In an attempt to treat the cold urticaria, a new bradykinin inhibitor, homoclomin was administered orally and effective result were obtained. The urticaria was confirmed by the employing the ice cube test on the patient and the positive reaction was appeared generally 10 sec. to 15 min. after application of ice cube on the forearm. After oral administration for 3 days (40mg/day) clinical symptoms were relieved temporarily and weakly positive or negative reaction observed in repeated ice cube test.
Administration, Oral ; Bradykinin ; Forearm ; Humans ; Ice* ; Urticaria*

An epidemiological study on brugian filariasis was carried out in endemic areas including Cheju Island in Korea, with a brief review of literatures.The results showed that the incidence among residents has remarkably decreased in Cheju Island, which was the main endemic area. Reviewing available informations on the prevalence of filariasis reported in recent years and also judging from the present socio-economic conditions which enable people to practice personal protection against mosquitos, it can be said with confidence that filariasis has almost disappeared from Cheju Island and inland areas. The disease is considered to remain at a low level of endemicity in Hugsan Islands. Certainly mass diethylcarbamazine (DEC) treatment carried out in Cheju Island in the 1960s and 1970s and remarkable economic growth followed by improved living standard and altered life-style of inhabitants could all have combined effects on the disappearance of this mosquito-borne diseae in this island. If the present trends go on, the possibility of resurgence of filariasis in Cheju Island is hardly postulated.
parasitology-helminth-nematoda ; Brugia malayi ; filariasis ; epidemiology

No abstract available.
Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections* ; Teicoplanin*

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of capsaicin, a neurotoxin for C-fiber afferents, applied intravesically in the treatment of neurogenic bladder with detrusor hyperreflexia (DH). METHOD: Six subjects, three women and three men with traumatic spinal cord injury who had neurogenic bladder manifested with DH and urinary incontinence resistant to oral and intravesical anticholinergic instillation treatment were tried with intravesical administration of capsaicin (1 mmol/l 100 ml) for 30 minutes. Single instillation was given in five subjects and two instillations in one. Maximal detrusor pressure and maximal bladder volume were monitored by the portable cystometer. Follow-up monitor of pressure and volume was recorded after 1 week and every 3 weeks afterwards for 21 weeks, with one exception (31 weeks). RESULTS: Average maximal detrusor pressure decreased by 50.8% and average bladder capacity at maximal detrusor pressure increased by 68% in five subjects after single instillation of capsaicin. Clinical benefit from single instillation lasted over 21 weeks and same as the subject with two instillations. Maximal effect on detrusor pressure appears during 6~9 weeks period and bladder capacity during 9~15 weeks period. Although autonomic dysreflexia in 5 of 6 subjects during instillation and macroscopic hematuria in 2 subjects during the 1st two days were noted, they were resolved spontaneously. CONCLUSION: Single and repeated intravesical instillation of capsaicin were safe and effective in the management of neurogenic bladder with DH in traumatic spinal cord injured patients.
Administration, Intravesical ; Autonomic Dysreflexia ; Capsaicin* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Male ; Reflex, Abnormal ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic* ; Urinary Incontinence

No abstract available.
Aorta, Thoracic*

No abstract available.
Humans*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the psychosocial factors and outcomes in young adult stroke patients. METHOD: The study group consisted of 59 stroke patients under the age of 45. Retrospective chart reviews of demographic findings, functional status, primary caregiver, marital and child status, discharge destination, employment and psychological difficulties were recorded by rehabilitation team during hospitalization. Telephone and mail surveys were carried out for the functional status, marital status, employment and social factors of the study group after discharge. RESULTS: The proportion of young adult stroke was 13.7% of all stroke patients. Young adult stroke were 20 cases (34%) of cerebral infarction and 39 cases (66%) of cerebral hemorrhage. Of the 39 married patients, 2 couples were separated. The marital adjustment skill was significantly lower in these couples than ordinary couples under age of 45. Forty-two of 51 patients were able to return to their premorbid residence. Of the 39 patients employed at the time of stroke, only 4 (10.3%) were able to return to work after discharge. Two of the 4 patients returned to school after discharge. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation of young adult stroke patients is associated with variety of social factors including marital adjustment and returning to work.
Caregivers ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Cerebral Infarction ; Child ; Employment ; Family Characteristics ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Postal Service ; Psychology ; Rehabilitation ; Retrospective Studies ; Return to Work ; Stroke* ; Telephone ; Young Adult*

BACKGROUNDS AND OBJECTIVES: C-Reactive protein (CRP) levels are powerful predictors of cardiac complications and death in patients with unstable angina unrelated with myocardial cell damage or myocardial ischemia. This study was performed to determine the optimal timing to measure CRP to predict cardiac events in patients with unstable angina. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study was comprised 50 patients with unstable angina (Braunwald Class IIIb). We randomized the study subjects by the time of CRP elevation (> 8mg/L): Group A (on admission, 15 patients), Group B (during hospitalization, 19 patients), and Group C (at discharge, 19 patients). RESULTS: 1) CRP levels (median and range) of Group A, B, and C were 10.6 (8.2-24.2), 12.8 (8.1-33.7), and 10.3 (8.1-18.7) mg/L, respectively (p=S). 2) During clinical follow-up at a mean duration of 12 months, there were 1 death, 1 myocardial infarction, 6 revascularization therapy (PTCA or CABG) and 11 recurrent angina. 3) In Group A, 10 cardiac events (1 myocardial infarction, 4 revascularization therapy, and 5 recurrent angina) occurred. The elevated levels of CRP predicted cardiac events during clinical follow-up with sensitivity of 53%(10/19), positive predictive value of 67%(10/15), and negative predictive value of 74%(26/35). In Group C, 13 cardiac events were occurred. Sensitivity, positive and negative predictive value to predict cardiac events of elevated levels of CRP were 68%(13/19), 68%(13/19) and 81%(25/31), respectively. 4) Elevated levels of CRP (>8mg/L) were predictors for cardiac events in patients with unstable angina (Group A; p<0.05, Group B; p<0.05, Group C; p<0.001). However, by logistic regression analysis, CRP values > 8mg/L at discharge were only predictive of cardiac events with odd ratio of 6.01 (95% CI 1.50-44.3, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CRP (> 8mg/L) was elevated in 38% of patients at discharge and elevated levels of CRP at discharge were only predictive of cardiac events in patients with unstable angina.
Angina, Unstable* ; C-Reactive Protein* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Ischemia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: "Recovery only" ST-segment depressions are sometimes detected during an exercise treadmill test. We undertook this study in order to clarify the predictive value of exercise-induced ST-segment depression occurring in recovery only. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 931 patients who had both a sign or symptom -limited treadmill test. Of the 66 patients who demonstrated abnormal ST-segment responses, 43 experienced ST-segment depressions during exercise (Group A) and 23 displayed such responses only during recovery (Group B). RESULTS: The positive predictive value of an exercise treadmill test for significant angiographic disease in group A (81.3%) was statistically different from the predictive value in group B (30.4%). Horizontal ST-segment depression in recovery periods and female sex were statistically significant factors favoring negative coronary angiographic results. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of horizontal mild ST-segment depression during only the recovery periodgenerally represents a "false positive" response, particularly in female patients.
Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Disease ; Coronary Vessels* ; Depression* ; Exercise Test* ; Female ; Humans

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to compare the effects of remifentanil, lidocaine, nicardipine and nitroglycerin used in conjunction with thiopental-sevoflurane on hemodynamic changes induced by direct laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. METHODS: Seventy-five ASA class I or II patients scheduled for elective surgery were randomly divided into 5 groups. After induction of anesthesia with thiopental, sevoflurane and rocuronium, they were administered an intravenous bolus of either saline (Group S), remifentanil 1microgram/kg (Group R), lidocaine 1.5 mg/kg (Group L), nicardipine 20microgram/kg (Group N) or nitroglycerin 2microgram/kg (Group G). Tracheal intubation was then conducted 90 seconds after the drug was administered. The systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured prior to the administration of anesthesia, before intubation, at 1 min after intubation and at 3 min after intubation for each patient. RESULTS: The systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate at 1 min after intubation were significantly lower in Group R than in Group S. In addition, the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure prior to intubation were significantly lower in Group N than in Group S. CONCLUSIONS: Remifentanil 1microgram/kg was most effective at controlling hemodynamic changes induced by direct laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation when compared with lidocaine, nicardipine and nitroglycerin.
Androstanols ; Anesthesia ; Blood Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Intubation ; Laryngoscopy ; Lidocaine ; Methyl Ethers ; Nicardipine ; Nitroglycerin ; Piperidines ; Thiopental