The purpose of this study was to compare the difference of two survey methods for health services research. Data were collected by means of two types of household survey conducted from March 11 to September 19, 1985. A probability sample of 30,613 persons was taken from 180 Enumerated Districts designated by the Economic Planning Board. The sample was divided into two groups systematically. One group was surveyed by the self-administered questionnaire and the other group was interviewed. Response rates were 81.4% and 90.6% respectively. The data were analyzed by the ratio of the results of the self-administered survey to those of the interview survey. No difference was observed in sex, age, residence, or occupation between the two groups. However the respondents' characteristics were statistically different between the two groups. The major findings of this study are as follows : 1. The morbidity rate was 142.5 per 1,000 persons during the two week period by the self-administered questionnaire survey and 74.3 per 1,000 persons with the interview survey method. The ratio of the morbidity rate by the self-administered questionnaire to that by the interview was 1.92, and the difference between the two rates were due to the personal characteristics. 2. The out-patient utilization rate was 10.2 visits per person per year by the self-administered questionnaire survey and 5.4 by the interview survey, and the ratio was 1.89; the admission rate was 3.2 times per 100 persons per year by the self-administered questionnaire survey and 1.9 times by the interview survey, and the ratio was 1.68. Differences due to the sociodemographic characteristics were greater in the out-patient utilization rates than in the admission rates. 3. Percentages of effective medical care demand were 90.2% in the self-administered survey and 92.3% in the interview survey; the ratio was 0.98 which was less than that of the morbidity rate and medical care utilization. But, differences of effective medical care demand occurred in persons with no occupation, and aged or low educated respondents. 4. Respiratory illness had the highest frequency in the two survey methods. But there was a slight difference between the two survey methods in morbidity composition. 5. It was concluded that data collected by the interview survey were inclined to be underestimated and this problem can be corrected by a modified self-administered survey.
Surveys and Questionnaires* ; Family Characteristics ; Health Services Research* ; Health Services* ; Humans ; Occupations ; Outpatients ; Surveys and Questionnaires* ; Sampling Studies

There are several EKG changes in cerebrovascular disease(CVD). The wide prominent of inverted T wave is frequently developed in patients with CVD. There were case reports for CVD in patient with ST-segment elevation without myocardial infarction, but the exact mechanism is unknown. EKG abnormalities associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage were first described by Byer et al, in 1947.1 We report the case of 72 years old female patient who developed subarachnoid hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage with ST-segment elevation.
Aged ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage*

No abstract available.
Humans

INTRODUCTIONWe report a case of neurogenic pulmonary oedema (NPO) following massive left cerebral infarct, which was initially misdiagnosed as acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

CLINICAL PICTUREThis 52-year-old man presented with acute loss of consciousness with normal brain computed tomography (CT). He was treated as non-ST-elevation AMI complicated with pulmonary oedema based on findings of chest radiograph (bilateral pulmonary oedema), electrocardiogram (marked ST-T changes in leads V3 to V6), and cardiac enzymes [elevated creatinine kinase (CK) and CK-MB]. However, coronary angiogram and serial cardiac enzymes were inconclusive. Anisocoria developed after admission and a repeat brain CT was evident for large left cerebral infarct.

TREATMENTDecompressive craniectomy was carried out.

OUTCOMEMortality.

CONCLUSIONSThe diagnosis of NPO can be challenging when it occurs without abnormal findings on preliminary brain CT. It can be mistaken for cardiogenic pulmonary oedema secondary to AMI.

Cerebral Infarction ; physiopathology ; Coma ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diagnostic Errors ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnosis ; Pulmonary Edema ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Taiwan

BACKGROUND: Given the long hours on the road involving multiple and interacting work stressors (i.e., delivery pressures, irregular shifts, ergonomic hazards), commercial drivers face a plethora of health and safety risks. Researchers goal was to determine whether and to what extent long-haul trucker work schedules influence sleep duration and quality. METHODS: Survey and biometric data collected from male long-haul truck drivers at a major truckstop in central North Carolina over a six month period. RESULTS: Daily hours worked (mean = 11 hours, 55 minutes) and frequency of working over government-mandated daily HOS regulations (23.8% "frequently or always") were statistically significant predictors of sleep duration. Miles driven per week (mean = 2,812.61), irregular daily hours worked (63.8%), and frequency of working over the daily hour limit (23.8% "frequently or always") were statistically significant predictors of sleep quality. CONCLUSION: Implications of findings suggest a comprehensive review of the regulations and operational conditions for commercial motor vehicle drivers be undertaken.
Appointments and Schedules* ; Humans ; Male ; Motor Vehicles* ; North Carolina ; Social Control, Formal

To examine the effectiveness and safety of erythropoietin on the anemia of end-stage chronic renal failure, we administered recombinant human erythropoietin(rHuEPO), Eporon(R), to 66 patients with anemia and chronic renal failure who were undergoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. All received Eporon(R) intravenously, two or three times per week at 150unit/kg, and then the dose of Eporon(R) was adjusted to 75-300unit/kg/week according to the hemoglobin response. The results of this study judged 19(39.6%) of 48 patients as being in a "markedly improved" condition while 23(47.9%) of 48 patients were judged as being in an "improved" condition. At results, the response rate of this study was 87.5%(42/48 patients). This was the same as the target response rate, 90%(p= 0.564). Serious adverse events occured in 6 cases during the study, but all proved to be unrelated to Eporon(R). These events included itching 1(1.5%), urticaria 1(1.5%) and headache 1(1.5%). No patients discontinued to participate in the study except one patient who withdrew from the study voluntarily. The symptoms of all adverse events eventually decreased and disappeared during the clinical study. No factors in the clinical laboratory tests changed significantly (p<0.05) except for the decrease of TSR and ferritin, a consequence of using iron hemoglobin synthesis caused by Eporon(R) administration. The significant increase in blood pressure, which could not be proved to be related to Eporon(R), disappeared during the study. Anti-Epo antibody was not detected in any samples. These results demonstrate that Eporon(R) is effective in many patients with the anemia of end-stage chronic renal failure.
Anemia* ; Blood Pressure ; Erythropoietin ; Ferritins ; Headache ; Humans* ; Iron ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Pruritus ; Renal Dialysis ; Urticaria

Congenital aural atresia (CAA) with variable degrees of microtia are combined with many other otologic or facial anomalies. Among them, cholesteatoma developed behind atretic plate is rarely reported. Since Von Luders had first reported about this condition at 1912, several authors had described CAA associated with cholesteatoma. In their reports, atretic canal cannot prevent the development of cholesteatoma. We reviewed 4 cases of CAA associated with cholesteatoma with medical records and preoperative temporal bone CTs retrospectively. All the cases were unilaterally presented and corrected by canaloplsty. Keratin materials were demonstrated at the medial side of atretic ear canal.
Cholesteatoma* ; Ear Canal ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Temporal Bone

This paper presents our clinical experiences for reconstruction of the linear depressed postburn scar band by rhombus subcutaneous pedicle skin flap (RSPF). We report new RSPF, it’s versatility, and effectiveness for correction of the mild to moderate linear depressed postburn scar band. To correct the postburn scar band, we have newly designed the Rhombus Subcutaneous Pedicle Skin Flap (RSPF), which is made as rhombus-shaped skin flap on the inside of scar band. After excision of burn scar band, the each vertex of RSPF flap is advanced into the skin defects at apex of extended skin incision, which is starting from the upper and lower portion of the removed burn scar band at a near right angle. This flap can add more extra skin to adjacent superior and inferior area of excised scar band. We have experienced 2 cases of RSPF for reconstruction of linear depressed postburn scar band deformities in lower extremity. After 3 weeks to 3 months postoperative follow ups, relatively satisfactory results were obtained in all cases. We had successfully reconstructed the linear depressed postburn scar postburn band of lower extremity using the rhombus subcutaneous pedicle skin flap. For the correction of mild to moderate sized linear depressed postburn scar band deformities in extremity, the RSPF is simple, and very effective without donor morbidity.

It was well known that calcium sulfate was biocompatible, resorbed rapidly in the body, had potential as a good barrier membrane. Platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF) was one of polypeptide growth factor that had been reported as a biological mediator which regulates activities of wound healing process including the cell proliferation, migration and metabolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a combination of calcium sulfate and PDGF on periodontal ligament cells in vitro to use as a regeneration promoting agent of periodontal tissue. Human periodontal ligament cells were prepared from the premolar tooth extracted for the orthodontic treatment. Cells were cultured in alpha-MEM contained with 20% FBS, at the 37degrees C, 100% of humidity, 5% Co2 incubator. Cells were inoculated and cultured into 96 well culture plate with 1x104cells/well of alpha-MEM for 1 day. After discarding the medium, those cells were cultured in alpha-MEM contained with 10% FBS alone(control group), in calcium sulfate(calcium sulfate group), in calcium sulfate treated with 15ng/ml of PDGF-BB(calcium sulfate+PDGF group), in alpha-MEM contained with 10% FBS treated with 15ng/ml of PDGF-BB(PDGF group) for 1, 2, 3 day respectively. And then each group was characterized by examining of the cell counting, MTT assay, collagen synthesis. The results were as follows. 1. In the analysis of cell proliferation by cell counting, both calcium sulfate group and calcium sulfate plus PDGF group showed no stastically significant difference compared to control group, but there was stastically significant difference between PDGF group and calcium sulfate group at 1, 2 day(P<0.05). 2. In the analysis of cell proliferation by MTT assay in calcium sulfate extracts, both calcium sulfate group and calcium sulfate plus PDGF group showed no stastically significant difference compared to control group, but there was stastically significant difference between PDGF group and calcium sulfate group at 2, 3 day, and between calcium sulfate plus PDGF group and calcium sulfate group at 2 day(P<0.05). 3. In the analysis of cell proliferation by MTT assay in transwell, both control group and PDGF group showed stastically significant difference compared to both calcium sulfate group and calcium sulfate plus PDGF group at 1 day, but there was no stastically significant difference compared to both calcium sulfate group and calcium sulfate plus PDGF group at 2, 3 day(P<0.05). 4. In the analysis of collagen synthesis by immunoblotting assay in calcium sulfate extracts, high level was detected on calcium sulfate group at 3 day, on calcium sulfate plus PDGF group at 1 day, on PDGF group at 2 day. On the basis of these results, calcium sulfate was biocompatible on the periodontal ligament cells and might have potential possibility as a vehicle of PDGF in the periodontal tissue regeneration.
Bicuspid ; Calcium Sulfate* ; Calcium* ; Cell Count ; Cell Proliferation ; Collagen ; Humans ; Humidity ; Immunoblotting ; Incubators ; Membranes ; Metabolism ; Periodontal Ligament* ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor* ; Regeneration ; Tooth ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant synthesized in the liver. CRP immunoreactivity is a feature of inflammatory hepatocellular adenomas with a higher risk of malignant transformation. A high serum CRP level denotes poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. This study was conducted to determine whether CRP is produced in HCC and to assess the clinicopathologic significance of CRP expression in cancer cells. METHODS: CRP immunoreactivity was examined in treatment-naive HCCs (n=224) using tissue microarrays and was correlated with clinicopathologic parameters. The expression of CRP mRNA and protein was also assessed in 12 HCC cases by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting. Hep3B and SNU-449 HCC cell lines were used for the analysis of CRP mRNA regulation by interleukin 6 (IL-6). RESULTS: CRP was expressed in 133 of 224 HCCs (59.4%) with a variable degree of immunoreactivity (grade 1 in 25.9%; grade 2 in 20.1%; grade 3 in 13.4%). There was an inverse relationship between grade 3 CRP immunoreactivity and cancer-specific survival (p=.0047), while no associations were found with other parameters, including recurrence-free survival. The CRP mRNA expression level was significantly higher in CRP immunopositive cases than in immunonegative cases (p<.05). CRP mRNA expression was increased in Hep3B cells, but was not detected in SNU-449 cells even after IL-6 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We report the expression of CRP in HCC for the first time. CRP expression was associated with poor cancer-specific survival in patients with resectable HCC.
Adenoma, Liver Cell ; C-Reactive Protein* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interleukin-6 ; Liver ; Prognosis ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger