An epidemiological investigation was conducted on Metagonimus yokogawai infection in Hadong Gun (County), Gyeongsang Nam Do, Korea, and following findings were obtained. Overall prevalence rate of Metagonimus yokogawai infection was 29.1 percent from a total of 1,163 inhabitants examined. By area of river and stream, Seomjin-gang R.: 9.5 percent (out of 95 inhabitants examined) in Jeondo Ri in the lower river, 19.9 percent (156) at Dugog Ri near Hadong town, and 90.8 percent (65) in Tab Ri of Hwagae Myeon where Hwagae-cheon Stream joins; Hwagae-Cheon Stream: 42.2 percent (45) in Yonggang Ri of the middle stream and 27.5 percent (72) in Daeseong Ri of the upper stream; Hoengcheon-gang R.: 54.7 percent (161) in Gojeol Ri of the lower river, 40.6 percent (128) in Hoengcheon Ri of the middle stream, and 5.4 percent (93) in Jungi Ri of the upper stream, and 43.8 percent (89) in Uge Ri located along a tributary of the Hoengcheon-gang R. and 4.0 percent (101) in Jangam Ri which is located about 4 km away from the river; Deogcheon-gang R.: 18.5 percent (54) in Munam Ri; Gwangog-cheon Stream: 2.8 percent (107) in Gwangog Ri. The difference in prevalence rate of the infection by area was correlated with the opportunity and amount of raw eating of sweetfish by the inhabitants in the respective areas. By age and sex, the overall prevalence rate increased from young age group and reached a peak at 20-29 age group and then the rate decreased gradually. In high endemic areas, however, a peak level of the rate lasted up to 40-49 age group in male. On the other hand, in low endemic areas, the rate was significantly lower in female, though moderate level of the infection was seen in male. The overall prevalence rate was higher in male than in female and the difference was greater in middle age groups. The most significant mode of infection by the inhabitants was the raw eating of sweetfish which commonly harbour metacercariae of M. yokogawai during summer through autumn. Besides, it was noted that the infection can be acquired through contamination with the metacercariae on food of various side-dish and kitchen utensils as well as on hands of a cook when such fish are prepared or handled. The inhabitants usually begin to acquire infection from early June of a year when fishing of sweetfish opens and acquire infection more frequently in July and August when fish are caught more productively and favored for raw consumption by inhabitants. From September, sweetfish are no more favored for raw consumption and accordingly are dried and cooked in this season. The infection in the sweetfish Plecoglossus altivelis as the second intermediate host was first observed from May with low level of infection and the intensity of infection in a fish rapidly increased until reaching a peak in October when sweetfish season normally ends. The first intermediate host snail of M. yokogawai in this area was Semisulcospira coreana (Martens) which is widely distributed in the streams and rivers in this locality.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Metagonimus yokogawai ; metacercaria ; Plecoglossus altivelis ; epidemiology

In Korea, Kerion celsi caused by T. verrucosum was first reported by Kim et al in the Honam province in 1986. Since then three mare cases have been reported in the Young Nam province. Herein present a case of kerion celsi caused by T. verrucosum from Chungcheong province. The patient, a 7-year old female, showed a 4x 4cm sized, oval, yellow crusted and boggy patch with alopecia on the scalp. She was living on a farm in a rural area of Chungcheong province. Cows on the farm also exhibited similar skin lesions on the buttock. The same T. verrucosum was identified by a characteristic colony morphology on Sabourauds dextrose agar and chains of chlamydoconidia with mycologic stain from scales of lesions of patient and cows. This skin lesion was successfully treated with griseofulvin.
Agar ; Alopecia ; Buttocks ; Child ; Female ; Glucose ; Griseofulvin ; Humans ; Korea ; Scalp ; Skin ; Tinea Capitis* ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: The BTA stat test is a one-step immunochromatographic assay to detect bladder tumor antigen in the urine. We evaluated the efficacy of the BTA stat test and bladder wash cytology(BWC) in the detection and follow-up of bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A voided urine sample for BTA stat test and bladder washing urine for cytology were obtained. The BTA stat test with or without BWC was performed in normal volunteers(n=20), patients with hematuria of unknown origin(n=29), patients with benign genitourinary(GU) disease(n=17), patients with other GU cancer(n=12), patients with bladder cancer(n=46) and patients with a history of bladder cancer(n=54). RESULTS: The overall sensitivities of the BTA stat and BWC in bladder cancer were 69.6% and 41.3%, respectively(p<0.01). For T2 or higher stage tumors, sensitivity was 94.1% for BTA stat and 64.7% for BWC(p<0.05). Grade II tumors were detected at 64.3% with BTA stat and 35.7% with BWC(p<0.05). The sensitivities of the BTA stat and BWC in the follow-up of patients after transurethral resection of bladder tumor were 45.5%(5/11) and 27.3% (3/11), respectively. The specificities of the BTA stat and BWC in the same patients were 88.4%(38/43) and 100%(43/43), respectively(p<0.05). The specificity in patients with hematuria but without disease was 69% for BTA stat and 100% for BWC. The specificities of the BTA stat in healthy volunteers, benign GU disease and other GU cancer were 95%, 82.4% and 75%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that BTA stat test is a simple, noninvasive test that is superior to bladder wash cytology for detection of bladder cancer in its sensitivity and a useful adjunct of cystoscopy in surveillance and diagnosis of bladder cancer. However, the BTA stat test can not replace cystoscopy due to low specificity.
Cystoscopy ; Diagnosis* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Immunochromatography ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* ; Urinary Bladder*

