This study was performed to observe the therapeutic effects of interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma) and gamma-globulin(gamma-globulin) in experimental Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia of immune suppressed mice. After 9 weeks, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole(TMP-SMZ; 10-50 mg/mouse/day), mouse IFN-gamma(5 x 10(4) units/mouse/day) and mouse gamma-globulin(20 mg/mouse/day) were administered to the mice for 3 weeks by the experimental group. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by body weights, histopathologic and electron microscopic findings of the lungs, and number of P. carinii cysts by Gomori's methenamine silver stain. Body weights of the mice were significantly increased in the group of combination therapy of TMP-SMZ with IFN-gamma or gamma-globulin, and in the group of TMP-SMZ treatment (p < 0.05), however, little effect was found in the group of gamma-globulin alone. Histopathologic findings of P. carinii pneumonia were much improved in the group of combination therapy of TMP-SMZ with IFN-gamma. Treatment with either TMP-SMZ or IFN-gamma significantly reduced the number of cysts in the P. carinii pneumonia, but gamma-globulin alone was ineffective. In electron microscopic findings of P. carinii pneumonia, the number of trophozoites and cysts were reduced by treatment with either TMP-SMZ or IFN-gamma, and most of the cysts were empty or containing one or two intracystic bodies. The present results suggested, that combination therapy of TMP-SMZ with IFN-gamma had synergistic effects in treatment of P. carinii pneumonia in experimental mice.
Drug-Synergism ; Drug-Therapy,-Combination ; English-Abstract ; Gamma-Globulins-administration-and-dosage ; Interferon-Type-II-administration-and-dosage ; Mice- ; Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole-Combination-administration-and-dosage ; *Gamma-Globulins-therapeutic-use ; *Interferon-Type-II-therapeutic-use ; *Pneumonia,-Pneumocystis-carinii-therapy ; Gamma-Globulins ; Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole-Combination ; Interferon-Type-II

BACKGROUND: Tuberculous pleurisy treatment improve symptoms such as fever, chest pain, cough, and prevents the progression to active pulmonary tuberculosis and the development of residual pleural thickening that decrease diaphragm and rib cage movement. This study investigated how the degree of residual pleural thidkening affects the pulmonary function. METHODS: Fifty seven patients who were initially diagnosed as having tuberculous pleurisy, were treated with anti-tuberculous medication for 6 months and had residual pleural thickening between May 1998 and January 2000 at the Eulji university hospital were reviewed. A chest X-ray and pulmonary function test(PFT, Sensormedics 2200) were perfored. The predicted value (%) of the forced vital capacity(FVC), forced inspiratory vital capacity(FIVC) and total lung capacity(TLC) were measured. The residual pleural thickening was defined the average of the summation in the lateral chest at the level of the imaginary line intersecting from the cardiophrenic angle to the diaphragmatic dome and the lowest part of the costophrenic angle between them. The results were sorted into three grades according to pleural thickness; <2mm(grade I), 2~10mm(grade II), 10mm(grade III). RESULTS: 1. FVC(% pred) and FIVC(% pred) were statistically different between grade I and III, and II and III. However, there was no difference between the TLC(% pred) between each of the groups. 2. The pleural thickness that cause restrictive dysfunction(FVC<80%) and a statisticall difference, is 3 mm. CONCLUSION: The larger the extent of the residual pleural thickness after antituberculous medication, the greater the reduction in the FVC, FIVC, TLC. A pleural thickness of 3 mm is recommended as a guideline for diagnosing a restrictive pulmonary dysfunction.
Chest Pain ; Cough ; Diaphragm ; Fever ; Humans ; Lung ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Ribs ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis, Pleural* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

PURPOSE: This study was done to examine the effects of oral care with essential oil in improving the oral health status of hospice patients with terminal cancer. METHODS: The participants were 43 patients with terminal cancer admitted to K hospital in G city, Korea. Twenty-two patients were assigned to the experimental group and 21 to the control group. Participants in the experimental group received special mouth care with essential oil (application of essential oil mixture consisting of geranium, lavender, tea tree, and peppermint). The control group received special mouth care with 0.9% saline. The special mouth care was performed twice daily for one week in both groups. The scores for subjective oral comfortness, objective oral state, and numbers of colonizing Candida albicans were measured before and after the treatment. RESULTS: The score for subjective oral comfortness and objective oral state were significantly higher in the experimental group compared to the control group. The numbers of colonizing Candida albicans significantly decreased in the experimental group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Oral care with essential oil could be an effective oral health nursing intervention for hospice patients with terminal cancer.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Candida albicans/drug effects ; *Hospice Care ; Hospices ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms/therapy ; Oils, Volatile/*administration & dosage ; *Oral Health ; Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify clinical characteristics of oncologic patients at a point when they signed their do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders. METHODS: From January through December 2014, we retrospectively analyzed the records of 197 patients who passed away after agreeing to a DNR order in the hemato-oncology department of a tertiary hospital. RESULTS: Of all, 121 patients (61.4%) were male and 76 (38.6%) were female, and their average age was 58.7 years. Ninety-four patients (47.7%) had gastrointestinal cancer. The ECOG performance status at admission was grade 3 in 76 patients (36.5%) and grade 4 in 11 (5.6%). The patients' mean hospital stay was 20 days. The mean duration from the admission to DNR decision was 13 days, and the mean duration from DNR decision to death was seven days. CONCLUSION: Study results indicate that a decision on signing or refusing a DNR order was made by medical staff mostly based on the opinions of patients' guardians rather than the patients themselves. This suggests that patients' own wishes are not well respected. Thus, it is urgent to establish institutional devices to enhance cancer patients' autonomy regarding DNR and to define an adequate timing for withdrawal of treatments.
Female ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; Hospice Care ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Medical Staff ; Resuscitation Orders ; Retrospective Studies ; Terminal Care ; Terminally Ill ; Tertiary Care Centers*

Lanolin is a complex material consisting of a mixture of numerous esters and polyesters of high-moleculer-weight alcohols and fatty acids, Lanolin allergy is important because lanolin is widely used as an emulsifier in topical medicaments and in numerous cosmetic preparations. We report a case of allergic contact dermatitis in a 27-year-old female. An erythematous pruritic rash develgood around the eyelid developed after applying a new eye cream and was aggravated after applying Cambison ophthalmic ointment. Patch testing showed positive reactions to Cambison ophthalmic ointment, 30% wool alcohol, Amerchol L101 and Nivea cream. A use test with 100% Cambison ophthalmic ointment base was positive
Adult ; Alcohols ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact* ; Esters ; Exanthema ; Eyelids ; Fatty Acids ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Lanolin* ; Patch Tests ; Polyesters ; Wool

Background: Spontaneous pneumopericardium is a very rare condition. Spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum have been reported to be associated with an idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, spontaneous pneumopericardium has not yet been reported in association with IPF. Here we report a case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium in a patient with acute exacerbation of IPF with a review of the relevant literature.
Humans ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis* ; Mediastinal Emphysema* ; Pneumopericardium* ; Pneumothorax

We analyzed the occurrence of enteric viruses and bacteria at 22 places of drinkable groundwater (civil defense emergency water-supply facility), 8 places of the groundwater used for drinking water in group food services, and 10 places of spring-water. When the 40 concentrated samples were analyzed using nested RT-PCR and real-time RT PCR methods, norovirus and other enteric viruses were not detected in all samples tested. The detection percentages for total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica of fecal indicator were 57.5%, 22.5% and 7.5%, respectively. Colipages were not detected. These results suggest that high levels of fecal indicator bacteria in groundwater and spring-water are not directly related to occurrence of enteric viruses.
Bacteria ; Drinking Water ; Emergencies ; Escherichia coli ; Food Services ; Groundwater ; Norovirus ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Yersinia enterocolitica

