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Fever (body temperature above 38°C) is relatively common during the first few days after general anesthesia. Postoperative fever is usually caused by the inflammation induced by surgery and resolves spontaneously; however, it can be a manifestation of a serious complication such as malignant hyperthermia. We report a case of postoperative hyperthermia (body temperature > 40°C) that was refractory to conventional anti-pyretic measures and finally resolved with dantrolene administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian populations including Koreans are assumed to have a higher isoflavone intake due to the higher consumption of soybean. However, it is difficult to estimate isoflavone intake because there is no isoflavone database in Korea. In this study, an isoflavone database was established with systematic review. Literature with analytical values of Korean soybeans and its products were collected and evaluated to establish an isoflavone database. A total of 142 food items containing isoflavones were selected among 2,932 food items in the Korean Nutrient Database. Among these, only 25 food items were evaluated with analytical values and the remaining 98 items were replaced with adaptations or calculations from similar items. Dietary intake of isoflavones was assessed for 426 boys and 365 girls aged 8 to 11 years with 3-day food records. The daily mean isoflavone intake was 8.3 mg among boys and 7.2 mg among girls. More than 70% of subjects had a daily isoflavone intake below 10 mg. The most contributory food item to the isoflavone intake among adolescents was tofu in quantity and soybean sauce in frequency. This database could be used to estimate isoflavone intakes from dietary data among various populations and to evaluate the relationships between isoflavone intake and chronic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to investigate the association between nutrient intakes and change of bone mineral contents (BMC) among early pubertal aged girls. Two hundred and thirty girls between 9 to 11 years of age participated in four surveys over 2 year period. During each survey, dietary intakes were collected with 3-day food records and BMC of left leg's calcaneus were measured PIXI(Lunar Ltd.). Body composition was measured by bioimpedance method. Mean values of BMC increased in consecutive measurements -- 1.48g, 1.54g, 1.61g and 1.66g. The change of BMC between the first and last measurements was significantly correlated with age, % body fat, BMC at the baseline and mean isoflavone intake (p<0.05). In stepwise regression of BMC change, protein, Vit.C, Fe and Vit.B6 were significant explanatory variables(R²=0.25, p<.001, F=14.89) after adjusting for age, % body fat and BMC at baseline. The results imply that the change of BMC among early pubertal aged girls may be affected by intakes of certain nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractGinseng has been used in humans for thousands of years and is known to have multiple biological and immunomodulatory effects. In this study, we investigated whether Korean red ginseng extract would have preventive and antiviral effects on influenza virus infection. Oral administration to mice of red ginseng extract prior to infection significantly increased survival after infection with the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus. Daily oral treatment of vaccinated mice with red ginseng extract provided enhanced cross-protection against antigenically distinct H1N1 and H3N2 influenza viruses. Naive mice that were infected with virus mixed with red ginseng extract showed significantly enhanced protection, lower levels of lung viral titers and interleukin-6, but higher levels of interferon-γ compared with control mice having virus infections without red ginseng extract, indicating an antiviral effect of ginseng. In addition, ginseng extract exhibited inhibitory effects on the growth of influenza virus in vitro. This study provides evidence that intake of ginseng extract will have beneficial effects on preventing lethal infection with newly emerging influenza viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ginseng polysaccharide has been known to have multiple immunomodulatory effects. In this study, we investigated whether Panax ginseng polysaccharide (GP) would have a preventive effect on influenza infection. Administration of mice with GP prior to infection was found to confer a survival benefit against infection with H1N1 (A/PR/8/34) and H3N2 (A/ Philippines/82) influenza viruses. Mice infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus suspended in GP solution showed moderately enhanced survival rates and lower levels of lung viral titers and the inflammatory cytokine (IL-6). Daily treatment of vaccinated mice with GP improved their survival against heterosubtypic lethal challenge. This study demonstrates the first evidence that GP can be used as a remedy against influenza viral infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) may lead to metabolic crisis of skeletal muscle in susceptible individuals following exposure to triggering agents such as volatile anesthetics or depolarizing muscle relaxants. MH is a rare and a potentially lethal disease, which can lead to cardiac arrest. We report a case of severe MH, in which the rapidly evolving signs of hypermetabolism eventually resulted in cardiac arrest. Despite conventional treatments following cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the patient's vital signs did not improve. Therefore, we applied extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for providing hemodynamic support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anterior cervical osteophytes are commonly found in elderly patients, but rarely produce symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can range from mild symptoms of dysphagia, dysphonia, and foreign body sensation to severe symptoms of airway obstruction due to compression of the pharynx or larynx. We report the case of a 59-year-old man who underwent brain tumor surgery, and developed post-operative respiratory difficulty due to progressive pharyngo-laryngeal edema, requiring urgent endotracheal intubation, secondary to the presence of a previously asymptomatic anterior cervical osteophyte. It is paramount to recognize that asymptomatic anterior cervical osteophytes are a potential cause of lifethreatening post-operative respiratory complications that can rapidly progress to life-threatening airway obstruction after surgeries in the prone position, especially in elderly patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]