BACKGROUND: It was known that the prevalence of reflux esophagitis in Korea was below 5% and there were few epidemiological data on feflux esophagitis in Korea. It was reported that the associated factors of reflux exophagitis were sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, drugs, exercise, diet habits, but the nuvber of systematic studies on these factors was small. Thus, we studied to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of reflux esophagitis in Korea. METHODS: We examined 5,487 subjects (male 3,450, female 2,037, age;18082 year) visting health promotion center for routine check-up including esophagogastroduodenoscopy. All of them were given a questionnaire about past medical history, use of drugs, smoking, alcohol consumption, social history, diet habits. We recruited 275 cases with reflux esophagitis and 550 controls without refoux esophagitis on esophagogastroduodenoscopy. We estimated the prevalence of reflux esophagitis and performed retrospectively a cross-sectional study to evaluate the associated factors of reflux esophagitis. RESULTS: The prevalence of reflux esophagitis was 5.01%, 7.10% in male, 1.47% in female. The prevalence in male was significantly higher than that in female (p<0.05). The associated factors of reflux esophagitis were smoking, alcohol consumption, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride(p<0.05). It was investigated that the cases with reflux esophagitis in relation to diet habits ate more frequently fried foods in oil, Chinese dishes than controls(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of reflux esophagitis in routine check-up subjects was 5.01%. The associated factors of refoux esophagitis were smoking, alcohol consumption, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride.
Alcohol Drinking ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cholesterol ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Esophagitis ; Esophagitis, Peptic* ; Female ; Food Habits ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Obesity ; Prevalence* ; Retrospective Studies ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Triglycerides ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Spinal fixation using pedicle screws has recently been the focus of increased attention, but the adequate size of pedicle screw and maximum percentage fill as related to the pedicle diameter and are not well known. The objects of this study were to determine the ideal ratio among pedicle, drill and screw diameter, and to determine the maximum percentage fill of the screw without significant decrease of pull-out strength. The materials used for the experiments were 376 thoracic pedicles obtained from the 38 young pigs, and the diameters of pedicles ranged from 3.0 to 8.5mm. After 40% to 100% drilling as compared to pedicle diameter, screws were inserted carefully, and measurements were taken of the outer pedicle changes and pull-out strengths, and adequate drill and screw sizes as related to the diameters of given pedicles were determined. It was found that pull-out strength was the strongest after 60% drill, and the larger the drill diameter, the smaller the holding power, and the larger the screw diameter, the greater the holding power. Maximum pull-out strength was seen at 80-90% fill with 60% drill. After sequentially drilling each pedicle with increasingly larger drill bits, larger screws could be inserted with pedicle changes such as expansion, cutout, split fracture, and comminuted fracture. after larger drilling up to 100%, pedicle screws with diameters smaller than 115% of measured pedicle diameters could be safly inserted without fracture and significant decrease of pull-out strength. It is concluded that effective percentages of drill and screw diameters to the pedicle diameter are 60% and 80-90% respectively, and pedicle screw up to 115% of measured pedicle diameter can be safely inserted into pedicle without significant decrease of pull-out strength. It is thought that fresh pedicle has elasticity and larger screw can be inserted to the pedicle with strong holding after larger drilling.
Elasticity ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Pedicle Screws ; Swine

The aim of this study is to determine whether full-mouth disinfection therapy(FMT) in our clinical setting would show better improvement of clinical parameters than partial mouth disinfection therapy(PMT) in chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis patients. Among 12 patients, 6 were treated FMT and other 6 were treated PMT. Clinical parameters were calculated 3 months and 6 months after initial therapy. 1. There were no statistically significant differences between FMT and PMT in the reduction rate of bleeding on probing after 3 months, 6 months 2. Initial probing depth was 4-6mm, the mean probing depth after 3 months was 2.2mm vs 2.5mm(FMT vs PMT), after 6 months was 2.4mm vs 2.8mm. This was significantly lower in the FMT groups. 3. Initial probing depth was > or = 7mm, the reduction rate of mean probing depth during first 3 months was 4.8mm vs 4.1mm(FMT vs PMT), and 3 to 6 months was 0.5mm vs 0.3mm. This was significantly larger in the FMT groups. 4. Initial probing depth was 4-6mm, the mean clinical attachment level after 3 months was 2.3mm vs 2.7mm(FMT vs PMT), after 6 months was 2.7mm vs 3.0mm. This was significantly lower in the FMT groups. 5. Initial probing depth was > or = 7mm, the reduction rate of mean probing depth during first 3 months was 4.0mm vs 3.0mm(FMT vs PMT), and 3 to 6 months was 0mm vs -0.1mm. This was significantly larger in the FMT groups. Although the results provided us with succeccful clinical improvement in aggressive periodontitis, further research is needed to prove its additional benefit in the treatment of chronic periodontitis

