Although neutrophils function in both defense and tissue destruction, their defensive roles have rarely been studied in association with periodontitis. We hypothesized that peripheral neutrophils are pre-activated in vivo in periodontitis and that hyperactive neutrophils would show enhanced phagocytic ability as well as an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Peripheral blood neutrophils from patients with aggressive periodontitis and age/gender-matched healthy subjects (10 pairs) were isolated. The levels of CD11b and CD64 expression on the neutrophils and the level of plasma endotoxin were determined by flow cytometry and a limulus amebocyte lysate test, respectively. In addition, neutrophils were subjected to a flow cytometric phagocytosis assay and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence for non-opsonized Fusobacterium nucleatum in parallel. The neutrophilsfrom most patients expressed increased levels of both CD11b and CD64. In addition, the plasma from these patients tended to contain a higher level of endotoxin than the healthy controls. In contrast, no differences were found between the two groups with regard to phagocytosis or ROS generation by F. nucleatum. The ability to phagocytose F. nucleatum was found to positively correlate with the ability to produce ROS. In conclusion, peripheral neutrophils from patients with aggressive periodontitis are hyperactive but not hyperreactive to F. nucleatum.
Aggressive Periodontitis ; Flow Cytometry ; Fusobacterium nucleatum ; Horseshoe Crabs ; Humans ; Luminescence ; Neutrophils ; Periodontitis ; Phagocytosis ; Phenotype ; Plasma ; Reactive Oxygen Species

PURPOSE: Anorectal lesions in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) are difficult to manage because of frequent recurrences and complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between anorectal lesions and CD and to analyze the methods of management and the results of anorectal lesions. METHODS: The records of 33 patients with CD who had anorectal lesions, who visited our institution from July 2001 to June 2007, were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: CDs involving the small and the large bowel in 24 patients, the small bowel in 4 patients, the large bowel in 4 patients, and only the anorectum in 1 patient. Twenty-two patients (75.9%) were diagnosed as CD with unusual anorectal findings: unhealed wound or delayed healing of wound after the initial anal operation, multiple ulcers or fissures, broad based or friable fistula tract, non-cryptoglandular type of fistula, multiple fistula tracts, and recurrent or concurrent fistula. The predominant type of anorectal lesion was a perianal fistula (28 patients, 84.8%). Twelve out of 45 anal specimens (26.7%) showed noncaseating epithelioid granulomas, characteristic findings of CD. Conservative treatment was performed in 7 patients (21.2%), anorectal operations in 26 patients (78.8%). Twelve of those 26 patients underwent multiple operations. Anorectal operations were performed as follows: incision and drainage (8), fistulotomy or fistulectomy (17), muscle-preserving surgery (7), seton drainage (12), and modified Hanley's procedure (1). All anorectal operations, except those for an abscess, were performed after induction of remission of the CD. Satisfactory results were achieved in 29 patients (87.9%). CONCLUSION: In patients with unusual anorectal lesions, a diagnostic work-up for CD should be performed. Anorectal lesions with CD may be properly managed using several different methods, depending on the anorectal conditions and the activity of the CD.
Abscess ; Crohn Disease ; Drainage ; Fistula ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Ulcer

Congenital carpal coalition is an uncommon anomaly that results from an incomplete joint cavitation of the primitive carpus. Congenital carpal coalition between the capitate and hamate is generally believed to be asymptomatic and, thus, is usually discovered on radiographs taken for unrelated reasons. We report two cases of congenital carpal coalition (capitate-hamate) associated with pain of the wrist.
Carpal Bones ; Joints ; Wrist

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: It has been shown that adefovir dipivoxil is an effective antiviral agent in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), not only in wild-type hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, but also in lamivudine-resistant (LAMV-R) cases. However, little is known about the durability of the virologic response to adefovir in LAMV-R CHB patients. METHODS: Fifteen HBV e-antigen (HBeAg)-positive, LAMV-R CHB patients showed a virologic response to adefovir monotherapy. These patients received additional adefovir for at least a further 12 months. The virologic relapse rate after discontinuation of adefovir was evaluated. In addition, predictive factors associated with virologic relapse were investigated. RESULTS: The median level of serum HBV DNA before adefovir administration was 7,457,840 IU/mL (range 107,920-99,524,960 IU/mL). The median duration of adefovir treatment was 30 months (range 14-46 months). During a median follow-up period of 14 months after discontinuation of adefovir, the 1-, 2-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month cumulative relapse rates were 26.7%, 53.3%, 73.3%, 80%, and 80%, respectively. High pretreatment HBV DNA levels were found to be the only factor that was predictive of off-therapy relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the adefovir-monotherapy-induced virologic response is not durable in most patients with LAMV-R HBeAg-positive CHB, especially in those with a high pretreatment HBV DNA level.
Adenine/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral/analysis ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens/*blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/*drug therapy ; Humans ; Lamivudine/*therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phosphonic Acids/*therapeutic use ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Piroplasms are tick-transmitted, intracellular, hemoprotozoan parasites that cause anorexia, fever, anemia, and icterus. Theileriosis is caused by Theileria sergenti and causes major economic losses in grazing cattle in Japan and Korea. In May 2003, we examined the antigenic diversity of the major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) gene in 35 healthy Jeju black cattle that were born and raised at the National Institute of Subtropical Agriculture. On microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears, 9 of 35 cattle had intra-erythrocytic piroplasms. Hematological data were within normal range for all 35 cattle. Amplification of DNA from all blood samples using universal MPSP gene primers showed mixed infections with C, I, and B type Theileria spp. Type C was identified in 20 of 35 blood samples, and type B was identified in 17 samples. Allelic variation was seen in type B.
Animals ; Antigens, Protozoan/*genetics ; Base Sequence ; Cattle ; DNA Primers/genetics ; *Genetic Variation ; Korea ; Molecular Sequence Data ; *Phylogeny ; Protozoan Proteins/*genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Theileria/*genetics ; Theileriasis/*parasitology

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of performing an ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecysto-cholangiogram (PCC) for excluding biliary atresia as the cause of neonatal jaundice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between Oct. 2003 and Feb. 2005, six ultrasound-guided PCC procedures were performed to five jaundiced infants (4 females and 1 male; mean age: 60 days old) for whom possibility of biliary atresia could not be ruled out by the DISIDA scan as the cause of their neonatal jaundice. Gallbladder puncture was performed under ultrasound guidance with a 23-gauge needle. Contrast material injection during fluoroscopic examination was performed after dilatation of the gallbladder lumen with normal saline under ultrasound guidance. The criteria used for excluding biliary atresia were complete visualization of the extrahepatic biliary trees and/or contrast excretion into the duodenum. The complications and final diagnosis was assessed according to the clinical and laboratory findings. RESULTS: The procedures were successful in all the patients without any complication. Biliary atresia could be ruled out in all the patients. The final diagnosis was neonatal cytomegalovirus hepatitis in two patients, total parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis in two patients, and combined cytomegalovirus hepatitis and total parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis in one patient. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided PCC is a feasible and effective method for the early definitive exclusion of biliary atresia as the cause of neonatal jaundice. By the technique of injecting normal saline before contrast injection, PCC can be done even in a totally collapsed or very small gallbladder.
Biliary Atresia* ; Cholangiography ; Cholecystography ; Cholestasis ; Cytomegalovirus ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Duodenum ; Female ; Gallbladder ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice, Neonatal ; Male ; Needles ; Punctures ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: Occupational medicine specialists in the Busan, Ulsan and Kyung-Nam areas established an area-based occupational disease surveillance system and used this system to collected case information for the purpose of preventing occupational diseases METHODS: 11 hospitals participated in this system. The authors selected five main diseases, which were hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD), occupational asthma, occupational skin disease and occupational lung cancer and established their case definitions. All cases were reported on the web, and real time analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Between Apri1 2001 and April 2003, 192 cases of HAVS, 118 cases of WRMSD, 33 cases of occupational asthma, 17 cases of occupational skin disease and 17 cases of occupational lung cancer (for a total of 377 cases of these five main diseases) were reported. Most of the HAVS cases came from shipbuilding, and 172 of them (92.7 %) were associated with grinding. Of the four main types of WRMSD, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) was the most prevalent with 46 cases and shipbuilding was also the main industry involved (83.9 %). The ergonomic risk factors involved mainly associated with the hand. In 19 (57.6 %) and 4 (12.1 %) cases of occupational asthma, the agents included isocyanate and welding fume, respectively. 64.7 % of the cases of occupational skin diseases were contact dermatitis, and organic solvents and welding fume were the main agents involved. The causative agents of occupational lung cancer included Cr, welding fume, PAH, Ni, etc. 10 (58.8 %) of the cases were diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma and 5 (29.4 %) as adenoma. CONCLUSION: This result showed that an area-based occupational disease surveillance system might provide an effective method of evaluating the prevalence of such diseases, however the Busan, Ulsan and Kyung-Nam provinces are too large to be treated as individual areas. Therefore, the authors suggest that each province should establish its own surveillance system.
Adenoma ; Asthma, Occupational ; Busan* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Hand ; Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome ; Lung Neoplasms ; Occupational Diseases* ; Occupational Medicine ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Skin Diseases ; Solvents ; Specialization ; Ulsan* ; Welding

