OBJECTIVE: To investigate the degradation kinetic characteristics of methylnaltrexone bromide aqueous solution and to study the factors that influence methylnaltrexone bromide degradation, thus to provide necessary data for the pharmaceutical research. METHODS: Classical isothermal method was employed to evaluate the degradation kinetic profile of methylnaltrexone bromide under different temperatures, pH values, illumination and concentrations of Fe3+. The activation energy and shelf life were predicted with Arrhenius equation. RESULTS: The degradation of methylnaltrexone bromide aqueous solution complied with first order kinetics. The aqueous solution was stable in an environment of pH 3.51, the higher the temperature was, the larger the degradation kinetic rate constant was. The shelf-life of the aqueous solution was 145 d at room temperature; and the illumination, as well as the existence of Fe3+ could both facilitate the degradation of methylnaltrexone bromide. CONCLUSION: The degradation of methylnaltrexone bromide follows apparent first-order kinetics, and the degradation kinetic rate is affected by Fe3+ and illumination. Moreover, its degradation remarkably and positively correlates with temperature. pH also has an effect on the degradation rate. The kinetic profile provides basis for the investigation of the degradation mechanism and necessary experimental data for the future pharmaceutical research.

Joubert syndrome is the very rare autosomal recessive disorder which is including agenesis of cerebellar vermis, respiratory discomfort, ocular motor apraxia, hereditary retinal dystrophy, ataxia and developmental retardation. To diagnose, the findings of electroretinography and visual evoked potential study can be useful and hypoplasia of cerebellar vermis in brain MRI can make certain diagnosis. We found ocular motor apraxia without head thrusts in 4-month little baby can't even control his head and neck, and then his electroretinography and visual evoked potential study was normal and there was agenesis of cerebellar vermis by MRI finding. So he was diagnosed as Joubert syndrome with ocular motor apraxia. Agenesis of cerebellar vermis is considered to be one of the causes of oculomotor apraxia, and the clinical presentation varies with the age and motor development of the child. So, we describe this case with a brief review of the literatures related to this disease.
Apraxias* ; Ataxia ; Brain ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Electroretinography ; Evoked Potentials, Visual ; Head* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neck ; Retinal Dystrophies

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the influencing factors on the single and recurrent falls in community-dwelling older women. METHODS: Seventy eight volunteers aged over 65 were included in the study. The participants experienced at least one fall within the past one year. Data were measured on each participant from May 2007 to September 2007, collected using structured researcher-administered sheets and measuring their physical strengths and analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of recurrent falls were 53.8%. The level of education(Z = -2.455, p = .014) and the presence of spouse(chi-square = 4.843, p = .044) showed significant differences between the single-fall group and the recurrent-fall group in the study. Significantly predicting factor on the recurrent falls was the level of education and the variable explained 20.1% of variants in the occurrence of recurrent falls. CONCLUSION: Although a variety of factors affected the single fall in the elderly women, the level of education and the presence of spouse proved to be the significant factors in their recurrent falls. These factors proven to be significant as the result of this should be reflected in the development of effective programs for preventing the elderly from recurrent falls.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Prevalence ; Spouses

We assessed the best method for preschool vision screening using four visual acuity charts. The subjects were 162 childrens(324 eyes), who were divided into all aged group(162 childrens), 3-year-old group(58 childrens), 4-year-old group(58 childrens) and 5-year-old group(46 childrens), We compared Hahn's test, HOTV test, Allen figures and E test by measuring the time required for test, the percentage of children testable with each chart, visual acuity score and consistency of score. There was no significant differences among the time of each group(p>0.05). Visual acuity score with Hahn's test was lower than that of the rest 3 tests in all aged group and 3-year-old group(p<0.05). The percentage of children testable with Hahn's test was lower than that with the other tests(p<0.05). For assessing the consistency, analysis of variance was used. E test was more variable than the other test and Allen figures showed most consistency than the other tests(p<0.05). In young chidren, there were some difficulties in measuring visual acuity with Hahn's test, and the E test caused variable results because of difficulty in distinguishing the left-right orientation, but relatively Allen figures showed consistency, high visual acuity and testability in all groups.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Vision Screening* ; Visual Acuity*

Objective To compare the saccharometabolism with the pancreatic islets functions and insulin resistance index in children with severe stress. Methods Thirty children with severe stress and 30 healthy children in control group were tested. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS) and fasting C - peptide (FCP) were detected by radioimmunoassay respectively and insulin sensitivity index (ISI), insulin resistance index (IR) and fasting blood cell function index (FBCI) were calculated statistically. Results There were significant differences between the children with severe stress and the normal controls in the levels of FINS, FCP and FBG,(all P0.05). Conclusion There is insulin resistance with the significant decrease in the insulin sensitivity index and significant increase in insulin resistance index in the children with severe stress, which may cause the disorder in glucose metabolism in children with severe stress.

