For the evaluation of the 51Cr labelled in-vivo crossmatching test as a transfusion safety test, We examined the viability of the thransfused autologous and heterologous 51Cr labelled red cell at 1 hour and 24 hour in 6 normal volunteers and 4 patients whose RBC had been stored in CPDA-1 media from 1 day to 30 day. In both autologous transfusion control group(n=3) and allogeneic transfusion control group(n=3), the in-vivo RBC survival rate were more than 70% at 1 hour and 24 hour compared to that of basal 3 minute result(percent counted as 100%), and the eluted free radioisotope activity was less than 5% compared to that of whole blood. The crossmatch incompatible patient group also satisfied the safe transfusion criteria. The mean labelling efficiency which was tested in three patients was more than 95% and also satisfactory to reliable test. We concluded that in-vivo crossmatching test using 51Cr radioisotope would give us valuable informations about transfusion safety, especially in serologically incompatible patients.
Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVES: To explore the role of apolipoprotein E in schizophrenia, we investigated apoli-poprotein E polymorphism in groups of patients with schizophrenia and normal controls. We also examined the relationship of clinical characteristics of schizophrenia to apolipoprotein E genotypes. METHODS: Samples were obtained from 101 schizophrenic patients and 96 controls in Korea and apolipoprotein E polymorphisms were analysed using polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The genotype and allele frequencies did not differ from those of controls. The clinical variables of schizophrenia, such as positive and negative groups by PANSS, subtypes by DSM-IV, family history were not associated with each genotypes. CONCLUSION: We could not find the association of apolipoprotein E in Korean schizophrenic patients and it could be suggested that apolipoprotein E isoforms might not play a main role in expression of schizophrenia.
Apolipoproteins* ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Korea ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Protein Isoforms ; Schizophrenia

Hormone replacement therapy combined with progestogens induces changes in effect of estrogen on serum lipid levels and it has been known that the changes depend on a type and dosage of progestogen. It is also known that progestational agent induces positive ch-ange in bone mineral density. To study the effects of progestogen on lipoprotein and bone metabolism, we administ- ered conjugated equine estrogen 0.625 mg alone to 50 postmenopausal women, in combinat- ion with medroxy- progesterone acetate 5 mg to 40 postmenopausal women. The data demonstrated a beneficial effect in lipoprotein profiles in both groups. Total cholesterol in two groups decreased from the baseline values, LDL-cholesterol decreased significantly by 4.8 % in group I and 16.2 % in group II(p < 0.05), HDL-cholesterol increa- sed significantly by 11.3 % in group I and 14.7 % in group II(p < 0.05), triglyceride incre- ased slightly in both groups. Bone mineral density of femur was maintained and BMD of vertebrae increased by 1.1 % in group I and 2.0 % in group II, but it is not statistically significant. The differences of changes between two groups were not statistically significa- nt. Our results suggest that medroxyprogesterone acetate have no adverse effect on HDL -cholesterol and have no additive effect on bone mineral density in hormone replacement therapy.
Bone Density* ; Cholesterol ; Estrogens* ; Female ; Femur ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ; Metabolism ; Progesterone ; Progestins ; Spine ; Triglycerides

PURPOSE: Most students choose the same option to questions in course evaluation surveys. Identical answers to each question render the results unreliable. The purpose of this study was to analyze the trend of medical student' consistent responses to course evaluations. METHODS: The data of this study were the results of a course evaluation over 3 years (from 2006 to 2008) at the School of Medicine at A University. RESULTS: The proportion of students who replied with the same answers to each question was below 20%. This result was consistent in freshmen, sophomores, and junior students. Using a 5-point Likert scale, more than 40% of the students gave 5 points consistently. CONCLUSION: We conclude that student' responses to evaluations do not have a significant impact on the reliability of course evaluations at Medical School at A University. These results differ significantly from those of previous research. Hence, future studies are required to analyze course evaluations in medical schools using diverse aspects.
Humans ; Schools, Medical

The purpose of this study is to compare weight gain by risperidone, clozapine and olanzapine which are atypical antipsychotic drugs with that by haloperidol which is typical antipsychotic drug. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 278 schizophrenic patients who were treated longer than 12 weeks with 4 different drugs. We measure weight gain weekly until 12th week and weight change curve over 12 weeks was drawn. Additionally, we examined any correlations of weight change with some factors. RESULTS: 1) The highest weight gains were observed in the olanzapine and clozapine groups, followed by the risperidone and haloperidol groups. 2) The haloperidol group showed a main weight gain within first 3 weeks, and patients ingested 3 atypical drugs gained weight steadily during 12 weeks. 3) The initial underweight group showed the largest weight gain. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the atypical antipsychotic drugs induced more weight gain than haloperidol. And we can expect that long-term treatment with clozapine and olanzapine would induce more severe weight gain, particularly in underweight patients.
Antipsychotic Agents* ; Clozapine ; Haloperidol ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Risperidone ; Thinness ; Weight Gain*

