PURPOSE: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of lower respiratory disease, especially in children and young adults. The diagnosis, in most cases, is confirmed by serology. M. pneumoniae is difficult to culture because of its fastidious nature, and growth is too slow for diagnostic use. In this prospective study, the sensitivity and specificity of the PCR assay was evaluated with clinical samples. METHODS: We compared the nested PCR test with serological findings for detection of M. pneumoniae in clinical samples(sputum or throat swabs), obtained from 58 pneumonic children who were admitted to the pediatric department of Chungnam National University Hospital between February and September, 1997. RESULTS: Among 28 mycoplasma antibody positive cases, the number of positive cases of cold agglutinin test were 20. So sensitivity and specificity of cold agglutinin test were 71.4% and 80.0%. Positive predictive value and negative predictive value of cold agglutinin test were of 76.9% and 75.0%. Among 28 mycoplasma antibody positive cases, the number of positive cases of M. pneumoniae nested PCR were 26 cases. So sensitivity and specificity of M. pneumoniae nested PCR were of 92.8% and 100.0%. Positive predictive value and negative predictive value were of 100.0% and 93.7%. Four cases showing negative antibody, in acute phase serum and positive in convalescent, revealed positive for nested PCR test. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that nested PCR assay is a highly sensitive, specific test and is fast enough to allow for the early application of therapy with specific antibiotics.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Child ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae* ; Mycoplasma* ; Pharynx ; Pneumonia* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Prospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Hyperostosis, Cortical, Congenital*

We evaluated the corneal topography of 109 eyes which have 1 diopter or more astimatism, with computer-assisted videokeratography(Eye Sys CAS). There was 11% with round pattern, 17.4% with oval pattern, 49.5% with symmetric bow-tie pattern, 19.3% with assymmetric bow-tie pattern, 2.8% with irregular pattern. 70% of subjects had right and left eyes classified into the same group. There was statistically significant difference among the patterns for keratometric astigmatism and difference among the groups which were classified by the location of the area of highest refractive power for keratometric and total astigmatism. The mean angular separation between flat and steep meridian was 89.2 degrees and ranged from 78.61 degrees to 100.67 degrees. The mean residual astigmatism was 0.547 diopter. In the with-the rule astigmatism type, when the total astigmatism less than 1.89 diopter, residual astigmatism neutralize the corneal astigmatism, but when the total astigmatism increase more than 1.89 diopter, residual astigmatism tend to increase the total astigmatism.
Astigmatism* ; Classification* ; Corneal Topography*

No abstract available.
Carrier State*

No abstract available.
Hypothyroidism* ; Thyroid Gland*

No abstract available.
Hypothyroidism* ; Thyroid Gland*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate that sequential CT scans after oral contrast ingestion can show morphological and functional status of the biliary tree, especially for the gallbladder and assess whether the CT scans demonstrate other radiological informations than conventional oral cholecystography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty volunteers in third decades and eight patients with hepatobiliary disease were included for the study. CT scans were obtained 3, 6, 9, 12 hours after oral contrast ingestion and thirty minutes after fat meal in thiry volunteers. Conventional oral cholecystography was also obtained in all volunteers at 12 hours after oral contrast ingestion and after fat meal. We evaluate opacification of gallbladder, biliary tree, and duodenum by contrast media on CT scans and attenuation values of gallbladder, common hepatic duct and common bile duct in each artatomic area on CT and its sequential change. CT scans were performed 6 hours after oral contrast ingestion in eight patients with hepatobiliary disease. And gallbladder function was evaluated by opacification of gallbladder by contrast media in all patients. RESULTS: In thirty volunteers, opacified gallbladder by contrast media was seen in all cases in all sequential periods of time on CT scans, but in 22 cases on conventional oral cholecystography. Contrast-filled intrahepatic ducts were demonstrated in 3 cases at 3 hours after oral contrast ingestion and 11 cases at 6 hours and were not seen thereafter. Contrast-filled common hepatic duct was noted in 28, 18 and 4 cases respectively at 3, 6 and 9 hours after oral contrast ingestion and the CT attenuation values of common hepatic ducts had become progressively decreased. Contrast-filled common bile duct was noted in 28, 18 and 4 cases respectively at 3, 6 and 9 hours and the CT attenuation values of common bile ducts were not changed untill 9 hours but slightly increased at 12 hours. Contrast media was noted in 7, 5, 6 and 5 cases at 3, 6, 9, and 12 hours in cystic duct and 8, 3, 2, 5 cases in duodenum. Contrast-filled cystic duct and duodenum were noted in 24 cases and 19 cases respectively on CT scans after fat meal. The CT attenuation values of gallbladder were increased in sequential periods of time and the difference of density of gallbladder between 3 hours and 6 hours was statistically significant(p=0.0001). The CT attenuation values of gallbladder at 6 hours were heighter than that in 3 hours, statistically. Opacified gallbladder were noted in 2 cases of fatty liver(n=2), 1 case of alcoholic liver disease(n=1), in 1 case of liver cirrhosis(n=1). Patients of gallbladder stone(n=2) or hepatocellular carcinoma (n=2) had non-opacified gallbladder on CT scans. CONCLUSION: The CT scans after oral contrast ingestion can show the morphological and functional aspects of gallbladder better than conventional oral cholecystography and can also show biliary trees and other surrounding structures, so it is helpful method for assessment of not only gallbladder diseases but also other hepatobiliary diseases.
Alcoholics ; Bile Ducts* ; Bile* ; Biliary Tract ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cholecystography ; Common Bile Duct ; Contrast Media ; Cystic Duct ; Duodenum ; Eating* ; Gallbladder Diseases ; Gallbladder* ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Humans ; Liver ; Meals ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Volunteers

No abstract available.
Female ; Humans ; Manganese*

Purpose: This study was conducted to update the existing evidence-based nursing clinical practice guideline for indwelling urinary catheterization (IUC). Methods: The guideline have been revised in 22 steps based on international standards. The quality of the practice guidelines to be used for revision was evaluated using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II. The evaluation of the content appropriateness and applicability of the draft recommendations of the revised practice guidelines was performed using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method, a decision-making method developed by the RAND Corporation. Four guidelines were used for the revision. Results: The updated nursing practice guideline for IUC consisted of 9 domains and 134 recommendations. The numbers of recommendations in each domain were: 4 Assessment, 20 Equipment, 11 Catheter insertion, 52 Catheter maintenance, 4 Catheter and drainage bag change, 9 Catheter removal, 22 Complications management, 5 Education and consult, and 7 Hospital support. The recommended grade was 8.2% for A, 38.1% for B, and 53.7% for C. Among these, the major revision was done in 11 recommendations (8.2%). A total of 29 recommendations (21.6%) were newly added. 30 (22.4%) recommendations had minor revisions such as changes or addition for some words or sentences, and 13 (9.7%) recommendations were deleted. Conclusion Revised nursing practice guideline is expected to serve as an evidence-based practice guideline for IUC in Korea. This guideline will provide health care providers, patients, and caregivers with information to help manage IUC, leading to improved patient outcomes.

Clinical observation was carried out for 147 patients with mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (MCLS) who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Wonju Christian Hospital during the period from June, 1983 to June, 1992. A spinal tap was performed on 114 of these patients and the following results were obtained. 1) The incidence of aseptic meningitis in patients with MCLS was 52.6%. (60 cases of the 114 cases who had spinal taps (52.6%).) 2) The predominent age group for aseptic meningitis was 6 months to 1 year of age (35%). 3) For the majority, the value of glucose and protein in the CSF were within normal limit or only mildly elevated. 4) The neurologic manifestations associated with aseptic meningitis in patients with MCLS were irritability (78.3%), vomiting (25.0%), nuchal rigidity (11.7%), convulsion (5.0%) and facial nerve palsy (1.7%) in that order.
Facial Nerve ; Gangwon-do ; Glucose ; Humans ; Incidence ; Meningitis, Aseptic* ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Muscle Rigidity ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Paralysis ; Pediatrics ; Seizures ; Spinal Puncture ; Vomiting