• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.243-245
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• 2003

Neospora caninum is an important cause of abortion in cattle, and dogs are its only known definitive host. Its seroprevalence among domestic urban and rural dogs and feral raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis) in Korea was studied by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and by the neospora agglutination test (NAT), respectively. Antibodies to N. caninum were found in 8.3% of urban dogs and in 21.6% of dogs at dairy farms. Antibody titers ranged from 1:50 to 1:400. Antibodies to N. caninum were found in six (23%) of 26 raccoon dogs. However, the potential role of raccoon dogs as a source of horizontal transmission of bovine neosporosis needs further investigation. The results of this study suggest that there is a close relationship between N. caninum infection among dairy farm dogs and cattle in Korea. This study reports for the first time upon the seroprevalence of N. caninum infection in raccoon dogs in Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제57권6호
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• pp.647-656
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• 2019

Isthmiophora hortensis (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) is a dominant echinostome in animal reservoir hosts and humans in the Republic of Korea (Korea). We intended to investigate the infection status with this echinostome species in the several species of wild animals and describe the morphological characteristics in the faunistic view point. A total of 175 animal carcasses belonging to 3 families, i.e., Canidae, Felidae and Mustelidae, were collected from the southern regions of Korea from March 2010 to July 2017. Isthmiophora spp. worms were recovered from the small intestines of each animal under a stereomicroscope after washing of intestinal contents. Isthmiophora hortensis was recovered from 4 species of wild carnivores, i.e., Nyctereutes procyonoides (3/107: 2.8%), Mustela sibirica (11/31: 35.5%), Meles lucurus (2/3: 33.3%) and Martes flavigula (1/2: 50%). The other 3 carnivores comprising stray dogs, cat and leopard cat were negative for I. hortensis infection (0/2, 0/10 and 0/12, respectively). Specimens obtained from the Lutra lutra (6/8: 75%) were identified as a distinct species, I. inermis, by morphological comparison. Isthmiophora inermis has thinner body, elongate testes and different anterior limits of vitelline fields. Detailed morphological descriptions and comparisons with the morphological characteristics are provided. Conclusively, it was confirmed for the first time that 3 species of mustelid mammals, i.e., M. sibirica, M. lucurus, and M. flavigula, are to be the new definitive hosts of I. hortensis in Korea. Additionally, I. inermis is to be newly added in the Korean echinostome fauna.

• 영재교육연구
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.63-84
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• 1999

This study is to examine the current problems of teaching gifted children and suggest elements(or factors) to be considered in setting up goals thereof by analyzing incumbent teachers awareness. 121 teachers were arbitrarily selected from 30 different kindergartens located in Seoul and Anyang, and they were interviewed with two parts questionnaires(or opinions) of improving current practice. The first part of the questionnaire is composed of the questions about teachers awareness of gifted children, actual state of teaching gifted children, effects of teaching in kindergarten for gifted children, and desired direction for teaching improvement. The second part of the questionnaire provided interpretation of precociousness by study habit, creativity and definitive properties and asked the number of children qualified in their classes. Since the results of the first interview as to awareness of gifted children were dismal, 40 teachers were thereafter randomly selected again, and the second interview was warranted. The results alarmingly revealed that program of teaching gifted children were barely existing even though the teachers awareness for the needs of special education for the precocious as well of study materials and programs thereof was high. In addition, the teachers familiarity of gifted children was surprisingly low. At the second interview whereby gifted children was explained, the teachers awareness of gifted children was dramatically improved to 40% in comparing with 7.4% at the first interview without explanation of gifted children. Teachers awareness of gifted children was low because of lacking direct or indirect experience of having gifted children and special programs therof in their classes as well as teachers nonchalance. Therefore not only adequate training and education of teachers, but also cultivation of qualified teachers for special programs for the precocious are obligatory. Training of incumbent teachers and determination of gifted children are prerequisite for timely discovery of gifted children and adequate education for them. Development of special education programs and diffusion are also crucial.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.281-285
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• 2006

Objective : The tethered cord syndrome results in progressive neurological deficits. Although it may remain controversial, many physicians recommend definitive surgery to untether the cord as soon as this condition is identified. We retrospectively evaluate the pre-operative and post-operative course of 38 tethered cord patients with spinal dysraphism in an attempt to learn the natural history of the disease and to determine the effectiveness of the surgical treatment. Methods : The medical records, operation notes and radiographs were evaluated. The follow up period ranged from 4 months to 12 years with a mean follow-up of 28.6 months. Twenty-seven patients were younger than 15 years of age. Results : At presentation, 26 of the patients were asymptomatic. In three of 11 adult symptomatic patients, their neurological deficits worsened after trauma or exercise. Improvement of motor strength was documented in two out of 5 patients. Five of nine patients with bladder symptoms improved, however, none had a complete return of their bladder function. Conclusion : Childhood patients were less symptomatic than the adult patients. Adult patients showed progression of their symptoms that were not improved even after the operation in most of the cases. Asymptomatic tethered spinal cord can be symptomatic as time passes by and even at an old age. Future research should be focused on the operative methods to prevent the delayed deterioration after surgery, rather than on the usefulness of preventive surgery in asymptomatic patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권sup1호
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• pp.68-72
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• 2001

Objective : The goal of this study was to document the influence of the treatment modality(surgery versus endovascular treatment) on the development of chronic shunt-dependent hydrocephalus in a series of 296 patients treated after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH). Methods : The following parameters were retrospectively analyzed for association with chronic shunt-dependent hydrocephalus : 1) Age and Sex, 2) Hunt and Hess grade, 3) Fisher computed tomographic grade, 4) aneurysm location, and 5) treatment modality(surgery versus endovascular treatment). Results : Thirty-six of 251 patients(14.3%) who survived the SAH and its neurological and/or medical sequelae underwent definitive shunting for treatment of chronic hydrocephalus. The rate of shunt dependency was positively correlated with a higher age, a higher Hunt and Hess grade, a higher Fisher computed tomographic grade, and aneurysms arising at the anterior communicating artery(p<0.05). Conclusion : The results of the present study indicate that the treatment modality used does not affect the risk of the later development of chronic shunt-dependent hydrocephalus(surgery, 16.2% [25 of 154] ; endovascular treatment, 11.3% [11 of 97] ; p=0.45).

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.365-371
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• 2000

Objectives : To describe a technique for percutaneous vertebroplasty of osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures and to report preliminary results of its use. Methods : The technique was used over a 8-month period in 9 patients with 10 painful vertebral fractures. The technique involves percutaneous puncture of the involved vertebrae with a Jamshidi needle via a transpedicular approach followed by injection of polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA) into the vertebral body. Results : The procedure was technically successful in all patients, with an average injection amount of 5.9 cc per vertebral body. One patient complained of flank pain postoperatively in spite of improvement in back pain caused by the fractured vertebra. Remaining eight patients reported significant pain relief early after treatment. The patients were followed up for 3 to 15 months(average 7.2 months) and demonstrated no recurrence of pain or aggravation of deformity. Conclusion : Vertebroplasty appears to be a valuable tool in the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral fractures, providing acute pain relief and early mobilization in appropriate patients. However, it needs to have more extensive prospective clinical study to confirm its definitive role in the management of this condition.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.359-366
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• 2007

Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition associated with severe episodic lancinating facial pain subject to remissions and relapses. Trigeminal neuralgia is often associated with blood vessel cross compression of the root entry zone or more rarely with demyelinating diseases and occasionally with direct compression by neoplasms of the posterior fossa. If initial medical management fails to control pain or is associated with unacceptable side effects, a variety of surgical procedures offer the hope for long-lasting pain relief or even cure. For patients who are healthy without significant medical co-morbidities, direct microsurgical vascular decompression [MVD] offers treatment that is often definitive. Other surgical options are effective for elderly patients not suitable for MVD. Percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy is a minimally invasive technique that is based on anatomic definition of the trigeminal cistern followed by injection of anhydrous glycerol to produce a weak neurolytic effect on the post-ganglionic fibers. Other percutaneous management strategies include radiofrequency rhizotomy and balloon compression. More recently, stereotactic radiosurgery has been used as a truly minimally invasive strategy. It also is anatomically based using high resolution MRI to define the retrogasserian target. Radiosurgery provides effective symptomatic relief in the vast majority of patients, especially those who have never had prior surgical procedures. For younger patients, we recommend microvascular decompression. For patients with severe exacerbations of their pain and who need rapid response to treatment, we suggest glycerol rhizotomy. For other patients, gamma knife radiosurgery represents an effective management strategy with excellent preservation of existing facial sensation.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.241-246
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• 2005

체질성 8세염색체는 비교적 드문 염색체 이상으로 신생아 25,000-50,000명당 한 명 정도의 출생빈도를 보이며 여아보다 남아에서 발생 빈도가 높다. 순수한 8세염색체는 생존이 어려운 것으로 보이며 보고된 대부분의 증례는 섞임증이다. 저자들은 뇌량 무발생, 선천성 심장질환과 소악증을 가진 신생아에서 말초혈액 T림프구 핵형분석 및 형광동소교잡법을 통해 체질성 선천성 8세염색체 섞임증을 진단하였다. 체질성 8세염색체 섞임증의 표현형은 거의 정상에 가까운 형태에서 심한 신체적 혹은 지능 장애까지 매우 다양하지만 그 표현형의 정도가 전체 핵형에서 8세염색체 핵형이 차지하는 비율, 즉 섞임증의 정도와 비례하지는 않는다. 또한 조직마다 섞임증의 정도가 매우 다양하여 그 예후를 예측하기는 매우 어렵다. 8세염색체 세포에서 골수성 혈액질환의 발생빈도가 높은 것으로 알려져 있으므로 향후 주의깊은 추적관찰이 필요하다.

• Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
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• 제10권6호
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• pp.686-697
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• 2018

Purpose: Several markers for eosinophilic inflammation have been proposed to predict response to asthma treatment. However, definitive criteria for treatment decisions have not yet been established. We investigate a potentially useful relatively non-invasive biomarker, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), to predict favorable responses to budesonide or montelukast, common treatment for children with asthma. Methods: Young children (1 to 6 years old) were enrolled in this randomized, parallel, 2-group, open-label trial. Criteria for eligibility included: 1) being symptomatic during the run-in period; and 2) having a serum EDN (sEDN) level ${\geq}53ng/mL$, with positive specific immunoglobulin E to house dust mite. Eligible patients were randomly placed into 2 groups: the BIS group received budesonide inhalation suspension (BIS) 0.5 mg once daily; the MONT group received montelukast 4 mg once daily. Ineligible patients were invited to receive montelukast 4 mg once daily (OBS group). Treatment period was 12 weeks. Results: Asthma control days increased significantly in the BIS and MONT groups (P < 0.000) over the 12-week study period. There was no significant change in sEDN in the BIS group but there was a significant decrease in the MONT group (P < 0.000). Patients in the OBS group with high EDN levels (> 53 ng/mL) showed a significant decrease due to MONT treatment (P = 0.023). Rescue medication usage significantly decreased in the BIS and MONT groups (P < 0.000). Conclusions: EDN is a useful relatively non-invasive biomarker for predicting responses to montelukast and budesonide treatment of preschool children with beta2-agonist responsive recurrent wheeze and multiple-trigger wheeze (Trial registry at UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000008335).

• 고신대학교 의과대학 학술지
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.159-170
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare antibiotic resistance patterns between first urinary tract infection (UTI) and recurrent UTI groups and to obtain information regarding empirical antibiotic selection for treating recurrent UTI. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 148 children treated for UTIs from January 2009 to June 2016. The patients were divided into two groups: first UTI (N = 148) and recurrent UTI (17 patients and 20 episodes). Results: In both groups, Escherichia coli was the most frequent causative organism, accounting for 89.9% and 75.0% in the first and recurrent UTI groups, respectively. When E. coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae was the causative organism, extended-spectrum ${\beta}-lactamase$ (ESBL)-producing organisms were more frequent in the recurrent UTI group (17.6%) than in the first UTI group (14.0%); however, this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.684). Cefotaxime was the most frequently used first-line empirical antibiotic in both groups. In the first UTI and recurrent UTI groups, 7.4% and 15.0% of patients were treated with intravenous antibiotics as definitive therapy, respectively (P = 0.250). Fifteen out of 17 patients having a second UTI had different causative organisms or antibiotic susceptibility patterns compared to their previous episode. Conclusions: Escherichia coli was the most frequent causative organism in the recurrent UTI group. There were no differences in the proportion of ESBL-producing organisms between the first UTI and recurrent UTI groups. Therefore, when a UTI recurs in children, the antibiotics effective on the most common causative organism might be administered as empirical antibiotics.