• Title/Summary/Keyword: Blood culture

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Urine endothelin-1 as a Biomarker for Urinary Tract Infections in Children (Urine endothelin-1의 소아 요로 감염 환아에서의 진단적 유용성)

  • Kee, Hyung Min;Yi, Dae Yong;Yun, Ki Wook;Lim, In Seok;Ha, Tae-Seon
    • Childhood Kidney Diseases
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    • v.18 no.1
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    • pp.36-41
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    • 2014
  • Purpose: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common source of bacterial infections in infants and young children. Accurate diagnosis and treatment is important because of their association with renal scarring, which can lead to complications. Urine endothelin-1 (ET-1) is the major renal isoform produced and released by renal mesangial cells in response to glomerular injury. This study aimed to investigate whether urinary levels of ET-1 can be used as a biomarker for UTI diagnosis. Method: We conducted a prospective study using medical records of 70 patients below the age of 18 years, who visited Chung-Ang University Hospital from July 2012 to July 2013. We classified the patients into the UTI and control groups based on urine culture studies. The UTI group was further divided into upper and lower UTI groups using 99m-Technetium dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy. Urine ET-1 was measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay with 0.3 mL urine. Results: The UTI and control groups were comprised of 45 and 25 patients, respectively. Mean urine ET-1 levels were significantly higher in the UTI group than in the control group ($1.41{\pm}0.35$ pg/mL vs. $0.33{\pm}0.07$ pg/mL, P =0.04). There was no significance difference in the quantitative value between the upper and lower UTI groups (P =0.552). There was no correlation between urine ET-1 and serum C-reactive protein (Pearson correlation [R]=0.24), urine ET-1 and serum white blood cell count (R=0.19). Conclusion: Our study suggests that urine ET-1 can be used for early diagnosis of UTI in children.

Causative Organisms of Neonatal Sepsis (신생아 패혈증의 원인 병원체에 대한 조사)

  • Kim, Kyung-Ah;Shin, Son-Moon;Moon, Han-Ku;Park, Young-Hoon
    • Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.60-68
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    • 1999
  • A nationwide survey was conducted to investigate the annual occurrence rate of neonatal sepsis, maternal risk factors in neonatal sepsis, localized infection in neonates, causative organisms in nosocomial infection and the most common causative organism for neonatal sepsis in Korea. Clinical and bacteriological data wele collected from 37 neonatal units to perform retrospective review of the medical records of the newborn infants who were confirmed as having neonatal sepsis and whose blood culture was collected to isolate organisms for one year study period from January to December in 1997. 78,463 neonates were born at 37 hospital in 1997, and 20,869 neonates were admitted to the neonatal units, During this period, 772 episodes of neonatal sepsis were recorded in 517 neonates. The occurrence rate of neonatal sepsis was 0.73%(0~2.95%). Male to female ratio was 1.15:1, and 303 cases(42.1%) were born prematurely. The main pathogens of early onset of sepsis were S. aureus(20%), S. epidermidis(14.4%) and coagulase negative staphylococcus(14. 4%). Gram negative bacilli including Enterobacter spp (7.2%), E. coli(5.1%), Klepstella(4.5%), Pseudomonas(3.7%) and Enterobacter faectum(3.6%) accounted for 24.1% of sepsis. Group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus were isolated only in two cases. Common obstetric factors were PROM(21.1%), difficulty delivery(18.7%), fetal tachycardia(5.3%), chorioamnionitis(4.9%), and maternal fever(4.7%). The main pathogens of late-onset sepsis were S. aureus(22.3%), S. epidermidis(20.4%) and CONS(9.9%). There were 6 cases(1.0%) of Candida sepsis, Frequent focal infections accompanying sepsis were pneumonia(26.1%), urinary tract infection(10.5%), meningitis(8.2%), and arthritis(3.6%), S. epidermidis(22.0%) and s. aureus(21.7%) were also the most common pathogens in 373 nosocomial infection.

