• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.224-226
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• 2013

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is characterized by a severe idiosyncratic reaction including rash and fever, often with associated hepatitis, arthralgias, lymph node enlargement, or hematologic abnormalities. The mortality rate is approximately 10%, primarily owing to liver failure with massive or multiple disseminated focal necrosis. Here, we report a case of a 14-year-old girl treated with vancomycin because of a wound infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, who presented with non-specific symptoms, which progressed to acute liver failure, displaying the hallmarks of DRESS syndrome. With the presence of aggravated hepatic encephalopathy and azotemia, the patient was refractory to medical treatments, she received a living-donor liver transplantation, and a cure was achieved without any sign of recurrence. Vancomycin can be a cause of DRESS syndrome. A high index of suspicion and rapid diagnosis are necessary not to miss this potentially lethal disease.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2012

Objective : This is prospective study of clinical outcomes of percutaneous plasma disc coagulation Therapy (PDCT) in patients with herniated lumbar disc disease (HLD) to evaluate the safety and efficacy in its clinical application and usefulness as a reliable alternative to microscopic discectomy. Methods : Forty-six patients were enrolled in this study from April 2006 to June 2010. All patients had one-level HLD. Disc degeneration was graded on routine T2-weighted magnetic resonance Image (MRI) using the Pfirrmann's grading system and all index levels were grade 3 and grade 4. Indications for surgery were radiculopathy caused by disc protrusion with soft consistency. MRI was done at one month after the procedure in all patients to check post-PDCT change. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using Visual Analog Scales (VAS) score and MacNab's criteria. Results : This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of our institution. The age of the study population ranged from 16 to 59 years with a mean age of 37.2 years. There were 29 males and 17 females in this study. The mean period of clinical follow-up was 21 months. The average preoperative VAS score for radiculopathy was $7.4{\pm}1.4$, while the final follow-up VAS score was $1.4{\pm}0.7$ (p<0.001). In MacNab's criteria, 41 patients (89.1%) had achieved favorable improvement (excellent and good) until later follow-up. There were one patient from infection and two patients who needed to convert to open discectomy. Conclusion : PDCT is a safe and efficient treatment modality in a selective patient with HLD.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2018

Background: This research was performed to investigate the effects of Pulsatilla Koreana NAKAI pharmacopuncture (PPA) therapy on intestinal disease in rats with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Methods: The subjects were divided into five groups : A control group, saline group, pharmacopuncture group PPA1 ($0.2mg/1kg/40{\mu}{\ell}$), pharmacopuncture group PPA2 ($0.5mg/1kg/40{\mu}{\ell}$), and pharmacopuncture group PPA 3($1mg/1kg/40{\mu}{\ell}$). The experimental model of colitis was induced by infection of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for eighteen days. After colitis was induced, PPA therapy was practiced on the Chunchu (ST25) once every two days for a total six times. Thereafter Disease Activity Index (DAI), colon length, damage to the colonic mucosa, body weight, IL-6, IL-10, $IL-1{\beta}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $TGF-{\beta}1$, IL-23 and IL-17 were measured. Results: The results were as follows. 1. DAI was significantly decreased in the PPA groups. 2. Colon length was significantly increased in the PPA groups. 3. Damage of colonic mucosa was observed less in the PPA groups. 4. Body weight was significantly increased in the saline group and the PPA groups. 5. The PPA2 group showed a significant decrease in the intensity of IL-6, $IL-1{\beta}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels and the mean of IL-23. 6. The PPA3 group showed a significant increase in the intensity of IL-10 and $TGF-{\beta}1$ levels. 7. No significant differences were shown in the mean of IL-17. Conclusion: These results suggest that PPA therapy on Chunchu (ST25) can be used as an effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.504-509
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• 2014

