher in adults than in children (10.2% vs. 5.0%, g = 12.0, p<0.01). Among the children, the prevalerlce wB.S Signifcantly higher ill male than in female (8.6% vs. 1.3%, x=28.7, p<0.01), but no significant diffecence was noted between male and female in adults (10.0% vs. 10.3%, p>0.05). The prevalence of bee venom allergy was not significantly different between subjects with positive skin reaction and those with negative skin reaction to inhalant allergens (6.4% vs. 5.4% ), Conclasion'. The prevlence of bee venom allergy in inhabitants of rural area of Cheju Island is 5.8% (mild systemic,' 5.0%, severe systemic reaction. 0.8%), and bee venom allergy was more common in adults than in children, and in male children than in female children.
Adult* ; Allergens ; Ambrosia ; Animals ; Artemisia ; Bee Venoms* ; Bees* ; Bites and Stings ; Child* ; Citrus ; Cockroaches ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Cryptomeria ; Epithelium ; Female ; Fungi ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Jeju-do* ; Korea ; Male ; Mites ; Poaceae ; Pollen ; Prevalence* ; Pyroglyphidae ; Risk Factors ; Skin

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a well-known chemical asphyxiant, which causes tissue hypoxia with prominent neurological injury. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has been shown to be an effective neuroprotective method in post-cardiac arrest patients. A 26-year-old man presented to the emergency department with severe CO poisoning. On arrival, the patient was comatose. His vital signs were blood pressure, 130/80 mm Hg; heart rate, 126/min; respiratory rate, 26/min; body temperature, 36degrees C; and O2 saturation, 94%. Initial carboxyhemoglobin was 45.2%. Because there was no available hyperbaric chamber in our local area, he was intubated and treated with TH. The target temperature was 33 +/- 1degrees C for 24 hours using an external cooling device. The patient was then allowed to reach normothermia by 0.15-0.25degrees C/hr. The patient was discharged after normal neurological exams on day 11 at the hospital. TH initiated after exposure to CO may be an effective prophylactic method for preventing neurological sequelae.
Anoxia ; Blood Pressure ; Body Temperature ; Carbon ; Carbon Monoxide ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ; Carboxyhemoglobin ; Coma ; Emergencies ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypothermia ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Respiratory Rate ; Vital Signs

Background/Aims: Serum fibrosis scores comprised of common laboratory tests have high utility to assess severity of liver fibrosis. We aimed to derive and validate a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk score based on serum fibrosis scores to predict HCC in treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Methods: Fifteen thousand one hundred eighty-seven treatment-naïve adult CHB patients were identified to form the training cohort in this retrospective study. Individual fibrosis score was included to construct a new HCC prediction score. The score was externally validated in an independent treatment-naïve Korean CHB cohort. Results: 180/15,187 patients (1.2%) in training cohort and 47/4,286 patients (1.1%) in validation cohort developed HCC during a mean follow-up of 52 and 50 months, respectively. The newly developed HCC risk score, Liang score, is composed of gender, age, hepatitis B virus DNA, fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, and ranges from 0 to 22. Area under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve of Liang score was 0.79 (95% confidence interval, 0.70–0.89). A cutoff value of nine provided an extremely high negative predictive value of 99.9% and high sensitivity of 90.0% at 5 years in the validation cohort. Patients with Liang score ≤9 had HCC incidence <0.2% per year in both training and validation cohorts, in whom HCC surveillance might be exempted. Conclusion A novel HCC risk score, Liang score, based on FIB-4 index, is applicable and accurate to identify treatment-naïve CHB patients with very low risk of HCC to be exempted from HCC surveillance.

Background/Aims: Serum fibrosis scores comprised of common laboratory tests have high utility to assess severity of liver fibrosis. We aimed to derive and validate a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk score based on serum fibrosis scores to predict HCC in treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Methods: Fifteen thousand one hundred eighty-seven treatment-naïve adult CHB patients were identified to form the training cohort in this retrospective study. Individual fibrosis score was included to construct a new HCC prediction score. The score was externally validated in an independent treatment-naïve Korean CHB cohort. Results: 180/15,187 patients (1.2%) in training cohort and 47/4,286 patients (1.1%) in validation cohort developed HCC during a mean follow-up of 52 and 50 months, respectively. The newly developed HCC risk score, Liang score, is composed of gender, age, hepatitis B virus DNA, fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, and ranges from 0 to 22. Area under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve of Liang score was 0.79 (95% confidence interval, 0.70–0.89). A cutoff value of nine provided an extremely high negative predictive value of 99.9% and high sensitivity of 90.0% at 5 years in the validation cohort. Patients with Liang score ≤9 had HCC incidence <0.2% per year in both training and validation cohorts, in whom HCC surveillance might be exempted. Conclusion A novel HCC risk score, Liang score, based on FIB-4 index, is applicable and accurate to identify treatment-naïve CHB patients with very low risk of HCC to be exempted from HCC surveillance.

Fournier's gangrene is life-threatening disease characterized by abrupt onset of a rapidly progressive necrotizing soft tissue infection involving the perineum and scrotum. In Fournier's original descriptions, the disease arose in healthy subjects without an obvious cause. Despite controversy still surrounds its etiology, current studies identify definite urologic and colorectal causes with its combined disease in a majority of cases. We experienced cases of large scrotal and perineal defect caused by Fournier's gangrene. Aggressive and extensive debridement with a parenteral broad spectrum antimicrobial agents was executed at the important points to the treatment. The patient also received adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The clinical efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen was discussed. After control of infection and unavoidable loss of soft tissue, the major concern following Fournier's gangrene lies on the protection of the testicles and adequate volumetric scrotal appearance. The defect was successfully reconstructed with unilateral or bilateral gracilis muscle flap transposition and split- thickness skin graft. We present this article utilizing bilateral gracilis muscle flaps as an acceptable alternative in the approach to scrotal reconstruction in Fournier's gangrene.
Anti-Infective Agents ; Debridement ; Fournier Gangrene* ; Humans ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Oxygen ; Perineum ; Scrotum ; Skin ; Soft Tissue Infections ; Testis ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Pregnancy*