PURPOSE: Numerous studies have been performed about the various safety consideration of magnetic resonance(MR). Multiple investigators have failed to reveal any deleterious defects of MR. On the other hand, several studies have demonstrated detectable biologic effects of high-field MR produces any morphologic changes on the cell membrane and intracellular ultrastructures in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood of normal human adults by Ficoll-Hypaque density centrifugation. Exposure to MR was performed with 4.69T and 11.74T MR spectrometer with a radio frequency(RF) pulse of 200MHz and 500MHz. Exposure times varyed from 30 minutes to 3 hours. The cells were fixed immediately, 1, 3, 7 days after MR exposure. Morphologic evaluation was examined by transmission electron microscopy(TEM). RESULTS: Under TEM there was cell transformation including cellular membrane, nucleus and intracellular microorganelles on lymphocytes exposed to MR. The percentage of transformed lymphocytes was not significantly increased after 4.69T MR exposure, whereas the percentage of transformed lymphocytes was significant increased after 11.74T MR exposure(P<0.05) compared with that of control. The percentage of transformed lymphocytes was significantly increased at the long incubation period in control and MR exposure group(P<0.05). No change according to MR exposure time and RF pulse sequence was noted. CONCLUSION: Exposure to high-field MR induces morphologic transformations of lymphocytes in vitro. Additional studies have to be performed before definitive conclusion can be reached about the safety of high-field MR.
Adult ; Cell Membrane ; Centrifugation ; Hand ; Humans* ; Lymphocytes* ; Membranes ; Research Personnel

No abstract available.
Cell Line* ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Eflornithine* ; Humans*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Hemorrhoids*

BACKGROUND: Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are known to diminish corneocyte cohesion at the innermost levels of the stratum corneum and have been used in the treatment of various disorders of keratinization. However, their effect on skin barrier function and their irritant potential is not fully understood. OBJECTIVE: Our study was done to evaluate the skin irritancy of AHAs in normal human skin. METHODS: Patches with 1%, 5% and 10% solutions of lactic acid (LA) and glycolic acid (GA) were applied to the volar forearm of 20 healthy volunteers for 24 hours using large Finn chambers with filter paper. Visual scores, erythema (E-) index and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured at 30 min, 24 h and 48 h after removal of the patches. RESULTS: The results are summarized as follows. 1. Visual scores were 0.1+/-0.3 (1%), 0.5+/-0.6 (5%) and 1.1+/-0.8 (10%) at 24 h after removal of LA, and were 0.2+/-0.4 (1%), 0.6+/-0.6 (5%) and 1.0+/-0.7 (10%) at 24 h after removal of GA. They were increased in proportion to the concentrations and there were significant differences in skin responses between the control and each concentration of the solutions. 2. E-indices were 9.1+/-2.1 (control), 8.8+/-1.8 (1%), 9.0+/-2.6 (5%) and 10.5+/-3.9 (10%) at 24 h after removal of LA, and were 9.4+/-1.8 (control), 9.3+/-2.3 (1%), 10.0+/-3.0 (5%) and 11.1+/-3.5 (10%) at 24 h after removal of GA. They were not increased in the patch areas of 1% and 5% solutions in both the LA and GA group, but were significantly increased in the patch areas of 10% solutions in both the LA and GA group. 3. TEWL values were 7.3+/-2.3 (control), 8.3+/-4.0 (1%), 9.8+/-4.5 (5%) and 16.7+/-9.1 (10%) at 24 h after removal of LA, and were 8.1+/-3.2 (control), 7.8+/-3.8 (1%), 8.6+/-3.0 (5%) and 10.9+/-4.1 (10%) at 24 h after removal of GA. They were not increased in the patch areas of 1% LA, 1% GA and 5% LA, but there were high significant differences between the controls and 10% solutions of both LA and GA. CONCLUSION: Visual scores were increased in all concentrations of AHAs tested, but the increase in E-index and TEWL values were not significant or minimal in 1% and 5% solutions of AHAs. These findings suggest that AHAs could be classified as non-corrosive irritants.
Erythema ; Forearm ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans* ; Hydroxy Acids* ; Irritants ; Lactic Acid ; Skin*

