BACKGROUND: In patients with myocardial infarction, one needs to know the location, extent and severity of wall motion abnormalities to assess prognosis and guide therapy. Thus more precise quantatative estimates of regional ventricular function are required. Regional wall motion has generally been assessed by displaying the multiple cardiac images of RVG as endless-loop movie, but the cinematic display was not objective. We used the usefulness of the phase analysis in evaluating the global left ventricular function and regional wall motion abnormalities of patients with myocardial infarction. The accuracy of the RVG cinematic display in detecting regional wall motion abnormalities in patients with myocardial infarction was also evaluated. METHODS: Studied cases were 97 patients with myocardial infarction and 20 normals with low likelihood of coronary artery disease. Coronary angiography and contrast left ventriculography were performed in all patients with myocardial infarction. The regional wall myocardial infarction(presence) is defined when the EKG presented the evidence of myocardial infarction, left ventriculogram showed RWMA(regional wall motion abnormality) along with stenosis of 50% or greater of the regional supplying coronary artery. Each patient was imaged in 45 left anterior oblique(LAO) view, anterior(Ant) view and left lateral(Lt Lat) view. We evaluated Left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) from time-activity curve. We constructed the histogram for the left ventricle and both ventricle separately to obtain the global and total phase angle(GPA, TPA), standard deviation of phase angle(GSDPh, TSDPh), full width half maximum(GFWHM, TFWHM). The left ventricle was divided into 7 segments. LAO projection ; septal, apical, basal lateral, apical lateral, Ant projection ; anterolateral, Lt Lat projection ; inferior, posterior, Phase angle(RPA) and full width half maximum(RFWHM) from the histogram (regional 7 segments) were examined. On the RVG cinematic display, the standard 4 grading system was used, normal, hypokinesia, akinesia, dyskinesia. The observer evaluated regional wall motion abnormality of the 7 segments for all cases. The sensitivity of the above parameters and RVG cinematic display was evaluated. We analyzed the regional parameters among the patents with regional wall myocardial infarction(presence), those without regional wall myocardial infarction(absence) and control group using the t-test. The statistical analysis was done by one way ANOVA between regional phase analysis and RVG cinematic display. RESULTS: The sensitivity of LVEF was lowest(70.1%) and the GFWHM was highest among the global parameters(89.1%). But RFWHM showed even higher sensitivity(96.9%), thus regional phase analysis was also required. The RVG cinematic display was also sensitive(92.7%), but less sensitive than the RFWHM. On regional phase analysis the RPA of septal, apical, inferior, posterior walls of the left ventricle was able to separate presence group from absence group and also presence group from control group and the RPA of the apical lateral wall could separate presence group from absence group. The RPA of basal lateral and anterolateral wall was inaccurate in diagnosing the regional wall myocardial infarction, because basal lateral wall was overlapped by adjacent vascular structures, and the area of anterolateral wall dose not correlate completely beteen the RVG & the left ventriculogram, also the anterolateral wall can be supplied by the obtuse marginal branch of left circumflex artery. The RFWHM of all regional walls of left ventricle could separate presence group from absence group and presence group from control group. We found good correlation between regional phase analysis & left ventriculogram for detection of regional wall myocardial infartion. On RVG cinematic display, the RPA of the normal group was different from that of dyskinesia, akinesia and hypokinesia groups. The RPA of the dyskinesia group was also different from that of skinesia and hypokinesia groups by oneway ANOVA(p<0.05). The RFWHM of the dskinesia group was different from that of the normal group and hypokinesia group. RVG cinematic display correlated well with regional phase analysis and also quantitation of wall motion. CONCLUSIONS: Thus RVG cinematic display was useful and can not be replaced by phase analysis. But the regional phase analysis was sensitive and objective in diagnosing the wall motion abnormality in myocardial infarction.
Ants ; Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Dyskinesias ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypokinesia ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Prognosis ; Radionuclide Ventriculography ; Ventricular Function ; Ventricular Function, Left

