No abstract available.
Humans ; Male* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule*

The purpose of this study was to identify different cerebral areas of the human brain associated with rural and urban picture stimulation using a 3.0 Tesla functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and further to investigate the human suitability for rural and urban environments. A total of 27 right-handed participants (mean age: 27.3+/-3.7) underwent fMRI study on a 3.0T MR scanner. The brain activation patterns were induced by visual stimulation with each rural and urban sceneries. The participants were divided into two groups as 26 subjects favorable to rural scenery and 14 subjects unfavorable to urban scenery based on their filled-in questionnaire. The differences of the brain activation in response to two extreme types of pictures by the two sample t-test were characterized as follows: the activation areas observed in rural scenery over urban were the insula, middle frontal gyrus, precuneus, caudate nucleus, superior parietal gyrus, superior occipital gyrus, fusiform gyrus, and globus pallidus. In urban scenery over rural, the inferior frontal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, amygdala, and posterior cingulate gyrus were activated. The fMRI patterns also clearly show that rural scenery elevated positive emotion such as happiness and comfort. On the contrary, urban scenery elevated negative emotion, resulting in activation of the amygdala which is the key region for the feelings of fear, anxiety and unpleasantness. This study evaluated differential cerebral areas of the human brain associated with rural and urban picture stimulation using a 3.0 Tesla fMRI. These findings will be useful as an objective evaluation guide to human suitability for ecological environments that are related to brain activation with joy, anger, sorrow and pleasure.
Amygdala ; Anger ; Anxiety ; Brain ; Caudate Nucleus ; Globus Pallidus ; Gyrus Cinguli ; Happiness ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Parahippocampal Gyrus ; Photic Stimulation ; Pleasure ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The incidence of cervical pregnancy and the number of combined intrauterine pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy seems to be increasing. So the possibility of heterotopic pregnancy should always be considered by every gynecologist, especially those who treat infertility problem. We experience a case of a heterotopic pregnancy coexisting of an intrauterine pregnancy and a cervical pregnancy after in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, and was successfully managed by transcervical evacuation and resulted in a normal intrauterine pregnancy. Here we present the case with review of literatures.
Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Incidence ; Infertility ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Pregnancy, Heterotopic*

To evaluate the possible functional role of serum during the process of parturition, 15 serum samples were collected and analyzed for the nickel concentrations in each 3 groups(Group 1 for the period during parturition, Group 2 for the period from delivery of fetus to delivery of placenta, and Group 3 for the period after delivery of placenta) of normal, uncomplicated full term vaginal delivery and one control group composed of healthy unmarried women in 3rd decades of age. Data revealed that average serum nickel concentration of Group 2(26.6 microgram/l) and Group 1(22.2 microgram/l) were significantly higher than that of Control group(13.7 microgram/l), but Group 3's(13.8 microgram/l) was almost same as Control group's. There were significant negative correlation between age and serum nickel concentration in group 2, and a tendency of higher nickel concentration in women who have no previous experiences of pregnancy than who have previous experiences of pregnancy, although it was not significant. These result could be indicative of close causal relationship between serum nickel concentration and the entire process of parturition.
Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Nickel* ; Parturition ; Placenta ; Pregnancy ; Single Person

Air-bags have received widespread support as an effective means of enhancing automotive safety, and they are becoming more common as standard automobile equipment on many cars. Although air-bag induced ocular injuries are rare, they present a serious concern because of the possibility of permanent damage or visual impairment. To date, most reports have investigated ocular injury from high velocity motor vehicle accidents and reports of ocular injury from low speed motor vehicle accidents have been rare. We describe a patient who sustained severe ocular injury, including periorbital fracture, hyphema, vitreous hemorrhage, and choroidal rupture of the macular area, due to an inflated air-bag in a low speed motor vehicle accident.
Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Air Bags/*adverse effects ; Choroid/*injuries ; Eye Injuries/*etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hyphema/*etiology ; Orbital Fractures/*etiology/radiography ; Rupture ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vitreous Hemorrhage/*etiology/ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To elucidate the mechanism of neoangiogenesis in human retinal pigment epithelium under oxidative stress. METHODS: Paraquat was added to cultured human retinal pigment epithelium (HRPE) for 72 hours to induce oxidative stress milieu. Expression and production of angiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelial derived factor (PEDF), was checked by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The induction of neoangiogenesis was monitored by both tube formation in ECV 304 cell and migration assay of human fetal dermal microvascular endothelial cells. RESULTS: Competitive RT-PCR showed that PEDF gene in paraquat-treated HRPE was expressed at a significantly lower level than in non-treated HRPE. However, Western blot showed a significant increase of VEGF production (p<0.05) and a decrease of PEDF production (p<0.05). Moreover, angiogenesis was dose-dependently increased when the various concentrations of paraquat were added to HRPE. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, oxidative stress by addition of paraquat caused HRPE to produce more VEGF and less PEDF, thereby leading to neoangiogenesis, and suggesting that the neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is caused by destroying the balance of angiogenic factors in HRPE such as VEGF and PEDF; that is, in oxidative stressed HRPE, more VEGF is released and less PEDF, as compared to normal HRPE.
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Blotting, Western ; Endothelial Cells ; Humans* ; Macular Degeneration ; Oxidative Stress* ; Paraquat ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Foreign body aspiration can produce a medical emergency. Obstruction of the airways can be life-threatening, and complications may develop in less-severe cases if it is left untreated. Although it is more prevalent in children by approximately three times, adults can still experience it, and it is more frequently related to healthcare in adults. Objects used in dental treatment are usually placed in the oral cavity and can be ingested or inhaled by accident. Dental treatment has been identified as an important cause of the misplacement of foreign bodies in the airway. However, few reports have been published on dentistry-related foreign body aspiration. This paper discusses the disease course, management, and clinical outcomes of foreign body aspiration, especially those associated with dentistry. The patient must be examined for respiratory distress. If the patient is unstable, urgent airway management and the maneuvers for removal should be performed. Radiographs and computed tomography can help identify and locate the object. The treatment of choice is often bronchoscopy, and both flexible and rigid endoscopes can be used depending on the situation. Preventive measures need to be implemented to avoid inhalation accidents given the potential consequences. Though the incidence is rare, healthcare levels need to be enhanced to avert morbidity and mortality. Radiological evaluation and bronchoscopy are vital for management.

A complete hydatidiform mole coexisting with a fetus is a rare condition, particularly when diagnosed after IVF-ET. In spite of the wide spread use of assisted reproductive technology, there have been, to our knowledge, only few reported cases of molar pregnancy after IVF-ET. At present, there are limited data to guide the antenatal management of a complete hydatidiform mole coexisting with fetuses. A complete mole can coexist with a normal, healthy fetus who can be carried to term, with good outcome. But, patients who desire to continue the pregnancy after such a diagnosis must be cautioned about the potential for severe medical complications and developing persistent gestational trophoblastic tumor. We report here a case of complete hydatidiform mole in a triplet pregnancy coexistent with two live fetuses following in IVF-ET.
Diagnosis ; Embryo Transfer* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Fetus ; Humans ; Hydatidiform Mole* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Triplet* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Triplets* ; Trophoblastic Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Scuba diving has become increasingly popular in Korea. Medical problems are common with dives, especially decompression sickness(DCS). This study was performed to obtain an useful information of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in DCS in Korea. METHOD: We reviewed the 62 cases of Korean divers, who were diagnosed as DCS and received recompression therapy according to U.S. Navy Standard Recompression Treatment Table at Ocean and Underwater Medical Research and Training Center of ROK Navy, for 6 years from Jan. 1993 to Nov. 1998. RESULT: 1) the mean no-decompression limit excess time between type I DCS group(72.7 min.) and type II DCS group(92.8min.) showed significant difference. 2) The rate of symptoms appeared on surfacing and within 10min. after surfacing of type I and type II DCS were 41.4%and 72.7% respectively. 3) The cure late of type I and type II were 75.9%and 42.4% respectively. In type II DCS group, the cure rate of the group within 12 hour-delayed recompression treatment and the group above 12 hour-delayed treatment were 64.3%and time 26.3% respectively, and in type I DCS group, 100% and 66.7% respectively. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the education of safety, the strict observance of the standard decompression table, and the avoidance of excessive repeated diving are important for reducing the risk of diving related disease. And to offer proper management of DCS, there should be more multiplace hyperbaric oxygen chambers, the suitable transport system, and the specialist of diving medicine or hyperbaric medicine in Korea.
Decompression Sickness* ; Decompression* ; Diving ; Education ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation* ; Korea ; Oxygen ; Specialization

BACKGROUND: We reviewed retrospectively the clinical features and contrast material-enhanced computed tomography(CT) after blunt abdominal trauma demonstrated a characteristic hypoperfusion complex. Our purpose were to evaluate the hypothesis that children with this 'hypoperfusion complex' CT finding were associated with a tenuous hemodynamic state, severe injury and a poor outcome. METHODS: Between January 1996 and December 1999, 39 consecutive children who sustained blunt trauma and were suspected clinically of having intraabdominal injury underwent CT. Demographic data, blood pressure, indication for CT, pediatric trauma score(PTS) and Glasgow coma score(GCS) were recorded at the time of the initial examination. RESULTS: Three of the 39 children(8%) demonstrated a characteristic finding at CT which was described as the hypoperfusion complex. The 'hypoperfusion complex' was present in the 3 of the 39 traumatized children(8%), but was the main radiographic finding in the 3 of the 14 children with a severe pediatric trauma score(PTS<8) and in the 3 of the 6 children with a Glasgow coma score(GCS<8) who were examined with CT. CONCLUSION: The CT finding in all children with the hypoperfusion complex by definition included marked, diffuse dilatation of the intestine with fluid; abnormally intense contrast enhancement of the bowel wall, mesentery, kidney and/or pancreas; decreased caliber of the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava(IVC); and moderate to large peritoneal fluid collection. This 'hypoperfusion complex' is a relatively rarely observed in injured children but appears to be associated with severe injury and a poor outcome. The pediatric trauma score provides a useful profile of injury severity in children. Prompt diagnosis of hypovolemic shock is important so that supportive therapy can be instituted to prevent further metabolic abnormalities and their potential cardiotoxic effects. In summary, the intense multiorgan enhancement pattern seen in the hypoperfusion complex indicates tenuous hemodynamic stability and is associated with a poor outcome.
Aorta, Abdominal ; Ascitic Fluid ; Blood Pressure ; Child* ; Coma ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypovolemia* ; Intestines ; Kidney ; Mesentery ; Pancreas ; Retrospective Studies ; Shock* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed*