BACKGROUND: Phagocytosis is probably the first step for mycobacteria to be virulent in host because virulent strains are more readily phagocytosed by macrophage than attenuated strains. According 13 the traditional concept, multi-drug resistant strains have been regarded as less virulent. However, this concept has been challenged, since recent studies(reported) showed that the degree of virulence and drug-resistance is not related. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the phagocytic activity of M. tuberculosis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) is different according to drug-resistance or host factor. To evaluate this, we estimated the difference of phagocytic activity of drug-resistant and drug-sensitive M. tuberculosis and also estimated the phagocytic activity of PBMC from intractable tuberculosis patients and healthy controls. METHODS: PBMC from ten intractable tuberculosis patients and twelve healthy control and three different strains of heat-killed M. tuberculosis, ie, ADS(all drug sensitive), MDR(multi-drug resistant), and ADR(all drug resistant) were used. After incubation of various strains of M. tuberculosis with PBMC, the phagocytic activity was evaluated by estimating proportion of PBMC which have phagocytosed M. tuberculosis. RESULTS: Drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis were phagocylosed easily than drug sensitive strains(Percentage of PBMC phagocytosed M. tuberculosis in healthy control : ADS : 32.3α2.9%, ADR : 49.6α3.4%, p=0.0022, Percentage of PBMC phagocytosed M. tuberculosis in intractable tuberculosis patients : ADS : 34.9α3.6%, ADR : 50.7α4.5%), p=0.0069). However, there was no difference in phagocytic activity of PBMC from healthy control and intractable tuberculosis patients. CONCLUSION: Drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis were phagocytosed easily than drug sensitive strains and host factors does not seems to influence the phagocytosis of M. tuberculosis.
Humans ; Macrophages ; Monocytes* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Phagocytosis* ; Tuberculosis ; Virulence

OBJECTIVES: In this paper, we proposed an algorithm for recognizing a rotator cuff supraspinatus tendon tear using a texture analysis based on a histogram, gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), and gray level run length matrix (GLRLM). METHODS: First, we applied a total of 57 features (5 first order descriptors, 40 GLCM features, and 12 GLRLM features) to each rotator cuff region of interest. Our results show that first order statistics (mean, skewness, entropy, energy, smoothness), GLCM (correlation, contrast, energy, entropy, difference entropy, homogeneity, maximum probability, sum average, sum entropy), and GLRLM features are helpful to distinguish a normal supraspinatus tendon and an abnormal supraspinatus tendon. The statistical significance of these features is verified using a t-test. The support vector machine classification showed accuracy using feature combinations. Support Vector Machine offers good performance with a small amount of training data. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy are used to evaluate performance of a classification test. RESULTS: From the results, first order statics features and GLCM and GLRLM features afford 95%, 85%, and 100% accuracy, respectively. First order statistics and GLCM and GLRLM features in combination provided 100% accuracy. Combinations that include GLRLM features had high accuracy. GLRLM features were confirmed as highly accurate features for classified normal and abnormal. CONCLUSIONS: This algorithm will be helpful to diagnose supraspinatus tendon tear on ultrasound images.
Classification ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Entropy ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Rotator Cuff ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Subject Headings ; Support Vector Machine ; Tears ; Tendons ; Ultrasonography*

Primary idiopathic polymyositis is a condition of presumed autoimmune etiology in which the skeletal muscle is damaged by a nonsuppurative inflammatory process dominated by lymphocytic infiltration. We recently experienced a patient with primary idiopathic Polymyositis associated with hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytopenia. About 4 months prior to admission, he was diagnosed as primary idiopathic polymyositis, and improved by treatment with prednisolone 60 mg/day. During steroid tapering, muscle weakness was recurred and accompanied by hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytopenia. Despite retreatment with prednisolone 60 mg/day, muscle weakness, hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytopenia persisted. He was then started to administer methotrexate(MTX) 15 mg/week which resulted in prompt improvement of muscle weakness, hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytopenia. These findnigs suggest that primary idiopathic polymyositis is one of the cause of hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytopenia, and that the hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytopenia can be improved promptly by methotrexate treatment.
Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia* ; Methotrexate ; Muscle Weakness ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Polymyositis* ; Prednisolone ; Retreatment ; Thrombocytopenia*

