Benign idiopathic neonatal convulsion is a rare disorder which has no family history of convulsion and develops before and after the 5th day in a healthy full-term neonate. Its characteristics appear focal, or multifocal clonic seizures but rare tonic seizures lasting about several minutes. It reveals non-specific findings in neurologic examination, neuroimaging and EEG(electroencephalography) so that it should be differentiated from those diseases such as eletronic imbalance, inborn errors of metabolism, other neonatal epileptic syndromes. We report two healthy full-term female neonates presented with multifocal clonic seizures before and after the 5th day after birth. They had no family history of convulsion, fetal asphyxia, fetal and maternal problems and the neurologic examination and neuroimagings were normal. The convulsions were controlled by intravenous phenobarbital injection. They had no more convulsions ever since and showed normal development at the follow-up performed one year later. We experienced a rare disorder, benign neonatal convulsion in healthy full-term neonates. We hope this report will help its diagnosis and treatment and prevent unnecessary long- term anticonvulsant medication.
Asphyxia ; Epilepsy, Benign Neonatal ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; Neuroimaging ; Neurologic Examination ; Parturition ; Phenobarbital ; Seizures

The fashion of vascular anastomosis, end-to-end or end-to-side (E-to-S), are depended upon surgeon's preference or surgical situations. In E-to-S anastomosis two different methods of arteriotomy are applicable but it has been suggested the type, either elliptical or slit arteriotomy, play a different role in the flow hemodynamics. We thought that the difference is more considerable in microvascular surgery. This study examines the effects of elliptical versus slit arteriotomy on morphologic vessel patency. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups of ten rats each. Both carotid arteries were selected as a experimental model. During the procedures the rat brain was tolerable to ischemia and all animals were survived after operations. The morphologic analysis of anastomosis site was through resin-casting method with scanning electromicroscopic examination. The results showed notable difference between two groups in three-dimensional morphology at two-month of operation. This difference may affect the flow hemodynamics and long-term vessel patency. In microvascular anastomosis, the mortpologic difference of the elliptical arteriotomy is worse than slit arteriotomy which compromises the vessel circumference.
Animals ; Brain ; Carotid Arteries ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Male ; Models, Theoretical ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of disc extrusion and neurologic deficit, the relation between disc extrusion and neurologic deficit and the treatment results according to our basic treatment principles in lower cervical facet joint fracture and dislocations MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients were evaluated, 8 male and 4 female with an average age of 41 years comprised the group. Six injuries were attributable to automobile accidents, 5 to fall from building, bed, floor and hill, and one to stand on her head. One case was distractive-flexion stage (DFS) 1, 9 cases with DFS 2 and 2 cases with DFS 3. Plain X-ray, CT, Myelo CT and MRI were used as a diagnostic tools. As a treatment criteria, feasibility of closed reduction, status of neuroglogic injury, and stability of injured spine were considered. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in accompanied disc extrusion, posterior reduction and fusion with triple wiring in unreduced dislocation, and anterior decompression and fusion in incomplete cord and root injury were selected as a basic treatment principles. RESULTS: Ten out of 12 cases (83%) showed neurologic deficits, 2 complete cord injury, 1 incomplete cord injury, and 7 radiculopathy. Nine out of 12 (75%) demonstrated disc extrusion and all disc extruded patients had neurologic deficits. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) were performed in 5 cases, ACDF and posterior reduction with triple wiring (PRTW) in 4 cases, PRTW in 1 case, and skull traction and philadelphia brace in 2 cases. Seven radiculpathy patients were completely recovered and one incomplete cord injury patient can ambulate with spastic gait after surgery. There were 2 bed sore and 1 pneumonia in complications. CONCLUSION: Soft disc extrusion should be evaluated carefully with MRI and CT in lower cervical spine injury with the facet joint fracture-dislocations before the decision of treatment. As disc extrusion always accompanies neurologic deficit, it must be surgically treated by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.
Automobiles ; Braces ; Decompression ; Diskectomy ; Dislocations* ; Female ; Gait Disorders, Neurologic ; Head ; Humans ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Pneumonia ; Pressure Ulcer ; Radiculopathy ; Skull ; Spine ; Traction ; Zygapophyseal Joint*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the knowledge and compliance of guidelines for safe handling of antineoplastic agents among the oncology nurses. METHODS: The participants were 186 nurses from oncology-hematology unit, and outpatient's infusion room in a tertiary hospital. The levels of knowledge of safety guidelines and compliance with safe handling of antineoplastic agents of oncology nurses were measured using structured questionnaires from October 1 to November 30, 2014. RESULTS: Oncology nurses' knowledge of guideline for safe handling of antineoplastic agents presented an average 79.7 out of 100 points. Compliance with safe handling of antineoplastic agents presented an average 4.28 (range: 2.9~5) out of 5 points. The knowledge of guidelines for safe handling of antineoplastic agents was related with oncology experience (F=3.78, p=.012). There were positive relationships of knowledge and compliance with safe handling of antineoplastic agents (r=0.23, p=.002). CONCLUSION: The findings showed that there was a need to establish efficient guidelines for the safe handling of antineoplastic agents and develop our structured, continuous educational program for the improvement of safe practices related to the handling of antineoplastic agents. The developed and enhanced that guideline and educational program would contribute to improvement of staff and patient safety related to the handling of antineoplastic agents.
Antineoplastic Agents* ; Compliance* ; Patient Safety ; Tertiary Care Centers*

