• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
• /
• 1995.06b
• /
• pp.27-53
• /
• 1995

In plant pathology there is an increasing necessity for improved cytological techniques as basis for the localization of cellular substances within the dynamic fine structure of the host-(plant)-pathogen-interaction. Low temperature (LT) preparation techniques (shock freezing, freeze substitution, LT embedding) are now successfully applied in plant pathology. They are regarded as important tools to stabilize the dynamic plant-pathogen-interaction as it exists under physiological conditions. - The main advantage of LT techniques versus conventional chemical fixation is seen in the maintenance of the hydration shell of molecules and macromolecular structures. This results in an improved fine structural preservation and in a superior retention of the antigenicity of proteins. - A well defined ultrastructure of small, fungal organisms and large biological samples such as plant material and as well as the plant-pathogen (fungus) infection sites are presented. The mesophyll tissue of Arabidopsis thaliana is characterized by homogeneously structured cytoplasm closely attached to the cell wall. From analyses of the compatible interaction between Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei on barley (Hordeum vulgare), various steps in the infection sequence can be identified. Infection sites of powdery mildew on primary leaves of barley are analysed with regard to the fine structural preservation of the haustoria. The presentation s focussed on the ultrastructure of the extrahaustorial matrix and the extrahaustorial membrane. - The integration of improved cellular preservation with a molecular analysis of the infected host cell is achieved by the application of secondary probing techniques, i.e. immunocytochemistry. Recent data on the characterization of freeze substituted powdery mildew and urst infected plant tissue by immunogold methodology are described with special emphasis on the localization of THRGP-like (threonine-hydrxyproline-rich glycoprotein) epitopes. Infection sites of powdery mildew on barley, stem rust as well as leaf rust (Puccinia recondita) on primary leaves of wheat were probed with a polyclonal antiserum to maize THRGP. Cross-reactivity with the anti-THRGP antiserum was observed over the extrahaustorial matrix of the both compatible and incompatible plant-pathogen interactions. The highly localized accumulation of THRGP-like epitopes at the extrahaustorial host-pathogen interface suggests the involvement of structural, interfacial proteins during the infection of monocotyledonous plants by obligate, biotrophic fungi.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.10
• /
• pp.1163-1169
• /
• 2001

Objective : To assess the surgical outcome for patients with primary spondylitis who were treated surgically. Materials and Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of 19 patients who underwent surgical treatment from september 1997 to October 1999 in our department. Results : The 19 patients presented 13 tuberculous spondylitis and 6 pyogenic spondylitis. The male to female ratio was 1.4 : 1 and average age 48.4 years(range 15-68 years). The most prevalent location was thoracic region(47%) and paraparesis was frequently seen in patients with middle and lower spinal lesions. Operative approaches were either anterior(13) or posterior(6). All patients with neurologic deficits improved after surgery. Autogenous rib and/or iliac strut bone grafting was performed, followed by spinal instrumentation. Solid bone fusion was obtained in all patients. There was no need for prolongation of duration of antituberculous drug therapy and no increased incidence of secondary infection due to spinal instrumentation. Conclusion : From the results, it may be advised that patients of primary spondylitis who had neurologic deficit should receive an aggressive opeation in their early stage.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.459-470
• /
• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify the nature of precocious puberty and to explore what it means in primary schools. Methods: The participants of this phenomenological study were nine primary school girls who were diagnosed with precocious puberty and experienced hormone therapeutics, applying a convenience sampling method. Data were collected from July 2017 to January 2018 through individual in-depth interviews of the participants, including gestures, facial expressions and nonverbal means. The data analysis followed the method of Giorgi. Results: The study identified 37 concepts, 12 clusters, and five themes from experiences of precocious puberty. The essential five themes were as follows: 'ashamed and concealing experience', 'there is no therapeutics option', 'difficulties in the process of therapeutics', 'difficulties in daily life', and 'ambivalence toward therapeutics'. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate physical, psychological and social difficulties faced by girls with precocious puberty. Based on this results of the study, it is necessary to develop nursing intervention programs focusing on healthy growth and development for children with precocious puberty.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.156-171
• /
• 1996

