No abstract available.
Blood Pressure*

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the predictive value of initial serum B-hCG and progesterone measurement for pregnancy outcome in IVF-ET. METHODS: Serum B-hCG at 11-12th day after embryo transfer and progesterone at 7th day after oocyte aspiration were measured in 48 successful pregnant IVF-ET cases from July 1993 to June 1997. RESULTS: Of 48 cases, 26 cases (54.2%) successfully carried to sustaining gestation and 22 cases (45.8%) failed to sustain gestation. The estimated initial serum B-hCG levels in the normal sustaining pregnancy group (132.28+ 22.42 mlU/ml) were statistical significantly higher than 29.43+8.08 mIU/ml in the failed sustaining pregnancy group (p<0.001), while the estimated initial serum progesterone levels showed no significant differences (p=0.159). In order to determine the predictive values using the Receiver Operator Curve (ROC), an appropriate cutoff value of 38 mIU/ml for initial serum B-hCG was obtained. In IVF-ET pregnancies, the estimated serum B-hCG levels in cases of chemical abortion in failed sustaining pregnancy were significantly lower compared to the normal sustaining pregnancy group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The initial serum B-hCG levels at 11 days after embryo transfer could be used to predict the pregnancy outcome in an IVF program. An initial progesterone level acquired on the 7th day after oocyte retrieval is not a useful indicator to predict pregnancy outcome.
Chorionic Gonadotropin* ; Embryo Transfer* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Humans* ; Oocyte Retrieval ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome* ; Pregnancy* ; Progesterone*

No abstract available.
Erythrocytes*

No abstract available.
Erythrocytes*

No abstract available.
Erythrocytes*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate US and CT features of choroidal osteoma. MATERIALS AND METHDOS: US and CT scans of seven cases of choroidal osteoma occurring in six patients were retrospectively analyzed. We analysed US and CT findings with particular attention to the location, size, and shape of calcification associated with choroidal osteoma, and sought the possible cause of the tumor, if any. RESULTS: None of six patients had any possible cause related to choroidal osteoma. All of seven cases of choroidal osteoma were manifested as calcified mass which were located in the posterior wall of the eyeball near the juxtapapillary region. Calcification ranged in size from 1 to 2 cm and had curvilinear shape. Both US and CT were equally useful to evaluate choroidal osteoma. CONCLUSION: By depicting the characteristic calcification, US and CT are useful imaging modalities in evaluating choroidal osteoma.
Choroid* ; Humans ; Osteoma* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to discover ways to screen urine culture specimens through Gram stains, urine stick analyses and microscopic examinations for the laboratory cost saving. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-eight urine specimens for culture were included. Fifty uL of urine were inoculated onto one well each of 10-well slide, dried on the hot plate, and Gram-stained. The results combined with routine urinalyses including urine nitrite and leukocyte esterase, and pyuria, were compared with the routine culture results. RESULTS: The screening of bacteriuria by Gram stains, urinalyses and microscopic examinations revealed the high sensitivity (91.9%) and negative predictive value(95.5%) with cost saving of 41.8% of inoculating media. Not considering the Gram stains, the screening revealed 83.8% sensitivity and 92.5% negative predictive value, even if the cost saving of inoculating media were as high as 50.1%. CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated that it was sensitive and economic and produced rapid preliminary results to screen bacteriuria by the Gram stains combined with urinalyses and microscopic examinations.
Bacteriuria ; Coloring Agents ; Cost Savings ; Leukocytes ; Mass Screening* ; Pyuria ; Urinalysis*

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a new surgical procedure which worldwidely applicated gallstone disease and is presenting now anesthetic challenges. The advantages of laparoscopic cholecystectomy are shorter hospital stay, more rapid retum to normal activies and less postoperative ileus, compared with open laparotomy. During the laparoscopic surgery to enable visualization of abdominal structures, pneumoperitoneum is made with CO2 insufflation but insufflation of CO2 into abdominal cavity has been reported several consequences. Hypercarbia, high peak airway pressure, cardiac arrhythmia which were all may result from CO2 insufflation. Also, increased intraabdominal pressure from the induced pneumoperitoneum can cause decreased venous return and may result in hypotension. To ascertain the cardiopulmonary effcts of the increased intraabdominal pressure by CO2 insufflation, a clinical study was performed in 80 patients who divided into four groups likes as control group (open cholecystectomy, number:No=20), group I (15 mmHg of pressure of pneumoperitoneum, No=20), group II (20 mmHg, No=20), group III (25 mmHg, No=20). We investigated the effect of CO2 insufflation to mean arterial pressure, heart rate, end-tidal CO2 partial pressure, mean airway pressure, and arterial blood gas components. The measurements were obtained from the time of skin incision(basic value) to 20 min every 5 min interval in all groups. The results are following, I. Mean arterial pressure significantly began to increase (p<0.05) at post-incision 5 min in control, group IIl & at 10 min in group I, II compared with pre-incision value(basic value), but there were no difference between control and other study groups. II. Heart rate(HR) significantly began to differ (p<0.05) at post-incision 5 min in group II, III. compared with control group. Also HR significantly began to increase (p<0.05) at post-incision 5 min in control, group III & to decrease at post-incision 15 min in group compared with basic value. III. There were significant difference in pH between control and study groups, pH change were in normal ranges clinically. PaCO2 was significantly began to decrease (p<0.05) at post-incision 5 min in study groups compared with basic value, but still in normal acceptable ranges. IV. PaCO2 significantly began to increase (p<0.05) at post-incision 10 min in group II & at 15 min in group IIl compared with control group. Also PaCO2 significantly began to increase (p<0.05) at 5 min in group I, II & at 10 min in group III compared with basic value. V. PETCO2 significantly began to increase (p<0.05) at 10 min in group II & at 15 min in group III compared with control group. Also PETCO2 significantly began to increase (p<0.05) at 10 min in group I,II,III compared with basic value. VI. PAW significantly began to increase (p<0.05) at 10 min in group I,II,III compared with basic value. Conclusively, insufflation of CO2 into abdominal cavity during laparoscopic operation was minimal change in cardiopulmonary system and arterial blood gas value at below 20 mmHg intraabdominal pressure.
Abdominal Cavity ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Arterial Pressure ; Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* ; Gallstones ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypotension ; Ileus ; Insufflation ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Length of Stay ; Partial Pressure ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Reference Values ; Skin

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: Periungual warts are a therapeutic challenge. Many studies have revealed that intralesional interferon α-2b therapy and pulsed dye laser therapy have numerous advantages over other modalities of theratment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if combination therapy with intralesional interferon α-2b and pulsed dye laser might offer an effective treatment for periungual warts. METHODS: Thirty-three patients were randomly assigned to one of three study groups. In group A, the patients received both intralesional interferon α-2b treatment and pulsed dye laser(PDL) therapy (n=13). Group B patients were treated wit intralesional interferon α-2b alone (n=10) and group C was done with PDL therapy only (n=10). RESULTS: The clearance rate was 92.3% for the patients treated with the combination therapy of intralesional interferon α-2b treatment and pulsed dye laser (PDL) therapy. It was 50% for the patients with the intralesional interferon α-2b treatment alone, and 0% for the group with the PDL therpy only. No significant side effects were observed. At 6 months after cessation of the therapy, total 2 cases (one from group A and the other from group B) were recurred. CONCLUSION: The combination therapy with intralesional interferon α-2b treatment and pulsed dye laser therapy was highly effective for the treatment of recalcitrant periungual warts.
Humans ; Interferons* ; Lasers, Dye* ; Warts*