The treatment of massive bone and soft tissue defect in the lower leg has a high complication rate of nonunion, chronic infection, and amputation without well-vascularized tissue coverage of the open fracture. Despite adequate free soft tissue coverage, massive skeletal defect may result in segmental bone defects, angulation deformity, and limb length discrepancies. In the last decade, major advances have occurred in the Ilizarov method of distraction osteogenesis in lower leg salvage as a delayed procedure or simultaneous distraction after free-tissue transfer. The authors have performed Ilizarov transport in conjunction with muscle and musculocutaneous flap coverage in nine cases of lower leg salvage. The flaps consist of rectus, gracilis, latissimus dorsi, parascapular, and serratus muscle or musculocutaneous fashioning using ipsilateral or contralateral pedicle in consideration of vessel condiation. Revision, recorticotomy and flap elevation were also used as a secondary procedure for satisfactory results. The conclusions, were as follows: 1) Multidisciplinary team approach with conjoining departments at the time of preoperative evaluation, postoperative care and rehabilitation care; 2) Muscle flap covered with split-thickness skin graft was preferred to musculocutaneous flap; 3) To reduce the total reconstructive period, simultaneous free tissue transfer with Ilizarov distraction should be considered.
Amputation ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Extremities ; Fractures, Open ; Ilizarov Technique ; Leg* ; Myocutaneous Flap ; Osteogenesis* ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Postoperative Care ; Rehabilitation ; Skin ; Superficial Back Muscles ; Transplants

A 13-month-old boy had irregularly shaped, erythematous to dusky red, slightly raised patches and plaques on the left antecubital fossa and arm for 7 months. The lesions were firm and tender. Histopathologically the lesion consisted of small, circumscribed, angiomatous tufts and lobules with a cannonball appearance scattered throughout dermis, a characteristic feature of tufted angioma. For 15 weeks, interferon-a intralesional injections have been performed and the lesions showed an improvement.
Arm ; Dermis ; Hemangioma* ; Humans ; Infant ; Injections, Intralesional ; Interferon-alpha* ; Male

No Abstract Available.
Humans ; Renal Dialysis*

PURPOSE: To analyze trends in salaries for registered nurses when compared with salaries for elementary school teachers from 2002 to 2009 and identify salary gaps of nurses according to workplace size and geographic location. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Occupational Employment Statistics collected by the Korea Employment Information Services each year from 2002 to 2009. The study sample consisted of 2,281 registered nurses and 2,578 elementary school teachers. Linear multiple regression analyses were conducted to analyze salary trends and differences. RESULTS: Elementary school teachers had higher monthly salaries than nurses with a baccalaureate degree after adjusting for years of work. Salary differences increased significantly by 40,000 won every year (p<.001). Nurses working in large facilities in Seoul had the highest salaries, whereas those in small/medium, non-Seoul facilities had the lowest salaries consistently over time. Salary differences between the two groups increased by 47,000 won every year (p=.001); salary differences between nurses in large, non-Seoul facilities and those in small/medium, non-Seoul facilities also increased by 40,000 won annually (p=.001). CONCLUSION: Geographical imbalances in the nurse workforce and nurse shortages in small/medium, non-capital facilities could be reduced by increasing the salary of nurses working in those facilities.
Employment ; Humans ; Information Services ; Korea ; Salaries and Fringe Benefits

No abstract available.
Diatomaceous Earth* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Pneumoconiosis*

PURPOSE:Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, and stomach is the major site of ghrelin secretion. The purpose of this study is to compare the serum ghrelin concentrations between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and normal adults. We studied also whether serum ghrelin levels in the patients with type 2 DM are correlated with body mass index (BMI), serum insulin, lipid profiles, and creatinine levels. METHODS:Forty patients with type 2 DM and forty normal adults were included in this study. We measured heights and weights of the subjects and calculated their BMIs. Blood samples were obtained to measure the ghrelin concentration and their sera were stored at -20degreeC until used. In all subjects, serum ghrelin levels were measured using the commercially available Ghrelin(human) EIA kit. RESULTS:No differences of mean values were detected between the control group and the type 2 diabetic group for age, body weight, BMI, and the levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, and creatinine. But ghrelin level of the type 2 diabetic group (71.1+/-30.5 ng/L) was significantly lower than the control group (139.7+/-36.9 ng/L). In the control group, the ghrelin level showed positive correlation with HDL cholesterol (Pearson's correlation coefficient=0.37, P<0.05). In the diabetic group, the ghrelin level showed weakly positive correlation with insulin concentration. However, there was no significant relationship between serum ghrelin and various parameters in the diabetic patients group. CONCLUSION: In this study, ghrelin concentration in type 2 diabetic patients was lower than that in the control group. In the control group, serum ghrelin concentrations were positively correlated with HDL cholesterol. In the type 2 diabetic group, there was no significant correlation between insulin and ghrelin concentrations.
Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Creatinine ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Ghrelin* ; Humans ; Insulin ; Receptors, Ghrelin ; Stomach ; Triglycerides ; Weights and Measures