Background: Nosocomial infection control is one of important means to assure the quality of medical care in the hospital, however, it has been neglected by most of the hospital personnels. Of nosocomial infections, urinary tract infection is the highest incidence, which is related to the indwelling catheter. It is, therefore, necessary to pay primary attention to the patients with the indwelling catheter in intensive care unit in order to control nosocomial Infection and to improve the quality of medical care in the hospital. Methods : The subjects of this study were patients with indwelling catheter who were admitted to the ICU of Pusan Paik Hospital from March 1994 to May 1995. The author calculated UTI rate among the subjects through the cultivation of the urine, identified the related factors of the UTI through brain storming of study team and head nurses working at ICU, and analized the effectiveness of the proposed approaches through comparing the infection rates of before and after activities. Results : The major activities carried out by the study team were to conduct in-service education programs for the staffs working at ICU about the importance of the nosocomial infection control in QA, and nursing intervention to reduce the UTI rate among the patients with indwelling catether. 1. The major nursing interventions that the study team had implemented were as follows ; 1) Drainage system was changed from partial open system to completely closed system. 2) Bladder irrigation which was routinely practised in all patients stopped among the noninfected patients. 3) Bladder irrigation set was changed to the disposable one. 4) Catheter was inserted under the anesthesia for patients to be operated. 5) Male patient receiving wrapped with gauze after perineal care was not wrapped. 6) Clamp which had not been before was newly attached to drainage tube. 7) Urine bag which had been packed into a lot of pieces was done into each piece. 8) The interval of change of indwelling catheter had regularly been four weeks, however it was used continously until it worked well. 9) Catheter was attached well at the defined site. 10) Paper towel was used instead of cotton towel. 11) Mats at the entrance were removed and cleansing of wards was enhanced. 2. The UTI rate by month was 34.4% in maximum and 9.8% in minimum during the period of this study, however it had gradually decreased. After 6 months from initiating infection control activities, the trend of rates was relatively stable. It was identified that UTI rate was different by season 12.5% in winter and 27.2% in summer. 3. Utilization rate of indwelling catheter was maintained at under 50%, but it was increased above 57% from April 1995. 4. The number of bladder irrigation sets used per day was 33.3 sets in maximum and 2.8 sets in minimum. The number used per day were also remarkably deceased. Conclusion : It was found that a program to control UTI could contribute to nosocomial infection control, and it was, in turn, a mean to assure the quality of medical care in the hospital. The nursing interventions which this study team had implemented were effective in the reduce of UTI rates.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.445-448
• /
• 2015

A 5 month old Korean domestic short haired male kitten (weighing 1.7 kg) was presented with primary complaints of upper respiratory disease (URD) signs and skin ulceration and edema on face, feet and footpad with lameness. Diagnostic test revealed leukopenia, lymphopenia, pancreatitis and feline calicivirus (FCV) infection. Diagnosis of virulent systemic FCV (VS-FCV) was made on clinical signs, isolation of calicivirus via PCR and exclusion of other causes of acute upper respiratory disease. Therapeutic strategies were directed to lessen URD signs and to treat secondary bacterial infection and antiviral infection. One month after this therapy, skin lesions on face and feet and URD signs were much improved, although the lameness persisted mildly. To author's best knowledge, this is the first case reporting VS-FCV infection in a kitten in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.314-319
• /
• 2010

Odontogenic infections are a normally locally confined, self-limiting process that is easily treated by antibiotic therapy and local surgical treatment. However, it may spread into the surrounding tissues through a perforation of the bone, and into contiguous fascial spaces or planes like the primary or secondary fascial spaces. If the infection extends widely, it may spread into the lateral pharyngeal and retropharyngeal space. The retropharyngeal space is located posterior to the pharynx. If an odontogenic infection spreads into this space, severe life-threatening complications will occur, such as airway obstruction, mediastinitis, pericarditis, pleurisy, pulmonary abscess, aspiration pneumonia and hematogenous dissemination to the distant organs. The mortality rate of mediastinitis ranges from 35% to 50%. Therefore, a rapid evaluation and treatment are essential for treating retropharyngeal space abscesses and preventing severe complications. Recently, we encountered two cases of a retropharyngeal space abscess due to the spread of an odontogenic infection. In all patients, early diagnosis was performed by computed tomography scanning and a physical examination. All patients were treated successfully by extensive surgical and antibiotic therapy.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.54 no.6
• /
• pp.797-801
• /
• 2016

Heishui county, located in northwest Sichuan province, southwestern China, is an endemic area of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and is the most intractable area. VL is never destroyed in it. Asymptomatic dogs (Leishmania parasites have been diagnosed but clinically healthy) are considered to be a potential reservoir host in zoonotic VL area, and most can lead to infection of individuals, that is a new challenge for controlling VL in humans. The present study aimed to assess the Leishmania infection rate of asymptomatic dogs in Heishui county. Total 105 asymptomatic domestic dogs were gathered from 4 districts in Heishui county to investigate the infection rate with serological and molecular methods based on ELISA and kinetoplast minicircle DNA(kDNA) PCR, respectively. Out of 105 dogs, 44 (41.9%) were positive by more than 1 method; 21 (20.0%) were positive by ELISA, and 30 (28.6%) were positive by kDNA-PCR. Our study showed that Leishmania infection of domestic dogs which is clinically healthy is prevalent in the studied district, and the asymptomatic dogs infected by Leishmania may be the primary reason for the prevalence of visceral leishmaniasis in the area.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.58 no.1
• /
• pp.7-14
• /
• 2020

