No abstract available.
Female ; Laparoscopy* ; Methotrexate* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic*

Three fungal strains belonging to the class Sordariomycetes were isolated from soils collected from Gyeongsangbuk-do in Korea. They were identified as Cephalotrichum hinnuleum (UD CT 1-3-3 and KNU-19GWF1) and Thelonectria chlamydospora sp. nov. (UD ST 1-2-1).T. chlamydospora sp. nov. was morphologically identical to T. truncata, but its specific macroconidial dimensions, lower number of septations, and chlamydospore diameter render it distinct from the strains of the genus Thelonectria. The strains UD CT 1-3-3 and KNU-19GWF1 were developed flat, velvety to felty, and golden gray to brown-gray after 14 days of incubation at 25℃ on PDA. These strains were produced polyblastic conidiogenous cells and conidia were pale brown to brown, smooth, thin-walled, subglobose to ellipsoidal, arranged in chains, and the diameters of 6.7–9.0 ×3.7–5.1 μm. The strains were also confirmed by using the multi-locus genes using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, partial large subunit (LSU), translation elongation factor 1α(TEF1-α), b-tubulin (TUB2), and actin (ACT) genes. This is the discovery of T. chlamydospora sp. nov. and Cephalotrichum hinnuleum, a new record from Korea.

PURPOSE: As a new strategy to modulate drug resistance in the treatment of relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL), continuos infusion of drugs has been incorporated into the chemotherapy. We conducted a phase II study to determine the activity and safety of EPOCH (etoposide, vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, prednisolone) chemotherapy, in which the natursl products are administered as a continuous infusion, for previously treated NHL's of intermediate grade. MATERIALS AND METHODS: EPOCH chemotherapy (etoposide 50 mg/m2/day 24 hour- continuous infusion, days 1~4, vincristine 0.4 mg/m2/day 24 hour-continuous infusion, days 1~4, doxorubicin 10 mg/m2/day 24 hour-continuous infusion, days 1~4, cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 i.v., day 5, prednisolone 60 mg/m2/day p.o. days 1-5) was given to eligible patients every 3 weeks and we assessed response and toxicity of the regimen. RESULTS: Between June 1993 and December 1995, total 56 patients entered this trial and 49 were evaluable. The complete response rate was 41%(95% C.I.: 27-55%). After follow up of 9~50(median 38) months, progression free survival was 0~39+(median 7) months and the overall survival was 1~44+(median 14) months. The prognostic factor analyses showed that B symtoms and serum LDH level before treatment and response to previous treatment affected complete response rate, and patients' performance status and response to previous treatment affected progression free survival and overall survival. Toxicities of EPOCH regimen were leukopenia, stomatitis, nausea/vomiting and neurotoxicity, but they were tolerable. There was 1 case of treatment-related death due to sepsis. CONDUSION: EPOCH chemotherapy was safe and effective for the patients with relapsed NHL. However, the results of patients with NHL refractory to previous treatment were so poor that more intensive, novel treatment would be needed for this category of patients.
Cyclophosphamide ; Disease-Free Survival ; Doxorubicin* ; Drug Resistance ; Drug Therapy* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hodgkin Disease* ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Prednisolone ; Sepsis ; Stomatitis ; Vincristine*

BACKGROUND: Chronic cough is commonly defined as a persistent or recurrent cough exceeding 3 weeks duration and the prevalence of chronic cough is reported to range from 14-23% among non-smoking adults. Irwin et al previously reported that common causes of chronic cough are postnasal drip syndrome asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux using the anatomic and diagnostic protocol. OBJECTIVE: To determine the spectrum and frequency of chronic cough and to aid establishing algorithmic approach for chronic cough. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We prospectively evaluated 105 consecutive and unselected immunocompetent patients complaining of chronic cough utilizing modified anatomic and diagnostic protocol proposed by Irwin et al. Initial diagnosis was made by history, physical examination and laboratory test including spirometry, methacholine provocation test, and 24 hour pH monitoring. Specific treatment was done based upon initial diagnosis and cough score was compared before and after treatment. Reassessment was done in case of treatment failure. RESULT: The causes of cough were determined in 100 of 105 patients(95% ). Cough was due to one condition in 94.8% and two in 15.2%. 121 causes of cough were identified and their spectrum and frequency were found to be postnasal drip syndrome (39.3% ), asthma (32.2% ), gasteroesophageal reflux (14.1%), chronic bronchitis (5.0%), others (4.1%: drug-induced, bronchiolitis, endobronchial tuberculosis, and lung cancer). History about nasal symptoms was useful, but history about gastroesophageal reflux were not useful for the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that anatomic and diagnostic approach for evaluating chronic cough is also useful in Korea and the most common causes of chronic cough are postnasal drip syndrome, asthma and gastroesophageal reflux.
Adult ; Asthma ; Bronchiolitis ; Bronchitis, Chronic ; Cough* ; Diagnosis ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Korea ; Lung ; Methacholine Chloride ; Outpatients* ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies* ; Spirometry ; Treatment Failure ; Tuberculosis

Polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) are commercially available bioplastics that are exploited worldwide, and both are biodegradable. The PLA and PCL polymer-degrading activity of 30 fungal strains that were isolated from terrestrial environments were screened based on the formation of a clear zone around fungal colonies on agar plates containing emulsified PLA or PCL. Among them, five strains yielded positive results of biodegradation.Strains Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (KACC) 83034BP and KNUF-20-PPH03 exhibited PCL degradation; two other strains, KACC 83035BP and KNUF-20-PDG05, degraded PLA; and the fifth strain, KACC 83036BP, biodegraded both tested plastics. Based on phylogenetic analyses using various combinations of the sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, RPB2, LSU, CAL, and b-TUB genes, the above-mentioned strains were identified as Apiotrichum porosum, Penicillium samsonianum, Talaromyces pinophilus, Purpureocillium lilacinum, and Fusicolla acetilerea, respectively. Based on our knowledge, this is the first report on (i) plastic biodegraders among Apiotrichum and Fusicolla species, (ii) the capability of T. pinophilus to degrade biodegradable plastics, (iii) the biodegradative activity of P. samsonianumagainst PCL, and (iv) the accurate identification of P. lilacinum as a PLA biodegrader. Further studies should be conducted to determine how the fungal species can be utilized in Korea.

Polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) are commercially available bioplastics that are exploited worldwide, and both are biodegradable. The PLA and PCL polymer-degrading activity of 30 fungal strains that were isolated from terrestrial environments were screened based on the formation of a clear zone around fungal colonies on agar plates containing emulsified PLA or PCL. Among them, five strains yielded positive results of biodegradation.Strains Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (KACC) 83034BP and KNUF-20-PPH03 exhibited PCL degradation; two other strains, KACC 83035BP and KNUF-20-PDG05, degraded PLA; and the fifth strain, KACC 83036BP, biodegraded both tested plastics. Based on phylogenetic analyses using various combinations of the sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, RPB2, LSU, CAL, and b-TUB genes, the above-mentioned strains were identified as Apiotrichum porosum, Penicillium samsonianum, Talaromyces pinophilus, Purpureocillium lilacinum, and Fusicolla acetilerea, respectively. Based on our knowledge, this is the first report on (i) plastic biodegraders among Apiotrichum and Fusicolla species, (ii) the capability of T. pinophilus to degrade biodegradable plastics, (iii) the biodegradative activity of P. samsonianumagainst PCL, and (iv) the accurate identification of P. lilacinum as a PLA biodegrader. Further studies should be conducted to determine how the fungal species can be utilized in Korea.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of ultrasonography versus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluation of pregnant patients with clinically suspicious acute appendicitis. METHODS: This study was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 60 pregnant patients who presented to the emergency department with suspected appendicitis and underwent ultrasonography or MRI were included. The official interpretation reports and pathologic reports were extracted and analyzed. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for ultrasonography and MRI for diagnosis of acute appendicitis. We also calculated and compared area under the curve (AUC) of both diagnostic tests with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Among 60 patients, 43 (71%) underwent ultrasonography, 37 (61%) underwent MRI, and 20 (33%) underwent both diagnostic tests. Twenty patients were confirmed as pathologically-proven acute appendicitis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of ultrasonography for diagnosing acute appendicitis were 67%, 77%, 53%, and 86%, while those of MRI were 100% for all parameters. In ROC analysis, the AUC was 0.656, respectively, for ultrasonography, and 1.000 for MRI (p value<0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that MRI is more accurate than ultrasonography for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in pregnant women, especially when the appendix is invisible with ultrasonography.
Appendicitis* ; Appendix ; Area Under Curve ; Cohort Studies ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography*

