PURPOSE: To evaluate surface configuration of intervertebral disc on three dimensional CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three dimensional surface images reconstructed from CTscans(1 mm thick) of 20discs in 14 healthy adults were reviewed. Disc surface was classified into peripheral and central zones in contact with consecutive peripheral ring and central endplate. Local irregularity incidence, pattern in radial, concentric, or mixed form, size, location, and extension were observed. Incidence and severity ranges in 4 grades of general irregularity, and peripheral width relative to central radius were evaluated. RESULTS: Normal disc mostly showed smooth surface with few display of small local irregularity(6/20) which was mainly radial in pattern(4/5), posterolaterally located(4/6), and confined within peripheral zone(5/6). General irregularity displayed(5/20) was all grade I and peripheral width was 0.82 of central radius. CONCLUSION: Normal disc shows smooth surface but few may display small local irregularity maybe due to very early degenerative change.
Adult ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intervertebral Disc* ; Radius

Experiments were conducted to define the optimal constituents of culture medium and atmospheric condition for growth of Campylobacter pylori. Two clinical isolates were streaked onto various media, incubated in two different atmospheric conditions (microaerophilic condition and carbon dioxide incubator), and growth was assessed semiquantitatively according to relative colony size and extent of growth through the streak. The growth obtained on Campy media, composed of GC agar base plus 1% hemoglobin, 0.2% activated charcoal, 1% IsoVitaleX, vancomycin 6mg /L nalidixic acid 20mg/L and amphotercin 2 mg/L, was used as reference. Our conclusions were as follows: Tryptic soy agar base was not acceptable for the growth of C. pylori. The organism grew in both atmospheric conditions, but generally showed a scantier growth in the carbon dioxide incubator than under the microaerophilic condition, however GC agar containing 1% hemoglobin and 0.2% activated charcoal supported well the growth of C. pylori in the carbon dioxide incubator. The authors have found that the GC agar base supplemented with 1% hemoglobin and 0.2% charcoal was the most satisfactory medium and a microaerophilic condition was optimal atmospheric condition for the growth of Campylobacter pylori in this study.
Agar ; Biopsy* ; Campylobacter* ; Carbon Dioxide ; Charcoal ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Incubators ; Nalidixic Acid ; Vancomycin

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors influencing quality of life (QOL) in liver transplant recipients. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 103 liver recipients who received their follow-up more than 3 months after liver transplantation at one general hospital in Seoul. A questionnaire survey was perfomed from September 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012. QOL and factors were evaluated using SF-36, Transplant Symptom Distress Scale and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. RESULTS: Symptom distress, work change after transplant, duration after transplant were significant factors influencing QOL (Cum R2=0.39, F=19.34, P<0.001). Symptom distress was the most important factors related QOL. There were significant differences in QOL according to general characteristics such as education (t=2.16, P=0.033), work change after transplant (t=3.67, P=0.000), duration after transplant (t=2.25, P=0.027), and economic status (t=3.08, P=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, symptom distress had an influence on the QOL of liver transplant recipients. Thus, it is necessary to develop interventions for symptom distress to improve the QOL of liver transplant recipients.
Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitals, General ; Liver ; Liver Transplantation ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Transplants

Use of the rigid ureteroscope has become widely accepted for the removal of ureteral calculi. We evaluated retrospectively the experience with rigid ureteroscopy from March 1992 to February 1993. We performed 68 ureteroscopies for the removal of stone in 67 patients, overall success rate was 86,8%. 52 stones were treated with sedatives only and l6 stones under the anesthesia. The success rates were 86.5% ( 45/52) and 87.5% (l4/l6) each. We failed to remove ureteral stones in 9 case, the failure of ureteroscope introduction was the most common cause of failure. The most common complication was the ureteral mucosal trauma, that was treated by indwelling of ureteral stent. We conclude that ureteroscopy may be an effective and useful procedure for the treatment of 1ower ureter stone (smaller than 10mm in size) under non-anesthesia.
Anesthesia* ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Ureter* ; Ureteral Calculi ; Ureteroscopes ; Ureteroscopy

OBJECTIVES: Psychoeducation is an important factor in the treatment of chronic mental illness that increases drug compliance, then prevents relapse of illness, and brings the patient a progress of social function and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of psychoeducation on relapse of schizophrenic patients. METHODS: Checklist including 33 items was applied to 97 schizophrenic patients that had been treated at Seoul National Mental Hospital. The subject was divided into two groups. The experimental group consisted of 47 cases that were not treated consistently more than 6 months in outpatient department and required at least 3 time hospital treatment. The control group consisted of 50 cases that were treated consistently in outpatient department at least 3 consecutive years. RESULTS: The experimental group had significant differences in terms of deficiency of insight such as denial of disease or relapse, subjective experience of drug side effect, whether or not taking drug and they had higher negative attitude to therapist. Many schizophrenic patients reported that they had not been educated thoroughly about disease, drug, and prognosis. 46.8% in experimental group and 46.0% in control group did not recognized necessity of psychoeducation. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that we need the necessity of psychoeducation in terms of the relationship between the relapse of illness and psychoeducation. However, considering that we did not have an extensive study about psychoeducation and compliance, we need more improved study.
Checklist ; Compliance ; Denial (Psychology) ; Hospitals, Psychiatric ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Prognosis ; Quality of Life ; Recurrence* ; Schizophrenia ; Seoul

No abstract available.
Animals ; Embryonic Structures* ; Mice*

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify the attitude of physicians stemming from their experiences of caring for potential brain death donors during the organ donation process. METHODS: Grounded theory methodology was used for this study. In depth interviews were conducted with six physicians who had experience of management of potential brain death donors. Data collection was done from January to October 2011. Theoretical sampling was used until the data reached saturation. RESULTS: As a result of the analysis, dilemma of organ donation solicitation was identified as the core category. Twelve subcategories were identified and they were integrated to the core category. Obtaining organ donation counseling skills was identified as the consequence. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study will provide a frame for understanding the attitudes stemming from their experience of caring for potential brain death donor and helping the development of effective intervention strategies for increasing organ donation.
Brain ; Brain Death ; Counseling ; Data Collection ; Humans ; Tissue and Organ Procurement ; Tissue Donors

No abstract available.
Animals ; Macrophages, Peritoneal* ; Mice* ; Mycobacterium bovis*

A study to evaluate the diagnostic significance of M. pneumoniae Infection by measurements of cold agglutinin and antimycoplasma antibody titers is performed with 191 pediatric patients who have visited Yeungnam University Hospital during the period through January to July, 1987. Forty eight of 191 cases made follow up tests feasible. The results obtained are as follows: 1. It is necessary to perform routine combined measurements of cold agglutinin and antimycoplasma antibody titers for the all pediatric pneumonia caser since a large proportion of pneumonia in children is caused by M. pneumonia. 2. For the diagnosis of M. pneumoniae Infection, measurements of cold agglutinin titer alone seems to be less significant than to check both cold agglutinin and antimycoplasma antibody titers. 3. The measurement of antimycoplasma antibody titer appeared to be more specific than cold agglutinin test in the diagnosis of M. pneumoniae Infection. 4. The present study urges the necessity of follow up study of cold agglutinin and antimycoplasma antibody titer for those who initially presented with normal titers in both tests, but are clinically suspected for M. pneumoniae Infection.
Child ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae* ; Mycoplasma* ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma*

Body fluid Lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzyme Measurement was performed in 132 patients: 8 cases with peritonitis, 21 cases with malignant ascites, 43 cases with liver cirrhosis, 48 cases with tuberculous pleuritis, 12 cases with malignant pleural effusion respectively. Body fluid protein and glucose contents, red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts, cytologic examination were also performed as a comparative study. The results were as follows: 1. Measurement of total LD and protein amount could differentiate between transudate and exudates in the ascitic fluids. 2. In the malignant exudate of ascites and pleural fluid, the activity of LD2 isoenzyme was statistically increased compared with that of inflammatory exudates and the activity of LD4 isoenzyme was also incereased compared with that of serum (P<0.05). 3. The inflammatory exudates of pleural fluid and ascites demonstrated the increase of LD5 isoenzyme activity statistically compared with that of serum and malignant exudates (P<0.05). 4. A difference of total LD activity between malignant ascites and inflammatory ascites was significant statistically, while this was not observed in the pleural exudate. 5. Total LD and LD5 isoenzyme activity didn't correlated with the number of white blood cells in the exudate.
Ascites ; Ascitic Fluid ; Body Fluids* ; Erythrocyte Count ; Exudates and Transudates ; Glucose ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Lactic Acid* ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Peritonitis ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; Pleurisy