BACKGROUND: This study aimed to empirically investigate the determinants on oxygen free radical degree which causes biological damage focusing on smoking habit and health behaviors in daily life. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the subjects were adult males who submitted free radical tests among the examinees of the comprehensive medical testings at an university hospital in Suwon from 2008 to 2010. Total 497 samples were used in analyses for clarifying the relations of free radical degree to age, smoking, obesity, and other health behaviors. RESULTS: First, the degree of oxygen free radical increases by 0.164 as the age group increases (P<0.05). Second, the degree of oxygen free radical increases by 0.547 as the smoking habit increases (P<0.001). Third, the degree of oxygen free radical increases by 0.087 as the exposure to hazardous factors in workplace increases (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study imply that the smoking habit has more great influence on the increase of oxygen free radical in body than any other health behaviors. The causality of free radical to smoking and health behavior was not identified due to the limit of the cross-sectional study so it needs to be studied prospectively in the future.
Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Free Radicals ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Oxygen ; Smoke ; Smoking

No abstract available.
Heart Diseases* ; Heart*

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: EMLA cream is a eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine and has excellent anesthetic effect on tympanic membrane but histologic influence on tympanic membrane is uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To investigate its histologic effects on tympanic membrane. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 18 Sprague-Dawly rats were divided into 6 groups. Each group was treated with application of EMLA cream into external ear canal and then were sacrificed at 4 hours, 24 hours, 3 days, 7 days, and 14 days after application of the agents. RESULTS: 1) Transmission electron microscopy revealed partial loss of epithelial cell at 4 hours after application of the agents. 2) The specimen showed damaged cells in the epidermal layer and partial loss of basement membrane at 24 hours after application of the agents. 3) At 1 week after application of the agents epidermal layer and inner epithelium with connective tissue predominated. Thus the fibrous layer represent only 1/3 of total drum thickness. In the basal layers widened intercellular spaces were noted. 4) At 2 weeks after application of the agents newly formed connective tissue was found at fibrous layer and numerous fibroblasts were noted at inner epithelial layer. but overall histologic changes of the drum were not significant and healing processes was noted. CONCLUSION: EMLA cream has less histopathologic effects on tympanic membrane, and early recovery process occurred.
Anesthetics ; Animals ; Basement Membrane ; Connective Tissue ; Ear Canal ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Extracellular Space ; Fibroblasts ; Lidocaine ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Prilocaine ; Rats* ; Tympanic Membrane*

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors which can delay home discharges or transfers to other hospitals of rehabilitation inpatients in a tertiary hospital and the change of discharge destination during past 6 years. METHOD: This was a retrospective study of patients with a diagnosis of stroke, traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury who were admitted to our hospital in 1996, 1999, 2001 and 2003. Demographic data, length of stay, discharge destination and functional status by the FIM(TM) instrument were studied by a medical record review. RESULT: Patients who were transferred to other hospitals or discharged with delay showed significantly lower admission and discharge FIM scores, lower FIM efficiencies, longer length of stays and longer intervals between the onset and admission to a rehabilitation ward. CONCLUSION: Lower functional outcome was associated with a longer length of stay and discharge to another hospital. It would be necessary to establish the long term rehabilitation care facilities with extended rehabilitation program for the patients with lower functional gains in a rehabilitation unit of the tertiary hospitals.
Brain Injuries ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Inpatients* ; Length of Stay ; Medical Records ; Rehabilitation* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Stroke ; Tertiary Care Centers*

No abstract available.
Dermatomyositis*

No abstract available.
Pregnancy*

No abstract available.

Blunt tracheobronchial injuries are rare, and usually lethal without aggressive and appropriate management. Recently, the incidence of tracheobronchial injuries has been increased with the increase of traffic accident and mechanization. We report a case of complete tracheal transection combined with a longitudinal rupture of the membranous portion of the trachea extending to the right main bronchus following blunt chest trauma, and review the anesthetic management.
Accidents, Traffic ; Bronchi ; Incidence ; Rupture ; Thorax ; Trachea

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine how well patients who had hip arthroplasty comply with medical regimens given to them after the operation. METHOD: The subjects of the study were patients who had arthroplasty at P Hospital between April 1. 2001 and August 30, 2002. 20 patients of the subjects experienced complications after the operation and the other 20 did not. Data from a survey using the qustionnaire were statistically analyzed in terms of real number, percentage point, mean and standard deviation by using chi2test. t-test and ANOVA. RESULT: 1) the surveyed patients were significantly different in the compliance of medical regimen among them according to their education background as one of the subjects general characteristics. 2) It was found that the group of complication was higher in the compliance of medical regimen than that of non-complication. The two groups showed statistically significant difference with each other in the degree of compliance with therapeutic instructions than the experimental group in terms of the maintenance of abduction after the operation, training instructions on step-by-step basis, urination cotrol on bed, accurate use of crutch, compliance with medication, balance among medical treatment, training, leisure, rest and nutrition. instructions by physicians, nurses and physical therapists, use of low armchairs and toilet bowels and no bending of the body forward, and use of a non-operated leg in case of go upstairs or downstairs. CONCLUSION: It seems necessary to develop systematic and sessional education programs for improving the compliance of medical regimen. ultimately reducing complications following hip arthroplasty.
Arthroplasty* ; Compliance ; Education ; Hip* ; Humans ; Leg ; Leisure Activities ; Patient Compliance* ; Physical Therapists ; Urination