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Measurement of the Levels of IgG Subclasses Reactive to Salmonella typhi in the Sera of Patients with Typhoid Fever (장티푸스환자의 혈청내 Salmonella typhi에 대한 IgG subclass항체의 분포)

  • Kim, Young-Jung;Hwang, Eung-Soo;Kang, Jae-Seung;Cha, Chang-Yong;Chang, Woo-Hyun;Kim, Yoon-Won;Cho, Min-Ki;Min, Chang-Hong
    • The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.447-453
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    • 1986
  • To diagnose the typhoid fever rapidly and accurately in clinically suspected patients, the levels of IgG subclass antibody were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). With symptom, blood culture and agglutination test, tested persons were categorized into 6 groups as typhoid fever, FUO, paratyphi A or B, other bacterial infctions, cancers, and control. ELISA was performed on the polyvinyl chloride plates coated with killed whole cell($10^8\;cell/ml$) of S. typhi 0901W by poly-L-lysine applied as binding substance (and polyvinyl chloride as solid phase). The distribution of the level of IgG subclass antibodies in each group was analyzed and compared with other groups. The results obtained were summarized as follow: 1. The optimal dilution of the sera from patients with typhoid fever was 1:160, and those of the sheep anti-human IgG subclass and the peroxidase conjugated rabbit anti-sheep IgG were 1:4000 and 1:5000, respectively. 2. The absorbance levels of IgG subclass in the sera of typhoid fever patients were as follows; a) IgG1 value is $0.439{\pm}0.110$ b) IgG2 value is $0.416{\pm}0.165$ c) IgG3 value is $0.449{\pm}0.145$ d) IgG4 value is $0.525{\pm}0.154$ IgG subclass levels in the sera of typhoid patients were much higher than in control group and patient with paratyphi A or B as well as other infectious diseases. The sensitivity and the specificity in differential diagnosis of typhoid fever and other febrile diseases were 92% and 79% in the assay of IgG1 respectively, whereas those in the assay of IgG2 were 97% and 72%, respectively (above absorbance 0.3). 3. The absorbance levels of IgG subclass in the serial sera of typhiod fever patients tend to decrease to the level of absorbance 0.3 in 10 months from the onset of illness. 4. The order of absorbance levels of IgG subclass in the serum of each group were typhoid fever, paratyphi A or B, other infectious diseases, control and cancer. 5. For the serodiagnosis of typhoid fever against other febrile diseases, the sensitivity and the specificity in the assay of IgG2 activity were 76% and 93% in absorbance 0.4, respectively. 6. In the distribution of the level of each IgG subclass in the sera of FUO patients which were suspected of typhoid fever, the positive rate was ranged from 36% to 82%. This suggest that more than 50% of FUO patients are caused by S. typhi.

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Effects of rrhGM-CSF on Morphology and Expression of PCNA in Regenerating Rat Liver (재생 중인 흰쥐 간의 형태학적 변화 및 PCNA 발현에 미치는 rrhGM-CSF의 영향)

  • Jeong, Jin-Ju;Heo, Si-Hyun;Kim, Ji-Hyun;Yoon, Kwang-Ho;Lee, Young-Jun;Han, Kyu-Boem;Kim, Wan-Jong
    • Applied Microscopy
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    • v.40 no.2
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    • pp.73-80
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    • 2010
  • Liver regeneration is a result of highly coordinated proliferation of hepatocytes and nonparenchymal liver cells. Partial hepatectomy (PH) is the most often used stimulus to study liver regeneration because, compared with other methods that use hepatic toxins, it is not associated with the tissue injury and inflammation, and the initiation of the regenerative stimulus is precisely defined. Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), which is a cytokine able to regulate the proliferation and differentiation of epithelial cells, was first identified as the most potent mitogen for bone marrow. Particularly, rrhGM-CSF, which is highly glycosylated and sustained longer than any other types of GM-CSF in the blood circulation, was specifically produced from rice cell culture. In this experiment, effects of rrhGM-CSF administration were evaluated in the regenerating liver after 78% PH of rats. Morphological changes induced by PH were characterized by destroyed hepatocyte plate around the central vein and enlarged nuclear cytoplasmic ratio and increased hepatocytes with two nuclei. And then, proliferation of liver cells (parenchymal and nonparenchymal) and rearrangement of plates and lobules seemed to be carried out during liver regeneration. These alterations in the experimental group preceded those of the control. Since proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is known to be a nuclear protein maximally elevated in the S phase of proliferating cells, the protein was used as a marker of liver regeneration after PH in rats. PCNA levels by western blot analysis and immunohistology were compared between the two groups. PCNA protein expression of two groups at 12 hr and 24 hr after injury showed similar pattern. The protein expression showed the peak at 3 days in both groups, however, the protein level of the experimental group was higher than that of the control. On immunohistochemical observations, the reaction product of PCNA was localized at the nuclei of proliferating cells and the positive reaction in experimental group at 3 days was clearly stronger than that in control group. The results by Western blotting and immunohistology for PCNA showed similar pattern in terms of the protein levels. In conclusion, rrhGM-CSF administration during liver regeneration after 78% PH accelerated breakdown and restoration of the hepatic plate and expression of PCNA. These results suggest that rrhGM-CSF might play an important role during liver regeneration in rats.

Mycelial Culture of Lentinus edodes Alleviates Rat Liver Toxicity Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride and Ethanol (표고버섯균사체의 사염화탄소 및 알콜로 처리된 흰쥐 간기능 보호 효과)

  • Ha, Yeong-L.;Kim, Young-S.;Ahn, Chae-R.;Kweon, Jung-M.;Park, Cherl-W.;Ha, Young-K.;Kim, Jeong-O.
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.20 no.1
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    • pp.133-141
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    • 2010
  • The protective effect of a mixed powder from solid-cultured and liquid-cultured Lentinus edodes mycelia (2:1, w/w) (designate LED) on the carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)- and ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity of male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat was investigated. In the $CCl_4$-induced rat hepatotoxicity experiment, rats of 4 groups (6 rats/group) were administere with Normal (0.2 ml distilled water), Control (0.2 ml distilled water), LED (LED 200 mg/kg BW + 0.2 ml distilled water), and Silymarin (200 mg/kg BW + 0.2 ml distilled water), p.o., daily for 2 weeks. Afterwards, all groups except for the Normal group were subjected to abdominal injection with $CCl_4$ ($CCl_4$ : corn oil, 1:1 v/v; 0.5 ml/kg BW). For the ethanol- induced rat hepatotoxicity experiment, rats were divided into 5 groups (5 rats/group): Normal; Pair-fed control (PFC); Control (ethanol); LED (ethanol + LED 200 mg/kg BW); and Silymarin (ethanol + silymarin 200 mg/kg BW). Rats of the Normal and PFC groups were fed a basal liquid diet, and rats of the Control, LED, and Silymarin groups were fed a liquid ethanol diet containing LED or Silymarin. Eight weeks later, blood and liver samples were collected to analyze biomarkers. In $CCl_4$-induced SD rats, LED elevated hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH peroxidase) activities and thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) were reduced, resulting in the reduction of glutamate-oxalate transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in plasma. Similar results of these enzymes and biochemical markers in both liver tissues and plasma were seen in ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity of SD rats. In addition, elevated alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity and reduced expression of cytochrome p450 mixed monooxygenase enzyme (CYP2E1) were seen in liver tissues from ethanol-treated rats by LED treatment. These effects of LED were similar to those of Silymarin. In in vitro experiments, LED showed antioxidant activity in a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) system and mouse liver mitochondria system induced by NADPH/$Fe^{2+}$ and cumine hydroperoxide (CuOOH). These results indicate that LED protected SD rat hepatotoxicity, induced by $CCl_4$ and ethanol, through its antioxidative activity and might be useful as a material for protection from hepatoxicity in humans.

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF BACTERIA FROM THE ROOT CANAL OF THE TEETH DIAGNOSED AS THE ACUTE PULPITIS AND ACUTE PERIAPICAL ABSCESS (급성 치수염 및 급성 치근단 농양의 치근관으로부터의 세균 분리 및 동정)

