Biofeedback is the treatment of choice for functional defecation disorders such as idiopathic chronic constipation and neurogenic fecal incontinence. The pre-existing biofeedback systems have many disadvantages. The aims of current project are, first, to develop the biofeedback system into the application software in the Windows environment, and, second, to assess the possibility of clinical usage for patients with functional defecation disorders. The hardware and software of the BASCO (Biofeedback Anal Sphincter Control) system were based on the signal measurement and signal processing of anal sphincter EMG (Electromyography). BASCO system was applied to 5 normal healthy controls and 20 patients with functional defecation disorders. Patients group was categorized as constipation group (N1=15) and incontinence group (N2=5). With use of current system, EMG-based biofeedback therapy was performed, and the outcome was analysed. Anal EMG signal data was processed by the software, and displayed in the monitor of personal computer. The software of EMG-display and database management were adequately operated. In N1 group, a paradoxical elevation or equalized activity of anal EMG pattern was shown in the simulated defecation. In N2 group, low electrical activity was shown. These findings were used for the EMG-based biofeedback therapy as a pilot study. The clinical symptoms were improved in 12 of N1 group and 3 of N2 group in the period of 3.7 (range, 1~12) months follow-up. In Conclusion, newly-developed BASCO system was adequately operated in the volunteer and patients groups. The multi-tasking and multi-processing functions were adequately shown in the real time. Current results could be used for clinical appraisal. Specifically, this system could be used for the practical application of biofeedback therapy in the patients with chronic constipation or fecal incontinence.
Anal Canal* ; Biofeedback, Psychology* ; Constipation ; Defecation* ; Fecal Incontinence ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Microcomputers ; Pilot Projects ; Volunteers

We have performed 10 primary liver transplantations between August 1993 and September 1995 in patients with end stage liver disease at Department of Surgery, Catholic University, Medical College. Donor and recipient operations were performed using modified techniques described by Starzl et al. Cyclosporine and prednisone were used as the principal immunosuppressive regimen and cyclosporine levels were monitored daily with dosage adjustment. when acute rejection was suspected based on clinical parameters, methylprednisolone was given for 2 days and if there was no response, we treated with the OKT3 monoclonal antibody. Our clinical results were as follows : 1. Mean age of donors was 32 years, ranging from 17 to 50 years, eight males, 2 females. The causes of brain death were traffic accident in 5 cases, falling down in 3 cases, and others (CVA, brain tumor). 2. Mean age of recipient was 41 years, ranging from 18 to 57 years and all were male. The indications of liver transplantation were liver circhosis related to viral hepatitis in 9 cases and alcoholic cirrhosis in one. 3. In arterial reconstruction, aortic carrel patch of common hepatic artery was sewn to hepatic-gastroduodenal bifurcation (5 transplants), to supraceliac aorta (3 transplants), and to infrarenal aorta (2 transplants). The biliary anastomosis was a choledochocholedochostomy with T-tube stent in nine and Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy in one transplant. 4. Average length of operation was 9 hours 28 minutes (range 7. 6-12 hours), and liver ischemia 6 hours 14 minute. An average requirements of packed red cell were 21.2 unit (range 12-31 units) 5. The surgical complication occurred in 3 patients (postoperative bleeding, hepatic arterial thrombosis and bile peritonitis), acute rejection in 5 patients, bacterial infection in 5 patients and coma in 2 patients. 6. Of the 10 patients, 6 are alive ranging from 15 days to 27 month and four patients died in the early postoperative period : one of postoperative bleeding, one of hepatic arterial thrombosis, one of acute rejection and one of neurologic complication. 7. In the consideration of prognostic factors from donor, the dosage of vasopressor and liver enzyme but not donor age were significant in early postoperative mortality. As perioperative parameters of recipients, preoperative general status, serum BUN, bilirubin, and reversibility of respiratory, renal and graft function within the first week following transplant were important.
Accidents, Traffic ; Aorta ; Bacterial Infections ; Bile ; Bilirubin ; Brain ; Brain Death ; Choledochostomy ; Coma ; Cyclosporine ; End Stage Liver Disease ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Hepatic Artery ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic ; Liver Transplantation* ; Liver* ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; Mortality ; Muromonab-CD3 ; Postoperative Period ; Prednisone ; Stents ; Thrombosis ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

PURPOSE: To compare the findings of MR cholangiography with those of ultrasound and biochemistry in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis, and to evaluate the clinical utility and role of MR cholangiography prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the radiologic findings and clinical records of 103 consecutive patients in whom choledocholithiasis was suspected and who underwent both ultrasound and MR cholangiography. For MR imaging, a 1.5T unit was used, and axial T1-FLASH, True FISP, and oblique coronal HASTE and RARE images were obtained. Initial biochemical values (AST, ALT, total bilirubin) were correlated with the findings of MR cholangiography. RESULTS: Choledocholithiasis was present in 36 of 103 patients: overall, there were 34 true-positive, 63 truenegative, four false-positive, and two false-negative results. In the detection of choledocholithiasis, MR cholangiography showed the following characteristics: sensitivity, 94%; specificity, 94%; positive predictive value, 89%; negative predictive value, 96%; accuracy, 95%. Calculi in the common bile duct were detected in 3 of 33 patients (9%) in whom ultrasound showed that the caliber of the common bile duct was normal and whose laboratory findings were normal, and in 12 of 43 (28%) of those whose common bile duct was dilatated or whose laboratory values were abnormal. Calculi were present in the common bile duct of 21 of 27 patients (78%) with abnormal laboratory values and abnormal ultrasound findings. CONCLUSION: Choledocholithiasis was detected in 25% of patients without clinical suspicion and was not present in 25% of patients with strong clinical suspicion. In patients with this condition, MR cholangiography is noninvasive and accurate, and we suggest that in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis, it should be a routine diagnostic procedure prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Biochemistry ; Calculi ; Cholangiography* ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* ; Choledocholithiasis* ; Common Bile Duct ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography

The plasmepsins are the aspartic proteases of malaria parasites. Treatment of aspartic protease inhibitor inhibits hemoglobin hydrolysis and blocks the parasite development in vitro suggesting that these proteases might be exploited their potentials as antimalarial drug targets. In this study, we determined the genetic variations of the aspartic proteases of Plasmodium vivax (PvPMs) of wild isolates. Two plasmepsins (PvPM4 and PvPM5) were cloned and sequenced from 20 P. vivax Korean isolates and two imported isolates. The sequences of the enzymes were highly conserved except a small number of amino acid substitutions did not modify key residues for the function or the structure of the enzymes. The high sequence conservations between the plasmepsins from the isolates support the notion that the enzymes could be reliable targets for new antimalarial chemotherapeutics.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Aspartic Endopeptidases/*genetics ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Conserved Sequence ; DNA, Protozoan/chemistry/genetics ; Human ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plasmodium vivax/*enzymology/genetics/isolation & purification ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Pneumoperitoneum usually indicates rupture of a hollow viscus and considered a surgical emergency. But air may also enter the peritoneum from the lung or the genital organs in female without visceral perforation. While scuba diving, the rapid ascent is usually controlled by placing in a decompression chamber and the excess gas volume is exhaled. Failure to allow this excess gas to escape will result in overdistension of air passage, which may rupture resulting in pulmonary interstitial emphysema or, if air enters the circulation, air embolus can occur. Pneumo-peritoneum is a rare complication of diving accidents. While the majority of cases are not related to an intraabdominal catastrophy, more than 20% have been the result of gastric rupture. We report a 42-yr-old male patient with massive pneumoperitoneum after scuba diving, who presented himself with dyspnea and abdominal distension. Knowledge of this rare condition and its benign course may allow the emergency physician and surgeon to order appropriate studies to help avoid unnecessary surgical treatment. It is important to determine promptly whether the air emanated from a ruptured viscus or was introduced from an extraperitoneal source. Free air in the abdomen does not always indicate a ruptured intra-abdominal viscus.
Adult ; Diving/adverse effects* ; Female ; Human ; Male ; Pneumoperitoneum/diagnosis* ; Pneumoperitoneum/etiology* ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Radiography, Thoracic

We report a case of intraocular gnathostomiasis diagnosed by western blot assay in a patient with subretinal tracks. A 15-year-old male patient complained of blurred vision in the right eye, lasting for 2 weeks. Eight months earlier, he had traveled to Vietnam for 1 week and ate raw wild boar meat and lobster. His best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes and anterior chamber examination revealed no abnormalities. Fundus examination showed subretinal tracks in the right eye. Fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography showed linear hyperfluorescence of the subretinal lesion observed on fundus in the right eye. Ultrasound examination revealed no abnormalities. Blood tests indicated mild eosinophilia (7.5%), and there was no abnormality found by systemic examinations. Two years later, the patient visited our department again for ophthalmologic evaluation. Visual acuity remained 20/20 in both eyes and the subretinal tracks in the right eye had not changed since the previous examination. Serologic examination was performed to provide a more accurate diagnosis, and the patient's serum reacted strongly to the Gnathostoma nipponicum antigen by western blot assay, which led to a diagnosis of intraocular gnathostomiasis. This is the first reported case of intraocular gnathostomiasis with subretinal tracks confirmed serologically using western blot in Korea.
Adolescent ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Fundus Oculi ; Gnathostoma/*isolation & purification ; Gnathostomiasis/*diagnosis/parasitology ; Humans ; Male ; Retinal Diseases/*diagnosis/parasitology ; Travel ; Vietnam

No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Thrombosis*

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Frovatriptan is a selective 5-HT1B/1D agonist with a long duration of action and a low incidence of side effects. Although several placebo-controlled trials have documented the clinical efficacy and safety of frovatriptan in adults with migraine, this drug has not previously been studied in Asian including Korean patients. METHODS: In this double-blind multicenter trial, 229 patients with migraine were randomized to receive frovatriptan 2.5 mg or placebo upon the occurrence of a moderate-to-severe migraine. The primary outcome was the 2-hour headache response rate. RESULTS: Frovatriptan significantly increased the 2-hour headache response rate compared with placebo (52.9% vs. 34.0%, p=0.004). The headache response rates at 4, 6, and 12 hours were significantly higher in the frovatriptan group than in the placebo group, as was the pain-free rate at 2 hours (19.0% vs. 5.7%, p=0.004), 4 hours (40.7% vs. 23.0%, p=0.006), and 6 hours (56.1% vs. 34.0%, p=0.002). The median time to a headache response was significantly shorter in the frovatriptan group than in the placebo group (2.00 hours vs. 3.50 hours, p<0.001). The use of rescue medications was more common in the placebo group (p=0.005). Chest tightness associated with triptan was infrequent (2.5%), mild, and transient. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that 2.5-mg frovatriptan is effective and well tolerated in Korean migraineurs for acute treatment of migraine attacks.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carbazoles ; Headache ; Humans ; Incidence ; Migraine Disorders ; Oxalates ; Thorax ; Tryptamines

Coronary artery involvement in Takayasu's arteritis is a relatively rare, and potentially lethal but surgically correctable disease. A 28-year-old female was admitted for the evaluation of headache associated with dizziness, palpitation and claudication of left arm. Her aortogram and coronary angiogram showed Takayasu's arteritis with bilateral coronary ostial stenosis. We performed bilateral coronary ostioplasty with saphenous vein patch graft. The patient was discharged in good condition. We report this case with literature review.
Adult ; Angioplasty* ; Arm ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Coronary Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Dizziness ; Female ; Headache ; Humans ; Saphenous Vein ; Takayasu Arteritis* ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Aortic Stenosis, Supravalvular*