Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Nov 2012
Association of Toll-like receptor 2 polymorphisms with papillary thyroid cancer and clinicopathologic features in a Korean population.
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC; n = 133) and their clinicopathologic features and age-matched controls (n = 321) using direct sequencing. PTC patients were divided into subgroups according to size, number, location, extrathyroidal invasion and lymph node metastasis. The two SNPs of TLR2 gene were not associated with the development of PTC. ⋯ The allele frequencies of two SNPs also showed significant associations with location of cancer (rs3804099, P = 0.046, OR, 0.57, 95% CI, 0.33-0.99 and rs3804100, P = 0.019, OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.30-0.90). However, two SNPs were not associated with the clinicopathologic features of PTC. It is suggested that TLR2 polymorphisms may contribute to the clinicopathologic features of PTC, especially the PTC in both lobes.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Nov 2012
Phylogenetic analysis of the 56-kDa type-specific protein genes of Orientia tsutsugamushi in Central Korea.
There are several antigenic variants of Orientia tsutsugamushi. The 56-kDa type-specific antigen (TSA) is responsible for the antigenic variation. Nucleotide sequences of the 56-kDa TSA obtained from 44 eschar samples of Korean scrub typhus patients and from 40 representative strains retrieved from the GenBank database were analyzed phylogenetically. ⋯ The clinical course of the patients infected with each genotype showed no differences. Diagnostic performance of the immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using the 56-kDa TSA from Gilliam, Karp and Boryong as test antigens were not different for the Boryong and Kawasaki genotypes. Although Boryong is still the predominant genotype, the results suggest that Kawasaki genotype is quite prevalent in Chungbuk province of Korea.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Nov 2012
Analgesic effects of dexmedetomidine in vincristine-evoked painful neuropathic rats.
Dexmedetomidine, which is a selective α2-adrenoceptor agonist, was recently introduced into clinical practice for its analgesic properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine in a vincristine-evoked neuropathic rat models. Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally with vincristine or saline (0.1 mg/kg/day) using a 5-day-on, 2-day-off schedule for 2 weeks. ⋯ Maximal paw withdrawal thresholds to mechanical stimuli were 3.0 ± 0.4, 9.1 ± 1.9, 13.0 ± 3.6, 16.6 ± 2.4, and 24.4 ± 1.6 g at saline, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 µg/kg dexmedetomidine injection, respectively. Minimal withdrawal frequency to cold stimuli were 73.3 ± 4.2, 57.1 ± 6.8, 34.3 ± 5.7, 20.0 ± 6.2, and 14.3 ± 9.5 g at saline, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 µg/kg dexmedetomidine injection, respectively. Dexmedetomidine shows a dose-dependent antiallodynic effect on mechanical and cold stimuli in vincristine-evoked neuropathic rat models (P < 0.05).
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This study was conducted to examine the nation-wide emergency department (ED) utilization pattern by children in Korea. Most referral hospital EDs provide their essential ED information to the National Emergency Medical Center through the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS). We analyzed the NEDIS data on pediatric visits (< 19 yr old) during three years, from June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2010. ⋯ Most patients were discharged (81.2%), and 15.3% were admitted. In conclusion, the most common age group who are brought to EDs in Korea is 1 to 4 yr-old young children, and common chief complaints of the visiting children are age-dependent, such as fever in younger children and abdominal pain and headache in older children. We need more improved and organized emergency medicine service system for children in Korea.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Oct 2012
Case ReportsUnintended cannulation of the subclavian artery in a 65-year-old-female for temporary hemodialysis vascular access: management and prevention.
Ultrasound-guided cannulation of a large-bore catheter into the internal jugular vein was performed to provide temporary hemodialysis vascular access for uremia in a 65-yr-old woman with acute renal failure and sepsis superimposed on chronic renal failure. Despite the absence of any clinical evidence such as bleeding or hematoma during the procedure, a chest x-ray and computed tomographic angiogram of the neck showed that the catheter had inadvertently been inserted into the subclavian artery. Without immediately removing the catheter and applying manual external compression, the arterial misplacement of the hemodialysis catheter was successfully managed by open surgical repair. The present case suggests that attention needs to be paid to preventing iatrogenic arterial cannulation during central vein catheterization with a large-bore catheter and to the management of its potentially devastating complications, since central vein catheterization is frequently performed by nephrologists as a common clinical procedure to provide temporary hemodialysis vascular access.