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a substantial contributor to morbidity and mortality. In search of a natural products capable of inhibiting this multidrug resistant bacteria, we have investigated the antimicrobial activity of brazilein (BRZ) isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L. (Leguminosae) against 8 different strains of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). New antimicrobial activity was found using the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), broth dilution as well as checkerboard method. Against the 8 strains, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of BRZ were in the range of $62.5-500{\mu}g/mL$. From those results we performed the checkerboard test to determine the synergism of BRZ in combination with Hygromycin-b (HgB) against 4 strains. The combined activity of BRZ and HgB against 4 strains resulted in a fractional inhibitory concentrations index (FICI) ranging from 0.18-0.5. The effect of BRZ with HgB was found to be synergistic. We found that BRZ reduced the MICs of HgB. BRZ and HgB could lead to the development of new combination antibiotics against MRSA infection.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2017

Background The current indications of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have expanded to include young patients with serious cardiac risk factors, but CIED placement has the disadvantage of involving unsightly scarring and bulging of the chest wall. A collaborative team of cardiologists and plastic surgeons developed a technique for the subpectoral placement of CIEDs in young female patients via a transaxillary approach. Methods From July 2012 to December 2015, subpectoral CIED placement via an axillary incision was performed in 10 young female patients, with a mean age of 25.9 years and mean body mass index of $20.1kg/m^2$. In the supine position, with the patient's shoulder abducted, an approximately 5-cm linear incision was made along one of the deepest axillary creases. The submuscular plane was identified at the lateral border of the pectoralis major, and the dissection continued over the clavipectoral fascia until the subpectoral pocket could securely receive a pulse generator. Slight upward dissection also exposed an entrance to the subclavian vein, allowing the cardiology team to gain access to the vein. One patient with dilated cardiomyopathy underwent augmentation mammoplasty and CIED insertion simultaneously. Results One case of late-onset device infection occurred. All patients were highly satisfied with the results and reported that they would recommend the procedure to others. Conclusions With superior aesthetic outcomes compared to conventional methods, the subpectoral placement of CIEDs via a transaxillary approach is an effective, single-incision method to hide operative scarring and minimize bulging of the device, and is particularly beneficial for young female or lean patients.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.752-757
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• 2005

Changes in milk quality during storage of extended shelf life milk (ESL milk) and non-ESL milk were evaluated. No significant differences were observed between ESL and typical ultra high temperature-treated (UHT) milk in physicochemical properties including non-casein nitrogen (NCN) content, whey protein nitrogen index (WPNI), and L-ascorbic acid content. Low temperature and long time-treated milk (LTLT milk) had significantly higher NCN content and WPNI than those of UHT milk. In terms of microbial quality, yeast, molds, coliforms, and other bacteria were not detected in ESL milk during entire storage (21 days after expiration date) period at 4 and $25^{\circ}C$, while LTLT milk was more susceptible to microbial infection. Rats fed ESL milk resulted in significantly higher body weight, average daily gain, and feed efficiency than those given UHT milk. These results suggest ESL milk maintains better microbial quality than typical UHT milk, particularly during storage under extended refrigeration and at high temperature.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.174-179
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• 2006

Tuberculosis still ranks as one of the three most important infectious diseases in the world in terms of morbidity and mortality. In Korea, an increased incidence of tuberculosis has been observed in recent years. With the resurge of tuberculosis, extrapulmonary tuberculosis has increased, too. From this point of view, tuberculous arthritis affecting knee is rare in all forms of tuberculosis, but we can consider tuberculous arthritis in patients with osteomyelitis. We report the case of a 14-month-old male child who presented with fever and swelling on the left knee joint. Histologic examination of knee joint fluid showed consistent with tuberculosis. Ziehl-Neelsen stain of joint fluid was positive for acid-fast bacilli(AFB). The outcome was favorable after treatment with anti-tuberculosis medication. Because clinical signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal tuberculosis in children is more indolent, we can misdiagnose or delay diagnosis. The diagnosis of tuberculous arthritis can be elusive, necessitating a high index of suspicion.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.128-133
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• 2000

