BACKGROUND: The differentiation of syphilids from other skin decreases is frequently difficult due to considerable variations of clinical and histologic pattern. The most common histologic changes in secondary syphilis are swelling & proliferation of endothelial cells and the presence of a perivascular infiltrate containing plasmia cells. But often, these findings are absert or inconspicuous. OBJECTIVE: We examined the histopathologic findings of secondary syphilis in relation to the clinical types of the skin lesion. MEHTODS: 36 biopsy specimens from twenty-nine serologically and clinically confirmed cases of secondary syphilis (15 macules, 8 papules, 2 condylomata latas and 11 papulosquamous lesions) were examined. RESULTS: The histopath,ologic findings of secondary syphilis showed comparative differences according to the clinical types of the skin lesion. The plasms cell infltrates were absent or sparse in 14 csses(39%) and the plasma cell infiltration was significantly correhted with the age of skin lesions(p=0.02197). Vascular changes were seen in 32 cases (89%), but the incidence of endothelial proliferation was less(25%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the histopathologic findirigs of secondary syphilis in accordance to the clinical morphology of the eruption and thus, help to differentiate syphilids from other skin diseases.
Biopsy ; Endothelial Cells ; Incidence ; Plasma Cells ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Syphilis ; Syphilis, Cutaneous*

Cognitive deficits due to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affect patients’ social and occupational functioning and lead to social costs. Thus, it is important to understand the nature and extent of PTSD-related neurocognitive deficits to clarify the mechanisms underlying cognitive changes, identify factors that interfere with treatment, and help interpret clinical profiles. This study reviewed recent studies on the relationships between PTSD and neurocognitive domains. The magnitude of the influence of PTSD differs across cognitive function domains. Also, the extent of the effect on any given domain may also differ according to the type of trauma experienced by the subject. In addition to its negative effects on cognitive functioning, PTSD was associated with increased response to threats or trauma-related stimuli, which compromised task performance. Although each PTSD symptom may have a different effect on each cognitive function, it was difficult to generalize the results. This study is significant in that our conclusions, which emerged through a review of studies regarding the relationship between PTSD and cognitive functioning, provide a theoretical basis for further research.

No abstract available.

Turner's syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder where phenotypic females have either a missing chromosome (45 XO) or a structural aberration in one of the chromosomes. Previous studies have suggested that women with TS may be at increased risk of several autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto thyroiditis, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and vitiligo. Although a high risk has been documented for autoimmune diseases in TS, there is only one case reporting the relationship between TS and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in the literature. Herein, we present an unusual case of AS associated with TS.
Arthritis, Juvenile Rheumatoid ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Celiac Disease ; Chromosome Disorders ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Crohn Disease ; Female ; Hashimoto Disease ; Humans ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; Turner Syndrome ; Vitiligo

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between social capital and depression in adults in their 20s. Methods: The study used data from the Community Health Survey 2019 (CHS 2019). The CHS 2019 covered a representative sample of 229099 adults from 17 census tracts in the Republic of Korea, of which 19589 adults in their 20s were taken as subjects for this study. The subjects completed a survey with questions regarding demographic characteristics, built environment and social capital. The symptoms of depression were evaluated through the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine whether social capital was associated with depression. Results: The multiple logistic regression results indicated that social capital was associated with depression in adults in their 20s. When demographic characteristics and built environment were included in the analysis, trust, contact with relatives, contact with friends, and social activities were associated with depression in adults in their 20s. Conclusion A lack of social capital was associated with depression in Korean adults in their 20s. Our study suggests a need to look beyond individual factors to intervene in national and community social capital and prevent depression in adults in their 20s.

BACKGROUND: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) confer resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporin (e.g., cefotaxime, ceftazidime) and aztreonam. But the diversity of ESBLs results in various susceptibility profiles with different beta-lactams. To study the relative in vitro activities of various beta-lactams and non-beta-lactam antibiotics against the clinical isolates of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae, we determined the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) of various antimicrobials. METHODS: Fifty-seven isolates of K. pneumoniae which produced ESBL and 63 isolates which did not produce ESBL from 3 university hospitals in Korea were tested. The MIC values of antimicrobials were determined by agar dilution method and detection of ESBL production was performed by double disk synergy test. RESULTS: The MIC values of beta-lactams against K. pneumoniae which produced ESBLs exhibited heterogeneous susceptability profiles. In differentiation of ESBL production, MIC value of 8 ug/mL (breakpoint of intermediate resistance) of ceftazidime was more sensitive and more specific than that of cefotaxime or aztreonam. MIC50 values of gentamicin, amikacin and ciprofloxacin against K. pneumoniae that produced ESBL were significantly higher than those against Non-ESBL producing isolates (P<0.001), suggesting that ESBL producing isolates are multi-drug resistant. CONCLUSION: The level of resistance to various beta-lactams of K. pneumoniae which produced ESBL was heterogeneous. ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae showed higher resistance to aminoglycoside and quinolone antibiotics. Ceftazidime was the most appropriate antibiotic to differentiate ESBL production.
Agar ; Amikacin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents* ; Aztreonam ; beta-Lactamases* ; beta-Lactams ; Cefotaxime ; Ceftazidime ; Ciprofloxacin ; Gentamicins ; Hospitals, University ; Klebsiella pneumoniae* ; Klebsiella* ; Korea ; Pneumonia

PURPOSE: Cefepime is a new broad-spectrum antibiotics and is available as initial monotherapy in the management of pediatric cancer patients with febrile neutropenia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Cefepime monotherapy and piperacillin-tazobactam plus gentamicin combination therapy as an initial empirical antibiotics treatment in pediatric cancer patients with febrile neutropenia. METHODS: From January 2003 to July 2004, a total of 55 episodes of febrile neutropenia were analyzed retrospectively for this study. They were treated intravenous Cefepime (50 mg/kg every 8 hour) or piperacillin-tazobactam (90 mg/kg every 8hour) plus gentamicin (2.5 mg/kg every 8hour). Modification of antibiotics was done at 72~96 hour if fever persisted. Clinical responses were evaluated at the completion of therapy. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients in the cefepime monotherapy and twenty-seven patients in the piperacillin-tazobactam plus gentamicin combination therapy were evaluable for efficacy. Modification of the empirical initial antibiotics therapy was done for 53% in the cefepime monotherapy group compared with 33.3% in the piperacillin-tazobactam plus gentamicin combination therapy group. The modification rate was not statistically significance between the treatment groups (P=0.130). And the overall success rate was 92.9% in cefepime monotherapy and 96.3% in piperacillin-tazobactam plus gentamicin combination therapy. So, there was no significant difference in success rate between two groups (P=0.514). A drug-related adverse event was reported in 1 case of piperacillin-tazobactam plus gentamicin combination therapy. There was no major adverse event. CONCLUSION: The empirical regimen of cefepime monotherapy is at least as effective as the regimen of piperacillin-tazobactam plus gentamicin combination therapy in pediatric malignancy patient with febrile neutropenia.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Febrile Neutropenia* ; Fever ; Gentamicins* ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: The endothelial inflammatory response plays an important role in atherogenesis by inducing nuclear factor (NF)κB-dependent cell adhesion molecule expression and monocyte recruitment. Here, we screened for natural ligands and investigated the ability of shinjulactone A to inhibit interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced endothelial inflammatory signaling. Methods: The natural compound library included 880 single compounds isolated from medicinal plants by the Korean Medicinal Material Bank. Primary endothelial cells were pretreated with single compounds before stimulation with IL-1β to induce endothelial inflammation. Endothelial inflammation was measured by assaying NFκB activation and monocyte adhesion. The endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) was evaluated using cell type-specific marker protein expression and morphology. Results: Shinjulactone A was identified as an efficient blocker of IL-1β -induced NFκB activation, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of approximately 1 µM, and monocyte recruitment in endothelial cells. However, it did not affect lipopolysaccharideinduced NFκB activation in macrophages. Compared to Bay 11-782, a well-known NFκB inhibitor that shows considerable cytotoxicity during long-term treatment, shinjulactone A did not affect endothelial cell viability. Furthermore, it also significantly inhibited the EndMT, which is known to promote atherosclerosis and plaque instability. Conclusion We suggest that shinjulactone A may be an effective and safe drug candidate for atherosclerosis because it targets and inhibits both endothelial inflammation and the EndMT, without impairing NFκB-dependent innate immunity in macrophages.

Social capital, defined as an individual’s social relationships and participation in community networks, encompasses resources, such as the exchange of favors, maintenance of group norms, stocks of trust, and exercise of sanctions available to members of social groups. Social capital may lower the risk of mental disorders while increasing the resilience capacity, adaptation, and recovery. Interventions targeting social capital may offer a cost-effective approach to preventing and ameliorating these conditions. This study evaluated the concept and importance of social capital because mental well-being is influenced by individual characteristics, the socioeconomic situation, and broader environmental factors to which individuals are exposed. Recognizing the growing significance of social capital in this context, the study examined its role, its relationship with depression, and the potential importance of social capital in South Korea. Although the definition of social capital is broad, the emphasis is placed on the role of linking social capital. Moving beyond an individual-centric perspective on identifying the factors contributing to depression, this paper suggests that social capital can serve as a crucial starting point for changing the environment to which individuals belong, i.e., structural and intermediary determinants. In the macrolevel perspective of mental health intervention, this paper proposes the need to attribute significance and awareness to numerous studies already implemented in various local communities through social capital.

Phendimetrazine and related amphetamine-like compounds are used widely as appetite suppressants in Korea. We report on a patient who developed psychotic disorder and dependence while using phendimetrazine. A 25-year-old female with no psychiatric history began experiencing hallucination of bugs after using phendimetrazine for weight loss for five months. She was admitted and the drug was stopped. Three days later, her psychotic symptoms had subsided and she returned home. Two months after discharge, against medical advice, she returned to a clinic to obtain phendimetrazine for its anorectic effect. She continued using phendimetrazine because she had developed withdrawal symptoms and experienced cravings for it. Within two months of restarting the drug, she had developed paranoid delusions, auditory and olfactory hallucinations. She was readmitted, and was confirmed to have a dependence on phendimetrazine. This case provides a warning that amphetamine-related anorectics can cause psychotic disorder and dependence.
Adult ; Appetite Depressants ; Delusions ; Female ; Hallucinations ; Humans ; Korea ; Morpholines ; Psychotic Disorders ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; Weight Loss