Two strains of vancomycin-resistant Leuconostoc species were isolated from blood cultures in two compromised patients. The isolates produced gas from Lactobacillus MRS booth, hydrolysed esculin, and produced no ammonia from arginine, thus fulfilling the major criteria as Leucorostoc spp. We recommend that clinical laboratories should perform susceptibility test to vancomycin for clinical isolates (especially from cerebrospinal fluid and blood) which resemble streptococci so as not to confuse Leuconostoc spp. with more commonly isolated pathogens such as streptococci.
Ammonia ; Arginine ; Bacteremia* ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Esculin ; Humans ; Lactobacillus ; Leuconostoc* ; Vancomycin

This study aimed to reanalyze energy and nutrient intakes of 2007 Korean Nutrition and Health Examination Survey (KNHANES) using CAN-Pro 3.0, a commonly used nutrient analysis software in Korea. Food items and their codes were selected from 2007 KNHANES dietary intake file and converted to food codes of CAN-Pro 3.0 nutrient database (NDB). Of the 1,324 total food items, 1,155 items were converted by direct matching, 123 items were matched using other items in CAN-Pro 3.0 NDB and 42 items were matched using external sources. Consumption frequencies of items converted by direct matching contributed 94.5% of total consumption. Nutrient intakes of 4,091 participants of 2007 KNHANES, over 1 year old, were recalculated using CAN-Pro 3.0 NDB and compared with intakes in 2007 KNHANES dietary intake file. Intakes for energy and all nutrients except protein and Vitamin C calculated by two NDBs were significantly different by paired t-test (p < 0.001), but significantly correlated by Pearson' correlation coefficients (p<0.001). Percent differences between the NDBs ranged from 0.3% to 15.1%, low for protein, energy, vitamin C, iron, vitamin B2 (below 5%) but high for phosphorus, retinol, vitamin A, and beta-carotene (over 10%). Age group, sex, and their interactions significantly influenced six nutrients (p<0.05). Intake levels of zinc, vitamin B6, vitamin E, folate and cholesterol were not available in 2007 KNHANES but were calculated by CAN-Pro 3.0. Mean intake levels of zinc, vitamin B6, vitamin E, and folate by age and sex groups revealed that some groups had mean levels below RI (Recommended Intake) or AI (Adequate Intake) levels. Intake level of cholesterol was higher than the recommended level (below 300 mg/day) in some groups, especially males. Results of the present study indicate the need for comparable and more comprehensive NDB to be used for dietary assessment of KNHANES and other researches. More rigorous evaluation of nutrients which have not been reported in KNHANES is needed.
Ascorbic Acid ; beta Carotene ; Cholesterol ; Folic Acid ; Humans ; Iron ; Korea ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys ; Phosphorus ; Riboflavin ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin B 6 ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins ; Zinc

The common split-gilled mushroom, Schizophyllum commune is found throughout the world on woody plants. This study was initiated to evaluate conditions for favorable vegetative growth and to determine molecular phylogenetic relationship in twelve different strains of S. commune. A suitable temperature for mycelial growth was obtained at 30degrees C. This mushroom grew well in acidic conditions and pH 5 was the most favorable. Hamada, glucose peptone, Hennerberg, potato dextrose agar and yeast malt extract were favorable media for growing mycelia, while Lilly and glucose tryptone were unfavorable. Dextrin was the best and lactose was the less effective carbon source. The most suitable nitrogen sources were calcium nitrate, glycine, and potassium nitrate, whereas ammonium phosphate and histidine were the least effective for the mycelial growth of S. commune. The genetic diversity of each strain was investigated in order to identify them. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of rDNA were amplified using PCR. The size of the ITS1 and ITS2 regions of rDNA from the different strains varied from 129 to 143 bp and 241 to 243 bp, respectively. The sequence of ITS1 was more variable than that of ITS2, while the 5.8S sequences were identical. A phylogenetic tree of the ITS region sequences indicated that the selected strains were classified into three clusters. The reciprocal homologies of the ITS region sequences ranged from 99 to 100%. The strains were also analyzed by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) with 20 arbitrary primers. Twelve primers efficiently amplified the genomic DNA. The number of amplified bands varied depending on the primers used or the strains tested. The average number of polymorphic bands observed per primer was 4.5. The size of polymorphic fragments was obtained in the range of 0.2 to 2.3 kb. These results indicate that the RAPD technique is well suited for detecting the genetic diversity in the S. commune strains tested.
Agar ; Agaricales ; Calcium ; Calcium Compounds ; Carbon ; DNA ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Genetic Variation ; Glucose ; Glycine ; Histidine ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lactose ; Nitrates ; Nitrogen ; Peptones ; Phosphates ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Potassium ; Potassium Compounds ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique ; Schizophyllum ; Solanum tuberosum ; Sprains and Strains ; Yeasts

BACKGROUND: The control of multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDROs) is important in preventing healthcare-associated infections. We performed a survey to evaluate the current system for control of MDROs in general hospitals in Korea. METHODS: A questionnaire consisted of queries about infection control systems, personnel, antibiotic use monitoring systems, isolation and barrier precautions, and obstacles to and opinions about MDROs. The questionnaire was mailed to 145 hospitals with more than 300 beds in November 2005. RESULTS: One hundred and two of the 145 (70.3%) hospitals responded; 65.3% of the responded hospitals had antibiotics control programs and 96.0% of those had control programs for MDROs. Surveillance cultures for vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were taken in 21.6% and 16.7% of the hospitals, respectively. Over 90% of the hospitals had guidelines with respect to wearing gloves, collecting infectious wastes, and cleaning the environment for MRSA and VRE, but less than a half of the hospitals had the same standard for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing gram-negative bacteria and carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria. Most hospitals recommended gowning when contamination or invasive procedures were anticipated, but for VRE patients, gowns were used more strictly whenever there was contact with MDROs. Major obstacles related to isolation of patients infected or colonized with MDROs were the cost for isolation rooms (37.3%), and proposed solutions were reimbursement from the medical insurance company (86.3%), construction of a nationwide management system (61.8%), and effort by individual hospitals (58.8%) for MDROs infection control. CONCLUSION: Most of the hospitals have adopted control programs, but more needs to be done. Further efforts, including periodic reporting of antibiotic resistance, sufficient cost reimbursement, and providing education and increased awareness are urgently needed.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Colon ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Education ; Enterococcus ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Hospitals, General* ; Humans ; Infection Control* ; Insurance ; Korea* ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Postal Service ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: The dominant innervation of airway smooth muscle is parasympathetic fibers which are carried in the vagus nerve. Activation of these cholinergic nerves releases acetylcholine which binds to M3 muscarinic receptors on the smooth muscle causing bronchocontraction. Acetylcholine also feeds back onto neuronal M2 muscarinic receptors located on the postganglionic cholinergic nerves. Stimulation of these receptors further inhibits acetylcholine release, so these M2 muscarinic receptors act as autoreceptors. Loss of function of these M2 receptors, as it occres in animal models of hyperresponsiveness, leads to an increase in vagally mediated hyperresponsiveness. However, there are limited data pertaining to whether there are dysfunctions of these receptors in patients with asthma. The aim of this study is to determine whether there are dysfunction of M2 muscarinic receptors in asthmatic patients and difference of function of these receptors according to severity of asthma. METHODS: We studied twenty-seven patients with asthma who were registered at Pulmonology Division of Korea University Hospital. They all met asthma criteria of ATS. Of these patients, eleven patients were categorized as having mild asthma, eight patients moderate asthma and eight patients severe asthma according to severity by NAEPP Expert Panel Report 2(1997). All subjects were free of recent upper respiratory tract infection within 2 weeks and showed positive methacholine challenge test(PC 20<16mg/ml). Methacholine provocation tests performed twice on separate days allowing for an interval of one week. In the second test, pre-treatment with the M2 muscarinic receptor agonist pilocarpine(180µg) through inhalation was performed before the routine procedures. RESULTS: Eleven subjects with mild asthma and eight aubjects with moderate asthma showed significant increase of PC20 from 5.30±5.23mg/ml(mean±SD) to 20.82±22.56mg/ml(p=0.004) and from 2.79±1.5mg/ml to 4.67±3.53mg/ml(p=0.012) after pilocarpine inhalation, respectively. However, in the eight subjects with severe asthma significant increase of PC20 from 1.76±1.50mg/ml to 3.18±4.03mg/ml(p=0.161) after pilocarpine inhalation was not found. CONCLUSION: In subjects with mild and moderate asthma, function of M2 muscarinic receptors was normal, but there was a dysfunction of these receptors in subjects with severe asthma. These results suggest that function of M2 muscarinic receptors is different according to severity of asthma.
Acetylcholine ; Asthma ; Autoreceptors ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Korea ; Methacholine Chloride ; Models, Animal ; Muscle, Smooth ; Neurons* ; Pilocarpine ; Pulmonary Medicine ; Receptors, Muscarinic* ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Vagus Nerve

