OBJECTIVE: Immune hemolytic jaundice is caused by the destruction of antibody-sensitized erythrocytes and is associated with antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxic effects mediated by Fc receptor-bearing cells of the reticuloendothelial system. Intravenous immune globulin(IVIG) may have exerted its effect through Fc receptor blockade. We studied the effect of high-dose intravenous immune globulin(HDIVIG) in neonatal hemolytic jaundice unresponsive to phototherapy. METHODS: We selected only those with Coombs test(+) immune hemolytic jaundice who had admittcd at the NICU of the Dcpartment of Pediatzics of Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University between January 1995 and December 1998. They were unresponsive to phototherapy. Ten newborn infants(9 ABO incomplatibilities, l minor group incompatabillity due to anti-E) received HDIVIG therapy combined with phototherapy. IVIG was given as a dose of lg/kg for 6 hours, and serial hemoglobin, reticulocyte count, and bilirubin levels were evaluated. If the serum bilirubin level went up and reached the level above 22mg/dl, we conducted exchange transfusion for the patient. RESULTS: HDIVIG induced a significant decrease of serum billirubin levels in 8(80%, group I, HDIVIG responsive poup) of 10 cases and only 2 cases(group II, HDIVIG unreponsive group) required exchange tnnsfusions. No side effect was observed after HDIVIG therapy. CONCLUSION: We suggest HDIVIG may be effective in the treatment of phototherapy-resistant hyperbilirubinemia due to blood group incompatibility. More studies are needed to confirm the optimal dosage and therapeutic indication of HDIVIG in the therapy of neonatal immune hemolytic jaundice.
Bilirubin ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; Erythrocytes ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice* ; Mononuclear Phagocyte System ; Phototherapy* ; Receptors, Fc ; Reticulocyte Count

Acne vulgaris is a chronic dermatologic problem with multiple factors involved in its pathogenesis. Alternative solutions to acne treatment were instigated by antibiotic resistance despite of its extensive use. Purified bee venom (PBV) has been proposed as a promising candidate for that purpose. The present study was designed to confirm the antibacterial effect of PBV and access the efficacy of cosmetics containing PBV in subjects with acne vulgaris.

No abstract available.
Neck*

A Clinical observation was made of 20 cases of testicular tumor admitted to the Department of Urology, Kei-myung University Medical College and Hospital during the period from May 1971 through July 1982. Among the 20 cases, 4 cases were transferred to this department for further treatment and tumor recurrence following orchiectomy. The results of clinical observation are summarized as below: 1. Age distribution was between 9 months and 57 years old, showing the highest incidence below 10 years old (65%). 2. There were 7 cases of teratoma, 5 cases of seminoma, 5 cases of embryonal carcinoma, 1 case of teratocarcinoma and 2 cases of metastatic neoplasm. 3. Stages of primary germ cell tumors; stage A 6 cases, stage B 2 cases and stage C 3 cases. 4. These patients were managed by surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy according to the histologic findings and clinical stages.
Age Distribution ; Carcinoma, Embryonal ; Child ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; Orchiectomy ; Recurrence ; Seminoma ; Teratocarcinoma ; Teratoma ; Urology

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of a dose conversion table from oral morphine to transdermal fentanyl patch (TDFP) and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TDFP in the treatment of cancer pain. METHODS: Sixty cancer patients whose pain had been stabilized with oral morphine for at least 48 hours (morphine phase) were switched to TDFP using standard conversion chart for fentanyl dosage. TDFP were replaced every 72 hours for 9 days (fentanyl phase). Assessment of pain, nausea, vomiting, pruritus and somnolence were recorded as visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Patients' pain assessment and side effects were not significantly different during both phases. But ten patients reported some skin reactions to the patch, such as erythema, itching, and papules. CONCLUSIONS: TDFP were well tolerated and provided pain relief in cancer patients equivalent to that achieved with oral morphine.
Erythema ; Fentanyl* ; Humans ; Morphine ; Nausea ; Pain Measurement ; Pruritus ; Skin ; Vomiting

It has been known that CT scan shows only a few abnormalities within the first hours of acute ischemic stroke. We investigated the frequency and the predictive value of early CT scan signs of ischemia for late infarct locations In acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory stroke. Precontrast CT (PCT) scans were performed in the 35 consecutive patients with cerebral anterior circulation infarction within 6 hours after the onset of stroke. We confirmed MCA territory infarction on follow-up PCT or MRI within 3 to 7 days. The locations of infarction were classified deep, superficial, and total (deep and superficial) infarction on follow-up PCT or MRI. The initial PCT was abnormal in 74.3% (26/3s). The locations of infarction were deep in 10, superficial in 8, and total in 14. Abnormal findings of the initial PCT were attenuation of lentiform nucleus (ALN) in 18 patients, loss of insular ribbon (LIR) in 11, hemispheric sulcus effacement (HSE) in 10, hyperdense MCA sign (HMCAS) in 2, and small subcortical low attenuation in 2. Of 24 patients with late infarction in basal ganglia 18 (75%) had ALN on initial PCT. Of 17 patients with late infarction in insular cortex 11 (65%) had LIR. Of IS patients with late infarction in cerebral cortex 10 (67%) had HSE. Early PCT signs were correlated with late locations of MCA territory infarction : ALN - deep infarct, HSE - superficial infarct, LIR - superficial infarct, HMCAS - total infarction. Our findings suggest that PCT frequently discloses abnormalities during the first hours of ischemic stroke. Early signs of ischemia on the initial PCT scan may predict the late infarct locations on follow-up study.
Basal Ganglia ; Cerebral Cortex ; Corpus Striatum ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infarction ; Ischemia ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Cerebral Artery* ; Stroke* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

