No abstract available.

One hundred and thirty-eight strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from the 7th nationwide tuberculosis prevalence survey in 1995 were subjected to the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using IS6110 probe to define the representative fingerprinting patterns of Korean strains of M. tuberculosis and to evaluate the usefulness of DNA fingerprinting in tracing the transmission link of M. tuberculosis. Among 138 strains, 129 different IS6l10 RFLP types were identified. The number of bands in IS6110 RFLP types diversed from 1 to 20, and the majority (75%) was 9 to 14 bands. The RFLP patterns of 8 out of 15 strains isolated from the follow-up survey of one and half year later after the 7th national TB prevalence survey were unchanged when compared with previous RFLP patterns. Fifteen (11%) out of 138 strains were grouped in 6 IS6110 clusters; 2 with 10 copies, 2 with 12 copies, 1 with 14 copies, and 1 with 17 copies. These clusters were unable to be subclassified by IS1081 or (GTG) probes except one cluster by pTBN12 probe. The transmission links of 2 clusters were deducible; one from household and another from neighborhood, but those of remaining clusters were unclear because they had no contact one another. The results suggest that vigorous transmissions in tuberculosis are still progressing in Korea.
Dermatoglyphics ; DNA Fingerprinting* ; DNA* ; Family Characteristics ; Follow-Up Studies ; Korea ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Prevalence* ; Residence Characteristics ; Tuberculosis*

In order to examine the neurotoxic mechanism of oxygen radicals on cultured bovine oligodendrocytes, cytoxic effect of oxygen radicals was examined when cultures were treated with various concentrations of xanthine oxidase (XO) and hypoxanthine (HX) in culture medium. In addition, the neuroprotective effect of iron-chelators against the neurotoxicity induced by oxygen radicals was evaluated by MTT assay. Cell viability was remarkably decreased in a time-dependent manner after exposure of cultured bovine oligodendrocytes to 20mU/ml XO and 0.1mM HX for 4 hours. In the neuroprotective effect of iron-chelators on oxidant-induced neurotoxicity, tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN) blocked the neurotoxicity induced by oxygen radicals, while DFX was not effective in blocking oxidant-induced neurotoxicity in these cultures. These results suggest that oxygen radicals are toxic in cultured bovine oligodendrocytes, and also selective iron-chelators such as TPEN are effective in blocking the neurotoxicity induced by oxygen radicals.
Allopurinol* ; Cell Survival ; Hypoxanthine ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Oligodendroglia ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Xanthine Oxidase

No abstract available.
Colon ; Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction

We present at least a one-year follow up of the 19 patients(twenty-two hands) of a open release of carpal ligament and external neurolysis in surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. The transverse carpal ligament is exposed through a three centimeter paJmar incision in line with the axis of the third finger, started at the mid-point of the distal wrist crease and then straightly advanced. We analysed clinical manifestations and the following results were obtained; The average follow-up period was 27 months (12 - 120months). 1. According to the patients satisfaction of results(Cseuz criteria), the large majority of patients(91%) obtained good results. In 9% of the case (two hands) symptoms were siightly improved followed the operation but pain, numbness and paresthesia remained troublesome. 2. The mean grip and pinch strength of the fifteen hands were 23.4kg and 5.97kg respectively. 3. Thirteen(87%) of the fifteen hands that had thenar atrophy regained normal muscle bulk. 4. Six(50%) of the twelve hands that had denervation findings such as fibrillation or sharp wave were disappeared. 5. Twenty(91%) of the twenty-two hands that had increased values for two-point discrimination had normal values at follow-up.
Atrophy ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* ; Denervation ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Ligaments* ; Paresthesia ; Pinch Strength ; Reference Values ; Wrist

Mutation of p53 gene is one of t.he commonest genetic changes in the development of human cancer including ovary. We intvestigated the diagnostic usefulness of the demonstration of p53 gene immunoreactivity in ovarian cancers, because immunochemical demonstration of p53 immunoreactivity is inexpensive, easily controlled and can be applied in routine pathology laboratories. p53 immunoreactivity was not identified in any patients in whom there was no morphological evidence of neoplasia. ln contrast, in contrast, in 46% of patients of ovarian cancer, p53 immunoreactivity was identified. Overexpression of gene correlated with advanced stage but did not corre1ate with grade, cell type and tumor size.
Female ; Genes, p53* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Ovary ; Pathology

