BACKGROUND: For the diagnosis or evaluation of airway obstruction in bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive lung disorders, various parameters derived from the forced expiratory volume curve and maximal expiratory flow volume cutie have been used. Recently the peak expiratory flow(PEF) measured by the peak flow meter is widely used because of its simplicity and convenience. But there were still no data of the predicted normal values measured by the peak flow meter in Korea. This study was to obtain the predicted normal value of PEF and to know the accuracy of this value 18 predict FEV1. METHOD: The measurements of PEF by the MiniWright peak flow meter and several parameters derived from the forced expiratory volume and maximal expiratory flow volume curves by the Microspiro HI 501(Chest Co.) were done in 129 men and 125 women without previous history of the respiratory diseases. The predicted normal values of parameters according tc the age and the height were obtained, and the regression equation of FEV1 by PEF was calculated. RESULTS: The predicted normal values of PEF(L/min) were 2.45 Age(year)+1.36 Height(cm)+427 in men and -0.96 Age(year)+2.01 Height(cm)+129 in women. FEFmax derived from the maximal expiratory flow volume cutie was less than by 125 L/min in men art 118 L/min in women respectively compared to PEF. FEV,(ml) predicted by PEF was 5.98 PEF(L/min) 303 in men and 4.61 PEF(L/min) 291 in women respectively. CONCLUSION: The predicted normal value of PEF measured by the peak flow meter was calculated and it could be used as a standard value of PEF while taking care of patients with airway obstruction FEV1, the gold standard of ventilatory function could be predicted by PEF to a certain extent.
Airway Obstruction ; Asthma ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung ; Male ; Maximal Expiratory Flow-Volume Curves ; Reference Values

BACKGROUND: Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, is known to have analgesic properties in subanesthetic doses and has been used as an analgesic in the postoperative period by variable routes. The effect of adding ketamine to analgesia using intravenous PCA morphine was evaluated in 90 women after cesarean section. METHODS: Ninety parturients were randomly allocated to three groups and each group had 30 women. The parturients in group 1 were given analgesics of morphine only, group 2 were given analgesics of the 2 : 1 mixture of morphine and ketamine, and group 3 were given analgesics of the 1 : 1 mixture of morphine and ketamine. We evaluated the analgesic requirement, numerical rating pain score, side effects and patient's satisfaction. RESULTS: The morphine requirement in group 3 was significantly lower than that in groups 1 and 2 at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. The pain score in group 2 was lower than that in group 1 at 3 and 6 hours and the pain score in group 3 was lowest of all groups at 3 and 6 hours. The incidence of dizziness was higher in group 3 than in groups 1 or 2. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that adding ketamine with morphine in using an intravenous PCA can decrease analgesic requirements and improve analgesic property.
Analgesia ; Analgesics ; Cesarean Section* ; Dizziness ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Ketamine* ; Morphine* ; N-Methylaspartate ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis* ; Postoperative Period ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVES: The antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles has resulted in their widespread use in many consumer products. Yet, despite their many advantages, it is also important to determine whether silver nanoparticles may represent a hazard to the environment and human health. METHODS: Thus, to evaluate the genotoxic potential of silver nanoparticles, in vivo genotoxicity testing (OECD 474, in vivo micronuclei test) was conducted after exposing male and female Sprague-Dawley rats to silver nanoparticles by inhalation for 90 days according to OECD test guideline 413 (Subchronic Inhalation Toxicity: 90 Day Study) with a good laboratory practice system. The rats were exposed to silver nanoparticles (18 nm diameter) at concentrations of 0.7 x 10(6) particles/cm3 (low dose), 1.4 x 10(6) particles/cm3 (middle dose), and 2.9 x 10(6) particles/cm3 (high dose) for 6 hr/day in an inhalation chamber for 90 days. The rats were killed 24 hr after the last administration, then the femurs were removed and the bone marrow collected and evaluated for micronucleus induction. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes or in the ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes among the total erythrocytes after silver nanoparticle exposure when compared with the control. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that exposure to silver nanoparticles by inhalation for 90 days does not induce genetic toxicity in male and female rat bone marrow in vivo.
Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Femur ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Inhalation Exposure ; Male ; Mutagenicity Tests ; Nanoparticles ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Silver

