OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to determine whether or not pine needles can be used as passive samplers of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using the correlation between accumulated PAH concentrations in air (Ca, ng/m3) and those deposited on pine needles (Cp, ng/g dry). METHODS: PAHs in ambient air was collected using low volume PUF sampler and pine needles was gathered at same place for 7 months. RESULTS: good correlation (R2=0.8582, p<0.05) was found between Ca and Cp for PAHs with a higher gaseous state in air (AcPy, Acp, Flu, Phen, Ant, Flt, Pyr, BaA and Chry), but there was a poorer correlation (R2=0.1491, p=0.5123) for the PAHs with a lower gaseous state (BbF, BkF, BaP, DahA, BghiP and Ind123). A positive correlation (R2=0.8542) was revealed between the logarithm of the octanol-air partitioning coefficient (logKoa) and Cp/Ca for the PAHs with a higher gaseous state in air, but there was a negative correlation (R2=0.8131) for the PAHs with a lower gaseous state. The Ca-Cp model could not be used to estimate PAHs concentrations in air using deposited PAHs concentrations on pine needles, but the logKoa-Cp/Ca model could be used. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that pine needles can be used as passive samplers of atmospheric PAHs.
Ants ; Hypogonadism ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Needles ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic

No abstract available.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine the depositional characteristics of several tree barks, including Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), Pine (Pinus densiflora), Platanus (Platanus), and Metasequoia (Metasequoia glyptostroboides). These were used as passive air sampler (PAS) of atmospheric polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). METHODS: Tree barks were sampled from the same site. PBDEs were analyzed by highresolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometer, and the lipid content was measured using the gravimetric method by n-hexane extraction. RESULTS: Gingko contained the highest lipid content (7.82 mg/g dry), whereas pine (4.85 mg/g dry), Platanus (3.61 mg/g dry), and Metasequoia (0.97 mg/g dry) had relatively lower content. The highest total PBDEs concentration was observed in Metasequoia (83,159.0 pg/g dry), followed by Ginkgo (53,538.4 pg/g dry), Pine (20,266.4 pg/g dry), and Platanus (12,572.0 pg/g dry). There were poor correlations between lipid content and total PBDE concentrations in tree barks (R2=0.1011, p =0.682). Among the PBDE congeners, BDE 206, 207 and 209 were highly brominated PBDEs that are sorbed to particulates in ambient air, which accounted for 90.5% (84.3-95.6%) of the concentration and were therefore identified as the main PBDE congener. The concentrations of particulate PBDEs deposited on tree barks were dependent on morphological characteristics such as surface area or roughness of barks. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, when using the tree barks as the PAS of the atmospheric PBDEs, samples belonging to same tree species should be collected to reduce errors and to obtain reliable data.
Ginkgo biloba ; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers* ; Plant Bark* ; Trees

The effect of exercise on plasma insulin, free fatty acid, and glucose uptake and glycogen concentration in soleus, and intravenous glucose tolerance of streptozotocin treated, diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Diabetic-trained animals were subjected to a regular program of treadmill running for 4 weeks. Seventy-two hours after the last training session, basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was studied in incubated strips (about 20 mg) of soleus muscle in vitro. Glucose tolerance was measured with intravenous infusion of 0.5 g glucose/kg body weight. In diabetic rats, training was associated with increase glucose uptake in basal and maximal insulin concentrations, decreased fasting glucose concentrations, and increased muscle glycogen levels, but there were no changes in glucose tolerance curve and plasma insulin concentrations. These results suggest that regular running program for 4 weeks improve responsiveness of insulin on soleus muscle, but fails to cause improvement of impaired intravenous glucose tolerance in mild degree streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Exercise* ; Fasting ; Glucose Tolerance Test* ; Glucose* ; Glycogen ; In Vitro Techniques ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Insulin ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Plasma ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Running ; Streptozocin*

Magnetic Resonance image(MRI) is used as the diagnostic modality for evaluation of suspected intramedullary tumors and differential diagnosis of these tumors at the spinal cord. We experienced intramedullary astrocytoma of cerviced cord with large syrinx and multiple peritumoral cysts consisted of subacute and chronic hemorrhage at the margin and within the syrinx and cysts on MRI.
Astrocytoma* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hemorrhage* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Spinal Cord*

Twenty-six soft intraocular lenses were implanted in twenty-six senile cataract patients from July 16, 1987 to April 15. 1988 at Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital. The average age of the patients was seventy-six with a range from fifty-five to eighty-nine years old. Of the twenty-six patients who have been followed up 3 month 87.5 % have achieved visual acuity of 20/40 or better. The average central corneal endothelial cell loss at postoperative 7 days and 3 months were 9.8% and 12.3% respectively. Complications were observed in six patients. Two patients were pre-existing retinal and optic nerve diseases, one has a fibrinous membrane. Three patients have transient pigmentary precipitates on IOL surface.
Cataract ; Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss ; Fibrin ; Humans ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Membranes ; Optic Nerve Diseases ; Retinaldehyde ; Visual Acuity

We studied the postoperative visual outcome of 27 congenital cataract patients(45 eyes) whose preoperative vision was 0.1 or better. Twenty-seven eyes(60%) had nuclear cataract and 11 eyes(24.4%) capsular; 39 eyes(86.7%) bilateral and 6 eyes(13.3%) unilateral. Interms of surgical techniques employed, aspiration was performed in 32 eyes(71.1%), phacoemulsification in 13 eyes(28.9%). Intraocular lenses(IOLs) were implanted in 41 eyes(91.1%), of which the power of IOLs was 15 diopers or less in 19 eyes(46.3%). Prooperative best corrected vision ranged from 0.1 to 0.5. Postoperative corrected vision was 0.8 or better in 29 eyes(64.4%), 0.6 to 0.7 in 6 eyes(13.3%) and 0.5 or worse in 10 eyes(22.2%). Among the eyes with 0.8 or better vision, one eye had unilateral cataract and 28 eyes bilateral. Among 16 eyes(35.8%) with 0.7 or worse vision. 5 eyes had unilateral cataract and 11 eyes bilateral. Bilateral cases showed better visual outcome than unilateral. We had been reserving the operation on congenital cataract patients with possible unclear visual outcome due to postoperative complications and am blyopia. However, cataract extraction and IOL implantation improved not only vision but also subjective symptoms, such as glare and knitting brow, in congenital cataract patients with 0.1 or better corrected vision and without any associated ocular or systemic diseases. The results of this study suggest that cataract extraction and IOL implantation may well improve vision and subjective symptoms in selected congenital cataract patients.
Cataract Extraction ; Cataract* ; Glare ; Humans ; Phacoemulsification ; Postoperative Complications

BACKGROUND: Conventional thoracoscopic thoracic sympathectomy or sympathicotomy is an effective method in treating localized hyperhidrosis; however, this may result in a postoperatively embarrassing compensatory hyperhidrosis or facial anhidrosis in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis. We modified the conventional sympathicotomy by limiting the extent of nerve transection. The purpose of this study was to assess the result of the limited thoracoscopic sympathetic nerve transection in hyperhidrosis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From May to August 1998, 17 patients underwent limited transection of the sympathetic nerve. For 9 patients with facial hyperhidrosis, we transected only the interganglionic fiber between the first and the second ganglion, whereas the conventional method cuts two interganglionic fibers. Eight patients with palmar hyperhidrosis underwent limited transection of the interganglionic fiber between the second and third ganglion. RESULT: Sixteen patients had improved symptom postoperatively. There was a recurred facial sweating in 1 patient 1 month after the operation. Among the 9 facial hyperhidrosis patients, postoperative compensatory hyperhidrosis was severe in 4, moderate in 4 and minimal in 1. But in 8 cases of palmar hyperhidrosis compensatory hyperhidrosis was moderate in 3, and minimal in 1, none in 4. Facial sweating was not disturbed postoperatively in all of the palmar hyperhidrosis patients. CONCLUSION: Limited sympathetic nerve transection is a practical and less invasive method for the treatment of localized hyperhidrosis and may reduce the incidence of compensatory truncal hyperhidrosis and facial anhidrosis in case of palmar hyperhidrosis.
Ganglion Cysts ; Humans ; Hyperhidrosis* ; Hypohidrosis ; Incidence ; Sweat ; Sweating ; Sympathectomy

