Comparative Analysis of Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Detection in Tear

PURPOSE: To comparatively analyze the methodological efficacy of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV) detection in tears. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 115 patients who were clinically diagnosed with herpes keratitis, and their tear samples were collected for HSV detection. PCR positive rates were analyzed for their dependence on the PCR primers used (conventional PCR primer vs. nested PCR primer), the tear collecting method used (micropipetting vs. collection with schirmer strip), the disease manifestation and the patient's previous medication history. RESULTS: HSV DNA was detected in 23 out of 115 (20%) tear samples. The PCR positive rate in tear samples did not differ depending on the PCR primer or tear collection method used. Typical epithelial lesions showed a higher positive rate (31.4%) than atypical epithelial lesions (10.9%). The previous history of the antiviral agent seemed to affect the PCR positive rate. CONCLUSIONS: Although the PCR positive rate was not dependent on the tear collection method or primers, HSV detection in tears using PCR was shown to be a supplementary diagnostic test in typical and atypical herpes epithelitis.

Dietary effects of black bean fermented by Monascus pilosus on body weight, serum lipid profiles and activities of hepatic antioxidative enzymes in mice fed high fat diets

The anti-obesity effects of fermented black bean were tested with mice fed a high fat diet for seven weeks. Body weight gain and feed efficiency ratio (FER) in the high fat diet control (HC) group were markedly higher, compared with those of the normal control (NC) group, but were significantly lower in the 2% black bean powder supplemented high fat diet (BB) group and 2% black bean powder fermented by M. pilosus supplemented high fat diet (BBM) group, compared with those of the HC group. Food intake in the HC and BB groups was significantly lower than that of the NC and BBM groups. Water intake in the HC group was significantly lower than that of the NC group, but was higher in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the HC group. On the other hand, relative liver and kidney weight in the HC group was lower than that of the NC group, but was higher in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the HC group. In addition, whereas epididymal fat weight in the HC group was markedly higher than that of the NC group, it was significantly lower in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the HC group. Meanwhile, hepatic GSH in the HC group was significantly lower than that of the NC group, but was slightly higher in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the HC group. Although hepatic LPO in the HC group was dramatically higher than that of the NC group, it was significantly lower in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the HC group. In addition, serum TG, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol in the HC group was significantly higher than that of the NC group, but was significantly lower in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the HC group. On the contrary, HDL-cholesterol in the HC group was significantly lower than that of the NC group, but was higher in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the HC group. In addition, activity of XOR D type in the HC group was lower than that of the NC group, but was slightly higher in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the NC group. Activities of ROS scavenging enzymes, such as SOD, GPX, and GST in the HC group were significantly lower than those of the NC group, but were significantly higher in the BB and BBM groups, compared with those of the HC group. In addition, serum ALT activity in the HC and BB groups was higher than that of the NC group, but was significantly lower in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the HC group. In histopathological findings, hepatic fat accumulation in the HC group was higher than that of the NC group, but was lower in the BBM group, compared with that of the HC and BB groups. In particular, antiobese, hypolipidemic, and antifatty liver effect of black bean powder fermented by M. pilosus was specifically higher than that of non-fermented steamed black bean. In conclusion, the constituents of black bean fermented by Monascus pilosus have been proven to not only inhibit obesity and hyperlipidemia but also decrease hepatic fat accumulation in high fat diet-induced obese mice.

The effect of music on the effect-site concentration of propofol for loss of consciousness / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Music reduces anxiety and the need for sedatives in preoperative patients. Currently, propofol is usually infused using target controlled infusion device. With the use of such a device, we investigated the effects of music on the effect-site concentration of propofol for loss of consciousness. METHODS: Sixty-five ASA 1 or 2 patients aged 35 to 55 years who were scheduled for general anesthesia were randomly allocated to either the control, music or headphone group. The control group patients were exposed to the ambient operating room atmosphere (n = 17), the music group patients listened to music (n = 25), and headphone group wore a headphone alone without listening to music (n = 23). Propofol was infused with a predetermined effect-site concentration and we determined loss of consciousness in patients by a verbal response and eyelash reflex for 3 minutes. Each concentration of propofol was predetermined by the up-and-down method with 0.4microgram/ml as the step size. RESULTS: Loss of consciousness was observed at a concentration of 4.20 +/- 0.25microgram/ml in the control group, 3.60 +/- 0.34microgram/ml in the music group, and 3.73 +/- 0.47microgram/ml in the headphone group. The effect-site concentration for loss of consciousness was significantly lower in the music group as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The effect-site concentration in the headphone group, however, showed no statistical difference as compared to the control group (P = 0.117). CONCLUSIONS: Listening to music reduced overall propofol effect-site concentration for loss of consciousness that was required by patients.

C-arm guided placement of Fogarty embolectomy catheter for one lung ventilation in an infant: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

We experienced one lung anesthesia using Fogarty embolectomy catheter as a bronchial blocker in an infant undergoing thoracotomy for foreign body removal. For the guidance of catheter placement in left mainstem bronchus, C-arm fluoroscopy was used. Size of catheter and its balloon was decided beforehand by measuring the diameter and length of bronchus based on the view obtained from computerized tomography. There was no accidental episode during anesthesia. C-arm fluoroscopy is safe and useful method to decide the position of Fogarty occlusion catheter in an infant.

Result of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Using Radioisotope in Clinically Lymph Node Negative Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has been developed to accurately assess the axillary lymph node status accurately without having to remove most of the axillary contents in node negative early breast cancer patients. The aims of this study were to evaluate the accuracy, the false negative rate and the advantage of additional axillary sampling for SLNB with using radioisotope. METHODS: Between December 2003 and June 2005, we carried out SLNB for 574 breast cancer patients who were diagnosed and had operation at Asan Medical Center. For detection of the sentinel lymph node (SLN), radioisotope was injected into the periareolar area on the operating day, breast scintigraphy was performed and finally the biopsy was done using a gamma-detection probe in the operating room. If the SLN turned out to be positive for metastatic malignancy according to the frozen section histology, then additional axillary lymph nodes (LN) dissection was performed. But, if it was free of metastasis, then only axillary node sampling (n< or =5) or no further treatment was done. RESULTS: The mean number of resected SLNs was 2.67+/-0.98 (1-7) and the mean number of total LN was 8.5+/-5.0 (1-38). The SLN was detected 82.8% of the time on lymphoscintigraphy and 98.4% of the time with the gamma probe. Axillary metastasis was founded in 118 cases (20.9%). The accuracy was 98.2%, and the false negative rate was 7.89%. For the SLN positive cases, there were 73/78 cases (93.6%) of 1st SLN metastasis, there were 75/78 cases (93.6%) of 1st and 2nd SLN metastasis, and 75/78 (93.6%) of 1st to 3rd SLN metastasis. The false negative rate of the alternative frozen section was 40% and that of the full frozen section was 24.1%. The difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: SLNB using (99m)Tc-antimony trisulfide colloid (0.5 mCi) showed a high detection rate and a low false negative rate. The false negative rate was decreased by using full section H&E staining and at least 3 SLNs showed the exact LN status. Even if the SLN was free of metastasis, additional sampling may decrease the false negative rate.

A case of diabetes mellitus diagnosed by severe orbital cellulitis / 대한내과학회지

A 28 year-old man visited our hospital for left periorbital painful swelling. He had no diabetic symptoms and no specific medical histories. We could diagnose the orbital cellulitis by CT scan of orbit and diabetes mellitus by fasting hyperglycemia. Streptococcus viridans species were identified from blood culture. The symptoms of periorbital swelling were improved after administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics and excision and drainage but small intraorbital abscess was remained after intravenous antibiotics for 6 weeks. The visual acuity and the function of extraocular muscles were intact. We experienced a case of newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus by orbital cellulitis without any other diabetic symptoms. Thus, we report the case with reviews of other literatures.

A Case with Thyroid Tuberculosis Diagnosed by Non-operative Method / 대한내분비학회지

Tuberculosis of the thyroid gland is extremely rare, with a few surgically removed cases having been reported. The differential diagnosis, from malignancies and other non tuberculous granulomatous lesions, is impossible clinical grounds. We experienced a case of tuberculosis of the thyroid gland with palpable thyroid nodules, in a 23 year-old female patient. She was clinical and biochemically euthyroid. US and CT scans demonstrated a low density mass in the left low lobe of the thyroid gland. An FNAB showed caseous necrosis, and AFB stains demonstrated tuberculosis bacilli. We report a case of tuberculosis of the thyroid gland, diagnosed by a non-operative method.

Effects of Increased Lymphocytes and B Cell Clonality of Marrow Aspirates on Marrow Involvement and Prognosis in Children with Neuroblastoma / 대한혈액학회지

BACKGROUND: The lymphocytes including morphologically immature lymphoid cells are frequently increased in the marrow aspirates of children with neuroblastoma. We studied about the clonality of these lymphoid cells and its effects on the marrow involvement and prognosis of disease. METHODS: We evaluated 30 marrow aspirates of 23 children with neuroblastoma from 1990 to 1998. We tested the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement PCR for B cell clonality and T cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement PCR for T cell clonality with bone marrow specimens. RESULTS: Younger children showed negative bone marrow involvement more than older children. In this group, the proportions of immature lymphoid cells and total lymphocytes were higher (3.4+/-3.2% vs. 0.8+/-1.9%, 31.3+/-17.0% vs. 14.7+/-12.0%). Immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements were present in 19/30 (64%) specimens and more frequently observed in negative marrow involvement cases. Seven cases with the proportions of total lymphocytes more than 30% showed significantly high long-term survival probability (P=0.05). Ten cases with B cell monoclonality showed the tendency of high long-term survival probability (P=0.13). CONCLUSION: The increase of lymphocytes including morphologically immature lymphoid cells in the marrow aspirates of children with neuroblastoma were frequently observed in the children without marrow involvement of malignancy and closely related to B cell clonality. The increase of total lymphocytes and related B cell monoclonality may be one of possible explanations of goodprognosis of children with neuroblastoma.

A Case of Placenta Percreta Involving the Urinary Bladder / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Placenta previa percreta is an uncommon and lifetbreatening complication of pregnancy. tbe incidence of both placenta previa and placenta acaeta are increased in patients with scaned uteri, and patienth with uterine scars and placenta previa are at inaeased risk for also baving placenta accreta. A case of placents previa percreta involving the urinary bladder was experienced and treated with surgical management. We reported a case with concerned literatures

Changes of Cadmium in Blood and Urine of Cadmium Exposed Rats / 대한산업의학회지

The changes of Cadmium(Cd) in plasma, whole blood, erythrocyte and urine in Sprague-Dawley male rates exposed to intravenous single injection of 0.8 mg CdCl2/kg of body weight were investigated. Blood sample was taken at 0.5 to 672 hours, and 24 hour-urine was collected by using metabolic cage for the same period. The plasma level of Cd was reached to peak at 0.5 hour after injection and reduced rapidly in 1 hour. The Cd level in blood was the highest in plasma and the lowest in erythrocyte at 0.5 hour after injection. However, in one hour postinjection, the levels of Cd were higher in order of erythrocyte, whole blood and plasma, up to 4 weeks. The changes of urinary volume and creatinine were not significant between Cd-treated and saline-treated groups. However, urinary protein was slightly increased with time in Cd-treated group. Urinary Cd level was higher in Cd treated group than control. These results suggest that the measurement of Cd in erythrocyte and urine is valuable for the biological index to estimate recent Cd exposure.

A Case Report of Hypoglycemic Shock Immediately after Induction of General Anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic systemic disease due to a relative or absolute lack of insulin. Hypoglycemia is the clinical occurence most feared when dealing with diabetic patients. The actual level below which blood glucose concentrations are insufficient level at which symptomatic hypoglyeemia occurs is variable. We experienced a case of hypoglycemic shock immediately after induction of general anesthesia on a patient with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. This is the case report and a review of the literature on diabetes mellitus.

Postoperative Thyroid Storm / 대한마취과학회지

Thyrold storm, when related to surgery, usually develops within 6~18 hours postoperatively, with symptoms and signs of pyrexia, marked tachycardia, susceptability to severe hypotension, and restlessness. There are a few case reports of thyroid storm related to thyroid surgery or the surgery related to non thyroid surgery with the patient of the hyperthyroidism. We have experienced anesthetic management and postoperative thyroid storm management. The patient have had brain tumor and Grave's disease which was treated with antlthyroid agents and beta-blocking agents to mate the patient euthyroid state for two weeks by the internist. The patient tolerated the two hours of general anesthesia well, but on the first postoperative day, thyroid storm was developed with symptoms and signs of dyspnea, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and tachycardia. After thirty minutes to start the treatment with antithyroid agents, betablocking agents, sedatives and electrolyte balance, the thyroid storm was treated and the patient was discharged on the twenty first postoperative days with healthy state.