Increased death rate resulted from cardiovascular disease called for the study on the autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular system. It is known that an HRV (heart rate variability) spectrum analysis based on ECG (electrocardiograph) signals could be used to define activity of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system noninvasively. However, it is important to prove whether suggested HRV analysis method could provide the useful information for observing autonomic nervous system quantitatively and objectively before clinical application. In this study, 14 rats were used and divided into two groups, sympathectomy group and vagotomy group, respectively. During the experiment, ECGs of rats were collected three times at each experimental condition. After the application of Berger's series algorithm to the ECG raw data, HRV spectrum was obtained via FFT (fast Fourier transform). Power contents for each frequency bands were calculated from HRV waveforms. Two peak values, HF (high frequency) and LF(low frequency), representing autonomic nervous system status were used to extract the parameter, HF/LF ratio. Results showed that HF/LF values were increased for the sympathectomy group and decreased for the vagotomy group. It implies that the variations in HF/LF components exhibits the information for the classification of ANS(autonomic nervous system) function quantitatively. HRV analysis algorithm developed from this study could be expanded for the observation of autonomic nervous system variations in human.
Animals ; Autonomic Nervous System ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cardiovascular System ; Classification ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Mortality ; Parasympathetic Nervous System ; Rats ; Spectrum Analysis ; Sympathectomy* ; Vagotomy*

Brain size is a useful parameter describing ontogenic character and function. Despite its potential contribution to functional study and diagnosis of disease, it has been hampered by poor assessment tools in vivo and postmortem changes. Recent development of medical imaging techniques such as MRI and CT enable us to understand brain structures in vivo. Many morphometirc studies of the brain has given us new insights in the field of functional neuroanatomy and neuropsychiatric diseases. In spite of these advances, volumetric data of normal Korean brain is not available yet. As an initial approach to Korean standard brain size, we measured the cerebellar volume between 20 and 80 years old Koreans. The MRI films free from lesions in brain was analyzed and measured by NIH image program. The Korean cerebellar volume were ranged between 86.2cm(3) and 141.3 cm(3) and average male cerebellum volume was significantly larger than that of female[male : 118.2+/-11.2cm(3)] > female : 108.0+/-9.6cm(3), P=0.1021E-07<0.05]. And we could not find volume change according to aging process. This is the first report on normal Korean cerebellar volume and the presence of gender difference in the Korean cerebellar volume. These data will be used for the standard useful in studying cerebellar function and cerebellum associated disorders in the future.
Aged, 80 and over ; Aging ; Brain ; Cerebellum ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Neuroanatomy ; Postmortem Changes

Acute mountain sickness is an illness caused by climbing to a high altitude without prior acclimatization. Neurological consequences, like parkinsonism following acute mountain sickness without lesion of brain MRI have been reported rarely. A healthy 56-year-old man presented with dysarthria and gait disturbance. Neurological examination revealed tremor of hands, limb rigidity, and bradykinesia. The symptoms developed approximately 30 days following a 3,500 m climb of the Annapurna in the Himalayas. Brain MRI did not reveal any abnormalities including globus pallidus. The parkinsonism symptoms persisted for about 3 months before a complete recovered was made. We suggest that parkinsonism can develop after climbing to a high altitude but that the symptoms can be transient if a brain MRI detects no abnormalities.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence rate of low back pain (LBP) in the high school students and to analyze the differences and correlations with the spinal-pelvic structural variations and disability index with LBP. The subjects are 499 high school students (236 males, 263 females: mean age, 16.38 years). They were assessed for LBP with the numerical rating scale (NRS) and for disability with the Korean version Oswestry disability index (KODI). All subjects were to take the plain radiographic examination for spinal-pelvic structural variations including thoracic, lumbar, thoracolumbar Cobb's angle, lumbar lordotic curve, sacral slope, pelvic tilt and pelvic incidence. All subjects were divided into two groups by NRS scores (0, 1=no/minimum pain group [NMP group], 2-10=low back pain group [LBP group]). The prevalence rate of LBP of all subjects was 56.7% (n=283). NRS and total KODI scores were higher in the LBP group (3.38 cm/11.83%) than NMP group (0.07 cm/2.74%) (p<0.001). In the spinal-pelvic structural variations analysis, the thoracic Cobb's angle was significantly high in LBP group (p<0.05), but others were shown no differences between the both groups (p>0.05). NRS had significantly positive correlation with KODI (p<0.001). NRS and KODI did not demonstrate any correlations with spinal-pelvic structural variations (p>0.05). In conclusion, this study showed high prevalence rate of LBP in the high school students, but did not show significant correlations with the spinal-pelvic structural variations and disability index.
Back Pain ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Low Back Pain* ; Male ; Prevalence

The spinal cord is part of the central nervous system, and its caudal end is named as the conus medullaris. Many researchers have reported the tip level of the conus medullaris by magnetic resonance imaging studies; others by cadaver dissection. The tip level of magnetic resonance imaging studies seemed to be higher than that of cadaver studies. We evaluated the tip level the conus medullaris with magnetic resonance imaging and cadaver dissection in Korean adult population. MR data were scanned with T1-weighted, mid-sagittal magnetic resonance imaging of 248 living persons (mean age, 42.3±16.0 years; range, 12-85 years) and cadaver data were collected by dissections of 118 cadavers (mean age, 56.0±14.9 years; range, 16-94 years). The mean level of conus tip was found to be at the middle third of 1st lumbar vertebra (range, lower third T12 - lower third L2) from magnetic resonance imaging study and the upper third of 2nd lumbar vertebra (range, lower third T12 - lower third L3) from cadaver dissection study. The tip level of conus medullaris from magnetic resonance imaging study was higher than that from cadaver dissection study (p<0.05).
Adult* ; Cadaver* ; Central Nervous System ; Conus Snail* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Spinal Cord* ; Spine

PURPOSE: To investigate wound characteristics and ultrastructural changes in the 2.2-mm and 2.8-mm main corneal incisions. METHODS: Forty-four eyes of 34 patients undergoing cataract surgery were randomized to receive a 2.2-mm or 2.8-mm main corneal incision. All incisions were evaluated 1, 7, and 30 days postoperatively using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. The angle, length, maximal thickness of the incision, and if present, corneal gap length and incision gap area were calculated. The existence of Descemet's membrane detachment was recorded. RESULTS: The mean endothelial gap length and gap area of the 2.2-mm wound were larger than the 2.8-mm, with the only statistically significant difference observed on postoperative day 30 (p = 0.015 and 0.027, respectively). There was no difference in the mean incision angle, length, and corneal thickness between the 2 incision sizes. The ratio of Descemet's membrane detachment increased with older age and low postoperative IOP, but not associated with incision size (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both the 2.2-mm and 2.8-mm main corneal incisions showed excellent wound healing outcome without significant postoperative complications. Older patients with low postoperative IOP required a more careful wound care management. The incision parameters in the present study can be used as an indicator of the healing process to reduce wound-related complications.
Cataract ; Descemet Membrane ; Eye ; Humans ; Phacoemulsification ; Postoperative Complications ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Wound Healing

PURPOSE: To report two cases of sutureless corneal surgery performed with human fibrin sealant: lamellar keratoplasty and revision of traumatic LASIK flap dislocation. METHODS: In one case, lamellar keratoplasty was performed because of corneal opacity in the anterior stroma, which occurred after herpes simplex keratitis. Free flaps were made in donor and recipient corneas using an Automated Corneal Shaper(TM) (ACS(TM)). After human fibrin sealant was applied to the surface of the recipient's stromal bed, the donor's corneal flap was attached to the bed. The other patient evaluated had partial dislocation of the LASIK flap following trauma. The corneal epithelium covered the lifted and wrinkled corneal flap. The epithelium was removed after applying 20% alcohol. Then, the flap was repositioned and fixed using human fibrin sealant. RESULTS: At postoperative 3 months, clarity and integrity were maintained without serious complications. Visual acuity was improved in both cases. However, an additional procedure was needed in the case of LASIK flap revision because of epithelial ingrowth. CONCLUSIONS: Human fibrin sealant is an effective tool for corneal surgery and is advantageous because it does not require sutures. However, further studies that involve a large number of patients and a longer follow-up period are required to validate its universal use.
Cornea ; Corneal Opacity ; Corneal Transplantation* ; Dislocations* ; Epithelium ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive* ; Fibrin* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans* ; Keratitis, Herpetic ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ* ; Sutures ; Tissue Donors ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of toric iris-fixated phakic intraocular lens (Artisan(R)) implantation for the correction of myopia with astigmatism. METHODS: Sixteen eyes of 11 patients underwent toric Artisan(R) lens implantation between April 2004 and February 2006 and were followed up for 6 months. We analyzed visual acuity, refraction, change in astigmatism, efficacy, safety, predictability, and complications. RESULTS: Among 11 patients, 4 were men and 7 were women, with an average age of 30.9 years. The preoperative mean uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 0.02, except for 1 eye with post-LASIK astigmatism (0.4); the mean spherical equivalent refraction was -11.06+/-4.11D; and the mean astigmatism was -2.91+/-0.91D. At postoperative 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, UCVA was more than 0.8 in 31%, 69%, 81% of eyes and more than 0.5 in 94%, 94%, 100% of eyes, respectively. Mean astigmatism decreased to -2.28, -1.37, and -0.73 and the spherical equivalent refraction was within 1.0D in 56%, 81%, 88% of eyes, respectively. For the vector analysis of astigmatic change, a doubled-angle scatterplot revealed that the postoperative 6 month data were located mainly at the center of the plot, which indicated a considerable reduction of astigmatism by magnitude and axis. At postoperative 6 months, the efficacy and safety indices were 99.0% and 114.7%, respectively. Complications included transient elevation of intraocular pressure in 1 eye and nighttime glare or halo in 3 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Although the patient population was small, six-month clinical results demonstrate that the implantation of the toric Artisan lens was safe, reliable, and effective for correcting high myopia with astigmatism.
Astigmatism ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Eye ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glare ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Male ; Myopia ; Phakic Intraocular Lenses ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To identify cataract awareness in the Korean population. METHODS: The present study included 3,662 subjects who were diagnosed with a cataract by ophthalmic examination out of 11,058 subjects in the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV). Among the 3,662 participants, 944 were aware that they already had a cataract. The socio-demographic disparities in cataract awareness were identified using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 65.6 years (standard deviation, 0.2). The awareness calculated based on total weighted population was 24.6% in people over 19 years of age (95% confidence interval, 22.5-26.6%). In multivariate logistic analysis, subjects with higher income, living in a rural area, having a spouse, and binge alcohol use were less likely to be aware of their cataract. In multivariate linear regression analysis after adjusting for confounding factors, there were statistically significant differences of mean in age and monthly house income. Deajeon (11%), and Gwangju (16%) were the lower ranked regions for cataract awareness in Korea. CONCLUSIONS: The cataract awareness in Korea was lower than in other developed countries. Public education and strategies to improve cataract awareness in susceptible people are necessary. More effort is needed to improve cataract awareness based on the Korean society's acceptance of ophthalmologists as in other countries.
Cataract* ; Daejeon ; Developed Countries ; Education ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Korea ; Linear Models ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nutrition Surveys ; Spouses

PURPOSE: Gastric adenocarcinoma is the most common malignant tumor in Korea and immunochemotherapy can be alternative method of the treatment for it. So we evaluated several immunologic markers, Major Histocomatibility (MHC) Antigen and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule (ICAM)-1 which play an important roles in cellular immune response of the host to the tumar cells, HLA-DR/DP antigens, one of the MHC class II which is expressed in various conditions, CD 68 antigen which are also important factor in immune response to the tumor cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared the expression of MHC class II (HLA-DR/DP) antigens, ICAM-1 and the number of tumor-infiltrating macrophages presenting CD68 antigen in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 95 gastric adenocarcinomas using immunohistochemistry. In addition to analyze the relationship between expression of these antigens in gastric adenocarcinoma, histolopathologic findings such as tumor invasion, regional lymph node metastasis and histologic differentiation are evaluated. RESULTS: The rate of HLA-DR/DP expression was 60% and strongly associated with tumor differentiation, invasion and regional lymph node metastasis. ICAM-1 was expressed in 15% and slightly increased in well-differentiated carcinoma. The lack of expression of ICAM-1 was observed in high invasive tumor (T 4). CD 68(+) macrophages counts were significantly increased in around the tumor cells, compared to normal epithelia. HLA-DR/DP expression and infiltrating CD 68(+) macrophage numbers were significantly associated (p<0.05), but there was no correlationship between ICAM-1 and CD 68(+) macrophage numbers. CONCLUSION: It was considered that enhanced expression of HLA-DR/DP antigens, ICAM-1 and CD68(+) macrophages in gastric adenocarcinomas may be an immunophenotypic deviation. HLA-DR/DP and CD68(+) macrophages infiltration showed correlationship with tumor invasion and regional lymph node metastasis, that they may be used as a prognostic factor of the tumor growth.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Biomarkers ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1* ; Korea ; Lymph Nodes ; Macrophages* ; Neoplasm Metastasis