It already has been known that various ions were participated in phototransduction mechanism of the vertebrate photoreceptor during the visual adaptation. The vitreous humor(VH)contains certain amount of Na+, K+ and Ca++ as well. However, the roles of these ions are unknown except functioning of metabolic process. Our preliminary electroretinogram(ERG) experiments suggested that the permeability of these ions has light dependent activity during the light illumination. We have supported this suggestion more tangibly by trying out various experiments with bullfrog eyes as a reference of visual adaptation. The results are summarized as follows: 1)According to our atomic absorption spectroscopic measurements, the concentration of Na+, K+ and Ca++ in light adapted VH was higher than that of dark adapted VH. This result indicated that the light-dependention transport systems which affect the ionic movements might be in internal limiting membrane(ILM). 2)The amplitude of ERG b-wave was reduced by concentration decrement of Na+ and concentration increment of K+ respectively. On the other hand, the elimination of Ca++ within ringer solution resulted in b-wave amplitude increment. 3)Treatment of Na+ hannel blockers(TTX, STX)and K+ channel blockers(Ba++, Cd++, Cs+, 4-AP and TEA)in the vitreous humor side induced the increment and the decrement of b-wave response respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that the light dependent Na+ K+ channels exist in the ILM of vertebrate retina which participates visual adaptation.
Absorption ; Hand ; Ions ; Light Signal Transduction ; Lighting ; Membranes* ; Metabolism ; Permeability ; Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate ; Rana catesbeiana ; Retina ; Vertebrates* ; Vitreous Body

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of paraquat intoxication patients is poor and this makes the prediction of mortality important in administering aggressive treatment and admission. This article investigates the usefulness of simplified acute physiology score II (SAPS II), as a predictor of the mortality in paraquat intoxication. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 65 patients who were admitted in one hospital between January in 2005 and December in 2010. We calculated their SAPS II, serum paraquat level, and severity index of paraquat poisoning (SIPP) at the time of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. We investigated the relationship between each systems and the mortality. RESULTS: Overall mortality was 73.8%: 48 out of 65 patients died. Non-survived group (n = 48) had a higher SAPS II score (30.44 +/- 15.99) than survived group (n = 17 [15.7 +/- 6.26], p < 0.001). Serum paraquat level and SIPP were significantly higher in non-survived group than in survived group (p < 0.05, in all comparisons). By using the area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC), the SAPS II system yielded equal discriminative power (AUC = 0.82) with serum paraquat level (AUC = 0.896) and SIPP (AUC = 0.865). Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test C indicated SAPS II score validated well in paraquat intoxication group (p = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Serum paraquat level is the best way for prediction of mortality in patients with acute paraquat intoxication. If checking serum paraquat level is impossible or delayed, SAPS II score can be an alternative tool for evaluating the prognosis in paraquat intoxication.
Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Paraquat ; Prognosis ; Research Design ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve

Purpose: Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are widely used in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) because of their effectiveness in preventing stroke and their better safety, compared with warfarin. However, there are concerns for an increased risk of bleeding associated with concomitant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) with NOACs. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the risk of bleeding events in individuals taking concomitant NSAIDs or SSRIs with NOACs after being diagnosed with AF. Materials and Methods: A nested case-control analysis to assess the safety of NSAIDs and SSRIs among NOAC users with AF was performed using data from Korean National Health Insurance Service from January 2012 to December 2017.Among patients who were newly prescribed NOACs, 1233 cases hospitalized for bleeding events were selected, and 24660 controls were determined. Results: The risk of bleeding events was higher in patients receiving concomitant NSAIDs [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24–1.61] or SSRIs (aOR 1.92; 95% CI 1.52–2.42) with NOACs, compared to no use of either drug, respectively.The risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding was higher in patients receiving concomitant NSAIDs or SSRIs without proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (NSAIDs: aOR 2.47; 95% CI 1.26–4.83, SSRI: aOR 10.8; 95% CI 2.41–2.48) compared to no use. Conclusion When NSAIDs or SSRIs are required for NOAC users with AF, physicians need to monitor bleeding events and consider the use of PPIs, especially for combined use of both drugs or when initiating NOACs treatment.