BACKGROUND: The ligation of the unilateral common carotid artery (CCA) in the gerbil has been known as an ischemic animal model showing various changes including selective neuronal necrosis as well as infarction. This study was performed to analyze the short and long term morphological changes of transient unilateral forebrain ischemia with special attention to astroglial proliferation. METHODS: 67 mongolian gerbils were subjected to 2 hr, 3 hr, 4 hr, or 5 hr of forebrain ischemia by the unilateral CCA ligation method. Each of the ischemic groups were examined after a 1 day, 3 day, or 7 day period of reperfusion. Long term reperfusion groups consisted of 2, 3, and 4 weeks of reperfusion after 5hr of unilateral CCA ligation. Morphological changes were analyzed by H-E staining and an immunohistochemical reaction with GFAP antibody. RESULTS: The ligation of the unilateral CCA, induced unilateral hemispheric infarction in 14 gerbils, selective neuronal necrosis (SNN) involving caudate in 1 gerbil, and delayed neuronal necrosis (DND) of the hippocampal CA1 neurons in 2 gerbils. Infarction was most frequent in 1 day reperfusion groups and did not show any differences according to the duration of ischemia. The GFAP reaction was strongly positive in the center of infarction at a 1 day period and negative at a 3 & 7 day period. The surrounding brain parenchyme progressively revealed increased positive reactions. Gerbils with SNN and DND showed moderately or markedly increased GFAP positive reactions in the unilateral caudate, thalamus, and hippocampus, whereas no apparent changes were shown by a H-E stain. CONCLUSIONS: Reactive astrogliosis is a stereotyped reaction of ischemic brain injury and is a more sensitive parameter than neuronal changes.
Brain ; Brain Injuries ; Carotid Artery, Common* ; Gerbillinae* ; Hippocampus ; Infarction ; Ischemia ; Ligation* ; Models, Animal ; Necrosis ; Neurons ; Prosencephalon ; Reperfusion ; Thalamus

No abstract available.
Humans ; Male*

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori has been implicated in the pathogenesis of active chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease in man. Thus, diagnosis and treatment of H. pylori infection are now of growing importance in ulcer management. A variety of non-invasive and invasive methods have been described for the detection of H. pvlori, but all of these techniques have disadvantages such as time consuming or insensitivity. So we describe the polymerase chain reaction(PCR) assay for the sensitive and specific detection of H. pylori. METHODS: Gastric biopsy specimens were obtained from 247 patients undergoing endoscopic examinations at Hanyang University Hospital. One half of the specimen was processed for routine culture and the other half for PCR. Bacterial genomic DNA from gastric biopsies was extracted by Instagene. Two sets of primer pairs derived from the nucleotide sequence of the urease A gene of H. pylori were used. RESULT: H. pylori was cultured in 100(40%) cases and PCR assay detected 179 (72%) cases (P<0.05, Chi-square test). Culture and PCR-positive cases totaled 100, and there were 68 cases negative by both methods. There were 79 culture-negative and PCR-positive cases, but none was culture-positive and PCR-negative. The assay was sensitive for detecting as little as 0.1 pg of DNA (1 bacterial cell). The specificity of detection was confirmed by ensuring that the primers did not amplify DNA extract from other bacteria. CONCLUSION: The PCR is a rapid, accurate, and sensitive method for the detection of H. pylori.
Bacteria ; Base Sequence ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; DNA ; Gastritis ; Genes, vif ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Peptic Ulcer ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ulcer ; Urease

