Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) strains responsible for recent outbreaks in the United States have been occurring in Mainland Korea since late 2013. Over the past 10 years, PEDV outbreaks have not been reported on Jeju Island. However, in late March of 2014, PEDV re-emerged on Jeju Island and was found to be genetically identical to PEDV strains currently circulating in Mainland Korea. The present study was conducted to provide a better understanding of the epidemiology of PEDV and more effective preventive measures against PED.
Disease Outbreaks ; Epidemiology ; Korea ; Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus* ; United States

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) strains responsible for recent outbreaks in the United States have been occurring in Mainland Korea since late 2013. Over the past 10 years, PEDV outbreaks have not been reported on Jeju Island. However, in late March of 2014, PEDV re-emerged on Jeju Island and was found to be genetically identical to PEDV strains currently circulating in Mainland Korea. The present study was conducted to provide a better understanding of the epidemiology of PEDV and more effective preventive measures against PED.
Disease Outbreaks ; Epidemiology ; Korea ; Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus* ; United States

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the expression of E-cadherin, beta-catenin, Cdx2, MMP7 in gastric cancer and to evaluate the clinical significance of these molecules in tumor recurrence within 2 years of pT2 and N1/N2 gastric cancer. METHODS: In 122 patients who underwent radical resection of gastric cancer, we investigated the association between the expression of these molecules and clinicopathologic factors by immunohistochemistry. The included criteria were pT2 and N1 or N2 (6th AJCC TNM). RESULTS: The expression of MMP7 was significantly associated with N stage (N1 vs. N2) (P=0.011). The negative expression of beta-catenin was strongly correlated with tumor recurrence within a 2-year period. However, the expression of these molecules was not related with recurrent sites. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that negative expression of beta-catenin was an independent predictor for tumor recurrence within 2 years (OR 2.366; 95% CI 1.056~5.297; P=0.036). CONCLUSION: Negative expression of beta-catenin may serve as a significant indicator for predicting tumor recurrence within a 2-year period in pT2 and N1/N2 gastric cancer.
beta Catenin ; Cadherins ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Multivariate Analysis ; Recurrence ; Stomach Neoplasms

PURPOSE: The 7th edition UICC/AJCC TNM classification for gastric cancer has several changes from the previous edition. Especially, the classification of the number of lymph node metastases (LNM) is reorganized. According to the new TNM system, N stage was categorized to N0 (no LNM), N1 (1~2 LNM), N2 (3~6 LNM), N3 (7 or more LNM). The aim of our study was to compare the prognostic significance of the new (7th) UICC/AJCC N stage with the old (6th). METHODS: From 2000 to 2005 a total of 425 patients who underwent curative resections with D2 and with 15 or more lymph nodes retrieved were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: According to the 7th UICC/AJCC N stage, the 5-year cumulative survival rates (5YSR) of N0, N1, N2, N3 were 96.0%, 79.2%, 58.5% and 24.3%, respectively (P<0.001). Using univariate analysis, the N stage of 7th and 6th UICC/AJCC TNM classification, 7th UICC/AJCC T stage, differentiation of tumor, type of gastrectomy (subtotal and total gastrectomy), size of primary tumor (< or =5, 5<< or =10, 10<) were associated with 5YSR. However, Cox regression multivariate analysis showed the 7th UICC/AJCC N stage to bean independent factor for predicting the 5YSR instead of the 6th UICC/AJCC N stage (P<0.001, hazard ratio (HR) 1.859, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.576~2.194), including depth of tumor invasion (P<0.001, HR 1.673, 95% CI 1.351~2.073). CONCLUSION: The new (7th) UICC/AJCC N stage is a more reliable prognostic factor of gastric cancer than the old (6th) N stage.
Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Survival Rate

Intramural pregnancy on a cesarean section scar is one of the rarest forms of ectopic pregnancy that may cause serious complications such as uterine rupture and massive bleeding. The common treatment in the past was laparotomy, but today early diagnosis is available thanks to the development of image diagnostic technology and, as a consequence, cases of less invasive conservative management are reported. Using vaginal ultrasonography and MRI, we made an early diagnosis on a case of intramural pregnancy on the scar of a previous cesarean section. We injected methotrexate locally into the gestational sac, and the intramural pregnancy was completely cured. Thus, here we report this case with a brief review of relevant literature.
Cesarean Section ; Cicatrix* ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Gestational Sac ; Hemorrhage ; Laparotomy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Methotrexate* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Ultrasonography ; Uterine Rupture

