PURPOSE: This study was aimed to evaluate the value of electrophysiologic tests for determining prognosis in children with facial nerve palsy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 37 children diagnosed as the facial nerve palsy at the pediatric neurology clinic, Kyungpook National University Hospital from January 1, 2000 to March 31, 2007. RESULTS: A total of thirty seven children were involved in the study(male to female 21:16, and the mean age 87.5 months). Among those twenty one had electrophysiologic tests. As compared with the normal values, the amplitude decreased by 54.5%(0.6+/-0.5 mV) and the latency was prolonged by 11.0%(3.6+/-0.5 msec) in electroneurography(ENoG). Early response(R1) was absent in 15 out of 21(71.4%) and ipsilateral response(R2) was absent in 19 children(90.5%). As compared with the children who had the decrease of amplitude 90% or less in ENoG, the children with the decrease of amplitude greater than 90% showed poor recovery(100% vs 60%, P<0.05) and longer duration of follow-up(43.7+/-30.0 days vs 184.00+/-196.8 days, P<0.05). All children who had R1 and R2 responses in the Blink test were completely recovered from the illness, but they were not statistically different from the other groups. CONCLUSION: Decrease of amplitude in ENoG and responsiveness in the Blink test can be important prognostic determinants in children with facial nerve palsy, but further studies are needed.
Child* ; Facial Nerve* ; Female ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Neurology ; Paralysis* ; Prognosis ; Reference Values ; Retrospective Studies

Several studies have previously reported that exposure to stress provokes behavioral changes, including antinociception, in rodents. In the present study, we studied the effect of acute cold-water (4°C) swimming stress (CWSS) on nociception and the possible changes in several signal molecules in male ICR mice.Here, we show that 3 min of CWSS was sufficient to produce antinociception in tailflick, hot-plate, von-Frey, writhing, and formalin-induced pain models. Significantly, CWSS strongly reduced nociceptive behavior in the first phase, but not in the second phase, of the formalin-induced pain model. We further examined some signal molecules' expressions in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord to delineate the possible molecular mechanism involved in the antinociceptive effect under CWSS.CWSS reduced p-ERK, p-AMPKα1, p-AMPKα2, p-Tyk2, and p-STAT3 expression both in the spinal cord and DRG. However, the phosphorylation of mTOR was activated after CWSS in the spinal cord and DRG. Moreover, p-JNK and p-CREB activation were significantly increased by CWSS in the spinal cord, whereas CWSS alleviated JNK and CREB phosphorylation levels in DRG. Our results suggest that the antinociception induced by CWSS may be mediated by several molecules, such as ERK, JNK, CREB, AMPKα1, AMPKα2, mTOR, Tyk2, and STAT3 located in the spinal cord and DRG.

Several studies have previously reported that exposure to stress provokes behavioral changes, including antinociception, in rodents. In the present study, we studied the effect of acute cold-water (4°C) swimming stress (CWSS) on nociception and the possible changes in several signal molecules in male ICR mice.Here, we show that 3 min of CWSS was sufficient to produce antinociception in tailflick, hot-plate, von-Frey, writhing, and formalin-induced pain models. Significantly, CWSS strongly reduced nociceptive behavior in the first phase, but not in the second phase, of the formalin-induced pain model. We further examined some signal molecules' expressions in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord to delineate the possible molecular mechanism involved in the antinociceptive effect under CWSS.CWSS reduced p-ERK, p-AMPKα1, p-AMPKα2, p-Tyk2, and p-STAT3 expression both in the spinal cord and DRG. However, the phosphorylation of mTOR was activated after CWSS in the spinal cord and DRG. Moreover, p-JNK and p-CREB activation were significantly increased by CWSS in the spinal cord, whereas CWSS alleviated JNK and CREB phosphorylation levels in DRG. Our results suggest that the antinociception induced by CWSS may be mediated by several molecules, such as ERK, JNK, CREB, AMPKα1, AMPKα2, mTOR, Tyk2, and STAT3 located in the spinal cord and DRG.

