A new diagnostic morphological parameter for the Carpal tunnel syndrome: The palmaris longus tendon cross-sectional area.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is correlated with increased intracarpal canal pressure (ICP). The effect of palmaris longus tendon (PLT) loading on ICP is documented in previous researches. PLT loading induces the greatest absolute increase in ICP. Therefore, to analyze the connection between the PLT and CTS, we newly made the measurement of the PLT cross-sectional area (PLTCSA). We assumed that PLTCSA is a reliable diagnostic parameter in the CTS. PLTCSA measurement data were acquired from 21 patients with CTS, and from 21 normal subjects who underwent wrist magnetic resonance imaging (W-MRI). We measured the PLTCSA at the level of pisiform on W-MRI. The PLTCSA was measured on the outlining of PLT. The two different cutoff values in the analysis were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The mean PLTCSA was 2.34 ± 0.82 mm2 in the normal group and 3.97 ± 1.18 mm2 in the CTS group. ROC curve analysis concluded that the best cutoff point for the PLTCSA was 2.81 mm2, with 76.2% sensitivity, 71.4% specificity, and area under the curve of 0.88 (95% CI, 0.78-0.98). PLTCSA is a sensitive, new, objective morphological parameter for evaluating CTS

Characteristics and prognosis of hepatic cytomegalovirus infection in children: 10 years of experience at a university hospital in Korea

PurposeStudies on cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in immunocompetent children are lacking, and minimal information is available in the medical literature on hepatic manifestations and complications of CMV. The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and prognosis of children with CMV hepatitis, and to investigate its prevalence at a single medical center in Korea over a 10-year period.MethodsOne hundred thirty-two children diagnosed with CMV infection based on specific markers (anti-CMV IgM, CMV polymerase chain reaction in blood and urine, or CMV culture of urine) were included in the study. Clinical and biochemical characteristics, immunological markers, and outcomes of hepatic CMV infection were determined.ResultsThe median age of patients (n=132) was 8.5 months (range, 14 days–11.3 years). Peak total bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase levels in serum ranged from 0.11–21.97 mg/dL, and 5–1,517 IU/L, respectively. Alanine aminotransferase remained elevated from 2–48 weeks. Jaundice was the most common clinical feature of hepatic CMV infection during infancy. The hematologic findings revealed anemia, leukocytosis, and monocytosis in CMV-infected patients. All participants recovered without administration of ganciclovir.ConclusionIn children with CMV hepatitis, fever was the most common symptom at presentation, and jaundice was the most common clinical feature of hepatic CMV infection in infants younger than 3 months of age. Hepatic CMV infection in immunocompetent children is often a self-limited illness that does not require antiviral therapy, as most patients in this study had favorable outcomes

Menthol Enhances an Antiproliferative Activity of 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 in LNCaP Cells

1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1α,25(OH)2D3], the most active form of vitamin D3, and its analogues have therapeutic benefits for prostate cancer treatment. However, the development of hypercalcemia is an obstacle to clinical applications of 1α,25(OH)2D3 for cancer therapy. In this study, we provide evidence that menthol, a key component of peppermint oil, increases an anti-proliferation activity of 1α,25(OH)2D3 in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. We found that menthol per se does not exhibit antiproliferative activity, but it is able to enhance 1α,25(OH)2D3-mediated growth inhibition in LNCaP cells. Fluorometric assays using Fura-2 showed that 1α,25(OH)2D3 does not induce acute Ca2+ response, whereas menthol evokes an increase in [Ca2+]i, which suggests that cross-talks of menthol-induced Ca2+ signaling with 1α,25(OH)2D3-mediated growth inhibition pathways. In addition, Western blot analysis revealed that 1α,25(OH)2D3 and menthol cooperatively modulate the expression of bcl-2 and p21 which provides the insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the enhanced 1α,25(OH)2D3-mediated growth inhibition by menthol. Thus, our findings suggest that menthol may be a useful natural compound to enhance therapeutic effects of 1α,25(OH)2D3

Development of Brugada Syndrome Following Photodynamic Therapy in a Patient with Cholangiocarcinoma

Brugada syndrome can be unmasked by several conditions including a febrile state, marked leukocytosis, and electrolyte disturbances. Herein, we describe a 62-year-old man with cholangiocarcinoma in the first reported case of Brugada syndrome onset following photodynamic therapy

Development of a Specific and Rapid Diagnostic Method for Detecting Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 Virus Infection Using Immunochromatographic Assay

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to develop an immunochromatographic assay (ICA) for the detection of influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus infection.Materials and methodsSeveral monoclonal antibodies against influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus were generated and an ICA (pdm09-ICA) was developed for the rapid and specific detection of influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus infection. The specificity and sensitivity of the developed assay were compared with that of hemagglutination assay and real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR).ResultsThe detection limit was estimated to be 1/2 (8) hemagglutinating unit; the sensitivity and specificity rates of pdm09-ICA were 75.86% (110/145) and 100% (43/43), respectively, compared with rRT-PCR. The cross-reactivity for 20 influenza viruses, including seasonal H1N1 viruses, was found to be negative except for the H1N1 virus (A/Swine/Korea/GC0503/2005).ConclusionThese results indicate that the proposed method can be easily used for rapid and specific detection of the pdm09 infection. The assay developed in this study would be a useful tool for distinguishing the pdm09 infection from seasonal influenza A and B infections

Various Light Quality including QD-LED Affect Growth and Leaf Color of Red Romaine Baby Leaf Lettuce

Light quality has a substantial effect on crops in plant factories. Quantum dot (QD) refers to ultrafine semiconductor particles and is expressed in a variety of wavelength ranges and fine and precise colors and is attracting attention as a next-generation material. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of various light qualities, including a QD-LED light source on the growth and color development of red romaine lettuce in the LED chamber system for plant factories. The light source was red fluorescent (FL), blue (B), red (R), blue + red mixed light (BR), and blue + wide range red + red mixed light QD-LED. The growth index, chlorophyll content, and leaf color were examined. The results showed that the plant length was long without a significant difference in QD-LED and the red (R) wavelength and showed the fastest growth under QD-LED. The photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content were the highest in QD-LED light with a broad spectrum of red light. The leaf colors a*, b*, the hue angle, and total anthocyanin content showed the highest in QD-LED light, while b* and the hue angle values ​​were the lowest. As the light wavelength range was changed, there was a significant difference in the growth response and leaf color, and it is considered that QD-LED light should be considered positively when applied to plant factories

A Phenomenological Study on the Experiences of Parenting Burden of Working Mother with Young Children in Korea

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the essential structure of the lived experience of working mothers' parenting burden in Korea. METHODS: Eight working mothers with young children were interviewed. The Colaizzi analysis of phenomenological research was applied. RESULTS: Seven theme clusters were extracted: a life with constant conflict, sense of guilt, feeling anxious because of lack of information about education for their children, social stigma as a deficient mother, family relationship becoming distant, a life being exhausted, day to day struggle. CONCLUSION: These results provide an opportunity to have a better understanding of the experiences of working mothers related to parenting their young children. It would also serve as a medium for the formulation of appropriate nursing intervention relevant to burdens of parenthood