BACKGROUND: Infections are usually related to the surgical patients prognosis. Therefore consultations from surgical departments to division of infectious diseases are considered very important in the aspect of improvement of surgical outcomes and control of hospital infection. This study was conducted to analyze the results of infectious disease consultation from surgical departments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 624 cases of consultation to division of infectious diseases from surgical departments from March to August in the year of 2002. RESULTS: Among 624 cases, 610 were included; 292 cases (47.9%) were new and 318 cases (52.1%) were follow-up requests. More than 50% of consultations were from the department of neurosurgery and orthopedics. Overall, 558 cases (91.4%) were about infection-related conditions, and among them, common causes were soft tissue infection, respiratory tract infection, and urinary tract infection. However, those results were remarkably variable according to each surgical department. The measures taken after consultations were change of antibiotics (35.6%), maintenance of antibiotics (18.4%), discontinuance of antibiotics (10%), start of antibiotics (9.2%), and observation without antibiotics (4.3%). CONCLUSION: This is the report on analysis of infectious disease consultation from surgical departments. Through the analysis of consultations we expect to enable more efficient care of patients and infection control.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Communicable Diseases* ; Cross Infection ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Neurosurgery ; Orthopedics ; Prognosis ; Referral and Consultation* ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Retrospective Studies ; Soft Tissue Infections ; Urinary Tract Infections

BACKGROUND: Infections are usually related to the surgical patients prognosis. Therefore consultations from surgical departments to division of infectious diseases are considered very important in the aspect of improvement of surgical outcomes and control of hospital infection. This study was conducted to analyze the results of infectious disease consultation from surgical departments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 624 cases of consultation to division of infectious diseases from surgical departments from March to August in the year of 2002. RESULTS: Among 624 cases, 610 were included; 292 cases (47.9%) were new and 318 cases (52.1%) were follow-up requests. More than 50% of consultations were from the department of neurosurgery and orthopedics. Overall, 558 cases (91.4%) were about infection-related conditions, and among them, common causes were soft tissue infection, respiratory tract infection, and urinary tract infection. However, those results were remarkably variable according to each surgical department. The measures taken after consultations were change of antibiotics (35.6%), maintenance of antibiotics (18.4%), discontinuance of antibiotics (10%), start of antibiotics (9.2%), and observation without antibiotics (4.3%). CONCLUSION: This is the report on analysis of infectious disease consultation from surgical departments. Through the analysis of consultations we expect to enable more efficient care of patients and infection control.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Communicable Diseases* ; Cross Infection ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Neurosurgery ; Orthopedics ; Prognosis ; Referral and Consultation* ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Retrospective Studies ; Soft Tissue Infections ; Urinary Tract Infections

Orchidaceous plants have symbiotic relationships with endophytic fungi, including mycorrhizal fungi, which play important roles in the seed germination and growth of the host plants. In this study, endophytic fungal communities isolated from the roots of Cephalanthera longibracteata collected from three different sites in Korea were analyzed, and it was determined whether fungal communities were preferentially correlated with the sites. The fungal isolates were identified by sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer regions of rDNA. In total, 30 species of endophytic fungi, including two species of mycorrhizal fungi belonging to the genus Tulasnella, were identified. Leptodontidium orchidicola showed the highest frequency and was isolated from all root samples. Species diversity and richness were not significantly different among sites. However, the community structure of the endophytic fungi significantly differed among sites, suggesting that the site characteristics affected the community composition of the endophytic fungi colonizing the roots of C. longibracteata. Our findings will aid in developing methods involving the use of symbiotic fungi for orchid conservation and restoration in native habitats.
Colon ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Ecosystem ; Fungi ; Germination ; Korea* ; Mycorrhizae ; Sequence Analysis

OBJECTIVE: Compared to elderly men, elderly women have substantially reduced performance of postural balance and greater risk of falls. To investigate the effect of age and sex on electromyographic (EMG) reaction time of tibialis anterior muscle contraction. METHOD: Fifty-nine elderly subjects and 29 young subjects participated in this study. Subjects were instructed to dorsiflex the ankle of the dominant leg as forcefully and quickly as possible in response to audible beeps. EMG activity was recorded over the tibialis anterior muscle and delays in initiation and termination of EMG signal were measured by two examiners. Mean and intrasubject variability of each delay were used as outcome measures. RESULTS: Both the intra-examiner and inter-examiner reliability of delay variables were above 0.97. Delays in initiation and termination of muscle contraction, as well as their intrasubject variability, were significantly greater in the elderly (p<0.01). However, there were no sex differences or interaction in all outcome measures. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that the EMG reaction time and their variability increase in the elderly population with no sex difference.
Aged ; Animals ; Ankle ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Leg ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscles ; Oxazoles ; Postural Balance ; Reaction Time ; Sex Characteristics

