No abstract available.
Muscle, Skeletal* ; Prednisolone*

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive estimation of pulmonary artery pressure is an important component of echocardiographic studies. A number of methods are available for estimation of pulmenary pressure, each with varying degrees of reported accuracy. To assess accuracy and difficulties, noninvasive pulmonary artery pressure estimates were performed in infants and children with congenital heart diseases. METHODS: Noninvasive estimates from 8 methods were compared with catheterization measurements. Systolic pressure was estimated by the Burstin method and from perak tricuspid regurgitation velocity, and also from systolic pressure gradients through the VSD(ventricular septal defect) and PDA(patent ductus arteriosus). Mean pressure was estimated by acceleration time divided by ejection time measured from Koppler spectrum obtained at the right ventricular out flow tract. Diastolic pressure was estimated from pulmonary regurgitation velocity spentrum at end-diastolic, and also from diastolic pressure gradient through the patent ductus arteriosus. RESULTS: IN systolic pressure, Burstin and tricuspid regurgitation velocities estimates correlated significantly(r=0.92, 0.90 respectively), whereas VSD and PDA estimates correlated less well with catheterization estimates(r=0.83, 0.65 respectively). The mean pressure, measured from RVOT(right ventricular outflow tract) Doppler spectrum corresponded well with catheterization pressure(r=0.89), whereas those obtained from the main pulmonary artery correlated less well(r=0.74). The diastolic pressure estimates from pulmonary regurgitation velocity spectrum, revealed good correlation(r=0.79), but those from diastolic Doppler spectrum at PDA correlated less well with catheterization estimates(r=0.63). CONCLUSION: All of eight Doppler echocardiographic methods seemed to be easily performable for estimation of pulmonary artery pressure. But, the degree of accuracy was variable. Because a pressure estimante from only a single method may be in error, care should be taken in combining use of other(one or two) methods.
Acceleration ; Blood Pressure ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Child ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Infant ; Pulmonary Artery* ; Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency

PURPOSE: For evaluation of the growth hormone and cortisol responses to insulin stimuli in children with short stature, the human growth hormone secretion and cortisol level was monitored 30 and 60 minutes after insulin infusion by intravenousely. METHODS: The inclusion criteria of children for this study were that the height was below 3 percentile compare with the same sex and age children, bone age was younger more than one year of chronologic age, and insulin and L-dopa induced growth hormone secretion was below 10ng/mL. There were 10 children compatible with this criteria(group A) and 11 children was selected for control group(group B). Serum concentration of growth hormone was determined just before intravenous infusion of 0.1U/kg insulin and then 30 and 60 minutes after insulin infusion. Serum level of cortisol was determined simultaneously with the growth hormone but skip the level of the 30 minutes after insulin infusion. Serum glucose level was monitored on every time sampling the blood for determined growth hormone and cortisol level. Serum level of growth hormone and cortisol were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS :The serum glucose concentration were decrease to under 50% of baseline level on 30 minutes after insulin infusion in A and B group. The serum growth hormone level before insulin infusion was 2.5+/-1.78ng/mL and changed to 2.2+/-1.69 ng/mL on 60 minutes after insulin infusion in group A. In group B, the serum growth hormone level alteration before and on 60 minutes after insulin infusion was from 5.5+/-6.67ng/mL to 12.6+/-7.91ng/mL. The serum concentration of cortisol was changed from baseline level 10.7+/-7.10, 7.9+/-3.98microg/dL to 16.7+/-11.47, 26.1+/-3.59microg/ dL on 60 minutes after insulin infusion in group A and B respectively, but some cases in group A show a little increase in cortisol level. CONCLUSION: On the basis of this study, it is suggested that the deficiency of growth hormone secretion is related to cortisol concentration in peripheral blood. But for more detailed assessment of this association, follow up studies will be needed in more cases.
Blood Glucose ; Child* ; Growth Hormone* ; Human Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone* ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Insulin* ; Levodopa ; Radioimmunoassay

PURPOSE: We reviewed 5 years worth of experience with peritoneal drainage and dialysis in infants who underwent open heart surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of peritoneal drainage and peritoneal dialysis on fluid balance and several parameters of intensive care. METHODS: Six(10%) of 60 consecutive infants who underwent open heart surgery required peritoneal dialysis during peritoneal drainage. Simple peritoneal drainage was performed in the remaining 54 infants. The silicone rubber peritoneal dialysis catheter was inserted into the center of abdominal cavity just after operation, and subsequent peritoneal drainage was maintained during intensive care. RESULTS: Mean age of the study group was 0.48+/-0.21 years(M: F=32: 28). Early postoperative mortality amang the infants with congenital heart disease was 1.6%. Total amount of output was 7.0+/-2.28mL/kg/hr, urine output 5.14+/-2.9lmL/kg/hr, pleural fluid 0.80+/-0.5lmL/kg/hr, and peritoneal fluid 1.20+/-0.90mL/kg/hr. The ratio of output to intake(O/I) was 1.06. None of the complications required early termination of peritoneal drainage or peritoneal dialysis. Hemodynamics and pulmonary function were maintained steadily during postoperative intensive care. CONCLUSION: The early institution of peritoneal drainage and peritoneal dialysis in infants with congenital heart disease after cardiac operations not only removes fluid, thus easing fluid restriction, but may also improve cardiopulmonary function.
Abdominal Cavity ; Ascitic Fluid ; Catheters ; Dialysis ; Drainage* ; Heart Defects, Congenital* ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Infant* ; Critical Care ; Mortality ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Silicone Elastomers ; Thoracic Surgery ; Water-Electrolyte Balance

No abstract available.
Arthrodermataceae* ; Humans ; Tinea*

Total cholesterol and triglyceride were measured in sera of 40 cases of hypertension, 22 cases of myocardial infarction, 14 cases of cerebral thrombosis, 18 cases of subarachnoidal hemorrhage and 30 cases of normal control in Chungnam national University Hospital from October 1980 to September 1981, and the results are as follows; 1) The mean serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in normal control group are 153.57+/-40.60mg% and 150.82+/-51.76mg%. 2) The age incidence of these diseases were highest in 6th decade. 3) Serum cholesterol levels of myocardial infarction, hypertension, cerebral thrombosis and subarachinoidal hemorrhage group were higher than that of normal control group. 4) Serum triglyceride levels of acute myocardial infarction and hypertension were significantly higher than that of normal control group, but there is only slightly increases in cerebral thrombosis and subarachinoidal hemorrhage. 5) In general, serum lipid levels are higher in cardiovascular diseases(hypertension and myocardial infarction) than cerebrovascular diseases(cerebral thrombosis and subarachnoidal hemorrhage). 6) Serum Cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased by administration of pancreatic mucopolysacharide for 1 or 2 months. In conclusion, it seems that high serum cholesterol and triglyceride level may play and important risk factor in development of hypertension and myocardial infarction.
Cholesterol ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Hemorrhage ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Intracranial Thrombosis ; Myocardial Infarction ; Risk Factors ; Thrombosis ; Triglycerides

PURPOSE: Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MP) is associated with the exacerbation, timing, and onset of asthma. The goal of this study was to elucidate the impact of MP on eosinophil-related hyper-reactive amplification in atopic children. METHODS: We studied 48 patients with MP (26 atopic, 22 non-atopic), between 3 and 12 years of age. Serial changes in blood eosinophil counts, serum interleukin-5 (IL-5), and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels were measured in atopic and non-atopic children with MP upon admission, recovery, and at 2 months post-recovery. Serum IL-5 and ECP levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays; eosinophil counts were measured using an autoanalyzer. RESULTS: Serial changes in serum IL-5, ECP, and total eosinophil counts were significantly higher in atopic patients, relative to non-atopic controls (P< or =0.001). Serum IL-5 and ECP levels were significantly higher in atopic patients at all three time points tested, while eosinophil counts were higher in the clinical recovery and follow-up phases, but not in the acute phase. Furthermore, among atopic patients, serum ECP levels were significantly higher in the recovery and follow-up phases than in the acute phase. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated significant differences in eosinophil counts, serum IL-5, and serum ECP levels between atopic and non-atopic children with MP at admission, recovery, and 2 months after clinical recovery. These outcomes are suggestive of eosinophil-related hyperreactivity in atopic children, with this status maintained for at least 2 months after MP.
Asthma ; Child* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein ; Eosinophils ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Interleukin-5 ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae* ; Pneumonia* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma*