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics or the potassium channels existing in the rat urinary bladders. Smooth muscle strips of rat detrusor urinae were examined by isometric myography. Relaxation responses of detrusor muscle strips to the three potassium channel openers pinacidil, a cyanoguanidine derivative, BRL 38227, a benzopyran derivative and RP 52891, a tertrahydrothiopyran derivative were examined. The potassium channel openers reduced the basal tone, and the rank order of potency was RP 52891>pincidil>BRL 38227. Procaine, an inhibitor of the voltage-sensitive potassium channel tended to increase the basal tone, but it did not affect the relaxant effects of the calcium-activated potassium channel opener did not antagonize the relaxant effects, but it reduced the Emax of RP 52891 and BRL 38227. Glibenclamide, an inhibitor of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel, antagonized the relaxant effects of pinacidil, RP 52891 and BRL 38227 reducing the Emax of RP 52891 and BRl 38227. Galanin which inhibits secretion of insulin through opening the ATP-sensitive potassium channels in pancreatic β-cells rather increased the basal tone of the isolated detrusor strips. These results suggest that the urinary bladder of the rat has mainly the ATP-sensitive, glibenclamide sensitive potassium channel, which is a different type from that in the pancreatic β-islet cells.
Animals ; Cromakalim ; Galanin ; Glyburide ; Insulin ; KATP Channels ; Muscle, Smooth ; Myography ; Pinacidil ; Potassium Channels* ; Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated ; Potassium* ; Procaine ; Rats* ; Relaxation ; Urinary Bladder

PURPOSE: To describe the characteristics of the disabled patients visiting the eye clinic in our institute. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective analysis of 35 cases in our clinic from April 2004 to June 2008 using the McBride disability evaluation. We investigated the clinical features and the causes of disorders through visual acuity, visual field and ocular motility. RESULTS: Thirty-three (94.3%) of the 35 patients had disabilities due to trauma; twelve (34.3%) of them were caused by traffic accidents, and 21 (60%) of them were due to blows or lacerations. Other causes of disability were glaucoma and retinal break (5.8%). Nine patients (25.7%) had abnormal findings in the visual field examination, and nine other patients (25.7%) had limitations in ocular motility. Twenty-eight patients (80%) had decreased visual acuity, and nine (25.7%) had multiple symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the contribution of disability estimation of visual field and ocular motility in McBride disability evaluations, we considered the importance of repetitive examinations and evaluations. When patients complained of unexplained decreased visual acuity with no anatomical abnormalities, multifocal ERG and multifocal VEP should be considered in order to distinguish it from malingering or functional visual loss.
Accidents, Traffic ; Disability Evaluation ; Eye ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Lacerations ; Malingering ; Retinal Perforations ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Fields

PURPOSE: Billroth II gastroenterostomy is a typical reconstruction method after distal gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma, but it has problems, especially frequent reflux esophagitis. Various methods have been tried to address this problem. Among them are Braun enteroenterostomy and Roux-en-Y gastroenterostomy, which are performed separately according to the size of the gastric remnant. The aim of our study was to determine whether these applications are compatible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2003 and April 2007, we performed Roux-en-Y gastroenterostomy operations (14 patients) when the size of the gastric remnant was <10%, Braun enteroenterostomy (17 patients) when the size was between 10 and 20%, and Billroth II gastroenterostomy (14 patients) when the size was between 20 and 40% after subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer by a single surgeon at our hospital. We analyzed the results of each treatment. We evaluated the symptoms and endoscopic findings using questionnaires and hospital records. To evaluate nutritional states, we reviewed albumin and hemoglobin levels and body weight changes. RESULTS: All operations were performed safely mortality was 0% and postoperative complications were 8.9%. On endoscopy, reflux gastritis was observed to occur in 7.63%, 18.65% and 40.0%, respectively, of patients who had undergone Roux-en-Y, Braun and Billroth II operations (P=0.13). Reflux esophagitis was observed in 1 patient in the Roux-en-Y group and 1 patient in the Braun group. Endoscopic gastrostasis was observed in 2 patients in the Roux-en-Y group, one of which was thought to cause reflux esophagitis. Patients in the Roux-en-Y group and Braun groups ingested a lower volume of food than did those in the Billroth II group (respectively, 7.1%, 0.0% and 28.7%) and complained less of postprandial discomforts (respectively, 14.3%, 23.5% and 57.1%) and reflux symptoms (respectively 0.0%, 11.8% and 42.9%). CONCLUSION: The application of Braun enteroenterostomy and Roux-en-Y gastroenterostomy to the small gastric remnant may be effective for reducing reflux symptoms and abdominal discomfort after distal gastric resection. We recommend Roux-en-Y gastroenterostomy when the size of the gastric remnant is <10%, and Braun anastomosis in the others. It will need to be determined which reconstructive procedure is better for many different conditions.
Body Weight ; Endoscopy ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; Gastrectomy ; Gastric Stump ; Gastritis ; Gastroenterostomy ; Hemoglobins ; Hospital Records ; Humans ; Postoperative Complications ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Stomach Neoplasms

