Diagnosis ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Printing, Three-Dimensional

Pathogenic Acanthamoeba spp. cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and keratitis. Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a rare but serious ocular infection that can result in permanent visual impairment or blindness. However, pathogenic factors of AK remain unclear and treatment for AK is arduous. Expression levels of proteins secreted into extracellular space were compared between A. castellanii pathogenic (ACP) and non-pathogenic strains. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed 123 differentially expressed proteins, including 34 increased proteins, 7 qualitative increased proteins, 65 decreased proteins, and 17 qualitative decreased proteins in ACP strain. Twenty protein spots with greater than 5-fold increase in ACP strain were analyzed by liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. These proteins showed similarity each to inosine-uridine preferring nucleoside hydrolase, carboxylesterase, oxygen-dependent choline dehydrogenase, periplasmic-binding protein proteinases and hypothetical proteins. These proteins expressed higher in ACP may provide some information to understand pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba.
Acanthamoeba castellanii ; Acanthamoeba Keratitis ; Acanthamoeba ; Blindness ; Carboxylesterase ; Choline Dehydrogenase ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Encephalitis ; Extracellular Space ; Eye Infections ; Keratitis ; Mass Spectrometry ; Peptide Hydrolases ; Virulence ; Vision Disorders

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Qualitative and quantitative data of tinnitus are both important to obtain necessary information for assessing tinnitus evaluation. But contrary to quantitative questionnaire, qualitative data is not standardized in Korea. This study aimed to standardize the qualitative data of tinnitus by developing a Korean-type integrated qualitative tinnitus questionnaires. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A cross-sectional survey of Korean otolaryngologists was performed. The questionnaires were administered to otologists who were registered as participants in the tinnitus study group of otology research interest group (ORIG). RESULTS: Most of the otologists (100% of responders) have used the quantitative tinnitus questionnaire measurement (90.5%), but only 76% have used qualitative tinnitus questionnaire. From the responses of otologists who regularly use qualitative questionnaire, 25 items were adopted from the 35 item list. Questionnaire items were selected according to the frequency of listed items in the individual lists. CONCLUSION: We made a qualitative questionnaire consisting of 25 items that were essential and widely accepted. We expect this work will integrate and standardize qualitative tinnitus questionnaires in Korea.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Korea ; Methods ; Otolaryngology ; Public Opinion ; Qualitative Research ; Tinnitus*

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this multicenter registry study was to investigate the effectiveness of ventilation tube insertion and the microbiology of otitis media with effusion (OME) in children. This part I study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological profile of children with OME who needed ventilation tube insertion. METHODS: Patients < 15 years old who were diagnosed as having OME and received ventilation tube insertion were prospectively enrolled in 16 tertiary hospitals from June 2014 to December 2016. After excluding patients with missing data, the data of 397 patients were analyzed among a total of 433 enrolled patients. The clinical symptoms, findings of the tympanic membrane, hearing level, and microbiological findings were collected. RESULTS: In 103 patients (25.9%), antibiotics were used within 3 weeks before surgery. Ventilation tube insertion was performed in a total of 710 ears (626 in both ears in 313 patients, 55 in the left ear only, and 29 in the right ear only). Culture of middle ear effusion was done in at least one ear in 221 patients (55.7%), and in a total of 346 ears. Only 46 ears (13.3%) showed positive results in middle ear effusion culture. Haemophilus influenzae (17.3%, followed by coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Staphylococcus auricularis) was the most common bacteria detected. CONCLUSION: H. influenzae was the most commonly found bacteria in middle ear effusion. Relatively low rates of culture positivity were noted in middle ear effusion of patients with OME in Korea.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Child ; Ear ; Ear, Middle* ; Haemophilus influenzae ; Hearing ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; Korea ; Middle Ear Ventilation ; Otitis Media with Effusion* ; Otitis Media* ; Otitis* ; Prospective Studies ; Staphylococcus ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Tympanic Membrane ; Ventilation*

OBJECTIVES: To identify recent prescription patterns, as well as the demographic and clinical correlates of antidepressants (ADs) usage in schizophrenic patients. METHODS: A total of 297 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia enrolled at Seoul National Hospital in 2013. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) was used to evaluate current psychiatric symptoms. Bivariate comparisons were used to assess the usage of concomitant psychotropics, demographic and clinical characteristics of ADs users compared with non-users. Multivariate analysis of covariance was performed consecutively. RESULTS: The rate of ADs usage was 26.3% and the most commonly used ADs were selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. ADs users more often took benzodiazepine than ADs non-users (p=0.005), whereas there were no significant demographic and other clinical difference between the two groups. Regarding BPRS, somatic concern (p=0.022), anxiety (p=0.001) and depressive mood (p=0.009) scores were higher, and excitement (p=0.006) and hostility (p=0.04) scores were lower among ADs users compared to non-users, although there was no significant difference in the other scores of BPRS between the two groups. Moreover, among 5 components of BPRS, scores of affective symptoms (p < 0.001) were significantly higher, and scores of activation symptoms (p=0.014) were significantly lower in ADs users compared to non-users. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the usage of ADs could be related to affective symptoms regardless of positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Further studies are required in order to confirm the clinical correlates of ADs usage and the interactions between affective symptoms and psychotic symptoms.
Affective Symptoms ; Antidepressive Agents* ; Anxiety ; Benzodiazepines ; Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale ; Hostility ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prescriptions* ; Schizophrenia* ; Seoul ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors

Acanthamoeba keratitis has been increasing in recent years. Main risk factors are contact lens wear and their cleaning solutions. Most contact lens wearers use multipurpose disinfecting solutions (MPDS) for cleansing and disinfecting microorganisms because of its convenience. We determined amoebicidal effects of MPDS made in Korea and their cytotoxicity on human corneal epithelium cells. Fifteen commercial MPDS (A to O) were tested for their amoebicidal effects on Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoites and cysts by using a most probable number (MPN) technique. Among them, 7 kinds of MPDS showed little or no amoebicidal effects for 24 hr exposure. Solutions A, B, G, H, L, and O showed positive amoebicidal effects, and solutions M and N killed almost all trophozoites and cysts after 24 hr exposure. However, 50%-N solution showed 56% cytotoxicity on human corneal epithelial cells within 4 hr exposure, and 50%-O solution also showed 62% cytotoxicity on human cells within 4 hr exposure. Solution A did not show any cytotoxicity on human cells. These results revealed that most MPDS made in Korea were ineffective to kill Acanthamoeba. The solutions having amoebicidal activity also showed high levels of cytotoxicity on human corneal epithelial cells. New formulations for improved MPDS that are amoebicidal but safe for host cells are needed to prevent Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Acanthamoeba castellanii* ; Acanthamoeba Keratitis ; Acanthamoeba* ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Humans ; Korea ; Risk Factors ; Trophozoites

OBJECTIVES: Sexual dysfunction is said to affect the compliance of drug and quality of life. This study is a research to investigate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and affecting factors that can occur when schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients have taken drugs. METHODS: Subjects were 300 patients who have been taken inpatient or outpatient treatment in national seoul hospital. We used UKU-S, ASEX scale for evaluating the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and CGI-S, PANSS negative scale and CES-D for investigating the influence of psychopathology and depressive symptoms on sexual dysfunction. RESULTS: It was reported sexual dysfunction 82.7% in male and 92.2% in female with 7 items of UKU-S. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction with criteria of ASEX was 47.72% in male and 65.05% in female. Sexual dysfunction was more prevalent in patients taking prolactin-elevation drugs. In the factor analysis for the sexual dysfunction it was investigated that age, onset time, CGI-S, PANSS negative scale, and CES-D can affect the sexual dysfunction in both male and female. CONCLUSION: This study reported that many patients complained of sexual dysfunction. On considering the influence of sexual dysfunction to compliance and quality of life, clinicians evaluate sexual side effects more actively because patients are more likely not spontaneously tell the sexual side effects in comparison to others.
Antipsychotic Agents* ; Compliance ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Male ; Outpatients ; Prevalence* ; Psychopathology ; Quality of Life ; Schizophrenia ; Seoul