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects approximately one third of the human population worldwide. Considering the toxicity and side effects of anti-toxoplasma medications, it is important to develop effective drug alternatives with fewer and less severe off-target effects. In this study, we found that 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (4-HBA) induced autophagy and the expression of NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) in primary murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). Interestingly, treatment of BMDMs with 4-HBA significantly reduced the number of macrophages infected with T. gondii and the proliferation of T. gondii in infected cells. This effect was impaired by pretreating the macrophages with 3-methyladenine or wortmannin (selective autophagy inhibitors) or with sirtinol or EX527 (SIRT1 inhibitors). Moreover, we found that pharmacological inhibition of SIRT1 prevented 4-HBA-mediated expression of LC3-phosphatidylethanolamine conjugate (LC3-II) and the colocalization of T. gondii parasitophorous vacuoles with autophagosomes in BMDMs. These data suggest that 4-HBA promotes antiparasitic host responses by activating SIRT1-mediated autophagy, and 4-HBA might be a promising therapeutic alternative for the treatment of toxoplasmosis.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.216-221
• /
• 2017

Purpose: To analyze presence of Helicobacter pylori infection and environmental risk factors among children with and without allergy. Methods: Parents of children at primary health care centres/kindergartens and allergologist consultation were asked to answer a questionnaire and to bring a faecal sample. H. pylori infection was detected by monoclonal stool antigen test. Prevalence of H. pylori infection and risk factors were compared between individuals with and without allergy using ${\chi}^2$ test, ANOVA test and logistic regression. Results: Among 220 children (mean age, 4.7 years; ${\pm}standard$ deviation 2.3 years) H. pylori positivity was non-significantly lower among patients with allergy (n=122) compared to individuals without allergy (n=98): 13.9% (17/122) vs. 22.4% (22/98); p=0.106. In logistic regression analysis presence of allergy was significantly associated with family history of allergy (odds ratio [OR], 8.038; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.067-15.886; p<0.0001), delivery by Caesarean section (OR, 2.980; 95% CI, 1.300-6.831; p=0.009), exclusive breast feeding for five months (OR, 2.601; 95% CI, 1.316-5.142; p=0.006), antibacterial treatment during the previous year (OR, 2.381; 95% CI, 1.186-4.782; p=0.015). Conclusion: Prevalence of H. pylori infection did not differ significantly between children with and without allergy. Significant association of allergy with delivery by Caesarean section and antibacterial therapy possibly suggests the role of gastrointestinal flora in the development of allergy, while association with family history of allergy indicates the importance of genetic factors in the arise of allergy.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.599-606
• /
• 2021

Background Postoperative dehiscence and surgical site infection after spinal surgery can carry serious morbidity. Multidisciplinary involvement of plastic surgery is essential to minimizing morbidity and achieving definitive closure. However, a standardized approach is lacking. The aim of this study was to identify effective reconstructive interventions for the basis of an evidence-based management protocol. Methods A retrospective review was performed at a single tertiary institution for 45 patients who required 53 reconstruction procedures with plastic surgery for wounds secondary to spinal surgery from 2010 to 2019. Statistical analysis was performed for demographics, comorbidities, and treatment methods. Primary outcomes were postoperative complications, including dehiscence, seroma, and infection. The secondary outcome was time to healing. Results The overall complication rate was 32%, with dehiscence occurring in 17%, seroma in 15% and infection in 11% of cases. Median follow-up was 10 months (interquartile range, 4-23). Use of antibiotic beads did not affect rate of infection occurrence after wound closure (P=0.146). Use of incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) was significant for reduced time to healing (P=0.001). Patients treated without iNPWT healed at median of 67.5 days while the patients who received iNPWT healed in 33 days. Demographics and comorbidities between these two groups were similar. Conclusions This data provides groundwork for an evidence-based approach to soft tissue reconstruction and management of dehiscence after spinal surgery. Timely involvement of plastic surgery in high-risk patients and utilization of evidence-based interventions such as iNPWT are essential for improving outcomes in this population.