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome, a concurrence of disturbed glucose and insulin metabolism, over- weight and abdominal fat distribution, dyslipidemia and hypertension, is associated with subsequent de- velopment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, especially coronary heart disease. The aim of the study is to assess the relationship between metabolic syndrome and coronary heart disease in elderly greater than 65 years old. METHODS: Eighty two elderly patients greater than 65 years old who underwent coronary angiography were divided into two groups with metabolic syndrome or without metabolic syndrome, and assessed the association with coronary angiographic finding. The metabolic syndrome factors and cardiovascular risk factors of JNC 7 were investigated to assess the relationship with coronary heart disease in elderly. Coronary heart disease was defined as 50% or greater diameter in stenosis of coronary artery in coronary angiography. RESULTS: In elderly patients with metabolic syndrome, coronary angiographically abnormal findings(p<0.05) and multi vessel disease findings(p<0.05) were presented significantly higher than non metabolic syndrome patients. In elderly patients with 3 and more cardiovascular risk factors of JNC 7, coronary angiographically abnormal findings(p<0.05) and multi vessel disease findings(p=0.059) were presented more than the other patients. Diabetes mellitus was related significantly with coronary heart disease(p value 0.044). CONCLUSION: In elderly patients, metabolic syndrome was significantly related with coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus had strong relationship with coronary heart disease. Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors of JNC 7 should be further evaluated to assess the relationship with coronary heart disease in the future.
Abdominal Fat ; Aged* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Disease* ; Coronary Vessels ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Dyslipidemias ; Glucose ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Insulin ; Metabolism ; Risk Factors

A pulmonary thromboembolism usually results from deep vein thrombosis as a serious and fatal complication. It is well known that several risk factors are predisposed to these thrombotic events, causing sudden death. Recently, new variant forms of pulmonary thromboembolism, termed as "economy class syndrome or e-thrombosis" were reported in association with sitting for long time in aircraft seat or at computer. The authors experienced a case of death developed after prolonged gambling at casino in 46-year-old man and concluded that the cause of death was fatal pulmonary thromboembolism due to deep vein thrombosis, associated with prolonged sitting. Therefore, the author thought that this case may be contribute to another possible risk factor of life-threatening pulmonary thromboembolism and highlights the importance of predicting deep vein thrombosis after prolonged gambling in sitting position at casino in the similar mechanism of aforementioned reported cases.
Aircraft ; Autopsy* ; Cause of Death ; Death, Sudden ; Gambling* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Risk Factors ; Venous Thrombosis

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify psychopathologies of sexually abused children and intervening variables of symptom severity. METHODS: Eighty-four school-aged children were identified for sexual abuse from a center for child sexual abuse by psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and social workers. We analyzed correlations among symptom severity, types of sexual abuse, gender, age, relationship with the abuser, family system, and current and past psychopathologies. RESULTS: The percentage of victims with particular psychiatric disorders (current) were 79.8%. Children without identifiable disorders were 20.2%, but these children had significantly increased scores on self report scales of anxiety (RCMAS), depression (CDI), and withdrawal scores on parental reports of child behavior checklist (K-CBCL). Sixty nine percent of abused children had primary diagnosis related to sexual abuse in DSM-IV diagnositic system. PTSD was 41.7%, depressive disorder was 38.1%, and anxiety disorder was 21.4%. Psychopathologies were more severe if perpetrators were of acquaintance or if victims had previous psychopathologies or parent-child relational problems. Types of primary caregiver and older age were also related to the severity of psychopathologies. CONCLUSION: Present study suggests that most victims of childhood sexual abuse suffer from significant psychological distress. Intervening variables are relationship with the perpetrator, previous mental health status, age of the child, type of the primary care taker, and the quality of parent-child relationship.
Anxiety ; Anxiety Disorders ; Caregivers ; Checklist ; Child Abuse, Sexual ; Child Behavior ; Child* ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mental Health ; Parent-Child Relations ; Parents ; Primary Health Care ; Psychiatry ; Psychology ; Psychopathology* ; Self Report ; Sex Offenses ; Social Workers ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND: The emergence of multidrug-resistant, Gram-negative bacteria has resulted in reconsideration of colistimethate sodium (CMS) as a last resort for treatment of such infections. However, acute kidney injury (AKI) may represent a major limiting adverse effect of use of CMS. Early AKI detection in CMS-treated patients can help prevent progression to acute failure and reduce the need of renal replacement therapy. We hypothesized that plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) may be an early biomarker of AKI in CMS-treated patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study included patients aged ≥20 years who received intravenous CMS between March 2014 and November 2015. AKI was defined according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. The primary endpoint was the difference between the average time to AKI onset based on serum creatinine and empirically derived plasma NGAL levels. RESULTS: Among 109 CMS-treated patients, 23 patients (mean age, 61.3 ± 16.1 years; men, 65.2%) were evaluated. Thirteen (56.5%) patients fulfilled the AKI criteria. The mean time to AKI onset based on serum creatinine after CMS initiation was 78.15 ± 30.49 hours. AKI was detected approximately 22 hours earlier using plasma NGAL than when using serum creatinine as an indicator of AKI (P = 0.035). The baseline plasma NGAL level was 264.0 ± 167.3 ng/mL and 192.7 ± 65.3 ng/mL in patients with and without AKI, respectively (P = 0.218). The area under the curve for plasma NGAL level at 56 hours was 0.796 (95% confidence interval, 0.609–0.983; P = 0.017), with a sensitivity and specificity of 69.2% and 90.0%, respectively (cutoff value, 285 ng/mL). CONCLUSION: NGAL level was found to be a strong predictor of AKI. This study provides additional evidence of the utility of NGAL for AKI in patients with treated CMS. Plasma NGAL represent sensitive and specific predictive early biomarkers for AKI in patient treated CMS.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Biomarkers ; Cohort Studies ; Creatinine ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Health Resorts ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; Lipocalins* ; Male ; Neutrophils* ; Plasma ; Prospective Studies ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sodium*

BACKGROUND: The emergence of multidrug-resistant, Gram-negative bacteria has resulted in reconsideration of colistimethate sodium (CMS) as a last resort for treatment of such infections. However, acute kidney injury (AKI) may represent a major limiting adverse effect of use of CMS. Early AKI detection in CMS-treated patients can help prevent progression to acute failure and reduce the need of renal replacement therapy. We hypothesized that plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) may be an early biomarker of AKI in CMS-treated patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study included patients aged ≥20 years who received intravenous CMS between March 2014 and November 2015. AKI was defined according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. The primary endpoint was the difference between the average time to AKI onset based on serum creatinine and empirically derived plasma NGAL levels. RESULTS: Among 109 CMS-treated patients, 23 patients (mean age, 61.3 ± 16.1 years; men, 65.2%) were evaluated. Thirteen (56.5%) patients fulfilled the AKI criteria. The mean time to AKI onset based on serum creatinine after CMS initiation was 78.15 ± 30.49 hours. AKI was detected approximately 22 hours earlier using plasma NGAL than when using serum creatinine as an indicator of AKI (P = 0.035). The baseline plasma NGAL level was 264.0 ± 167.3 ng/mL and 192.7 ± 65.3 ng/mL in patients with and without AKI, respectively (P = 0.218). The area under the curve for plasma NGAL level at 56 hours was 0.796 (95% confidence interval, 0.609–0.983; P = 0.017), with a sensitivity and specificity of 69.2% and 90.0%, respectively (cutoff value, 285 ng/mL). CONCLUSION: NGAL level was found to be a strong predictor of AKI. This study provides additional evidence of the utility of NGAL for AKI in patients with treated CMS. Plasma NGAL represent sensitive and specific predictive early biomarkers for AKI in patient treated CMS.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Biomarkers ; Cohort Studies ; Creatinine ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Health Resorts ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; Lipocalins* ; Male ; Neutrophils* ; Plasma ; Prospective Studies ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sodium*

A 48-year-old divorced woman was found dead, lying in her room. A scarf was wound two times around her neck, which was tightened like a tourniquet. Self- strangulation by ligature is very rare and such cases emphasize the need for an accurate medicolegal evaluation of the circumstances, a thorough postmortem examination, and methodical inspection of the scene, particularly when postmortem decomposition is present. This case showed decomposition and was initially treated by the police as endogenous cardiac death. However the detailed examination of the scene photograph and of the deceased person, along with the investigation of the circumstances leading to the death, produced the verdict of suicide in this case. As we know, distinction between murder and suicide may be impossible by an examination of the body alone, and therefore the authors emphasize that close collaboration between the investigative and medicolegal fields is essential in order to gain a full understanding of this unusual case.
Autopsy ; Cooperative Behavior ; Death ; Deception ; Divorce ; Female ; Homicide ; Humans ; Ligation ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Police ; Suicide ; Tourniquets ; Wounds and Injuries