Since urethral Foley catheterization is usually easy and safe, serious complications related to this procedure have been rarely reported. Herein, we describe a case of intraperitoneally placed urethral catheter via verumontanum presenting as intraperitoneal bladder perforation in a chronically debilitated elderly patient. A 82-yr-old male patient was admitted with symptoms of hematuria, lower abdominal pain after traumatic Foley catheterization. The retrograde cystography showed findings of intraperitoneal bladder perforation, but emergency laparotomy with intraoperative urethrocystoscopy revealed a tunnel-like false passage extending from the verumontanum into the rectovesical pouch between the posterior wall of the bladder and the anterior wall of the rectum with no bladder injury. The patient was treated with simple closure of the perforated rectovesical pouch and a placement of suprapubic cystostomy tube.
Aged, 80 and over ; Cystostomy ; Humans ; Male ; Peritoneum ; Rupture/diagnosis ; Urinary Bladder/*injuries/*surgery ; *Urinary Catheterization

No abstract available.
Fractures, Open*

The goals of treatment in the injuries of posterior cruciate ligament(PCL) are restoration of normal tibiofemoral stability and reduction of long term osteoarthrosis of the knee. The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors on posterior stability and functional result after PCL reconstruction. From March 1996 to April 1997, twenty operation on PCL reconstruction were carried out in our hospital. The functional results according to the criteria of the Lysholm knee score and stress radiograph for posterior stability were evaluated. The average functional results evaluated by Lysholm knee score was 87. There was no significant difference in functional result according to selected grafted material, combined knee injury, type of injury and arthrotomy, etc. Difference in posterior tibial translation on average were 2.8mm in acute and 7.7mm in chronic injury. In posterolateral combined injury, average posterior tibial translation in pos- terolateral repair was 3.2mm and in posterolateral reconstruction was 9.4mm. In PCL reconstruction using hamstring with repair of PCL remnant was 2mm. In conclusion, to obtain the good result on posterior sta- bility, early PCL reconstruction using hamstring with repair of PCL remnant, and appropriate treatment on combined posterolateral injury were recommended.
Knee ; Knee Injuries ; Osteoarthritis ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament* ; Transplants

With a purpose to find out natural transition of endemicity of Malayan filariasis in inland Korea, a survey was conducted in June 1980 in Isan-Myeon of Yongpung-Gun (former Yongju-Gun) where an epidemiological investigation had been carried out in 1973 without any control activities such as chemotherapy. Five sample villages were surveyed for microfilaremia by 20 microliter night blood examination among inhabitants and the results of the surveys conducted in 1973 and 1980 were compared to determine natural transition of the endemicity of malayan filariasis during the period of the last 7 years. The current microfilaria rate among inhabitants in the 5 villages was 2.2 percent on the average (male: 1.6 percent, female: 2.8 percent) from 370 persons examined. By village, the rates were 5.9 percent (number of persons examined: 34) in Baranggol, 0 percent (30) in Guitonggl, 4.2 percent (72) in Alseonggol, 0 percent(65) in Jangjagol and 1.8 percent (169) in Saehae. Extremely low microfilaria rate was noted in young age groups. By age group, no positive case was found in those age groups below 30-39 years except 10-14 age group in which 2 positives (4.4 percent) were found. Two positives each were found in the respective age groups of 40-49(3.2 percent), 50-59 (4.4 percent) and over 60 (3.4 percent). In evaluation of the natural transition of the endemicity during the period of the last 7 years, the microfilaria rate turned out from 13.1 percent in 1973 to 2.2 percent in 1980. The difference in the microfilaria rate was 10.9 percent and the natural reduction rate per year was 1.6 percent on the average. From the examination of 35 cases which had revealed microfilaremia 7 years ago, 85.7 percent(30) of them were found to have converted to microfilaria negatives. On the other hand, from the 151 cases which had revealed no microfilaria in 1973, only 0.7 percent (1) of them was found to have converted to microfilaria positive. In the intensity of microfilaremia, the number of microfilaria/20 microliter blood per positive case was 11.0 in 1973 and 9.1 in 1980. The number of microfilaria/20 microliter per examinee was 1.4 in 1973 and 0.2 in 1980, thus reduced to 1/7 during the period of the 7 years. The retarding endemicity of malayan filariasis in inland Korea was considered to be resulted in by the gradual increase of environmental factors in relation to ecology of vector mosquitoes, which adversely affect to the transmission of malayan filariasis. Followings are suggested to be the factors which control the transmission of the malayan filariasis in this area: Inhabitants are the only natural final host of Brugia malayi infection in this area, gradual elevation of living standards of the inhabitants, gradual awakening of consciousness and behavior among inhabitants to protect themselves from mosquito biting using such as mosquito nets and insecticide sprays, preference of animal bait of vector mosquitoes, Anopheles sinensis, increase in number of domestic animals and fowls being raised in the village areas which play a major part of blood donors to vector mosquitoes, and relatively short (3-4 months) period of mosquito season in a year.
parasitology-helminth-nematoda ; Brugia malayi ; epidemiology

BACKGROUND: The bispectral index, a parameter of electroencephalography (EEG) and a tool for the measurement of sedative state has been used in general anesthesia and for the assessment of sedative degree in intensive care units. The adverse effects of inhalation agents are various although hepatic toxicity, renal toxicity, postoperative nausea, and vomiting have been reported. This study was designed to evaluate the adverse effect of inhalation agents. METHODS: Forty-four adult patients scheduled for thyroidectomy under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to one group with a BIS below 40 (BIS40 group, n = 23) or to a group with a BIS from 50 to 60 (BIS60 group, n = 21). Hgb, WBC count, PLT count, renal function, and liver function were measured pre-and post-operatively (after 24 hrs). The degree of postoperative nausea and vomiting were estimated using the Rhodes Index of Nausea, Vomiting and Retching (RINVR) in postoperative 6 hrs, 12 hrs and 24 hrs. RESULTS: The amount of fentanyl used during the operation were greates in the BIS60 group than in the BIS40 group for adequate analgesia, and the preoperative and postoperative values of Hgb, WBC count, PLT count, AST, ALT, ALP, s-BUN, and s-creatine were not significantly different between the BIS40 and BIS60 groups. 6 hrs, 12 hrs and 24 hrs post-operatively no differences were observed between groups by RINVR in terms of nausea and vomiting. CONCLUSIONS: The adverse effect of an inhalation agent appears not to be related to its concentration when sevoflurane with BIS monitoring are used to reduced the amount of agent inhaled.
Adult ; Analgesia ; Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, General ; Electroencephalography ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Intensive Care Units ; Liver ; Nausea ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Thyroidectomy ; Vomiting

The quantitative sudomotor axon reflex testing (QSART) is a classic test of routine postganglionic sudomotor function. We investigated sudomotor function by QSART after summer (July 2012) and winter (January 2013) seasonal acclimation (SA) in the Republic of Korea. QSART with acetylcholine (ACh) iontophoresis were performed to determine directly activated (DIR) and axon reflex-mediated (AXR1, 2) sweating rate. Onset time of axon reflex, activated sweat gland density (ASGD), activated sweat gland output (ASGO), tympanic and skin temperatures (T(ty), T(sk)), basal metabolic rate (BMR), and evaporative loss volume changes were measured. Tympanic and mean body temperature (T(b); calculated from T(ty), T(sk)) were significantly lower after summer-SA than that of winter-SA. Sweat onset time was delayed during winter-SA compared to that after summer-SA. BMR, AXR(1), AXR(2), and DIR sweat rates, ASGD and ASGO, and evaporative loss volume were significantly diminished after winter-SA relative to after summer-SA. In conclusion, changes in sweating activity measured by QSART confirmed the involvement of the peripheral nervous system in variation of sudomotor activity in seasonal acclimation.
Acclimatization* ; Acetylcholine ; Axons ; Basal Metabolism ; Body Temperature ; Humans* ; Iontophoresis ; Peripheral Nervous System ; Reflex ; Republic of Korea ; Seasons* ; Skin Temperature ; Sweat ; Sweat Glands ; Sweating

The primary urethral calculi are rare and usually associated with urethral strictures or diverticulum. We report a case of primary giant urethral calculus in 79-year old man who has had no significant urinary and sexual symptom for 48 years.
Aged ; Calculi* ; Diverticulum ; Humans ; Urethra ; Urethral Stricture