OBJECTIVE: To report our clinical experience with 763 cases of laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) and to evaluate the efficacy and advantage of LAVH. METHODS: From Jan. 2000 to Feb. 2006, 763 cases of LAVH were performed at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. we analyzed the results regard to the age, parity, surgical indication, previous abdominal surgery, operation time, weight of uterus, change of hemoglobin, hospital stay, concomitant procedures, and complication. RESULTS: The mean age was 45.7+/-7.1 years. The mean parity was 2.5+/-1.2. The average weight of patients was 58.59+/-9.5 kg. Leiomyoma was the most common surgical indication. Tubal ligation was the most common previous surgery. The mean operation time was 87.5+/-45.7 minutes. The mean hemoglobin change was 1.1+/-0.7 g/dL. The mean uterine weight was 251.34+/-131.5 gm. The mean hospital stay was 6.15+/-0.94 days. The complication rate was 3.4% (26 cases); bladder injury (7 cases), ureter injury (3 cases), vault bleeding (3 cases), trochar site bleeding (13 cases). CONCLUSIONS: LAVH is safe and effective surgical procedure for hysterectomy. The improvement of surgical skill and laparoscopic instrument can make more replace Total abdominal hysterectomy with LAVH.
Female ; Gynecology ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Hysterectomy, Vaginal* ; Leiomyoma ; Length of Stay ; Obstetrics ; Parity ; Sterilization, Tubal ; Ureter ; Urinary Bladder ; Uterus

PURPOSE: Marathon running is a unique long-distance sport with respect to injuries because it involves continuous movement allowing for different types of injuries that appear at each distance achieved. We initiated this study to analyze the types of injury patterns associated with marathon running to better predict the types of injuries expected at different points of a marathon course in order to provide more efficient emergency medical care. METHODS: The analysis is based on two international marathons that involved 12,356 runners in the 2004 Seoul International Marathon on March 14, 2004, and 3.873 runners in the 2004 Korea Open Marathon on March 28, 2004. We designed medical recording paper and applied it to the patients during the marathon course, and we finally analyzed the different injuries that occurred from the start to finish lines. RESULTS: The results revealed that injuries varied with respect to different distances achieved. From the start line to 10 km, minor contusions and abrasions formed the majority of injuries. However, from the 25 km area to the finish line, cardiovascular symptoms and heat related disorders manifested. CONCLUSION: As seen in our study, given that severity of injury patterns differ from point to point during a marathon course, emergency medical care should be also allocate appropriate resources at differing points on a marathon course in anticipation of probable escalating medical needs.
Contusions ; Emergencies ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Running* ; Seoul ; Sports

PURPOSE: Marathon running is a unique long-distance sport with respect to injuries because it involves continuous movement allowing for different types of injuries that appear at each distance achieved. We initiated this study to analyze the types of injury patterns associated with marathon running to better predict the types of injuries expected at different points of a marathon course in order to provide more efficient emergency medical care. METHODS: The analysis is based on two international marathons that involved 12,356 runners in the 2004 Seoul International Marathon on March 14, 2004, and 3.873 runners in the 2004 Korea Open Marathon on March 28, 2004. We designed medical recording paper and applied it to the patients during the marathon course, and we finally analyzed the different injuries that occurred from the start to finish lines. RESULTS: The results revealed that injuries varied with respect to different distances achieved. From the start line to 10 km, minor contusions and abrasions formed the majority of injuries. However, from the 25 km area to the finish line, cardiovascular symptoms and heat related disorders manifested. CONCLUSION: As seen in our study, given that severity of injury patterns differ from point to point during a marathon course, emergency medical care should be also allocate appropriate resources at differing points on a marathon course in anticipation of probable escalating medical needs.
Contusions ; Emergencies ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Running* ; Seoul ; Sports

A 67-year-old man presented with a 3-month history for intermittent epigastric pain and postprandial discomfort. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and contrast-enhanced axial computed tomographic scan demonstrated two separate tumors of the gastric antrum and the duodenal second portion, suggestive of the preoperative diagnosis of a double primary cancer. Pancreaticoduodenectomy with lymph node dissection was performed, and the microscopic features and immunohistochemical profiles of the resected specimen confirmed the diagnosis of the composite neuroendocrine carcinoma with adenocarcinoma of the stomach (mixed exocrine-endocrine carcinoma).
Adenocarcinoma* ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine* ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Pyloric Antrum ; Stomach*

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin (CP), an antitumor agent widely used in the treatment of cancers, has nephrotoxicity. This side effect is closely related to oxidative stress. In the present study, we attempted to reduce CP-induced nephrotoxicity in rats by administering melatonin, an antioxidant. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into different groups and were treated as follows: (1) saline control; (2) CP (16 mg/kg, i.p.); (3) CP plus melatonin (10 mg/kg, i.p.). The rats were sacrificed at the 6th day after CP treatment. To evaluate renal damage, BUN, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance and microscopic examination were done. Hydrogen peroxide which is one of the oxygen free radicals, and malondialdehyde which is known as a marker of the oxygen free radical mediated injury, and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxied dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were also measured. RESULTS: CP-treated rats showed the increase of BUN, serum creatinine, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in kidney. And CP-treated rats also showed the decrease of creatinine clearance and catalase levels. CP-treated rats showed severe tubular necrosis in proximal convoluted tubules under the light microscopic examination. The light microscopic finding and all of the parameters except SOD were restored in the rats injected with CP plus melatonin than those with CP alone. SOD level was higher in the rats injected with CP plus melatonin than that with CP alone. CONCIUSION: These results suggest that melatonin suppresses CP-induced nephrotoxicity by suppressing the production of reactive oxygen species via the activation of SOD and catalase.
Animals ; Catalase ; Cisplatin* ; Creatinine ; Free Radicals ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Kidney ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; Melatonin* ; Necrosis ; Oxidative Stress ; Oxygen ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Superoxide Dismutase