BACKGROUND: It has been well known that absolute and interpeak latencies of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) are usually prolonged in diabetics. However, Its etiology is still controversial. We tried to identify whether the cause is structural or metabolic in origin by performing BAEP and brain MRI in the diabetic patients. METHODS: BAEP were performed in both the diabetic patients (DM) group (16 males and 15 females) and the normal control group (25 males and 33 female). A brain MRI was performed in the DM group on those who showed abnormal BAEP and com-pared the results of BAEP of the DM group with those of the control group. RESULTS: 7 patients (22.6%) showed abnor-mal BAEP (male; 6, female; 1, unilateral; 4, bilateral; 3) when abnormal BAEP was defined as being larger than two and a half standard deviations of the control group BAEP results. Two males of the DM group who showed abnormal structural lesions of the pons in their brain MRI were not included in the statistical analysis. The remaining 14 diabetic male patients (mean age: 58.7 +/-9.1 years, mean disease duration: 6.1 +/-4.7 years, mean hemoglobin (Hb) A1C: 7.7 +/- 2.0%) and 15 diabetic female patients (mean age: 60.6 +/-10.8 years, mean disease duration: 5.4 +/-5.1 years, mean HgA1C: 7.8 +/-2.1%) were stastistically analyzed. Interpeak latencies of I-III, III-V, and I-V were found to be signifi-cantly prolonged in the DM group. The prolongation of interpeak latencies of I-III and I-V were found to be signifi-cantly correlated with the disease duration only in the diabetic female patients, but not with age and HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that both metabolic derangement and structural lesion contribute to prolonging the central conduction time on BAEP pathway in diabetics.
Brain ; Brain Stem* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem* ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Pons

BACKGROUND: Inguinal herniorrhaphy remains one of the most common general surgical operations. Mesh repair is advocated by several specialized hernia centers. The purpose of this study was to compare results of mesh and Shouldice repair for inguinal herniae. METHODS: A clinical review was made of 73 cases of inguinal herniae treated during the 3 years from January 1993 to December 1996 at the Department of Surgery, Dae Rim Saint Mary's Hospital, and at the Department of Surgery, Eum Sung Saint Mary's Hospital. We treated 38 patients with mesh repair and 35 patients with a Shouldice procedure. Among 73 cases, 72 cases were males and only one case was a female. All except 8 cases had indirect types of hernias. RESULTS: Mesh repair required less time (80 minutes) and was an easier operative technique than the Shouldice procedure (95 minutes), but postoperative pain was similar between the two procedures. Postoperative pain was relieved after one week in 60% of the patients and after four weeks in 88% of the patients. The complications following the operations were similar between the two procedures: voiding difficulties developed in two cases, wound infection in one case, and a hematoma in two cases. There were no recurrences during the 6 month to 3 year follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Inguinal herniorrhaphy using a mesh repair technique provides is simple, rapid, less painful, and effective.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Hernia ; Hernia, Inguinal ; Herniorrhaphy* ; Humans ; Male ; Pain, Postoperative ; Recurrence ; Saints ; Wound Infection

The almost existing commercial HL7 interface engines apply the string array method which is run in the main memory to HL7 message parsing process. But, if the HL7 message is big, this method will be possible to cause the computer system to raise critical and fatal problems because a long string array can carry a too heavy load to the main memory and the processor. Therefore, the image and the multi-media data which are needed for the modern medical records could be limited to be included into a HL7 message because the size is usually too big in comparison with the main body of a HL7 message and in result, it make the size of the HL7 message expanded. The purpose of this study is to suggest a new HL7 interface algorithm which can solve this problem by the method of the 'Streaming Algorithm'. This new method for HL7 message parsing apply the character-stream object which process character by character between the main memory and hard disk device with the consequence that the processing load on main memory could be alleviated. The main functions of this new engine are generating, parsing, validating, browsing, sending, and receiving of message. And also, this can parse and generate XML-formated HL7 message. This engine had been practically tested in the Discharge Summary Information Exchange System between Kyungpook National University Hospital and Chonnam National University Hospital for the purpose of proofing its usability for a month. Overall, the preliminary results of this test is considered as good, but it is pointed out that some improvement is needed relating to the speed of parsing which was predicted because this engine partly used the memory of hard disk device instead of the main memory.
Computer Systems ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Jeollanam-do ; Medical Records ; Memory ; Rivers*

We have developed a prototype HL7(Health Level 7) message browser for web based healthcare networking. Because most of commercial HL7 interface tools have high price, the purpose of this study is to provide a message tool for those who are willing to exchange clinical data in an e fficient and cost-effective manner. The present development is based on HL7 v. 2.3.1 using HTML and JAVA servlet to be implemented on web environment. The preliminary results include 1) input message, 2) parsing and inter pretation via web browse r with HTML and XML, and 3) transf erring message to another site through the socket communication. Although we have found more efficient performance than we expected with numerous encouraging results, error correcting mechanism needs to be improved continuously throughout the on-going project development.