This study was designed to verify the efficacy of garlic extracts for protecting the infecton of influenza and Japanese B encephalitis virus. Influenza virus (AO/PR8 strain) and Japanese B encephalitis virus (JaGAr O1 strain) were used to attack mouse through nasal route and each vaccines were injected subcutaneously. 0.002 and 0.2 mL/day of garlic extracts were orally administered to mice. The blood and serum samples were taken from the mice to measure LD50, Defense Index (DI), virus-neutralizing antibody for comparing virus influence inhibiting activities. Defense indices of the male and female mice were not significantly different at every experiment. Vaccination effectively inhibited the influence of influenza virus and 0.002 mL/day garlic extract (0.55$\pm$0.05) resulted in significantly higher DI than the control (0$\pm$0.05) (p<0.05). Although 0.002 mL/day garlic extract (0.55$\pm$0.05) resulted in significantly lower DI than the vaccination (1.10$\pm$0.05), 0.2 mL/day garlic extract (2.05$\pm$0.05) resulted in 10 times higher DI than the vaccination (1.10$\pm$0.05). Garlic extract did not affect DI in Japanese B encephalitis virus influence of the vaccinated mouse, but significantly reduced DI of the non-vaccinated mouse (p<0.05). Garlic extracts did not affect the production of the neutralizing antibody against influenza by vaccination. However, neutralizing antibody production of Japanese B encephalitis was accelerated by vaccination. Consequently, the current study proved the efficacy of garlic on inhibition of influenza virus. Finally, it is very hard to show the higher preventing effect on flu through ingestion of garlic as a food than vaccination.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.6
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• pp.450-455
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• 2010

Background: High cortisol levels are frequently observed in patients with severe infections are of prognostic value in sepsis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of serum cortisol in assessment for the severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods: This study analyzed the results of 52 CAP subjects admitted in Changwon Fatima Hospital between July 2008 to May 2010. Total serum cortisol, infection markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and CURB (Confusion, Uremia, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure)-65 were examined retrospectively. Results: In clinically unstable subjects on admission day 4, baseline serum cortisol, CURB-65, and CRP were elevated significantly compared to those of stable subjects. Area under curve (AUC) of cortisol, CRP, and CURB-65 from ROC curves were 0.847, 0.783, and 0.724 respectively. In the subjects with serum cortisol ${\geq}22.82{\mu}g/dL$, CRP, PCT, CURB-65 score, and mortality were significantly elevated. Conclusion: These findings suggest that measurement of serum cortisol in early stage may provide helpful information in the assessment of CAP severity.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.249-254
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• 2017

Background: Lower eyelid incisions are widely used for the orbital approach in periorbital trauma and aesthetic surgery. In general, the subciliary approach is known to cause disposition of the lower eyelid by scarring the anterior lamella in some cases. On the other hand, many surgeons believe that a transconjunctival approach usually does not result in such complications and is a reliable method. We measured positional changes in the lower eyelid in blowout fracture repair since entropion is one of the most serious complications of the transconjunctival orbital approach. Methods: To measure the positional changes in the lower eyelids, we analyzed preoperative and postoperative photographs over various time intervals. In the analysis of the photographs, marginal reflex distance 2 ($MRD_2$) and eyelash angle were used as an index of eyelid position. Statistical analyses were performed to identify the significance in the positional changes. All patients underwent orbital reconstruction through a transconjunctival incision by a single plastic surgeon. Results: In 42 blowout fracture patients, there was no statistical significant difference in the MRD2 and eyelash angle. Furthermore, there were no clinical complications, such as infection, hematoma, bleeding, or implant protrusion, during the follow-up periods. Conclusion: The advantages of the transconjunctival approach for orbital access include minimal scarring and a lower risk of eyelid displacement compared with other approaches. Based on these results, we recommend the transconjunctival approach for orbital exposure as a safe and reliable method.