BACKGROUND: Falls are the most frequent adverse events reported in hospitals. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence rate and characteristics of falls in patients who used comprehensive nursing care service in National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital. METHODS: Incidence rate of falls was investigated in patients using comprehensive nursing care service, from July 2013 to Jun 2017 and compared with those not using this service. The characteristics and risk factors for falls, and fall-related injuries were obtained. RESULTS: Among the 62,445 patients who used the comprehensive nursing care service for 4 years, total of 672 falls were reported. The incidence rate of falls per 1,000 patients-day was 1.15. The percentage of fall-related injuries was 26.9% and that of major injury was 2.2%. Although the incidence rate of all falls was slightly higher in patients using comprehensive nursing care service than those not using this service, falls-related injuries were not correlated with the implementation of this service. CONCLUSION: The falls could be more frequently detected and reported in comprehensive nursing care service, but there was no difference in fall-related injuries.
Accidental Falls ; Humans ; Incidence ; National Health Programs ; Nursing Care ; Nursing ; Risk Factors

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled 39 participants (14 male, 25 female; mean age, 59.5 ± 15.3 [range, 18–87] years) between September 1, 2018, and January 31, 2021. All participants had parathyroid lesions causing PHPT, proven biochemically and through imaging. The imaging features of the PHPT nodules, including the shape, margin, size, composition, and location, were evaluated before treatment. Serum intact parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorus levels; parathyroid nodule volume; and PHPT-related symptoms were recorded before and after treatment. We calculated the technical success, biochemical cure, and clinical cure rates for these patients. Complications were evaluated during and after the ablation. Results: Complete ablation was achieved in 38 of the 39 nodules in the 39 enrolled participants. All the patients were treated in one session. The technical success rate was 97.4% (38/39). The mean follow-up duration was 13.2 ± 4.6 (range, 6.0–24.9) months. At 6 and 12 months post-RFA, the biochemical cure rates were 82.1% (32/39) and 84.4% (27/32), respectively, and the clinical cure rates were 100% (39/39) and 96.9% (31/32), respectively. Only 2.6% (1/39) of the patients had recurrent PHPT. At 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after technically successful RFA, 44.7% (17/38), 34.3% (12/35), 15.8% (6/38), and 12.5% (4/32) of participants, respectively, had elevated eucalcemic parathyroid hormone levels. Recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis occurred in 5.1% (2/39) of the patients, who recovered spontaneously within 1–3 months. Conclusion US-guided RFA was effective and safe for PHPT patients. RFA may be an alternative treatment tool for patients who cannot tolerate or refuse to undergo surgery.

Background: Although the consumption of vitamin beverages has increased because of the recent interest in health and beauty, guidelines addressing appropriate consumption habits are lacking. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the erosive potential of several vitamin beverages and to propose guidelines for the appropriate intake of these drinks. Methods: Five vitamin beverages were selected after a pre-investigation of the current beverage market. Coca-Cola and mineral water were selected as the control beverages. The pH of the beverages was measured with a calibrated pH meter, and the titratable acidity (TA) was determined by using 1 M sodium hydroxide to reach pH 5.5 (TA5.5) and 7.0 (TA7.0). The screening method suggested by the International Organization for Standardization was used to measure pH variation (pH) by using an under-saturated hydroxyapatite solution to determine the difference between the initial and final pH of the screening solution. All measurements were performed in triplicate. Results: All vitamin beverages tested in this study exhibited a low pH (2.53∼2.99), similar to Coca-Cola, which is known to be a highly acidic beverage. The highest TA5.5 and TA7.0 values of the vitamin beverages were 7.03 ml and 8.81 ml, respectively. The largest change in pH determined by using the screening solution was found in Bacchus D (pH 1.44±0.05). The mean pH of the vitamin beverages was 1.12±0.29, which was higher than that of Coca-Cola (positive control, pH 0.58±0.05). Conclusion Vitamin beverages exhibited an erosive potential capable of damaging enamel surfaces. Therefore, the frequency of vitamin beverage intake should be limited, and individuals consuming these drinks should try to restore normal oral pH as quickly as possible.

PURPOSE: Digits injured by punch press machines show peculiar types with segmental loss of middle part of digits. Although the distal parts of finger survived, thr results is frequently unfavorable with respect to function and appearance after inappropriate reconstruction. METHODS: From August 2008 to February 2013, five digits injured by punch press machines in four patients were managed. Pinch strength, two-point discrimination and active range of motion were measured to evaluate finger function. RESULTS: Three digits with a preserved amputated segment underwent replantation. Partial necrosis occurred in one digit in which local flap was performed. Secondary tendon graft was performed in the other digits. Two digits without segment was reconstructed by arthrodesis after shortening the length. The patients were generally satisfied with function and appearance. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of digits injured by punch machines are technically difficult. Replantation is the best method in cases of preserved segment, while arthrodesis with shortening is appropriate in cases without segment.
Amputation ; Arthrodesis ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Fingers ; Humans ; Methods ; Necrosis ; Pinch Strength ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Replantation ; Tendons ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain of the childbearing age woman is a difficult challenge to the emergency physician. Clinical scoring systems for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and acute appendicitis have already been introduced. We want to validate these scoring systems externally. METHODS: This study was conducted at a single urban teaching hospital emergency department from May 2011 to September 2013. Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected registry for reproductive-aged women was performed. RESULTS: A total of 1432 patients were registered. Among them, 322 patients diagnosed as PID (177 patients) or acute appendicitis (145 patients) were finally analyzed in this study. Among the PID and acute appendicitis scored, lower and higher cut-off points were 3 and 8 for PID risk score, and 6 and 10 for appendicitis risk score. PID risk score of PID patients was 7.0 (+/-1.9), acute appendicitis patients was 4.3 (+/-2.1), and other patients was 4.0 (+/-2.2) (p<0.001). Appendicitis risk score of PID patients was 5.7 (+/-1.9), acute appendicitis patients was 9.0 (+/-2.1), and other patients was 5 (+/-1.6) (p<0.001). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0,832 and 0,950 for diagnosis of PID with PID risk score and acute appendicitis with appendicitis risk score, respectively. CONCLUSION: These scoring systems have appropriate diagnostic power for diagnosis of PID and acute appendicitis.
Abdominal Pain* ; Appendicitis* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Female ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease* ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve

PURPOSE: This study aimed to inquire into the educational implication of peer evaluation in PBL in relation to the evaluation system. METHODS: 89 third and fourth-year medical students in PBL courses participated in this study. Descriptive statistics analysis and correlation analysis were performed. RESULTS: Based on the results of the interviews with all the forth-year students, the feedback method of peer evaluation was modified and the peer evaluation sheet was revised. On the new peer evaluation system, the percentages of indiscriminant scores were significantly lower than those on the previous system. Peer evaluation on the new evaluation system was positively related to tutor evaluation, written examination, and quizzes. Correlations between the peer evaluation scores each units were higher than those of the tutor evaluation scores. All third-year students within the bottom ten percent on the peer evaluation score failed to successfully complete that year. CONCLUSION: The peer evaluation with feedback based on faculty counseling and a user-friendly evaluation sheet can be used as an effective method for assessing student performance in PBL and to screen for maladjusted students.
Counseling ; Humans ; Problem-Based Learning* ; Students, Medical

PURPOSE: We used the retroauricular area skin as an alternative full-thickness skin donor site in the hand reconstruction surgery. METHODS: From January 2006 to March 2013, 55 patients observed more than 1 year, were recruited for the study. In case of requiring the skin graft on hand, we grafted skins were harvested from the retroauricular area on hand. To assess the subjective and objective satisfaction, the patients themselves and three doctors compared the skin graft area's color with adjacent skin and estimated the donor site scar on a five-point scale. RESULTS: A partial necrosis was seen in one case who received skin graft because of a burn scar contracture, but it was cured with conservative treatment. In other cases, the skin graft was well taken without any specific problems. The retroauricular skin graft showed good color match with adjacent skin and less pigmentation. Donor site scar was not noticeable. As a result, the patient's subjective satisfaction (4.07) and doctor's objective satisfaction (4.18) about skin graft were very good. And the patient's subjective satisfaction (4.93) and doctor's objective satisfaction (4.98) about donor site scar were also very good. CONCLUSION: We obtained the favorable result and the patients satisfaction by using the retroauricular area as a full thickness skin graft donor site in hand.
Burns ; Cicatrix ; Contracture ; Hand Injuries ; Hand* ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Necrosis ; Pigmentation ; Skin* ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants*