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

No abstract available.
Birth Certificates* ; Parturition*

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

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)

No abstract available.
Hyperamylasemia*

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

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

To understand the local fluid dynamics for different designs of Fontan operation, five models were made of Pyrex glass to facilitate in vitro study. Models I, II and III had the same position as the center of the anastomosis of the IVC (inferior vena cava) with that of the SVC (superior vena cava), but Models IV and V had 10 mm offset between them. As well, the anastomotic junction angles were different (Models I and IV: 90 degrees, Models II and V: 70 degrees, Model III: 45 degrees). These models were then connected to a flow loop for flow visualization study. In Model I, no dominant vortex was seen in the central region of the junction, but a large unstable vortex was created in Models II and III. In Models IV and V, a significant stagnation region was created in the middle of the offset region. It also showed that the flow distribution from the IVC and SVC to the LPA (left pulmonary artery) and RPA (right pulmonary artery) depends more on the offset of the junction than on the anastomotic junction angle. Generally, as the total flow rates increased, the pressures in the models increased.
Blood Pressure ; Hemodynamics ; Human ; Models, Cardiovascular* ; Regional Blood Flow ; Gov't Venae Cavae/physiology*

BACKGROUND: Rosacea is characterized by erythema of the face that persists for several months or longer. Rosacea is usually diagnosed based on clinical presentation and a biopsy is rarely performed for diagnostic purposes. However, a biopsy may be helpful when the symptoms are atypical. OBJECTIVE: We identified commonly appearing histological characteristics of rosacea such as inflammation, sebaceous hyperplasia, granulomatous reaction, epidermal hyperplasia, Demodex, pustules, and fibrosis. In addition, we evaluated these according to clinical subtype. METHODS: We examined the histological findings of 200 rosacea patients who visited our hospital. Histological findings were evaluated according to clinical subtype. The standard classification and staging method published by the National Rosacea Society was used for clinical classification. RESULTS: The erythematotelangiectatic and papulopustular types of rosacea were the most common. Mild inflammation was found in 56.0% of the patients (1 and 1+) and 49.0% showed inflammation greater than 2 degrees. The most commonly observed histological features across all subtypes were sebaceous hyperplasia followed by epidermal hyperplasia and Demodex. However, sebaceous hyperplasia and Demodex were not observed in ocular rosacea. CONCLUSION: Some histological findings such as inflammation, granulomatous reaction, sebaceous hyperplasia, pustule, Demodex, epidermal hyperplasia, and fibrosis were commonly observed in rosacea. There were no distinctive subtype-specific characteristics, but various histological characteristics were observed in a single clinical subtype.
Biopsy ; Classification ; Erythema ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Inflammation ; Rosacea*