PURPOSE: The neuophils contribute as an important defence mechanism against bacterial infection. In neonates with infection, not only the number of neutrophils are decreased due to inhibited production but also phagocytic function is impaired resulting in high mortality rate. The purpose of this study is to establish the effectiveness of exogenous granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in infected neonates by comparing the serum levels of GM-CSF and various hematologic paratmeters in non-infected and infected neonates. METHODS: The study included 50 neonates without infection and 23 neonates with infection who were admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of Chungnam National University Hospital in between May 1998 and February 1999. The total number of white blood cell (WBC) counts, absolute granulocyte counts (AGC) and the serum GM-CSF concentration at birth were measured in non-infected neonates and they were stratified according to birth weight and gestational age. The total number of WBC counts, AGC and the serum GM-CSF concentration at postnatal 7th and 14th day were measured and compared with that of infected neonate's. Neonates with infection were divided either to receive exogenous GM-CSF & antibiotics or antibiotics only; The total number of WBC counts, AGC and the serum GM-CSF concentration at post-treatment 2nd and 7th day were measured and compared. RESULTS: Decreased total number of WBC counts, AGC and the serum GM-CSF concentration at birth were observed with lower birth weight and gestational age. In infected neonates, the total number of WBC counts, AGC and the serum GM-CSF concentration increased more when compared with that of non-infected neonates. Tendency towards increased total number of WBC counts, AGC and the serum GM-CSF concentration were observed after exogenous GM-CSF treatment. CONCLUSION: We recommend the use of GM-CSF in neonates with infection, especially those without increasing total WBC counts, and absolute granulocyte count as a norrnal physiological response.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacterial Infections ; Birth Weight ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Gestational Age ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Granulocytes* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Leukocytes ; Macrophages* ; Mortality ; Neutrophils ; Parturition

No abstract available.
Humans ; Motor Vehicles*

Respiratory distress syndrome of preterm infants remains a significant cause of morbidyty and mortality. Early, just after birth, prediction and recognition of RDS is so important. The precision and reliability of the stable microbubble test (SMR)and shake test as a predictor of respiratory distress syndrome were studied. A 110-neonate who was born at Chungnam National University Hospital between November 1991 to September 1992was selected randomely and studied. The results were as follows; 1) Among the 110 neonates, 13 cases were noticed as RDS. 2) Among the 13 infants with RDS, SMR results were zero and very weak in 11 cases, weak in 2 cases. Of the 97 infants with Non-RDS, 9 cases were weak, 88cases were medium and strong, positive predictive value and negative predictive value was 100%, 98% respectively. 3) Of the 13 infants with RDS, Shake test result were negative in 8 cases, 1+in 1 case, 2+in 1 case and 4+in 3 case. Of the 97 infants with Non-RDS, 3 cases were negative, 9 cases were 1+, 9cases were 2+ and 63 cases were 4+, positive predictive value and negative predictive value was 72.7%, 9 However, frequent relapses and severe side effects caused by such therapy necessitate development of a more specific and effective therapeutic regimen.Recently, a T cell derived cytokine, interleukin 4 (IL-4)is being recognized as a major cytokine up-regulating IgE production and response, while interferon- (IFN- )counteracts IL-4 actions to down-regulate the IL-4 induced IgE response. Hence, the present study is aimed to investigate the role of IL-4 in MCNS. Using freshly isol 4.9% respectively. We conclude that the rapidity, simplicity and reliability of the stable microbubble test is more useful as a bedside procedure in identifying of predicting the infants who are likely to develop RDS than shake test.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Interleukin-4 ; Microbubbles* ; Mortality ; Parturition ; Recurrence

