In recent years, the taeniasis has been rarely reported in the Republic of Korea (Korea). But in this study, we intend to report 4 taeniasis cases caused by Taenia saginata during a 5-month period (February to June 2018) at a unversity hospital in Gwangju, Korea. Worm samples (proglottids) discharged from all cases were identified by phenotypic and molecular diagnostics. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences showed 99.4–99.9% identity with T. saginata but, differed by 4% from T. asiatica and by 7% from T. multiceps, respectively. We found that tapeworms in 2 cases (Cases 2 and 3) yielded exactly the same sequences between them, which differed from those in Cases 1 and 4, suggesting intra-species variation in tapeworms. These taeniasis cases by T. saginata infection in this study, which occurred within a limited time period and region, suggest the possibility of a mini-outbreak. This study highlights the need for further epidemiological investigation of potentially overlooked cases of T. saginata infection in Korea.
Cestoda ; Electron Transport Complex IV ; Gwangju ; Korea ; Pathology, Molecular ; Republic of Korea ; Taenia saginata ; Taeniasis

The prevalence of human taeniasis has decreased in Korea. The stool egg positive proportion decreased from 1.9% in 1971 to 0% in 2004 in nationwide surveys. The neurocysticercosis (NCC) is also presumed to decrease. However, detailed information regarding the recent status of NCC in Korea is lacking. We retrospectively reviewed NCC cases from 1990 to 2016 at Asan Medical Center, a 2700-bed tertiary referral hospital in Korea. We identified patients based on clinical symptoms, brain imaging, pathology and serological assay. The cases were classified as parenchymal, extraparenchymal, and mixed NCC. Eighty-one patients were included in the analysis. The mean age was 54.5 years, and 79.0% were male. The number of NCC cases was highest from 1995 to 1999, and continuously decreased thereafter. Forty (49.4%) patients had parenchymal NCC, while 25 (30.9%) patients had extraparenchymal NCC, and 16 (19.8%) patients had mixed NCC. The seizure and headache were most common symptom of parenchymal NCC and extraparenchymal NCC respectively. Hydrocephalus was more common in extraparenchymal NCC, and patients with extraparenchymal NCC were more likely to require a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Cases of NCC are decreasing accordingly with human taeniasis and lesion location was the most important determinant of clinical presentation and outcome of NCC in Korea.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Headache ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Korea ; Male ; Neurocysticercosis ; Neuroimaging ; Ovum ; Pathology ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures ; Taenia solium ; Taeniasis ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites among students from Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do and Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do as typical low and high endemic counties. From May to July 2017, a total of 2,033 fecal samples were collected at 27 elementary, 10 junior high, and 8 high schools from 2 counties and examined by the Kato-Katz technique for egg-positive surveys (Collection rate: 37.02% [2,033/5,492]). Of the participants examined, 13 (0.64%) were found to harbor eggs of 3 parasitic species, Trichuris trichiura, Clonorchis sinensis and Metagonimus yokogawai. Based on the regional distribution, the egg-positive rate in Goseong-gun was 0% (0/550) and that in Hadong-gun was 0.88% (13/1,483). The positive rates for C. sinensis, M. yokogawai, and T. trichiura in Hadong-gun were 0.20% (3/1,483), 0.61% (9/1,483), and 0.07% (1/1,483), respectively. The present survey showed that the prevalence of parasitic infection among students is currently very low even in remote, previously endemic areas, and the present status of parasitic diseases can be summarized as some transmission of fish/food-borne trematodes. Thus, it is necessary to carefully, continuously monitor the trematode infection status, particularly of C. sinensis and M. yokogawai.
Clonorchis sinensis ; Eggs ; Gangwon-do ; Gyeongsangnam-do ; Helminths ; Heterophyidae ; Humans ; Korea ; Ovum ; Parasites ; Parasitic Diseases ; Prevalence ; Trematode Infections ; Trichuris

We evaluated whether LIM-kinase 2 inhibitor (LIMK2i) could improve erectile function by suppressing corporal fibrosis through the normalization of the Rho-associated coiled-coil protein kinase 1 (ROCK1)/LIMK2/Cofilin pathway in a rat model of cavernous nerve crush injury (CNCI). Sixty 11-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally into five groups: sham surgery (S), CNCI (I), and CNCI treated with low-dose (L), medium-dose (M), and high-dose (H) LIMK2i. The L, M, and H groups were treated with a daily intraperitoneal injection of LIMK2i (2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg kg^-1 body weight, respectively) for 1 week after surgery. The erectile response was assessed using electrostimulation at 1 week, postoperatively. Penile tissues were processed for Masson's trichrome staining, double immunofluorescence, and Western blot assay. Erectile responses in the H group improved compared with the I group, while the M group showed only partial improvement. A significantly decreased smooth muscle/collagen ratio and an increased content of fibroblasts positive for phospho-LIMK2 were noted in the I group. The M and H groups revealed significant improvements in histological alterations and the dysregulated LIMK2/Cofilin pathway, except for LIMK2 phosphorylation in the M group. The inhibition of LIMK2 did not affect the ROCK1 protein expression. The content of fibroblasts positive for phospho-LIMK2 in the H group returned to the level found in the S group, whereas it did not in the M group. However, the L group did not exhibit such improvements. Our data suggest that the inhibition of LIMK2, particularly with administration of 10.0 mg kg^-1 body weight LIMK2i, can improve corporal fibrosis and erectile function by normalizing the LIMK2/Cofilin pathway.
Animals ; Cofilin 1/metabolism* ; Electric Stimulation ; Erectile Dysfunction/etiology* ; Fibroblasts/pathology* ; Fibrosis/drug therapy* ; Lim Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Male ; Penile Diseases/drug therapy* ; Penis/innervation* ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries/pathology* ; Phosphorylation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; rho-Associated Kinases/genetics*

Paragonimiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Paragnonimus species. The primary site of infection is the lung, and extrapulmonary involvement is also reported. When infected with Paragonimus westermani, which is the dominant species in Korea, the central nervous system is frequently involved along with the liver, intestine, peritoneal cavity, retroperitoneum, and abdominal wall. Ectopic paragonimiasis raises diagnostic challenge since it is uncommon and may be confused with malignancy or other inflammatory diseases. Here, we report an ectopic paragonimiasis case initially presented with recurrent abdominal pain. The patient developed abdominal pain 3 times for the previous 3 years and the computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed fluid collection with wall enhancement. Recurrent diverticulitis was initially suspected and part of the ascending colon was resected. However, the specimen showed intact colon wall without evidence of diverticulitis and multiple parasite eggs and granulomas were found instead. The size of about 70 μm, the presence of an operculum and relatively thick egg shell suggested eggs of Paragonimus species. With appropriate exposure history and a positive antibody test, the definitive diagnosis was made as peritoneal paragonimiasis.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Abscess* ; Abdominal Pain ; Abdominal Wall ; Abscess ; Animals ; Central Nervous System ; Colon ; Colon, Ascending ; Diagnosis ; Diverticulitis* ; Egg Shell ; Eggs ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Intestines ; Korea ; Liver ; Lung ; Ovum ; Paragonimiasis* ; Paragonimus ; Paragonimus westermani ; Parasites ; Parasitic Diseases ; Peritoneal Cavity

PURPOSE: A stylet aids intubation as a glottis by changing and maintaining the bending inside the endotracheal tube and is used as an auxiliary device in intubation. The aim of this experimental study is to evaluate resistance differences among endotracheal tube sizes and the usefulness of lubricant for stylet removal. METHODS: Depending on endotracheal tube size and lubricant use status, the subjects were divided into the control (n=10, each 7 tube sizes), lidocaine gel (n=70), and saline groups (n=70). Using a tensile strength meter, the work and the peak withdrawal force consumed for retracting a stylet were measured. RESULTS: When the work dependent on the endotracheal tube size and stylet coating was compared, significantly less work was consumed for 6.0-, 6.5-, 7.0-, 8.0-, 8.5 mm stylet group coated with lidocaine gel (p=0.029, p=0.002, p=0.001, p=0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001) or 6.0-, 6.5-, 8.0-, 8.5 mm stylets coated with saline compared to the control group (p=0.002, p<0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.001). In comparison of the peak withdrawal force dependent on the endotracheal tube size and stylet coating, significantly less peak withdrawal force was consumed for the 6.0- or 8.0- mm stylet group coated with lidocaine gel (p=0.004, p<0.001) or 6.0-, 6.5-, 7.5-, or 8.0 mm stylets coated with saline compared to the control group (p=0.025, p=0.001, p=0.008, and p=0.001). CONCLUSION: We found that the effectiveness of lubricant resulted in various sized tubes. Less work was consumed for five tube sizes (6.0-, 6.5-, 7.0-, 8.0-, 8.5 mm) in lidocaine gel groups and four tube sizes (6.0-, 6.5-, 8.0-, 8.5 mm) in saline groups. Less peak withdrawal force was consumed for two tube sizes (6.0-, 8.0 mm) in lidocaine gel groups and four tube sizes (6.0-, 6.5-, 7.5-, 8.0 mm) in saline groups.
Device Removal ; Friction ; Glottis ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Lidocaine ; Lubricants ; Tensile Strength

