• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.41-59
• /
• 1988

In many of the helminthic infections, diagnosis is accomplished by the demonstration of the eggs or, occasionally the adult worms or their parts. Diagnosis can be made by the identification of larval stage obtained from stool or surgically extracted materials too. However some kinds of parasitic disease can not be diagnosed by above mentioned procedure alone. Brain cysticercosis, ectopic paragonimiasis, Capillaria hepatica infection in liver is a good example. In such a case, immunologic method would be helpful for the decision of physician. In this paper, immunologic tools such as indirect hemagglutination test, indirect fluorescent antibody test, circumoval precipitation test, ELISA, western blot were applied for the diagnosis of Clonorchis sinenisis, Cysticercosis and C. hepatica a infection and their efficacy was evaluated. The results obtained were as follows ; 1) In the diagnosis of clonorchiasis, ELISA revealed sensitiveity of 83.3%, but cross reaction against antibody of Paragonimus westermani and Taenia species were observed. For the identification of cross reaction and species specific band of Ag-Ab reaction, western blot was applied. 59Kd relative molecular weight and 21Kd band were identified as a Clonorchis sinensis specific band. OD values of ELISA performed with sera of 18 months after praziquantel treatment decreased to half level compared to that of before treatment. Negative conversion rate of ELISA after 18 months of treatment was 60%. 2) In the diagnosis of cysticercosis, IFAT disclosed 95.8%(23/24) of sensitivity and reaction was most strongly occurred in inner membrane. ELISA revealed 90.0% (36/40) of sensitivity, but cross reaction was observed in both technique. In western blot, 91, 63 and 21Kd Mw bands were identified as a strongly positive band. Among them 63Kd band showed positive reaction against almost all sera of cysticercosis patient. 3) Circumoval precipitation, ELISA, IFAT, showed 85.0% of sensitivity in the diagnosis of C. hepatica infection in rat. The antigenic localities were inner membrane of sectioned egg antigen on the prectipitates around the mucoid plugs which were induced by circumoval precipitation reaction. Sera from rats infected with 2000eggs were collected periodically to observe the changing patterns of antibody titers by IFAT and ELISA, which showed that high titers were detected at weeks 3 and 5, then gradually declined through weeks 9until to negatively converted at weeks 13.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.45 no.5
• /
• pp.935-941
• /
• 1998

Background: As living and dead Mycobacteria could be amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR), it was considered that PCR was inappropriate for the monitoring of pulmonary tuberculosis after treatment. But we found negative conversion of PCR after successful treatment. We would like to know about the negative conversion rate of PCR and its conversion time after antituberculous treatment. Methods: We collected 113 sputums from the 16 patients of pulmonary tuberculsosis visiting Catholic University Hospital of Taegu Hyosung. We consecutively tested AFB smear, AFB culture and PCR by 2 to 4 weeks after antituberculous therapy. The patients were classified according to the chest X ray findings. Results: We detected negative conversion of PCR from all 16 patients of the pulmonary tuberculosis within 30 weeks after treatment. The average negative conversion time was $16{\pm}8$ weeks. The conversion time according to the chest X -ray findings were as follows : For the 8 cases of minimum were $9{\pm}5$ weeks, 4 cases of modreate advanced were $20{\pm}8$ weeks, and 4 cases of far advanced were $23{\pm}2$ weeks. The product of PCR was gradually decreased according to the duration of treatment. Conclusions: From the results of our study, we could utilize M. tubercuosis PCR for the prediction of therapy response and monitoring of the patient with pulmonary tuberculosis after treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.48 no.10
• /
• pp.1061-1067
• /
• 2005