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of infection control in long-term care facilities in Korea and educational needs of nurses in charge of infection control. METHODS: This was a descriptive study. A self-reported questionnaire was provided to the nurses in charge of infection control in 250 hospitals with long-term care. 209 nurses answered to the questionnaire. Data were collected from September 30 to November 7, 2016. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 18.0, and the educational needs were analyzed by applying the Borich Needs Assessment Model. RESULTS: Only 17.4% of the hospitals had infection control departments, and only 1.0% of the hospitals had nurses who were fully-in-charge of infection control. Regarding the educational needs on infection control, level of knowledge was statistically significantly lower in all 50 items compared to the importance. Specifically, educational demand on air and water quality management, construction and infection control, indicator management, and infectious disease management were also high. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that organization and manpower were needed for effective infection control of long-term care facilities in Korea. In addition, it was deemed necessary to develop and applicate infection control education programs as reflected on the scores obtained in the educational needs on infection control.
Communicable Diseases ; Education ; Infection Control* ; Korea* ; Long-Term Care* ; Needs Assessment ; Water Quality

No abstract available.
Thymus Hyperplasia*

PURPOSE:We investigated the production of oxygen hydroxyl radicals in the striatum of neonatal rat brain after intrastriatal injection of dopamine (DA) and the effect of growth hormone (GH) on the apoptosis of striatal neurons injured by hypoxia-ischemia. METHODS:The extracellular striatal levels of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) and 2,5-DHBA as indicators of hydroxyl radical(OH-) production were measured by in vivo microdialysis in the striatums of 7 day-old newborn rats (n=10) after direct intrastriatal infusion of dopamine hydrochloride (1.0 micromol/microL). The samples of perfused artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were collected every 10 minutes interval. The levels of DA, 2,3-DHBA and 2,5-DHBA of CSF were analysed by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography). Also, the brains were removed at 24 hour after hypoxic-ischemic injury by Rice-Vannucci method. The coronal sections (12 micrometer) of paraffin-fixed brains were stained by TUNEL (terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end-labelling) technique, and the neuronal cells undergoing apoptosis in the striatum were observed by fluorescent microscopy and compared between GH-treated (50 mg/kg, Dong-Ah Pharmacy Co.) and saline-treated rats. RESULTS:The extracellualr striatal levels of 2,3-DHBA and 2,5-DHBA increased abruptly in the first 10 minutes samples after intrastriatal injection of DA. After then, the levels declined slowely. The levels of striatal extracelluar 2.3-DHBA increased up to 621.8+/-508.7% of basal levels (P<0.05), and the levels of 2.5-DHBA increased up to 262.8+/-198.1% of basal levels (P<0.05). GH reduced markedly the number of apoptotic neuronal cells in the striatum after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. CONCLUSION: The level of hydroxyl radicals increased abruptly after intrastriatal injection of DA and GH reduced markedly the number of apoptotic neuronal cells in the striatum after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Brain Injuries ; Brain* ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dopamine* ; Growth Hormone* ; Humans ; Hydroxyl Radical* ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Infant, Newborn* ; Microdialysis ; Microscopy ; Neurons* ; Oxygen ; Pharmacy ; Rats*

BACKGROUND: Oral allergy syndrome(OAS) is composed of it,ching sense and edema in oral cavity, lips, throat, pharynx, and larynx following eating some fresh fruits or vegetables. It has been known that most of patients with OAS are allergic to pollens. Common epitopes were found among pollens, fruits and vegetables. Although OAS is a common farm of food allergy in adults, this is the first epidemiologic study of OAS in Korea. MATERIAL AND METHOD: One hundred and fifty one patients who showed positive skin reaction to pollens were telephone-interviewed. Investigation of the prevalence and clinical manifestations of OAS was possible in 81 patients. RESULT: The prevalence of OAS among these patients was 34.6% (28/81). OAS was found in 24(48%) out of 50 patients sensitized to tree pollens, whereas 4(13%) of 31 grass or weed pollen-sensitized paients had OAS. Most common causative food was apple and all of 17 apple- OAS patients were sensitized to tree pollens. Peach was the second common food and 14 of 15 peach-OAS patients were sensitized to tree pollens. Besides oral symptoms, rhinitis, asthma, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or generalized urticaria were accompanied in half of the OAS patients (14/28). Some patients showed OAS to some unique Korean foods such as dropwort, taro and Aster. CONCLUSION: OAS was very common in pollen-sensitized patients. Larger epidemiologic studies are needed to find unique Korean foods and their antigensm causing OAS.
Adult ; Asthma ; Colocasia ; Diarrhea ; Eating ; Edema ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Epitopes ; Filipendula ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Fruit ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Korea ; Larynx ; Lip ; Mouth ; Nausea ; Pharynx ; Poaceae ; Pollen* ; Prevalence ; Prunus persica ; Rhinitis ; Skin ; Urticaria ; Vegetables ; Vomiting