PURPOSE: After delivery, eating brown seaweed soup is a typical Korean tranditional habit. But, excessive intake of iodine transiently inhibits biosynthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones if a certain threshold of iodine is reached in the serum. The aim of our study was to demonstrate whether the observed the elevations of TSH level in the breast fed neonatal infants was caused by mother's eating brown seaweed soup or not. METHODS: We performed neonatal TSH test by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(FRELISA Screenig TSH) and cheked TSH level for 178 newborns with a appropriate gestational age. We divided the study subject into 3 groups, the group used breast feeding, mother had taken brown seaweed soup and blood sampled at 6th day after birth was categorized Group A, formular feeding, blood sampled at the 4th days after birth was categorized Group B, breast feeding and had taken brown seaweed soup and blood sampled at the 19th day after birth was categorized Group C. RESULTS: 1) The mean TSH level was 1.5+/-1.3 uU/ml in Group A, 3.3+/-2.5uU/ml in Group B, 1.7+/-l.3uU/ml in Group C(Group A vs Group B: p<0.05, Group A vs Group C: p<0.05). 2) There was no statistical significances between the TSH levels and the amount of brown seaweed soup which mother had one day, the duration which mother had brown seaweed soup and duration of breast feeding. CONCLUSIONS: Mother had taken brown seaweed soup about 3 times a day in korea at present days, There was no significant changes of TSH levels in the beast fed newborn infants after the korean mother had taken brown seaweed soup.
Breast Feeding* ; Breast* ; Eating* ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Iodine ; Korea ; Mothers ; Parturition ; Seaweed* ; Thyroid Hormones

PURPOSE: The objective of this phenomenological study was to explore nursing students' emotional experiences in the school life. METHODS: Twenty-four nursing students participated in the study. Data were collected from May 2017 to February 2018 using focus group interviews and later analyzed using the Colaizzi's method. RESULTS: In our study, 311 meanings were obtained from the participants, including 19 sub-themes and seven theme clusters. The seven theme clusters were; ‘looking back on the past,’ ‘face to reality,’ ‘recognizing me,’ ‘anxiety about uncertainty,’ ‘nursing student's way,’ ‘looking around,’ and ‘patting for my mind.’ The emotional experiences of nursing students in college life were classified into four categories: ‘self-reflection for growth,’ ‘discovery for growth,’ ‘hoping for growth,’ and ‘search for the growth.’ CONCLUSION: Although nursing students may be equally exposed to anxious and stressful situations, their activities, adaptability and levels of achievement vary depending on emotional experiences of each person. Considering the continuous curriculum of nursing, it is necessary to develop emotional management strategies and relevant training programs considering different types and levels of emotional issues for the nursing students.
Curriculum ; Education ; Focus Groups ; Humans ; Methods ; Nursing ; Qualitative Research ; Students, Nursing

