No abstract available.
Congenital Abnormalities*

No abstract available.
Rabbits*

OBJECTIVE: In the human body the embryo initially gmws in the fallopian tube which is maintained in an 3-8% O2 concentration environment, and various substances such as growth factors and antioxidants present in tbe tubal fluid assists in maintaining a healthy environment for embryo development. But in IVF programs embryo cultures are conducted in incubators with 21.9% O2 and 5% CO2 condition, and such high oxygen concentrations have been reported to increase the production of oxygen free radicals within the embryo and is detrimental to the growth and development of the embryo. The objective of this study, therefore, is to determine the culture conditions which will decrease oxygen free radical production and thereby minimize the injury to the embryo. METHODS: Six to eight week old ICR strain mice embryos were cultured in 5% or 21.9% O2 conditions and in culture media to which inaement concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD) had been and the H2O2 concentration within the embryo, embryo developmental rate, and degree of fragmentation of the embryos was investigated. RESULTS: The control gmup embryos which were cultured in 21.9% O2 condition without addition of SOD showed developmental arrest at the 2-cell stage or fragmentation, while those cultured in 21.9% O2 condition with addition of SOD showed development to the blastocyst stage with deaeased fragmentation. In particular, the blastulation and fragmentation rates were the lowest in the group to which 500 IU/ml of SOD was added, but in the 5% O2 enviranment group many embryos reached the blastocyst stage and with no difference in frapnentation with or without addition of SOD. The HO relative intensity (120.5+/-20.2) within the embryos cultured in 21.9% O2 environment without SOD was significantly higher than that (56.8+/-10.8) of group with SOD (p<0.05). As showing that in the 5% O2 environment group without SOD it was 43.8+/-7.8 and in the group with SOD it was 37.3+/-5.4, the H2O2 concentration within embryos cultured in 5% 02 condition was significantly lower those that of 21,9% 02 environment regardless of SOD addition (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The optimal oxygen concentration in incubator for mice embryo cultures is that which is similar to the 5% 0 concentration in vivo. When 20% 02 incubators are routinely used, the addition of SOD to the culture media will decrease the H2O2 concentration within the embryos with subsequent improvement in development. The optimal concentration which should be used is thought to be 500 IU/ml. It is suggested that the use of the above method in human IVF-ET programs will lead to improved embryo quality and enhanced pregnancy rates.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; Blastocyst ; Culture Media ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures* ; Fallopian Tubes ; Female ; Free Radicals ; Growth and Development ; Human Body ; Humans ; Incubators ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Mice* ; Oxygen* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Superoxide Dismutase* ; Superoxides*

In this study, high frequency oscillatory ventilator was designed and constructed. Using designed by phase-lock loop system, in order to accurately and easily treat both the outlet volume and rpm. A system has been designed and is being evaluated using CD4046A PLL IC. We use this PLL IC for the purpose of motor controls. The device consists of PLL system, pumping mechanism, piston, cylinder, and special crank shaft are required. This system characteristics were as follows: 1) Frequency: 20-1800 rpm 2) Outlet air volume: 1-50 cc
Ventilators, Mechanical*

Hemolytic uremic syndrome is the most common cause of acute renal failure in childhood. Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome which is not usually associated with prodromal symptoms has a higher mortality rate and more tendency to progress to chronic renal failure. Children younger than two years of age are a more susceptible to pneumococcal infection and can develop more serious disease. We report a 23 month-old male who suffered from pneumococcal pneumonia and progressed to hemolytic uremic syndrome requiring peritoneal dialysis. He recovered completely from acute renal failure after peritoneal dialysis and intravenous use of vancomycin.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Child ; Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome* ; Humans ; Infant ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Male ; Mortality ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Pneumococcal Infections* ; Pneumonia, Pneumococcal ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Streptococcus pneumoniae* ; Streptococcus* ; Vancomycin

We developed the 166Ho-chitosan, the new radiation synovectomy agent. Holmium is the more practical isotope based on its longer half-life. And chitosan, is ideal and suitable particles based on its soluble and biodegradable characteristics. We investigated the biocompatibility of the 166Ho-chitosan complex to evaluate the suitability as a radiation synovectomy agent. In vitro stability test, the 166Ho-chitosan complex suspension in saline was stored at room temperture and 37degrees C for 25 days and decay rate was of determined by ITLC(Instant Thin Layer Chromatography). In vivo stability test, the 166Ho-chitosan complex was injected into rabbit joints and followed by gamma camera imaging to quantify extra-articular leakage. Biodistribution study, the 166Ho-chitosan complex was injected into rabbit joints. After 48 hours heart, liver, urinary bladder, spleen, lung, brain, kidney, blood were extracted and radioactivities were measured. In vitro stability test, there was no significant change of radioactivity and no leakage problem indicating the prepared 166Ho-chitosan complex is sufficiently stable. In vivo stability tests revealed that more than 98% of the 166Ho-chitosan remained in joint over a 2 days period. The mean retention percentage of 166Ho-chitosan in knee were 99.9%, 99.9%, 99.8%, 99.7% at 2 h, 6 h, 1 day and 2 days, respectively. A biodistribution study of the rabbits revealed that leakage to heart, liver, urinary bladder, spleen, lung, brain, kidney, blood is 0.71, 1.5, 0.50, 1.5, 0.25, 0.26, 0.81, 0.065(% Injected Dose x 10-3/gram), respectively. The 166Ho-chitosan complex shows less leakge than any other radiation synovectomy agents. Our results indicate that 166Ho-chitosan have the biocompatibility and the suitability as a radiation synovectomy agent.
Brain ; Chitosan* ; Half-Life ; Heart ; Holmium ; Joints ; Kidney ; Knee ; Liver ; Lung ; Rabbits* ; Radioactivity ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Spleen ; Urinary Bladder

The idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome consists of peripheral blood eosinophilia of 1500/mm3 or more without a known cause, plus signs and symptoms of organ eosinophilia. The prognosis of HES without treatment is poor. However, about one third of the patients with this syndrome may respond to corticosteroid thrapy. Morever, the majority of the remainder may have a favorable response to hydroxyurea. We present here a case of hypereosinophilic syndrome without any identifiable causes, involving bone marrow, liver, lungs and cervical lymph node. We tried corticosteroid as a treatment but it showed no response. However the hydroxyurea showed good response.
Bone Marrow ; Eosinophilia ; Humans ; Hydroxyurea ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVES: We measured behavioral factors associated with Koreans receiving gastric cancer screening based on a socio-ecological model, in part to develop strategies to improve cancer screening rates. METHODS: A telephone survey was conducted with 2,576 people chosen through stratified random sampling from April 1- May 31, 2004. Collected information included gastric cancer screening, socio-demographic factors, and socio-ecological factors at intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, and public policy levels. RESULTS: Among 985 survey respondents (380 men and 605 women), 402 had received gastric cancer screening. Logistic analysis was performed to compare those screened and unscreened. 'Age' was the only demographic factor that showed a statistically significant association with getting screening. People in their fifties (OR=1.731, 95% CI=1.190-2.520) and sixties (OR=2.098, 95% CI=1.301-3.385) showed a higher likelihood of getting screened, compared to those in the forties. 'Accessibility to a medical institution' was a significant factor related to having gastric cancer screening at the intrapersonal level. At the interpersonal level, recommendations by family members to be screened and a family practice of routine cancer screening were significantly related. People with frequent education about cancer screening or with stronger social feelings that cancer screening is necessary also demonstrated significantly higher tendencies to be screened. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, a socio-ecological model seems appropriate for explaining gastric cancer screening behavior and associated factors. Health planners should develop integrated strategies to improve cancer screening rates based on socio-ecological factors, especially at the interpersonal and community levels.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Female ; *Health Behavior ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Health Services Accessibility ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Social Support ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms/*diagnosis

No abstract available.
Groin* ; Pelvis* ; Rectus Abdominis*

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Food composition databases are necessary for assessing dietary intakes. Developing and maintaining a high quality database is difficult because of the high cost of analyzing nutrient profiles and the recent fast-changing food marketplace. Thus, priorities have to be set for developing and updating the database. We aimed to identify key foods in the Korean diet to set priorities for future analysis of foods. SUBJECTS/METHODS: modified the US Department of Agriculture's key food approach. First, major foods were analyzed, contributing to 75%, 80%, 85%, or 90% of each nutrient intake. Second, the cumulative contributions to nutrient intakes were compared before and after excluding the foods least commonly consumed by individuals. Third, total nutrient score for each food was calculated by summing all percent contributions times 100 for nutrients. To set priorities among the foods in the list, we sorted the score in descending order and then compared total percent contributions of foods, within the 100, 90, 85, 80, and 75 percentiles of the list. Finally, we selected the minimum list of foods contributing to at least 90% of the key nutrient intake as key items for analysis. RESULTS: Among the 1,575 foods consumed by individuals, 456 were selected as key foods. Those foods were chosen as items above the 80 percentile of the total nutrient score, among the foods contributing at least 85% of any nutrient intake. On an average, the selected key foods contributed to more than 90% of key nutrient intake. CONCLUSIONS: In total, 456 foods, contributing at least 90% of the key nutrient intake, were selected as key foods. This approach to select a minimum list of key foods will be helpful for systematically updating and revising food composition databases.
Diet ; Food Analysis ; Nutrition Surveys