• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.354-364
• /
• 1998

Purpose: Simple X-ray study and bone scan have limitations for early diagnosis of bone or bone marrow lesions in multiple myeloma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of bone marrow immunoscintigraphy using anti-granulocyte monoclonal antibody for the evaluation of bone involvement in multiple myeloma. Materials and Methods: In 22 patients (Male: 15, Female: 7) with multiple myeloma, we performed whole-body immunoscintigraphy using $^{99m}Tc$-labelled antigranulocyte antibody (BW 250/183, Scintimum $Granulozyt^{(R)}$ CIS, France) and compared the findings with those of simple bone radiography and $^{99m}Tc$-MDP bone scan. Abnormal findings in bone marrow scintigraphy were, considered to be present in case of expansion of peripheral bone marrow or focal photon defect in axial bones. Results: Marrow expansion was noted in 15 of 22 patients (68%). Focal photon defects were found in 18 patients (82%). While one (33%) of 3 patients with Stage II disease showed focal defects in bone marrow scan, abnormal focal defects were observed in 17 of 19 (90%) patients with Stage III. Among 124 focal abnormal sites which were observed in bone marrow scan, bone scan or simple bone radiography, bone marrow scan detected 92 sites (74%), whereas 82 sites (66%) were observed in simple bone radiography(58 sites, 47%) or bone scan(40 sites, 32%). Fifty-one (41%) out of 124 bone lesions were detected by bone marrow scan only, and located mostly in thoracolumbar spine. Conclusion: Bone marrow scan using $^{99m}Tc$-labelled antigranulocyte antibody seems to be a more sensitive procedure for the detection of pathologic bone lesions than simple bone X-ray or bone scan in patients with multiple myeloma.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.148-153
• /
• 2005

Malaria is a re-emerging infectious disease that is spreading to areas where it had been eradicated, such as Eastern Europe and Central Asia. To avoid the mortality from malaria, early detection of the parasite is a very important issue. The peripheral blood smear has been the gold standard method for the diagnosis of malaria infection. Recently, several other methods have been introduced for quantitative detection of malaria parasites. Real time PCR that employs fluorescent labels to enable the continuous monitoring of PCR product formation throughout the reaction has recently been used to detect several human malaria parasites. 18S rRNA sequences from malaria parasites have been amplified using Taqman real time PCR assay. Here, a SYBR Green-based real time quantitative PCR assay for the detection of malaria parasite-especially, Plasmodium vivax - was applied for the evaluation of 26 blood samples from Korean malaria patients. Even though SYBR Green-based real time PCR is easier and cheaper than Taqman-based assay, SYBR Green-based assay cannot be used because 18S rRNA cannot be specifically amplified using 1 primer set. Therefore, we used DBP gene sequences from Plasmodium vivax, which is specific for the SYBR Green based assays. We amplified the DBP gene from the 26 blood samples of malaria patients using SYBR Green based assay and obtained the copy numbers of DBP genes for each sample. Also, we selected optimal reference gene between ACTB and B2M using real time assay to get the stable genes regardless of Malaria titer. Using selected ACTB reference genes, we successfully converted the copy numbers from samples into titer, ${\sharp}$ of parasites per microliter. Using the resultant titer from DBP based SYBER Green assay with ACTB reference gene, we compared the results from our study with the titer from Taqman-based assay. We found that our results showed identical tendency with the results of 18S rRNA Taqman assay, especially in lower titer range. Thus, our DBP gene-utilized real time assay can detect Plasmodium vivax in Korean patient group semi-quantitatively and easily.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.575-578
• /
• 2017

Here we describe the histological lesion of a viral fibro-papilloma in a hedgehog. After surgical removal from maxilla, the solitary swollen mass was round to oval, yellowish with rough surface and measuring $6{\times}3{\times}2mm$ approximately. The tumor mass was submitted to the laboratory of pathology, college of veterinary medicine, Kyungpook National University for pathological diagnosis. Pathological examination of the tumor was established, the tumor was described grossly and sample was trimmed, sectioned and routinely prepared for histopathological evaluation. The tumor mass was diagnosed as viral fibro-papilloma, as the histological picture showed characteristic features of warts caused by papillomaviruses. The tumor characterized by thickening of the stratum spinosum (acanthosis) and basale, koilocytosis, intra-nuclear inclusion bodies in keratinocytes and fibrosis of submucosa. Further, viral inclusion bodies were demonstrated by Machiavello stain giving red color to the nuclei. No lymphocytes that responsible for regression of the wart could be detected, suggesting the poor possibility of spontaneous regression of the tumor. Papillomatosis is a disease of young animals, but in our case the infected Hedgehog was 5 years old, that maybe due to an impaired immune system, which is also shown by absence of lymphocytes. To the best knowledge of the author, this case presents the first report of viral fibropapillomatosis in Hedgehog.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.2 s.30
• /
• pp.453-489
• /
• 1995

The research of the phrases related with physiology of stomach and spleen in the contents of Huang Di Nei Jing(黃帝內經) known as the Bible of oriental medicine will make a contribution to a deep understanding of disease of stomach and spleen and a proper clinical diagnosis and treatment of them. In this research of the most appropriate glosses recorded nine kinds of representative medical books including Huang Di Nei Jing Somoon(黃帝內經素問) of Wang Bing(王氷) were picked out: The summaries of the selected contents are as follows: 1. The word 'saliva(涎)' in 'the spleen controls saliva(脾爲涎)' can be viewed as a generic term referring to oral cavity secretion gland as well as the secretion fluid of salivary gland. 2. The phases 'a large reservoir(太倉)', barn organs', 'a reserboir of food stuff', 'a stomach as the market(胃爲之市)', etc mean the function of stomach to receive food(胃主受納). 3. The phase 'generation of five tastes(五味出焉)' means both 'the function of stomach to transform food into chyme(胃主腐熟)' and 'the channelling function of spleen.(脾主運化)' 4. The flowing of the food-Qi(食氣) into stomach brings about spreading Jung(精) into liver and then percolating Jung(精) flow into channel. The channel-Qi(脈氣) flows into lung through channel. As a result, all kinds of channels gather together in lung and Jung(精) is sent into skin and hair. The assembly of Jung(精) with skins and channels moves Qi(氣) into fu-organ and so jung(精) and mental activity(神明) in fu-organ(府) come to be in four organs(四臟). Then if Qi(氣) comes back to power balance unit(權衡) being in the state of equilibrium(權衡以平), the hole of Qi(氣口) comes to determine the matter of life and death through achieving Chun-quan-chi(-寸-關-尺). The above mentioned phrases means the digestion, asorption and transmission of food. When food is taken in stomach, Jung-Qi(精氣) comes to be over flowed upward into spleen, back into lung, finally downward into bladders through water-conduit(水道) controlled by lung. When water- Jung(水精) radiates into whole body with channels of five organs(五臟), both of them fit together with and yin-yang(陰-陽). Therefore, the grasping of the rise and decline of yin-yang(陰C-陽) is necessary to consult patients. The above mentioned phrases is properly viewed to designate the asorption, transmission and excretion of food. 5. Spleen controls flesh(脾之合肉也), the state of spleen is known by human lips, and what this means is that liver plays functions of spread and expansion(肝主疏泄). 6. The phrase 'Jung Jung'((中精)) in 'gallbladder dominates Jung jung(膽主中精)', which in one of the specific expression of 'liver plays functions of spread and expansion(肝主疏泄). 7. It is right that the phase 'The eleven organs in all are determined by gallbladder'(凡十,一臟取決於膽也) is correctly paraphrased as 'only one of ten organs, spleen, is determined by gallbladder'.(凡十,一臟取決於膽也), 8. The small intestine is an organ. which receives the materials digested and sends them out. This means that the function of transforming materials(化物) factually refers to that of separating clearity and blur(泌別淸濁). And it is also thought to have the function of ascending clearity and descending blur(升淸降濁), 9. A large intestine is a transmitting organ(傳導之官) from which a change comes out(變化出焉). the phrase 'change'(變化) in this sentence means both the intake of water and nutrition and the formation procedure of stool through excretion of mucocele.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.409-414
• /
• 2001

Background : Legionella pneumophila has been recognized as an important cause of community-acquired pneumonia(CAP) requiring hospitalization. However, epidemiological data on the occurrence of legionella-related pneumonia is unavailable in Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the etiological importance of legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 in patients hospitalized with CAP. Method : The CAP patients over 16 year-old were recruited from July 1999 to June 2000 at the Chunchon Sacred Heart Hospital. Fifty four patients (male 29, female 25, average age $63.8{\pm}15.3$) were included in this study. A diagnosis of a legionella pneumophila infection was based on a urinary antigen test using the Binax Company enzyme immunoassay. The severity of pneumonia was assessed using the Fine's PORT scoring system. Result : The average Fine's PORT score was 99.7(${\pm}44.9$). According to the risk classification proposed by the Infectious Disease Society of America, the number of patients in each class(from class I to class V) were 6(11.1%), 13(24.1%), 9(16.7%), 14(25.8%), and 12(22.2%), respectively. Thirty two patients(59.3%) were initially admitted to the intensive care unit. The mortality rate was 16.7%(9 in 54). In all patients, urinary antigens to Legionella pnewnophila serogroup 1 were not detected. Conclusion : Legionella pnewnophila may play little role in causing adult CAP in Korea. Therefore, the routine use of macrolide in the empirical treatment of the CAP patients based upon the ATS guidelines(1993) in Korea should be reevaluated.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.55 no.5
• /
• pp.467-477
• /
• 2003

