No abstract available.
Diabetes Insipidus* ; Empty Sella Syndrome*

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory cytokines play an important role in human immune responses to malaria, although the role of these mediators in pathogenesis is unclear. In this study, we evaluated changes in cytokine levels following chemotherapy, and determined whether cytokine levels in serum correlated with the hematological parameters in the Korean vivax malarial patients. METHODS: The study population was composed of 31 patients in Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital who were diagnosed with Plasmodium vivax infection. Cytokine profiles, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 levels, were assessed in serum samples obtained from the malaria patients three times, at the time of diagnosis (stage I) and after treatment with hydroxychloroquine (stage II) and primaquine (stage III). The level of each cytokine was measured using commercially available serum-based ELISA kits. Hematological parameters were simultaneously measured using a hematology autoanalyzer. RESULTS: At thetime of diagnosis, the TNF-alpha (mean, 62.9 pg/mL), IL-6 (mean, 45.5 pg/mL), and IL-10 (mean, 237.7 pg/mL) levels in the malaria patients were higher than the reference values. After treatment with hydroxychloroquine, these levels (TNF-alpha, P<0.01; IL-6, P<0.05; IL-10, P<0.01) significantly decreased to near-normal levels. Significant positive correlations were observed among the cytokine levels, but not between the cytokine levels and other hematological parameters. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-10 levels increased at the time of diagnosis and rapidly decreased to normal levels after treatment the levels of these cytokines did not correlate with other hematological parameters.
Cytokines ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hematology ; Humans ; Hydroxychloroquine ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Malaria ; Malaria, Vivax ; Plasmodium vivax ; Primaquine ; Reference Values ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND: As the frequency of colonoscopic approaches increases, we need a less painful premedication for colonoscopy. We used midazolam as a premedication agent. It has more rapid onset of action than that of diazepam and its duration is shorter. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical application of midazolam. METHODS: Fifty patients underwent colonoscopies. An average dose of midazolam, 0.07 mg/kg, was given to patients intravenously as premedication. We measured systolic and diastolic blood pressures, pulse rates, respiratory rates, and oxygen saturation (SaO2) using pulse oxymetry before and after the injection. A Trieger test was accomplished before and after the procedures. We examined the levels of consciousness with verbal and physical stimulation during the colonoscopy. The examiners noted the degree of amnesia and pain after colono-scopy. We examined the patients' satisfaction and endoscopists' assessments. RESULTS: 1) Systolic, diastolic blood pressures and respiratory rates showed no significant changes. But, pulse rates increased meaningfully at 15 minutes after the injection of midazolam (p <0.05). 2) The Trieger test showed meaningfully increased numbers of missed dots after the injection of midazolam. 3) The levels of consciousness during the test showed alertness in 22 patients (44%), drowsy mentality in 22 patients (44%) and stuporous mentality in 6 patient (12%). 4) The degree of amnesia after examination showed recall in 26 patients (52%), partial recall in 10 patients (20%) and total amnesia in 14 patients (28%). 5) Forty-five patients (90%) acknowledged this procedures to be more comfortable than previous procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Midazolam stabilized vital signs and oxygen saturation, therefore midazolam can be used safely as premedication for colonoscopy. Thirty-six patients (72%) recalled the procedures totally or partially. But, the relief of pain compared favorably to the degree of amnesia. We concluded that mida-zolam (0.07 mg/kg) was the safe and effective premedication for colonoscopy.
Amnesia ; Colonoscopy* ; Consciousness ; Diazepam ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Midazolam* ; Oxygen ; Physical Stimulation ; Premedication* ; Respiratory Rate ; Stupor ; Vital Signs

Objectives: This study compared the nutritional intakes of early and late preterm infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and at home. The dietary problems and the need for community care services for premature infants were further investigated. Methods: This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study on 125 preterm infants and their parents (Early preterm n = 70, Late preterm n = 55). The data were collected by surveying the parents of preterm infants and from hospital medical records. Results: No significant differences were obtained between the early and late preterm infant groups when considering the proportion of feeding types in the NICU and at home. Early preterm infants were fed with a greater amount of additional calories at home and had more hours of tube feeding (P = 0.022). Most preterm infants had feeding problems. However, there was no significant difference between early and late preterm infants in the mental pain of parents, sleeping, feeding, and weaning problems at home. Many parents of preterm babies had no external support, and more than half the parents required community care to take care of their preterm babies. Conclusions Regardless of the gestational age, most preterm infants have several problems with dietary intake. Our study indicates the need to establish community care services for preterm infants.