• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.453-459
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• 2013

Although Serbia is recognized as an endemic country for echinococcosis, no information about precise incidence in humans has been available. The aim of this study was to investigate the skeletal manifestations of hydatid disease in Serbia. This retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical database of Institute for Pathology (Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade), a reference institution for bone pathology in Serbia. We reported a total of 41 patients with bone cystic echinococcosis (CE) during the study period. The mean age of 41 patients was $40.9{\pm}18.8$ years. In 39% of patients, the fracture line was the only visible radiological sign, followed by cyst and tumefaction. The spine was the most commonly involved skeletal site (55.8%), followed by the femur (18.6%), pelvis (13.9%), humerus (7.0%), rib (2.3%), and tibia (2.3%). Pain was the symptom in 41.5% of patients, while some patients demonstrated complications such as paraplegia (22.0%), pathologic fracture (48.8%), and scoliosis (9.8%). The pathological fracture most frequently affected the spine (75.0%) followed by the femur (20.0%) and tibia (5.0%). However, 19.5% of patients didn't develop any complication or symptom. In this study, we showed that bone CE is not uncommon in Serbian population. As reported in the literature, therapy of bone CE is controversial and its results are poor. In order to improve the therapy outcome, early diagnosis, before symptoms and complications occur, can be contributive.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.90-96
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of two physical examinations (straight leg raise [SLR] and Bragard test) and electromyography (EMG) in patients with lumbosacral monoradiculopathy in acute and chronic state on confirmation of different diagnostic criteria (MRI vs MRI and diagnostic selective nerve root block [DSNRB]). Method: We identified 297 participants retrospectively from the departmental database. MRI evidence of L5 or S1 nerve root compression and a positive result in diagnostic SNRB served as reference standards. They were divided into two groups by the symptom duration: lasting more than 12 weeks in the chronic group and less than 12 weeks in the acute group. The diagnostic value of clinical tests and EMG were compared. Results: The clinical tests (SLR and Bragard test) done in acute stage on detection by MRI and DSNRB had the highest sensitivity (68%) compared to the chronic stage (63%), but sensitivity was low (57%) on confirmation of MRI alone. However, there was no significant difference on sensitivity and specificity of EMG regardless of reference standards and symptom duration. Electromyography was a significant predictor of neuropathic abnormalities on both acute (OR, 6.3; 95% CI, 2.4 to 16.7; p<0.01) and chronic (OR, 6.8; 95% CI, 2.9 to 16.3; p<0.01). Conclusion: In general, individual physical tests are easy to do and a combination of those tests could be a sensitive indicator of L5 or S1 radiculopathy. Furthermore, the use of provocation tests could provide useful information, especially in proceeding therapeutic selective nerve root block.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.975-982
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• 2021

Objective : The occurrence of posterior fossa teratomas in adulthood is extremely rare. In this study, we aimed to report our experience with two cases of posterior fossa mature teratoma in adults who underwent surgical resection. We also performed a systematic review of published papers available to date. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of patients who had onset of posterior fossa teratomas in adulthood at our institute between 1995 and 2020. We evaluated the clinical, radiographic, and pathological features of mature teratomas at the posterior fossa in adulthood. Furthermore, we searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science database and reviewed published articles. Results : We found 507 articles on database review; of them, 102 were duplicates and 389 were excluded based on the inclusion criteria. Finally, 16 cases of posterior fossa from the web search and related articles. Subsequently, we added two cases that underwent surgery at our institute. We analyzed a total of 18 cases of mature teratomas. Headache was the most common (55.6%) symptom. The teratomas showed heterogeneous signals on magnetic resonance imaging. Thirteen patients (72.2%) had lesion at midline, five patients (27.8%) had calcification. Surgical resection was performed in all patients. No studies reported recurrence after resection. Conclusion : The occurrence of posterior fossa teratomas in adulthood is difficult to diagnose at the initial stage. Radiographic diagnosis alone can lead to misdiagnosis. Pathological confirmation is essential. Surgical resection is a curative option for posterior fossa teratomas in adulthood.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.285-293
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• 2023

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive disorder characterized by abdominal discomfort or pain accompanied by a change in stool condition. Owing to its complicated mechanisms, a standard treatment for IBS has not yet been established. Yukgunja-tang (YGT) is a Korean herbal medicine known in Asia to be effective in the treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms. In this study, we will conduct a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the efficacy and safety of YGT in IBS treatment. Methods and analysis: English databases, such as Embase, Medline (via PubMed), Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, will be searched for articles published up to April 2023. Additional databases, such as five Korean, one Chinese, and one Japanese database, will be included. RCTs and quasi-RCTs will also be included in the assessment of the efficacy of YGT. The overall efficacy rate will be the primary outcome, and data such as IBS quality-of-life measurements, global symptom scores, and adverse events will be the secondary outcomes. Review Manager Version 5.3 will be used for evaluation, and the risk of bias (RoB) will be evaluated using Cochrane Collaboration's RoB tool. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach will be used to score the quality of evidence. Conclusion: This study will demonstrate the efficacy and safety of YGT for treating patients with IBS.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.71.2-71
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• 2003

Ralstonia solancearum infects many solanaceous plants, however race 3 infects only potato and tomato weakly. To identify genes responsible for race specificity of R. solanacearum, we mobilized genomic library of LSD2029 (race 3) into LSD341 (race 1) and inoculated 1,000 transconjugants into hot pepper. One transconjugant that did not induce wilt symptom in hot pepper was isolated. We found that a cosmid clone, pRSl, conferred avirulence to LSD341. By deletion and mutational analyses of pRSl, we found the 0.9-kb PstI/Hindlll fragment carries avirulence functions. We sequenced the fragment and identified one possible open reading frame, a rsal gene, possibly encoding 110 amino acids. The rsal was preceded with a plant-inducible promoter (PIP) box, indicating that the gene might be regulated by HrpB. Interestingly, the promoter region of the rsal homolog in the strain GM11000 (race 1) did not have the PIP box. Rsal did not show any significant homologies with proteins in the database, indicating th e protein is different from the previously reported avirulence proteins. When we mutated the rsal gene by marker-exchange in LSD2029, the mutant was less virulent in potato.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.47-58
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• 2005

Background and purpose: The purpose of this study is to review the recent 10 year Chinese achievements on the objectification of traditional pulse diagnosis in clinical area. Methods: From the China Journal Full Text Database (中國學術期刊全文數据庫) we searched papers on pulse diagnosis by the keyword 'Maizhen'(脈診) Resulls: The researches are summarized into four parts; (1) the researches on the normal pulse in the physiological state (2) the clinical researches of pulse diagnosis on the symptom and disease diagnosis (3) the clinical researches of pulse diagnosis on the acupuncture treatment (4) the application of pulse diagnosis on the functional evaluation of the athlete. Conclusion: The undoubted principles of the traditional pulse diagnosis are evaluated by the objective clinical researches. And the researchers are trying to find a new application area over the traditional one.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2014

The diagnosis and treatment of cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is still a challenge. A systematic literature search was performed using Embase, Medline, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials for the diagnosis and treatment of cow's milk allergy (CMA). Since none of the symptoms of CMPA is specific and since there is no sensitive diagnostic test (except a challenge test), the diagnosis of CMPA remains difficult. A "symptom-based score" is useful in children with symptoms involving different organ systems. The recommended dietary treatment is an extensive cow milk based hydrolysate. Amino acid based formula is recommended in the most severe cases. However, soy infant formula and hydrolysates from other protein sources (rice) are gaining popularity, as they taste better and are cheaper than the extensive cow's milk based hydrolysates. Recent meta-analyses confirmed the safety of soy and estimate that not more than 10-15% of CMPA-infants become allergic to soy. An accurate diagnosis of CMA is still difficult. The revival of soy and the development of rice hydrolysates challenge the extensive cow's milk based extensive hydrolysates as first option and amino acid formula.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.93-96
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• 2008

In August 2006, a severe disease incidence showing mosaic and/or necrotic symptoms on two bell pepper varieties including red-colored 'Special' and yellow-colored 'Fiesta' was observed in a greenhouse located in Gwangyang, Jeonnam province, Korea. To identify causal viruses, total RNAs were extracted from 11 fruit samples with and without symptoms. Specific oligonucleotide primers for Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Pepper mottle virus (PepMoV), Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) were designed based on the sequences available on GenBank. Database comparisons of the deduced amino acid sequences of each sequence produced 100% and 98% matches with nucleocapsid protein gene of TSWV (Acc. No. ABE11605) and coat protein gene of CMV (Acc. No. DQ018289), respectively, suggesting that the symptoms on bell pepper fruits might be caused by the infection of CMV and TSWV. To our knowledge this is the first report of necrotic as well as mosaic virus disease on bell pepper fruits by the infection of CMV and TSWV in Jeonnam province, Korea.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide data about the risk factors related to falls among elderly patients with dementia using meta-analysis. Methods: Key words used for search through electronic database (CINAHL, PubMed, Ovid-MEDLINE, RISS, KISS, DBPIA, National Assembly Library) included 'dementia', 'Alzheimer', 'fall'. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis and 'R' version 3.2.2 was used to analyze the correlated effect size. Results: Study results showed that risk factors related to falls were identified as the demographic (age, gender, education), dementia-related (disease duration, cognition), physical (body mass index, walking, balance, activity of daily living, use of walking aids, number of medications including psychotropic drugs, musculoskeletal problems, parkinsonism, comorbidity), psychological (neuropsychiatric symptom, depression), environmental (Physical environment), and fall-related (fall history, high risk group of fall) factors. The effect size of risk factors such as high risk group of fall (r=.35), use of walking aids (r=.33), depression (r=.31), psychotropic drugs (r=.27), Musculoskeletal problems (r=.25) were higher than the other risk factors. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, strategies to improve elderly patient's depression, intensive care for high risk group of fall, and adequate training with walking aids are needed for prevention of falls in elderly patients with dementia.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.194-204
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was done to learn the status of occupational injuries and illnesses among Korean nurses. Methods: Thirty four articles published between 1990 and 2007 were selected using keywords as nurse and back pain, musculoskeletal symptom, violence, needle stick injuries and latex allergy from the database. The 609 RN cases among the workers' compensation data from 2005 to 2007 were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results: Based on the analysis of the articles, the most frequent work-related illness and injuries were the musculoskeletal symptoms including back pain. The prevalence of back pain was ranged from 36.5% to 98.5%. Tuberculosis cases were the most frequent and the musculoskeletal cases were the second rank in the workers' compensation data. In the case of violence, there has been an increasing tendency since 2000 in the articles and workers' compensation data. The relatively high percentage of compensation cases occurred among the ones working in small institutions and with less than one year experience. Conclusion: The further research on the nurses' work-related illness and injuries needs to consider the measurement tool selection and longitudinal design. The various types of contribution to the occupational health in nursing is suggested to improve the nurses' health and safety.