Background : Pleural effusions are generally divided into transudates and exudates. If it is exudative, more diagnostic tests are required in order to determine the cause of the local disease. A malignancy is a common and important cause of exudative pleural effusions. Because the pleural fluid cytology and pleural biopsy specimens do not provide a diagnosis in a high percentage of malignant effusions, several tumor markers have been examined. In order to overcome this limitation, this study hypothesized that C-reactive protein(CRP) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) measurements would be useful for differentiating trasudates from exudates and determining the differences between a benign and malignant effusion. Methods : Eighty consecutive patients with a pleural effusion (tuberculous 20, parapneumonic 20, malignant 20, transudative 20) were examined prospectively: 60 of them were classified according to Light's criteria as having an exudative fluid and 20 had a transudative fluid. The standard parameters of a pleural effusion were examined and the serum and pleural effusion VEGF levels were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). CRP in the serum and pleural fluid was determined by a turbidimetric immunoassay. Results : The pleural CRP levels in the exudates were significantly higher than those in the transudates, $4.19{\pm}4.22mg/d{\ell}$ and $1.29{\pm}1.45mg/d{\ell}$, respectively. The VEGF levels in the pleural effusions were significantly elevated in the exudates compared to the transudate, $1,011{\pm}1,055pg/m{\ell}$ and $389{\pm}325pg/m{\ell}$, respectively. The VEGF ratio in the exudative effusion is significantly higher than a transudative effusions, $3.9{\pm}4.7$ and $1.6{\pm}0.9$, respectively. The pleural CRP levels in the patients with a benign effusion($4.15{\pm}4.20mg/d{\ell}$) were significantly higher than those in the malignant effusion($1.43{\pm}1.91mg/d{\ell}$). The VEGF ratio is significantly higher in malignant effusions($4.9{\pm}5.5$) than in benign effusions($2.8{\pm}3.6$). Conclusion : In conclusion, the CRP and VEGF levels in the serum and pleural effusion can distinguish between transudates and exudates. Moreover it can differentiate between benign and malignant pleural effusions.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.121-127
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study was to analyze college students basic knowledge of oral health of a college student and compare with the knowledge of oral health between dental hygiene students and non-dental hygiene students. A survey was conducted on the residents in Gyeonggi-do and Gwangju from June 2006 to May 2007. The findings of the study were as follows: 1. Concerning the knowledge of oral health, dental hygiene students got the source of information most frequently from school work about oral health(80.0%) and non-dental hygiene students got from health programs of TV or radio(42.7%). Concerning the reason of keeping of oral hygiene, dental hygiene students were to preventive of dental caries(80.9%) and nondental hygiene students were to preventive of periodontal disease(52.4%). There were significant difference between dental hygiene students and non-dental hygiene students(p < 0.001). 2. The knowledge degree of dental caries, to the both groups, methods of preventing caries appeared regular brush and main cause of dental caries was not to brush. There were significant difference between dental hygiene students and non-dental hygiene students(p < 0.001). 3. Dental hygiene students answered about the knowledge of fluoride know fluoride(93.6%) and non-dental hygiene students answered (55.3%). Dental hygiene students thought that fluoride could preventive dental caries(85.5%) but non-dental hygiene students thought that fluoride couldn't preventive dental caries(51.0%). There was significant difference between dental hygiene students and non-dental hygiene students(p < 0.001). 4. In the knowledge of oral health state, both of groups, replied that their own tooth state is average but they concerned about their tooth health. There was significant difference between dental hygiene students and non-dental hygiene students(p < 0.001). About main cause of dental caries, students ranked that the first reason was the poor toothbrush and the second reason was the over intaking of sugared foods. 5. About knowledge of oral diagnosis, to both groups, students ranked that first could endure the pain and the second was in much pain. For both groups, students ranked that difficult of dental treatment was cost, fear and time. There was significant difference between dental hygiene students and non-dental hygiene students(p < 0.01). For both groups, when they visit dentist's office, they felt misgivings and fear.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.45 no.10
• /
• pp.1263-1272
• /
• 2002