The purpose of this study was to dcvclop nd test the validity of standardized Korean nome clature based on Nursing Intervention Classi ications (MC), developed by McCloskey and Bul chek at the University of Iowa, The four phases of the study were 1. Two professors and 15 graduate stude ts, who were taking a nursing intervention cours, translated the 433 nursing interventions of IC into Korean 2. 12 nurses with various clinical bac rounds reviewed the nomenclature, taking into nsider ation the definition and activities for each Korean nursing intervention. The Delphi method was used to determine the best appropriate nomenclature for each intervention ~. 20 academic and clinical experts in nursing were given a questionnaire to rate the validity of each Korean nomenclature using a 5 point Likert scale ranging from very inappropriate to very appropriate 4. five members of the Korean Nurses Association Research Committee reviewed the survey results and determined the most appropriate Korean nomenclature for each nursing intei veiition of NIC system. Most nomenclature had a score of more than 4.0, but seven nursing interventions had a score lower than 4.0: Critical Path Development (2.71), Calming Technique ~3.4l), Grief Work Facilitation (3.44), Order Transcription (3.44), Self Modification Assistance (3.44), and Teaching Psycho-motor Skills (3.47). These research results will be included in the nursing vocabulary dictionary to be published by Korean Nurses Association.
Critical Pathways ; Grief ; Iowa ; Nursing ; Vocabulary ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This study was performed to investigate the dietary attitudes and nutrient intakes of nurses. A total of 291 nurses working at hospitals in the Kyungnam area participated in the study. The general characteristics and dietary attitudes of the subjects were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire, and nutrient intakes was examined using one-day 24-hour recall method. The results were as follows : 67.7 percent of the subjects were nurses, 32.3% were nursing assistants. Average age of the subjects was 26.9 years old, average nursing experience was 5.7 years, and 70.7% of the subjects graduated from junior college. The rates of shift work (45.4%) and non-shift work (54.6%) were similar, and 91.5% of subjects worked on a three-shift a day schedule. The average nutrition knowledge score was 14.3+/-2.5 out of a possible 20 points. Most of the nurses had experienced dietary problems such as skipping meals and overeating. Sixty-eight point three percent of the nurses had breakfast less than 3 times a week, and the main reason for skipping meals was a lack of time. Most of the nurses (74.1%) didn't exercise regularly. The average score on dietary habits was 55.6 out of 100, and most of the subjects belonged to the 'fair' group in terms of dietary habits. Married nurses, and those over 31 years of age, scored significantly higher on dietary habits than unmarried nurses, and those under 25 years of age (p<0.001), and the scores significantly increased with increasing age. Mean daily carbohydrate and fat intake was 231.5+/-66.1 g, 41.1+/-18.8 g, and cholesterol and crude fiber intake was 238.2+/-184.6 mg, 5.2+/-2.0 g. respectively. Compared with the recommended allowances, the energy (1560.0+/-448.5 kcal), calcium (453.8+/-222.3 mg) iron (10.6+/-7.6 mg), vitamin A (658.5+/-538.1 R.E) and vitamin B2 (0.96+/-0.5 mg) figures were below the Korean RDA, and the protein (65.9+/-31.0 g), vitamin B1, (1.14+/-0.5 mg), vitamin C (143.2+/-119.6 mg), niacin (14.4+/-6.3 mg) and phosphorus (958.1+/-352.1 mg) figures were above the Korean RDA. The average carbohydrate, protein, fat ratio of energy intake was 60:17:23. The intake ratio of Ca and P showed an unbalance of 1:2. The dietary habits had a positive correlation (p<0.001) with nutrition intake except vitamin A and vitamin C. Therefore, In order to improve overall dietary behavior and nutritional status, systematic nutrition education programs should be developed.
Appointments and Schedules ; Ascorbic Acid ; Breakfast ; Calcium ; Cholesterol ; Education ; Energy Intake ; Food Habits ; Gyeongsangnam-do* ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Iron ; Meals ; Niacin ; Nursing ; Nutritional Status ; Phosphorus ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Riboflavin ; Single Person ; Thiamine ; Vitamin A

BACKGROUND: In the clinical setting, for convenience of transfusion, blood is requested in advance, even though 'the type and screen' method has been used for the efficient supply of blood. We employed the precedent antibody screening test method for all patients who were scheduled for surgery, and compared the disposal rate and the clear rate pre and post-activity. METHODS: We evaluated the disposal rate and the cancellation ratio before and after employment of the precedent antibody screening test method for all patients expected to undergo surgery. A comparison of the frequency and type of side effects of transfusion was also performed. RESULTS: The disposal rate and the cancellation ratio showed a decrease, from 1.48% to 1.29%, and from 17.0% to 11.0%. No significant change was observed in the cause of disposal and the side effects of transfusion. CONCLUSION: Enforcement of a precedent antibody screening test resulted in a decrease in the disposal and clear rates. In addition, it aided in reduction of the amount of work performed at the blood bank by establishing the proper utilization of blood and reducing unnecessary cross match testing. There appears to be no problem regarding the stability of transfusion. However, for the sample showing a positive result on the antibody screening test, an effort to decrease the side effects of transfusion, such as exhaustive cross-matching and increasing the rate of identification, would be needed.
Blood Banks ; Blood Transfusion ; Employment ; Humans ; Mass Screening

BACKGROUND: In the clinical setting, for convenience of transfusion, blood is requested in advance, even though 'the type and screen' method has been used for the efficient supply of blood. We employed the precedent antibody screening test method for all patients who were scheduled for surgery, and compared the disposal rate and the clear rate pre and post-activity. METHODS: We evaluated the disposal rate and the cancellation ratio before and after employment of the precedent antibody screening test method for all patients expected to undergo surgery. A comparison of the frequency and type of side effects of transfusion was also performed. RESULTS: The disposal rate and the cancellation ratio showed a decrease, from 1.48% to 1.29%, and from 17.0% to 11.0%. No significant change was observed in the cause of disposal and the side effects of transfusion. CONCLUSION: Enforcement of a precedent antibody screening test resulted in a decrease in the disposal and clear rates. In addition, it aided in reduction of the amount of work performed at the blood bank by establishing the proper utilization of blood and reducing unnecessary cross match testing. There appears to be no problem regarding the stability of transfusion. However, for the sample showing a positive result on the antibody screening test, an effort to decrease the side effects of transfusion, such as exhaustive cross-matching and increasing the rate of identification, would be needed.
Blood Banks ; Blood Transfusion ; Employment ; Humans ; Mass Screening

Cecal volvulus is uncommon in pediatric patients and there are few reports of cecal volvulus with cerebral palsy. Here, we report the case of a 19-year-old male patient who presented with abdominal distension, a history of cerebral palsy, refractory epilepsy due to lissencephaly, and chronic constipation. An abdominal x-ray and computed tomography without contrast enhancement showed fixed dilated bowel intensity in the right lower abdomen. Despite decompression with gastric and rectal tube insertion, symptoms did not improve. The patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy that revealed cecal volvulus. Cecal volvulus usually occurs following intestinal malrotation or previous surgery. In this patient, however, intestinal distension accompanying mental disability and chronic constipation resulted in the development of cecal volvulus. We suggest that cecal and proximal large bowel volvulus should be considered in patients presenting with progressive abdominal distension combined with a history of neuro-developmental delay and constipation.
Abdomen ; Cecum ; Cerebral Palsy ; Constipation ; Decompression ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Intestinal Volvulus ; Laparotomy ; Lissencephaly ; Male

BACKGROUND: It is well documented that calcium ions perform a major role in neuronal degeneration in cerebrovascular disease and the other degenerative diseases, and that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (D3) has the dose-dependent protective effects. This study was performed to examine the effects of different D3 dosages against delayed neuronal damage of the hippocampus. METHODS: Mature mongolian gerbils were injected with either 0.8 microgram/kg/day (group 2) for 5 days or 1.0 microgram/kg/day for 8 days (group 3) prior to the 10 min ligation of the bilateral common carotid arteries. Immunohistochemical expression for the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and the platelet-derived neurotrophic factor (PDNF) was observed in the D3-injected (0.8 microgram/kg/day for 5 days) group. RESULTS: Group 2 showed a highly significant attenuation of delayed neuronal damage in the lateral CA1 region at 7 days after reperfusion. Group 3 showed unilateral or bilateral hemispheric infarcts 24 h after the onset of reperfusion. The D3-injected group showed a markedly increased bFGF expression level. CONCLUSION: The dose-dependent effect of D3 suggests the importance of determining the appropriate D3 dose for clinical applications. Although the mechanism(s) of neuroprotection by D3 remains unclear, D3 may facilitate a reduction in ischemia-induced oxidative stress via the activation of the neurotrophic factors, including bFGF and GDNF.
Calcitriol* ; Calcium ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; Gerbillinae* ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Hippocampus* ; Ions ; Ischemia* ; Ligation ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Neurons* ; Oxidative Stress ; Reperfusion

OBJECTIVE: Various methods of treatment for idiopathic cervical dystonia have been tried in the past with unsatisfactory results. The authors report cases of five patients who underwent selective peripheral denervation for spasmodic torticollis. METHODS: Between July 2002 and December 2003, 5 patients underwent surgery at St. Mary's Hospital for spasmodic torticollis. Age of the patient at the onset of symptoms ranged from 29 to 56years (mean 43.75years). Selective peripheral denervation(SPD) was performed at 7 to 11months after the onset of symptoms (mean 8.75 months). A patient was considered to be the candidate for surgery if conservative methods were unsuccessful and symptoms persisted for longer than 7months. In addition, 2patients who refused treatment with botulinum toxin were also enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Although one patient underwent reoperation, all of the five patients' symptoms were improved after the operation. Clinically, patients with retrocollis showed better improvement than laterocollis patients. CONCLUSION: Although injection of botulinum toxin is the first-choice in treatment modality, when surgery is required, selective peripheral denervation provides good results with minimum side effects.
Botulinum Toxins ; Denervation* ; Humans ; Reoperation ; Torticollis*