BACKGROUND: In recent years gonorrhea has been pandemic and remains one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases(STD) in the world, especially in developing countries. OBJECTIVE & METHOD: For the detection of a more effective therapeutic regimen and to assess the prevalence of penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG), we have been studying patients who have visited the VD Clinic of Choong-ku Public Health Center in Seoul since 1980 by means of the chromogenic cephalosporin method. RESULTS: In 1995, 97 strains of N. gonorrhoeae were isolated, among which 41(42.3%) were PPNG. CONCLUSION: Since the prevalence of PPNG was reported as 21.9% in 1981, the rate fluctuated. However, in 1993, there was an increase up to 74.3%. Thereafter, the prevalence rate decreased to 64.3% in 1994 and 42.3% in 1995. These changes will therefore need continuous observation.
Developing Countries ; Gonorrhea ; Humans ; Methods ; Neisseria gonorrhoeae* ; Neisseria* ; Pandemics ; Prevalence* ; Public Health ; Seoul*

Successful block of the celiac plexus denervates the denervatives of the foregut and therefore can successfully interrupt nociceptive stimuli from the pancreas, stomach, liver, etc. Although permanent neurolytic block is much less successful for malignant chronic pancreatitis syndrome, it is specifically useful for treatment of intractable pain that often accompanies carcinoma of the pancreas or other upper abdominal visceral tumors. This was a case report in which intractable pain due to malignant gastric cancer was successfuly controlled by the permanent neurolytic celiac plexus block.
Celiac Plexus ; Liver ; Pain, Intractable ; Pancreas ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms*

Many studies have shown that epidural narcotics produce prolonged analgesic action. We instillated 2mg of morphine on the dura just before wound closure which was exposed for lumbar laminectomy. Sixty patients scheduled for laminectomy were devided into two groups i.e., morphine group (30 patients) and control group(30 patients). The results of this study were as follows: 1) In morphine group, 17 patients (56.6%) tolerated the postoperative pain without narcotic injection for over 20 hours, but 13 patients(43.3%) of the control group required narcotic injection within 5 hours. 2) Severe respiratory depression was noted in two cases from the morphine group. 3) It is a very simple and effective method for postoperative pain control.
Humans ; Laminectomy ; Morphine* ; Narcotics ; Pain, Postoperative* ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Wounds and Injuries

Aconitine is a main component of Aconitum carmichaeli, a Chinese herb known to be effective for arthritis and neuralgia. Many senior citizens consume the herb as a folk remedy. Aconitine-associated cardiogenic toxicity has been observed but aconitine-induced cerebrovascular event has not been reported so far. We report two elderly patients who became unconscious and showed neurological dysfunction soon after ingesting aconitine for pain control. We speculate that the aconitine induced cardiac arrhythmia. This resulted in cardiogenic emboli formation with subsequent large territory cerebral infarction.
Aconitine

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Anesthesia, Epidural* ; Radiculopathy*

No abstract available.
Female ; Hysterectomy, Vaginal*

Most proximal humeral fractures respond satisfactory to simple conservative treatment. But operative treatment is recornmended in the cases that poor results are anticipated by prolonged immobilization, or because of the severe displacement and comminution. After Neer. in 1970, emphasized the need for operative treatment in displaced proximal humeral fractures, many papers reported better results with the operative management. Twenty five cases of displaced fractures and fracture dislocations of the proximal humerus treated at the department of orthopaedic surgery, Keimyung University with open reduction and internal fixation were analyzed clinically and radiologically. The following results were obtained. 1. The prevalent age distribution was the second snd third decades(average 42.6 years) and ratio of male and female was 2.1: 1. 2. In 10 of the 25 cases, wire loop was used for internal fixation, and the result was satisfactory in 8 cases. However, the disadvantage was difficulty in wire removal after bony union because the loop was buried in the callus or cortex. 3. Over-all results were excellent or satisfactory in 64% of 25 cases. There were 4 excellent and 1 satisfsctory in 5 cases of type Il fracture, 7 excellent, 2 satisfactory and 3 unsatisfactory in 12 cases of type III fracture, 1 excellent and 4 unsatisfactory in 5 cases of type 1V fracture, and 1 excellent, 1 unsatisfactory and 1 failure in 3 cases of fracture dislocation. 4. In 6 patients with four part lesions treated with open reduction and internal fixation and followed up for an average of 23 months(from 18 months to 3 years and 2 months), only one case of fracture dislocation revealed avascular necrosis with resorption of the head.
Age Distribution ; Bony Callus ; Dislocations ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Humerus ; Immobilization ; Male ; Necrosis ; Shoulder Fractures

BACKGROUND: The large volume of blood products are required during orthotopic liver transplantation. Any preoperative and intraoperative factors may influence the intraoperative blood products usage. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the demographic information, coagulation screens, thrombelastographic variables, and intraoperative blood requirements in 952 adult patients, who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center between January 1992 and December 1995. A preoperative coagulation abnormality score (CAS) was calculated by assigning one point of each abnormal result of the coagulation tests (PT, aPTT, platelet count) and thrombelastographic variables (reaction time, alpha angle, maximal amplitude, clot lysis index). Intraoperatively, blood products and pharmacologic coagulation therapy were administered based on thrombelastographic and hemodynamic data. RESULTS: Underlying liver disease, retransplantation one month after the first transplantation, poor preoperative coagulation profiles were predictive of intraoperative blood usage. Age, preoperative PT >15 sec, and CAS were not predictive of intraoperative blood usage. The severe fibrinolysis during operation occurred. More blood products were required in patients with severe fibrinolysis. CONCLUSIONS: The understanding of preoperative and intraoperative factors affecting blood product requirements can help the management of blood component therapy during liver transplantation.
Adult ; Blood Platelets ; Fibrinolysis ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Transplantation* ; Liver* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors*

PURPOSE: Apoptosis is mediated by apoptosis-specific genes, certain oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Caspase-3, a group of cysteine proteases, ier in cases with intermediate (Gleason score 5-7) and high-grade (Gleason score 8-10) PCA than cases with BPH and low-grade PCA (Gleason score 2-4).
Adenocarcinoma* ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; Cysteine Proteases ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Neoplasm Grading ; Oncogenes ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia*