Indoor Occurrence of the Ghost Ant Tapinoma melanocephalum (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Urban Homes in Korea

The ghost ant Tapinoma melanocephalum is a common household pest worldwide. The present study examined the occurrence of the species in urban homes in Korea. During the period of September 2014 to January 2016, T. melanocephalum workers were collected from 58 homes at 29 different localities using bait traps with 10% sugar solution. The species was widely distributed throughout urban homes at 29 different localities, and the indoor occurrence of T. melanocephalum was highest in Seoul (32.7%) and metropolitan areas of Gyeonggi-do (Province) (29.3%). The indoor incidence rate of T. melanocephalum peaked in September (22.8%), remained moderate from October through April, and peaked again in May (15.7%). In contrast, a low incidence was observed from June to August (7.0%). The present study provides evidence that native ants, such as T. melanocephalum, are potential indoor pests of homes in Korea throughout the year.

Imaging Features of Primary Tumors and Metastatic Patterns of the Extraskeletal Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumors in Adults: A 17-Year Experience at a Single Institution

OBJECTIVE: To comprehensively analyze the spectrum of imaging features of the primary tumors and metastatic patterns of the Extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (EES) in adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a computerized search of our hospital's data-warehouse from 1996 to 2013 using codes for Ewing sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumors as well as the demographic code for > or = 18 years of age. We selected subjects who were histologically confirmed to have Ewing sarcoma of extraskeletal origin. Imaging features of the primary tumor and metastatic disease were evaluated for lesion location, size, enhancement pattern, necrosis, margin, and invasion of adjacent organs. RESULTS: Among the 70 patients (mean age, 35.8 +/- 15.6 years; range, 18-67 years) included in our study, primary tumors of EES occurred in the soft tissue and extremities (n = 20), abdomen and pelvis (n = 18), thorax (n = 14), paravertebral space (n = 8), head and neck (n = 6), and an unknown primary site (n = 4). Most primary tumors manifested as large and bulky soft-tissue masses (mean size, 9.0 cm; range, 1.3-23.0 cm), frequently invading adjacent organs (45.6%) and showed heterogeneous enhancement (73.7%), a well-defined (66.7%) margin, and partial necrosis/cystic degeneration (81.9%). Notably, 29 patients had metastatic disease detected at their initial diagnosis. The most frequent site of metastasis was lymph nodes (75.9%), followed by bone (31.0%), lung (20.7%), abdominal solid organs (13.8%), peritoneum (13.8%), pleura (6.9%), and brain (3.4%). CONCLUSION: Primary tumors of EES can occur anywhere and mostly manifest as large and bulky, soft-tissue masses. Lymph nodes are the most frequent metastasis sites.

Toxoplasma Encephalitis in an Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipient in Korea

No abstract available.

A Case of Familial Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 with a Novel Mutation in the MEN1 Gene

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the occurrence of multiple tumors in the parathyroid gland, pancreatic islet, and pituitary gland. This condition is caused by mutations of MEN1, a tumor suppressor gene. Thus far, 565 different germline and somatic mutations of the MEN1 gene have been reported. Herein, we describe the case of a 23-year-old woman who suffered from a repetitive loss of consciousness. After workup, the patient was diagnosed with MEN1 with insulinoma, hyperparathyrodism due to parathyroid adenoma, and non-functioning pituitary microadenoma. She underwent a partial parathyroidectomy and distal pancreatectomy. Familial screening of MEN1 revealed that her brother had prolactinoma, hyperparathyroidism, pancreatic gastrinoma and non-functioning adrenal adenoma. Her father had hyperparathyroidism, pancreatic tumor, and adrenal adenoma. Upon genetic analysis of the MEN1 gene, a novel mutation in the MEN1 gene (exon 1, c.251del; p.Ser84LuefsX35) was detected in the patient, as well as her father and brother.

Isolated Right Pulmonary Artery Hypoplasia with Retrograde Blood Flow in a 68-Year Old Man / 결핵및호흡기질환

Unilateral pulmonary artery hypoplasia (UPAH) is a rare disease in adults and is frequently accompanied by a congenital cardiac anomaly at a young age. The diagnosis is usually based on computed tomography (CT), angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, no reports are available on retrograde flow in patients with UPAH. We describe a 68-year-old man with isolated UPAH and retrograde blood flow. He was admitted for dyspnea on exertion for the past 23 years. His diagnosis was delayed, as his symptoms and signs mimicked his underlying pulmonary diseases, such as emphysema and previous tuberculous pleurisy sequelae. A discrepancy was detected between the results of a ventilation-perfusion scan and the CT image. This was resolved by MRI, which showed retrograde blood flow from the right to the left pulmonary artery. Using MRI, we diagnosed this patient with isolated pulmonary artery hypoplasia and retrograde flow.

A Case Report of Rapidly Progressive Empyema Caused by Pulmonary Actinomycosis: A Case Report / 대한구급학회지

Pulmonary actinomycosis is an indolent and slowly progressive infectious disease, accompanied by pleural effusion and empyema in about 50% of cases. The size of the effusion is usually small, though, and it responds to appropriate antibiotics. We report a case of rapidly progressing, severe empyema leading to respiratory failure that was caused by pulmonary actinomycosis. A 57-year-old man presented with pleuritic chest pain for 5 days. The initial plain chest radiograph and CT scan showed pleural effusion. Gross pus was observed during the thoracentesis and laboratory test of pleural effusion revealed empyema. In spite of empirical antibiotics and chest tube drainage, the empyema rapidly progressed and the patient reached respiratory failure. Mechanical ventilation applied and decortication via video-assisted thoracotomy was performed. Microscopic examination of both the pleural and adjacent lung biopsy specimen revealed actinomycosis.

Comparison of electric and manual toothbrushes on periodontal health in fixed orthodontic patients / 대한치과교정학회지

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an electric toothbrush, with a specially designed orthodontic brush head, compared to a manual toothbrush on the periodontal health of patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. Forty patients were randomly divided into two groups, the electric and the manual toothbrush groups, 1 month after attachment of fixed orthodontic appliances. Periodontal status was measured using a plaque index, a gingival index, a bleeding index, a pocket depth and a relative attachment loss, at baseline and after 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. The Braun Oral-B Plak Control with Ortho OD 15-1 brush head was used as the electric toothbrush while the Butler G.U.M 124 was given as the manual toothbrush. In the manual toothbrush group, the gingival and bleeding indices showed no statistically significant differences, but the plaque index was significantly decreased (p < 0.001) and pocket depth as well as relative attachment loss were significantly increased (p < 0.01). In the electric toothbrush group, the bleeding index, pocket depth and relative attachment loss showed no statistically significant differences, but the plaque and gingival indices were significantly decreased (p < 0.001). In the case of the plaque, gingival and bleeding indices, there were no statistically significant differences between the electric and the manual toothbrush groups. On the contrary, in the case of pocket depth and relative attachment loss, there were statistically significant differences between the electric and the manual toothbrush groups: an increase in the manual toothbrush groups unlike the electric toothbrush group which kept the same state (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that an electric toothbrush is useful for orthodontic patients with fixed appliances.