Objective: : It is challenging to make solid fusion by posterior screw fixation and laminectomy with posterolateral fusion (PLF) in thoracic and thoracolumbar (TL) diseases. In this study, we report our experience and follow-up results with a new surgical technique entitled posterior thoracic cage interbody fusion (PTCIF) for thoracic and TL spine in comparison with conventional PLF. Methods: : After institutional review board approval, a total of 57 patients who underwent PTCIF (n=30) and conventional PLF (n=27) for decompression and fusion in thoracic and TL spine between 2004 and 2019 were analyzed. Clinical outcomes and radiological parameters, including bone fusion, regional Cobb angle, and proximal junctional Cobb angle, were evaluated. Results: : In PTCIF and conventional PLF, the mean age was 61.2 and 58.2 years (p=0.46), and the numbers of levels fused were 2.8 and 3.1 (p=0.46), respectively. Every patient showed functional improvement except one case of PTCIF. Postoperative hematoma as a perioperative complication occurred in one and three cases, respectively. The mean difference in the regional Cobb angle immediately after surgery compared with that of the last follow-up was 1.4° in PTCIF and 7.6° in conventional PLF (p=0.003), respectively. The mean durations of postoperative follow-up were 35.6 months in PTCIF and 37.3 months in conventional PLF (p=0.86). Conclusion : PTCIF is an effective fusion method in decompression and fixation surgery with good clinical outcomes for various spinal diseases in the thoracic and TL spine. It provides more stable bone fusion than conventional PLF by anterior column support.

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is caused by congenital or acquired causes and occurs in childhood or adulthood. GH replacement therapy brings benefits to body composition, exercise capacity, skeletal health, cardiovascular outcomes, and quality of life. Before initiating GH replacement, GH deficiency should be confirmed through proper stimulation tests, and in cases with proven genetic causes or structural lesions, repeated GH stimulation testing is not necessary. The dosing regimen of GH replacement therapy should be individualized, with the goal of minimizing side effects and maximizing clinical improvements. The Korean Endocrine Society and the Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology have developed a position statement on the diagnosis and treatment of GH deficiency. This position statement is based on a systematic review of evidence and expert opinions.

In order to study the characteristics of norovirus in Gwangju metropolitan city, We examined norovirus in 13,931 fecal specimens collected through five years (2008-2012) from children admitted with a chief complain of acute diarrhea. Among a total of norovirus (NoV) was most frequently detected (3,025 cases, 21.7%). Concerning the frequency of virus detected by month, NoV tended to break out frequently from October to March in the following year. NoV was detected most highly in 0~3 year infants. Through examinations on NoV genotypes, among 3,025 cases that turned out to be positive, the genotypes of 2,652 cases were determined with various results including 13 types of GI and 17 types of GII. The results of analysis on GI genotypes were as follows: GI-4 (21.9%), GI-2 (15.2%), and GI-6 (10.5%). GII genotypes were as follows: GII-4 (63.9%), GII-3 (18.9%), GII-8 (4.2%), GII-2 (3.9%), GII-6 (3.3%), and GII-1 (1.9%). Eight types of variants for GII-4 genotype (427 cases) were identified. The majority of the GII-4 variants was GII-4_Farmington (181 cases, 42.4%), which peaked in 2012, while GII-4_2008b (173 cases, 40.5%) showed a high prevalence in 2011. Concerning the circulation of variants, as many as eight types of GII-4 variants were identified in 2012, showing more varieties than in other years. Therefore, this study can be used as fundamental data for the development of vaccine candidate for the prevention of viral diarrheal diseases with high-incidence.
Child* ; Diarrhea* ; Genetic Variation* ; Genotype ; Gwangju* ; Humans ; Infant ; Korea* ; Norovirus* ; Prevalence

Objective To investigate the gene related to β-lactam resistance and to confirm the mechanism about a synergy effect between CPZ and β-lactam antibiotics. Methods To measure antibacterial activity, we performed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and synergy test. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used in morphological analysis. To analyze gene expression, we conducted reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results We confirmed a synergy effect between CPZ and β-lactam antibiotics. Furthermore, we observed that CPZ affect the cell envelope of MRSA by using TEM. At the gene level, CPZ reduced the expression of resistance genes. Conclusions Through this result, we hypothesize that a decrease of resistance factor expressions was caused by CPZ because it disrupts the activity of a sensor protein located in the cell membrane.

