No abstract available.
Gait* ; Humans ; Spinal Cord Diseases*

Since the 1960's, Korea has achieved rapid economic growth, longer life expectancy, accelerated urbanization and a westernization of diet. Cardiovascular disease has become the leading cause of death; however the prevalence of ischemic heart disease(IHD) remains low. A cross-sectional multiphasic screening service for 18,426 persons aged 30 64 years in a Medical Aid Program in Kyonggi-do Province was conducted from 1991 to 1993. Total cholesterol(TC), Fasting blood glucose(FBG), blood pressure(BP), and electrocardiographic(EKG) data were collected. The result as follows; 1. On the EKG findings, the age-adjusted prevalence of myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction was 1.45% in men and 2.06% in women. 2. The mean blood pressure was 122.9/78.8mmHg. The age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension was 11.05% in men and 9.02% in women. The prevalence of hypertension showed increasing tendency according to age increase. In all age group, the prevalence of hypertension was higher in men than women. 3. The mean total cholesterol level was 184.4mg/dl in men and 189.2mg/dl in women. The age-adjusted prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 4.88% in men and 5.67% in women. The total cholesterol level showed increasing tendency according to age increase, except 55 64 age group in men. 4. The prevalence of hyperglycemia is 5.8%. The age-adjusted prevalence of hyperglycemia is 6.72% in men and 4.50% in women. The prevalence of hyperglycemia showed increasing tendency according to age increase. 5. On the EKG findings, the prevalence of myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction was higher in hypertension than normal, in all age group of men and women less than 40 years-old. Only in women more than 40 years-old, the prevalence of myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction was higher in hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia. Nevertheless there is not statistical association between ischemic heart disease and previous risk factors in other age group, the prevalence of myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction was higher in hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia than normal. The result of this study suggest that relationships between major risk factor of ischemic heart disease and ischemic heart disease is similar to existing theory.
Adult ; Blood Glucose* ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cause of Death ; Cholesterol* ; Diet ; Economic Development ; Electrocardiography* ; Fasting* ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Hyperglycemia ; Hypertension* ; Korea ; Life Expectancy ; Male ; Multiphasic Screening ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Ischemia* ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Urbanization

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to examine whether the blood cells in the platelet concentrate (PC) and the PC arrangement method can affect the pH which is one of the important factors influencing the survival and function of the preserved PCs. METHOD: Two groups of CPDA-1 added PC were preserved at 20 ~ 24degrees C for 7 days. The PCs in group I were overlapped one another while those in group II were not overlapped and arranged separately during the preservation period. The number of RBC, WBC and platelets were measured at the first day of the preservation period while the pH was measured at the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th day. RESULTS: The number of blood cells in the PC was 0.6x109 for WBC, 1.6x109 for RBC and 800x109 for platelet. As for the average pH, the 1st day's average pH was 7.4 for group I and 7.3 for group II, while at the 7th day, both decreased by 0.6. According to the correlation analysis between the blood cells and the pH changes, as for group I, the more the number of platelets were, the lower the pH decreased, and as for group II, the more the WBC and platelets were, the lower the pH decreased. (p<0.01) CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the major parameter affecting the pH of the preserved PCs is the number of platelets. In addition to platelet, the number of WBCs affected the pH when PCs were overlapped during storage. Conclusionally the key factor which affects pH of stored PCs was the number of platelets. And the number of contaminated WBCs also were thought to be an important factor.
Blood Cells ; Blood Platelets* ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration*

The purpose of this study was to compare shear bonding strengths and debonding patterns of the ceramic brackets attached on the crystal which were grown on the enamel surface of a tooth with different concentrations of lithium sulphate-contained polyacrylic acid in different application times. Four kinds of concentrations of mixed solutions were made and applied to the enamel surface on extracted human premolars. The solutions were made by adding 0.3M or 0.6M of lithium sulfate to 50% or 65% of polyacrylic acid with 0.3M sulfuric acid. The solutions were applied for 30 or 60 seconds. After bonding, a universal testing machine was used to measure the shear bond strength, and then observations were made of debonding patterns through the stereoscope. And the enamel surface was observed through the scanning electron microscope to examine the pattern of crystal growth and debonding. The results were as follows: 1, Shear bond strength in the enamel surface treated with 50% polyacrylic acid was higher than that with 65% polyacrylic acid. 2. There were no statistical differences in shear bond strength according to concentration of lithium sulfate and application time of solutions. 3. Enamel surface was almost free of resin debris after debonding. 4. Enamel surface treated with 50% polyacrylic acid showed higher density of crystal growth than that with 65% polyacrylic acid under scanning electron microscope.
Bicuspid ; Ceramics ; Crystallization* ; Dental Enamel ; Humans ; Lithium* ; Sulfur ; Tooth

The recent advancements in surgical techniques and perioperative care have improved postoperative morbidity and survival after gastric cancer surgeries. However, anastomotic leakage, the most serious complication post-gastrectomy, continues to occur. In esophageal and colorectal cancer surgeries, the omentum is used as a physical barrier and increases blood perfusion to prevent leakage to the anastomotic site. However, the use of the omentum as an anastomotic barrier after gastrectomy has not been reported yet. The authors aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of omental free-shaped flap reinforcement on the anastomosis and dissected area following reconstruction after gastrectomy for preventing and treating anastomotic leakage. They reported that omental free-shaped flap reinforcement on the anastomosis might prevent anastomotic leakage post-gastrectomy. The omental flap also prevented further deterioration when leakage occurred. However, anastomosis-related complications, such as anastomotic stenosis and delayed gastric emptying, after an omental patch technique need to be evaluated further.

AIMS: To explore the relationship between shiftwork duration and metabolic risk factors on cardiovascular disease in shiftworkers. METHODS: The study subjects comprised of 226 nurses, from a hospital, and 130 male workers, from a diaper and feminine hygienic material manufacturing firm. The mean ages of the male workers and nurses were 29 and 28.5 years, respectively. The fasting blood sugar, serum cholesterol, blood pressure, height and weight, waist and hip circumferences (only in nurses), and number of step for a shift as indices of physical activity were measured. Using the Korean version of Karasek's job contents questionnaire, the job stress was assessed. Information about the number of years worked, duration of shiftwork, and past medical and behavioral histories, including smoking, were obtained by self-administrated questionnaires. Linear regression analyses were performed, to show the relationships between shiftwork duration and metabolic risk factors, using simple and multivariate models, adjusted for age, smoking, job strain and physical activity. The following criteria were defined: hypertension as a SBP>or160 or a DBP>or=90 mmHg at least once, hypercholesterolemia, as a serum total cholesterol >or=240 mg/dl, obesity as BMI (Body Mass Index) >or=25kg/m2 and central obesity as a WHR (Waist to Hip Ratio) >or=0.85; and the logistic regression analyses, according to years of shiftwork, were performed using simple and adjusted models. RESULTS: The cholesterol and fasting blood sugar showed increasing trends, but without statistical significances, according to the increase in shiftwork duration of the male workers, although, the increases in the blood pressure and BMI were statistically significant. In the nurses, only the WHR showed a significant increase in relation to the shiftwork duration. In the logistic regression analyses, hypercholesterolemia and obesity showed significant increasing risks according to the number of years of shiftwork (OR=3.32 95%CI 1.27-8.72 and OR=3.21 95%CI 1.24-8.32 respectively) in the male workers, but hypertension showed no significance. In the nurses, only an increased central obesity was significant as a risk factor (OR=1.30 95%CI 1.05-1.62). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence of the associations between shiftwork and metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease, although healthy shiftworker effects might exist in our cross sectional study design.
Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Cholesterol ; Fasting ; Hip ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Hypertension ; Linear Models ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Questionnaires ; Risk Factors* ; Smoke ; Smoking

The Association between myofascial pain syndrome and some tests was assessed in a cross-sectional study of 904 female telephone operators using video display terminals(VDTs). 105 cases were diagnosed as Myofascial pain syndrome with symptom questionnaire, laboratory examination and physician's physical examination and 550 controls were defined to show only musculoskeletal symptoms using NIOSH symptom criteria. Data on demographics, musculoskeletal symptom and visual analogue scale(VAS) were obtained by questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements, pressure pain threshold, Grip and Pinch strength and laboratory test were conducted. No significant difference between case and control at comparing of demographics, occupational history and body measurements were observed. But, Grip strength, pressure pain threshold and VAS showed the statistical difference between case and control. Age, pressure pain threshold of Rt. Upper trapezius and VAS were associated with myofascial pain syndrome in multivariate logistic regression analysis. This results suggest that, to diagnose of myofascial pain syndrome, the consideration of the objective aspects among patients' subjective symptom complaints through the VAS and pressure pain threshold is required.
Computer Terminals ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Demography ; Female* ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Myofascial Pain Syndromes* ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) ; Pain Threshold ; Physical Examination ; Pinch Strength ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Superficial Back Muscles ; Telephone*

Acetazolamide, a selective-inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase. Has been shown to induce a rapid increase in cerebral blood flow by acidifying cerebral extracellular tluid in large doses. In order to assess the cerebral blood flow reserve, we investigated 14 patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease using Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT before and after administration of acetazolamide.The patients after acetazolamide challenge showed variable pattems of vasodilating capacity which were classified as follows: group I. Accentuation of abnormal perfusion pattem; group II, no change in abnormal perfusion pattern: and group III. Blunting of abnormal perfusion pattern. Thirty-six percent of the patients studied qualified for group I. The p?tients in group I seem to have decreased vasodilating reserve in the area of cerebral ischemia. They are most likely to benefit by medical or surgical efforts to augment CBF delivery. Tc-99m HMPAO-SPECT with acetazolamide flow challenge may serve as an objective. Clinically accessible method for assessing blood flow reserve and as a kind of guide for the therapeutic strategy.
Acetazolamide* ; Brain Ischemia ; Carbonic Anhydrases ; Humans ; Perfusion ; Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of an in-house work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) preventive programs in a telephone directory assistance workplace. METHODS: The subjects (N=177) were divided into four groups (nonparticipants, 41; preventive exercise, 31; self-physical therapy, 40; both, 65) by program participation type. The results of WMSDs program were obtained by questionnaire, which consisted of upper extremities'(neck, shoulder, arm, hand) symptom prevalence, self-rating symptom severity, and before-after symptom change between 1995 and 1998 data and workers'satisfaction by program participation. RESULTS: The prevalence of symptoms related WMSDs was only reduced in neck region of nonparticipants, other groups not in significant. The pain scale (5-likert) of each region was significantly decreased in neck, arm and hand of nonparticipants. In other groups, there was no significant change in the prevalence of WMSDs. The change of visual analogue scale was decreased by 21.7% in self-physical therapy group (p=0.043). The subjects mostly were satisfied with this in-house programs. Above all, preventive exercise and both program groups showed content over 80%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of before-after symptoms change was not inconsistent, but subjects were showed high satisfaction about the preventive programs. In attempts to improve the WMSDs related symptoms, the best results will be achieved with ongoing in-house preventive programs practice and periodic outcomes assessments.
Arm ; Hand ; Neck ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Prevalence ; Shoulder ; Telephone* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of spinal metastases continues to increase, likely a result of increasing survival times for patients with cancer. This retrospective study was undertaken to analyze the results of surgery and the outcome of patients with extradural metastases in the cervical spine. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with cervical spine metastases who underwent spinal surgery by two surgeon at a single center in a 14-year period(1993-2007) were analyzed. Indications for surgery include intractable pain, neurological deficits, spinal cord compression, and the need for stabilization of impending pathological fractures. Numerous factors affect outcome including the nature of the primary cancer, the presence of fracture or dislocation, approach of surgery, and the severity of spinal cord compression. The change of predominant symptoms and survival time were evaluated after surgery. RESULTS: There were 17 male and 16 female patients aged from 29 to 78 years old(mean age, 59.9 years). Among the metastatic tumors, colon, breast, and liver were the most common primary sites of origin, and lung, kidney, stomach and thyroid were also common. All patients had bony invasion and 24 patients had pathologic vertebral fracture and 6 patients had dislocation. Based on the tumor location, approaches included 12 anterior, 6 posterior and 15 combined. Epidural spinal cord compression on the axial T2-weighted magnetic resonance(MR) image was noted in 31 patients(93.9%). The American Spinal Injury Association(ASIA) impairment scale scores in preoperative state were stable in 29 patients(87.9%) who presented with ASIA Score D and E. The most common predominant symptoms of patients were cervical and/or radiating pain(26 patients) and 23 patients had neurological deficits. At Follow-up, predominant preoperative symptoms improved in 28(84.8%) patients who had pain or neurological deficits. The overall mean survival duration for patients with cervical metastatic tumors after diagnosis was 7.4 months in 28 expired patients and 17.4 months in 5 survived patients. There were four major early and late complications in this study. One patient suffered from the immediate postoperative epidural hematoma and improved after evacuation of hematoma. There were three cases of instrumentation failure. One of them was symptomatic and underwent second-look surgery. CONCLUSION: Surgery for the treatment of cervical spine metastases is effective for improvement of the neurological deficits and relief the local pain in a significant proportion of patients with acceptable complication rates. The tech- nical evolution of cervical implants has improved our ability to achieve long-term rigid fixation, particularly over the cervicothoracic junction.
Aged ; Asia ; Breast ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Colon ; Dislocations ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney ; Liver ; Lung ; Magnetics ; Magnets ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pain, Intractable ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Compression ; Spinal Injuries ; Spine ; Stomach ; Thyroid Gland