BACKGROUND: The Q-switched ruby laser has recently shown that it can remove tattoos with-out scarring. Therefore the Q-switched ruby laser is expected to be effective in the treatment of nevus of Ota, which contains pigmented cells in the dermis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Q-switched ruby laser in the treatment of nevus of Ota. METHODS: Twenty-five patients (6 men, 19 women) with nevus of Ota on the face were treat-ed. The age of the patients ranged from 3 to 62 years. The energy fluence used varied from 6 to 8.5 J/cm². Treatment intervals ranged from 1 to 3 months, and the number of treatments ranged from 2 to 9. Photographs were taken of all patients before and on every return visit. The photographs were then compared with each other. After completion of treatment, we evaluated some parameters including the extent of pigment-free area within the skin lesions (score 0-4), degree of lightening in the remaining skin lesions (score 0-3), and patient's own or their parents' opinions on the result of treatment (score 0-3). The scores of the above three parameters were added and the resulting scores were designated as excellent (score 9-10), good (score 7-8), moderate (score 5-6) and poor (score 0-4). RESULTS: Excellent treatment response (score 9-10) was obtained in 6 of the 25 patients. In all patients disappearance of pigmentation on a 40 percent or larger area was seen. One month after completion of treatment, the remaining lesion size was less than 40 percent of the original lesion in 21 (84.0%) patients. The degree of lightening in the remaining lesion was marked (score 3) in 22 (88%) patients. No scarring was noted following treatment. Transient hyperpigmentation was noted in 7 patients, and transient hypopigmented areas were noted in one patient. CONCLUSION: Q-switched ruby laser appears to be an effective and safe modality for the treatment of nevus of Ota.
Cicatrix ; Dermis ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Lasers, Solid-State* ; Male ; Nevus of Ota* ; Nevus* ; Pigmentation ; Skin

This study was conducted to measure the degree of Korean Gender Egalitarianism among the students from six different high schools(132 girls, 127 boys) in Sunchon si, Chunnam province from Dec. 7th to Dec. 15th in 1999. The survey on gender egalitarianism was done in relation to the public understanding of the subject matter, parents' hug times, and parent's communication skills. Korean gender egalitarianism scale was standardized by Korea Woman Developmental Institutes in 1999. The data was analyzed by SAS program. Results were as follows: 1) Generally, girls are more conscious of gender egalitariannism than boys(t=-13.79, p < .001). Above all, the younger the students are, the more they feel equal(F=8.01, p < .01). In sibling cases, two sisters have the highest level of gender egalitarianism while two brothers have the lowest level of gender egalitarianism(F=9.20, p < .001). Students who come from religious families are more inclined to demonstrate gender equality(t= 2.42, p < .05). However, there is no diffrence in relation to the parents' ages or academic background or harmony within the family. 2)There is no difference that girls and boys generally communicate with their parents. In ages, 17 years old students communicate more than 18, 19 with parents(father F=3.97 p < .05?mother F=5.31, p < .01). That is, the younger students can communicate with their mothers more often than the older ones. In sibling cases, two sisters have more openly communication to parents while two brothers have(F=2.84, p < .05). Students communicate with their parents regardless of parents' academic background. But those from the family in harmony have more open chance to communicate than those who are not in hamony(father F=21.66, p < .001?mother F=13.37, p < .001). They can comm -unicate with their parents better when their fathers hug them than when they didn't get hugs(father t=-4.76, p < .001? mother t=-2.34, p < .05). They can also communicate with their patents better when their mothers hug them once or more than when they didn't get hugs(father t=-3.78, p < .001?mother t=-5.64, p < .001). 3) There is no diffrence whether the father hugs or not, but the mother's hug is very important because students whose mothers hug them once or more have significantly more gender egalitarianism than those students whose mothers didn't do(t=-3.98, p < .001). Based upon these results, it is recommended that we reconsider the role of gender in the socialization of high school students and also include gender egalitarianism in sex education. In this context, further study should be done for the improvement of students' communication within the framework of egalitarianism based upon parents' hugs(semi-language). Continued study is especially important in regards to the mother's hug and its enhancement of the students' gender egalitarianism.
Academies and Institutes ; Adolescent ; Fathers ; Female ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Korea ; Mothers ; Parents ; Sex Education ; Siblings ; Socialization ; Child Health

This study was conducted to measure the degree of Korean Gender Egalitarianism among the students from six different high schools(132 girls, 127 boys) in Sunchon si, Chunnam province from Dec. 7th to Dec. 15th in 1999. The survey on gender egalitarianism was done in relation to the public understanding of the subject matter, parents' hug times, and parent's communication skills. Korean gender egalitarianism scale was standardized by Korea Woman Developmental Institutes in 1999. The data was analyzed by SAS program. Results were as follows: 1) Generally, girls are more conscious of gender egalitariannism than boys(t=-13.79, p < .001). Above all, the younger the students are, the more they feel equal(F=8.01, p < .01). In sibling cases, two sisters have the highest level of gender egalitarianism while two brothers have the lowest level of gender egalitarianism(F=9.20, p < .001). Students who come from religious families are more inclined to demonstrate gender equality(t= 2.42, p < .05). However, there is no diffrence in relation to the parents' ages or academic background or harmony within the family. 2)There is no difference that girls and boys generally communicate with their parents. In ages, 17 years old students communicate more than 18, 19 with parents(father F=3.97 p < .05?mother F=5.31, p < .01). That is, the younger students can communicate with their mothers more often than the older ones. In sibling cases, two sisters have more openly communication to parents while two brothers have(F=2.84, p < .05). Students communicate with their parents regardless of parents' academic background. But those from the family in harmony have more open chance to communicate than those who are not in hamony(father F=21.66, p < .001?mother F=13.37, p < .001). They can comm -unicate with their parents better when their fathers hug them than when they didn't get hugs(father t=-4.76, p < .001? mother t=-2.34, p < .05). They can also communicate with their patents better when their mothers hug them once or more than when they didn't get hugs(father t=-3.78, p < .001?mother t=-5.64, p < .001). 3) There is no diffrence whether the father hugs or not, but the mother's hug is very important because students whose mothers hug them once or more have significantly more gender egalitarianism than those students whose mothers didn't do(t=-3.98, p < .001). Based upon these results, it is recommended that we reconsider the role of gender in the socialization of high school students and also include gender egalitarianism in sex education. In this context, further study should be done for the improvement of students' communication within the framework of egalitarianism based upon parents' hugs(semi-language). Continued study is especially important in regards to the mother's hug and its enhancement of the students' gender egalitarianism.
Academies and Institutes ; Adolescent ; Fathers ; Female ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Korea ; Mothers ; Parents ; Sex Education ; Siblings ; Socialization ; Child Health

No abstract available.
Arthritis* ; Osteoarthritis* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta* ; Transforming Growth Factors*

Atrial fibrillation(AF) diagnosed by fibrillatory waves of atrial activity and an irregular ventricular response on ECG is a common arrhythmia associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mor- tality. The incidence of AF increases markedly with advancing age and the presence of congestive heart failure. Most patients with AF can be attributed to organic heart disease such as rheumatic, atherosclerotic and hypertensive heart disease. But there is an increasing awareness of so-called lone AF which has no underlying cardiac or metabolic abnormality. We report a case of paroxysmal AF developed just before the induction of anesthesia in a 73-year-old patient who had no history of cardiovascular disease.
Aged* ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General* ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Incidence

Acetylcholine is one of the major neurotransmitters in visual system of rats. Cholinergic, serotonergic and gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA) ergic projections are known as modulators of visual processing. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of unilateral orbital enucleation on the amount of acetylcholine and its receptor bindings in dorsolateral geniculate body, superior colliculus and visual cortex of rats, and on motor activites. The amount of acetylcholine was measured by gas chromatography; whereas [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate(QNB) bindings to muscarinic receptors were examined by autoradiography. Motor activity was measured by activity meter for 24 hours. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The amount of acetylcholine in superior colliculus significantly increased at 1 week after enucleation, but it decreased at 2 and 4 weeks after enucleation. In visual cortex, the amount of acetylcholine did not change at 1 week after enucleation, but it significantly decreased at 2 and 4 weeks after enucleation. 2. After enucleation, [3H]-QNB binding to muscarinic receptors gradually decreased over the 4 weeks in dorsolateral geniculate body, superior colliculus and visual cortex. 3. Locomotor activity of rats did not show any change at 1 week after enucleat ion, but it decreased at 2 and 4 weeks after enucleation. In conclusion, unilateral orbital enucleation resulted in a reduction in the amount of acetylcholine and muscarinic receptors in rat visual system, which was speculated to be a major cause of a decrease in physical activity.
Acetylcholine* ; Animals ; Autoradiography ; Chromatography, Gas ; Motor Activity* ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Orbit* ; Rats* ; Receptors, Muscarinic* ; Superior Colliculi ; Visual Cortex ; Visual Pathways*

Juvenile spring eruption(JSE) of the ears is an unusual type of photodermatosis, which develops on the light exposed areas of the ears of boys and young male adults in the early spring months. JSE has received little attention in the literature, and to our knowledge no cases have been reported in Korea until now. Herein we report a case of JSE occurring in a 17-year-old man who has suffered from a recurrent pruritic erythematous papulovesicular eruption of both helix, followed by crusting and healing without scarring within one to two months early each spring for six years.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Cicatrix ; Ear* ; Humans ; Korea ; Male

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate Seoul teacher's satisfaction with and needs for health examination and health promotion programs. METHODS: The participants were 3,186 teachers in Seoul. Data were collected through an on-line survey system from November 16 to December 7, 2008. Collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Scheffe's test using PASW 18.0 program. RESULTS: Teacher's satisfaction with teacher health examination was low and needs for detailed tests of cancer and vocal cord disorders were high. Teacher's satisfaction with teacher health promotion programs was low and needs for stress management, exercise and vocal cord protection program were high. CONCLUSION: Vocal cord disorders should be included in teacher health examination and vocal cord protection program should be provided for teacher's health promotion. Stress management and exercise program should also be provided for teacher's health promotion.
Health Promotion ; Physical Examination ; Vocal Cords

No abstract available.
Fistula* ; Humans ; Infant*

Thirty one free vascularized fibula bone grafts were performed for treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head in 26 patients, 24 men and 2 women aged from 16 to 48(mean:32 years). Twenty one patients had unilateral disease. Five patients had bilateral disease underwent staged bilateral free vascularized fibula grafts three months apart. Associated etiological factors included alcohol(9 patients), steroid(7 patients), and trauma(one patient). The condition was considered idiopathic in the remaining 9 patients. Radiologic staging by Ficat included stage 1 in one hip, stage II in 15 hips, stage III in 14 hips, and stage IV in one hip. A skin island flap was used for monitoring purpose for the grafted fibula. One monitoring, flap was necrotized due to vascular occlusion but the fibula bone graft was left in place to use as a nonvascularized bone graft. Average follow-up period was 21 months in 31 hips. Pain was relieved in 28 hips(93.3 percent) and aggravated in 2 hips(6.7 per cent). On radiographic evaluation, 26 hips(86.7 per cent) demonstrated excellent preservation of the femoral head contour. Progressive collapse of the femoral head (greater than 1-2 mm) occurred in 2 hips, i mm depression in one hip with stage III and 2 mm collapse in one hip with stage IV. In conclusion, the free vascularized fibula bone graft is an excellent treatment modality for preserving the femoral head and relieving symptoms in cases of the osteonecrosis of the femoral head.
Depression ; Female ; Fibula* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head* ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Osteonecrosis* ; Skin ; Transplants