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review our recent experiences with deep neck abscesses in children and adolescents and to provide helpful information in treatment and diagnosis by comparing them with those in other available literatures. METHODS: Medical records of 36 children and adolescents admitted for deep neck abscess at two hospitals from January 2000 to October 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Male to female ratio was 1.4 : 1 and the mean age was 6.5 years. Painful neck swelling and fever were the most frequent symptoms in patients under thirteen years of age whereas trismus and headache were frequent symptoms in patients over fourteen years of age. Submandibular space was the most common site of deep neck abscess in patients under thirteen years of age, whereas peritonsillar space was the most common site in patients over fourteen years of age. The results of bacterial cultures were positive in 61.5% of drained cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly identified bacteria in 6 patients (37.5%) and 5 of them were under 2 years of age. Twenty six patients received surgical drainage while the others were treated with antibiotics only. There were no statistically significant differences in the durations of admission, fever after admission, and antibiotic treatment between surgical and medical treatment groups. CONCLUSION: The common sites of deep neck abscess, associated symptoms, and causative organisms were different between children and adolescents. As there were no differences in durations of admission, fever, or antibiotics treatments between surgical and medical treatment groups, surgical drainage may be avoided by early recognition and suspicion. However, if there is no improvement of symptoms or size of abscesses within 48-72 hours of antibiotic treatment, surgical drainage should be considered.
Abscess ; Adolescent ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Child ; Drainage ; Female ; Fever ; Headache ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Neck ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Trismus

PURPOSE: Macro language was programmed to analyze and process on Macintosh personal computers GE MR imagesdigitally transferred from the MR main computer, with special interest in the interpretation of information such as patients data and imaging parameters under each image header. By this method, raw data(files) of certain patients may be digitally stored on a hard disk or CD ROM, and the quantitative analysis, interpretation anddisplay is possible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients and images were randomly selected. 4.X MR images were transferred through FTP using the ethernet network. 5.X and SPECT images were transferred using floppy diskets. Toprocess transferred images, an freely distributed software for Macintosh namely NIH Image, with its macrolanguage, was used to import images and translate header information. To identify necessary information, aseparate window named "Info-txt", was made for each image series. MacLC, Centris650, and PowerMac 6100/CD,7100/CD, 8100/CD models with 256 color and RAM over 8 Mbyte were used. RESULTS: Different versions of MR images and SPECT images were displayed simultaneously and a separate window named "Info-txt" was used to show all necessary information(name of the patient, unit number, date, TR, TE, FOV etc.). Additional information(diagnosis,pathologic report etc.) was stored in another text box in "Info-txt". The size of the file for each image planewas about 149 Kbytes and the images were stored in a step-like file folders. CONCLUSION: 4.X and 5.X GE Signa 1.5T images were successfully processed with Macintosh computer and NIH Image. This result may be applied to manyfields and there is hope of a broader area of application with the linkage of NIH Image and a database program.
Hope ; Humans ; Microcomputers* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon* ; Information Storage and Retrieval

PURPOSE: To evaluate the mean macular volume in normal Korean eyes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. METHODS: The present study consisted of 132 patients (212 eyes) with no ophthalmic evidence of retinopathy and who had a best corrected visual acuity of 1.0 or better. The total macular volume was measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and was analyzed according to age group, sex, degree of refractive error and presence of systemic disease such as diabetes and hypertension. RESULTS: The mean total macular volume of all subjects was 10.07 +/- 0.45 mm3, with means of 10.13 +/- 0.40 mm3, 10.05 +/- 0.43 mm3 and 9.97 +/- 0.58 mm3 measured for the respective A, B, and C age groups. There was a significant difference between male and female patients. In addition, there was a significant difference between diabetic patients in group C and normal subjects. However, there was no significant difference according to degree of refractive error. CONCLUSIONS: The measured value of mean macular volume in normal Korean eyes can be expected to provide a standard value for diagnosing retinal disease and the need for careful follow-up.
Eye ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Refractive Errors ; Retinal Diseases ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Acuity

No abstract available.
Burns* ; Humans ; Spinal Cord Diseases*