PURPOSE: Following the first in 1990, the use of course evaluations(CE) by medical schools across the Republic of Korea has grown steadily since 1997. The purpose of this study was to investigate these CE programs and to make general recommendations for further implementation. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted by mail. From June 20 to September 22, 2006, data was obtained from 38 of the 41(93%) medical schools in the country. Of those who responded, 27 schools also sent their CE forms as requested. RESULTS: There was little difference among the 38 medical schools in the main body, methods, frequency, grades, systems of evaluation, and types of survey. Evaluation criteria such as instructor effectiveness, course management efficiency, and student satisfaction showed high frequency, whereas issues concerning learning objectives and workload were less common. In contrast, the stated purposes of employing CE varied from school to school. While 92% of the respondents regarded improvement to the quality of instruction as the goal of their programs, 32% indicated that CE results also factored in administrative decisions concerning promotion, tenure, and salary increases. CONCLUSION: In addition to embracing the expanding role and influence of CE in Korean medical education, schools must proactively enact measures to enhance further implementation. First, evaluation criteria should be better formulated to increase the consistency, reliability, and validity of CE results. Next, to promote efficiency, the scheduling and methodology of CE administration should carefully consider the medical curriculum. Finally, professional attitudes should be fostered to recognize the value of CE as a tool for raising educational standards overall.
Curriculum ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Education, Medical ; Humans ; Learning ; Postal Service ; Republic of Korea ; Salaries and Fringe Benefits ; Schools, Medical*

No abstract available.
Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Health Expenditures*

Potentially, some donor site complications are associated with the harvesting of autogenous tricortical iliac bone grafts for anterior spinal fusion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the anterior iliac crest reconstruction after harvesting autogenous iliac grafts for anterior spinal fusion. We devided into two groups : the study group were the anterior iliac crest reconstruction in 57 patients with minimal twelve months follow up period, the control group were not the anterior iliac crest reconstruction in 21 patients who could not obtain the rib from retroperitoneal approach. The average follow up was obtained at 43.3 months(12 to 72 months) in study group, at 41.6 months(12 to 60 months) in control group. The study group had a tendency to improve the donor site pain after incorporation of the rib graft and the control group tend to remain the donor site pain till late especially in the thinner group and combined disease group. In residual deformity of the donor site, the study group was superior to the control group. Residual deformity of the study group was associated with the complications such as displacement and resorption of the grafts. Cosmetic residual deformity tends to be higher in the thinner group. Radiographically all rib gragts incorporated in situ in 51 patients despite of some cases of migration(Average 11 weeks and 4 days) and clinical results did not affect by biological behavior of rib grafts on the follow up radiogram. The authors attempted anterior iliac crest reconstruction using the implants (Mennen plate in 3 patients, threaded pin in 3 patients) after large harvesting of autogenous tricortical graft in 6 patients who could not obtain the rib from retroperitoneal approach or could not fit the rib too the defect. In those cases the results were satisfactory clinically. These results suggest anterior iliac crest reconstruction can minimize painful deformity after the harvesting of autogenous tricortical iliac grafts for anterior spinal fusion.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ribs ; Spinal Fusion ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

It is well known that the murine T helper cell clones are divided by their lymphokine secretory activities. One is the Th-1 cell, producing IL-2 and IFN after stimulation and the other is the Th-2 cell, producing the IL-4 and IL-5. This study was undertaken to evaluate the immunomodulatory properties of the bacterial lipopolysaccharide(LPS) on the lymphokine production in vivo and in vitro. The results were as follows: There were no effects on the lymphokine secretion by the in vitro treatment of the LPS. The in vivo treatment of the LPS decreases the capability of the production of IL-2 and IFN , whereas it increases the capability of IL-4 production. The altered capacity of the lymphokine production was recovered about 2 weeks after the treatment of the LPS. There were no differences on the lymphokine production between E-coli LPS and salmonella LPS. The capacity of the lymphokine production was the same in the treatment of a non-heated LPS or heated-LPS. The lymphokine production of the mice which were desensitized by the long term treatment of the LPS was not different from the control mice. The in vitro treatment of RU486 can block the alterations of the lymphokine production after the treatment of the LPS. In summary, one can tell that the LPS increases the secretion of the IL-4 through the endogenous secretion of the glucocorticoids.
Animals ; Clone Cells ; Glucocorticoids ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-5 ; Mice ; Mifepristone ; Salmonella ; T-Lymphocytes* ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in perception between the students and faculty on course evaluation by the students and to pursue the improving of the course evaluation system. METHODS: This study targeted 61 faculty and 88 students of the School of Medicine at A University. A questionnaire survey was administered. RESULTS: Both the students and faculty members agreed with the need of a course evaluation system, but there were differences in perception between the two groups in terms of efficiency and factors affecting evaluation results. CONCLUSION: The department in charge of course evaluations of the school of medicine should review the differences in perception between students and faculty and use the reviewed content to improve the present course evaluation system.
Fees and Charges ; Humans ; Schools, Medical ; Surveys and Questionnaires