The age of puberty represents a very critical time in the life history of every young woman. The menarche stands as primary indicator of the onset of sexual maturation in females. According to several studies, menarcheal age in Korean girls has dropped from about 15 years of age in 1960s to 13.5 years of age in 1980s. This findings show a pronounced secular trend to earlier maturation. The purpose of this study is to determine (1) the average age at menarche in Korea in present time, (2) the secular trend of menarcheal age, and (3) the geographic regional influence on menarche. The data sampling was obtained from the physical examination cards of women students in Yonsei University who entered from 1983 to 1991. The data which was obtained from the number of 7761 was analysed by dBase III plus and SAS program. The results are as follows: 1) The mean menarcheal age of the subjects was 13.7+/-1.2 years. 2) Age at menarche has been getting earlier by some 7.4 months during the period of recent II years. 3) Comparing to the decreasing secular trend of menarcheal age, the height and weight showed increasing trend. 4) There were significant differences in menarcheal age, height, weight among geographic regions. We conclude that the results indicate an accelerating secular trend in age of menarche in Korea.
Adolescent ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Menarche ; Physical Examination ; Puberty ; Sexual Maturation

BACKGROUND: In patients with endometrial carcinoma, preoperative evaluation of exact staging has important prognostic and therapeutic implications. The incidence of pelvic and aortic lymph node involvement in endometrial carcinoma depends on grade of tumor differentiation and depth of myometrial invasion. MATERIAL AND METHOD: To evaluate whether MRI provides a preoperative assessment for staging of endometrial carcinoma, MRI was undertaken in 28 patients, a few weeks before operation. Myometrial invasion was devided in three categories, and involvement of cervix, adnexa, and pelvic cavity were classified. RESULTS: The results of MR imaging were compared with these of pathology. The preoperative MRI staging of endometrial carcinoma was correct in 22 out of 28 patients. In the evaluation of myometrial invasion, the MR imaging underestimated in 4 cases and overestimated in 1 case. CONCLUSION: In patients with endometrial carcinoma, MR imaging is very useful in the assessment of the depth of myometrial invasion, stromal invasion of cevix, lymphatic & pelvic metastases and extent of the lesion.
Cervix Uteri ; Endometrial Neoplasms* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymph Nodes ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pathology

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to evaluate the recurrence rate of a giant cell tumor (GCT) of the bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of fifty four patients who were diagnosed with a giant cell tumor of the bone between March 1980 and December 2008 were analysed retrospectively. Among 54 patients, 27 were men, remaining 27 were women with the mean age of 33.1 years (range, 13-67 years). The mean duration of follow-up was 67.1 months. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (38.9%) had a local recurrence. The mean time to recurrence was 21.5 months (range, 2-59 months). The local recurrence rate of the upper extremities was higher than that of lower extremities. According to Campanacci classification, patients with a grade I diseae had lower recurrence rate than those with grade II or III disease. There was no significant differences in the recurrence rates based on cryotherapy, the filling of bone cement or bone grafts and surgical margin. CONCLUSION: To prevent local recurrence of GCT of bone, curettage of the tumor and elimination of the remaining cells are more important than adjuvant therapy.
Cryotherapy ; Curettage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Giant Cells ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Medical Records ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplants ; Upper Extremity

Spinal epidural hematoma is a rare complication of epidural anesthesia and most commonly associated with intraoperative or postoperative anticoagulant administration. We describe the case of an acute thoracolumbar epidural hematoma at the T12-L4 level complicated by cauda equina syndrome, which occurred after placement of spinal epidural catheter for anesthesia and anticoagulant therapy for acute myocardial infarction developed postoperatively. In our experience, the spinal epidural catheterization and anticoagulant therapy may potentially increase the risk of epidural hematoma formation.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Epidural* ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Cauda Equina* ; Hematoma* ; Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal ; Heparin* ; Myocardial Infarction ; Polyradiculopathy*

PURPOSE: The number of glyphosate and glufosinate intoxication cases are increasing in Korea. This study was undertaken is to compare the clinical manifestations of poisoning by these two herbicides and to document severities and clinical outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated cases of glyphosate or glufosinate intoxication among patients that visited our emergency department between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017. Incidences of intoxications were analyzed over this five year period, and underlying diseases, transportation, mental state, shock occurrence, inotropics, gastric lavage, charcoal administration, intubation and ventilator therapy, and hemodialysis were investigated. In addition, we included transfer to the intensive care unit, incidences of pneumonia and of other complications, death, and hopeless discharge. RESULTS: There were 119 cases of glyphosate intoxication and 42 of glufosinate intoxication. Levels of consciousness were lower for glufosinate and vasopressor usage was higher due to a high shock rate (p=0.019). In addition, many patients were referred to the ICU for intubation and ventilation. The incidences of pneumonia and of other complications were significantly higher for glufosinate. CONCLUSION: Overall glufosinate intoxication was found to be more severe than glyphosate intoxication as determined by complication and ICU admission rates.
Charcoal ; Consciousness ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Gastric Lavage ; Herbicides ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Intubation ; Korea ; Pneumonia ; Poisoning* ; Renal Dialysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Shock ; Transportation ; Ventilation ; Ventilators, Mechanical