Primary idiopathic polymyositis is a condition of presumed autoimmune etiology in which the skeletal muscle is damaged by a nonsuppurative inflammatory process dominated by lymphocytic infiltration. We recently experienced a patient with primary idiopathic Polymyositis associated with hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytopenia. About 4 months prior to admission, he was diagnosed as primary idiopathic polymyositis, and improved by treatment with prednisolone 60 mg/day. During steroid tapering, muscle weakness was recurred and accompanied by hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytopenia. Despite retreatment with prednisolone 60 mg/day, muscle weakness, hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytopenia persisted. He was then started to administer methotrexate(MTX) 15 mg/week which resulted in prompt improvement of muscle weakness, hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytopenia. These findnigs suggest that primary idiopathic polymyositis is one of the cause of hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytopenia, and that the hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytopenia can be improved promptly by methotrexate treatment.
Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia* ; Methotrexate ; Muscle Weakness ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Polymyositis* ; Prednisolone ; Retreatment ; Thrombocytopenia*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Lung*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Lung*

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction syndrome (CIPS) is a rare clinical condition in which impaired intestinal propulsion causes recurrent symptoms of bowel obstruction in the absence of mechanical obstruction. CIPS can be present as either primary or secondary although the latter is rare in children compared with adults. The primary abnormality consists of a degeneration of either the muscularis propria (visceral myopathy), or the myenteric plexus (visceral neuropathy). A 19 year old woman was recently admitted with recurrent abdominal distension and diarrhea. An abdominal plain X-ray revealed a marked dilated stomach and duodenum with some air-fluid levels. A small bowel series showed a diffusely dilated small bowel with multifocal angulation and spiculation. Computed tomograpy also revealed a dilated small bowel and distal ileal wall thickening. The patient was treated by duodenojejunostomy and ileal resection. Histologically the intestine showed thinning of the proper muscle layer with degeneration of smooth muscle cells replaced by fibrosis. Based on the specific histopathologic finding, in addition to the clinical history, physical finding and radiological evaluation, a diagnosis of sporadic visceral myopathy was rendered. The patient was treated through total parenteral nutrition with neostigmine, prokinetics, octreotide, and erythromycin postoperatively. However, she underwent ileostomy due to poor response from these therapies. After ileostomy, she improved without a recurrence of severe symptoms.
Adult ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Diarrhea ; Duodenum ; Erythromycin ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Ileostomy ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction* ; Intestines ; Myenteric Plexus ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Neostigmine ; Octreotide ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Recurrence ; Stomach ; Young Adult

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction syndrome (CIPS) is a rare clinical condition in which impaired intestinal propulsion causes recurrent symptoms of bowel obstruction in the absence of mechanical obstruction. CIPS can be present as either primary or secondary although the latter is rare in children compared with adults. The primary abnormality consists of a degeneration of either the muscularis propria (visceral myopathy), or the myenteric plexus (visceral neuropathy). A 19 year old woman was recently admitted with recurrent abdominal distension and diarrhea. An abdominal plain X-ray revealed a marked dilated stomach and duodenum with some air-fluid levels. A small bowel series showed a diffusely dilated small bowel with multifocal angulation and spiculation. Computed tomograpy also revealed a dilated small bowel and distal ileal wall thickening. The patient was treated by duodenojejunostomy and ileal resection. Histologically the intestine showed thinning of the proper muscle layer with degeneration of smooth muscle cells replaced by fibrosis. Based on the specific histopathologic finding, in addition to the clinical history, physical finding and radiological evaluation, a diagnosis of sporadic visceral myopathy was rendered. The patient was treated through total parenteral nutrition with neostigmine, prokinetics, octreotide, and erythromycin postoperatively. However, she underwent ileostomy due to poor response from these therapies. After ileostomy, she improved without a recurrence of severe symptoms.
Adult ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Diarrhea ; Duodenum ; Erythromycin ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Ileostomy ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction* ; Intestines ; Myenteric Plexus ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Neostigmine ; Octreotide ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Recurrence ; Stomach ; Young Adult

Pure red cell aplasia(PRCA) is characterized by anemia, absence of reticulocytes in the peripherial blood and selective erythroid hypoplasia in the bone marrow. Acquired PRCA is often associated with thymoma but may also occur in many diverse conditions, such as chromic lymphocytic leukemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune disorders, T gamma lymphocytosis, acquired hypogammaglobulinemia, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Recently we experienced a case of T cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia associated with pure red cell aplasia. A 65-year-old man was presented with severe anemia. absolute reticulocytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphocytosis(T cell marker' CD2, CD7 positive). Bone marrow findings showed a marked decrease in erythroid precursors and normal maturations of granulocytic and megakaryocytic series, which were consistent with pure red cell aplasia. So we report this case with a review of the literature.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Aged ; Anemia ; Bone Marrow ; Common Variable Immunodeficiency ; Humans ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell* ; Leukemia, Lymphoid ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Lymphocytosis ; Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure* ; Reticulocytes ; Thymoma