No abstract available.
Animals ; Blood Platelets* ; Butylated Hydroxytoluene* ; Rats* ; Streptococcus* ; Thrombin*

BACKGROUND: Approxinately 30%-70% of patients hospitalized receive intravenous(IV) therapy[l-4], It is generally believed that many hospitalized patients experienced IV therapy related complications-including infiltration(swelling), phlebitis, pain, suppurative phlebitis and bacterernia. These complications may be critical to ill children in the hopsital. This study was done to assess the IV therapy related complications and characteristics od the phlebitis of the hospitalized children. METHODS: We collected date prospectively from December 8, 1994 to December 14 at the tertiary care hospital in Seoul. The subhects of this study were children who got new IV catheters during that period. RESULTS: There were 306 new cases(176 children) that got IV therapy and which meant 63.8 per 100 discharge patients. Male(62.8%), pediatric surgery patients(70.6%) were more than female(37.2%) and pediatrucs(28.4%) respectively. The usually used IV sites were the upper extermities(71.3%). Among various purposes of IV therapy, the most common was to administer drugs(74.2%) including antibiotics, and next was to keep vein open (41.2%). By the way, 172 cases(56.3%) had IV related complications and 14 resulted in phlebitis. The most common IV related complication of hospitalized children was swelling(35.1%). The incidence of IV related complication of hospitalized children was swelling(35.1%). The incidence of IV phlebits was higher in pediaterics than in pediatrid surgery (P<0.05), over 12 years old than under that aged patients (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that many hospitalized children experienced the IV related complications. In order to decrease the IV related complications, reduce the incidence and thorough care is recommanded.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Catheters ; Child* ; Child, Hospitalized ; Humans ; Incidence ; Phlebitis ; Prospective Studies ; Seoul ; Tertiary Healthcare ; Veins

BACKGROUND: Naringin, one of the flavonoids in citrus fruit peels, is known to have antioxidant and hepatotonic effects in animal studies. We evaluated the effect of naringin on 1) blood lipid profiles, 2) regression of fatty streak of aorta, and 3) liver toxicity in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rabbits. METHODS: New Zealand White Rabbits (2.0 - 2.5 Kg) were divided to three groups; group without treatment, group treated with 100 mg/kg/d or 500 mg/kg/d naringin, and group treated with 1 mg/kg/d or 20 mg/kg/d lovastatin. They were fed on 0.25% or 1.0% cholesterol-containing diet for 8 weeks and then sacrificed. Blood samples were collected for measurement of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, serum GOT and GPT. Aortas and livers were harvested for evaluation of fatty streak and pathologic examination. RESULTS: 1)Feeding of 1% cholesterol diet for eight weeks significantly increased the cholesterol level upto 20 folds. Neither lovastatin nor naringin did lower these marked hypercholesterolemia. But both naringin (500 mg/kg/d) and lovastatin (1 mg/kg/d) significantly reduced the area of fatty streak by 75% and 58%, respectively. Naringin was more effective in inhibition of fat infiltration into liver than lovastatin which showed hepatotoxicity as increase of serum GPT level (p=0.01). 2)Feeding of 0.25% cholesterol diet for eight weeks significantly increased the cholesterol level upto 17 folds. Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels tended to decrease by treatment with naringin (500 mg/kg/d) and lovastatin (20 mg/kg/d), but this decreases were not statistically significant. However, areas of fatty streak significantly decreased by treatment with naringin and lovastatin by 64 and 82%, respectively (p<0.05). Microscopic analysis revealed that foam cell infiltration into intima was significantly reduced by naringin and lovastatin. In contrast to lovastatin, naringin significantly reduced the level of serum GPT (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Like lovastatin, naringin has strong antiatherogenic action which may not be associated with its very mild lipid lowering action. In contrast to lovastatin, naringin does have hepatoprotective effect.
Animals ; Aorta ; Cholesterol ; Citrus ; Diet ; Flavonoids ; Foam Cells ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Liver ; Lovastatin ; Rabbits* ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to investigate the current two years' clinical research coordinators (CRCs) employment and estimate total number of CRCs in Korea. METHODS: The participants were administrative officers or head CRCs in institutions designated by Korea Food & Drug Administration (KFDA). Data on the current status of CRCs' employment was collected with self-administered questionnaires or telephone interview. And total number of CRCs in Korea was estimated based on ratio between the number of the KFDA approved clinical trials and current number of CRCs. RESULTS: The number of CRCs was 1381 at 36 centers in 2009 and 1444 at 37 centers in 2010. About 79 percent of CRCs were employed by investigators. The estimated number of CRCs was from 1677 to 1763 at 135 centers in 2009 and from 1802 to 1890 at 142 centers in 2010 based on number of clinical trials approved by KFDA. Two third of regional clinical trial centers (RCTCs) had written employment policy, and 25 percent of RCTCs employed CRCs in a regular position. All RCTCs had educational programs for CRCs and supported CRCs for training outside. 75 percent of RCTCs provided ID card for CRCs belonging to investigators to access to hospital document. Half of RCTCs had CRC registration system in hospital-wide. CONCLUSION: The number of CRCs in Korea can be easily estimated with the number of KFDA approved clinical trials. Majority of RCTCs still employed CRCs in an irregular position, which should be switched to regular position to reduce the CRCs' unsatisfaction. It is also needed to develop centralized CRC management system for CRCs belonging to investigators.
Calcium Hydroxide ; Employment ; Head ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Korea ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Research Personnel ; Zinc Oxide