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic pathogen that has spread throughout Europe and the United States. Recently, WNV spread to East and Southeast Asia, and great efforts have been made in South Korea to prevent the spread of WNV from neighboring countries. In this study, we diagnosed the first case of WNV in pigeons (Columba livia domestica) residing in cities using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed it with nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis and sequencing. This is the first report to provide convincing evidence that WNV is present within South Korea.
Asia, Southeastern ; Columbidae* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Europe ; Korea* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcription ; United States ; West Nile virus*

No abstract available.
Hematoma*

BACKGROUND: The nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), the region of the brain stem in which primary baroreceptor afferents teminate, is critically important in the normal regulation of arterial pressure (AP). In the NTS, excitatory amino acids such as L-glutamate serve as the main neurotransmitter in the regulation of AP. However, the function of GABA in the NTS has not been established. To test the function of GABA, we applied GABAergic agents to the NTS. METHODS: The experiments were conducted on adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300-500g. A cannula (PE-50 tubing filled with heparinized saline) was inserted into the femoral artery for recording of AP and heart rate(HR). Another cannula was inserted into the femoral vein for administration of nitroprusside or phenylephrine. After rats were placed on a sterotaxic instrument, the dorsal surface of the medulla was exposed, and with the aid of a surgical microscope, the NTS was visualized. Drug injections were made into the NTS using single- or three-barreled grass micropipettes pulled to an outer diameter of 80-100(micro)m and connected to a 1(micro)l Hamilton syringe. RESULTS: The follwing results were obtained in this experiment. Injection into the NTS of 10 or 20 nmol nipecitic acid, a selective inhibitor of GABA untake, produced an increase in AP. The pressor responses evoked by two doses of nipecotic acid were not significantly different. Injection of GABA(A) agonist, musciml(5 pmol in 80 nl artificial CSF) and GABA(B) agonist, baclofen (20 pmol in 80 nl) into the NTS of urethane-anesthetized rats prodused an increase in AP of 16.6+/-1.3 and 27.6+/-1.5 mmHg, respectively. Thus the pressor response to GABA(B) agonist was greater than to GABA(A) agonist. On the other hand, microinjection of GABA(A) antagonist, bicuculline and GABA(B) antagonist, phaclofen into the NTS decreased AP by approximately 13.4+/-1.0 and 20.9+/- mmHg, respectively. Thus injection of nipecotic acid into the NTS was greater in control group compared with the muscimiol or baclofen groups. The AP changes caused by i.v. injection of nitroprusside or phenylephrine were smallest in control group and greatest in the baclofen group. When calculated as baroreflex sensitivity, the change was greatest in control group and smallest in the baclofen group. CONCLUSION: From these results it was concluded that GABA in the NTS plays an important role in the regulation of AP, especially through GABA(B) receptors, and have an inhibitory effect on baroreceptor reflex.
Adult ; Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Baclofen ; Baroreflex ; Bicuculline ; Blood Pressure ; Brain Stem ; Catheters ; Excitatory Amino Acids ; Femoral Artery ; Femoral Vein ; GABA Agents ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid* ; Glutamic Acid ; Hand ; Heart ; Heparin ; Humans ; Male ; Microinjections ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Nitroprusside ; Phenylephrine ; Poaceae ; Pressoreceptors ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Solitary Nucleus* ; Syringes