Purpose : We studied a clinical analysis of pediatric patients who visited the emergency medical center of Yeungnam University Hospital to compare the characteristics of pediatric emergency patients after year 2000 with the previous studies. Methods : We reviewed 7,034 children under the age of 15 years who visited the emergency medical center of Yeungnam University Hospital during the 2 year period from January 2001 to December 2002, and then we performed a clinical and statistical analysis. We analyzed the pediatric patients according to gender, age, season, day of the week, time of the visit, the disease classification and the final disposition of the patients. Results : Among the patients who visited the emergency room, 15.6% of the total emergency patients were under the age of 15. The male to female ratio was 1.6 : 1. Among the 7,034 pediatric patients, the most common age group was between 1 year and under 3 years of age(26.9%). The peak seasonal incidence was early summer and spring, especially during June(11.2%) and May(10.6 %). The peak incidence day of the week was Sunday(24.8%) and the peak time when the emergency pediatric patients visited the emergency room was between 20 and 24 o'clock(28.8%). The distribution of diseases, according to ICD-10 system, were injury and poisoning(30.4%), diseases of the respiratory system(22.8%), and diseases of the digestive system(14.6%). 30% of total pediatric patients were admitted to the hospital. Conclusion : After year 2000, as compared with the previous studies, the proportions of emergency pediatric patients has decreased. The distribution of diseases was not much different from the previous studies and the proportions of non-urgent diseases, such as acute nasopharyngitis or acute gastroenteritis, were still high. These result have come about due to the declining birth rate and changes of the medical system in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
• /
• v.54 no.5
• /
• pp.427-434
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study evaluated the long term clinical and radiographic results and the survival rates of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). In addition, the factors affecting the survival of the procedure were analyzed and the survival curve was compared according to the affecting factors. Materials and Methods: Ninety-nine cases of UKA performed between December 1982 and January 1996 were involved: 10 cases with Modular II, 44 cases with Microloc, and 45 cases with Allegretto prostheses. The mean follow-up period was 16.5 years. Clinically, the hospital for special surgery (HSS) scoring system and the range of motion (ROM) were evaluated. Radiographically, the femorotibial angle (FTA) was measured. The survival rate was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analysis was used to identify the factors affecting the survival according to age, sex, body mass index, preoperative diagnosis, and type of implant. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared according to the factors affecting the survival of UKA. Results: The overall average HSS score and ROM was 57.7 and 134.3° preoperatively, 92.7 and 138.4° at 1 year postoperatively, and 79.1 and 138.4° at the last follow-up (p<0.001, respectively). The overall average FTA was varus 0.8° preoperatively, valgus 4.1° at postoperative 2 weeks, and valgus 3.0° at the last follow-up. The overall 5-, 10-, 15- and 20-year survival rates were 91.8%, 82.9%, 71.0%, and 67.0%, respectively. The factors affecting the survival were the age and type of implant. The risk of the failure decreased with age (hazard ratio=0.933). The Microloc group was more hazardous than the other prostheses (hazard ratio=0.202, 0.430, respectively). The survival curve in the patients below 60 years of age was significantly lower than those of the patients over 60 years of age (p=0.003); the survival curve of the Microloc group was lower compared to the Modular II and Allegretto groups (p=0.025). Conclusion: The long-term clinical and radiographic results and survival of UKA using old fixed bearing prostheses were satisfactory. The selection of appropriate patient and prosthesis will be important for the long term survival of the UKA procedure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.8 s.265
• /
• pp.604-610
• /
• 2006

Background: Recent improvements in interventional procedure and medical therapy for congestive heart failure result in an increase of number of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy considered for coronary artery bypass grafting. We retrospectively review the results of CABG in these patients with decreased LV function to know the early and mid-term follow-up results. Material and Method: Between January 2001 and June 2005, 1,143 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and 144 of these patients had preoperative left ventricular function of equal to or less than 35% ${(LVEF{\leq}\;35%)}$. There were off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) in 66 cases (45.8%), on-pump beating heart coronary artery bypass grafting in 34 cases (23.6%) and conventional coronary artery bypass grafting in 44 cases (30.6%). The combined operations including mitral annuloplasty were 48 cases in thirty five patients (24.3%). Result: The mean number of dstal anastomosis were $3.5{\pm}1.3$. The median postoperative duration of stay in intensive care unit and hospital was 2 days and 8 days, respectively. There were 6 early death (4.2%) and causes of deaths were ventricular tachycardia in 5 patients, small bowel infarction in one patient. Mean follow-up time was $21{\pm}14$ months $(4{\sim}54\;months)$. The 1-year was $95{\pm}2%$ and 3-year survival rate was $83{\pm}7%$, the 1-year and 3-year cardiac event-free survival were ${88{\pm}3%\;and\;69{\pm}7%}$, respectively. Conclusion: Based on satisfactory early and mid-term results in our study, CABG should be carried out as actively as possible in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Postoperative aggressive management for ventricular arrhythmia would be helpful for better results.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.49-59
• /
• 2005

