OBJECTIVE: Multiple birth implicates the important health and social problems such as preterm birth, low birth weight, high perinatal mortality, and increased medical cost. This study was performed to investigate the multiple birth rate in Korea using the birth certificate data. METHODS: Retrospective review and analysis of data from Korean birth certificate in 1996. RESULTS: Multiple birth rate was 1.4% of total births(683,043 cases). Mean birth weight was 3.29+/-0.47kg for singleton birth and 2.57+/-0.58kg for multiple birth. Mean gestational age was 39.56+/-1.32 weeks for singleton birth and 37.47+/-2.41 weeks for multiple birth. Rate of low birth weight (< 2.5kg) was 14 times higher for multiple birth compared with that of singleton birth, and rate of preterm birth(< 37 weeks) was 10 times higher. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between multiple birth and selected variables including maternal age, job and birth order. As the odds ratio(OR) was 2.47(95% CI: 2.34 - 2.59, p<0.001) for the second birth, and 5.31(95% CI: 4.99 - 5.65, p<0.001) for the third and over birth compared with the first birth, there was a significant correlation between multiple birth and birth order. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the birth certificate data in 1996, the incidence of twin and higher order multiple birth was 1.7%, and a significant correlation between multiple birth and birth order was revealed. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the etiology and prognosis of multiple birth and the developmental problems from birth to adolescence.
Adolescent ; Birth Certificates* ; Birth Order ; Birth Weight ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Maternal Age ; Multiple Birth Offspring* ; Parturition* ; Perinatal Mortality ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Social Problems ; Twins

Tegafur [1-(tetrahydro-2-furyl)-5-fluorouracil], the prodrug of 5-fluorouracil, is an anticancer agent. Several cutaneous reactions have been reported following systemic 5-fluorouracil for the treatment of malignancies. We report a patient with marked inflammation of the actinic keratosis following the use of tegafur for stomach carcinoma. The side-effect with 5-fluorouracil was beneficial as most actinic keratosis cleared following the inflammatory reaction. Dermatologists and oncologists should be aware of this potential side-effect, not only because it may become more prevalent but, most importantly, because it is not an allergic reaction to 5-fluorouracil but a dose-dependent response, and the chemotherapy may be continued in most patients.
Actins* ; Drug Therapy ; Fluorouracil* ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Inflammation ; Keratosis, Actinic* ; Stomach ; Tegafur

No abstract available.
Birth Certificates* ; Parturition*

No abstract available.
Hyperplasia* ; Islets of Langerhans* ; Nesidioblastosis*

No abstract available.
Hyperamylasemia*

This study was conducted to understand health status by general characteristic, and to find out relationship between social support and worker's health status. Health status was measured using SF-36(Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36), a 36 item self administered Instrument. The finding of this study were as follow; Mean scores of health status by sex were higher in male. The younger worker reported good health on physical functioning and role limitation-physical than did the older worker, but the older worker reported good health on social functioning and mental health. Mean scores of health status were higher in high income and white worker. When the relationship between social support and health status, social functioning, role limitation-emotion, mental health, vitality, general health were significantly related. Therefore we reviewed the evidence that socio-economic condition are associated with health status in this study, and that the strength of the social support was a important to maintain health.
Humans ; Male ; Mental Health ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care)

BACKGROUND: Moisturizers induce skin hydration and then increase flexibility and elasticity, making the skin soft and smooth, and protecting it against environmental stimuli. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to study the role of intercorneocyte lipid layers and desmosomes in the mechanism of moisturization. METHODS: Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and capacitance were measured and the morphologic changes of the intercorneocyte lipid layers and desmosomes with electron microscopy, using ruthenium tetroxide (RuO4) postfixation, following the application of glycerin, propylene glycol, and a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol for a 2 hour period to the epidermis of hairless mice were measured. RESULTS: 1. The TEWL was significantly increased in all three groups; glycerin, propylene glycol, and mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol. The increase of TEWL after the application of glycerin was maintained from the second to the forth hour after application which was statistically significant, after the application of propylene glycol it was maintained for 5 hours, and after the application of a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol, for 6 hours. 2. The capacitance also was increased in all three experimental groups, compared to the control group. However there was no statistical significance. 3. Light microscopic findings showed no specific changes in all three groups, compared to the control group. 4. Ultrastructural observation by electron microscope, using RuO4 postfixation, showed widening of the intercorneocyte lipid layers in all three groups. In contrast to glycerin in which the results showed detachment of the desmosomes without changes in the intercorneocyte lipid layers, propylene glycol showed interruption and undulation of the intercorneocyte lipid layers and expansion of the lacunae spaces. A mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol showed interruption and undulation of the intercorneocyte lipid layers, detachment of the desmosomes, and, partial, formation of lacunae. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the moisturizing effects of glycerin result from an increased detachment of the desmosomes and widening of the intercorneocyte lipid layers and then an increase in the water holding capacity of the stratum corneum. Propylene glycol, a chemical penetration enhancer, induce widening, interruption, and undulation of the lipid layers and expansion of the lacunae space. In the mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol, propylene glycol potentiate and continue the moisturizing effects of the glycerin.
Animals ; Desmosomes* ; Elasticity ; Epidermis ; Glycerol* ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Microscopy, Electron ; Pliability ; Propylene Glycol* ; Ruthenium ; Skin

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is due to the vascular compression of the facial nerve at its root exit zone (REZ). Microvascular decompression (MVD) of the facial nerve near the REZ is an effective treatment for HFS. In MVD for HFS, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (INM) has two purposes. The first purpose is to prevent injury to neural structures such as the vestibulocochlear nerve and facial nerve during MVD surgery, which is possible through INM of brainstem auditory evoked potential and facial nerve electromyography (EMG). The second purpose is the unique feature of MVD for HFS, which is to assess and optimize the effectiveness of the vascular decompression. The purpose is achieved mainly through monitoring of abnormal facial nerve EMG that is called as lateral spread response (LSR) and is also partially possible through Z-L response, facial F-wave, and facial motor evoked potentials. Based on the information regarding INM mentioned above, MVD for HFS can be considered as a more safe and effective treatment.
Decompression ; Electromyography ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; Facial Nerve ; Hemifacial Spasm ; Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring ; Microvascular Decompression Surgery ; Vestibulocochlear Nerve

No abstract available.
Tracheoesophageal Fistula*

BACKGROUND: Mu-receptor antagonists are considered effective for the treatment of epidural morphine induced pruritus (EMIP). However, they have been associated in certain cases with a concomitant reduction in analgesia. It is noteworthy that propofol has been shown to produce marked spinal depression, in particular of the dorsal and ventral horn. Recently it was reported that subhypnotic doses of propofol were efficient in relieving EMIP. This study was designed to investigate an effective minimum dose of propofol. METHODS: After obtaining informed consent from patients and with IRB approval, 155 patients having cesarean section received an epidural morphine 3 mg bolus, and 4 mg/day with continuous infusion for 2 days via a Baxter infusor(R). Patients who had pruritus with scratching were allocated randomly to one of the three groups. Patients received 10 mg propofol intravenously in group I (n = 25), 20 mg in group II (n = 25) and 30 mg in group III (n = 25). Pruritus and the level of sedation were assessed 5 minutes later using 5 points pruritus rating scale (PRS) and 4 points sedation rating scale (SRS). Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test, one-way ANOVA and paired t-test. P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients showed pruritus with scratching (PRS > or = 3). The success rate was significantly greater in the group II (76%) and group III (80%) than in the group I (48%) (P < 0.05). Seven patients had an increase in sedation in the group III versus none in the group I and group II (P < 0.05). The beneficial effect of treatment was longer than 60 minutes in 100% of patients in group I, II and III. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that 20 mg propofol and 30 mg propofol intravenously are equally effective in treating EMIP than 10 mg propofol. However the level of sedation is significantly less in 20 mg propofol group than 30 mg propofol group.
Analgesia ; Animals ; Cesarean Section ; Depression ; Ethics Committees, Research ; Female ; Horns ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Morphine* ; Pregnancy ; Propofol* ; Pruritus*