OBJECTIVE: We report six patients with tuboovarian abscess (TOA) drained through sonographically guided transrectal route, in whom percutaneous or transvaginal approach was not accessible due to the risk of pelvic organ. METHOD: This procedure was performed under the guidance of transrectal ultrasound. Six patients with aged 25-42 years (mean 31.6 years), who had appendectomy(1), C/S(2), hyterectomy(1) and no operaion Hx(2). Size of abscess cavity was variable from three to eight centimeter. Catheter was removed when drainage amount was reduced less than 10 cc and the patient becomes afebrile. RESULT: Drainage was successfully done in all patients without any complication to the procedure. Fecal contamination was not occurred after transrectal drainage due to abdominal pressure and gravity ought to empty the abscess cavity. There was no problem in defecation due to the catheter and in its expulsion by defecation. Catheter was removed after 3-8 days (mean 6 days) without recurrent abscess. CONCLUSION: Transrectal drainage of abscess performed with ultrasound guidance is a safe, feasible procedure, which is well tolerated by patient and relatively easy procedure.
Abscess* ; Catheters ; Defecation ; Drainage* ; Gravitation ; Humans ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Ginseng extract (GSE) and taurine (TR) are widely used antifatigue resources in functional foods. However, the mechanism underlying the antifatigue effects of GSE and TR are still unclear. Hence, we investigated whether GSE and TR have synergistic effects against fatigue in mice.MATERIALS/METHODS: L6 cells were treated with different concentrations of TR and GSE, and cell viability was determined using 2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium. Oxidative stress was analyzed by immunocytochemistry using MitoTracker™ Red FM and an anti-8-oxoguanine antibody. Respiratory gas analysis was performed to investigate metabolism. Expression of an activated protein kinase was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Gene expression of cluster of differentiation 36 and pyruvate dehydrogenase lipoamide kinase isozyme 4 was measured using reverse transcription– polymerase chain reaction. Mice were orally administered TR, GSE, or their combination for 30 days, and then fatigue-related parameters, including lactate, blood urea nitrogen, and glycogen, were measured after forced swimming. RESULTS: TR and GSE reduced oxidative stress levels in hydrogen peroxide-stimulated L6 cells and enhanced the oxygen uptake and lipid metabolism in mice after acute exercise. After oral administration of TR or GSE for 30 days, the fatigue-related parameters did not change in mice. However, the mice administered GSE (400 mg/kg/day) alone for 30 days could swim longer than those from the other groups. Further, no synergistic effect was observed after the swimming exercise in mice treated with the TR and GSE combination for 30 days. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our data suggest that TR and GSE may exert antifatigue effects in mice after acute exercise by enhancing oxygen uptake and lipid oxidation.

PURPOSE: We investigated the prevalence and risk factors of allergic rhinitis (AR), nationwide in random children and adolescents of Korea. METHODS: A modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire survey was done in 1,820 children from elementary, middle, and high school nationwide in Korea. The subjects were selected by the stratifying sampling method by school grade and five regions. Current AR was defined as having AR symptoms during the last 12 months with a history of physician-diagnosed AR. Skin prick tests for 18 common allergens were performed. RESULTS: The number of males was 945, and that of females was 875. The mean age of the patients was 12.61+/-3.40 years. The prevalence of current AR and atopic current AR were 29.0% and 18.7%, respectively. Risk factors for current AR were male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.486; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.189-1.856), family history of paternal AR (aOR, 3.208; 95% CI, 2.460-4.182), family history of maternal AR (aOR, 3.138; 95% CI, 2.446-4.025), antibiotic use in infancy (aOR, 1.547; 95% CI, 1.228-1.949), mold exposure during infancy (aOR, 1.416; 95% CI, 1.103-1.819), mold exposure during the last 12 months (aOR, 1.285; 95% CI, 1.012-1.630), and sensitization on skin prick tests (aOR, 2.596; 95% CI, 2.055-3.279). Risk factors for atopic current AR were the same as those of current AR, whereas breast-milk feeding (aOR, 0.720; 95% CI, 0.530-0.976) was a protective factor. Sensitized allergens as risk factors for current AR were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farina, ragweed, mugwort, oak, alder, birch, Japanese hop, cat, and dog. CONCLUSION: The prevalences of current AR and atopic current AR were 29.0% and 18.7%, respectively. Male, sex parental AR, antibiotic use in infancy, mold exposure during the last 12 months, mold exposure during infancy, and atopic sensitization were risk factors for current AR. Breast-milk feeding was a protective factor for atopic current AR. Aeroallergen sensitization was an important risk factor for AR.
Adolescent ; Allergens ; Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Animals ; Artemisia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Betula ; Cats ; Child ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Dogs ; Female ; Fungi ; Humans ; Humulus ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Parents ; Prevalence* ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis* ; Risk Factors* ; Skin