Responses of mouse lymphocytes to the soybean paste fermented by Korean traditional fashion was examined to clarify its effects in cytokine production in vitro. A fraction of the soybean paste (KFSP-100) was prepared by precipitation with ammonium sulfate and by filtration through ultrafiltration membrane. KFSP-100 were added into cultures of fresh mouse splenic cells in vitro. KFSP-100 significantly enhanced the amount of IL-6 and TNF-a produced by macrophages and IL-6 and IFN-r produced by lymphocytes. Production of IL-12 by macrophages was not much affected by KFSP-100 treatments. The most noticeable finding was the fact that lymphocytes treated with KFSP-100 proliferated to an exceeding numbers (more than 10 times to the control) in 72 hours. The KFSP-100-induced proliferative response was specific to B cells since almost all of the KFSP-100-induced cells in the cultures of splenic cells were B cells. Furthermore, such a proliferative responses were equally observed only in cultures of purified B cells but not in cultures of T cells. In thermostability test, the biologically active components of the KFSP-100 is assumed to be either linear protein or glycoprotein. KFSP-100 did not induce agglutination of lymphocytes demonstrated by lectins in the same cells. These observations suggest that KFSP-100 may be a novel mitogen for B lymphocytes. The component (s) responsible for the B cell proliferation in KFSP-100 might be a factor gained by natural fermentation. None of the fractions of not fermented soybean paste prepared by the same methods demonstrate the same effect.
Agglutination ; Ammonium Sulfate ; Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cell Proliferation ; Fermentation ; Filtration ; Glycoproteins ; Immunologic Factors* ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-6 ; Lectins ; Lymphocytes ; Macrophages ; Membranes ; Mice ; Soybeans* ; T-Lymphocytes ; Ultrafiltration

No abstract available.
Arteriovenous Fistula* ; Cyanosis*

No abstract available.
Abortion, Induced* ; Abortion, Spontaneous/genetics* ; Adult ; Chromosome Aberrations/epidemiology* ; Chromosome Disorders ; Female ; Human ; Korea ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First

Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare congenital condition in which the viscera are transposed as a mirror of normal physiologic arrangement. We describe a rare case of lingual thyroid associated with SIT. A 64-year-old female who was diagnosed with SIT, visited our clinic due to pharyngeal foreign body sensation. Physical examination revealed a 2.5x2.5x2.0 cm sized, pinkish, round mass in the base of the tongue. Computed tomography suggested the diagnosis of lingual thyroid. She has been on regular follow up with levothyroxine therapy. To our best knowledge, this is the first case of lingual thyroid (LT) associated with SIT. The literature is reviewed and clinical features about LT and SIT are presented.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Lingual Thyroid* ; Middle Aged ; Physical Examination ; Sensation ; Situs Inversus* ; Thyroxine ; Tongue ; Viscera

The appearance of a tumor in the chest wall is rare compared to that in any other part of the body. It can be classified into benign and malignant types and can be located in the rib, clavicle, sternum, cartilage and soft tissues. Tumors that are metastatic are commonly located in the lung, breast, bone and pleura. But, the soft tissue mass of anterior chest wall is rarely metastasized from a distant organ that is not confined to the thoracic cavity. This and thus has rarely been described. A 68-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a chief complaint of resting dyspnea. A huge non-tender mass of about 10*15 cm in size was visible on his left lower anterior chest wall. We pathologically confirmed that the mass was a metastatic renal cell carcinoma of clear cell type by incision biopsy. Through an incision biopsy, the mass was pathologically confirmed as a metastatic renal cell carcinoma of the clear cell type.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Breast ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Cartilage ; Clavicle ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Lung ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Pleura ; Ribs ; Sternum ; Thoracic Cavity ; Thoracic Wall* ; Thorax*

Multiloculated hydrocephalus (MLH) is a condition in which patients have multiple, separate abnormal cerebrospinal fluid collections with no communication between them. Despite technical advancements in pediatric neurosurgery, neurological outcomes are poor in these patients and the approach to this pathology remains problematic especially given individual anatomic complexity and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hydrodynamics. A uniform surgical strategy has not yet been developed. Current treatment options for MLH are microsurgical fenestration of separate compartments by open craniotomy or endoscopy, shunt surgery in which multiple catheters are placed in the compartments, and combinations of these modalities. Craniotomy for fenestration allows better visualization of the compartments and membranes, and it can offer easy fenestration or excision of membranes and wide communication of cystic compartments. Hemostasis is more easily achieved. However, because of profound loss of CSF during surgery, open craniotomy is associated with an increased chance of subdural hygroma and/or hematoma collection and shunt malfunction. Endoscopy has advantages such as minimal invasiveness, avoidance of brain retraction, less blood loss, faster operation time, and shorter hospital stay. Disadvantages are also similar to those of open craniotomy. Intraoperative bleeding can usually be easily managed by irrigation or coagulation. However, handling of significant intraoperative bleeding is not as easy. Currently, endoscopic fenestration tends to be performed more often as initial treatment and open craniotomy may be useful in patients requiring repeated endoscopic procedures.
Brain ; Catheters ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Craniotomy* ; Endoscopy* ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Hemostasis ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus* ; Hydrodynamics ; Length of Stay ; Membranes ; Neurosurgery ; Pathology ; Subdural Effusion

