No abstract available.
Seroepidemiologic Studies*

OBJECTIVE: We aim to analyze each variable affecting FHR to build objective decision basis using canonical correlation analysis METHODS: The sixty four hundred and fifty five cases of NST from 1988 to 1997 at Hanyang University hospital were collected. We used FHR interpretation softwares, HYFM-I & II those were already developed by author, for extraction of each variable of FHR. We classified the variables into 2 groups, F.A.M(FHR, Amplitude, Mean minute range) and N.S.F(NST weeks, Signal loss, Fetal movement) groups. The Canonical correlation was compared between each variable and group. RESULTS: The canonical correlation between F.A.M & N.S.F are as follows; r=0.40 (p=0.001) in preterm, r=0.34 (p=0.001) in term, and r=0.41 (p=0.004) in postterm. The high linear dependency is shown as r=0.79 (p=0.013) before 23 weeks, the irregular changes shown from 23 weeks to 30 weeks (r=0.47 in 23-24 weeks, r=0.29 in 25-26 weeks, r=0.56 in 27-28 weeks, r=0.24 in 29-30 weeks) and the stable relative changes shown (about r=0.3-0.4) after 30 weeks (r=0.32 in 31-32 weeks, r=0.33 in 33-34 weeks, r=0.37 in 35-36, r=0.33 in 37-38 weeks, r=0.37 in 39-40 weeks, r=0.35 after 41 weeks) (p<0.02). In the linear correlation of FHR, two indicies of FHR variables, AMP and MMR pertaining to N.S.F., FHR(r) is 0.06, AMP and MMR seem to be identical as r=0.30 and then the canonization in term and postterm[FHR(r)=-0.27, AMR(r)=0.23, and MMR(r)=0.35]lies in the regular pattern. Moreover, there is rather a linear correlation between F.A.M and the gestational weeks in preterm and it is changed into linearity similar to zero in term and postterm pregnancies[term(r)=0.01, postterm(r)=0.06] CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the linearity of FHR and the variable which are based on the gestational weeks organically, comprehensibly, and quantitatively. It would be utilized as the fundamental standard of the linearity. The changes from the irregular linear correlation to the regular pattern according to advancing gestational weeks means the changes from the immature and transitional level to the mature level. The closer investigation of the linear and
Female ; Fetal Heart* ; Heart Rate, Fetal* ; Pregnancy

Bacillus species are aerobic, gram-positive, spore forming rods, and they are usually found in the surrounding environment. If they are isolated in the clinical specimen, they are generally considered as contaminants rather than a true pathogen. Infection with Bacillus licheniformis is usually associated with the immunocompromised state, trauma, an indwelling intravenous catheter or an intravenous drug abuser. This infection is easily controlled by removal of the catheter and surgical debridement of the local infected tissue as well as an appropriate antimicrobial therapy. We reported here on a case of Bacillus licheniformis bacteremia associated with a bronchoscopic procedure in an immune competent patient.
Bacillus* ; Bacteremia* ; Bronchoscopy* ; Catheters ; Debridement ; Drug Users ; Humans ; Spores

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative motion preservation and prevention of adjacent segment degeneration is well recognized after placing artificial cervical disc prosthesis in patients with degenerative cervical disc disease. The authors investigated postoperative changes in motion dynamics in two different types of artificial cervical disc prosthesis, Bryan and Prestige LP cervical disc prosthesis, and compared them. METHODS: Twenty five patients underwent anterior cervical discectomy and implantation of artificial cervical disc prosthesis: 10 with Bryan and 15 with Prestige LP. Radiological assessments, including overall sagittal alignment angle, range of motion (ROM) of overall sagittal, functional spine unit (FSU) angle, segmental ROM of FSU and ROM of adjacent segment (Upper and Lower level) using static and dynamic lateral radiographs, were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. The mean postoperative follow up period was 18.6 months (range 10.4~28.5) in Bryan and 9.2 months (range 6.5~12.6) in Prestige LP. RESULTS: The overall sagittal alignment angle was decreased 2.9degrees in Bryan group (p=0.033) and increased 5.7degrees in Prestige LP group (p=0.017). The FSU angle at treated level was decreased 0.4degrees in Bryan group (p=0.929) and increased 2.9degrees in Prestige LP group (p=0.008). The ROM of overall sagittal was decreased in both groups (Bryan: 8.6degrees p=0.075, Prestige LP: 2.9degrees p=0.182). The segmental ROM of FSU was increased 1.0degrees in Prestige LP group (p=0.191) but, decreased 0.6degrees in Bryan group (p=0.929). The ROM of adjacent segment was decreased in both groups (Bryan: upper p=0.023 lower p=0.050, Prestige LP: upper p=0.570 lower p=0.132). The postoperative radiological results of comparison between two different artificial disc showed that overall sagittal alignment angle and FSU angle were more increased in Prestige LP (p=0.005, p=0.026, respectively). CONCLUSION: The segmental ROM of FSU was preserved and ROM of adjacent segment was decreased in both groups. This means that postoperative adjacent segment disease may be prevented regardless of types of implants. On comparison study, postoperative cervical curvature was more lordotic in Prestige LP. Therefore, Prestige LP is more suitable to maintain postoperative cervical lordosis. The limitation of our study is small number of case and short and unequal follow up period between two types of implants. Further long term study will be needed.
Animals ; Arthroplasty ; Diskectomy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lordosis ; Prostheses and Implants ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Spine

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic factors of primary intraventricular hemorrhage. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 26 patients who suffered from primary intraventricular hemorrhage between 2003 and 2007. We analyzed the various factors that might influence the prognosis and these included the patient age, the disease etiology, the initial Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS) score, the pupil reflex, Evan's ratio, Graeb's score, the ventriculocranial ratio (VCR) and dilatation of the fourth ventricle. The clinical outcomes were evaluated for each patient by using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) three months after the hemorrhage. RESULTS: The overall mortality rate was 38.5%. The factors correlated with a poor clinical outcome are an initial GCS score below 12 (p<0.05), the absence of a pupil reflex (p<0.05), a Graeb's score above 9 (p<0.05), a VCR above 0.23 (p<0.05) and the presence of obstructive hydrocephalus (p<0.05). The etiology didn't influence the clinical outcome (p>0.05). Dilatation of the fourth ventricle showed a poor outcome in 10 patients (83.3%), but this was without clinical significance (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: A low initial GCS score, a high Graeb's score, the absence of a pupil reflex, a high VCR and the presence of obstructive hydrocephalus are associated with a poor outcome in patients with primary intraventricular hemorrhage.
Coma ; Dilatation ; Fourth Ventricle ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Prognosis ; Pupil ; Reflex ; Retrospective Studies

Neutrophils play an important role in immunological function. Neutropenic patients are vulnerable to infection, and except fever is present, inflammatory reactions are scarce in many cases. Additionally, because infections can worsen rapidly, early evaluation and treatments are especially important in febrile neutropenic patients. In cases in which febrile neutropenia is anticipated due to anticancer chemotherapy, antibiotic prophylaxis can be used, based on the risk of infection. Antifungal prophylaxis may also be considered if long-term neutropenia or mucosal damage is expected. When fever is observed in patients suspected to have neutropenia, an adequate physical examination and blood and sputum cultures should be performed. Initial antibiotics should be chosen by considering the risk of complications following the infection; if the risk is low, oral antibiotics can be used. For initial intravenous antibiotics, monotherapy with a broad-spectrum antibiotic or combination therapy with two antibiotics is recommended. At 3 5 days after beginning the initial antibiotic therapy, the condition of the patient is assessed again to determine whether the fever has subsided or symptoms have worsened. If the patient's condition has improved, intravenous antibiotics can be replaced with oral antibiotics; if the condition has deteriorated, a change of antibiotics or addition of antifungal agents should be considered. If the causative microorganism is identified, initial antimicrobial or antifungal agents should be changed accordingly. When the cause is not detected, the initial agents should continue to be used until the neutrophil count recovers.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Antifungal Agents ; Fever ; Humans ; Korea ; Neutropenia ; Neutrophils ; Physical Examination ; Sputum