Objectives: This clinical study investigates the status of psychiatric consultation from 2001 to 2003 at Maryknoll General Hospital, located in Busan to evaluate the characteristic patterns of current psychiatric consultation and to contribute for further data of consultation study. Methods : The subjects of this study were hospitalized at Maryknoll General Hospital from 1 January, 2001 to 31 December, 2003, who were referred for psychiatric consultation during hospitalization. This study was analysed demographic data, reason for referral, psychiatric diagnosis by patient's chart and psychiatrist's report retrospectively. Results : 1) The psychiatric consultation rates was 1.72%. 2) There was 47.8% in referral among the age group over 60 years, especially the age group over 70 years was 20.3%. 3) The most frequent referral source was department of internal medicine(72.5%). 4) The frequency of psychiatric consultation was the highest at March and the lowest at December. 5) The reasons of psychiatric consultation, according to frequency, were affective change, somatic symptom without abnormal finding. And drug intoxication. alcohol problem were increased. 6) Somatoform disorder was the most common psychiatric diagnosis followed by depressive disorder, organic mental disorder. The diagnosis of somatoform disorder, depressive disorder, alcohol dependence were increased, but anxiety disorder, organic mental disorder were decreased. 7) Pharmacotherapy was the most recommendation, and diagnostic procedure and psychotherapy were increased. Conclusion : In review of consultation referral subjects, the referral rate was 1.72%. The consultation referral of the old(over 60 years) was 42.8%, and annually increased. The most frequent request source was from department of internal medicine. The reasons of consultation referral was the most due to affect change. The recommendation of pharmacotherapy was the most numerous. and psychotherapy was increased annually. Further studies warranted on geriatric psychiatric consultation, pattern change of consultation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.45 no.8
• /
• pp.980-986
• /
• 2002

Purpose : Although the number of patients with measles have dramatically decreased since the introduction of measles vaccines in 1965, measles outbreaks have occurred periodically every 4-6 years during the 1990s(1989-1990 and 1993-1994). During 2000-2001, measles prevailed all over the country again. A characteristic of current epidemics is that the majority of affected population was infants and school-aged children. This study was designed to analyze the epidemic and clinical features of measles prevalence during 2000-2001 and to find ways to overcome vaccination failure. Methods : We reviewed the records of 59 patients with mealses admitted in the Pediatric Department of Pusan National University Hospital from January 2000 to October 2001 for patient's age, month of admission, history of vaccination, clinical features and complications. Antibody titers of measles-specific IgM and IgG were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Results : The epidemic show two peaks in the age distribution. Forty three patients(72.9%) were under 2-years of age and 14 patients(23.7%) were over 5-years of age. Outbreaks had high incidence in July to August, 2000 and March to April, 2001, then faded away after July, 2001. Vaccinated group comprised 30.5% and unvaccinated group comprised 69.5% and their mean age was $9.25{\pm}4.27$ years old and $0.95{\pm}0.30$ years old respectively. Positive rate of IgM was 86.7% in vaccinated group and 90.3% in unvaccinated group. This means there was primary vaccine failure; 13 cases of 15 vaccinated patients were positive in IgM antibody. During the prevalence, two patients died with mealses complication. One of them was immunocompromised. Conclusion : To prevent another prevalence of measles in the future, we must enhance revaccination at ages 4-6 and check vaccination status when children enter elementary school. These will produce over 95% of herd immunity, with catch-up MMR vaccination which has been completed already.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.29-33
• /
• 2005