BACKGROUND: Despite remarkable progress of understanding the pathophysiology and therapy of bronchial asthma, asthma morbidity and mortality are on the rise. Also hospitalization and attending rates of emergency department for asthma have been increasing gradually. We analyzed clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients who visited emergency room due to asthma attack in order to define clinical characteristics of these group of patients. METHOD: We reviewed 105 adult asthmatic patients who attended emergency department of Korea University Hospital between August 1995 and July 1996, retrospectively. RESULTS: 103 patients(56 female, 47 males, mean age : 48.6 years) attended-68 self referral, 18 practitioner referral and 17 OPD transfer- and 86 patients(83.5%) were admitted. Attending emergncy department was clearly more frequent in December(13.6%) and May(12.6%). Time lag between onset of asthmatic attack and arrival at the hospital was 14.2 15.5 hour and initial peak expiratory flow rate was 166.7 68.3L/min.(43.3% predicted) The commonest cause for visiting emergency room was aggravation of asthma due to upper respiratory tract infection in mild asthmatics. About half of them had history of previous ER visits. Their prognosis was not bad, but after discharge, about half of patients escaped from OPD follow-up. CONCLUSION: As a group they merit detailed attention and follow up arrangement. Clinician need to monitor and review the treatment plans, the medications, the patient's management technique, and the level of asthma control. For this group, plans for longer term treatment, including asthma education program and adjustment of overall treatment plan should be made.
Adult ; Asthma ; Education ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate ; Prognosis ; Referral and Consultation ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Retrospective Studies ; United Nations

Spinal hemangioma is the uncommon, slowly growing benign tumor that arises from the blood vessels and commonly located in thoracic spine. We have recently experienced a caseof capillary Hemangioma in intradural extramedullary space of thoracic spine level. The patient presented with a slowly progressive weakness of both lower extremities and hypesthesia below T6 dermatome. The plain X-ray films, thoracic spine myelography and CT scan disclosed an intradural mass at T5 level. The mass was surgically removed and conformed by histological examination.
Blood Vessels ; Capillaries* ; Hemangioma ; Hemangioma, Capillary* ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Lower Extremity ; Myelography ; Spine ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; X-Ray Film

