Since 2013, the Hospital-based Influenza Morbidity and Mortality (HIMM) surveillance system began a H7N9 influenza surveillance scheme for returning travelers in addition to pre-existing emergency room (ER)-based influenza-like illness (ILI) surveillance and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance. Although limited to eastern China, avian A/H7N9 influenza virus is considered to have the highest pandemic potential among currently circulating influenza viruses. During the study period between October 1st, 2013 and April 30th, 2016, 11 cases presented with ILI within seven days of travel return. These patients visited China, Hong Kong, or neighboring Southeast Asian countries, but none of them visited a livestock market. Seasonal influenza virus (54.5%, 6 among 11) was the most common cause of ILI among returning travelers, and avian A/H7N9 influenza virus was not detected during the study period.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hong Kong ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; Livestock ; Mortality ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Pandemics ; Seasons

BACKGROUND: Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (P5P), a coenzyme of the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) reactions, is required to measure aminotransferase levels (IFCC method). However, a modified IFCC method that uses a reagent devoid of P5P is commonly used in laboratories in Korea. To determine the differences between the two methods, we compared aminotransferase levels measured by using the IFCC method and modified IFCC method. METHODS: Serum levels of AST and ALT, with and without P5P, were measured in 2,318 patients. Based on the allowable limits of performance set by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA), differences between the two methods were analyzed under various conditions. RESULTS: Higher AST and ALT values were obtained by the IFCC method compared to modified IFCC method, showing significant differences between the two methods (AST, 5.8±14.2 IU/L; ALT, 2.8±6.9 IU/L) (P<0.001). Values exceeding RCPA criteria were more frequently observed in emergency orders (AST, 65.8%; ALT, 14.4%) than in routine orders (AST, 3.2%; ALT, 9.6%), as well as in inpatient wards (AST, 70.4%; ALT, 18.5%) compared to outpatient clinics (AST, 56.6%; ALT, 10.0%). However, the differences between the two methods were not significant among the disease groups, except for the acute myocardial infarction group. CONCLUSIONS: The method using reagents without P5P underestimated aminotransferase activity. The effect of P5P was more significant in patients with acute myocardial infarction, considered as P5P-deficient. In conclusion, the IFCC method with P5P should be applied for measuring AST and ALT serum levels.
Alanine Transaminase ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Australasia ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Indicators and Reagents ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Liver Function Tests ; Methods ; Myocardial Infarction ; Pyridoxal Phosphate

Ovarian hemangiomas are usually of the cavernous type, and are rarely encountered. A 73-year-old woman presented with lower abdominal discomfort. Subsequent physical examination depicted a palpable mass in the lower abdomen. Abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) revealed a well-circumscribed mass with thin septa measuring 12.1 x 9.0 cm in the right ovary. Levels of the tumor markers cancer antigen (CA)-125 and CA 19-9 were within the normal range. At laparoscopy, the tumor was found to be confined to the right ovary and to have a smooth surface. The final histopathological result was ovarian cavernous hemangioma. Microscopically, the mass consisted of multiple, dilated, blood-filled vascular channels separated by loose connective tissue, and all were lined by a single layer of flattened endothelium. The authors present a case of ovarian cavernous hemangioma presenting as a large growing mass in a postmenopausal woman and review previously published literature.
Abdomen ; Aged ; Connective Tissue ; Endothelium ; Female ; Hemangioma ; Hemangioma, Cavernous* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Ovary ; Physical Examination ; Postmenopause ; Reference Values ; Biomarkers, Tumor

BACKGROUND: Standardized questionnaire is one of key instruments for general population surveys. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to develop and validate the Korean version of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) screening questionnaire for adult asthma surveys. METHODS: The ECRHS screening questionnaire was translated into Korean language according to the international criteria. Study participants were prospectively recruited from six referral hospitals and one health check-up center. Comprehensibility of the translation was tested in a pilot study of 10 patients. The reliability was evaluated by internal consistency and test-retest repeatability. Validity was assess with regard to physician-diagnosed asthma. RESULTS: A total of 100 adult asthma patients and 134 volunteers were recruited. Reliability was examined for 10 items in 100 asthmatics; Cronbach α coefficients were 0.84, and test-retest repeatability was good (Cohen κ coefficient, 0.71-1.00). Validity was assessed for 8 items in 234 participants; in particular, 'recent wheeze' showed a high sensitivity (0.89) for physician-diagnosed asthma. 'Recent asthma attack' and 'current asthma medication' showed high specificity (0.96-0.98). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that the Korean version of the ECRHS screening questionnaire was comprehensible, reliable and valid. We suggest the questionnaire to be utilized in further epidemiological studies for asthma in Korean adult populations.
Adult ; Asthma ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Epidemiology ; European Union ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Pilot Projects ; Prospective Studies ; Referral and Consultation ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Volunteers

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of endonasal or external dacryocystorhinostomy in patients who underwent radioiodine therapy due to thyroid cancer. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively clinical and microbiological records of patients who had endonasal or external dacryocystorhinostomy after taking radioiodine therapy for thyroid cancer between January 2006 and December 2012. RESULTS: Twenty-three female adult patients with an average age of 50 years (range, 25 to 72 years) were identified. Seven patients underwent unilateral surgery and 16 had bilateral surgery. Among 39 eyes, 1 eye had combined nasal septoplasty, 3 eyes had external dacryocystorhinostomy and 36 eyes had endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy. Dacryocystorhinostomy was performed within 12 months after the last 131I dose in 3 cases and 2 (5%) presented with the symptom of epiphora. The major cause of symptomatic recurrence was restenosis of the lacrimal nasal mucosa due to the formation of scar tissue, thus, the patients underwent revision surgeries. The remaining 37 of the 39 eyes (95%) showed improvement of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients who underwent dacryocystorhinostomy after 131I therapy due to thyroid cancer showed successful outcomes, especially after more than 1 year post-operatively. The major cause of nasolacrimal duct obstruction was a scar tissue formation in the nasal cavity mucosa.
Adult ; Cicatrix ; Dacryocystorhinostomy* ; Female ; Humans ; Iodine* ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases ; Mucous Membrane ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Mucosa ; Nasolacrimal Duct ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The early diagnosis of acute hepatitis A (AHA) is hindered because serum IgM against hepatitis A virus (HAV) can yield false-negative results during the window period. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kit for HAV RNA for the diagnosis of AHA. METHODS: Samples were collected from 136 patients with acute severe hepatitis at their admission to Asan Medical Center between June 2010 and July 2010. Samples were analyzed for serum IgM anti-HAV using an immunoassay test and for qualitative HAV RNA using the Magicplex HepaTrio PCR test kit. The diagnostic accuracies of these methods were tested on the basis of clinical and laboratory diagnoses of AHA. RESULTS: The concordance rate and kappa value between IgM anti-HAV and HAV RNA PCR were 88.2% and 0.707, respectively. For the diagnosis of AHA, the sensitivity and specificity of IgM anti-HAV were 90.7% and 100%, respectively, when an "equivocal" result was regarded as positive; and 79.1% and 100%, respectively, when an "equivocal" result was regarded as negative. The sensitivity and specificity of HAV RNA PCR were 81.4% and 100%, respectively. All four patients with negative IgM anti-HAV and positive HAV RNA PCR results and all four patients with equivocal IgM anti-HAV RNA and positive HAV RNA PCR results were eventually diagnosed with AHA. CONCLUSIONS: The qualitative HAV RNA PCR test has an equivalent diagnostic accuracy for AHA compared to IgM anti-HAV and may be more sensitive during the window period.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatitis A/*diagnosis ; Hepatitis A virus/genetics/immunology ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Immunoglobulin M/blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prospective Studies ; RNA, Viral/*blood ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Although bidets are widely used in Korea, its effects on anorectal pressures have not been studied in detail in terms of the water settings used. Twenty healthy volunteers were placed on a toilet equipped with a bidet, and anorectal pressures were measured with a manometry catheter inserted into the rectum and anal canal before and after using the bidet at different water forces (40, 80, 160, 200 mN), temperatures (24degrees C vs 38degrees C), and water jet widths (narrow vs wide). The pressure at anal high pressure zone decreased from 96.1 +/- 22.5 to 81.9 +/- 23.3 mmHg at water jet pressure of 40 mN and 38degrees C wide water jet (P < 0.001), from 94.3 +/- 22.4 to 80.0 +/- 24.1 mmHg at water jet pressure of 80 mN and 38degrees C narrow water jet (P < 0.001), and from 92.3 +/- 22.4 to 79.6 +/- 24.7 mmHg at a water jet pressure of 80 mN and 38degrees C wide water jet (P < 0.001). At other settings, no significant changes were observed. Our results indicate that, in addition to cleansing effect, bidet could be used to reduce anal resting pressure in the same manner as the traditional warm sitz bath under the conditions of low or medium water jet pressure, a warm water temperature, and a wide type water jet.
Adult ; Anal Canal/physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Manometry ; Pressure ; Rectum/*physiology ; Temperature ; *Toilet Facilities ; Water

