No abstract available.
Acoustics*

No abstract available.

No Abstract Available.
Hepatitis B e Antigens* ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A stellate ganglion block (SGB) induces vasodilatation in the head, neck, and upper extremities. Based on this principle, SGB has been widely used as one of the treatment modalities in sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss (S-SNHL). However, until now, published data establishing the statistical significance of the effect of SGB has been slim. We conducted this study to find out the effect of SGB in the treatment of idiopathic S-SNHL and to find out the factors influencing the prognosis of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 221 patients seen in the past eight years between 1990 to 1997 who had an initial diagnosis of idiopathic S-SNHL and was admitted for treatment. One hundred twenty patients were treated with SGB and the other 101 patients were treated without SGB to use as a control group. RESULTS: The therapeutic result of SGB group was better than that of the control group. Especially, statistical difference was found in the following two subgroups; one in which the interval between the onset of disease and the initiation of treatment was from 8 to 28 days, and the other when the initial hearing loss was below 90 dB. CONCLUSION: We suggest that this study could be utilized as a standard of clinical treatment when SGB is performed.
Diagnosis ; Head ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural* ; Humans ; Neck ; Prognosis ; Stellate Ganglion* ; Upper Extremity ; Vasodilation

The domestic product of a non-depolarizing muscle relaxant, Metuben, was studied on its effect in rabbit. Twenty four rabbits of either sex weighing 2~3kg were divided into four groups (consisting of 6 animals each) to administer Metuben in doses of 0.05 mg/kg, O.l mg/kg, 0.2 mg/ kg and 0.4 mg/kg, respectively. All animals were anesthetized with 20% urethane 5 ml/kg given intraperitoneally and 2.5% pentothal sodium 10 mg/kg intravenously. ECG was monitored by Physio-contro1(lifepak 7)model. The animal lungs were mechanically ventilated through a tracheostomy and Shinano animal respirator set to deliver a 30 ml/kg tidal volume at 30 breaths/min. This ventilatory pattern resulted in the PaCO2 values within the range of 30-40 mmHg. Twitches of the tibialis anterior muscle were elicited at 0.1 Hz, "Train of four" via the peroneal branch of the sciatic nerve, and the Myotest stimulator were applied at supramaximal voltage. Twitch recording was done via Biophysiograph. Results were as follows: 1) The effect of Metuben as a dose-dependent long lasting non-depolarizing muscle relaxant was confirmed. Their relaxant effect in rabbits were quite different from man. 2) In rabbits, Metuben showed great individual differences in its effect even with the s'ame dosage. The length of muscle relaxing activity.and the occurence of recurarization after neostigmine reverse were extremely variable suggesting its safety margin is quite narrow.
Animals ; Electrocardiography ; Individuality ; Lung ; Muscle Relaxation* ; Neostigmine ; Rabbits ; Sciatic Nerve ; Sodium ; Thiopental ; Tidal Volume ; Tracheostomy ; Urethane ; Ventilators, Mechanical

Pleural effusion is a rare complication in non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection. We report a case of Mycobacterium intracellulare pleuritis with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in a 69-year-old man presenting with dyspnea. Pleural effusion revealed lymphocyte dominant exudate. M. intracellulare was identified using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method and liquid cultures of pleural effusion and pleural biopsy. After combination therapy for M. intracellulare pulmonary disease, the patient was clinically well at a 1-month follow-up.
Biopsy ; Dyspnea ; Exudates and Transudates ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ; Lung Diseases ; Lymphocytes ; Mycobacterium ; Mycobacterium avium Complex ; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous ; Pleural Effusion ; Pleurisy