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the patterns and the risk factors of newly developed vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the 244 patients treated with PVP from September 2006 to February 2011. Among these patients, we selected 49 patients with newly developed VCFs following PVP as the new VCFs group, and the remaining 195 patients as the no VCFs group. The new VCFs group was further divided into 2 groups : an adjacent fractures group and a nonadjacent fractures group. The following data were collected from the groups : age, gender, body weight/height, body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD) score of the spine and femur, level of initial fracture, restoration rate of anterior/middle vertebral height, and intradiscal cement leakage, volume of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). RESULTS: Age, gender, mean body height/weight, mean BMI and volume of PMMA of each of the group are not statistically significantly associated with fractures. In comparison between the new VCFs group and the no VCFs group, lower BMD, intradiscal cement leakage and anterior vertebral height restoration were the significant predictive factors of the fracture. In addition, new VCFs occurrence at the adjacent spines was statistically significant, when the initial fracture levels were confined to the thoracolumbar junction, among the subgroups of new VCFs. CONCLUSION: Lower spinal BMD, the greater anterior vertebral height restoration rate and intradiscal cement leakage were confirmed as risk factors for newly formed VCFs after PVP.
Body Mass Index ; Bone Density ; Femur ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Spine ; Vertebroplasty

PURPOSE: Accurate and exact measurement is an important factor for generating meaningful results in any properly designed study. If all the participating examiners are able to yield similar results, it will be possible to evaluate the objective results of the study more easily and quickly. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility of histometric measurements in the intrabony periodontal defect model. METHODS: One wall intrabony defects were surgically created at the distal aspect of the second and the medial aspect of the fourth mandibular premolars in the right and left jaw quadrants in twenty beagle dogs and the defect sites received the following beta-tri calcium phosphate, growth differentiation factor-0, growth differentiation factor-100 and sham surgery. Histometric analysis was performed after 8 weeks. Histometric parameters were recorded and repeated at three months interval by three examiners. Intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility was assessed. RESULTS: Most parameters of all the groups showed high intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility. Parameters including defect height, bone regeneration height, cementum regeneration height, and formation of junctional epithelium yielded inter-examiner correlation > or = 0.9. The intra-examiner reproducibility showed a high result, over 0.9. CONCLUSIONS: Histometric evaluation of the one-wall intra-alveolar periodontal defect model showed high reproducibility not only for a single given examiner but also among the three examiners.
Alveolar Bone Loss ; Animals ; Bicuspid ; Bone Regeneration ; Calcium ; Calcium Phosphates ; Dental Cementum ; Dogs ; Epithelial Attachment ; Jaw ; Regeneration ; Salicylamides

Transglutaminase 4 is a member of enzyme family that catalyzes calcium-dependent posttranslational modification of proteins. Although transglutaminase 4 has been shown to have prostate-restricted expression pattern, little is known about the biological function of transglutaminase 4 in human. To gain insight into its role in prostate, we analyzed the expression status of human transglutaminase 4 in benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa). Unexpectedly, RT-PCR and nucleotide sequence analysis showed four alternative splicing variants of transglutaminase 4: transglutaminase 4-L, -M (-M1 and -M2) and -S. The difference between transglutaminase 4-M1 and -M2 is attributed to splicing sites, but not nucleotide size. The deduced amino acid sequences showed that transglutaminase 4-L, -M1 and -M2 have correct open reading frames, whereas transglutaminase 4-S has a truncated reading frame. RT-PCR analysis of clinical samples revealed that transglutaminase 4-M and -S were detected in all tested prostate tissue (80 BPH and 48 PCa). Interestingly, transglutaminase 4-L was found in 56% of BPH (45 out of 80) and only in 15% of PCa (7 out of 48). However, transglutaminase 4-L expression did not correlate with serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, prostate volumes or PSA densities. These results will provide a clue to future investigation aiming at delineating physiological and pathological roles of human transglutaminase 4.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of hydroxyapatite containing toothpaste for patients who received periodontal therapy and felt hypersensiptivity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After application of toothpaste, patients were evaluated for VAS(Visual Analog scale) scores to a cold stimulate on baseline, 1 week, and 4 weeks. VAS scores were analyzed by statistical methods. RESULTS: The results of this study were as follows. 1. VAS scores in control group on baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks were 5.39+/-2.05, 4.75+/-2.00, 4.21+/-1.75. 2. VAS scores in experimental group on baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks were 5.61+/-2.37, 4.81+/-2.46, 4.08+/-2.54. 3. Decrease of VAS scores on hypersensitivity after 1week was 0.64+/-0.49(p<.0001) in control group, 0.80+/-1.65 (p<.0001) in experimental group. 4. Decrease of VAS scores on hypersensitivity after 4weeks was 1.18+/-1.60(p<.0001) in control group, 1.53+/-1.88 (p<.0001) in experimental group. 5. When compared, decrease of VAS scores after 1 week between 2 groups were not statistically different(p=0.2622). 6. When compared, decrease of VAS scores after 4 weeks between 2 groups were not statistically different(p=0.1219). CONCLUSION: It was confirmed that hydroxyapatite containing toothpaste have the similar effect with pre-existing proven dentifrice for relieving teeth hypersensitivity.
Cold Temperature ; Dentifrices ; Durapatite ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Tooth ; Toothpastes