PURPOSE: Positive ratio of routine EEG in adult epilepsy was widely known, but small number was reported in child epilepsy. Thus, we studied the difference of positive ratios between ages. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records of 756 patients, who visited the pediatric neurology clinic with more than 2 afebrile seizures except neonatal seizures, from March 1997 to December 2004. Excluded were children with previous history of antiepileptic medication or failure of EEG. Clinical aspects and EEG findings of left 609 patients were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Median age of EEG examination was 7.0 years (range, 3 months to 19.8 years) and male was 339. Number of child under 2 years was 112, 2-4 was 96, 5-9 was 233, 10-14 was 160 and over 15 was 8. All 279 positive past history was known in 222 persons, 98 of them had previous febrile seizures, 37 had CP or MR, 11 had neonatal seizures, 11 had birth asphyxia, 28 was prematurity. Waking EEG was checked in 398, sleep EEG in 547. Abnormal findings were found in 443 (72.7%). Definite epileptiform discharges were found in 388 patients (63.7%), suspicious spike discharges in 37 (6.2%). Patients under 2 years had 50.0% positive ratio of epileptiform discharges, 2-4 had 62.5%, 5-9 had 85.8%, 10-14 had 66.3% and over 15 had 37.5%. CONCLUSIONS: High positive ratio of routine EEG was found in child epilepsy, thus routine EEG seems to be very useful for the first diagnostic examination in child epilepsy.
Adult ; Asphyxia ; Child* ; Electroencephalography* ; Epilepsy* ; Humans ; Male ; Neurology ; Parturition ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures ; Seizures, Febrile

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to observe the reaction kinetics and the degree of polymerization of composite resins when cured by different light sources and to evaluate the effectiveness of the blue Light Emitting Diode Light Curing Units (LED LCUs) compared with conventional halogen LCUs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, thermal analysis was performed by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The LED LCU (Elipar Freelight, 320 mW/cm2) and the conventional halogen LCU (XL3000, 400 mW/cm2) were used in this study for curing three composite resins (SureFil, Z-250 and AEliteFLO). Second, the degree of conversion was obtained in the composite resins cured according to the above curing mode with a FTIR. Third, the measurements of depth of cure were carried out in accordance with ISO 4049 standards. Statistical analysis was performed by two-way ANOVA test at 95% levels of confidence and Duncan's procedure for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: The heat of cure was not statistically different among the LCUs (p > 0.05). The composites cured by the LED (Exp) LCUs were statistically more slowly polymerized than by the halogen LCU and the LED (Std) LCU (p < 0.05). The composite resin groups cured by the LED (Exp) LCUs had significantly greater degree of conversion value than by the halogen LCU and the LED (Std) LCU (p = 0.0002). The composite resin groups cured by the LED (Std) LCUs showed significantly greater depth of cure value than by the halogen LCU and the LED (Exp) LCU (p < 0.05).
Composite Resins* ; Hot Temperature ; Kinetics ; Polymerization* ; Polymers* ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

The 5th year KONSAR surveillance in 2001 was based on routine test data at 30 participating hospitals. It was of particular interest to find a trend in the resistances of enterococci to vancomycin, of Enterobacteriaceae to the 3rd generation cephalosporin and fluoroquinolone, and of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and acinetobacters to carbapenem. Resistance rates of Gram-positive cocci were: 70% of Staphylococcus aureus to oxacillin; 88% and 16% of Enterococcus faecium to ampicillin and vancomycin, respectively. Seventy-two percent of pneumococci were nonsusceptible to penicillin. The resistance rates of Enterobacteriaceae were: Escherichia coli, 28% to fluoroquinolone; Klebsiella pneumoniae, 27% to ceftazidime, and 20% to cefoxitin; and Enterobacter cloacae, > or =40% to cefotaxime and ceftazidime. The resistance rates of P. aeruginosa were 21% to ceftazidime, 17% to imipenem, and those of the acinetobacters were > or =61% to ceftazidime, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolone and cotrimoxazole. Thirty-five percent of non-typhoidal salmonellae were ampicillin resistant, and 66% of Haemophilus influenzae were -lactamase producers. Notable changes over the 1997-2001 period were: increases in vancomycin-resistant E. faecium, and amikacin- and fluoroquinolone-resistant acinetobacters. With the increasing prevalence of resistant bacteria, nationwide surveillance has become more important for optimal patient management, for the control of nosocomial infection, and for the conservation of the newer antimicrobial agents.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/*pharmacology ; Cephalosporins/pharmacology ; *Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Enterococcus faecium/metabolism ; Human ; Imipenem/pharmacology ; Klebsiella pneumoniae/metabolism ; Korea ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa/metabolism ; Time Factors ; Vancomycin/*pharmacology