This study was conducted to investigate instant coffee-mix intakes and its relations with anthropometric measurements, nutrient intake, and blood lipid in Gangneung and Samcheok residents. Coffee-mix is a mixture of instant coffee, sugar and coffee-creamer. It is a standardized convenience food in Korea. Recently, Koreans appear to consume too much of instant coffee-mix. The respondents of this study were 218 Koreans (Gangneung region 133, Samcheok region 85). The average age was 56.0 years (male), 57.5 years (female). They were divided into 2 groups, the instant coffee-mix drinkers and the non-drinkers. The nutrient intake and anthropometric measurements and their relations with coffee-mix intakes were analyzed (nutrient intakes were calculated by converting per 1,000 kcal and adjusted by age, region). As for male, body fat was significantly higher in coffee-mix drinkers (18.1 kg, 25.0%) than in nondrinkers (17.1 kg, 23.8%). In the case of females, serum triglyceride was significantly higher in coffee-mix drinkers (109.1 mg/dL) than in nondrinkers (102.9 mg/dL). Coffee-mix intakes and coffee-mix's contributions to energy were higher for participants from Samcheok (21.2 g, 4.7%) than those from Gangneung (16.6 g, 3.4%). In addition, for Samcheok, coffee-mix's contribution to energy was significantly higher in male (5.6%) than in female (4.2%). Coffee-mix intakes and energy contribution of coffee-mix were not significantly correlated with anthropometric measurements. Only HDL-cholestrol showed significantly negative correlation with coffee-mix's contributions to energy. Based on the above results, we conclude that usual instant coffee-mix intake may increase intakes of sugar and fat and exert negative effects on serum lipids. Therefore, it is needed to control too much instant coffee-mix intake in the dietary management of rural residents.
Adipose Tissue ; Coffee ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Fast Foods ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to investigate the perception on working conditions and utilization of clinical research coordinators (CRCs) among investigators and sponsors. METHODS: The participants of this cross-section study were 114 investigators and 138 sponsors including clinical research associates (CRAs) who have worked with CRCs. Data was collected with paper or electronic form of self-administered questionnaires and analyzed with descriptive statistics and chi2 test or t test. RESULTS: Among investigators and sponsors, 56.1 % and 95.0 % perceived regular full-time positions as proper type of CRC employment, respectively. Those who perceived monthly salary with incentive as proper payment system were 67.5 % of investigators and 68.8 % of sponsors. The proper salary for 2-year CRCs and 5-year CRCs were significantly higher in sponsors than investigators. Investigators perceived CRCs could handle 3 studies as the same time and 5 studies per year. In regard to the difficulty in utilizing CRCs, 68.4 % of investigators perceived lack of experienced CRCs and 84.8 % of sponsors did frequent turnover. Those who responded pooling CRCs by hospital or clinical trial centers as a good solution to hire CRCs easily were 81.6 % of investigators and 58.0 % of sponsors. CONCLUSION: Almost all investigators and sponsors perceived CRCs were helpful for improving the quality of clinical trials. We recommend each institution or clinical trial centers could introduce the central CRCs' employment and management with proper salary and workload based on the results to maintain experienced CRCs and lessen the turnover of CRCs.
Calcium Hydroxide ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Employment ; Humans ; Motivation ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Research Personnel ; Salaries and Fringe Benefits ; Zinc Oxide

Studies on the health problems of the elderly have been increased with increasing life expectancy of Koreans. To assess the health status of people over 50 years old including the elderly (678 free-living people: men (168), women (510)), anthropometric measurements and biochemical nutritional status were analyzed. General characteristics and the prevalences of specific diseases were also examined. The mean anthropometric values for males and females were heights of 162 cm and 149 cm, respectively; and weights of 59 kg and 52 kg, respectively, which were much lower than the Korean standards established in the Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances. The mean BMI, WHR (waist hip ratio), and body fat rate (%), which are obesity indices, were significantly higher in females than in males. As the age went up, height, weight, lean body mass, and mid-arm circumference decreased. Whereas, blood pressure (SBP) for women increased. Mean blood HDL-cholesterol levels of men and women were 46.0 mg/dl and 46.3 mg/dl, respectively; their triglyceride levels were 129.1 mg/dl and 135.6 mg/dl, respectively, which were not significantly different. Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly higher in females than in males. For man, there were significantly different in gamma-GTP, Na levels by age. As the age went up for women, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, HDLcholesterol, gamma-GTP and Ca2+ levels significantly decreased. Levels of total protein and albumin were above the lower normal limit for the majority of the participants. Prevalence of anemia, assessed by hemoglobin using World Health Organization (WHO) definition, was 43.9% for men and 42.1% for women. Also, many of the subjects were out of the normal range in total cholesterol (women), HDL-cholesterol, TAS (total antioxidant status), APase, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit levels. Therefore, measures to improve the biochemical nutritional status for the people in rural area are required.
Adipose Tissue ; Aged ; Anemia ; Anthropometry ; Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol ; Female ; Hematocrit ; Hip ; Humans ; Life Expectancy ; Longevity* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nutritional Status* ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Reference Values ; Triglycerides ; Weights and Measures ; World Health Organization

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pattern of developmental delay of language and to correlate the language with other developmental areas in cerebral palsy children. METHOD: Sequenced Inventory of Communication Development (SICD) was studied in 31 children with cerebral palsy of age ranging from 11 months to 48 months. Korean Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) was also performed in 18 children simultaneously. RESULTS: On SICD, 10 children (32.3%) showed the receptive language delay and 13 children (41.9%) showed the expressive language delay. Among 15 spastic quadriplegic children, 40% showed the delay of receptive language development, 53.3% showed the delay in expressive language development. Among 10 spastic diplegic children, 30% showed the delay of both receptive and expressive language development. One spastic right hemiplegic child showed a delay of expressive language development, but 4 left hemiplegic children showed the normal language development. One hypotonic cerebral palsy child showed a delay of both receptive and expressive language development. The expressive language was delayed more than the receptive language. SICD correlated highly with the language sector of DDST. And both SICD and DDST language sectors correlated with the other sectors of DDST (personal-social, fine motor-adaptive, gross motor), especially with the fine motor sector (r=0.912, 0.918, 0.976, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: There is a considerably high incidence of developmental delay of language in cerebral palsy children, especially among spastic quadriplegic children. The early evaluation and treatment for the developmental delay of language need to be included in a general rehabilitation program for the cerebral palsy children.
Cerebral Palsy* ; Child* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Language Development ; Language Development Disorders ; Mass Screening ; Muscle Spasticity ; Rehabilitation

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Elevation of postprandial lipemia characterized by a rise in triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins can increase the risk of atherogenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate postprandial lipemia response to a single dietary fat/sugar load test and monitor beneficial changes induced by the consumption of Platycodi radix (AP) beverage in healthy subjects. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 52 subjects were randomly assigned to either placebo or AP beverage group with a high-fat shake in a randomized controlled crossover trial. Postprandial blood was collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h and analyzed for TG and lipoprotein lipase mass. Inhibition of pancreatic lipase was determined in vitro. RESULTS: AP inhibited pancreatic lipase activity in vitro (IC₅₀ = 5 mg/mL). Compared to placebo beverage, AP beverage consumption with a high-fat shake induced significant increase of plasma lipoprotein lipase mass (P = 0.0111, β estimate = 4.2948) with significant reduction in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) TG concentration (P = 0.038, β estimate = −52.69) at 6 h. Based on significant correlation between high-fat dietary scores MEDFICTS and postprandial TG responses in VLDL (P = 0.0395, r = 0.2127), subgroup analysis revealed that 6 h-postprandial VLDL TG response was significantly decreased by AP consumption in subjects with MEDFICTS ≥ 40 (P = 0.0291, β estimate = −7214). CONCLUSIONS: AP beverage might have potential to alleviate postprandial lipemia through inhibiting pancreatic lipase activity and elevating lipoprotein lipase mass. Subgroup analysis revealed that subjects with high-fat dietary pattern could be classified as responders to AP beverage among all subjects.
Atherosclerosis ; Beverages* ; Healthy Volunteers* ; Hyperlipidemias* ; In Vitro Techniques ; Lipase ; Lipoprotein Lipase ; Lipoproteins* ; Plasma ; Triglycerides

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to measure accessibility and to examine distribution of restaurants in the local community. METHODS: The target area of this study was two urban areas and a rural area in a city. We collected location information on all restaurants in target areas and classified all restaurants according to Korean food restaurants and Non-Korean food restaurants. We measured restaurant density per 100 m from the residences of the study population and calculated the distance of the nearest restaurant from the residences of the subjects using the Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis method. We compared the accessibility and distribution of restaurants in urban areas with that of the rural area, and compared the accessibility and distribution of Korean restaurants with that of Non-Korean restaurants. RESULTS: Restaurants in urban areas were more dense than those in the rural area, and, in urban areas, restaurants were intensively distributed around the subjects' residence. Also, there were more Non-Korean food restaurants than Korean food restaurants in urban areas, and it was opposite in the rural area. CONCLUSION: It is important that we understood the current state of the restaurant environment in the local community using GIS analysis for the first time in the field of food environment. Further research is necessary on the association of restaurant environments and the dietary life of the population.
Geographic Information Systems ; Restaurants*