We prepared two monoclonal antibodies-A-I30 and A-I4 to HDL apo A-I-with the ultimate goals of expressing and overproducing the valuable immunodiagnostic single chain Fv by phage display libraries in E, coli. Monoclonal antibodies were produced by immunizing mice with apolipoprotein A-I, and purified from ascitic fluid by affinity chromatography on a Protein A Sepharose CL-4B column. The specificity of A-I30 and A-I4 was confirmed by ELISA and Western blotting. The dissociation constants(Kd) of antigen-antibody complex obtained by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) method were 2.25 x 10(-8) M for A-I30 and 2.15 x 10(-8) M for A-I4. The experimental values of Kd are shown to be close to those obtained by immunoprecipitation of the radiolabeled antigen. From the above results, it was shown that A-I30 and A-I4 could be provided as excellent reagents for the determination of plasma HDL concentrations in clinical specimens using ELISA.
Animal ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/*immunology/isolation & purification ; Antibody Affinity ; Apolipoprotein A-I/*immunology ; Blotting, Western ; Hybridomas ; Lipoproteins, HDL/immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

No abstract available.
Female ; Lactation*

BACKGROUND: Epidural adhesion can cause pain from compression and irritation of nerves. But a simple injection into the lumbar epidural space usually goes into the area of least resistance and cannot deliver the medication to the target area. Thus, the adhesiolysis of the affected area is sometimes mandatory. We performed an adhesiolysis, irrigating with normal saline, and targeted an injection of a local anesthetic and steroid mixture to the epidural space, using a flexible catheter-secured epiduroscopic unit in 15 patients with low back pain, and assessed the pain score changes. METHODS: With the patient in the prone position, the epidural space was entered with a 17-gauge Tuohy needle. A guide-wire was inserted through the needle and advanced under fluoroscopic guidance to the level of the suspected pathology. A catheter was then advanced over the guide-wire. After the removal of the guide-wire, an adapter was then attached to the proximal end of the catheter, and its side arm was connected to a syringe containing normal saline flush. The 0.9 mm diameter fiberoptic scope was introduced into the catheter via the adaptor, and a video camera was then attached. Gentle irrigation of normal saline less than 50 ml distended the epidural space. The catheter and fiberoptic scope were advanced to the adhesion area and adhesiolysis was done by moving the tip of the steering catheter. Assuming that original NRS (Numeric Rating Scale) before the procedure was 10, we asked the NRS at 1, 4, 8, 12, 16 weeks after the epiduroscope. RESULTS: NRS at 1, 4, 8, 12, 16 weeks after the epiduroscope showed significant decrease of both low back pain and radiating pain, compared with the original pain (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The flexible catheter-secured epiduroscopic unit proved to be painless, safe, and more simple, than an operation, it is, thus, a practical method for pain relief using adhesiolysis and irrigation of epidural space under the direct visualization of the epidural space in patients with low back and lower extremity pain.
Arm ; Catheters ; Epidural Space ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Lower Extremity* ; Needles ; Pathology ; Prone Position ; Syringes

BACKGROUND: Catheterization of central vein may cause fetal complications such as cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac temponade, atrial perforation etc. For prevention of these complications, tip of central venous catheter should located in superior vena cava. The purpose of this study was to investigate the optimal positioning of central venous catheters. METHOD: From March 1996 to Jun 1996, a total of 50 patients who requiring central venous catheters were involved. First, we evaluate the accuracy of predetermined formula of 'Peres'. Second, we hypothesized that height of patients was correlated with optimal length of central venous catheters and we analysed relationship between height and optimal length of central venous catheters using simple regression analysis by SAS. RESULTS: 1) Predetermined formula of 'Peres' inaccurately predicted required length of central venous catheter. The accuracy was 78%. 2) There were a linear relationships between height and optimal length of central venous catheter. Their relationships was followed, Y=0.09X(Y: optimal length of central venous catheters, X: height, p=0.0001, R2=0.39). CONCLUSION: Using height of patients, we can accurately predict the optimal length of central venous catheters.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Central Venous Catheters* ; Humans ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Superior