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of a care map for a fast-track discharge program after colorectal cancer surgery. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients who underwent colorectal surgery were retrospectively analyzed: 45 patients who were placed in a conventional program (January 3 to March 13, 2013) and 44 patients who were placed in a fast-track program using the care map (July 26 to September 24, 2014). Patients in the fast-track program started eating on postoperative day 1, while those in the conventional program started eating on post-operative day 2. complications, and pain were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A slight decrease in the average duration of hospitalization was observed for the fast-track group (5.31+/-0.98 days) compared to the conventional group (5.38+/-2.80 days), although this difference was not statistically significant. All other outcomes for the fast-track group were scored as 0. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant differences between pain, narcotics administration, and non-narcotic analgesics (aside from patient-controlled analgesia). CONCLUSION: The care map for the colorectal surgery fast-track program was effective and program validation and supplementation of the active standardization early recovery program should be performed using multi-disciplinary research.
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Colorectal Surgery ; Eating ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Narcotics ; Retrospective Studies

As it is difficult to perform biological study in the actual space, several researchers have tried to develop methods that could 'mimic' microgravity condition on Earth. During the free fall of the aircraft, so-called 'parabolic flight', objects in a plane could experience weightlessness during a short period of time (approximately 20 to 30 seconds). We first reviewed former studies using parabolic flight in a variety of research filed including vestibular, neurologic, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and immune system. We also investigated the actual conditions of biologic research using parabolic flight in Korea, by performing a questionnaire survey for 19 experts in space biology.
Aerospace Medicine ; Aircraft ; Biology ; Immune System ; Korea ; Weightlessness

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Procalcitonin (PCT) may prove to be a useful marker to exclude or predict bloodstream infection (BSI). However, the ability of PCT levels to differentiate BSI from non-BSI episodes has not been evaluated in nosocomial BSI. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients ≥ 18 years of age with suspected BSI that developed more than 48 hours after admission. RESULTS: Of the 785 included patients, 105 (13.4%) had BSI episodes and 680 (86.6%) had non-BSI episodes. The median serum PCT level was elevated in patients with BSI as compared with those without BSI (0.65 ng/mL vs. 0.22 ng/mL, p = 0.001). The optimal PCT cut-off value of BSI was 0.27 ng/mL, with a corresponding sensitivity of 74.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 66.4% to 81.7%) and a specificity of 56.5% (95% CI, 52.7% to 60.2%). The area under curve of PCT (0.692) was significantly larger than that of C-reactive protein (CRP; 0.526) or white blood cell (WBC) count (0.518). However, at the optimal cut-off value, PCT failed to predict BSI in 28 of 105 cases (26.7%). The PCT level was significantly higher in patients with an eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² than in those with an eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m² (0.68 vs. 0.17, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS PCT was more useful for predicting nosocomial BSI than CRP or WBC count. However, the diagnostic accuracy of predicting BSI remains inadequate. Thus, PCT is not recommended as a single diagnostic tool to avoid taking blood cultures in the nosocomial setting.

OBJECTIVE: The causal link between oncogenic HPV(Human Papilloma Viruses) and the development of CIN (rvical intraepithelial neoplasia) and cervical cancer are now well established. Several medical therapeutic candidates aimd at the treatment of precancerous lesions and invasive carcinoma of the cervix. The objective of this study was to develop the pH-sensitive chitosan/alginate gels (pH=3.8-4.5) and temperature sensitive multiblock copolymers of PEG/PLA (poly (L-lactic acid)/polyethylene glycol) gels (temperature=37 degrees C) for controlled delivery of the paclitaxel (PTX). We had also evaluated whether PTX entrapped in chitosan/alginate gels or multiblock copolymers of PEG/PLA 1 could inhibit tumor growth in vivo. METHODS: PTX entrapped as microsphere in Chitosan/Alginate Microspheres were obtained using a spray-drying method. PTX-entrapped PEG/PLA gels were prepared by the solvent displacement method. We had prepared the multiblock copolymers of PEG/PLA which has the sol-gel-sol transition temperature at body temperature. The in-vivo efficacy of PTX in chitosan microphere or PTX in PEG/PLA mutiblock copolymer micelle were conducted in HeLa-tumor bearing Balb/c Nu/Nu athymic mice at an equivalent paclitaxel dose of 10 mg/kg with 48 hr interval. The inhibition of tumor growth was evaluated after 8 days of treatment. RESULTS: On 8 days after the transcutaneous treatment of PTX-containing chitosan microphere or PTX in PEG/PLA mutiblock copolymer micelle. significant inhibition in tumor growth was observed in balb/c nu/nu nude mouse carrying xenograft tumors (HeLa cells; HPV-18 positive state). Among these formulations, PTX in PEG/PLA mutiblock copolymer have shown improved therapeutic efficacy as compared to PTX-ivgroup. CONCLUSION: PTX-containing chitosan microphere or PTX in PEG/PLA mutiblock copolymer nanoparticles are a unique pH-sensitive and temperature sensitive drug delivery system. These formulations elicits enhanced efficacy as an effective and minimally invasive treatment in mice bearing human cervical cancer (HeLa Cells) xenograft.
Animals ; Body Temperature ; Cervix Uteri ; Chitosan ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Female ; Gels ; Heterografts ; Human papillomavirus 18 ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Microspheres ; Nanoparticles ; Paclitaxel ; Papilloma ; Polymers* ; Transition Temperature ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

The authors calculated the number of blood cultures per 1,000 admitted patient days at seven university-affiliated hospitals in 2010, which ranged from 65 to 129 (mean 110). The number of blood cultures per 1,000 patient days could possibly be a good parameter for assessing the appropriateness of blood culture.
Humans ; Korea ; Quality Control ; Sepsis

PURPOSE: To obtain basic information for studies of male sexual dysfunction, we investigated the prevalence and the risk factors of erectile dysfunction(ED) in Korean young men via an Internet survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In June 2006, 23594 subjects aged from 20 to 59, who had registered with an internet research company, were asked to join our study if they had had stable sexual activities more than once a month for the past 6 months. Questions covered demographic characteristics, sexual life, International Index of Erectile Function(IIEF), and International Prostatic Symptom Score(IPSS). RESULTS: A total of 601 subjects completed the questionnaires. The prevalence of self-reported ED was 6.7%. The proportion of men with self-reported ED was 3.7% in the 20-29 age group, 6.0% in the 30-39 age group, and 9.5% in the 40-49 age group. The overall prevalence of ED assessed by IIEF-EF domain score of < or = 25 was 41.0%. We found a statistically significant correlation between men with self-reported ED and lower IIEF-EF domain scores. Self-reported ED was significantly associated with aging, smoking, lower education, and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Lower IIEF-EF domain scores were correlated with higher IPSS total, voiding and storage scores. CONCLUSIONS: ED in Korean young men is common and closely associated with LUTS. An Internet survey requires less man power, less time, and less research funds than classical survey methods such as mail or interview surveys. These study results will be useful as basic data for future studies of young Korean men's sexual function
Aging ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Education ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Financial Management ; Humans ; Internet ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Male ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 ; Postal Service ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors* ; Sexual Behavior ; Smoke ; Smoking

PURPOSE: To obtain basic information for studies of male sexual dysfunction, we investigated the prevalence and the risk factors of erectile dysfunction(ED) in Korean young men via an Internet survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In June 2006, 23594 subjects aged from 20 to 59, who had registered with an internet research company, were asked to join our study if they had had stable sexual activities more than once a month for the past 6 months. Questions covered demographic characteristics, sexual life, International Index of Erectile Function(IIEF), and International Prostatic Symptom Score(IPSS). RESULTS: A total of 601 subjects completed the questionnaires. The prevalence of self-reported ED was 6.7%. The proportion of men with self-reported ED was 3.7% in the 20-29 age group, 6.0% in the 30-39 age group, and 9.5% in the 40-49 age group. The overall prevalence of ED assessed by IIEF-EF domain score of < or = 25 was 41.0%. We found a statistically significant correlation between men with self-reported ED and lower IIEF-EF domain scores. Self-reported ED was significantly associated with aging, smoking, lower education, and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Lower IIEF-EF domain scores were correlated with higher IPSS total, voiding and storage scores. CONCLUSIONS: ED in Korean young men is common and closely associated with LUTS. An Internet survey requires less man power, less time, and less research funds than classical survey methods such as mail or interview surveys. These study results will be useful as basic data for future studies of young Korean men's sexual function
Aging ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Education ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Financial Management ; Humans ; Internet ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Male ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 ; Postal Service ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors* ; Sexual Behavior ; Smoke ; Smoking