The bipolar hemiarthroplasty is one of the treatment methods of the avascular necrosis of the femoral head and the fracture of the femur neck. The mechanism of bipolar hemiarthroplasty is intended to distribute the forces at the site of the inner and outer articulation, and theoritically diminish acetabular wear and produce a painless arthroplasty. The authors analyzed motion of two components in 23 cases of the bipolar hemiarthroplasty, performed at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Korea University Hospital, between January, 1985 and January, 1993 with average 47 months follow up(range 24 to 84 months). The results obtained were as follows: 1. In the motion of the two components, inner bearing motion was average 11.5 degrees(from 1 to 29 degrees) and outer bearing motion was average 21.4 degrees(from 3 to 45 degrees). 2. The inner bearing motion was highest at 12 months with average 16 degrees and outer bearing motion was lowest during the same period with average 15 degrees. During the follow up the inner bearing motion was decreased whereas outer bearing motion was increased. 3. The inner or outer bearing motion of bipolar component was no correlation with age, sex and clinical result.
Acetabulum ; Arthroplasty ; Femur Neck ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Hemiarthroplasty ; Korea ; Necrosis

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Humerus*

The purpose of this study was to investigate the gaps of bone-acetabular component interface, the initial mechanical stability and the effects of adjuvant screw fixation in the press-fitted two different shaped porous-coated acetabular components. Semi-hemispherical Harris-Galante II cup and full hemispherical Trilogy cup were press-fitted with or without adjuvant screw fixation in 40 bovine femur. The gaps of bone-implant interface were measured in each radiography of all specimen and axial compression tests and rotational stability tests were performed using servohydraulic tension-compression machine. There was significantly smaller gap at polar 1/3 region in the specimen implanted with Trilogy cup. But the adjuvant screw fixation did not affect the amount of gap. There was no significant statistical difference in axial load and rotational stability test in each situations of fixation. This study demonstrates that the initial mechanical stability is not influenced by the shape of semi-hemispherical Harris-Galante II cup and full hemispherical Trilogy cup and also independent of adjuvant screw fixation. But smaller gap of Trilogy cup at the polar 1/3 region indicates the possibility that less amout of wear debris of polyethylene or metal will be deposited and therefore less osteolysis or cup loosening will occur, but this hypothesis should be confirmed by the long-term clinical follow-up.
Acetabulum* ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip* ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Osteolysis ; Polyethylene ; Radiography

PURPOSE: Acute diverticulitis of the right colon is not rare in Korea and the clinical presentation is indistin guishable from acute appendicitis. Cecal diverticulitis has led to a controversy in the management of disease. METHODS: Thirty-one cases of acute cecal diverticulitis who underwent operation for suspected acute appendicitis were reviewed retrospectively from January 1995 to December 1998. RESULTS: There were 17 men & 14 women. Ages ranged from 9 to 69 (mean: 37.5) years. All patients presented with signs and symptoms as acute appendicitis. All patients were explored through a transverse incision in the right lower quadrant under the impression of acute appendicitis. An appendectomy and drainage was performed in 13 patients, and resection of the lesion was performed in 18 patients (12 ileocecal resection, one partial cecectomy including appendix, one partial cecectomy and an appendectomy, 4 diverticulectomy and appendectomy), depending on the location of diverticulitis, severity of inflammation, and surgeon. Staples (TA(R), GIA(R)) were used in all cecal resection cases except for diverticulectomy. Five complications were observed, 3 in cecal resection cases (one wound seroma, one wound infection and one bleeding), and 2 in appendectomy and drainage cases (two wound infections). There was no postoperative mortality. The average length of the postoperative stay was 10.2 days in the drainage group and 8.8 days in the cecal resection group. Two recurrences were observed. One was the patient who had diverticulectomy performed. The other was a patient who had had appendectomy and drainage. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the preferred surgical management of an acute cecal diverticulitis operated for a presumed acute appendicitis is cecectomy using staples depending on its location and severity of inflammation. It was safe, relatively easy to do through the same incision, and could be a definitive treatment.
Appendectomy* ; Appendicitis ; Appendix ; Colon ; Diverticulitis* ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Seroma ; Wound Infection ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.
Spinal Cord Compression* ; Spinal Cord* ; Thymoma*

No abstract available.
Pre-Eclampsia* ; Proteinuria*

No abstract available.
Hydroxyurea ; Skin ; Skin Ulcer