Purpose : Rett syndrome(RTT) is an X-linked dominant neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1 per 10,000-15,000 female births worldwide. It was initially described by Andreas Rett in 1966. RTT involves developmental regression characterized stereotypic hand movements, tremors, gait apraxia, seizures, deceleration of head growth after the age of 6-18 months. The disease-causing gene was identified as MECP2 on chromosome Xq28. We carried out mutational analysis of MECP2 genes in RTT patients. Methods : Whole blood(5 cc) of 34 sporadic RTT patients was collected in EDTA-anticoagulated tubes. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood using the E.Z.N.A. blood DNA kit. Four exons of the MECP2 gene were amplified by PCR in 34 Korean with RTT. We carried out PCR divided the exon three into two parts and the exon four into five parts. Primer sequences designed by Amir et al. in 1999 were almost used(AF030876). Sequencing primers used were the same as PCR. DNA sequencing reactions were performed using an ABI 377 DNA sequencer and ABI PRISM dye terminator cycle sequencing reaction kit(Perkin-elmer). The results were compared with the normal DNA sequence(X99686). To confirm the change of sequence on novel mutations, RFLP analysis was performed. Results : The MECP2 mutations were detected in 23(67.6%) of the 34 patients. The mutations consisted of 12 different types including nine missense and three nonsense mutations. Of these, three (L100V, G161E and T311M) mutations were newly identified. Most of the mutations discovered are located within MBD(39.1%) and TRD(39.1%). In this study, three(T158M, R270X, R306C) mutations were identified high frequency. Conclusion : MECP2 gene was also an important cause of Korean RTT patients. MECP2 gene study is an important tool for diagnosis of Korean RTT patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.45 no.10
• /
• pp.1213-1218
• /
• 2002

Purpose : Hydronephrosis constitutes a great portion of fetal anomalies screened by prenatal sonogram. The present authors made an attempt to access its natural courses through follow up neonatal hydronephrosis diagnosed by prenatal sonogram. Methods : The study was composed of 23 neonates(36 renal units) who were diagnosed with hydronephrosis through prenatal sonogram screening and confirmed 3-7 days after birth with sonographic evaluation at Kyung Hee University Hospital. The neonates were closely monitored for 12-24 months with renal sonogram, diuretic renogram, intravenous pyelography(IVP) and voiding cystoureterography(VCUG). Results : The underlying diseases were composed of 16 cases(44%) of functional abnormalities, 14 cases(39%) of ureteropelvic junction(UPJ) obstruction, three cases(8%) of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and on case each of multicystic dysplastic kidney, UPJ obstruction with ureteral stenosis and ureterovesical junction(UVJ) obstruction with VUR. The degree of hydronephrosis was divided into three classes according to its severity. In 30 renal units with UPJ obstruction and functional abnormalities, 26(87%) showed mild hydronephrosis, while four(13%) were moderate. During the follow up period, six cases(20%) showed natural resolution of hydronephrosis, 15 cases(50%) showed improvement while two cases(7%) were aggravated with improvement only after surgery of the underlying disease. The cases which showed natural resolution were all mild hydronephrosis at diagnosis and the cases which underwent surgery due to continuous aggravation were mild one case and moderate one case. Conclusion : Those with cases of mild hydronephrosis show rapid natural improvement. On the other hand, in some cases, follow up monitoring reveal aggravation of the situation, emphasizing the necessity for thorough follow up for a long period of time.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.45 no.5
• /
• pp.646-653
• /
• 2002

Purpose : The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children has been increasing worldwide recently, which is thought to be related to the increasing prevalence of obesity. We investigated to evaluate the incidence and the characteristics of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and also analysed the relationship between intrauterine growth retardation and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods : We investigated 25 children diagnosed as type 2 diabetes mellitus between March 1990 and December 2000. The analysis was performed retrospectively with medical records based on the clinical characteristics and laborotory findings. Results : Incidence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in children has been increasing since 1990. We demonstrated an increase in the percentage of type 2 diabetes mellitus children from 5.3% in 1990 to 21.0% in 2000. Sixty eight percent of patients(17/25) were classified as obese group. Initial symptoms at first visit were polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia 48%(12/25), asymptomatic glycosuria 40% (10/25), weight loss 8%(2/25) and obesity 4%(1/25). The mean age at diagnosis was $12.9{\pm}1.8$ years. 64%(16/25) of patients had positive family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Autoanti-bodies were positive in 18.1%(4/22) of patients. Twenty eight percent (7/25) of patients had an associated disease and two patients had fatty liver in association with obesity. Treatment consisted of diet, exercise, education and oral hypoglycemic agents. Three patients were treated with insulin as well as oral hypoglycemic agents because of poor blood glucose control. Long-term diabetic complications occurred in 4 patients. Intrauterine growth retardtion was found in 34.6%(9/25); 88.9% (8/9) of these patients were non-obese group. Conclusion : The increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children is thought to be related to the increasing prevalence of obesity. The non-obese group of patients might be associated with intrauterine growth retardation.