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

We report a case of the transradial approach for carotid artery stenting (CAS) as a useful alternative to the traditional transfemoral approach when femoral access is not available. A 50-year-old male visited our emergency room with dysarthria and right-side weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging showed acute cerebral infarction on the left middle cerebral artery territory and carotid stenosis on both sides. CAS for each carotid stenosis was attempted by the usual femoral access, but there was no pulse on either side of the femoral artery, and computed tomography angiogram of the lower extremity revealed Leriche syndrome, which is an aortoiliac occlusive disease. So, we changed the access to the radial artery and was successfully performed.

Developmental venous anomalies (DVAs) are cited as the most common intracranial vascular anomaly. In the majority of cases, it has a benign clinical course, and complications such as intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) are rarely reported. In the rare cases of DVAs presenting ICH, the causes of hemorrhage are usually by a combined vascular anomaly, mostly cavernous malformation (CM) or complicated DVAs, such as thrombosis in the vein of DVAs. We report a rare case of uncomplicated DVA presenting hemorrhage without accompanied vascular anomaly, such as CM. The cause of hemorrhage is suggested to be a specific form of DVA, arterialized DVA. Arterialized DVAs should be noted that they have a greater risk of hemorrhage than classic DVAs.

We report a case of the transradial approach for carotid artery stenting (CAS) as a useful alternative to the traditional transfemoral approach when femoral access is not available. A 50-year-old male visited our emergency room with dysarthria and right-side weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging showed acute cerebral infarction on the left middle cerebral artery territory and carotid stenosis on both sides. CAS for each carotid stenosis was attempted by the usual femoral access, but there was no pulse on either side of the femoral artery, and computed tomography angiogram of the lower extremity revealed Leriche syndrome, which is an aortoiliac occlusive disease. So, we changed the access to the radial artery and was successfully performed.

Developmental venous anomalies (DVAs) are cited as the most common intracranial vascular anomaly. In the majority of cases, it has a benign clinical course, and complications such as intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) are rarely reported. In the rare cases of DVAs presenting ICH, the causes of hemorrhage are usually by a combined vascular anomaly, mostly cavernous malformation (CM) or complicated DVAs, such as thrombosis in the vein of DVAs. We report a rare case of uncomplicated DVA presenting hemorrhage without accompanied vascular anomaly, such as CM. The cause of hemorrhage is suggested to be a specific form of DVA, arterialized DVA. Arterialized DVAs should be noted that they have a greater risk of hemorrhage than classic DVAs.

OBJECTIVE: By using a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique we assessed brain activation patterns while subjects were viewing the living environments representing natural and urban scenery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 healthy right-handed subjects underwent an fMRI on a 3.0 Tesla MRI scanner. The stimulation paradigm consisted of three times the rest condition and two times the activation condition, each of which lasted for 30 and 120 seconds, respectively. During the activation period, each subject viewed natural and urban scenery, respectively. RESULTS: The predominant brain activation areas observed following exposure to natural scenic views in contrast with urban views included the superior and middle frontal gyri, superior parietal gyrus, precuneus, basal ganglia, superior occipital gyrus, anterior cingulate gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, and insula. On the other hand, the predominant brain activation areas following exposure to urban scenic views in contrast with natural scenes included the middle and inferior occipital gyri, parahippocampal gyrus, hippocampus, amygdala, anterior temporal pole, and inferior frontal gyrus. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the idea that the differential functional neuroanatomies for each scenic view are presumably related with subjects' emotional responses to the natural and urban environment, and thus the differential functional neuroanatomy can be utilized as a neural index for the evaluation of friendliness in ecological housing.
Adult ; Brain Mapping/*methods ; Emotions/physiology ; Environment ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Linear Models ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Male ; *Photic Stimulation

Ischemic colitis represents most common form of gastrointestinal ischemia, usually developed in elderly or debilitated patient with a variety of underlying medical problems. The presumed etiologies are numerous. It usually presents as an acute abdominal illness with bloody diarrhea. Subacute ischemic colitis in healthy adults develops spontaneously in the absence of major vasculature occlusion, and the original insult precipitating the ischemic event usually cannot be established. Diagnosis is based on the clinical symptom, barium study, colonoscopic and histopathologic findings. Therapy and outcome are depen-dent on the severity of disease. It usually requires only medical management and is asso-ciated a good prognosis. We report a case of subacute ischemic colitis in healthy adults developed after severe watery diarrhea with literatures.
Adult ; Aged ; Barium ; Colitis, Ischemic* ; Colon ; Diagnosis ; Diarrhea* ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVE: Fragile X syndrome is the most common form of familial mental retardation, attributable to (CGG)n expansion in the FMR1 gene. This study was undertaken to ascertain the distribution of FMR1 CGG repeat in the general Korean women and to identify ethnic difference in FMR1 CGG repeat number. Material and METHOD: Between January 1999 and December 1999, we evaluated 1,000 low risk women who visited Gachon Medical School Hospital. DNA samples were extracted from the venous bloods by routine methods, and G-C specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)s were performed to evaluate FMR1 CGG repeat number. RESULTS: Mean FMR1 CGG repeat number was 26.9 (6-50), single PCR bands were detected in 776 cases (77.7%). There were two more bands in 22.3% of the cases. Most of the cases are located between 21 and 35 repeats, especially 21-25 repeats. The pattern of distribution of CGG repeat is dispersed. In 13 cases, we could not obtain the PCR results. CONCLUSION: Low risk of transmission rate of the FRX in Korea can be expected.
Alleles* ; Blotting, Southern ; DNA ; Female ; Fragile X Syndrome ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Korea ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Schools, Medical

OBJECTIVE: To access the pregnancy tendency and delivery in women aged 40 years and older. METHODS: From January 1999 to June 2001, 7882 deliveries were in Gacheon Medical School. Among them we compared 95 cases of pregnant women aged 40 years and older with 94 cases of those aged under 40 years as a control group. RESULTS: The parity was higher in women aged older than 40 years compared to control group. Number of prenatal special studies was higher in women aged older than 40 years (n=82) compared to control group (n=14). In modes of delivery and indications for c/sec, there were no difference in two groups. There were no difference in prenatal complications between two groups. But, number of cases related to placenta previa, myoma and anemia were increased in women aged older than 40 years. In postpartum complications, uterine atony and hysterectomy, postpartum bleeding and placenta accreta were higher in women aged older than 40 years compared to control group. CONCLUSION: For pregnant women aged 40 years and older, a careful approach and appropriate management will be necessary for good pregnant outcome.
Anemia ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Myoma ; Parity ; Placenta Accreta ; Placenta Previa ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Schools, Medical ; Uterine Inertia

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to assess social adjustment of childhood cancer survivors and to identify factors affecting social adjustment. METHODS: Data were collected from 79 childhood cancer survivors and his/her parents. The survey consisted of questions related to characteristics, physical functioning, depression, self-esteem and coping strategies. The Social Competence Inventory was used to measure social adjustment in the children. RESULTS: The level of social adjustment of childhood cancer survivors was 83.5 out of a possible 155. Physical functioning, depression, self-esteem, and aggressive or proactive coping strategies were associated with social adjustment. Only physical functioning independently affected social adjustment. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that there are several factors influencing social adjustment of childhood cancer survivors, and therefore there is a need for programs that deal with all aspects of children's physical as well as emotional health in order to enhance their social adjustment.
Depression ; Humans ; Mental Competency ; Parents ; Social Adjustment ; Survivors