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the surgical and rehabilitative results of cochlear implantation combined with subtotal petrosectomy in patients with chronic otitis media. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of nine adult patients (7 men and 2 woman; mean age 58.9 years), who were operated between 2004 and 2014. Out of the nine, seven patients received simultaneous cochlear implantation and subtotal petrosectomy and two patients were operated by stage depending on the condition of the middle ear. All cases underwent closure of the external auditory canal and Eustachian tube, and the obliteration of mastoid cavity using abdominal fat. Surgical outcomes and performance of the patients after cochlear implantation were analyzed. RESULTS: Middle ear inflammation was completely managed with this surgical technique. No patients showed postoperative symptoms related to otitis media after the surgery. Cochlear implant was successfully replaced and active electrodes were fully inserted in all of the cases. There were no immediate complications including abscess, infection, meningitis, cerebrospinal fluid leakage and ear canal problem. One patient was observed with delayed extrusion of the ball electrode, which was replaced with cartilage reinforcement under local anesthesia. Patient performance, measured in terms of speech evaluation and quality of life during the medical interview, were successful and satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Cochlear implantation with subtotal petrosectomy seems to be very safe and effective for patients deafened by chronic otitis media. Long term follow-ups for possible extrusion of the electrode or other complications are still necessary.
Abdominal Fat ; Abscess ; Adult ; Anesthesia, Local ; Cartilage ; Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak ; Cochlear Implantation* ; Cochlear Implants* ; Ear Canal ; Ear, Middle ; Electrodes ; Eustachian Tube ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Mastoid ; Medical Records ; Meningitis ; Methods ; Otitis Media* ; Otitis* ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies

Cardioprotective effect of fimasartan, a new angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), was evaluated in a porcine model of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Fifty swine were randomized to group 1 (sham, n=10), group 2 (no angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor [ACEI] or ARB, n=10), group 3 (perindopril 2 mg daily, n=10), group 4 (valsartan 40 mg daily, n=10), or group 5 (fimasartan 30 mg daily, n=10). Acute MI was induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending artery for 50 min. Echocardiography, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) were performed at baseline, 1 week, and 4 weeks. Iodine-123 meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan was done at 6 weeks for visualization of cardiac sympathetic activity. Left ventricular function and volumes at 4 weeks were similar between the 5 groups. No difference was observed in groups 2 to 5 in SPECT perfusion defect, matched and mismatched segments between SPECT and PET at 1 week and 4 weeks. MIBG scan showed similar uptake between the 5 groups. Pathologic analysis showed similar infarct size in groups 2 to 5. Infarct size reduction was not observed with use of fimasartan as well as other ACEI and ARB in a porcine model of acute MI.
3-Iodobenzylguanidine ; Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers/therapeutic use ; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists/*therapeutic use ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/therapeutic use ; Animals ; Anterior Wall Myocardial Infarction/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Biphenyl Compounds/*therapeutic use ; Cardiotonic Agents/*therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Echocardiography ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Perindopril/therapeutic use ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Pyrimidines/*therapeutic use ; Random Allocation ; Swine ; Tetrazoles/*therapeutic use ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; Valsartan/therapeutic use ; Ventricular Function, Left/*physiology

OBJECTIVES: Despite increasing use of antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP), few studies have investigated APP for Korean patients with schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to identify the sociodemographic and clinical correlates and recent prescription profiles of APP in schizophrenia patients. METHODS: A total of 297 schizophrenia patients were recruited and interviewed using standardized assessment instruments in Seoul National Hospital. Differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between APP and antipsychotic monopharmacy (APM) groups were analyzed. The prescriptions of psychotropic drugs were collected by a review of medical records. RESULTS: In comparison with the APM group, the APP group showed association with earlier onset, lower employment rate, and higher scores for Clinical Global Impression-Severity and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) (p<0.001). In particular, the BPRS positive (p<0.001) and affective symptom scores (p<0.001) of the APP group were higher those of the APM group. The most frequent combination pattern of APP was second generation antipsychotics (SGA)+SGA, followed by SGA+first generation antipsychotics (FGA), and SGA+SGA+FGA. For antipsychotics, it was risperidone+quetiapine, followed by clozapine+risperidone, risperidone+sulpiride, and risperidone+haloperidol. CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that the usage of APP for schizophrenia could be related to symptom severity affected by positive and affective symptoms. The prescription profile reflects that the proportion of atypical antipsychotics on APP has increased.
Affective Symptoms ; Antipsychotic Agents ; Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale ; Employment ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Polypharmacy* ; Prescriptions ; Psychotropic Drugs ; Schizophrenia* ; Seoul