No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are ubiquitous in modern society including medical field. As the technology of medical instruments and telecommunications has developed rapidly, it has influenced on our lives in many ways. Modern medical practice requires high quality medical equipments, which have a great deal of electromagnetic interference and susceptibility. The purpose of this study were to evaluate electromagnetic condition under usual clinical condition and to suggest a practical guideline in general hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The actual state of the electromagnetic interference in the medical field was studied under usual clinical conditions including operating rooms, intensive care units, magnetic resonance imaging unit, and hyperthermia unit. RESULTS: There was considerable noise as a result of electromagnetic fields from medical equipments including electrosurgical units and hyperthermia unit, and cellular phones, which could induce serious functional derangements of functioning medical devices. CONCLUSION: It will be necessary to evaluate the individual electromagnetic situations under various medical conditions and to define a limited zone for cellular phone as well as reposition medical equipments to secure a safer medical practice and to minimize electromagnetic interference.
Cellular Phone ; Electromagnetic Fields* ; Fever ; Hospitals, General* ; Intensive Care Units ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnets* ; Noise ; Operating Rooms ; Telecommunications

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver scintigraphy is a useful tool in evaluating the chronic liver disease, even though it is less sensitive to detect a mass lesion in the liver than ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We evaluate the clinical usefulness of liver scintigraphy in patients with liver cirrhosis by comparing with the clinical and biochemical indices. METHODS: Liver scintigraphy was taken beginning 20 minutes after the intravenous injection of 370 MBq of Tc-99m phytate. Images were obtained in multiple views with a gamma camera (Basicam(R), Siemens). The size of the liver, left lobe enlargement, inhomogeneity of radioactivity, the size of the spleen, the extrahepatic uptake were evaluated on liver scintigraphy. The compared clinical indices were serum albumin level, serum bilirubin level, INR (international normalized ratio) for prothrombin time, the presence of hepatic coma, and esophageal varix. RESULTS: Forty four patients (M:F=24:20) were included. The extrahepatic uptake such as bone marrow and splenic uptake was positively correlated with the level of serum bilirubin and negatively correlated with the level of serum albumin. The size of the spleen, inhomogenous liver uptake, hypertrophy of left lobe was positively correlated with the degree of esophageal varix. The size of the liver was negatively correlated with that of esophageal varix. CONCLUSION: We suggest that scintigraphic findings in liver scintigraphy could be used in the evaluation of patients with liver cirrhosis not only to diagnose cirrhosis but also to know the severity of cirrhosis.
Bilirubin ; Bone Marrow ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Fibrosis ; Gamma Cameras ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Injections, Intravenous ; International Normalized Ratio ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver Diseases ; Liver* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Phytic Acid ; Prothrombin Time ; Radioactivity ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Serum Albumin ; Spleen ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of semiquantitative tests targeting house dust mite (HDM) allergens. METHODS: Thirty-nine dust samples were collected from the homes of 14 patients. These samples were evaluated using the following semi-quantitative tests: Rapid test for Mite Allergen(R), Acarex(R), Mitey checker(R), and SD CHECK Quick Mite Test(R). The samples were then assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Der p 1, Der f 1 and group 2 allergens. Finally, the results from the 4 kits were compared and the correlation with ELISA was determined. RESULTS: Concentrations of HDM allergens determined using Acarex(R) were associated with those of SD CHECK Quick Mite Test(R) and Mitey checker(R), (P=0.004 and 0.035, respectively; rho=0.454 and 0.339, respectively). The concentrations determined by SD CHECK Quick Mite Test(R) were associated with those of Mitey checker(R) and Rapid test for Mite Allergen(R) (P=0.000 and 0.001, respectively; rho=0.664 and 0.518, respectively). There was also a significant correlation between the results obtained using Mitey checker(R) and Rapid test for Mite Allergen(R) (P=0.000, rho=0.602). The Der f 1 levels were associated with the concentrations determined by SD CHECK Quick Mite Test(R), Mitey checker(R) and Rapid test for Mite Allergen(R) (P=0.003, 0.000 and 0.005, respectively; rho=0.467, 0.544 and 0.438, respectively). Group 2 allergen levels were associated with the concentrations determined by SD CHECK Quick Mite Test(R) and Rapid test for Mite Allergen(R) (P=0.019 and 0.038, respectively; rho=0.374 and 0.334, respectively). CONCLUSION: Four popular semiquantitative test kits may be adequate for detecting HDM allergens at home. However, quality assurance is needed for clinical usage because they showed variable sensitivity and specificity.
Allergens ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; Arthropod Proteins ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; Dust ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Mites ; Pyroglyphidae ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Breastfeeding has been known as the best feeding practice to prevent allergies including atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the benefit on the prevention of allergic disease is still controversial. The objectives of this study were to examine the rate of sensitization to the protein of eggs, cow's milk and soy in exclusively breastfed infants and to evaluate antigen-antibody reaction between breast milk and serum of AD infant. Data on feeding and food hypersensitivity were obtained for 62 AD infants (32 male, 30 female) aged < 6 month who had visited Samsung Medical Center from September 2001 to May 2003. Food hypersensitivity was determined by measuring specific IgE to egg, cow's milk and soy. Specific IgE levels > 0.7 kU/L by CAP assay (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) were considered positive. The rates of sensitization in breastfed infants were 41.9% (26/62) to egg, 30.6% (19/62) to milk and 18.0% (11/62) to soy. Immunoblotting analyses were performed using breast milk with the matched serum of seven AD infants (4 male/3 female). Binding patterns of AD infant's IgE to breast milk extract showed visible specific band for immunoglobulin, especially in case of a lactating mother who did not completely restricted ingestion of egg, milk and soy. These results indicate that sensitization to food allergen develops via breast milk feeding. Breast milk feeding should be recommended in infants at risk of developing allergic disease, but maternal intake of highly allergenic food might be restricted for prevention and treatment of food allergy among the babies with AD.
Antigen-Antibody Reactions ; Breast Feeding ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Eating ; Eggs ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Infant* ; Male ; Milk ; Milk, Human ; Mothers ; Ovum

Breastfeeding has been known as the best feeding practice to prevent allergies including atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the benefit on the prevention of allergic disease is still controversial. The objectives of this study were to examine the rate of sensitization to the protein of eggs, cow's milk and soy in exclusively breastfed infants and to evaluate antigen-antibody reaction between breast milk and serum of AD infant. Data on feeding and food hypersensitivity were obtained for 62 AD infants (32 male, 30 female) aged < 6 month who had visited Samsung Medical Center from September 2001 to May 2003. Food hypersensitivity was determined by measuring specific IgE to egg, cow's milk and soy. Specific IgE levels > 0.7 kU/L by CAP assay (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) were considered positive. The rates of sensitization in breastfed infants were 41.9% (26/62) to egg, 30.6% (19/62) to milk and 18.0% (11/62) to soy. Immunoblotting analyses were performed using breast milk with the matched serum of seven AD infants (4 male/3 female). Binding patterns of AD infant's IgE to breast milk extract showed visible specific band for immunoglobulin, especially in case of a lactating mother who did not completely restricted ingestion of egg, milk and soy. These results indicate that sensitization to food allergen develops via breast milk feeding. Breast milk feeding should be recommended in infants at risk of developing allergic disease, but maternal intake of highly allergenic food might be restricted for prevention and treatment of food allergy among the babies with AD.
Antigen-Antibody Reactions ; Breast Feeding ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Eating ; Eggs ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Infant* ; Male ; Milk ; Milk, Human ; Mothers ; Ovum

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for growth delay of infants with atopic dermatitis (AD) and to evaluate the nutritional adequacy of therapeutic elimination diets. METHODS: We studied 67 infants with AD aged from 6 to 23 months, who were managed with conservative treatments for more than 3 months in Samsung Medical Center, and compared with 56 normal age-matched infants. Height and weight for age and weight for height were converted to Z score to evaluate their growth. Basic characteristics including birth characteristics, heights and weights of parents, and socioeconomic status of parents were surveyed by the questionnaire. The 24-hour recall method, assessment of all foods eaten on the day prior to the interview, was performed to evaluate dietary intake. A P value <0.05 was considered to be significant. RESULTS: The mean Z scores of height and weight (-0.10+/-1.10 and -0.41+/-0.91, respectively) in male patients were decreased more than those in healthy age-sex-matched controls, (0.44+/-0.77 and 0.07+/-0.77, respectively) (P=0.032 and 0.039 for each) while female infants did not show any difference. Severity of AD, socioeconomic status of parents, duration of breast feeding, and birth characteristics were not different between patient and control groups. Zinc levels of both groups, especially patients, was lower than recommended dietary allowances (RDA). CONCLUSIONS: Infants with AD were shorter than control group, while they did not show nutritional problems. Our study suggests that longitudinal growth assessment should be performed on infants with AD and it may be helpful in counseling about the prognosis of growth.
Aged ; Breast Feeding ; Child ; Counseling ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Nutrition Policy ; Nutritional Status ; Parents ; Parturition ; Prognosis ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Social Class ; Weights and Measures ; Zinc

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective cohort study aimed at calculating some parameters of changes in the findings of the subsequent screening mammography (SSM) in female Korean volunteers. METHODS: The study included screenees aged 30 to 79 years who underwent SSM voluntarily after testing negative in the baseline screenings performed between January 2007 and December 2011. A change to a positive result was defined as category 4 or 5 by using the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. The proportion of results that had changed to positive (CP, %) was calculated by dividing the number of cases with results that were positive in the SSM by the total number of study participants. The rate of results that had changed to positive (CR, cases per 100 000 screenee-months) was calculated by dividing the number of cases with results that were positive in the SSM by the total number of months of the follow-up period. RESULTS: The overall CP and CR in all age groups (n=77 908) were 2.26% and 93.94 cases per 100 000 screenee-months, respectively. The median CP interval in the subjects who had positive SSM results was 30 to 36 months, while that in the age group of 30 to 39 years was shorter. CONCLUSIONS: Different screening intervals should be considered among women aged between 30 and 59 years. In addition, a strategy for a screening program should be developed for the age group of 30 to 39 years, in particular.
Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Breast Neoplasms/*diagnosis/epidemiology ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; *Mammography ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Women

To evaluate the complications of the analysed posterior chamber lens insertion in eyes with posterior capsule rupture during catatact surgery, we retrospectively the ocular complications of 31 eyes having PCL with ruptured posterior capsule between June 1989 and June 1992. With a mean follow up of 11.5 months, the best corrected postoperative visual acuity of 20/40 or better was achieved in 77.5% of the 31 cases. The early postoperative complication was posterior chamber lens dislocation(12.9%). The late postoperative complication were clinical cystoid macular edema(12.9%), angiographic cystoid macular edema(12.9%), vitreous opacity(6.5%) and after-cataract(3.3%). We suggest this result was tolerable when posterior capsule rupture was properly managed.
Edema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture* ; Visual Acuity

In order to investigate the efficiency of various laboratory studies of uveitis, we performed a series of studies including complete boold count, immunologic tests and radiolgic examination for 70 patients with uveitis and same number of controls who had visited at St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College from October 1992 to May 1993. The series of uveitis consists of 24 patients(34.3%) of anterior uveitis, 20 patients(28.6%) of posterior uneitis and 17 patients(24.3%) of intermediate uveitis. Only 7 cases presented positive results for the specific laboratory studies. Two patients of uveitis were positive for cytomegalovirus IgM, one for toxoplasma IgG and one for VDRL. One patient showed evidence of sacroilitis on sacroiliac joint X-ray. Skin test for Clonorchis sinensis was positive in one patient of uveitis. One case in the control group was positive for toxoplasma IgG. From the above results, we suggest that the selective laboratory studies should be carried out on the basis of the patient's histories and ocular findings for the more specific and etiological diagnosis of uveitis.
Clonorchis sinensis ; Cytomegalovirus ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunologic Tests ; Sacroiliac Joint ; Skin Tests ; Toxoplasma ; Uveitis* ; Uveitis, Anterior ; Uveitis, Intermediate