OBJECTIVES: The multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) is commonly used as a valid objective measure of sleepiness. The procedure of MSLT is well standardized but the sleep onset criterion is somewhat variable. One epoch of stage 1 sleep is the most commonly used criterion, and the criterion of three epochs of stage 1 sleep is also used. The purpose of this study was to compare the two criteria used to determine sleep onset. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 60 consecutive MSLT that were performed according to a standaridized protocol. We scored each test using the two different criteria for sleep onset and then statistically analyed the results. RESULTS: Using the different criteria, 20 patients among 60 showed changes in mean sleep latency (33.3%). The extent of change ranged from 1.3% to 38.5% (mean 15.9%). Non-narcoleptic patients showed a significantly higher incidence of change than other sleep disorder patients. CONCLUSION: Changes in mean sleep latency occurred according to the different criteria of sleep onset. But the difference arising from different criteria was statistically not significant in patients with moderate to severe sleepiness. Considering that 1 epoch criterion for sleep onset is more sensitive in detecting clinically significant sleepiness, the authors suggest that the 1 epoch criterion is more reliable than the 3 epochs criterion.
Humans ; Incidence ; Retrospective Studies

Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) is a multisystem disorder with a peak age of onset in the second and fourth decades of life predominantly occuring in females who will usually have the potential to become pregnant. This female to male predominance is greatest during childbearing years approaching a ratio of 13:1, after the menopause it declines to a ratio of 3:1, the ratio also seen in prepubertal years. In practice, despite the higher prevalence of rheumatiod arthritis, pregnancy in SLE is the most common management problem confronting physician and obstetrician amongst the connective tissue disorders and it is particularly important as the outcome of pregnancy is more unpredictable in this disease. As well as having clinical consequences for the health of both mother and fetus, pregnancy in lupus provides a model for studying the importance of other biological phenomena characterizing the disease. For example, the transplacental passage of maternal antibodies to Ro(SSA) and La(SSB) and their strong association with the neonatal lupus syndrome suggests a pathogenetic role for these autoantibodies. Other relevant issues are feto-meternal immunological tolerance and hormonal interaction with the immune system. We have experienced a case of recurrent pregnancy loss associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. So we report this case with a brief review of literatures.
Age of Onset ; Antibodies ; Arthritis ; Autoantibodies ; Biological Phenomena ; Connective Tissue ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Immune System ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Male ; Menopause ; Mothers ; Pregnancy* ; Prevalence

Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular coccidian protozoan, is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a widespread infection affecting various birds and mammals including humans. In immunocompetent hosts, the infection is usually asymptomatic and benign. Toxoplasmosis is either congenital or acquired. In general prenatal therapy of congenital toxoplasmosis is beneficial in reducing the ncy of infant infection. Therapies are based primarily on spiramycin because of the relative lack of toxicity and high concentration achieved in the placenta. Clindamycin is the standard drug for chemoprophylaxis in newborn infants, and is directed at preventing the occurrence of retinochoroiditis as a late sequel to congenital infection. The standard treatment for acquired toxoplasmosis in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient patients is the synergistic combination of pyrimethamine and sulphonamides. Toxoplasmic encephalitis is tbe most common manifestation of acquired toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients and if not treated is fatal. However, because of toxicity, the therapeutic efficacy of pyrimethamine sulphonamide combinations may be seriously limited in immunodeficient patients. We have experienced a case of toxoplasmosis during the workup of habitual aborter. So we report this case with a brief review of literatures.
Birds ; Chemoprevention ; Clindamycin ; Encephalitis ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Mammals ; Placenta ; Pyrimethamine ; Spiramycin ; Toxoplasma ; Toxoplasmosis* ; Toxoplasmosis, Congenital

The authors have experienced a case of granulomatous polyp in larynx following endotracheal intubation. The patient had a polyp on the posterior one third of left vocal cord somedays after endotracheal intubation. The microscopic study of the polyp disclosed a granulomatous polyp in larynx.
Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal* ; Larynx* ; Polyps* ; Vocal Cords

No abstract available.

In 1868 Charcot described the join in tabes dorsalis, which since then has been designated as Charcot neuroarthropathy. It is characterized by painless swelling and abnormal mobility of the affected joint. Arthropathy of the type described by Charcot has been associated with various other conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, syringomyelia, injury to nerve root, congenital indfference to pain, leprosy, and intra-articular use of steroid, etc. Authors present a case of Charcot joint which involved the left knee joint associated with pathologic fracture of the left tibia and fibula.
Arthropathy, Neurogenic ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Fibula ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; Joints ; Knee Joint ; Knee ; Leprosy ; Syringomyelia ; Tabes Dorsalis ; Tibia

No abstract available.
Osteolysis*

No abstract available.
Rabbits*

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans

No Abstract Available.
Lower Extremity* ; Varicose Veins*