Development of Koreans Gut Quotient Measurement Scales / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to develop ‘Koreans Gut Quotient Measurement Scales (GQ)’, in which Koreans respond to questionnaires about the subjective feelings and symptoms of their intestinal health status. METHODS: Among 66 items pooled from previous studies and 4 items that were added following a focus group interview, 15 items were chosen using the Delphi survey. The content validity was evaluated using the content validity ratio. Data collected from 1,120 people from the general public in Korea were analyzed to verify the reliability and validity of GQ. RESULTS: The finalized GQ consisted of 17 items (including two exploratory measurement items) that were classified into three independent factors based on exploratory factor analysis (EFA): ‘perceived intestine discomfort’, ‘bowel movement discomfort’, and ‘bowel movement control discomfort’. The discriminant and convergent validity of GQ were identified using EFA, reliability test, and confirmatory factor analysis. In addition, the criterion-related validity of GQ was identified using correlation and multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The GQ, which is a simplified intestinal health index developed based on an easy questionnaire for the public to understand, can be used as a tool for the public to evaluate their own intestinal health and determine when to visit clinics.

Development of Koreans Gut Quotient Measurement Scales / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to develop ‘Koreans Gut Quotient Measurement Scales (GQ)’, in which Koreans respond to questionnaires about the subjective feelings and symptoms of their intestinal health status.METHODS: Among 66 items pooled from previous studies and 4 items that were added following a focus group interview, 15 items were chosen using the Delphi survey. The content validity was evaluated using the content validity ratio. Data collected from 1,120 people from the general public in Korea were analyzed to verify the reliability and validity of GQ.RESULTS: The finalized GQ consisted of 17 items (including two exploratory measurement items) that were classified into three independent factors based on exploratory factor analysis (EFA): ‘perceived intestine discomfort’, ‘bowel movement discomfort’, and ‘bowel movement control discomfort’. The discriminant and convergent validity of GQ were identified using EFA, reliability test, and confirmatory factor analysis. In addition, the criterion-related validity of GQ was identified using correlation and multiple regression analysis.CONCLUSIONS: The GQ, which is a simplified intestinal health index developed based on an easy questionnaire for the public to understand, can be used as a tool for the public to evaluate their own intestinal health and determine when to visit clinics.

The First Meeting of the National Control Laboratories for Vaccines and Biologicals in the Western Pacific in 2016

The first meeting of the National Control Laboratories for Vaccines and Biologicals in the Western Pacific Region was held on September 1–2, 2016 in Seoul, the Republic of Korea. The meeting objectives were to share results of current research and to promote collaboration between the National Control Laboratories. To this end, we first discussed each country’s current status of research on quality control of biologicals. Next, we reviewed quality control of snake venom and antivenom production and the progress of a collaborative study on the Korean reference standard candidate for snake venom. We also discussed the establishment of the second regional reference standard antivenom and the characterization of the Vero cell genome landscape and its application to quality control. Moreover, we also reflected on the importance of collaboration among interested parties participating in this meeting. In conclusion, the meeting initiated networking between the national control laboratories in the Western Pacific region and paved the way to continue collaboration, which will eventually improve the region’s capacity for quality control of biologicals.

Intractable Ventricular Arrhythmia Induced by Aconite and its Successful Treatment with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support

Aconite, derived from the roots of certain aconitum species (Racunculaceae), is widely distributed in Korea. Aconitine, an extremely toxic substance present in aconite, has pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and positive inotropic actions. Due to its relatively low safe dose, we sometimes encounter cases of serious aconite intoxication. The toxic compound mainly affects the CNS, heart, and muscle tissues, resulting primarily in cardiovascular complications. Aconite poisoning presents with a combination of neurological, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal features. The main cause of death is severe cardiotoxicity causing refractory ventricular tachyarrhythmias and asystole. As there is no specific antidote, management of aconite poisoning is supportive. All patients require close monitoring of blood pressure and cardiac rhythm since ventricular arrhythmias may occur during the first 24 hours of poisoning, resulting in sudden deterioration in the patient's clinical condition. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has traditionally been utilized for perioperative cardiac failure and cardiomyopathies. More recently, the indications for ECMO have expanded to patients with acute cardiovascular decompression including intractable arrhythmias. We report on a patient who developed life threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmia after ingestion of herbal tablets containing aconite alkaloids. Our patient was resuscitated with intravenous infusion of amiodarone, repeated cardioversion/defibrillation, and mechanical circulatory support with ECMO.

A Case of Bronchiolitis Interstitial Pneumonitis / 대한내과학회지

Interstitial lung diseases are diagnosed based on clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings. There are various kinds of interstitial lung diseases involving both the interstitium and bronchioles. Bronchiolitis interstitial pneumonitis (BIP) was recently reported as an independent disease cluster combined with both interstitial pneumonitis and bronchiolitis, which is not classified in a specific category of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) by the present classification. In this case report, we introduce a recently experienced patient with BIP. A 68-year-old female visited our hospital with aggravated dyspnea for the past 2 months. Her chest computed tomography scan compared to 6 months ago showed increased reticulonodular lesion and ground glass opacities, suggesting interstitial lung disease. A video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy from a right lower lobe wedge resection resulted in the diagnosis of BIP. Clinical symptoms, pulmonary lesions, and pulmonary function test results remained stable for 1.5 years after oral glucocorticoid and immunosuppressive therapy.

A Case of Ischemic Colitis Presenting as Bloody Diarrhea after Glycerin Enema

Enema has frequently been used for diagnostic or therapeutic purpose. However, cases of colitis from physical, chemical, and thermal injury due to enema have been reported. In severe cases, life threatening complications (perforation, rupture, peritonitis, etc.) may occasionally occur. Reports of ischemic colitis after enema is rare and there have been only 1 case of ischemic colitis after normal saline enema reported in South Korea. Sigmoidoscopy on a 58 year old female, presenting with sudden abdominal pain and hematochezia after glycerin enema, revealed ischemic injury of the rectosigmoid colon, which was improved after using antibiotics and conservative therapy.

A Case of Colonic Collision Tumor (Adenocarcinoma and Neuroendocrine Carcinoma) / 대한소화기학회지

Collision tumors of the colon are rare. A 54-year-old man was referred to our hospital for the evaluation of hematochezia. Colonoscopy demonstrated the presence of about 3 cm sized mass in the rectosigmoid junction. After surgical resection, the colonic lesion was histologically composed of two discrete lesions: adenocarcinoma in the superficial layer and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma in the deeper layer. We report this case of colonic collision tumor (adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma) with a review of the literature.

Results of the Mechanical Valve Replacement in the Right Side of the Heart in Children

No abstract available.