BACKGROUND: Although adult immunization is as important as childhood immunization, is being inadequately performed. However, previous studies concerning adult immunization could not be sufficiently evaluate because studies were restricted to the residents in rural area or those who have visited a doctor. METHOD: We conducted a study by telephone interview which included 201 household(375 adult family members) selected by systematic sampling from the yellow pages of Kangnam-gu and Sungbuk-gu districts of Seoul. The types of immunization covered in this study were immunizations against hepatitis B, influenza, pneumococcus, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome(HFRS). Immunization status of all adult household members, cognition of the feed for immunization and of interviewees were surveyed. Sex, age, area of residency, education medical history of study subjects were considered as factors related to the cognition of the need for immunization and immunization performance. RESULT: The cognition rates of immunization were as follows: hepatitis B 85.1%, influenza 45.8% pneumonra 38.3%, and HFRS 38.3%. In the people over 65 years old, the cognition rate against influenza and pneumococeus were 6.25%, 6.25% respectively and for those she have chronic disease.80.0%, 20.0%, respectively. The cognition rates of immunization was significantly higher among those subject who were young, well educated, and those residing in Kangnam-gu district. The immunization performance rate of hepatitis B was 6.5%, influenza 5.6%, pneumonia 0.8%, and HFRS 1.1%. 75.5% of subjects vaccinated against hepatitis B had received at least three titles. The immunization performance rate of influenza and pneumococcus by the immunization indication are as follows 8.0%, 0.0%, respectively in the subjects over 65 years old, and 11.1%, 0.0,% respectively in the people who have chronic disease. The immunization performance rate of hepatitis B was higher among young, well educated subjects living in Kangnam-gu district. But age, education, area of residency played no apparent role in the case of other types of immunization. The immunization performance rate of those who felt the need for immunization as significant1y higher then that of those who did not. To assess the factors which re]ate to the correct cognition for immunization necessity, we used a multiple logistic regression test. For all types of immunization surveyed, sex(femals) and age (young) seemed to be significantly related to the correct necessity cognition. Medical history of chronic disease was also related to the correct necessity cognition for immunization against hepatitis B and influenza. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that among living in urban area the immunization performance rate and the correct cognition rate concerning the necessity for adult immunization was generally very low. Therefore, an active publicity and pubic education will be needed to increase the level of correct necessity cognition for immunization in which the disease status, sex, and age of vaccinee are considered. And more active effort to increase the cognition for immunization necessity performance is required.
Adult* ; Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Cognition* ; Education ; Family Characteristics ; Fever ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; Hepatitis B ; Humans ; Immunization* ; Influenza, Human ; Internship and Residency ; Interviews as Topic ; Logistic Models ; Pneumonia ; Seoul ; Streptococcus pneumoniae

OBJECTIVE: Anti-glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) antibody (Ab) is known to be arthritogenic in K/BxN mice. Anti-GPI Ab is present in some patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but their clinical manifestations are not clearly elucidated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether GPI serves as a specific autoantigen in patients with RA and to investigate the relationship of anti-GPI Ab with clinical parameters of RA. METHODS: Sera were collected from 54 patients with RA, 15 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and 28 healthy controls. The samples were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using human recombinant GPI as antigen. Patients with RA were classified according to rheumatoid factor (RF) positivity, the presence of RA shared epitope (SE), the presence of extraarticular manifestations, and evidence of bony erosive changes. RESULTS: Serum levels of anti-GPI Ab were higher in patients with RA than controls (1599.46+/-1022.48 versus 344.82+/-223.16 AU, p<0.001), and the levels of patients with OA were also higher than controls (1161.47+/-917.44 versus 344.82+/-223.16 AU, p<0.01). In RA, there were no significant difference in anti-GPI Ab levels according to RF positivity, the presence of RA SE, the presence of extraarticular manifestations, and evidence of bony erosive changes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that anti-GPI Ab may not be RA specific Ab and not related to the severity of RA.
Animals ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Autoantibodies* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Glucose-6-Phosphate Isomerase* ; Glucose-6-Phosphate* ; Humans ; Mice ; Osteoarthritis ; Rheumatoid Factor