BACKGROUND: Little is known concerning hair diameter variation within the safe donor area for hair transplantation surgery. Thicker or thinner hair may be needed, depending on the recipient area, hairline design, and the purpose of surgery. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients (7 men and 20 women; mean age, 28 years; range, 20–47 years) were included in this study. The midoccipital point was used as the reference point on the horizontal plane at the upper border of the helical rim. The target area width was 15 cm (7.5 cm to the right and left of the reference point) and the height was 8 cm (2 cm above and 6 cm below the reference point). The study area was divided horizontally into 3 5-cm sections (A, B, C) and vertically into 4 2-cm sections (1–4), creating a total of 12 zones. Ten anagen hairs were randomly obtained from each zone and their diameters were measured. RESULTS: Hair diameter in the 4 vertical sections varied significantly, gradually decreasing from sections 1 (superior) to 4 (inferior) in all 3 horizontal sections (A, B, and C). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that sections 1 and 2 of the occipital safe donor area would be useful for obtaining thicker hair, such as in procedures to treat male- and female-pattern hair loss, whereas hair from zones 3 and 4 could be useful for transplantation surgery requiring thinner hair, such as eyebrows, eyelashes, and female hairline correction. Our results may be clinically valuable for planning hair transplant surgery and choosing the optimal donor region.
Eyebrows ; Eyelashes ; Female ; Hair Follicle ; Hair* ; Humans ; Male ; Tissue Donors* ; Transplant Donor Site ; Transplantation

FDT is known as a comfortable and convenient device, and there was no restriction in pupil size and refractive error within 7 diopters.To compare the effectiveness of secreening and N-30 mode in FDT, new field analyzer. Twenty-three POAG or ocular hypertension patients(43 eyes)were included in this study. All subjects underwent FDT screening and N-30 15 minutes apart on same day within 1 month after HFA C30-2 test. Mean age of the subjects was 49.77+/-11.61 years. Fifteen men and nine woman were included in this study. Test duration was 52.3+/-6.2 seconds with FDT screening, 5.46+/-0.32 minutes with FDT N-30, and 14.46+/-1.88 minutes with HFA C30-2.In global indexes MD and PSD of FDT N-30 were well correlated with MD, PSD, and CPSD of HFA C30-2 respectively(p<0.01). In diagnosing glaucoma, sensitivity of FDT screening and N-30 was 75% and 88%respectively, and specificity of screening and N-30 was 94%and 82%respectively. In detecting defect in each test location, sensitivity of FDT screening and N-30 was 68.6%and 81.6%respectively, and specificity of screening and N-30 was 94.5%and 83.8%respectively. FDT N-30 mode appears to be superior to FDT screening mode in screening and diagnosing glaucoma as there are high correlation with HFA C30-2, good sensitivity, and specificity inspite of longer test duration.
Female ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening* ; Ocular Hypertension ; Pupil ; Refractive Errors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Visual Field Tests*

Objectives: : This study aimed to characteristic the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic pressure, pulse pressure, glucose, creatine, and lipid profile. This study also aimed to investigate the prevalence of hypertension and the relationship between hypertension and the lipid profile in Uzbekistan. Methods: The subjects consisted of 58 Uzbekistan subjects recruited from Ewha Medical Care patients. Blood samples were collected from the patients for the lipid profile and random glucose and creatinine levels. Paired t tests were used for the group means and a chi-square or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Among the 58 patients constituting the baseline population, hypertension developed in 42 patients. Among them, the triglyceride (TG) level was significantly higher in the hypertension group than normal group (173.19 vs. 127.06 mg/dL, P=0.014). The SBP had a positive correlation with the TG (r=0.979, P<0.01) and creatinine (r=0.002, P<0.05) levels and also, the pulse pressure had a positive correlation with the cholesterol level (r=0.539, P<0.05). A multivariate analysis (adjusted for age and sex) indicated that there was a positive correlation between the SBP and TG level (r=0.941, P<0.05). Conclusion There was a positive correlation between the SBP and TG level in the Uzbekistan population according to this study.