The aim of this study is to determine whether full-mouth disinfection therapy(FMT) in our clinical setting would show better improvement of clinical parameters than partial mouth disinfection therapy(PMT) in chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis patients. Among 12 patients, 6 were treated FMT and other 6 were treated PMT. Clinical parameters were calculated 3 months and 6 months after initial therapy. 1. There were no statistically significant differences between FMT and PMT in the reduction rate of bleeding on probing after 3 months, 6 months 2. Initial probing depth was 4-6mm, the mean probing depth after 3 months was 2.2mm vs 2.5mm(FMT vs PMT), after 6 months was 2.4mm vs 2.8mm. This was significantly lower in the FMT groups. 3. Initial probing depth was > or = 7mm, the reduction rate of mean probing depth during first 3 months was 4.8mm vs 4.1mm(FMT vs PMT), and 3 to 6 months was 0.5mm vs 0.3mm. This was significantly larger in the FMT groups. 4. Initial probing depth was 4-6mm, the mean clinical attachment level after 3 months was 2.3mm vs 2.7mm(FMT vs PMT), after 6 months was 2.7mm vs 3.0mm. This was significantly lower in the FMT groups. 5. Initial probing depth was > or = 7mm, the reduction rate of mean probing depth during first 3 months was 4.0mm vs 3.0mm(FMT vs PMT), and 3 to 6 months was 0mm vs -0.1mm. This was significantly larger in the FMT groups. Although the results provided us with succeccful clinical improvement in aggressive periodontitis, further research is needed to prove its additional benefit in the treatment of chronic periodontitis

No abstract available.
Placenta Previa* ; Placenta*

PURPOSE: There have been some studies on the hazardous effects of air pollution for patients with cardiovascular diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the possible relationship between air pollution and development of chest pain in acute coronary syndrome patients. METHODS: The medical records of 109 acute coronary syndrome patients, who visited two university hospital emergency rooms in the Seoul area between January 1999 and July 2001, were reviewed. Hourly concentrations of particulate mass < 10 micrometa and of four gaseous air pollutants were measured at 19 different points in the Seoul area. The data were analyzed using a case-crossover approach. RESULTS: The analysis of the data showed no definite relationship between chest pain development and either the concentrations of particulate mass < 10 micrometa (PM10) or of four gaseous air pollutants: namely, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and sulfur dioxide ( SO2). However, increases in the concentrations of particulate matter, gaseous NO2, and gaseous O3 showed a positive correlation, but without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: This study shows no relationship between the concentrations of PM10 and other air pollutants with the development of chest pain in acute coronary syndrome patients. However, for particulate mass < 2.5 micrometa, which is currently not measured in the Seoul area, the possibility of a relationship between development of chest pain in acute coronary syndrome patients and particulate air pollutants still exists.
Acute Coronary Syndrome* ; Air Pollutants ; Air Pollution* ; Carbon Monoxide ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Chest Pain* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Nitrogen Dioxide ; Ozone ; Particulate Matter ; Seoul* ; Sulfur Dioxide ; Thorax*

OBJECTIVE: To delineate whether cortical plasticity induced by continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) differed according to catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphism in healthy older adults. METHODS: Eighteen healthy older volunteers (mean age 73.78+/-5.04; 12 females and 6 males) were recruited. Volunteers randomly assigned in either a sham-first or real cTBS first group participated in two separate TMS visits with at least a 2-day wash-out period. Genotyping was carried out at baseline by a separate researcher who was blinded. cTBS was delivered in a hot spot over M1 at an active motor threshold of 80%. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were obtained at 120% of the resting motor threshold before and after sham/cTBS. RESULTS: The relative MEP to baseline was significantly decreased 0 and 10 minutes post-stimulation and increased 40 minutes post-stimulation, as compared with the sham condition. Immediately after cTBS, the Val/Val group had a significantly reduced relative MEP value, as compared with the MET carrier group. CONCLUSION: In healthy older persons, cTBS-induced motor plasticity was reduced in the COMT Val/Val group as compared with the 158Met carrier group.
Adult ; Aged* ; Catechol O-Methyltransferase ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; Female ; Humans ; Motor Cortex ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Plastics* ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ; Volunteers

The supine hypotensive syndrome occurs when the parturients near term in supine, enlarged uterus compresses the inferior vena cava and partially obstructs the lower aorta and venous return to the heart and arterial blood flow to the pelvic organs and lower extremities are decreased. Major supine hypotensive syndrome was defined as a fall greater than 30% or a value less than 80mmHg in systolic blood pressure. Many studies in Western countries have reported that up to 50% of parturients near term develop signs of shock including fainting, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness or sudden death when they assume supine position. The haxards of obstruction the aorta by the gravid uterus in pregnancy are well documented. Compression of the aorta is not associated with maternal symptoms but does cause arterial hypotension in the lower extremities and uterine arteries, so it can cause fetal distress and asphyxia. Most parturients are able to compensate for mild to moderate dupine hypotensive syndrome by increase in collateral circulation via azygos venous system and vertabral venous system and peripheral resistance or heart rate. But the anesthesiologists must recognize the importance of the supine hypotensive syndrome and the potential hazard of anesthesia in augmenting its effects. We have investigates the incidence of supine hypotensive syndrome in 171 parturients were Cesarean sectioned. We have investigated the correlating factors such as fetal body weight and parturient's physical status, body weight and age among the 36 cases of decreased blood pressure in supine position and also we have investigated the relationship between blood pressure changes and parturient's associated diseases. We have measured the arterial blood pressure indiredctly by the Rira-Rocci method when they are lying on the operating table in supine and compared it with arterial blood pressure in their comfortable position in ward. The results are as follows: 1) Among the 171 parturenits, the incidence of decreased arterial blood pressure in supine position was 21%(36casese). However the incidence of increased arterial blood pressure in supine position was 79%(135 caese). No case of severe blood pressure changes defined as a fall greater than 30% was notice but there was one case with less than 80 mmHg in systolic blood pressure which would be a rate of 0.6%. 2) The realationship between decreased blood pressure in supine posction and fetal body weight and parturient's physical status, body weight and age was not statistically significant(p>0.05). 2) The relationship between decreased blood pressure in supine position and parturient's associated diseases especially preechlampsia or eclampsia was statistically significant (p<0.05).
Anesthesia ; Aorta ; Arterial Pressure ; Asphyxia ; Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; Collateral Circulation ; Death, Sudden ; Deception ; Eclampsia ; Female ; Fetal Distress ; Fetal Weight ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Hypotension ; Incidence ; Lower Extremity ; Nausea ; Operating Tables ; Pregnancy ; Shock ; Supine Position ; Syncope ; Unconsciousness ; Uterine Artery ; Uterus ; Vascular Resistance ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: This study was designed to prove the efficacy of neutralization with weak acid against strong alkali ingestion and to evaluate exothermic reaction of neutralization therapy. METHODS: 30 New Zealand White rabbits were anesthetized with intravenous injection of ketamine and xylazine. After gastric lavage was done, a orogastric catheter and a electric thermometer probe were inserted into stomach. And then the rabbits were divided into six groups. The first group was given 3M NaOH 16.5 mL only. The second and third groups were given 3M NaOH 16.5 mL and then 1M C H3COOH 52.14 mL one and three minutes later, respectively. The fourth and fifth groups were given tap water instead of CH3COOH, and the sixth group was given C H3COOH only. We monitored intragastric temperature continuously, compared arterial pHs before alkali infusion and 15 minutes later, measured gastric pH 15 minutes later, and examined pathologic findings of stomach after sacrificing. RESULTS: There was no significant thermal effect in all groups, and gastric pH of neutralization groups was much lower than alkali alone or dilution groups. Changes of arterial pH after 15 minutes were greater in alkali alone and dilution groups than neutralization groups. In gross and microscopic findings of stomach, only mucosal injuries were observed in neutralization groups, especially in one minute group. But all stomach layers were destroyed in alkali alone and dilution groups. CONCLUSION: Neutralization therapy never makes additional thermal injury, and has protective effects against local tissue destruction and systemic alkalemia. Dilution therapy shows little or no effects.
Alkalies* ; Catheters ; Eating* ; Gastric Lavage ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Injections, Intravenous ; Ketamine ; Rabbits ; Stomach ; Thermometers ; Water ; Xylazine

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bacillus Licheniformis, a probiotic used in the treatment of diarrhea, has been shown to suppress the growth of pathologic bacteria. This study was performed to assess the therapeutic efficacy and safety of Zhengchangsheng(R) (Bacillus Licheniformis) in comparison with another probiotic, Bioflor(R) (Saccharomyces Boulardii) for the treatment of diarrhea. METHODS: Patients with diarrhea (n=158) were randomized to receive Zhengchangsheng(R) or Bioflor(R) for 5 days. The existence or non-existence of formed feces, changes in daily stool frequency, improvement of subjective symptoms, and changes in the severity of diarrhea were compared. RESULTS: Of the 158 full analysis set (FAS) patient population, 151 patients comprised the per protocol (PP) analysis. The rates of recovered to formed feces in the Bacillus and Saccharomyces groups were 91.0% vs. 95.0% in the FAS (P=0.326) and 90.5% vs. 96.1% in the PP analysis (P=0.169), respectively. The mean duration of diarrhea changing to formed feces was 3.15+/-1.10 days in the Bacillus group and 3.22+/-1.01 in the Saccharomyces group (P=0.695, FAS). The frequency of defecation, subjective symptoms, and degree of severe diarrhea were improved in both groups, however, there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups. Analysis of the 95% confidence intervals for the differences in the rate of recovery to formed feces between the 2 groups met the criteria for non-inferiority of Bacillus compared to Saccharomyces. No significant adverse events were observed during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Zhengchangsheng(R) is not inferior to Bioflor(R) in therapeutic efficacy and is a safe and useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of diarrhea.
Bacillus ; Bacteria ; Defecation ; Diarrhea* ; Feces ; Humans ; Probiotics* ; Saccharomyces