The status of Dirofilaria immitis infection was assessed in pet dogs of Busan, Korea, and chemoprophylactic effects of microfilaricidal medication were evaluated. A total of 294 pet dogs older than 6 mo were examined, 217 of which had been maintained indoors, and 77 had been kept outdoors. The Snap(R) kit and direct microscopic examinations of the peripheral blood were used. The mean overall parasite positive rates were 10.2% and 6.5%, respectively. Outdoor dogs evidenced adult worm infection rate of 31.2% and microfilaria infection rate of 18.2%. The indoor dogs, however, evidenced adult worm infection rate of 2.8% and microfilaria infection rate of 2.3%. The prevalence in males was more than 2 times that of females. The changing pattern of infection rates by age evidenced a gradual increase, from 2- to 6-year-old dogs, after which, a decrease in infection rates was noted. With regard to chemoprophylaxis, the infection rates of complete and incomplete chemoprophylaxis groups were found to be 2-3 times lower than that of the non-chemoprophylaxis group. The results of the present study indicate that the risk of exposure to D. immitis in pet dogs is quite high, particularly in male outdoor dogs, and chemoprophylactic measures were quite effective.
Animals ; Chemoprevention ; Dirofilaria immitis/growth & development/*isolation & purification ; Dirofilariasis/blood/*epidemiology/parasitology/prevention & control ; Dog Diseases/blood/*epidemiology/parasitology/prevention & control ; Dogs ; Female ; Heart/parasitology ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Mosquito Control ; Prevalence

Bezoars are collection of indigestible materials in the gastrointestinal tract. Many endoscopic techniques for removal of bezoars have been reported recently, but these methods need much equipment. We treated a gastric bezoar with a distal attachment device easily available for an endoscope. A 74-year-old man with a history of diabetes mellitus was admitted to hospital with hematemesis. On the second endoscopic examination, a gastric bezoar (6x4x4 cm) was detected in the stomach. Then, using a distal attachment device, we injected Coca-Cola directly into the bezoar by an injector. With tension force, the bezoar was easily broken due to the impulse of the distal attachment device. The endoscopic technique used in our case can be easily performed and has fewer complications compared to those of other techniques. Therefore, we report here on this new treatment modality that uses a distal attachment device.
Aged ; Bezoars ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Endoscopes ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hematemesis ; Humans ; Stomach

Peritonsillar abscess is a common deep throat infection. Early diagnosis and prompt, appropriate management of a peritonsillar abscess prevents mortality. A 45-year-old woman on steroids for an ulcerative colitis (UC) exacerbation presented with sore throat and multiple skin ulcers on her left forearm and right foot. Computed tomography of the neck revealed a peritonsillar abscess. Gram staining and culture of the abscess were negative, and a skin biopsy suggested pyoderma gangrenosum (PG). The final diagnosis was peritonsillar involvement of steroid-refractory PG-associated UC. The patient showed a complete response to infliximab. Here, we report a case of successful infliximab treatment for peritonsillar involvement of steroid-refractory PG-associated UC.
Abscess ; Biopsy ; Colitis, Ulcerative* ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Foot ; Forearm ; Humans ; Infliximab ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Neck ; Peritonsillar Abscess ; Pharyngitis ; Pharynx ; Pyoderma Gangrenosum* ; Skin ; Skin Ulcer ; Steroids

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of preoperative stent insertion for treating left-sided malignant colorectal obstruction. METHODS: Patients with left-sided malignant colorectal obstruction were included in this study. The stent group (ST, n=24) included those patients who were treated with preoperative stent insertion followed by curative surgical resection. The clinical course and management cost of the ST group was compared to those of the emergency operation group (EO, n=22). RESULTS: The patients' age (60.6+/-3.1 yrs vs. 62.1+/-3.2 yrs, p=0.74) and the male to female ratio (12:12 vs. 15:7, p=0.25) were not different between the ST and EO groups. The distribution of the postoperative pathologic stages was also not different. All the patients in the ST group underwent only one surgical operation, while 6 patients (27.3%) in the EO group underwent 2 or more surgeries (p<0.01). The mean hospital stay in the ST group was 22.0+/-0.8 days compared to 26.3+/-2.4 days in the EO group (p=0.09). Postoperative care in the intensive care unit was necessary for one patient (4.2%) in the ST group, while 7 patients (31.8%) in EO group needed postoperative care (p=0.02). Postoperative complications developed in one patient in the ST group, while 6 patients in the EO experienced postoperative complications (p=0.04). The mean total cost per patient was 7,974,236 won for the ST group while this was 9,271,630 won for the EO group (p=0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Preopreative stent insertion for treating left-sided malignant colorectal obstruction is more cost-effective than an emergency operation.
Emergencies ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Postoperative Care ; Postoperative Complications ; Stents

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Previous studies from Korea have described chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) patients with transition zone (TZ) in the colon. In this study, we evaluated the pathological characteristics and their association with long-term outcomes in Korean colonic pseudo-obstruction (CPO) patients with TZ. METHODS: We enrolled 39 CPO patients who were refractory to medical treatment and underwent colectomy between November 1989 and April 2016 (median age at symptoms onset: 45 [interquartile range, 29–57] years, males 46.2%). The TZ was defined as a colonic segment connecting a proximally dilated and distally non-dilated segment. Detailed pathologic analysis was performed. RESULTS: Among the 39 patients, 37 (94.9%) presented with TZ and 2 (5.1%) showed no definitive TZ. Median ganglion cell density in the TZ adjusted for the colonic circumference was significantly decreased compared to that in proximal dilated and distal non-dilated segments in TZ (+) patients (9.2 vs 254.3 and 150.5, P < 0.001). Among the TZ (+) patients, 6 showed additional pathologic findings including eosinophilic ganglionitis (n = 2), ulcers with combined cytomegalovirus infection (n = 2), diffuse ischemic changes (n = 1), and heterotropic myenteric plexus (n = 1). During follow-up (median, 61 months), 32 (82.1%) TZ (+) patients recovered without symptom recurrence after surgery. The presence of pathological features other than hypoganglionosis was an independent predictor of symptom recurrence after surgery (P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Hypoganglionosis can be identified in the TZ of most Korean CPO patients. Detection of other pathological features in addition to TZ-associated hypoganglionosis was associated with poor post-operative outcomes.
Cell Count ; Colectomy ; Colon ; Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; Eosinophils ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ganglion Cysts ; Humans ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction ; Korea ; Male ; Myenteric Plexus ; Pathology ; Recurrence ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND: A drug-eluting stent (DES) is a highly beneficial medical device used to widen or unblock narrowed blood vessels. However, the drugs released by the implantation of DES may hinder the re-endothelialization process, increasing the risk of late thrombosis. We have developed a tacrolimus-eluting stent (TES) that as acts as a potent antiproliferative and immunosuppressive agent, enhancing endothelial regeneration. In addition, we assessed the safety and efficacy of TES through both in vitro and in vivo tests. METHODS: Tacrolimus and Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) were applied to the metal stent using electrospinning equipment. The surface morphology of the stent was examined before and after coating using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-rays (EDX). The drug release test was conducted through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Cell proliferation and migration assays were performed using smooth muscle cells (SMC).The stent was then inserted into the porcine coronary artery and monitored for a duration of 4 weeks. RESULTS: SEM analysis confirmed that the coating surface was uniform. Furthermore, EDX analysis showed that the surface was coated with both polymer and drug components. The HPCL analysis of TCL at a wavelength of 215 nm revealed that the drug was continuously released over a period of 4 weeks. Smooth muscle cell migration was significantly decreased in the tacrolimus group (54.1% ± 11.90%) compared to the non-treated group (90.1% ± 4.86%). In animal experiments, the stenosis rate was significantly reduced in the TES group (29.6% ± 7.93%) compared to the bare metal stent group (41.3% ± 10.18%). Additionally, the fibrin score was found to be lower in the TES group compared to the group treated with a sirolimus-eluting stent (SES). CONCLUSION Similar to SES, TES reduces neointimal proliferation in a porcine coronary artery model, specifically decreasing the fibrins score. Therefore, tacrolimus could be considered a promising drug for reducing restenosis and thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Current polymer-based drug-eluting stents (DESs) have fundamental issues about inflammation and delayed re-endothelializaton of the vessel wall. Substance-P (SP), which plays an important role in inflammation and endothelial cells, has not yet been applied to coronary stents. Therefore, this study compares poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)-based everolimus-eluting stents (PLGA-EESs) versus 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-based SP-eluting stents (MPC-SPs) in in-vitro and in-vivo models. METHODS: The morphology of the stent surface and peptide/drug release kinetics from stents were evaluated. The invitro proliferative effect of SP released from MPC-SP is evaluated using human umbilical vein endothelial cell. Finally, the safety and efficacy of the stent are evaluated after inserting it into a pig’s coronary artery. RESULTS: Similar to PLGA-EES, MPC-SP had a uniform surface morphology with very thin coating layer thickness (2.074 lm). MPC-SP showed sustained drug release of SP for over 2 weeks. Endothelial cell proliferation was significantly increased in groups treated with SP (n = 3) compared with the control (n = 3) and those with everolimus (n = 3) (SP:118.9 ± 7.61% vs. everolimus: 64.3 ± 12.37% vs. the control: 100 ± 6.64%, p < 0.05). In the animal study, the percent stenosis was higher in MPC-SP group (n = 7) compared to PLGA-EES group (n = 7) (MPC-SP: 28.6 ± 10.7% vs. PLGAEES: 16.7 ± 6.3%, p < 0.05). MPC-SP group showed, however, lower inflammation (MPC-SP: 0.3 ± 0.26 vs. PLGAEES: 1.2 ± 0.48, p < 0.05) and fibrin deposition (MPC-SP: 1.0 ± 0.73 vs. PLGA-EES: 1.5 ± 0.59, p < 0.05) around the stent strut. MPC-SP showed more increased expression of cluster of differentiation 31, suggesting enhanced reendothelialization. CONCLUSION Compared to PLGA-EES, MPC-SP demonstrated more decreased inflammation of the vascular wall and enhanced re-endothelialization and stent coverage. Hence, MPC-SP has the potential therapeutic benefits for the treatment of coronary artery disease by solving limitations of currently available DESs.