A strain of pseudomonas sp. L-11 could produce biosurfactants by use of glucose as substrate. The fermentation conditions in shaking flask and 1L fennentor were investigated. The optimal medium and (he fermentation technology were demonstrated. In 1L fermentor, the interracial tension between the diluent of L-11 (10%) and crude oil is 5.3?10~3mN/m, which is fit for microbial enhanced oil recovery. The scale-up technology of L-11 was also studied.

PURPOSE: IL-6 is one of the cytokines which is important mediators of host response to stress and infection. But, little is known about the activities of IL-6 in neonates with complicated course. So, We measured Il-6 levels in cord blood serum and which were compared neonates with perinatal complication with healthy neonats. METHOD: In a prospective study, level of IL-6 were measured in cord blood serum from 29 neonates (38.8+/-2.66wks, 3075.52+/-669.37gm) by specific immunoassay (Quantikine Human IL-6 immunoassay, RandD systems Inc., D6050), who delivered in Wonkwang University Hospital from May 1995 to July 1995. Statistical significance was analyzed with Mann-Whitney U test. RESULT: 1) IL-6 serum level in cord blood did not differ in neonates born by varying type of delivery. 2) IL-6 serum levels in cord blood were not related to perinatal complications. 3) IL-6 serum levels in cord blood were significantly higher in the neonates with infectious complication(128.0+/-29.74pg/ml) than non-infecatious complication(54.63+/-11.63pg/ml, p<0.05) and in healthy neonates (49.46+/-20.89pg/ml, p<0.02) CONCLUSION: Levels of IL-6 in cord blood serum were elevated in neonates with infectious complication. So, prospective measurement of IL-6 in cord blood may be useful in infection of perinatal period.
Cytokines ; Fetal Blood* ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Infant, Newborn* ; Interleukin-6* ; Prospective Studies

Malignant glaucoma is a disease process in which entire anterior chamber becomes uniformly shallow and elevates intraocular pressure. Classically, this has been described as limited to cases occurring following glaucoma surgery. Subsequently, association with trauma, inflammation, and the use of miotic agents, as well as spontaneous occurrence have also been noted. We have experienced one case of bilateral malignant glaucoma associated with ciliochoroidal detachment which was detected by ultrasoundbiomi-croscopy in a 55-year-old male. The episode followed the use of a strong miotic(pilocarpine hydrochloride 4%) and laser iridotomy for acute angle closure glaucoma. We report this case with review of available literature.
Anterior Chamber ; Glaucoma* ; Glaucoma, Angle-Closure ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intraocular Pressure ; Male ; Middle Aged

Evidences has been accumulated the difference of cardiovascular phenotypes in autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). To determine the genetic association between fibrinogen beta chain (FGB) gene and ASD in Korean population, we genotyped single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs4220, Arg478Lys, exon 8) in the FGB gene by using direct sequencing. Among nonsynonymous SNPs in the coding region of FGB, only one SNP's heterozygosity (rs4220) is more than 0.05. Therefore, we analyzed the association between rs4220 and ASD. Three hundred six control and 196 ASD subjects were evaluated. For the analysis of genetic data, SNPStats, SNPAnalyzer, and Helixtree programs were used. Multiple logistic regression analysis (codominant, dominant, and recessive models) was also used. The result showed that a SNP (rs4220) in the FGB gene was not significantly difference between ASD and controls in three alternative models. This result suggests that the FGB gene may have no relation to the development of ASD.
Clinical Coding ; Exons ; Fibrinogen ; Logistic Models ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

The development of colorectai cancer following pelvic irradiation has been a much less common event. A 58-years-old woman presented with tenesmus for 5 months. She had a stage IIb, carcinoma of the cervix for which she underwent radiation therapy in 27 years before. Colonscopic findings revealed polypoid mass and irregular ulceration on the rectum and proctitis associated with stricture that was compatible with her previous history of radiation. Histoyathological examination of the polypectomy specimen disclosed adenocarcinoma. So we reported a case of radiation induced carcinoma of reotum which might be the first case in Korean literature. It therefore, behooves the clinician who follows patients whose carcinoma of the cervix or corpus uteri has been cured by radiation therapy to be vigilant for the subsequent development of colon and rectal cancer.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Cervix Uteri ; Colon ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Female ; Humans ; Proctitis ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Rectum ; Ulcer ; Uterus