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations between social support, dependence of activities of daily living and depression among Parkinson's disease patients. Subjects were 122 patients with Parkinson's disease. Neurologic wards inpatients or neurology clinic out patients department in a tertiary-affiliated hospital in Seoul. Data were collected from April 1996 to March 1997. The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1. The lower the level of dependence of activities of daily living, the lower the level of depression. 2. The higher the level of perceived family support, the lower the level of depression. 3. The higher the level of perceived health personnel support, the lower the level of depression. 4. The rate of depression evaluated by Zung depression scale was 37.4%(mild to moderate:30.1%, moderate to severe:4.1%, severe:3.2%). 5. Socio-demographic characteristics sex, education, occupation, and the charge person of treatment cost, significantly influenced the level of depression. 6. There was no significant difference in level of depression, dependence of activities of daily living, stage of disease between user and nonuser of L-dopa. Suggestions were made for further studies: 1. To develop nursing intervention for decreasing the dependence of activities daily living is needed. 2. To identify the change pattern of depression by time.
Activities of Daily Living* ; Depression* ; Education ; Health Care Costs ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Levodopa ; Morinda ; Neurology ; Nursing ; Occupations ; Outpatients ; Parkinson Disease* ; Seoul

From September 1983 to August 1984, the clinical observations regarding cutaneous manifestations of 26(j cases of in-patients in the Department of Internal medicine with hepatic problems were observed at the Department of Derrnatology in Chonnam University Eiospital, The results were as follows: In the 266 patients, 201 patients(75.6%) revealed various cutaneous manifestaiions; Among them vascular spider occured in 100 (37. 6%), bleeding tendency in 67(25. 2%), pruritus in 65(24.4%), jaundice in 59 (22.2%), palmar erythema in 59(22. 2%), and melanosis in 56(21. l%). The incidences of skin changes by pattern of liver disease were as follows; In acte hepatits, prurit;us(46.8%) and acute urticarial & maculapapular eruption(36. 4%) were found in order. In chronic hepatitis, vascular spider(42. 6%) and melanosis (27. 9%) in order. In cirrhosis, vascular spider (62. 5%) and bleeding tendency (42. 0%) in order. In hepatic cancer vascular spider (24. 2%) and jaundice (21. 2%) in order. There were no statistically significant differences in sex distribution. In the incidences of skin changes by age groups, jaundice(p<0. 01) and melanosis were more frequently observed in the patients under the age of 29 and vascular spider (p<0.01 ) and melanosis in the patients are the age of 50. The longer the duration of illness were, the higher the incidences of skin changes except jaundice were.
Erythema ; Fibrosis ; Hemorrhage ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Incidence ; Internal Medicine ; Jaundice ; Jeollanam-do ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Neoplasms ; Melanosis ; Pruritus ; Sex Distribution ; Skin Manifestations* ; Skin* ; Spiders

No abstract available.
Choledochostomy*

Fifty four patients who received closed hemorrhoidectomy were randomized into two parallel groups and treated with Venitol(R)(a micronized flavonoidic fraction containing diosmin 450 mg and hesperidin 50 mg) (group 1) or placebo (group 2). Venitol(R) was administered at the dosage of three toblets b.i.d. the first four days and two tablets b.i.d following three days. Postoperative analgesia and laxative prescription as well as hospital stay were same in two groups. Though there is no difference of symptoms at D1, improvement of symptoms of complications was greater in group 1 than in group 2 at D18. The clinical severity of postoperative spot-bleeding, pain and anal discharge diminished in both groups but to a greater extent in group 1 (P<0.005). There was no side-effects in using Venitol(R). In summary, Venitol(R) is effective in reducing complications after hemorrhoidectomy.
Analgesia ; Diosmin ; Hemorrhage ; Hemorrhoidectomy* ; Hesperidin ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Prescriptions ; Prospective Studies* ; Tablets

In order to evaluate the effect of zinc sulfate on acne vulgaris, this study was performed during 3 months' period from October, 1979 to December 31, 1979. Total number of acne patients visited at the Department of Dermatology, Han Gang Sung Shim Hospital were 130, but among them 58 patients had completed this atudy. The patients were classified in 3 groups, A, B, C, as follows. Group A (23 patients) who were treated with zinc sulfate (600mg/day) and 2. 5% benzoyl peroxide Group B (20 patients) who were treated with tetracycline (initial: 750mg/day, after 2weeks: 500rng/day) and 2. 5% benzoyl peroxide. Group C (15 patients) who were treated with only 2. 5% benzoyl peroxide. To evaluate the efficacy of treatment in these 3 groups, the number of open comedone, closed comedone, papule and pustule were counted every other week for 8 weeks. (countiuned..)
Acne Vulgaris ; Benzoyl Peroxide ; Dermatology ; Humans ; Tetracycline ; Zinc Sulfate* ; Zinc*