  • Lee, Yeon-Jae;Kim, Mi-Kwang;Hwang, Ho-Keel;Kook, Joong-Ki
    • Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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    • v.30 no.5
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    • pp.409-422
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    • 2005
  • The aim of this study was to identify the bacteria isolated from acute endodontic lesions by cell culture and 16S rDNA sequencing. The necrotic pulpal tissue was collected from 17 infected root canals, which were diagnosed as being either an acute pulpitis or acute periapical abscess. Samples were collected aseptically from the infected pulpal tissue of the infected root canals using a barbed broach and a paper point. The cut barbed broaches and paper points were transferred to an eppendorf tube containing 500 ul of 1 XPBS. The sample solution was briefly mixed and plated onto a BHI-agar plate containing $5\%$ sheep blood. The agar plates were incubated in a $37^{\circ}C$ anaerobic chamber for 7 days. The bacteria growing on the agar plate were identified by 16S rRNA coding gene (rDNA) cloning and sequencing at the species level. Among the 71 colonies grown on the agar plates, 56 strains survived and were identified. In dental caries involving the root canals, Streptococcus spp. were mainly isolated. Actinomyces, Clostridia, Bacteroides and Fusobacteria were isolated in the periapical lesion without dental caries. Interestingly, two new Actinomyces spp. (ChDC B639 and ChDC B631) were isolated in this study. These results showed that there was diversity among the species in endodontic lesions, This suggests that an endodontic infection is a mixed infection with a polymicrobial etiology. These results may offer the bacterial strains for pathogenesis studies related to an endodontic infection.

A Cases of Crane Breeding(養鶴) at Private Homes(私家) in the Joseon Dynasty Period (조선시대 사가(私家) 정원에서의 양학(養鶴) 사례)

  • Hong, Hyoung-Soon
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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    • v.38 no.2
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    • pp.42-59
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    • 2020
  • The purpose of this study is to examine the actual cases of crane breeding at private homes in the Joseon Dynasty period, thereby identifying the universal meaning and characteristics of this act reflected in these cases. This study is likely to help understand the true nature of garden culture during the period. The study' temporal and spatial scope was limited to the Joseon Dynasty and private homes. As references for the study, translated versions of classical literature were selected from the Database of Korean Classics(http://db.itkc.or.kr). To complement for the data, related researchers' translated materials were also used in part. The study's results are summed up as follows: First, Individuals from various social classes including royal families, noblemen, noble families in countryside, and commoners kept cranes at their homes. These crane breeders included those who left a significant mark in the Joseon Dynasty politically and academically as well as 'cheosa(處士)' that refers to scholars living in seclusion without entering the government throughout their lifetime. Second, Crane breeders were spread all over the country. Notably, various cases of crane breeding were found within the Hanyang Wall and its vicinity. Third, The act of crane breeding was highly associated with blood ties and academic lineages such as friendships and teacher-student relations. In this regard, crane breeding was not just a simple taste or appreciation for the arts, but rather reflective of a person's life attitude and orientation. Forth, The consciousness of Confucian origins based on an ancient story of Limpo (林逋) appears to have a large impact on the act of crane breeding. In addition, some cases exhibited the reflection of Taoistic tastes. Fifth, Some individuals tamed cranes for a living. This proves the presence of steady demand for cranes in this period. The present study's limitation is its reliance on translated materials, which hindered research into various cases. Therefore, the future discovery of additional data and the accumulation of their translations will enable the investigation of a wealth of cases.

Analysis of Factors Influencing the Integrated Bolus Peak Timing in Contrast-Enhanced Brain Computed Tomographic Angiography (Computed Tomographic Angiography (CTA)의 검사 시 조영제 집적 정점시간에 영향을 미치는 특성 인자를 분석)

  • Son, Soon-Yong;Choi, Kwan-Woo;Jeong, Hoi-Woun;Jang, Seo-Goo;Jung, Jae-Yong;Yun, Jung-Soo;Kim, Ki-Won;Lee, Young-Ah;Son, Jin-Hyun;Min, Jung-Whan
    • Journal of radiological science and technology
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    • v.39 no.1
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    • pp.59-69
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    • 2016
  • The objective of this study was to analyze the factors influencing integrated bolus peak timing in contrast-enhanced computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and to determine a method of calculating personal peak time. The optimal time was calculated by performing multiple linear regression analysis, after finding the influence factors through correlation analysis between integrated peak time of contrast medium and personal measured value by monitoring CTA scans. The radiation exposure dose in CTA was $716.53mGy{\cdot}cm$ and the radiation exposure dose in monitoring scan was 15.52 mGy (2 - 34 mGy). The results were statistically significant (p < .01). Regression analysis revealed, a -0.160 times decrease with a one-step increase in heart rate in male, and -0.004, -0.174, and 0.006 times decrease with one-step in DBP, heart rate, and blood sugar, respectively, in female. In a consistency test of peak time by calculating measured peak time and peak time by using the regression equation, the consistency was determined to be very high for male and female. This study could prevent unnecessary dose exposure by encouraging in clinic calculation of personal integrated peak time of contrast medium prior to examination.

Reduced Number of Endothelial Progenitor Colony-Forming Units in Patients with Preeclampsia

  • Kim, Shin-Young;Park, So-Yeon;Kim, Jin-Woo;Lee, Mi-Bum;Han, You-Jung;Ahn, Hyun-Kyong;Choi, Jun-Seek;Han, Jung-Yeol;Kim, Moon-Young;Choi, Kyu-Hong;Ryu, Hyun-Mee
    • Journal of Genetic Medicine
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    • v.7 no.2
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    • pp.138-144
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    • 2010
  • Purpose: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which mediates neovascularization of uterine endometrium may be involved in the neovascularization in the utero-placental circulation. Low numbers of endothelial progenitor colony-forming unit (CFU) in culture are predictive biomarker of vascular disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the number of CFU in preeclampsia differed from that in normal pregnancy. Materials and Methods: Women with singleton normal (n=26) or preeclamptic (n=20) pregnancies were studied during the third trimester. The number of EPCs was quantified by CFU methodology. Plasma levels of angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), and placental growth factor (PlGF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results: CFU numbers were significantly decreased in the preeclamptic patients compared with the controls (median, 3; range 1-12 vs. 31; 3-81 CFU/well, P<0.001). A majority of the cells comprising individual colonies were positive for endothelial characteristics (Ulex europaeus lectin staining and acetylated low-density lipoprotein uptake). Plasma levels of the sFlt-1 were highly elevated (P<0.001) in patient with preeclampsia compared to controls, whereas PlGF were highly reduced (P=0.004), but these factors did not associate with CFU numbers. Conclusion: Our results suggest that reduced numbers of CFU obtained from maternal peripheral blood may contribute to the development of preeclampsia.

What Is a Monster Narrative? Seven Fragments on the Relationship between a Monster Narrative and a Catastrophic Narrative (괴물서사란 무엇인가? - 괴물서사에서 파국서사로 나아가기 위한 일곱 개의 단편 -)

  • Moon, Hyong-jun
    • Cross-Cultural Studies
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    • v.50
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    • pp.31-51
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    • 2018
  • The concept of 'monsters' have become popular, again, in recent times. A number of 'monster narratives' that discuss monsters such as zombies, humanoids, viruses, extraterrestrials, and serial killers have been made and re-made in popular media. Noting such an interesting cultural context, this article attempts, first, to find out some essential prototypical elements of a monster narrative and, second, to relate it with a catastrophic narrative. Correspondingly, the word 'monster' has been used as a conceptual prototype category that denies universal and clear definition, which makes it as one of the most widely used and familiar subjects of the use of metaphor. The prototypical meanings of various monster figures can be converged on a certain creature of being in this way held out as bizarre, curious, and abnormal. The monster figure that surpasses existing normality is also connected to 'abjection,' such as something that is cast aside from the body such as the bodily functions seen in its associated blood, tears, vomit, excrement, or semen, and so on. Nevertheless, both the monster figure and abjection produce disgust and horror in the minds of ordinary spectators or readers of media using this metaphor to heighten excitement for the viewers. The abject characteristic of the monster figure also has something in common with the posthuman figure, meaning to apply to a category of inhuman others who are held outside of the normal category of human beings. In the similar vein, it is natural that the most typical monster figures in our times are posthuman creatures embodied in such forms as seen with zombies, humanoids, cyborgs, robots, and so on. In short, the monster figure includes all of the creatures and beings that disarray normalized humanist categories and values. The monster narrative, in the same sense, is a type of story that tells about others outside modern, anthropocentric, male-centered, and Westernized categories of thought. It can be argued that a catastrophic narrative, a literary genre which depicts the world where a series of catastrophic events demolish the existing human civilization, ought to be seen as a typical modern-day monster narrative, because it also discounts and criticizes normalized humanist categories and values as is the result of the monster narrative. Going beyond the prevailing humanist realist narrative that are so familiar with existing values, the catastrophic narrative is not only a monster narrative per se, but also a monstrous narrative which disrupts and reinvents currently mainstream narratives and ways of thinking.