Rett syndrome is progressive neurodegenerative disorder in female patients, characterized by autistic behavior, mental retardation, loss of purposeful hand skills, stereotypic hand movement, breathing dysfunction, severely impaired language, ataxia, and seizure. The diagnosis of Rett syndrome is based on its characteristic clinical manifestation and course. The electroencephalographic (EEG) findings of Rett syndrome are nonspecific, but a progressive deterioration in the EEG, characterized by a slowing of background activity and spike sharp wave discharges, may be observed. We experienced one case of Rett syndrome in a 5 year old girl having mental retardation, loss of purposeful hand skills, stereotypic hand movements (clapping, washing, hand-to-mouth), breathing dysfunction (hyperventilation/apnea). Her EEG findings on Video-EEG monitoring are excessive slowing waves during awake state and frequent spike discharges from left or centrotemporal area during sleeping. We report a case of Rett syndrome with brief review of related literatures.
Ataxia ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Respiration ; Rett Syndrome* ; Seizures

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a Critical Pathway for Uterine Artery Embolization patients. METHOD: There were 6 steps that were taken. Step 1 was selecting a diagnosis, and Step 2 was organizing a development team consisting of 7 experts. Step 3 analyzed the medical records, and Step 4 drew up a preliminary Critical Pathway. Step 5 tested the clinical validity of the preliminary Critical Pathway, and Step 6 developed the final Critical Pathway. RESULT: The contents of the medical practices observed in the medical records were investigated in seven areas: monitoring/assessment, treatment, medication, diet, activity, consults, and education/discharge plan; and a total of 73 items was identified. The validity of the 73 items was examined by a group of specialists. 68 items were adopted, 4 items revised, 1 item removed, and 1 item was added. Using the results, a preliminary Critical Pathway was drawn up. According to the results from examining the clinical validity of the preliminary Critical Pathway with five patients for five weeks, 3 items which showed discrepancy were revised and another 3 items were added. Then, the final Critical Pathway was completed. CONCLUSION: This Critical Pathway needs to be clinically applied and continuously to measure its effects in terms of the length of stay, cost?effectiveness, and the patients' and staffs' satisfaction.
Critical Pathways* ; Diagnosis ; Diet ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Medical Records ; Specialization ; Uterine Artery Embolization* ; Uterine Artery*

PURPOSE: This descriptive study was conducted to identify the level of knowledge of stroke symptoms and risk factors among older adults. METHODS: A total of 200 older adults over 65 years of age were conveniently recruited from out patient departments of two hospitals and a health care center from October to November 2008. The level of knowledge was assessed using both open-ended questions and a structured questionnaire based on semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed by t-tests and ANOVA using the SPSS program. RESULTS: 52.5% of the sample had hypertension and 30% had diabetes. The mean knowledge scores for symptoms and risk factors were 8.4 +/- 3.1(out of 15) and 9.5 +/- 3.9 (out of 16), respectively. The older adults who had lower education, lower family income, and who lived in rural areas were more likely to have less knowledge of stroke symptom and risk factors(p < .05). There was no significant knowledge difference between the older adults who had at least one risk factor and those who had no risk factor for stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Educational intervention should be focused on informing older adults who are at risk for stroke about the early symptoms and management of risk factors, especially those who have low education and low social status.
Adult ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Purpose: The clinical significance of birth weight relative to gestational age in girls with central precocious puberty is unclear. This study sought to compare clinical parameters such as final adult height (FAH) and menarche onset after treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) on birth weight in girls with central precocious puberty treated. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed data of 69 girls with precocious puberty who had reached their FAH in a long-term trial of GnRHa treatment between January 2007 and December 2017. The subjects were divided into small for gestational age (SGA) (n=19) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) (n=50) groups. Results: When starting GnRHa treatment, bone age was 10.9±0.9 and 10.3±0.8 years in the SGA and AGA groups, respectively (P<0.05). The predicted adult height (PAH) (established according to the Bayley-Pinneau average table) and advanced PAH (established according to the Bayley-Pinneau advanced table) were 151.5±4.8 cm and 155.8±4.9 cm in the SGA group, respectively, and 153.4±5.3 cm and 159.0±6.0 cm in the AGA group. After treatment, no significant difference in bone age was found between the groups. The time to menarche after treatment was 12.5±7.6 and 21.1±12.3 months in the SGA and AGA groups, respectively (P<0.05). FAH in the SGA and AGA groups was 161.0±4.7 cm and 161.6±5.0 cm, respectively, without a significant difference. Conclusion SGA girls with precocious puberty have increased bone age and earlier menarche relative to AGA girls. However, no difference in FAH after treatment was found between these groups.

Purpose: There are few reports on the therapeutic effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists in boys with central precocious puberty, and studies reported in Korea are very rare. We aimed to assess the significance of clinical factors and the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment on final adult height in boys diagnosed with central precocious puberty. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 18 boys treated for idiopathic central precocious puberty between 2007 and 2018 at Chosun University Hospital. Gestational age, birth weight, and parental height were assessed at the initial visit. Chronological age, bone age, bone age/chronological age ratio, height and height standard deviation scores, predicted adult height, body mass index, and hormone levels were assessed during the treatment period. Results: At the time of diagnosis, the chronological age was 9.9±0.6 years, the bone age was 11.6±1.0 years, and the bone age/chronological age ratio was 1.20±0.1. The bone age/chronological age ratio decreased significantly to 1.12±0.1 at the end of treatment (P<0.05). The luteinizing hormone/follicular stimulating hormone ratios were 3.4±1.2, 0.6±0.4, and 0.6±1.0 at the start of treatment, after 1 year of treatment, and at the end of treatment, respectively. After gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment, the final adult height reached 172.0±4.8 cm compared to the target height range of 171.0±4.0 cm. Conclusion In boys with central precocious puberty, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment improved growth potential.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the stress distribution and intensity derived from the transpalatal lingual arch in the investing bone composed of photoelastic material(PL-3). The transpalatal lingual arch wire was deflected in the horizontal and vertical direction to give the various conditions. The two-dimensional photoelastic stress analysis was performed, and the stress distrebution was recored by photofraphy. The results were as follows: 1. In bilateral expansion, as horizontal deflection was singly applied, the stress was more concentrated on the root apex in square free end than round. In square free end, as vertical deflection was increased gradually, the black line meaning center of rotation moced inferiorly togerher with the increment of whole fringes. 2. In application of vertical deflection on anchorage side for unilateral expansion, the stress distribution that expansive force leaned to expansion side was observed. As vertical deflection increased, the extruding stress was obesrved on molar of expansion side. And as horisontal deflection increased, the tipping stress on the molar of anchorage side was observed. 3. In unilateral rotation with the asymmetric toe-in, the fringe appeared on the distal aspect of root apex.
Molar

Recently, cases with typical clinical manifestations of infectious mononucleosis are increasing in Korea. So, to evaluate the recent epidemiology of EBV infection in Korea, we performed EBV serologic antibody tests for IgG antibody to EBV-viral capsid antigen (VCA) and antibody to EBV-associated nuclear antigen (EBNA) among the 108 healthy Korean infants and children whose ages were from newborn to 15 years old. And the results were as follows; 1) The positive rates of anti-VCA IgG 100% in newborn, 90% in 2 to 6 months, 20% in 7 to 12 months, 60% in 1 to 2 years, 77.3% in 3 to 4 years, 88.5% in 5 to 6 years, 90% in 7 to 9 years, and 100% in 10 to 15 years of age, respectively. 2) The anti-VCA IgG titers ranged from 1:20 to 1:1280. 3) The positive rates of anti-EBNA were 100% in newborn, 60% in 2 6 months, 10% in 7 to 12 months, 60% in 1 to 2 years, 68.2% in 3 to 4 years, 84.5% in 5 to 6 years, 70% in 7 to 9 years, and 100% in 10 to 15 years of age, respectively. 4) The anti-EBNA titers ranged from 1:2 to 1:128. According to these data, the age of primary infection of EBV has increased compared to the previous data in Korean children.
Adolescent ; Capsid ; Child* ; Epidemiology ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Mononucleosis ; Korea ; Prevalence*

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the reporting rates of adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) to the spontaneous reporting system (SRS) and its predictors among individuals with AEFIs after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. METHODS: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted from December 2, 2021 to December 20, 2021, recruiting participants >14 days after completion of a primary COVID-19 vaccination series. Reporting rates were calculated by dividing the number of participants who reported AEFIs to the SRS by the total number of participants who experienced AEFIs. We estimated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) using multivariate logistic regression to determine factors associated with spontaneous AEFIs reporting. RESULTS: Among 2,993 participants, 90.9% and 88.7% experienced AEFIs after the first and second vaccine doses, respectively (reporting rates, 11.6 and 12.7%). Furthermore, 3.3% and 4.2% suffered moderate to severe AEFIs, respectively (reporting rates, 50.5 and 50.0%). Spontaneous reporting was more prevalent in female (aOR, 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31 to 1.81); those with moderate to severe AEFIs (aOR, 5.47; 95% CI, 4.45 to 6.73), comorbidities (aOR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.57), a history of severe allergic reactions (aOR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.47 to 2.77); and those who had received mRNA-1273 (aOR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.49) or ChAdOx1 (aOR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.30) vaccines versus BNT162b2. Reporting was less likely in older individuals (aOR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.98 to 0.99 per 1-year age increment). CONCLUSIONS Spontaneous reporting of AEFIs after COVID-19 vaccination was associated with younger age, female sex, moderate to severe AEFIs, comorbidities, history of allergic reactions, and vaccine type. AEFIs under-reporting should be considered when delivering information to the community and in public health decision-making.

PURPOSE: Recently, conjunctivochalasis repair surgery using electrocauterization has been gaining popularity. However, patients with electrocauterized conjunctivoplasty tend to complain of more postoperative pain than patients undergoing simple excision with suturing. Therefore, we investigated the effects of electrocauterization on inflammation of the conjunctiva using an experimental animal model and compared these with the effects of simple excision with suturing. METHODS: Ten New Zealand white rabbits underwent cauterization in the right eyes and excision and suturing in the left eyes. For each eye, we excised or electrocauterized the inferior bulbar conjunctiva, 1 mm in width and 6 mm in length, 2 mm from the limbus. A fine-needle electrode was inserted subconjunctivally, and electrocauterization was performed. In the contralateral eye, the corresponding area was excised and re-approximated with 10-0 nylon sutures. Sutures were removed after 14 days. Tissue samples were obtained at 21 days post-procedure, and inflammatory cells were counted in five randomly selected fields (x200) on hematoxylin-eosin stained slides. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta concentrations in tears were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: All cauterized eyes demonstrated smooth surface healing without scarring after 5 days, whereas sutured eyes presented with mild edema with some scarring until the suture was removed. The number of inflammatory cells was significantly greater in sutured eyes compared with cauterized eyes (p = 0.035, Mann-Whitney U-test) at 21 days post-procedure. Tear TNF-alpha and IL-1beta concentrations at 21 days were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Electrocauterization for conjunctivoplasty seems to be advantageous in terms of inflammation compared with simple suturing and excision.
Animals ; Conjunctiva/pathology ; Conjunctivitis/*pathology/*surgery ; Disease Models, Animal ; Edema/pathology/prevention & control ; Electrocoagulation/*methods ; Humans ; Male ; Pain, Postoperative/pathology/*prevention & control ; Rabbits ; *Suture Techniques ; Treatment Outcome

Neointimal hyperplasia causes vascular stenosis and subsequent thrombosis, which result in vascular access failure in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are involved in this inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between vascular access failure and various inflammatory markers including the genetic polymorphisms of IL-10 and TNF-alpha. Seventy-five patients on hemodialysis with an arteriovenous fistula in place or an artificial graft (18 with vascular access failure and 82 without failure) and 98 healthy individuals were genotyped for IL-10 and TNF-alpha single nucleotide polymorphisms. Clinical and laboratory data including serum IL-10 and TNF-alpha levels were compared. Stimulated IL-10 levels, from in vitro incubation of blood with lipopolysaccharide, were also obtained and compared. Female gender, hypoproteinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia were associated with vascular access failure. The basal TNF-alpha level was significantly higher in patients with access failure. The distribution of IL-10 and TNF-alpha genotype did not differ among patients with or without access failure. This study could not demonstrate a relationship between genetic polymorphisms and vascular access failure. However, an altered immune response and inflammation might contribute to vascular access failure.
Adult ; Aged ; Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical/*adverse effects ; Catheters, Indwelling/*adverse effects ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-10/blood/*genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; *Renal Dialysis ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood/*genetics