BACKGROUND: As Koreans have had great enthusiasm for education traditionally, most students have excessive anxiety about tests and such anxiety may cause several physical and psychological problems. But there are few studies on the relationship between test anxiety and family function. Therefore, in this study, we tried to figure out the relationship between test anxiety and family function in order to treat and educate patients who have excessive test anxiety. METHODS: In a survey study, the Korean Version of Test Anxiety Inventory and Olson's FACES III was administered to the 220 second year high school students of a single high school who live in Pusan. Two groups of students with high and low test anxiety levels (52 in each group) were selected based on the test anxiety scale ratings and analysis of their family adaptability and cohesion. RESULTS: In FACES III adaptability of high test anxiety group, there were 15 cases (28.8%) for rigid, 23 cases (44.2%) for structured, 11 cases (21.2%) for flexible and 3 cases (5.8%) for chaotic familes. In that of low test anxiety group, 2 cases (3.8%) for rigid, 16 cases (30.8%) for structured, 24 cases (46.2%) for flexible and 10 cases (19.2%) for chaotic familes. In FACES III cohesion of high test anxiety group, there were 2 cases (3.8%) for disengaged, 14 cases (26.9%) for separated, 20 cases (38.5%) for connected and 16 cases (30.8%) for enmeshed familes. In that of low test anxiety group 18 cases (34.6%) for disengaged, 22 cases (42.3%) for separated, 8 cases (15.4%) for connected and 4 cases (7.7%) for enmeshed familes. In FACES III family type of high test anxiety group, there were 24 cases (46.2%) for balanced, 20 cases (38.4%) for mid range and 8 cases (15.4%) for extreme familes. In that of low test anxiety group 24 cases (46.2%) for balanced, and 22 cases (42.3%) for mid range and 6 cases (11.5%) for extreme familes. CONCLUSION: Cohesion scale of high test anxiety group was higher than that of low test anxiety group and adaptability scale of low test anxiety group was higher than that of high test anxiety group.
Anxiety* ; Busan ; Education ; Humans ; Test Anxiety Scale

OBJECTIVE: Craniotomy (CO) and decompressive craniectomy (DC) are two main surgical options for acute subdural hematomas (ASDH). However, optimal selection of surgical modality is unclear and decision may vary with surgeon's experience. To clarify this point, we analyzed preoperative findings and surgical outcome of patients with ASDH treated with CO or DC. METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2014, data for 46 patients with ASDH who underwent CO or DC were retrospectively reviewed. The demographic, clinical, imaging and clinical outcomes were analyzed and statistically compared. RESULTS: Twenty (43%) patients underwent CO and 26 (57%) patients received DC. In DC group, preoperative Glascow Coma Scale was lower (p=0.034), and more patient had non-reactive pupil (p=0.004). Computed tomography findings of DC group showed more frequent subarachnoid hemorrhage (p=0.003). Six month modified Rankin Scale showed favorable outcome in 60% of CO group and 23% of DC group (p=0.004). DC was done in patient with more unfavorable preoperative features (p=0.017). Patients with few unfavorable preoperative features (<6) had good outcome with CO (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In selective cases of few unfavorable clinical findings, CO may also be an effective surgical option for ASDH. Although DC remains to be standard of surgical modality for patients with poor clinical status, CO can be an alternative considering the possible complications of DC.
Coma ; Craniotomy* ; Decompressive Craniectomy* ; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute* ; Humans ; Pupil ; Retrospective Studies ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Treatment Outcome

The purposes of this study are to investigate the effect of the cold air application in the skin and intraarticular temperature changes and to observe the rebound temperature changes after cooling. We recorded the changes of the skin surface and intraarticular temperatures of knees during and after the cold air application. The intraarticular temperature was measured by a temperature probe inserted into the knee joint cavity and the skin temperature by the infrared system. Eighteen healthy subjects were examined. The knee was cooled by a 5-minutes application of CRAis (Kyung-won Century, Korea) machine and the intraarticular and skin temperatures of knees were measured at every 0.5-minute during and after the cold therpy, then at every minute for 5 minutes, and every 5-minute for the next 110 minutes. We also evaluated the variables that might affect the skin and intraarticular temperature changes. Results showed that the mean skin temperature dropped from 31.8oC to 10.5oC immediately after the cold air application for 5-minutes. The mean intraarticular temperature dropped from 33.9oC to 30.0oC after the cold air application for 5-minutes. Two hours after the initiation of treatment with cold air, the mean intraarticular temperatures did not recover to the baseline values(p<0.01). No significant correlations were found between the body mass index with the intraarticular and surface temperatures of knees. A highly significant correlation was noted between the baseline skin surface and intraarticular temperatures(p<0.01). In conclusion, the reduction of the joint temperature by the cold air application using CRAis machine can be a useful treatment method for the synovitis of knees.
Body Mass Index ; Cryotherapy ; Joints ; Knee Joint ; Knee* ; Skin Temperature* ; Skin* ; Synovitis

A 59-year-old male patient presented with sudden onset of vertigo and hearing loss. Labyrinthitis due to lateral semicircular canal fistula caused by cholesteamatous otitis media was suspected from temporal bone computed tomography (CT) and clinical symptoms. The patient was treated with canal wall down mastoidectomy with removal of the cholesteatoma and lateral semicircular canal occlusion. Preoperative gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of the inner ear revealed increased signal in the cochlea as well as vestibule. Correlation of the MRI findings and the inner ear involvement in labyrinthine fistula is discussed.
Cholesteatoma ; Cochlea ; Ear, Inner ; Fistula ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Labyrinthitis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otitis Media ; Semicircular Canals ; Temporal Bone ; Vertigo