Vigabatrin (VGB) is one of the most frequently prescribed new anti-epileptic drugs in the world since 1989. It has minimal side effects and fewer drug interactions with other anti-epileptic drugs. Recently, concern of the prevalence and pathophysiology of visual impairment with VGB has been increased since the reports of visual field constriction in patients treated with VGB. We report a 46-year-old man with a visual field defect who has been suffering from complex partial seizures for 29 years. Brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) and electroencephalogram (EEG) were non-specific. The frequency of seizures was about 5 times a month for the past 5 years. VGB, in a dose of 1500 mg/day, was prescribed as an add on drug in addition to carbamazepine. 19 months after VGB treatment, the patient complained of visual dimness especially in the lower half of the visual field. He expressed it as "waving". He had no metabolic derangement. Fundus examination, visual evoked potential, and electroretinogram showed normal findings. A visual field analysis showed a bilateral field defect in the lower half. A follow up visual field analysis, 6 months after the withdrawal of VGB, revealed a slight improvement of visual field defects which were noted without significant clinical improvement. This case implicates that visual field defects due to VGB may be partially reversible.
Brain ; Carbamazepine ; Constriction ; Drug Interactions ; Electroencephalography ; Evoked Potentials, Visual ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Seizures ; Vigabatrin* ; Vision Disorders ; Visual Fields*

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Standard liver volume (SLV) is an important parameter that has been used as a reference value to estimate the graft matching in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). This study aimed to determine a reliable SLV formula for Korean adult patients as compared with the 15 SLV formulae from other studies and further estimate SLV formula by gender and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Computed tomography liver volumetry was performed in 1,000 living donors for LDLT and regression formulae for SLV was calculated. Individual donor data were applied to the 15 previously published SLV formulae, as compared with the SLV formula derived in this study. Analysis for confounding variables of BMI and gender was also performed. RESULTS: Two formulae, "SLV (ml)=908.204xBSA-464.728" with DuBois body surface area (BSA) formula and "SLV (ml)=893.485xBSA-439.169" with Monsteller BSA formula, were derived by using the profiles of the 1,000 living donors included in the study. Comparison with other 15 other formulae, all except for Chouker formula showed the mean volume percentage errors of 4.8-5.4%. The gender showed no significant effect on total liver volume (TLV), but there was a significant increase in TLV as BMI increased. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that most SLV formulae showed a crudely applicable range of SLV estimation for Korean adults. Considering the volume error in estimating SLV, further SLV studies with larger population from multiple centers should be performed to enhance its predictability. Our results suggested that classifying SLV formulae by BMI and gender is unnecessary.
Adult* ; Body Mass Index ; Body Surface Area ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology)* ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver* ; Living Donors ; Reference Values ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

PURPOSE:Prolonged cold ischemia has been shown to be an important factor in the development of post-transplant renal dysfunction. The exact mechanisms have not been completely defined. The expression of ICAM-1 (CD-54) in rat kidneys stored at 0, 4, 12, 24 and 48 hours in University of Wisconsin (UW) solution was studied in an attempt to correlate ischemia time with increased immunogenicity of the graft. METHODS: Kidneys from male Lewis rats were perfused with UW solution, removed and bathed in UW solution at 4 degrees C for 4, 12, 24, and 48 hours respectively. For the evaluation of expression of ICAM-1, immunohistochemical staining, Western blotting and RT-PCR were performed. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining in normal non-ischemic kidneys revealed that glomerular capillaries expressed ICAM-1 but that tubular cells did not. The preserved kidneys were analyzed with immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and semi-quantitative RT-PCR and showed increased transcription and expression of ICAM-1 in the cortex of the kidney. This expression reached a maximum at 24 hours and declined at 48 hours. The ICAM-1 protein expression in the preserved kidney cortex was increased at 4 hours (1.68+/-0.60 fold of control kidneys, (p=0.06)), 12 hours (2.38+/-0.90 fold, (p=0.02)), 24 hours (3.70+/-1.29 fold, (p=0.01)), and 48 hours (2.00+/-0.54 fold, (p=0.01)). The mRNA expression (the ratio of ICAM-1/GAPDH) in preserved kidneys cortex relative to control kidneys was increased at 4 hours (1.19+/-0.14 fold of control kidneys), 12 hours (1.38+/-0.16 fold),24 hours (1.77+/-0.29 fold), and 48 hours (1.19+/-0.12 fold) (p<0.05 for all time points). CONCLUSION: We conclude that cold preservation of rat kidneys in UW solution induces increasing levels of ICAM-1 cell surface expression and gene transcription. This increase in adhesion molecule expression can be a contributing factor in the development of post-transplant renal dysfunction by increasing the immunogenicity of the graft.
Animals ; Baths ; Blotting, Western ; Capillaries ; Cold Ischemia ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1* ; Ischemia ; Kidney Cortex ; Kidney Transplantation ; Kidney* ; Male ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger ; Transplants ; Wisconsin

