Enterobacter cloacae is isolated from 10 newborns in the neonatal Intensive care unit(NICU) of Seoul Red Cross Hospital from April, 1997 to June, 1997. Their gestational age is from 195-299 days(mean 244.3 days), and their birth weight was from 980-4,100g(mean 2,287g). We obtained 16 E, cloacae strains form their blood, urine, endotracheal tube, umbilical catheter and 4 of them were isolated from the same patient at different culture sites. We also obtained another 3 strains of E. cloacae from 14 persons who worked in NICU and 26 places of NICU. We analysed the molecular types of 19 isolates by using rep-PCR method. We get 6 different types of PCR-products from the patients and NICU workers, and NICU environments. We observed that the incidence of E. cloacae was decreased by handwashing and wearing personal plastic gloves during the care of NICU patients.
Birth Weight ; Catheters ; Cloaca ; Cross Infection ; Enterobacter cloacae* ; Enterobacter* ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Gestational Age ; Hand Disinfection ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal* ; Plastics ; Red Cross ; Seoul

OBJECTIVE: Because endometriosis is difficult to diagnose and has a high recurrence rate after treatment, a reliable serum marker of endometriosis is necessary. Therefore, the aim of this study is to measure the serum levels of CA125 and CA19-9 in patients with endometriosis before and after treatment and during recurrence, and to assess the usefulness of these levels in the diagnosis, clinical follow up and prediction of recurrence in endometriosis. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients who visited the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Ewha Mokdong Hospital from January 1994 to December 1998 and were diagnosed as endometriosis by laparoscopy or explo-laparotomy were enrolled as subjects. A retrospective analysis of serum CA125 and CA19-9 levels at 1 month before and 3 to 6 months after initiation of treatment was done. RESULTS: The serum CA125 and CA19-9 levels of endometriosis group(81.0+/-252.5, 36.6+/-53.4 ; mean+/-2SD, U/ml) before treatment was significantly higher than control group(11.6+/-12.8, 9.4+/-8.6)(p<0.05). Overall sensitivity rate for CA125, CA19-9 levels and both was 53.4%, 42.9% and 64.3% respectively. The sensitivity rate for endometriosis, stage 3 and 4(85.4%, 55.0%) was significantly higher than that, stage 1 and 2(p<0.05). The serum CA125 level in endometriosis group showed a significant increment according to stages(p<0.05) while the serum CA19-9 level showed an increasing trend(p=0.055) and both levels decreased significantly after treatment(p<0.05). The serum CA125 level was also higher at recurrence after treatment(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The serum CA125 and CA19-9 levels are a useful marker for diagnosing severity of disease, monitoring efficacy of treatment and predicting recurrence in endometriosis.
Biomarkers ; Diagnosis ; Endometriosis* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Obstetrics ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

The cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A subfamily is estimated to participate in the biotransformation of 50% of the currently prescribed drugs. Four members of the CYP3A subfamily have been identified in humans: CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP3A7, and CYP3A43. Initial data suggested that CYP3A5 accounts for only a small proportion of the total hepatic CYP3A in about 20% of samples, but it was later revealed that CYP3A5 represents more than 50% of the total CYP3A amount in some individuals. Several genetic variants have been described for the CYP3A5 gene, of which the CYP3A5*3 allele (gA6986G), the most common form and leading to the loss of CYP3A5 activity, has been extensively investigated in the aspect of pharmacokinetics and disease risk. This review summarized the molecular characteristics of the CYP3A5 gene, and discusses the association of the CYP3A5*3 polymorphism with disease risks such as cancer and hypertension, along with its role in the pharmacokinetics of CYP3A substrates.
Alleles ; Biotransformation ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Pharmacogenetics ; Pharmacokinetics

In order to study the exposure level of silica dust and the effects of silica dust on ventilatory function, respirable dust samples were collected by personal air samplers using NIOSH method 0500 from the selected foundry operations, and ventilatory function tests were performed on 209 male foundry workers and 239 male control subjects. Ventilatory indices such as forced vital capacity (FVC) , one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), ratio of FEV1 to FVC(FEV1 %), maximal mid-expiratory flow(MMF), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and maximal expiratory flow at 25, 50 and 75 % of expired FVC (FEF25, FEF50, FEF75 were obtained by analyzing forced expiratory spirogram and maximal expiratory flow-volume curve which were simultaneously measured by Vitalography in standing position. The results were as follows : 1. The average quartz concentrations of respirable dust were the highest in melting operation (0.079 mg/m3) and followed by molding operation (0.051 mg/m3), finishing operation (0.041 mg/m3) and coremaking operation (0.023 mg/m3) in the descending order. 2. No significant differences for mean values of all ventilatory indices expressed as percent of predicted value were demonstrated between smokers and nonsmokers In foundry workers and control subjects. 3. Mean values of all ventilatory indices except FVC of foundry workers were significantly lower than those of control subjects. 4. Mean values of FEV1 %, MMF, FEF25, FEF50 and FEF75 expressed as percent of predicted value tended to decrease with increasing cumulative dust exposure. 5. In foundry workers, proportions of workers with low MMF, FEF50 and FEF75 were markedly higher than those with other indices, and were significantly increased with increasing cumulative dust exposure. 6. In foundry workers, 2 workers(1.0 %) were diagnosed as silicosis and the profusion of radiographic opacities were category 1/0 and q type. With the above considerations in mind, it suggested that increasing exposure of silica dust be associated with progressive deterioration in ventilatory function of an obstructive nature and that MMF, FEF50 and FEF75 be more sensitive indices in the detection of the early obstructive changes of air flow of workers exposed to silica dust.
Dust* ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Freezing ; Fungi ; Humans ; Male ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate ; Quartz ; Silicon Dioxide* ; Silicosis ; Vital Capacity

This review provides an overview of the current state of pediatric brain tumor imaging, emphasizing the role of various imaging sequences and highlighting the advantages of standardizing protocols for pediatric brain tumor imaging in diagnosis and treatment response evaluation. Basic anatomical sequences such as pre- and post-contrast 3D T1-weighted, T2-weighted, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, T2*-weighted, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), are fundamental for assessing tumor location, extent, and characteristics. Advanced techniques like DWI, diffusion tensor imaging, perfusion imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and functional MRI offer insights into cellularity, vascularity, metabolism, and function. To enhance consistency and quality, standardized protocols for pediatric brain tumor imaging have been recommended by expert groups. Special considerations for pediatric patients, including the minimization of anesthesia exposure and gadolinium contrast agent usage, are essential to ensure patient safety and comfort. Staying up-to-date with diagnostic imaging techniques can contribute to improved communication, outcomes, and patient care in the field of pediatric neurooncology.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the level of Human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge, intention of HPV vaccination, and barriers on HPV vaccination among male undergraduate students of Health department and Non-health department. METHODS: A total of 149 male undergraduate students responded to self-administered questionnaires about their HPV knowledge, HPV vaccination intention, and their barriers on HPV vaccination. ANOVA, t-test and χ2 test (Fisher's exact test) were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Mean score of HPV knowledge was 3.39±3.05, and there was significant difference between Health department (4.15±3.08) and Non-health department (2.58±2.82) in HPV knowledge (t=3.241, p=.001). There was no significant difference in HPV vaccination acceptance between the two groups. The barriers on HPV vaccination were 'lack of information about HPV vaccine efficacy' and 'lack of information about HPV vaccination time and strategy', and there were significant differences in barriers on HPV vaccination between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The knowledge on HPV was low, and HPV vaccination was hindered due to lack of information about HPV vaccine despite their intention to obtain HPV vaccine. HPV education to promote HPV vaccination should be targeted among male students.
Education ; Humans ; Intention* ; Male* ; Papillomaviridae ; Statistics as Topic ; Vaccination*

We describe a case of fine needle aspiration cytology of metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the lymph node of the neck presenting a predominantly spindle cell pattern. A 36 year-old male patient complained of dysesthesia on the right face and a palpable neck mass. Fine needle aspiration was done on the neck mass. Tumor cells were present in syncytial groups or singly with mainly spindle shaped nuclei, vesicular chromatin, thin and regular nuclear membrane, occasional prominent nucleoli and a few foci of cellular cohesiveness. The cytoplasm was scant and pale with ill-defined borders. Mature lymphocytes were present in the background of aspirates and within the tumor cell clusters. Histologically, the tumor of nasopharynx showed several areas of spindle cell pattern. Because the tumor cells showed a predominantly spindle shape with vesicular nuclear chromatin, the differential diagnosis of spindle cell sarcoma or granuloma of epithelioid cells were considered, but the characteristic morphology of the nuclei with vesicular chromatin and prominent nucleoli, and cellular cohesiveness were important in making the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The possibility of metastatic carcinoma should always be considered in fine needle aspiration cytology of the lymph node in the neck because the incidence of metastatic carcinoma, particularly of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the lymph nodes of the neck is relatively high.
Child ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Incidence ; Neoplasm Metastasis

BACKGROUND: Many women have experienced artificial abortion, but artificial abortion itself may take a life away from a fetus and also influence serious effect on operated womens health condition. So this study was attempted to offer basic information for improving maternity health condition by knowing womens artificial abortion performance status and recognition about its complication. METHODS: The 215 married women who visited in OPD of certain hospital in Pusan from november 1994 to January 1995, answered the question about experience of artifial abortion the recognition about its complication, and artificial abortioned group answered the reason of artificial abortion and the experience of complication. RESULTS: The number of women who experienced artificial abortion was 107 persons(49.8%). More educated women have experienced less artificial abortion. The causes of artificial abortion were birth control as of 40.6%, continuation of occupation or study as of 20.6%, for preserving health condition as of 14.2%, impossible marriage as of 14.2%. 115 persons out of 215 persons (53.4% ) answered they heard about, its complicatons. In relation to health, 66 persons(30.7% ) answered that the abortion had no relation with health condition or they answered they have no idea about the issue, 68 persons(31.6%) answered that the abortion had relation with but its complication would be soon recovered. Higher understanding was obtained in higher educated group(P<0.05). If unwanted pregnancy occur to them in the future, 32 persons(27.8%) in recognized group and 38 persons(38%) in unrecognized group answered they would perform artificial abortion. So understanding about complicaton of artificial abortion has little effect on their artificial abortion rate. CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of complications of married women is low, and recognition degree doesnt affect artificial abortion. So, not only education about complications of artificial abortion and contraception but also social performance of sharing womens responsibility for birth control or bringing up infants is necessary.
Abortion, Induced ; Busan ; Contraception ; Education ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Infant ; Marriage ; Occupations ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Unwanted ; Women's Health

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the point prevalence of anxiety, depression and the associated risk factors in hospitalized patients with cancer. METHODS: A total of 114 patients with cancer who admitted to the Cancer Center in St. Mary's Hospital were enrolled for a day. The patients were asked to complete Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS). Sociodemographic and cancer related clinical variables were also evaluated. RESULTS: The point prevalence of anxiety and depression was 10.5% and 34.2%, respectively, as assessed with HADS. Logistic regression models revealed that distant metastasis was significantly associated with anxiety in patients with cancer and previous chemotherapy and Low socioeconomic status were significantly associated with depression. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that more than one third of patients with cancer suffer from either anxiety or depression. In addition, previous chemotherapy as well as low socioeconomic status and distant metastasis were associated risk factors of anxiety and depression, respectively. These findings suggest the need for screening and systematized psychosocial intervention for psychological distress in hospitalized patients with cancer.
Anxiety* ; Depression* ; Drug Therapy ; Hospitals, General* ; Humans ; Inpatients* ; Logistic Models ; Mass Screening ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors ; Social Class

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the electromyographic activities of the erector spinae muscle of the back and the rectus femoris muscle of the thigh, and to measure the angles of the spinal and knee flexions in order to determine the effect of wearing a back belt. METHODS: Fifteen healthy males participated in the study. Surface electromyography was used to measure the level of muscle activities at the two muscle groups. The Simi system, utilizing two-dimensional analysis of movement, was used to examine the range of motion of the back and low extremity. RESULTS: Firstly, the angle of the spinal flexion was significantly less in the back-belt-wearing group than in the control, and that of the knee flexion was significantly increased in the back-belt-wearing group. Secondly, there was no significant change in the electromyographic signals of the erector spinae muscle of the back and the rectus femoris muscle of the thigh. CONCLUSIONS: The use of back belts helps workers to correct their posture when lifting boxes. It can therefore protect workers from acute back injuries.
Back Injuries ; Electromyography ; Extremities* ; Humans ; Knee ; Lifting* ; Male ; Posture ; Quadriceps Muscle ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Thigh