Even though titanium(Ti) and its alloys are the most used dental implant materials, there are some problems that Ti wears easily and interferes normal osteogenesis due to the metal ions. Ti coated with bioactive ceramics such as hydroxyapatite has also such problems as the exfoliation or resorption of the coated layer. Recent studies on implant materials have been proceeding to improve physical properties of the implant substrate and bio Compatibility of the implant surfaces. The purpose of the present study was to examine the physical property and bone tissue compatibility of bioinert nitrides ion plated Ti. Button type specimens(l4mm in diameter, 2.32mm in height) for the abrasion test and cytotoxicity test and thread type implants(3.75mm in diameter, 6mm in length) for the animal experiments were made from Ti(grade 2) and 316LVM stainless steel. Ti specimens were ion plated with TiN, ZrN by the low temperature arc vapor deposition, and the depth profile of the TiN/Ti, ZrN/Ti ion plated surface was examined by Auger Electron Spectroscopy. Three kind of button type specimens of TiN/Ti, ZrN/Ti and Ti were used for abrasion test, and HEPAlClC7 cells and CCD cells were cultivated for 4 days with the specimens for cytotoxicity test. Thread type implants of TiN, ZrN/Ti, Ti, 316LVM were implanted on the femur of 6 adult dogs weighing l0kg-l3kg. Two dogs were sacrified for histological examination after 45 days and 90 days, and four dogs were sacrificed for the removal torque test of the implants after 90 days. The removal torque force was measured by Autograph (Shimadzu Co., AGS-l000D series, Japan). Abrasion resistance of TiN/Ti was the highest, and that of ZrN/Ti and Ti were Followed. The bioinert nitride ion plated Ti had much better abrasion resistance, compared with Ti. In the cytotoxicity test, the number of both cells were increased in all specimens, and there were no significant difference in cytotoxic reaction among all groups (p>0.1). In histological examination, 316LVM showed the soft tissue engagement in interface between the implant and bone, but the other materials after 45 day5 noted immature new bone formation in the medullary portion along the implant surface, and those after 90 days showed implant support by new bone formation in both the cortical and the medullary portion. The removal torque force of TiN/Ti showed significantly higher than that of Ti(p0.05), and that of 316LVM was lowest among all groups(p<0.05). These results suggest that bioinert nitrides ion plated Ti can resolve the existing problems of Ti and bioactive ceramics, and it may be clinically applicable to human.
Adult ; Alloys ; Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Bone and Bones ; Ceramics ; Dental Implants ; Dogs ; Durapatite ; Femur ; Humans ; Ions ; Osteogenesis ; Spectrum Analysis ; Stainless Steel ; Tin ; Titanium* ; Torque

Hepatoma is one of the most common malignant disease among cancers that occur in Korea. Recently, according ta developing imaging diagnostic technology and non surgical treatment the hepatoma is easily detected in early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. From this point of view, the histologic pattern of hepatoma is markedly important. This is the first reported case of sclerosing hepatocellular carcinoma, which is characterized by intense fibrosis, in which the tubular neoplastic structures are embedded. The incidence of sclerosing hepatocellular carcinoma is very rare. Therefore the rare histologic pattern of hepatoma might be introduced by many studies and reports. We recently experienced a case of sclerosing hepatocellular carcinoma.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Early Diagnosis ; Fibrosis ; Incidence ; Korea

BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest that the colonization rate of group B streptococci(GBS) in pregnant women and the incidence of neonatal infections by GBS is increasing trend in Korea, but the antimicrobial susceptibilities and serotypes in pregnant women have not been reported in Korea. So, we studied to define the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and frequency of serotypes of GBS in pregnant women. METHODS: The susceptibility and serotyping of 60 GBS isolates from 27 pregnant women and four isolates from their two neonates were tested by an agar dilution method and agglutination test, respectively. The typing sera used in this study were Ia, Ib, II, III, IV, and V. RESULTS: Minimal inhibitory concentration range of 60 GBS from pregnant women were penicillin G 0.015-0.12 microgram/ml, vancomycin 0.5-2 microgram/ml, clindamycin 0.015-4.0 microgram/ml, chloramphenicol 2-4 microgram/ml, erythromycin 0.015-2 microgram/ml, tetracycline 0.5-256 microgram/ml, cephalothin 0.12-0.25 microgram/ml, ceftriaxone 0.03-0.12 microgram/ml, respectively. The resistance rate of GBS were 6.7% to clindamycin, 0% to erythromycin, and 98.3% to tetracycline. Most of GBS serotypes from pregnant women in decreasing order were Ib(48.3%), Ia(24.1%), III(20.7%). CONCLUSION: All GBS strains isolated from pregnant women are highly susceptible to commonly used antimicrobial agents with the exception of tetracycline. The low prevalence of severe neonatal GBS infections in Korea is not due to the absence of serotype III, but probably due to a low genital carriage rate of GBS by pregnant women.
Agar ; Agglutination Tests ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Ceftriaxone ; Cephalothin ; Chloramphenicol ; Clindamycin ; Colon ; Erythromycin ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Penicillin G ; Pregnant Women* ; Prevalence ; Serotyping ; Tetracycline ; Vancomycin