No abstract available.
Bone Marrow Transplantation* ; Bone Marrow* ; Graft vs Host Disease*

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by hepatocyte injury and inflammatory cell infiltration, which has been linked to peripheral insulin resistance and increased levels of triglycerides in the liver. The purposes of this study were to establish a mouse model of NASH by feeding mice a 60% high-fat diet (HFD) and to demonstrate the anti-fibrotic effects of oleuropein, which has been shown to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, in this HFD-induced mouse model of NASH. C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups: a regular diet group (Chow), a HFD group and an oleuropein-supplemented HFD group (OSD), which was fed a 0.05% OSD for 6 months. The effects of oleuropein in this model were evaluated using biochemical, histological and molecular markers. The expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA)and collagen type I in the HFD and OSD groups were evaluated using real-time PCR and western blotting. The body weight, biochemical marker levels, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score, homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and leptin levels observed in the HFD group at 9 and 12 months were higher than those observed in the Chow group. The HOMA-IR and leptin levels in the OSD group were decreased compared with the HFD group. In addition, alpha-SMA and collagen type I expression were decreased by oleuropein treatment. We established a NASH model induced by HFD and demonstrated that this model exhibits the histopathological features of NASH progressing to fibrosis. Our results suggest that oleuropein may be pharmacologically useful in preventing the progression of steatohepatitis and fibrosis and may be a promising agent for the treatment of NASH in humans.
Actins/genetics/metabolism ; Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents/*therapeutic use ; Collagen Type I/genetics/metabolism ; Diet, High-Fat/*adverse effects ; Fatty Liver/*drug therapy/etiology/metabolism ; Fibrosis/etiology/metabolism/prevention & control ; Iridoids/*therapeutic use ; Leptin/genetics/metabolism ; Liver/metabolism/pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bacterial infection of biliary tract may cause severe inflammatory response or sepsis. An immediate bile culture and appropriate antibiotic administration are important to control the biliary tract infection. The objective of the study was to identify organisms in bile and the features of antibiotic susceptibility in patients with biliary tract infection. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 212 patients whose bile had been cultured for variable biliary tract diseases at Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital from Jan. 2000 to Feb. 2007. Bile samples were obtained from percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD, n=89), percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD, n=14) or endoscopic naso-biliary drainage (ENBD, n=49). RESULTS: The overall positive rate of bile culture was 71.7% (152 cases). The organisms cultured were Escherichia coli (25.0%), Enterococcus spp. (13.4%), Klebsiella spp. (11.1%), Pseudomonas spp. (11.1%), and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (9.7%) in decreasing order. Effective antibiotics for Gram-negative organisms were amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, amikacin, imipenem, and piperacillin/tazobactam in order of effectiveness. Of the cultured blood samples from 160 patients, fifty (31.2%) showed positive bacterial growth. The organisms isolated from blood were similar to those found in the bile. CONCLUSIONS: A broad spectrum penicillin/beta-lactamase inhibitor is a recommendable antimicrobial for empirical treatment for biliary tract infection. However, Gram-positive bacteria such as Enterococcus spp. or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are emerging as causative microorganisms. If these organisms are isolated, antimicrobial drugs should be replaced by narrower-spectrum antimicrobials.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*pharmacology ; Bacteremia/epidemiology/microbiology ; Bacterial Infections/*microbiology ; Bile/*microbiology ; Bile Duct Diseases/*microbiology ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies