Clinical Manifestations of Intracranial Complication Associated With Paranasal Sinus Infection

BACKGROUND: Intracranial complications of paranasal sinus infection are rare and may be misdiagnosed during an initial evaluation because they often show subtle symptoms, which include elusive physical and neurological findings and imaging. The late recognition of these conditions and the delayed treatment can increase morbidity and mortality rates. We aimed to characterize the typical clinical features of intracranial complications associated with sinusitis. METHODS: Twelve patients who visited the Eulji Medical Center from 1994 to 2000, with sinogenic suppurative intracranial lesions were reviewed. Medical records and radiological studies were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: There were 12 cases with 15 sinogenic intracranial complications. The ratio of males to female was 2 : 1. The ages of patients ranged from 16 to 81 (average: 46.7). Four cases had meningitis, four had focal cerebritis, three had cavernous sinus throm-bophlebitis, two had subdural empyema, and two had epidural abscess or empyema. The primary lesions of paranasal sinusitis were located at the sphenoid in three, ethmoid sinus in two, frontal sinus in one and the multiple sinus in six. The outcome revealed complete recovery in six cases, mild neurologic sequelae in three cases, death in two cases and recurrence in one case. CONCLUSIONS: The type of intracranial complication and origin of paranasal sinusitis may be changing. Cases in which such complications are suspected, in order for an early diagnosis, a MRI should be considered. The successful management of intracranial complications consists of timely antibiotics therapy combined with surgical drainage of the loculated infection. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(5):457~463, 2001)

Outcome following hepatectomy for HBs Ag positive Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients / 한국간담췌외과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In Korea about 70% of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) are associated with hepatitis B surface antigenemia. And hepatic resection is regarded as best treatment option for selected HCC patients. So we conducted this study to analyze the outcome and to identify the factors associated with outcome after hepatectomy for HBs Ag associated HCC. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data of 104 HBs Ag associated HCC patients who underwent hepatic resection from Sep-1987 through Oct-1997 in KCCH. Median follow-up period was 21.5 month. Survival rates were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method and difference was detected by Log-rank test using SPSS program for Windows. Multivariate analysis was done using Cox regression hazard model. RESULTS: Overall 5 year survival rate was 62.9% and 5 year disease free survival rate was 42.2%. Factors which influence on survival were multiplicity, portal vein invasion, perioperative transfusion, tumor stage. Recurrence occurred in 42 cases and 33 cases developed intrahepatic recurrence. 3 year survival rate after recurrence was 34.7%. CONCLUSION: Hepatic resection plays a significant role for selected HBs Ag related HCC and tumor number, portal vein invasion, transfusion and TNM stage were statistically significant prognostic factors( p<0.05). So meticulous technique is required to avoid transfusion perioperatively. For the high risk patients, further study to reduce the recurrence should be followed.

Relationship Between the Level of Methicillin Resistance and mecA, mecI, femA Genes Genes in Staphylococci / 감염

BACKGROUND: About 60~70% of hospital isolates of staphylococci are resistant to methicillin. The level of resistance varies from low to high depending upon the genetic background of the strains. The purpose of this study was twofold : (i) to understand the relationship between beta-lactamase and methicillin-resistance genes(mecA, mecI, mecR1, femA) and the level of resistance and (ii) to survey the distribution of mec regulator genes(mec I, mecR1) among methicillin-resistant staphylococci. METHODS: Eighty-three isolates of Staphylococus aureus and 29 of coagulase-negative staphylococci(CNS) at Catholic University Hospital were examined. The level of methicillin resistance was studied using disk diffusion test and agar dilution test. MecA, mecI, mecR1, and femA genes detected by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: beta-lactamase production was significantly high in S. aureus and CNS isolates with low-level resistance. MecA and mecR1 genes amplification correlated with the level of resistance in S. aureus and CNS isolates. There was no correlation between the level of resistance and mecI and fem A genes amplification in S. aureus and CNS isolates. Methicillin- resistant S. aureus isolates showed more variety in mec regulator region than methicillin-resistant CNS isolates. CONCLUSION: From this study, we conclude that mecR1 gene could be considered as one of the important factors influencing the level of methicillin resistance in staphylococcal strains.

Involvement of Polyamine in Growth Hormine Secretion from the GH3 Cells / 대한내분비학회지

BACKGROUNDS: Polyamines are known to be essential for cell growth and differentiation. Recently, possible roles of the polyamine in signal transduction as neurotransmitter, modulator, or second messenger are suggested in many studies. Furthermore, it is widely studied that possible roles of polyamine are involved in the action of hormone. Thus, it was to investigate the effect of polyamines in the cell proliferation and secretion of GH from the GH cells. METHODS: Cells(5*10 cells/mL) were incubated for 3 days in DMEM containing test drugs and labeled with 20pCi/mL of [S]-methionine for 2 hr. Proteins secreted into the medium were separated by 13% SDS-gel electrophoresis, then autoradiography was performed to identify radiolabeled proteins. [S]-methionine labelled GH was identified by radioimmuno-precipitation. Total protein synthesis was determined from the radioactivity of the cell homogenate by liquid scintillation counter. The intracellular polyamine content was determined by HPLC. RESULTS: Externally added polyamines(putrescine, spermidine, spermine) induced cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner at proper concentrations, specifically 50pM putrescine increased GH secretion, DFMO or MGBG, which is polyamine biosynthetic inhibitor, inhibited GH secretion in a dose-dependent fashion, In the cells treated with 20mM or 0.01mM MGBG, total protein synthesis were decreased only to 90 or 76% of the control levels and cell proliferation was also slightly inhibited. However the secretion of GH was severely blocked to 37% or 35% of the control. Hydrocortisone at 5 pM stimulated the secretion of GH to 153% of basal secretion, also doubled intracellular putrescine content. CONCLUSION: The present data show that externally added polyamines induced cell proliferation and GH secretion. Also, extemally added putrescine stimulated GH secretion significantly. GH secretion was inhibited by polyamine metabolic inhibitor in a dose-dependent manner and polyamine metabolic inhibitors, at proper concentrations, specifically blocked GH secretion without any significant influence on the total protein synthesis. The above results imply the involvement of polyamine in GH secretion.

The effects of intraosseous saline infusion on hematologic parameters of rabbits

No abstract available.