Although bidets are widely used in Korea, its effects on anorectal pressures have not been studied in detail in terms of the water settings used. Twenty healthy volunteers were placed on a toilet equipped with a bidet, and anorectal pressures were measured with a manometry catheter inserted into the rectum and anal canal before and after using the bidet at different water forces (40, 80, 160, 200 mN), temperatures (24degrees C vs 38degrees C), and water jet widths (narrow vs wide). The pressure at anal high pressure zone decreased from 96.1 +/- 22.5 to 81.9 +/- 23.3 mmHg at water jet pressure of 40 mN and 38degrees C wide water jet (P < 0.001), from 94.3 +/- 22.4 to 80.0 +/- 24.1 mmHg at water jet pressure of 80 mN and 38degrees C narrow water jet (P < 0.001), and from 92.3 +/- 22.4 to 79.6 +/- 24.7 mmHg at a water jet pressure of 80 mN and 38degrees C wide water jet (P < 0.001). At other settings, no significant changes were observed. Our results indicate that, in addition to cleansing effect, bidet could be used to reduce anal resting pressure in the same manner as the traditional warm sitz bath under the conditions of low or medium water jet pressure, a warm water temperature, and a wide type water jet.
Adult ; Anal Canal/physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Manometry ; Pressure ; Rectum/*physiology ; Temperature ; *Toilet Facilities ; Water

PURPOSE: Parastomal hernia is a major complication of an intestinal stoma. This study was performed to compare the results of various operative methods to treat parastomal hernias. METHODS: Results of surgical treatment for parastomal hernias (postoperative recurrence, complications and postoperative hospital stays) were surveyed in 39 patients over an 11-year period. The patients enrolled in this study underwent surgery by a single surgeon to exclude surgeon bias. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were male, and twenty-two patients were female. The mean age was 65.9 years (range, 36 to 86 years). The stomas were 35 sigmoid-end-colostomies (90%), 2 loop-colostomies (5%), and 2 double-barrel-colostomies. Over half of the hernias developed within two years after initial formation. Stoma relocation was performed in 8 patients, suture repair in 14 patients and mesh repair in 17 patients. Seven patients had recurrence of the hernia, and ten patients suffered from complications. Postoperative complications and recurrence were more frequent in stoma relocation than in suture repair and mesh repair. Emergency operations were performed in four patients (10.3%) with higher incidence of complications but not with increased risk of recurrence. Excluding emergency operations, complications of relocations were not higher than those of mesh repairs. Postoperative hospital stays were shortest in mesh repair patients. CONCLUSION: In this study, mesh repair showed low recurrence and a low complication rate with shorter hospital stay than relocation methods, though these differences were not statistically significant. Further studies, including randomized trials, are necessary if more reliable data on the surgical treatment of parastomal hernias are to be obtained.
Emergencies ; Female ; Hernia ; Humans ; Incidence ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence ; Sutures

OBJECTIVE: We have introduced a method of characterization of invading glioma cells by using molecular analysis of marginal invading tumor cells and molecular profiles of glioma tumor margin. METHODS: Each of tumor core and marginal tissues was obtained in 22 glioma patients. Tumor core cells and marginal cells from each glial tumor were collected by laser capture microdissection or intraoperative microdissection under the operating microscope. Expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, CD44 and RHAMM mRNA by invading glioma cells compared with tumor core was confirmed by realtime-PCR of twenty-four glioma specimens. Clinical data also were reviewed for invasion and recurrence pattern of the gliomas radiologically and invasive rim pattern microscopically. RESULTS: Overall results of the molecular analysis showed that relative overexpression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and RHAMM were noted at the invasive edge of human glioma specimens comparing to the tumor core but CD44 was highly expressed in the tumor core comparing to the margin. High marginal expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were noted in poorly ill-defined margin on the pathological finding. High marginal expression of CD44 and MMP-2 were demonstrated in the midline cross group on the radiological review, and that of RHAMM and MMP-2 were showed in the aggressive recurrence group. High expression of MMP-2 seems to be involved in the various invasion-related phenomenons. CONCLUSION: Up-regulation of MMP-2, MMP-9, CD44 and RHAMM was noted in invasive edge of gliomas according to the various clinical situations.
Glioma* ; Humans ; Laser Capture Microdissection ; Microdissection ; Recurrence ; RNA, Messenger ; Up-Regulation