BACKGROUND: Pressure rise time (PRT) is the time in which the ventilator aclieves the set airway pressure in pressure-targeted modes, such as pressure control ventilation (PCV). With varying PRT, in principle, the peak inspiratory flow rate of the ventilator also varies. And if PRT is set to a shorter duration, the effective duration of target pressure level would be prolonged. which in turn would increase inspiratory tidal volume(Vti) and mean airway pressure(Pmean). We also postulated that the increase in Vti with shortening of PRT may relate inversely to the patients' basal airway resistance. METHODS: In 13paralyzed patients on PCV(pressure control 18±9.5cm H2, FIO2 0.6±0.3, PEEP 5±3cm H2O, f20/min, I : E, 1 : 2) with Servo 300(Siemens-Elema, Solna, Sweden)from various causes of respiratory failure, PRT of 10%, 5% and 0% were randomly applied. At 30min of each PRT trial, peak inspiratory flow (PIF, L/sec), Vti(ml), Pmean(cm H2O) and ABGA were determined. RESULTS: At PRT 10, 5% and 0%, PIF were 01.69±0.13, 0.77±0.19, 0.83±0.22, respectively(p<0.001). Vti were 425±94, 439±101, 456±106, respectively(p<0.001), and Pmean were 11.2±3.7, 12.0±3.7, 12.5±3.8, respectively(p<0.001). pH were 7.40±0.08, 7.40 ±0.92, 7.41±0.96, respectively (p=0.004) ; PaCO2 (mm Hg) were 47.4±15.8, 47.2±15.7, 44.6±16.2, respectively (p=0.004) ; PAO2 - PaO2 (mm Hg) were 220±98, 224±95, 227±94, respectively(p=0.004) ; and Vd/Vt as determined by (PaCO2 - P CO2/PaCO2 were 0.67±0.07, 0.67±0.08, 0.66 ±0.08, respectively(p=0.007). The correlation between airway resistance and change of Vti from PRT 10% to 0% were r=-0.243(0.498). CONCLUSION: Shortening of pressure rise time during PCV was associated with associated with increased tidal volume, increased mean airway pressure and lower PaCO2.
Airway Resistance ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Tidal Volume* ; Ventilation* ; Ventilators, Mechanical

OBJECTIVES: Many recent studies have suggested that several systemic conditions, such as obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes, are related to periodontitis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether any particular metabolic syndrome component correlates with the periodontal status. METHODS: This study analyzed data from 501 adults (age range, 30 to 64 years) who completed a general physical examination and an oral-health-related questionnaire between January 2014 and June 2014. Periodontitis was already used by the validity and reliability has been proven questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between metabolic syndrome and the presence of chronic periodontitis. RESULTS: Among the 501 participants, 81 (16.2%) had metabolic syndrome and 91 (18.2%) had chronic periodontitis. The prevalence of chronic periodontitis was 28.40% (23/81) and 16.19% (68/420) in the participants with and without metabolic syndrome, respectively. The association remained significant after adjusting for sex, age, education, income, occupation, and smoking status; the adjusted odds ratio was 2.03 (95% confidence interval, 1.11 to 3.71). CONCLUSIONS: A significant association exists between metabolic syndrome components and the periodontal status.
Adult ; Chronic Periodontitis ; Education ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Logistic Models ; Obesity ; Occupations ; Odds Ratio ; Periodontitis ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Reproducibility of Results ; Smoke ; Smoking

The current study proposes a model of the cardiovascular system that couples heart cell mechanics with arterial hemodynamics to examine the physiological role of arterial blood pressure (BP) in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). We developed a comprehensive multiphysics and multiscale cardiovascular model of the cardiovascular system that simulates physiological events, from membrane excitation and the contraction of a cardiac cell to heart mechanics and arterial blood hemodynamics. Using this model, we delineated the relationship between arterial BP or pulse wave velocity and LVH. Computed results were compared with existing clinical and experimental observations. To investigate the relationship between arterial hemodynamics and LVH, we performed a parametric study based on arterial wall stiffness, which was obtained in the model. Peak cellular stress of the left ventricle and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the brachial and central arteries also increased; however, further increases were limited for higher arterial stiffness values. Interestingly, when we doubled the value of arterial stiffness from the baseline value, the percentage increase of SBP in the central artery was about 6.7% whereas that of the brachial artery was about 3.4%. It is suggested that SBP in the central artery is more critical for predicting LVH as compared with other blood pressure measurements.
Aorta/physiology ; Arteries/*physiology ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular System/*physiopathology ; Computer Simulation ; *Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/physiopathology ; *Models, Biological ; Ventricular Function