Purpose: To determine the prognostic values of the hematologic parameters checked preoperatively in gastric cancer patients, we evaluated and compared the relationship between hematologic parameters and clinicopathologic factors of gastric cancer patient. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 357 consecutive patients who had undergone surgery for gastric cancer at the Department of Surgery, Hanyang University Hospital, between Dec. 2,000 and Dec. 2003 were reviewed. To exclude any adverse effect of invasive procedures to hematologic parameters, the samples taken immediately at outpatient department was used. The normal range of serum albumin was defined above 3.5 g/dl, serum hemoglobin above 12 g/dl, and serum platelet count under $400\times10^{3}{\mu}l$. Patients were defined as group 1 when any of these parameters was abnormal, and defined as group 2 when all parameters were normal. The relationships between hematologic parameters and survival rate were investigated. Results: The mean values of platelet count increased, but level of serum albumin and serum hemoglobin decreased significantly according to the advancement of the disease stage (P=0.000). The differences of depth of tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis between the group 1 and the group2 was statistically significant (P=0.001). Three-year survival difference between group 1 and group 2 was significant (P=0.037). Conclusion: The hematologic parameters checked preoperatively in patients of gastric cancer are simple and cheap, meanwhile reflect the general condition of the patients. Any presence of anemia, hypoalbuminemia, or thrombocytosis can predict the progression of the disease and poor survival rates.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.130-137
• /
• 2019

Objectives : When a patient who attempts suicide visits the emergency room, it is important that the departments of emergency medicine, internal medicine, and psychiatry communicate with each other and prioritize treatment. This study was conducted to verify the effectiveness of the multidisciplinary emergency consultation system (ECS) for drug intoxicated patients. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the data from medical records prior to the ECS, from July 2017 to May 2018, and after the ECS, from July 2018 to May 2019, to verify the effectiveness of the system. Results : After the ECS, admission to open wards was significantly higher than to the intensive care units (χ²=8.567, p=0.014). In addition, the proportion of consultations to the department of psychiatry among patients admitted to other departments tended to increase (χ²=4.202, p=0.053), and the time required for consultation response decreased (Z=-2.031, p=0.042). As a result of the consultation, the proportion of the patients who had been transferred to the department of psychiatry was increased (χ²=4.692, p=0.043), and the time spent to transfer tended to decrease (Z=-1.941, p=0.052). Conclusions : After implementing the ECS for drug intoxicated patients, unnecessary intensive care unit admissions, consultation response time, and the time spent to transfer were reduced, and the rate of consultation referrals and transfer rates increased. This means that the multidisciplinary consultation system rapidly provided essential medical services to patients at lower medical costs.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.186-193
• /
• 2005

Purpose: To improve the management of a medical linear accelerator, the records of operational failures of a Varian CL2l00C over a ten year period were retrospectively analyzed. Materials and Methods: The failures were classified according to the involved functional subunits, with each class rated Into one of three levels depending on the operational conditions. The relationships between the failure rate and working ratio and between the failure rate and outside temperature were investigated. In addition, the average life time of the main part and the operating efficiency over the last 4 years were analyzed. Results: Among the recorded failures (total 587 failures), the most frequent failure was observed in the parts related with the collimation system, including the monitor chamber, which accounted for $20\%$ of all failures. With regard to the operational conditions, 2nd level of failures, which temporally interrupted treatments, were the most frequent. Third level of failures, which interrupted treatment for more than several hours, were mostly caused by the accelerating subunit. The number of failures was increased with number of treatments and operating time. The average life-times of the Klystron and Thyratron became shorter as the working ratio increased, and were 42 and $83\%$ of the expected values, respectively. The operating efficiency was maintained at $95\%$ or higher, but this value slightly decreased. There was no significant correlation between the number of failures and the outside temperature. Conclusion: The maintenance of detailed equipment problems and failures records over a long period of time can provide good knowledge of equipment function as well as the capability of predicting future failure. Wore rigorous equipment maintenance Is required for old medical linear accelerators for the advanced avoidance of serious failure and to improve the qualify of patient treatment.