PURPOSE: The study was a non-equivalent control group, quasi-experimental study to find out the effect of the laughter therapy on anxiety and depression of burn patients. METHODS: Study subjects were 60 hospitalized patients with the diagnosis of 2nd degree burn (30 experimental group; 30 control group). Experimental group received laughter therapy by the certificated therapist. STAI questionnaire, blood pressure and pulse were checked before and after the laughter therapy. RESULTS: Before and after the laughter implementation, the experimental group's anxiety decreased, however, the comparison group's anxiety did not show significant difference. Moreover, experimental group's anxiety decreased after the implementation. Experimental group's systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure did not decrease pre/post laughter therapy mediator. The comparison group showed that systolic blood pressure increased, and diastolic blood pressure did not show significant difference. Also, experimental group's systolic blood pressure and diastolic pressure did not show significant difference after the treatment. Pre/post laughter therapy mediation did not decrease the experimental group's pulse and comparison group's pulse. Furthermore, the experimental group's pulse did not show the significant difference after the treatment. In pre/post laughter therapy mediation, the experimental group's depression was decreased, however, the comparison did not how significance difference in pre/post depression score after the treatment. Moreover, the experimental group's depression was decreased after the treatment. CONCLUSION: According the results above, the laughter therapy had effect on decreasing anxiety and depression of the burn patients and it is efficient mediator for the burn patient. Repetitive research was needed to investigate the effect of laughter on cardiovascular system since it did not have decreasing effect on the blood pressure and pulse.
Anxiety* ; Blood Pressure ; Burns* ; Cardiovascular System ; Depression* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Laughter ; Laughter Therapy* ; Negotiating ; Surveys and Questionnaires

In Table 6, the unit concentration of phthalates was not correctly indicated.

The enzyme, 17 -hydroxylase, is necessary for both cortisol and estrogen synthesis. Deficiency of the hormone results in increased adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Synthesis of progesterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC), corticosterone and aldosterone don't require the enzyme. The lack of estrogen results in primary amenorrhea and absent sexual maturation. The replacement of dexamethasone and estrogens has lowered the blood pressure and produced feminization. A 19-year-old female had 46,XX genotype and presented amonorrhea, absence of sexual characteristics, hypertension and hypokalemia. Endocrinologic studies demonstrated increased plasma progesterone, ACTH levels and low production of 17 -hydroxyprogesterone and testosterone. We report a rare case of 17 -hydroxylase deficency with a brief history and review of the literature.
Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Aldosterone ; Amenorrhea* ; Blood Pressure ; Corticosterone ; Dexamethasone ; Estrogens ; Female ; Feminization ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hypertension ; Hypokalemia ; Plasma ; Progesterone ; Sexual Maturation ; Testosterone ; Young Adult

A 40-year-old woman just had started to take propylthiouracil for Graves disease, However, the treatment had to be interrupted because she developed skin rash, arthritis, chest pain, fever and proteinuria after 2 months. The serologic study revealed antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA) positivity, especially showing perinuclear pattern. The anti-myeloperoxidase titer was high. The hematoxylin & eosin stain of the specimen obtained from kidney was compatible with pauci-immune glomerulonephritis with crescent formation. There were no immune complex deposits under electron microscope. Such findings suggested propylthiouracil-induced vasculitis. Vasculitis is a rare side effect of propylthiouracil. Recently more cases of vasculitis associated with anti-thyroid drug with ANCA positivity are being reported up to about 36 cases worldwide. There are possibilities of underdiagnosis of this side effect, meaning more cautions on the patients under anti-thyroid drug treatment. We present a case with review of related literature.
Adult ; Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic ; Antigen-Antibody Complex ; Arthritis ; Chest Pain ; Cytoplasm* ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Exanthema ; Female ; Fever ; Glomerulonephritis ; Graves Disease ; Hematoxylin ; Humans ; Kidney ; Neutrophils* ; Propylthiouracil* ; Proteinuria ; Vasculitis*

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the health risks for children exposed to phthalate through several pathways including house dust, surface wipes and hand wipes in child facilities and indoor playgrounds. METHODS: The indoor samples were collected from various children's facilities (40 playrooms, 42 daycare centers, 44 kindergartens, and 42 indoor-playgrounds) in both summer (Jul-Sep, 2007) and winter (Jan-Feb, 2008). Hazard index (HI) was estimated for the non-carcinogens and the examined phthalates were diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), and butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP). The present study examined these four kinds of samples, i.e., indoor dust, surface wipes of product and hand wipes. RESULTS: Among the phthalates, the detection rates of DEHP were 98% in dust samples, 100% in surface wipe samples, and 95% in hand wipe samples. In this study, phthalate levels obtained from floor dust, product surface and children's hand wipe samples were similar to or slightly less compared to previous studies. The 50th and 95th percentile value of child-sensitive materials did not exceed 1 (HI) for all subjects in all facilities. CONCLUSIONS: For DEHP, DnBP and BBzP their detection rates through multi-routes were high and their risk based on health risk assessment was also observed to be acceptable. This study suggested that ingestion and dermal exposure could be the most important pathway of phthalates besides digestion through food.
2,4-Dinitrophenol ; Child ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate ; Digestion ; Dust ; Eating ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Hand ; Humans ; Phthalic Acids ; Risk Assessment

BACKGROUNDS: Pituitary hyperplasia can mimic pituitary adenoma. In MRI, enlarged pituitary gland is enhanced homogenously with upward convexity of the superior margin of the gland .The best definition of hyperplasia in the pituitary hyperplasia seems to be a multiplication of one or more cell types. But definition, etiology and clinical courses of this disease are not clear, METHOD: We reviewed clinical symptoms, MRI, and pathologic findindings in 6 patients with pituitary hyperplasia. RESULT: 1. Major clinical symptoms were headache (100%), visual field defect (84%), polyuria/polydipsia (64%), and irregular mensturation (32%). Other symptoms were amenorrhea (16%) and galactorrhea (16%). 2. Three of five cases showed abnormal responses to combined pituitary function test, 3. MRI findings were pituitary hyperplasia (4), macroadenoma (l), and microadenoma (1). 4. In two operated cases, there was no adenoma. One case showed hyperplasia of lactotroph cells, the other was hyperplasia of gonadotroph cells confirmed by the examination of immunocytochemistry. CONCLUSION: Pituitary hyperplasia should be considered in patients with enlarged pituitary gland without focal mass lesion.
Adenoma ; Amenorrhea ; Female ; Galactorrhea ; Gonadotrophs ; Headache ; Humans ; Hyperplasia* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lactotrophs ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pituitary Function Tests ; Pituitary Gland ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Pregnancy ; Visual Fields

BACKGROUND: Positive correlations between bone mass and androgen levels have been observed in premenopausal and postmenopausal women as well as in men. Androgen production was decreased in women with osteoporosis compared to that in age-matched controls. We hypothesized that androgen metabolism might be also deranged in osteoporosis. To clarify our hypothesis, we investigated the relationship between urinary metabolites of androgen and bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean postmenopausal osteoporotics. METHODS: We examined the anthropometry and bone turnover marker in 67 postmenopausal women. BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Serurn levels of estrone, estradiol, free testosterone were measured by radioirnmunoassay and serum level of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) was measured by two site immunoradiometric assay. The urinary metabolites of androgen were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) at Korean Institute of Science and Technology Doping Control Center. RESULTS: 1. Spinal BMD had a positive correlation with height (r 0.3049, p<0.05), weight (r=0.4114, p<0.001) and body mass index (BMI, r=0.2638, p<0,05). 2. Spinal and femoral neck BMD had no correlation with serum levels of estrone, estradiol and ten major urinary metabolites of androgen, but serum free testosterone had positive correlation with spinal BMD (r=0.3622, p<0.01) and SHBG had negative correlation with femoral neck BMD (r=-0.2625, p< (0.05). 3. Serum free testosterone in osteoporotics was lower than non-osteoporotics with spinal BMD (p<0.05) and SHBG in patients with osteopenia was higher than non-osteopenic subjects with femoral neck BMD (p <0.05). 4. In multiple stepwise regression analysis, weight and serum free testosterone were statistically significant for spinal BMD (R =0.3072). As for femoral neck BMD, weight was the independent determinant (R 0.1307). 5. Serum level of osteo#ealcin and urinary deoxypyridinoline/creatinine had a positive correlation with urinary 11-ketoandrosterone (p<0.05). SHBG was positive correlation with osteocalcin (r=0.3190, p<0.05). 6. Serum free testosterone (r=-0.2740, p<0.05) decreased with aging. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that androgen metabolism is not deranged in osteoporotics, but serum free testosterone is important than estrogen on postmenopausal osteoporosis after 5-10 years menopause.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Aging ; Anthropometry ; Body Mass Index ; Bone Density* ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Estradiol ; Estrogens ; Estrone ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Humans ; Immunoradiometric Assay ; Male ; Menopause ; Metabolism ; Osteocalcin ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin ; Testosterone

BACKGROUND: Hyperprolactinemia has been linked with hyperandrogenism and hirsutism in some women. High plasma Dihydroandrosterone and DHA-S levels were reported in patients with hyperprolactinemia and a dissociation of adrenal androgen and cortisol secretion occurs in normal subjects. The mechanism has not been elucidated, but it has been suggested that pituitary factors other than ACTH modulate adrenal androgen synthesis, One candidate hormone is prolactin. Adrenal tissue has been found to possess prolactin receptors and prolactin has been shown to act synergistically with ACTH and lowers the activity of the enzyme 5a-reductase or 3B-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3B-HSD). The aim of this study was to investigate the secretion of adrenal androgen metabolites in patients with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia and prolactinoma and to deterrnine the relationship with prolactin and androgens. METHODS: We measured 24 hour-urinary DHEA, androstenedione, androsterone, pregnenolone, tetrahydrocorticoid and cortisol in 16 normal controls and 5 patients with idiopathic hyperprolac-tinemia (HP) and 12 patients with prolactonoma in the early follicular phase. RESULTS: Urinary DHEA, AD (androsteredione), and androsterone, the metabolites of adrenal androgen, were significantly higher in both patients with idiopathic HP and prolactinoma compared with those in normal controls (p<0.05), whereas they were not different in both disease groups. Urinary pregnenolone levels, early metabolite of adrenal steroid synthesis, were lower in patients. In contrast, urinary tetrahydorcortisol and cortisol were higher in patients compared to controls. There was no difference in DHEA:androsterone ratio between patients and controls. And there were no correlation between prolactin levels and the levels of androgenic metabolites or clinical symptoms. CONCLUSION: Prolactin has a tropic effct on the secretion of androgens and steroids by the adrenal cortex. But prolactin levels were not correlated with androgen levels or clinical symptoms (amenorrhea), and it might have little effect on lowering the activity of 3B-HSD.
Adrenal Cortex ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Androgens ; Androstenedione ; Androsterone ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; Female ; Follicular Phase ; Hirsutism ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hyperandrogenism ; Hyperprolactinemia* ; Oxidoreductases ; Plasma ; Pregnenolone ; Prolactin ; Prolactinoma ; Receptors, Prolactin ; Steroids

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the difference in acute stroke management between urban and rural areas, to investigate the factors affecting these differences, and to acquire basic information for establishing an efficient regional hub and spoke system for stroke patients. METHODS: This retrospective study was based on adult patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke from January 2012 to December 2012 at a regional cerebrovascular center. The term "acute" was defined as 24 hours from symptom recognized. The term "urban" was defined as the region within the boundary of a metropolitan area. The distance from the symptom onset location to the stroke center was calculated using a global positioning system. RESULTS: The rate of arriving at a stroke center within 3 hours after stroke recognition for acute ischemic stroke patients was much higher in urban areas compared to rural areas (27.5 vs. 19.2%, respectively; p-value=0.011). In stroke cases in rural areas, the distance from symptom onset location to a stroke center was determined as statistically significant through multivariate logistic regression analysis (Odds ratio (OR), 0.982; 95% Confidence interval (CI) 0.969-0.995). In contrast, the use of a public ambulance (OR, 4.258; 95% CI 2.233-8.118) and inter-hospital transfer (OR, 0.416; 95% CI 0.216-0.800) were the main prehospital delay factors in urban areas. CONCLUSION: For stroke cases in urban areas, it was important to directly visit a stroke center without transfer using a public ambulance. For rural areas, a new hub hospital and policies are necessary for reducing prehospital delay.
Adult ; Ambulances ; Emergency Medical Services ; Geographic Information Systems ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke*

BACKGROUND: Cytokeratins are epithelial markers whose expressions are not lost during malignant transformation. The utility of cytokeratin fragment (Cyfra) 21-1, a new tumor marker, was investigated in 110 patients with lung cancer. The aims of this study were to confirm sensitivity of Cyfra 21-1 in detecting non-small cell cancer, to assess the potential relationship between Cyfra 21-1 and disease stage of the lung cancer. METHODS: We measured serum levels of four tumor marker (NSE, CEA, SCC Ag, Cyfra 21-1) in 110 patients with lung cancer. The measurement of serum level of Cyfra 21-1 was performed with a cut off value of 3.3 ng/mL. An immunoradiometric assay was used to detect a fragment of the cytokeratin 19. The patients were grouped according to the stage of the disease and tumor type. RESULTS: Overall sensitivity of Cyfra 21-1 was relatively high (51.8%) than others tumor markers. Sensitivity of this marker was especially high for adenocarcinoma (63.2%) and squamous cell carcinoma (54.1%). In contrast, sensitiviy of Cyfra 21-1 was relatively low for small cell lung carcinoma (40.0%). Serum levels of Cyfra 21-1 were higher in advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer than early stage disease. CONCLUSION: We conclude that Cyfra 21-1 is a sensitive tumor marker of nonsmall cell lung cancer, especially adenocarcinoma and also may be a useful adjunctive marker for disease monitoring.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Humans ; Immunoradiometric Assay ; Keratin-19 ; Keratins ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; Biomarkers, Tumor