No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Coronary Vessels* ; Electrocardiography* ; Spasm*

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of drinking patterns and the prevalence of hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorder with the assessment of alcohol policy needs in community population of urban city in Korea. METHODS: Data was collected from 1,000 residents in a single urban city in Korea, from June 1 to July 31, 2011 by a questionnaire. As research tools, socio-demographic characteristics composed of variables based on study purpose, alcohol problems and alcohol use disorder state scales composed with Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test(AUDIT) and Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener(CAGE), and the assessment of alcohol policy needs in community population questions were used. RESULTS: The lifetime experience of alcohol drinking was 97.4%. For the frequency of drinking, 21.9% of population responded 2 to 4 times per weekly. 24.4% of male had one time or more high risk drinking, defined as having four or more drinks in a sitting, per week. 51.6% experienced the first time drinking of alcohol in adolescence. The lifetime prevalence of hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorder were 14.9% and 3.3%, respectively using AUDIT. Alcohol use disorder were 9.6% with the CAGE scale. Problem drinking were 8.4% in this study. They requested the program such as prevention education(57.2%), construction of liaison system to treatment facilities( 50.1%), alcohol counseling and intervention(41.7%), and rehabilitation program(39.8%). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that alcohol problem and alcohol use disorder were much prevalent, and these problem started in the earlier age. It is necessary to develop an effective alcohol prevention program or policy with considering the needs in community population.
Adolescent ; Alcohol Drinking ; Counseling ; Drinking ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Weights and Measures

Purpose: To evaluate the dynamic range of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and optic nerve head (ONH) parameters measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in conditions ranging from nonglaucomatous status to advanced glaucoma by longitudinal observation. Methods: A total of 15 eyes from 12 participants with glaucoma progression from a nonglaucomatous status to advanced glaucoma were included. The RNFL and ONH parameters were compared between the nonglaucomatous and advanced stages within the same eye. The absolute and relative changes in OCT parameters were analyzed. Results: The median highest intraocular pressure was 42.5 mmHg (interquartile range, 37.5 to 54.5 mmHg), and the final mean deviation of the visual field test was –24.68 dB (interquartile range, –23.93 to –31.13 dB). The median relative changes in RNFL thickness were –40.6% in the overall area, and –51.9%, –21.4%, –51.1%, and –41.8% in the superior, nasal, inferior, and temporal quadrants, respectively (all p < 0.05). Relative changes in the rim area, disc area, average cup to disc ratio, vertical cup to disc ratio, and cup volume were –56.64%, 0.59%, 62.10%, 66.0%, and 337.90%, respectively (all p < 0.05, except for disc area with a p-value of 0.753). Conclusions The dynamic range of the RNFL thickness ranged from 40.6% to 51.9%, and the dynamic range of the ONH parameters ranged from 56.64% to 337.90%. During the course of glaucoma progression, the cup volume showed the widest dynamic range. However, the disc area did not show significant changes.

PURPOSE: Gastrin, a peptide hormone produced by the G cells of the gastric antrum, plays a major role in regulating acid secretion in the stomach, and acts as a trophic factor in the gastrointestinal tract. The relationship between gastrin and the development of colorectal cancer remains controversial. To study its possible role in development or proliferation of colorectal cancer, we evaluated the expression of gastrin and gastrin/CCK-B receptor mRNA in cancer and normal tissue from colorectal cancer patients. We also reviewed clinical records to evaluate the correlations between gastrin receptor expression and clinical characteristics of colorectal cancer. METHODS: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate mRNA expression for gastrin and gastrin/CCK-B receptor in 26 surgical specimens of colorectal cancer. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of gastrin was detected in 24 out of 26 cancer specimens and 9 out of 26 normal colon specimens (p<0.05). The mRNA expression of gastrin/ CCK-B receptor was detected in 18 out of 26 cancer specimens and 17 out of 26 normal colon specimens (p>0.05). There was no significant correlation between gastrin receptor expression and clinical characteristics of colorectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The gastrin gene products might be more important than gastrin/CCK-B receptor in development or proliferation of colorectal cancer, which supports the hypothesis that gastrin gene products play a role in proliferation of colorectal cancer as an autocrine factor.
Colon ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Gastrin-Secreting Cells ; Gastrins* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Intestine, Large* ; Pyloric Antrum ; Receptor, Cholecystokinin B* ; RNA, Messenger* ; Stomach

PURPOSE: To review the outcomes of surgical treatment for superficial peroneal nerve entrapment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ultrasonogram was used for diagnosis and surgical treatment. Seven superficial peroneal nerve entrapment were surgically treated with follow up of average 16 months (range, 6~29 months). Three patients were male and four patients were female with mean age 36.7 years (range, 19~51 years). Four cases developed after repetitive ankle sprain and three cases had no etiology. RESULTS: Operation was performed mini-open and subcutaneous fasciotomy under local anesthesia. The results were excellent in two cases, good in four cases, fair in one case. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonogram was useful for diagnosis and surgical treatment of superficial peroneal nerve entrapment syndrome.
Anesthesia, Local ; Animals ; Ankle ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Peroneal Nerve ; Sprains and Strains

