Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Influenza virus are the most common pathogen for causing severe upper respiratory infection in all age groups. A multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been developed to detect and subtype influenza A (H3N2 and H1N1), B virus and RSV simultaneously in one tube reaction. Amplification with primers derived from conserved sequences within the nucleocapsid for RSV and hemagglutinin subunit for Influenza A (H3N2 and H1N1) and B viruses yielded a 384 bp, a 300 bp, a 236 bp and a 151 bp, respectively. Assay specificity was confirmed by pulse field gel electrophoresis and autosequencing method. Assay sensitivity was 3 PFU/ml of RSV, 22 PFU/ml, 45 PFU/ml of Influenza type A (H3N2 and H1N1) and 6.6 PFU/ml of Influenza B virus by plaque assay. A rapid and sensitive detection method of a one-tube with multiplex RT-PCR capable of identifying more than one viral template as well as synchronizing reverse transcription and PCR had the potential to produce considerable savings of time and cost effectiveness in the diagnostic laboratory.
Conserved Sequence ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Electrophoresis ; Hemagglutinins ; Herpesvirus 1, Cercopithecine ; Humans* ; Income ; Influenza B virus ; Influenza, Human* ; Nucleocapsid ; Orthomyxoviridae* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human* ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Reverse Transcription* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Six cases of congenital coronary arteriovenous fistulae were diagnosed radiographically and confirmed afteroperation at Seoul National University Hospital in recent three and a quarter years since 1979. The clinical andradiological findings with the emphasis on the cinecardiographic findings were analysed. The summaries of theanalysis are as follows; 1. Among 6 cases, 2 cases were male and 4 cases were female. Age dsitribution was from 3months to 19 years. 2. In chest x-ray findings, 5 cases had cardiomegaly. Among these 5 cases, increase ofpulmonary vascularity was in 3 cases. Chest X-ray finding of the rest 1 case was within normal limit. 3. Thecoronary arteriovenous fistula orginated from the right coronary artery in 5 cases and from the single left coronary artery in 1 case. In 5 cases, a coronary arteriovenous fistula drained into the right ventricle and in 1case, a fistula from a SA node branch of the right coronary artery into the right atrium. 4. In 5 cases, a mainright coronary artery was dilated. Among these 5 cases, aneurysmal dilatation of main right coronary artery was in2 cases, saccular aneurysmal dilatation of distal portion of right coronary artery was in 2 cases and in 1 case,diffuse dilatation without aneurysm formation of a main right coronary artery. In 1 case, SA node branch of theright coronary artery was dilated with aneurysm formation. 5. For accurate diagnosis of congenital coronaryarteriovenous fistula, biplane cinecardiography is an essential procedure.
Aneurysm ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Cardiomegaly ; Coronary Vessels ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Female ; Fistula ; Heart Atria ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Male ; Seoul ; Thorax

Spontaneous testicular hemorrhagic necrosis is a rare disease usually associated with testicular torsion. Partially involved and suspicious testis tumor cases are also defined from orchiectomy specimens. Herein, a spontaneous hemorrhagic necrosis, without any testicular torsion, but with involvement of the whole testicle and epididymis, is reported. A 21 year old patient, who presented with a painless left testicular enlargement of several days duration was believed, based on physical examination, ultrasonography and elevation of serum LDH, to have a testicular tumor. Diagnosis was made only after radical orchiectomy and histopathological examination.
Diagnosis ; Epididymis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis* ; Orchiectomy ; Physical Examination ; Rare Diseases ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; Testis* ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

A characteristic sonographic pattern that suggest a bowel lesion, called "Pseudokidney Sign" because itresembles the ultrasonic appearance of the kidney
Barium ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Kidney ; Mucous Membrane ; Mucus ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ultrasonics ; Ultrasonography

Acute mountain sickness is an illness caused by climbing to a high altitude without prior acclimatization. Neurological consequences, like parkinsonism following acute mountain sickness without lesion of brain MRI have been reported rarely. A healthy 56-year-old man presented with dysarthria and gait disturbance. Neurological examination revealed tremor of hands, limb rigidity, and bradykinesia. The symptoms developed approximately 30 days following a 3,500 m climb of the Annapurna in the Himalayas. Brain MRI did not reveal any abnormalities including globus pallidus. The parkinsonism symptoms persisted for about 3 months before a complete recovered was made. We suggest that parkinsonism can develop after climbing to a high altitude but that the symptoms can be transient if a brain MRI detects no abnormalities.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the early clinical results of lumbar microdiscectomy using minimally invasive tubular retractor (METRx-MD system, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, TN), and to validate the merits of minimally invasive spinal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April, 2003 to April 2004 we retrospectively studied a consecutive series of 45 patients who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy using minimally invasive tubular retractor. In all cases, minimally invasive approach using the tubular retractor were performed with a 2 cm sized paramedian incision. The following data were collected: clinical outcomes, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, need for blood replacement, time needed before ambulation, length of hospital stay, and complications. The clinical outcomes were assessed by the modified MacNab criteria. RESULTS: Minimally invasive tubular microdiscectomy was performed in 45 patients over a 12-month period with an average follow-up of approximately 8 months. The clinical outcomes assessed by MacNab criteria were excellent in 33 patients (73%), good in 10 patients (22%). The average operative time was 63 minutes (range, 35 to 95 minutes). The average blood loss was 62 mL (range, 50 to 110 mL). None of the patients needed blood replacement. With the exception of 2 patients, all patients could walk at the day of surgery. The average hospital stay was 2.3 days. None of the patients had dural tear, wound problem, or other complications. CONCLUSION: Lumbar microdiscectomy using tubular retractor can offer a useful modality for the treatment of lumbar herniated disc with the merits of minimally invasive spinal surgery. Further long-term, randomized, prospective investigations are needed to fully evaluate the impact of this technique.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.
Colon* ; Polyps*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Flowmeters* ; Magnets* ; Male ; Models, Animal* ; Penile Erection* ; Rats*

No abstract available.
Radionuclide Imaging*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Clomipramine* ; Preoptic Area* ; Rats* ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors* ; Serotonin*