BACKGROUND: Nowdays, modernization and industrialization cause many social problems and the abdominal stab wound is one of them. Recently, the number of accidents has increased along with the population of Puchen city where Holy Family Hospital is located. For the treatment of abdominal stab wounds, it is important to make a proper diagnosis. METHODS: We perform a retrospective clinical study of 52 patients who were operated on for abdominal stab wounds at Holy Family Hospital during the 10 years from January 1989 to December 1998. RESULTS: The age distribution revealed a high incidence in the twenties (44%), and the sex distribution, with a male-to-female ratio of 3:1, showed a male predominance. The seasonal distribution showed the highest incidence in the summer (35%) but there was no prominent difference in the seasonal incidence. It was made by others (44%), self (31%) and accident (25%) but 5 cases (10%) were made by the family circle. The most common clinical manifestations and the most commonly used instrument were abdominal pain (69%) and a knife (69%). In the most anemic patients, major vessel injury and thoracic injuries were combined. Among the 29 gastrointestinal injuries, 6 cases (21%) showed free air on radiologic study, and in the 13 cases with abdominal paracentesis, the sensitivity was 83% and the predictability was 91%. Among the abdominal injuries, except those to the omentum, the most commonly injured organ and combined organ were the small bowel (48%) and the thorax (55%). The average time interval from emergency-room treatment to surgery was 60 minutes. In 23 cases (45%), there was no blood transfusion during treatment. Blood transfusions above 11 units were required in 4 cases (2%). The complication rate was 15% and, no injured organs were overlocked. CONCLUSIONS: This review revealed that abdominal stab wounds were mainly caused by unknown male in their twenties, in the summer, and with a knife, but 10% were caused by number of the family circle. The diagnosis to operate was made with various methods, but we recommend a diagnostic laparoscopy with paracentesis in order to decrease negative laparotomies.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Injuries ; Abdominal Pain ; Age Distribution ; Blood Transfusion ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Male ; Omentum ; Paracentesis ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons ; Sex Distribution ; Social Change ; Social Problems ; Thoracic Injuries ; Thorax ; Wounds, Stab*

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy is common in chronic renal failure patients and may contribute increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the left ventricular morphology and function in renal transplant recipients to find the relationship between hemodynamic changes and morphologic and functional improvement after transplantation. METHODS: Serial echocardiographic evaluations were performed in 27 adults(20 men and 7 women) at the time of transplantaion and posttransplantation 1 month and 4 months. The average duration of hemodialysis was 16+/-24 months(mean+/-S.D.). RESULTS: At the time of transplantation, the hematocrit level was 21+/-6% and posttransplantation 1 month and 4 months, that was increased to 39+/-5% and 42+/-7%, respectively(p<0.001). Left ventricular mass index by echocardiography was decreased significantly from 246+/-87g/m2(pre-KT) to 169+/-38g/m2(post-KT 1 month) and 153+/-40g/m2(post-KT 4 months), respectively (p<0.001). Interventricular septal thickness and left ventricular posterior wall thickness were decreased significantly after 4 months of transplantation. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic dimensions were also decreased significantly after 1 month and 4 months of transplantation. Left ventricular volumes and cardiac output were also decreased significantly. But A/E ratio, ejection fraction and fractional shortening did not change significantly. CONCLUSION: These findings showed that pretransplant high output state was resolved radipidly(within 1 month) but the diastolic function did not improved after transplantation 1 month and 4 months.
Cardiac Output ; Echocardiography* ; Hematocrit ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; Mortality ; Renal Dialysis ; Transplantation*