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical data and surgical results from symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) patients who underwent burr-hole drainage (BHD) at the maximal thickness area and twist-drill craniostomy (TDC) at the precoronal point. METHODS: We analyzed data from 65 symptomatic CSDH patients who underwent TDC at the pre-coronal point or BHD at the maximal thickness area. For TDC, we defined the pre-coronal point to be 1 cm anterior to the coronal suture at the level of the superior temporal line. TDC was performed in patients with CSDH that extended beyond the coronal suture, as confirmed by preoperative CT scans. Medical records, radiological findings, and clinical performance were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 65 CSDH patients, 13/17 (76.4%) with BHD and 42/48 (87.5%) with TDC showed improved clinical performance and radiological findings after surgery. Catheter failure was seen in 1/48 (2.4%) cases of TDC. Five patients (29.4%) in the BHD group and four patients (8.33%) in the TDC group underwent reoperations due to remaining hematomas, and they improved with a second operation, BHD or TDC. CONCLUSION: Both BHD at the maximal thickness area and TDC at the pre-coronal point are safe and effective drainage methods for symptomatic CSDHs with reasonable indications.
Catheters ; Drainage* ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic* ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Sutures ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The Arnold-Chiari type I malformation has many symptoms such as headache, neck pain, gait impairment, abnormal movements or postures. But a few cases reported association of specific symptom including headache, neck pain, vertigo or ataxia. We report a case of 12 year-old boy presenting with tip-toe gait. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of brain and spine revealed underlying Arnold-Chiari type I malformation. This case shows that it is need for central nervous system evaluation in patients with changes of lower extremities tone.
Ataxia ; Brain ; Central Nervous System ; Dyskinesias ; Gait ; Headache ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neck Pain ; Posture ; Spine ; Vertigo

PURPOSE: To assess glaucoma medication compliance and its causative factors in glaucoma patients. METHODS: This study was performed via a structured questionnaire given to 415 glaucoma patients using eye drops for glaucoma treatment. The degree of compliance was evaluated by using compliance score (range, 0-100) which was calculated based on the number of days of missing medication per month. The degree of symptoms and complications related to glaucoma and its medication were investigated using the Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS). The effect of sex, age, treatment duration, knowledge about the glaucoma medication, number of eye drops, class of glaucoma medication, family support for eye drop use, and GSS on glaucoma medication compliance was assessed. RESULTS: The most frequently found number of days of missing medication per month was one to four (43.4%). The most common reason for missing medication was forgetfulness (80.5%), followed by busy daily schedule (18.4%) and complications of medication (1.1%). Compliance score ranged from 10.0 to 100.0 (median value, 90.0). Older age, longer duration of treatment, higher knowledge about the glaucoma medication, and the presence of family support was significantly associated with a higher compliance score (p < 0.05). Sex, number and class of eye drops, and GSS did not significantly affect compliance score. CONCLUSIONS: Age, treatment duration, knowledge about the glaucoma medication, and familial support were affecting factors for glaucoma medication compliance. To enhance glaucoma medication compliance, these factors should be considered.
Appointments and Schedules ; Compliance ; Glaucoma* ; Humans ; Medication Adherence* ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Ambulatory phlebectomy is a cosmetically elegant outpatient procedure for the removal of varicose veins. One of the keys to its success is the ability to perform the procedure under local anesthesia. Tumescent anesthesia is applied in dermatologic surgery and now being expanded for use in phlebectomy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety as well as advantages of 0.1% tumescent anesthesia with epinephrine in ambulatory phlebectomy. METHODS: Twenty-two patients(twenty-seven legs) without reflux at the SFJ were treated with ambulatory phlebectomy using the tumescent(0.1%) technique. In all patients, we monitored blood pressure, heart rate, and O2 saturation before, during, and after procedure. All patients were asked to rate the pain, both intraoperatively and postoperatively. They visited in hospital to record complications at one day, one week, and various monthly intervals (1, 3, 6, 12 months) following the initial treatment. RESULTS: The volume of anesthetic fluid ranged from 90 to 650ml, with an average of 320.7ml of fluid. Blood pressure, heart rate, and O2 saturation measured did not significantly change before, during, or after procedure. The average reported intraoperative pain for all interviewees was from 0 to 2. For postoperative pain, patients reported pain rate less than one. During operation, significant surgical blood loss is eliminated. There were minimal hematoma, purpura, and hyperpigmentation after operation. CONCLUSION: 0.1% Tumescent anesthesia provides a very safe, comfortable technique of anesthetizing patients for ambulatory phlebectomy and may decrease the incidence of complications.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, Local ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Blood Pressure ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Epinephrine ; Heart Rate ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Incidence ; Outpatients ; Pain, Postoperative ; Purpura ; Varicose Veins