Assays of clinical diagnosis and species identification using molecular markers are performed according to a quantitative method in consideration of sensitivity, cost, speed, convenience, and specificity. However, typical polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay is difficult to quantify and have various limitations. In addition, to perform quantitative analysis with the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) equipment, a standard curve or normalization using reference genes is essential. Within the last a decade, previous studies have reported that the digital PCR (dPCR) assay, a third-generation PCR, can be applied in various fields by overcoming the shortcomings of typical PCR and qRT-PCR assays. We selected Stilla Naica System (Stilla Technologies), Droplet Digital PCR Technology (Bio-Rad), and Lab on an Array Digital Real-Time PCR analyzer system (OPTOLANE) for comparative analysis among the various droplet digital PCR platforms currently in use commercially. Our previous study discovered a molecular marker that can distinguish Hanwoo species (Korean native cattle) using Hanwoo-specific genomic structural variation. Here, we report the pros and cons of the operation of each dPCR platform from various perspectives using this species identification marker. In conclusion, we hope that this study will help researchers to select suitable dPCR platforms according to their purpose and resources.

Many hospitals experience one or more retained surgical instrument events with risk of patient morbidity and medicolegal problems. Identification of retained surgical instrument is important. The radiologists should be familiar with imaging finding of retained surgical instrument. In a 62-year-old female with a retained plastic tube, localized peritoneal infiltration around air-containing tubular structure mimicked acute appendicitis on abdomen computed tomography (CT), one year after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We reported CT findings of foreign body reaction related to retained Endoloop ligature plastic tube mimicking acute appendicitis.
Abdomen ; Appendicitis* ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Female ; Foreign Bodies* ; Foreign-Body Reaction* ; Humans ; Ligation* ; Middle Aged ; Peritonitis ; Plastics*

No abstract available.
Bone Marrow/metabolism/pathology ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Infant ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic/*diagnosis ; Male ; Membrane Proteins/chemistry/genetics ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Republic of Korea ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology/*metabolism

PURPOSE: Rice bran is a byproduct of the hulling of rice and contains a variety of bioactive components. Various studies have reported on the antioxidative, anticancer, immune-enhancing, and hypocholesterolemic effects of rice bran. However, few studies about the physiological activity of stabilized rice bran supplement on dietary intake of sugars is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of stabilized rice bran supplement on blood glucose in C57BL/6 mice fed a high sucrose diet. METHODS: Animals were randomly divided into three groups respectively, and were fed a normal diet (ND group), a high sucrose diet (HSD group) or a high sucrose diet containing 20% stabilized rice bran (HSD-SRB group) for 12 weeks. RESULTS: In the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), after seven weeks of feeding on the experimental diets, a significantly lower result was observed for HSD-SRB than for HSD at 30 and 60 minutes after oral administration in glucose solution (2 g/kg body weight). The incremental area under the curve (IAUC) of HSD-SRB was significantly lower than that of HSD. After 12 weeks, fasting blood glucose level of HSD-SRB was significantly lower than that of HSD. No significant difference in the serum insulin level was observed between HSD and HSD-SRB. However, HOMA-IR was significantly decreased in HSD-SRB compared to HSD. In addition, HOMA beta-cell was significantly increased in HSD-SRB com-pared to HSD. Triglyceride in liver of HSD-SRB was significantly lower than that of HSD. CONCLUSIONS: Feeding diets con-taining 20% rice bran improved insulin resistance and insulin secretion by decreasing triglyceride in liver. Thus, rice bran has a positive effect on glycemic control. In addition, the results are expected to be utilized as a basis for human study and development of food products with added rice bran.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Carbohydrates ; Diet* ; Fasting ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Glucose* ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Liver ; Mice* ; Sucrose* ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVE: We observed patients in whom the fluid collection in the right lateral portion of the superior aortic recess on computed tomography (CT) scans mimicked a right anterior mediastinal mass on chest PA radiographs. The purpose of this study was to assess chest PA and CT features of these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All chest PA radiographs and CT scans in 9 patients were reviewed by two radiologists on a consensus basis; for the presence of pleural effusion, pulmonary edema and heart size on chest PA radiographs. For the portion of the fluid collection in the superior aortic recess (SAR), a connection between the right lateral portion of the SAR (rSAR) and posterior portion of the SAR (pSAR) on CT scans, and the distance between the right lateral margin of the rSAR and the right lateral margin of the superior vena cava. RESULTS: Fluid collection in the rSAR on CT scans caused a right anterior mediastinal mass or a bulging contour on chest PA radiographs in all women patients. All patients showed cardiomegaly, five patients had pleural effusion, and two patients had mild pulmonary edema. Further, eight patients showed a connection between the rSAR and the pSAR. CONCLUSION: The characteristic features of these patients are the right anterior mediastinal mass-like opacity due to fluid collection in the rSAR, are bulging contour with a smooth margin and cardiomegaly regardless of pulmonary edema on the chest PA radiographs, and fluid connection between the rSAR and the pSAR on CT scans.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aorta, Thoracic/*radiography ; Cardiomegaly/radiography ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Mediastinal Diseases/*radiography ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion/*radiography ; Pulmonary Edema/*radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic/*methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

Pericardial fat necrosis is an infrequent cause of acute chest pain and this can mimic acute myocardial infarction and acute pericarditis. We describe here a patient with the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of pericardial fat necrosis and this was correlated with the computed tomography (CT) findings. The MRI findings may be helpful for distinguishing pericardial fat necrosis from other causes of acute chest pain and from the fat-containing tumors in the cardiophrenic space of the anterior mediastinum.
Adult ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fat Necrosis/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Male ; Pericardium/*pathology

OBJECTIVES: The Korean College of Neuropsychopharmacology and the Korean Academy of Schizophrenia developed the Korean algorithm project for schizophrenia to aid clinical decisions. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of Korean Medication Algorithm for Schizophrenia patients in clinical settings in Korea. METHODS: A total of 108 schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder patients were enrolled at 19 centers and treated according to the algorithm. PANSS (Positive and Negative Symptom Scale) and CGI (Clinical Global Impression) were used to evaluate symptom severity. Also UKU (UKU side effect rating scale) and LUNSERS (Liverpool University Neuroleptic Side Effect Rating Scale), DAI-10 (Drug Attitude Inventory-10), PPS (Patient Preference Scale), SWN (Subjective Well-Being under Neuroleptic treatment) and WHOQOL (World Health Organization Quality of Life) were used to evaluate tolerability and satisfaction of patient respectively. RESULTS: Overall ratings including symptom severity, compliance of medication, side effect of medication, quality of life were favorable. The treatment response (PANSS improvement > or = 20%) rate was 63%, 75% at the first Clinical decision point (CDP) and 4 month respectively. CONCLUSION: Symptom improvement, tolerability and quality of life were all favorable. These results suggest that this algorithm can be useful in clinical practices.
Compliance ; Humans ; Korea ; Psychotic Disorders ; Quality of Life ; Schizophrenia ; World Health Organization

OBJECTIVES: The reliability and validity of the Korean version of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (K-HDRS) were examined in Korean patients depressive symptoms. METHODS: 33 inpatients and 70 outpatients diagnosed as major depressive disorder or depressive episode of bipolar I disorder according to the DSM-IV criteria were assessed with K-HDRS, Clinical Global Impression score(CGI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Montgomery-Aberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). RESULTS: Internal consistency (Cronhach's alpha coefficeint=0.76) and interrater reliability (r=0.94, p<0.001) were statistically significant. Principal axis factoring analysis revealed 4 factors that accounted for 50.4% of the total variance. The correlations of K-HDRS with CGI, BDI and MADRS were 0.84, 0.54, 0.58 respectively. CONCLUSION: These results showed that the K-HDRS could be a reliable and valid tool for the assessment of depressive Korean patients. The K-HDRS will be a useful tool for assessing depressive symptoms in Korea.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Depression* ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Outpatients ; Reproducibility of Results*

OBJECTIVE: Stress and elevated levels of glucocorticoids in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) have been hypothesized to be associated with damage to the hippocampus. However the relationship between depression and hippocampal structure is unconfirmed. We investigated whether the chemical changes will occurr in the hippocampus of patients with MDD by using 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and explored the clinical meanings of hippocampal metabolites. METHODS: Fourteen female, right-handed patients with major depressive disorder and 12 healthy controls (age, sex, education and their dextrality matched) were included. We measured variables of time course of illness, severity of illness, levels of NAA, Cho and Cr in both hippocampus using 1HMRS. In addition, we performed neuropsychological tests in depressed subjects. RESULTS: There were no significant difference in the NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, Cho/NAA between depressed and control subjects. In depressed subjects, significant negative correlations were observed between hippocampal NAA/Cr and duration of illness, duration of unmedication, severity of illness, respectively. Right hippocampal NAA/Cr was correlated with RCFT scores. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate damage to the hippocampus may not be a common feature in all depressed patients. However the results suggest that the illness burden and past treatment may influence hippocampal neurons and neuronal network in patients with MDD. Also, chemical changes in hippocampus may be associated with severity of illness and memory function.
Cost of Illness ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major* ; Education ; Female* ; Glucocorticoids ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Memory ; Neurons ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Spectrum Analysis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the patterns and results of treatment of fractures of the hand and wrist after punching injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed 91cases of fractures of the hand and wrist after punching injury in 67 patients from January 1998 to September 2002. The mean follow-up was 18 months. The mean age was 25.7 years old, ranging from 11 years old to 41 years old. The results were evaluated by modified criteria of Bruce and Maudsley. RESULTS: The most common fractures were metacarpal base fractures (42.9%), and the second most common fractures were distal metacarpal fractures (19.8%). Metacarpal base fractures were usually combined with dislocation of carpometacarpal joint, especially in the fourth and fifth metacarpal bone and single fifth metacarpal bone (29.7%). There were a few complications of limitation of motion (4 cases), pain (1 case), angular deformity of distal metacarpal bone (1 case), malunion of metacarpal shaft (2 cases) and nonunion of metacarpal shaft (1 case). There were excellent results in 84 cases, good in 4 cases and fair in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: The most common fractures after punching injury were metacarpal base fractures, especially the forth and fifth metacarpal bone. Distal metacarpal and metacarpal shaft fractures were mostly single fractures. There were diverse patterns of fracture-dislocation of the hand and wrist after punching. We must be careful to evaluate combined injury when a patient visits after punching injury.
Adult ; Carpometacarpal Joints ; Child ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Dislocations ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand* ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Wrist*