The recent mumps epidemic in South Korea has generated a large amount of public concern. This study has attempted to analyze molecular epidemiological changes of mumps virus circulating in Gwangju metropolitan area, South Korea. 953 throat swab samples were collected from patients with parotitis from May 2013 to July 2014. The majority (71.5%) of these cases have occurred in middle or high school students aged from 15 to 19 years. All samples were tested using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) that targets the short hydrophobic (SH) gene of the virus. Mumps virus SH gene was detected in 39.2% (374/953) of samples. And 82 RT-PCR products were randomly selected for nucleotide sequencing analysis. All of these sequences were determined as genotype I by phylogenetic analysis and showed the highest nucleic acid similarity (99%) with Dg1062/Korea/98 (GenBank accession no. AY309060). These results suggested that appearance of new genotype or genetic variation at the nucleotide level could be ruled out to evaluate main cause of recent mumps outbreak in Gwangju metropolitan area.
Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Korea ; Molecular Epidemiology* ; Mumps ; Mumps virus* ; Parotitis ; Pharynx ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcription

OBJECTIVECheongseoikki-tang (CIT, Korean), also called Qingshu Yiqi decoction () and Seisho-ekki-to (Japanese), is well known as an effective traditional combination of herbs for treating cardiovascular diseases. This study was to research its effects on bone marrow-derived mast cell (BMMC)-mediated allergy and inflammation mechanisms.

METHODSIn this study, the biological effect of Cheongseoikki-tang ethanol extract (CITE) was evaluated, focusing on its effects on the production of allergic mediators by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187)-stimulated BMMCs. These allergic mediators included interleukin-6 (IL-6), prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), leukotriene C4 (LTC4), and β-hexosaminidase (β-hex).

RESULTSOur data revealed that CITE inhibited the production of IL-6, PGD2, LTC4, and β-hex induced by PMA plus A23187 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThese findings indicate that CITE has the potential for use in the treatment of allergy.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Bone Marrow Cells ; pathology ; Calcimycin ; pharmacology ; Cell Degranulation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hypersensitivity ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Interleukin-6 ; secretion ; Leukotriene C4 ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mast Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Prostaglandin D2 ; biosynthesis ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; pharmacology ; beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors related to the fusion failure after halo-vest immobilization of odontoid fracture type III. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed ten patients who underwent halo-vest immobilization for acute traumatic odontoid fracture between October 2002 and December 2011. All patients had type III odontoid fracture using the Anderson and D'Alonzo classification. We reviewed digital radiographs and analyzed the images during conservative treatment with halo-vest immobilization. RESULTS: The patients consisted of nine men and one woman, with mean age of 40.2 years (range: 25-56), who had no history of medical comorbidity and significant neurologic deficit. The mean follow-up period was 6 months (range: 4-11). All patients were initially treated by halo-vest immobilization. Seven patients showed union of fractured site on radiologic findings after halo-vest immobilization only. However, other 3 patients underwent surgery for fixation due to fusion failure. Among the factors we analyzed such as, radiographic characteristics and clinical feature, presence of comminuted fracture, instability of fractured fragment and failed reduction of misalignment were the factors related to fusion failure. CONCLUSION: The fusion rate of halo-vest immobilization of odontoid fracture type III seem to be incomplete, but clinical decision using the risk factors such as comminution, instability of fractured fragment and failed reduction of misalignment improves the outcome with conservative management.
Comorbidity ; External Fixators ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Fractures, Ununited ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Male ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Odontoid Process ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Spinal Fractures

OBJECTIVE: Both of ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) could be treated by cervical laminoplasty. In this study we compared long-term clinical and radiological outcomes in these two disease entities, treated with modified midline splitting laminoplasty (MSL). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 21 consecutive cervical myelopathy patients (13 OPLL and 8 CSM) who underwent modified MSL between 2004 and 2008. The mean follow-up duration was 49.5 months. The clinical outcomes were evaluated by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and the radiologic outcomes included the change of cervical lordosis, range of motion (ROM) and spinal canal dimension. RESULTS: The mean JOA scores of overall patient changed from 6.9 to 11.9, resulting in mean calculated recovery rates of 42.3%. The recovery rates of each group was 38.0% in the CSM group and 45.5% in the OPLL group, respectively (p=0.45). The mean cervical lordosis changed from 12.5 to 10.75 degrees in the CSM group and from 11.76 to 9.84 degrees in the OPLL group (p=0.79). The mean cervical ROM changed from 26 to 24.2 degrees in the CSM group and from 28.7 to 26.3 degrees in the OPLL group (p=0.78). The mean canal dimension changed from 201.1 to 285.0 mm2 in the CSM group and from 198.5 to 284.7 mm2 in the OPLL group (p=0.86). CONCLUSION: In the present study, all patients showed good long-term clinical outcomes by modified MSL. No significant clinical and radiographic difference of two disease entities in the same procedure was revealed.
Animals ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lordosis ; Orthopedics ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Cord Diseases