No abstract available.
Ultrasonography, Prenatal*

PURPOSE: To evaluate protective mechanism of melatonin against radiation damage and its relationship with apoptosis in mouse jejunum. MATERIALS AND METHODS:' 168 mice were divided into 28 groups according to radiation dose and melatonin treatment. To analysis crypt survival, microcolony survival assay was done according to Withers an (l Elkind's method. To analysis apoptosis, TUNEL assay was done according to Labet-Moleur's method. RESULTS: Radiation protection effect of melatonin was demonstrated by crypt survival assay and its effect was stronger in high radiation dose area. Apoptosis index with 8 Gy irradiation was 18.4% in control group and 16.5% in melatonin treated group. After 18 Gy, apoptosis index was 17.2% in control group and 15.4% in melatonin treated group. Apoptosis index did not show statistically significant difference between melatonin treated group and control group. CONCLUSION: Melatonin shows clear protective effect in mouse jejunum against radiation damage but it.', protective effect seems not to be related with apoptosis protection effect.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Cell Survival* ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Jejunum ; Melatonin* ; Mice* ; Radiation Protection

Ultrastructural changes of the retinal capillary basement membrane in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats Cho, Hokyun, M.D., Lee, Dohyung, M.D. We studied the changes of the retinal capillary in diabetic retinopathy. We measured the thickness of the basement membrane of the retinal capillary endothelial cells and the capillary pericytes using streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and the results were compared with that of normal control rats. And also an morphological lterations of the retinal capillary were examed on the prediabetes and 3, 7 month-aged diabetic rats. The basement membrane thickness was measeured with 0.1mm calibrated ruler overlaying the electron micrograph with a transparent plastic sheet on which were etched 20 radiating lines exactly 18degree apart. The SPSS and Instat program were used for statistical evaluation of the data. An age related increase of the basement membrane of the capillary pericyte and endothelial cell was evident in both diabetic and control group. It was more prominent in the pericyte basement membrane of diabetic rats (diabetic rats 112.5%, control 62.5%). Comparing the age related thickening of the pericyte basement membrane and endothelial basement membrane, the increase of the thickness of the pericyte basement membrane at 7 month-aged diabetic rats was statistically significant(p<.0005). Some degenerative changes of the basement membrane itself and cytoplasmic degeneration of the endothelial cell and pericyte were visible, and those were more prominent in diabetic rats. Some capillary endothelial cell shows thinning in 7 month-aged diabetic rats.
Animals ; Basement Membrane* ; Capillaries* ; Cytoplasm ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Endothelial Cells ; Pericytes ; Plastics ; Prediabetic State ; Rats* ; Retinaldehyde*

Apgar score is most widely used evaluating indicator of newborn health, but it is very subjective. Umbilical cord blood gas analysis is more objective and effective than Apgar score in evaluation of newborn status. Cord blood gas was changed slightly by processing of time after fetal birth. This study was undertaken to observe objectiveness and effectiveness of umbilical arterial blood gas analysis and effects of time interval of cord clamping to newborn health with 122 pregnant women and their babies. We observed following results: 1. There were poor correlation between Apgar score and umbilical cord arterial blood analysis in evaluating of newborn health (P>0.05). 2. There was no clinical significance of Apgar score or umbilical arterial blood gas analysis as single indicator in evaluating of newborn health (P>0.05). 3. Gas analysis and pH of umbilical arterial blood was more helpful in evaluating of newborn health than Apgar score. 4. There were no significant effects of time interval of umbilical cord clamping to newborn health. 5. If there were no indications of early umbilical cord clamping, cord blood sampling at immediately after birth without cord clamping was more effective to evaluate newborn status.
Apgar Score* ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Constriction ; Cordocentesis ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Infant Health* ; Infant, Newborn* ; Parturition ; Pregnant Women ; Umbilical Cord

No abstract available.
Antibodies* ; Mass Screening* ; Postpartum Period* ; Thyroid Gland*