BACKGROUND: Medical interviewing skills are now recognized as the most important skill to be acquired for the purpose of accurate diagnosis and treatment. Among the several evaluation methods of interviewing skills, audiovisual method has the merit of allowing the fellow residents to have discussion about the interview and of receiving feedback from the teaching faculty by replaying the real interview. In addition, it allows the resident to evaluate his or her interviewing skills, The purpose of this study is to evaluate the reliability and the validity of family residents' self-interviewing skill evaluation protocol. METHODS: A modified arizona interview rating scale which is an interviewing skill evaluating protocol has been used after Korean version became available. Six interviews with outpatients were recorded and evaluated respectively by 10 residents. The results were compared with that of Golden Standard to assess its validity. Finally, 10 residents were divided into two groups and the results among the groups were compared to evaluate the reliability of the scale. RESULTS: The evaluation of interviewing skills conducted by the residents showed significant rate of correspondence with the Golden Standard(kappa=.22), and in the comparison of 17 evaluation items, there appeared significant correspondence in 7 items. The analysis of the rate of correspondence between the two group of residents revealed significant rate of correspondence (kappa=0.43). Lastly, the comparisons between the items showed significant rate of correspondence in ll items CONCLUSIONS: The residents' self interviewing skill evaluation protocol showed significant validity and reliability from which it may be concluded that the protocol can be used as an effective evaluating method.
Arizona ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Reproducibility of Results*

PURPOSE: This research used mathematical modeling to project the supply and demand of emergency physicians over the next decade in Korea. METHODS: A model was used to project the annual emergency physicians (EP) workforce supply and demand through the year 2015. The mathematical equations used were as follows: Supply = number of emergency physicians at the beginning of the year plus annual residency graduates minus annual attrition; Demand formula I = 5.29 fulltime equivalent positions/emergency department (ED) x the number of hospital EDs, Demand formula II = annual ED visits/(4,700visits/EP/year), Demand formula III = (11 to 16 EP per major referral ED) + (6 to 8 EP per urban district/ regional hospital ED). RESULTS: While the most conservative demand projection was 1,505 EPs in the year 2015, the most aggressive supply estimate with a yearly supply of 120 new EPs and a 1% attrition rate was 1,362 EPs in that year. CONCLUSIONS: In Korea, emergency physicians will remain in short supply for the next ten years, even at the present levels of EM residency output.
Emergencies* ; Emergency Medicine ; Hospitals ; Internship and Residency ; Korea* ; Models, Theoretical ; Referral and Consultation

Background: Posterior femoral condylar osteophytes were frequently observed in patients with the ultra-congruent (UC) deepdish design prosthesis. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to verify the clinical relevance of osteophyte formation in the UC design. Methods: From March 2014 to February 2018, a comparative study was conducted on 96 knees using the UC design. They were divided into 2 groups (group 1: osteophyte +, group 2: osteophyte –). Intraoperative findings, indirect femoral rollback assessment using 30° flexion and active full flexion lateral radiographs, serial change of the osteophyte, and outcomes were compared. Results: The mean follow-up period was 49.35 ± 3.47 months in group 1 and 47.52 ± 3.37 months in group 2. Posterior component coverage was significantly different between the groups: group 1 exhibited more underhang and group 2 exhibited more overhang (p = 0.022). On the indirect assessment of the femoral rollback, there was a statistically significant difference in deep flexion and change in distance (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups in the American Knee Society knee and function score, and group 2 showed significant improvement in pain compared to group 1 in Western Ontario and McMaster University Arthritis Index pain score (p = 0.029). Conclusions Posterior condylar osteophyte formation was related to posterior impingement. It was more frequently observed in the underhang of the femoral component and insufficient femoral rollback. In addition, it changed with time and caused negative effects, including a gradual decrease in flexion and more pain.

BACKGROUND: Impulse Oscillometry is a noninvasive and effort-independent test used to characterize the mechanical impedance of the respiratory system. The clinical potential of the 105 is rapid and demands only passive cooperation which makes it especially appealing for children, for epidemiologic surveys and for conditions in which quiet breathig instead of forced expiratory maneuvers are preferred. However, several studies have shown conflicting results that the role of 108 about detection of smoking induced small airway diseases or early airway obstruction METHODS: Study was to evaluate the clinical ability of the 108 to detect about smoking induced early airway obstruction in persons with normal spirometry test. Respiratory asymptomatic study groups were formed that one is non-smoking group, another is smoking group. RESULTS: The parameters of spirometry were not significantly differences between non-smoking group and smoking group. Among the parameters of 108, total resistance(non-smoking group: smoking group= 2.22 +/-1.20 : 2.58 +/-1.71), peripheral resistance( 1.25 +/-0.62 : 1.47 +/-0.10), bronchial compliance(0.44 +/-0.12: 0.47 +/-0.16) were not statistically significant different (p<0.05), but central resistance and lung compliance were not statistically significant different (unit ; resistance= hPa/l/s, compliance= 1/hPa). Resistance(Rrs) was not statistically significant different with changes of frequences(5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35Hz), but Reactance(Xrs) was statistically significant differenct with low frequences that X5(non-smoking group : smoking group= -0.62 +/-0.28 : - 0.76 +/-0.48, p<0.001) and X10(-0.06 +/-0.19 : -0.15 +/-0.33, p<0.013) (unit; hPa/l/s, hPa=cmH2O) CONCLUSION: Impulse oscillometer(IOS) is clinically available method to detect about smoking induced early airway obstruction. And clinically potential parameters of IOS were considers that total resistance, peripheral resistance, bronchial resistance, and reactance of low frequency at 5Hz, 10Hz.
Airway Obstruction* ; Child ; Electric Impedance ; Humans ; Lung Compliance ; Oscillometry ; Respiratory System ; Smoke* ; Smoking* ; Spirometry ; Vascular Resistance

BACKGROUND: IFN-gamma is known to activate mononuclear phagocytes and to mediate host defense mechanism against some intracellular microorganisms, but litfle is known about anti-mycobacterial activity and mechanism of IFN-gamma in human. In this study, we investigated the role of IFN-gamma in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis by observing the effect of IFN-gamma on the phagocytosis of M.tuberculosis(MTB) and on the production of TNF-alpha by human pulmonary alveolar macrophage. METHOD: Pulmonary alveolar macrophage(PAM) were prepared with adhesion purification method from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from 8 persons without active lung lesion and cultured(1 x 106cells/ml) with MTB(3 x 107 bacteria/ml) with or without IFN-gamma(300U/ml), LPS(0.5ug/ml) and autologous serum(10%). After 2 hours, the percentage of PAM-phagocytosed MTh was counted after AFB staining(modified Kynion method). TNF-alpha production by PAM stimulated by IFN-gamma(300U/ml), MTB(1 x l06bacteria/ml) and LPS(0.5ug/ml) for 24hours was measured in culture supernatant using ELISA method. The degree of phagocytosis of MTh by PAM stimulated with IFN-gamma(300U/ml) and LPS(0.5ug/ml) for 24hours was also investigated. RESULTS: IFN-gamma did not influence the phagocytosis of MTB by PAM(percentage of PAM-phagocytosed MTB: control: 22.1+/- 4.9, IFN-gamma: 20.3+/- 5.3) and did not increase TNF-alpha production by PAM(controfl 21+/-38pg/ml, IFN-gamma : 87+/-106pg/ml), and the degree of phagocytosis of MTh by PAM pre-stimulated with IFN-gamma for 24 hours, was not increased (controL 24.5+/-9.5, IFN-gamma : 23.4+/-10.1). CONCLUSION: IFN-gamma does not influence on the phagocytosis of MTB and TNF-alpha production by PAM.
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans* ; Lung ; Macrophages, Alveolar* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Phagocytes ; Phagocytosis* ; Tuberculosis* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND: The total and differential cell count of bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) fluid are useful assessing activity, prognosis and response to therapy in diffuse interstitial lung disease. But controversy exist as to the appropriate method in processing BAL fluid. Therefore we investigated the effect of gauze filtration, centrifugation and different storage time of BAL fluid on the total and differential cell count. METHOD: We obtained BAL fluid from 6 persons with no active lung lesion and divided pooled BAL fluid into several siliconized glass tubes and filtered through 0,1, 2, 4 folds of cotton guaze(pore size:lmm), and compared total cell count using hemocytometer after trypan blue staining and differential cell count after Wright-Giemsa staining of cytocentrifuged preparations. And we also counted total and differential cell count after centrifugation(400g for 30 mm) and various storage time(2hr, 24hr, and 48hr). RESULTS: There was no difference in total and differential cell count according to folds of gauze filtraion. But without gauze filtration, mucus threads that hampered total and differential cell count were found in 2 cases (33%). Centrifugation resulted in loss of total cell count(24+/-18%) without change in differential cell count. There was no change in total cell count after 21w storage but significant cell loss was found after 241w storage time(24hr : 28+/-21%, 48hr: 41+/-24%). However there was no change in differential cell count with 48hr storage time. CONCLUSION: Total and differential cell count of BAL fluid may be best performed after cotton gauze filtration without centrifugation and within 2 hours.
Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Cell Count ; Centrifugation ; Filtration ; Glass ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Mucus ; Prognosis ; Silicones ; Therapeutic Irrigation* ; Trypan Blue

Background: With a rapid decrease in tuberculosis (TB) incidence, the significance of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) has been underscored in South Korea. Although South Korea does not have a high proportion of immigrants compared to other countries, there is a growing argument that it should actively embrace immigrants as a solution to address issues of low birth rates and population aging. This study aimed to assess TB incidence among immigrants who participated a pilot LTBI screening program in South Korea. Methods: Records of immigrants participated in a pilot LTBI screening program in South Korea between 2018 and 2019 were linked with Korean National TB Surveillance System to determine TB development. Participants underwent interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) and chest X-rays. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) stratified by age, country of origin’s TB burden was calculated with a reference group of general South Korean population. Results: Of a total of 9,517 participants, 14 TB cases were identified. Participants with positive IGRA results who did not initiate LTBI treatment showed TB incidence of 312.5 per 100,000 person-years, whereas those with negative results showed TB incidence of 34.4 per 100,000 person-years, resulting in an incidence rate ratio of 9.08 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.50–32.99). SIR of TB among total participants including those with negative IGRA results was 2.60 (95% CI, 1.54–4.38; P < 0.001), whereas SIR among those with positive IGRA results was 5.86 (95% CI, 3.15–10.89; P < 0.001). In the calculation of SIR among participants with positive IGRA results, those aged under 35 from high TB-burden countries or intermediate TBburden countries showed a high SIR (18.08; 95% CI, 2.55–128.37; P = 0.004), and 11.30 (95% CI, 2.82–45.16; P < 0.001), respectively). Contrary to previous reports that suggest the majority of elderly population with a positive IGRA result were due to remote infection and had a lower TB risk compared to younger ages, SIR among those aged 65 or over from intermediate TB-burden countries was 6.15 (95% CI, 0.87–43.69; P = 0.069), which was comparable to that in younger participants aged between 35 and 49 (SIR, 4.87; 95% CI, 1.22–19.49; P = 0.025) or those aged between 50 and 64 (SIR, 4.62; 95% CI, 1.73–12.31; P = 0.002). Conclusion Young immigrants with positive IGRA results from countries with high or intermediate TB burden showed a relatively high TB risk compared to a general South Korea population. In addition, unexpected high TB risk was observed among elderly immigrants with positive IGRA results. In establishing future policies for LTBI in immigrants in South Korea, screenings should primarily focus on younger age group (who aged under 35).Additionally, further research is needed on the high TB risk observed in elderly immigrants.