OBJECTIVE: Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), known as a useful diagnostic marker in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), are specific for granule proteins of granulocytes and monocytes and induce distinct fluorescence patterns. To evaluate the significance of ANCA in chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IHD), the presence of ANCA in chronic IBD was studied using indirect immunofluorescent test (IIF), METHODS: Between March, 1994 and September 1995, 51 patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease were subjected in this study. We had analysed the correlation between duration, disease activity, location by colonoscopy and radiologic examinations, steroid treatment. RESULTS: 1) Among 34 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), ANCA was demonstrated in 23 patients (67.6%). Among 19 patients with other chronic IBD (4 Crohn's disease, 6 Behcet's colitis, 7 intestinal tuberculosis and 2 radiation colitis) 2 patients (10.5%) had ANCA. The positivity of ANCA in patients with UC was significantly higher than in patients with other chronic IBD. 2) In patients with UC, c-ANCA was positive in 2 (5.9%) patients and p-ANCA was positive in 21 (61.8%) patients. In patients with other chronic IBD, ANCA was positive in one patient with Behcet's colitis or one patient with intestinal tuberculosis but negative in all patients with Crohn's disease or radiation colitis. 3) The mean duration of disease in ANCA positive patients was 42.4 +/- 39.4 months and the mean duration of disease in ANCA negative patients was 44.9 +/- 36.8 months, but there was no significant difference. 4) The number of patients in clinically mild, moderate and severe group were 23 (37.6%), 6 (83.2%) and 5 (14.7%) respectively. Among these groups the number of ANCA positive patients were 15 (65.2%), 5 (83.2%) and 3 (60%) respectively, but there was no significant difference. 5) The number of patients with proctitis, left side colitis and pancolitis were 9 (26.5%), 14 (41.2%) and 11 (32.4%) respectively, Among these groups the number of ANCA positive patients were 4 (44.4%), 10 (71.4%) and 9 (81.8%) respectively, but there was no significant difference. 6) Among 13 patients with steroid treatment 9 patients (69.2%) were ANCA positive. Among 21 patients without steroid treatment 16 patients (76.2%) were ANCA positive, but there was no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Although there was no correlation between ANCA and duration, disease activity, location or steroid treatment in UC patients, ANCA could be a diagnostic marker of UC in chronic IBD patients.
Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic* ; Colitis ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Colonoscopy ; Crohn Disease ; Fluorescence ; Granulocytes ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* ; Monocytes ; Proctitis ; Tuberculosis

Adrenal oncocytomas are very rare. Because most of them are benign and nonfunctioning, they are detected incidentally. Here, we report a case of nonfunctioning benign adrenocortical oncocytoma located in the left adrenal gland in a 54-year-old man who presented with no symptoms. The tumor was 4.5 x 3 x 3 cm in size and was predominantly composed of oncocytes, which exhibited abundant eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and were arranged with a nested or diffuse architecture without capsular or vascular invasion. Nuclear atypia and mitotic figures were not observed. A discussion of this case and a review of recent updates in the literature are presented. In patients with adrenocortical oncocytomas, treatment is similar to that for adrenocortical neoplasia. However, due to the risk of over-diagnosis of malignancy, and the better clinical outcomes associated with adrenocortical oncocytoma, more attention should be paid to the diagnosis of adrenocortical oncocytoma.
Adenoma, Oxyphilic ; Adrenal Glands ; Adrenocortical Adenoma ; Cytoplasm ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Oxyphil Cells

Carbohydrates are a primary source of energy and a major component of the structure of living things-; there are many different kinds. As eating behavior is a part of life, it was usually not described in addiction. However, sometimes it seems aspects of addiction. This eating behavior can also appear with regard to other food. A bio-psycho-social model is required for complex analysis of addiction. When highly addictive agents are excluded, we can usually identify a key factor related to the vulnerability of the individual to addictive behavior. Considering that every source of happiness can potentially lead to addictive behaviors, we need to be cautious about the controlling. Not every carbohydrate can be connected with addictive behavior. Addictive behavior could be associated with a variety of ingredients other than carbohydrates. Until recently, sweet substances were thought to be the primary culprit behind addictive behavior. It is necessary to identify the food component or other factors associated with a specific craving. A multidimensional approach to the psychology of addictive behaviors might be more useful than opposing carbohydrate consumption in general.
Behavior, Addictive ; Carbohydrates ; Craving ; Feeding Behavior ; Happiness ; Psychology ; Sweetening Agents

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary soluble fibers added to nasogastric tube-fed formulas and to compare the difference of the degree of diarrhea according to the amount of dietary soluble fibers in stroke or traumatic brain injury patients for comprehensive rehabilitative management. METHOD: Fifty-two stroke or traumatic brain injury patients fed by nasogastric tube due to dysphagia were included. They received fiber-free formulas for the first 30 days and then they were randomly assigned to three groups, including the control (fiber-free) group, moderate fiber (3.5 gm fiber/L) group and high fiber (7 gm fiber/L) group. Each group received their respective formulas for the next 30 days. We compared diarrhea score and frequency. RESULTS: In the control group, the degree of diarrhea was not changed with time. In the moderate and high fiber groups, daily diarrhea score and monthly diarrhea frequency were low compared to the control group (p<0.05). Also, the incidence of pseudomembraneous colitis was low in fiber groups. CONCLUSION: We concluded that adding dietary soluble fibers to nasogastric tube-fed formulas may be helpful to reduce the diarrhea and the development of pseudomembraneous colitis. The proper fiber amount will be determined through the following more case studies.
Brain Injuries* ; Colitis ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diarrhea* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Stroke*