No abstract available.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Common Bile Duct* ; Endoderm* ; Endodermal Sinus Tumor*

The thirty eight newborn infants with periventricular leukomalacia who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Gil General Hospital from March 1, 1988 to June 30, 1991, were investigated for ultrasonographic findings, risk factors and neurological outcome. The results were as follows: 1) There were 38 cases of PVL including 21 echogenic flarings and 17 cystic PVL's. 2) Mean birth weight was 2,250 gm and mean gestational age was 35 week. 3) Mean detection timing was 4th day in echogenic flarings and 18th day in cystic PVL's. 4) PVL's were located in the parietal region in 1 case and fronto-parieto-occipital in 3 cases. 5) Mean cyst size was 6 mm. 6) Multiple logistic regression analysis for the risk factors of PVL showed that low birth weight, apnea and seizure were the most significant contributing factors (p<0.05). 7) In the follow-up study of cystic PVL's, 7 cases showed improvement, 7 cases developed into multicystic encephalomalacia and 3 cases developed into atrophy. 8) Neurodevelopmental outcome of cystic PVL's showed nomal; 6.2%, minor neurodevelopmental defect; 43.8%, major neurodevelopmental defect; 31.2% and death; 18.8%. 9) Neurosonographic predictability for neurodevelopemental sequelae by cystic PVL's showed sensitivity; 63.6%%, specificity; 98.0%, positive predictive value; 92.8% and accuracy; 88.2%. 10) Major neurodevelopmental defect was more frequent, cyst size being larger and location being more extensive (p<0.05).
Apnea ; Atrophy ; Birth Weight ; Encephalomalacia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gestational Age ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular* ; Logistic Models ; Rabeprazole ; Risk Factors* ; Seizures ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Bartonellosis is spotlighted recently as an emerging zoonosis and Bartonella henselae is reported to be the main infectious agent. In Korea, however, few studies have been made on the epidemiology and microbiology on bartonellosis. Thus, this study was conducted to produce a new monoclonal antibody that can be used for identifying B. henselae. In order to prepare monoclonal antibodies against B. henselae, we inoculated mice with the isolated strain from Korean patient and performed cell fusion experiment. The selected hybridoma clones produced monoclonal antibodies which showed positive immunofluorescence staining of bacteria and specific protein bands in western blot analysis. In order to examine whether these antibodies could be used for the identifying and quantifying Bartonella, we performed confocal microscopy and flow cytometry using the new antibodies. These monoclonal antibodies can be used as a useful tool in further researches on the biology of Bartonella.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Bacteria ; Bartonella ; Bartonella henselae ; Bartonella Infections ; Biology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Fusion ; Clone Cells ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Hybridomas ; Korea ; Mice ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Sprains and Strains

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical utility of the known CT signs of the traumatic rupture of the diaphragm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT scans and chest radiographs were retrospectively reviewed in 13 patients who had diaphragmatic rupture confirmed by surgery. On chest radiographs, the elevation of the diaphragm was evaluated. On CT, 1) discontinuity of the diaphragm, 2) lack of depiction of the diaphragm surrounding the herniated intraabdominal organs (absent diaphragm sign), and 3) fat seen lateral to the diaphragm (fat sign) were evaluated. RESULTS: Chest radiographs showed the elevation of the diaphragm in 11 patients (85%). CT scan showed absent diaphragm sign in 11 patients (85%), discontinuity of the diaphragm in 8 (62%), and fat sign in 7 (54%). All of 12 patients who had the left diaphragmatic rupture had one or more of the above findings. CONCLUSION: Discontinuity of the diaphragm, absent diaphragm sign, and fat sign may be helpful CT findings in the diagnosis of the traumatic rupture of the left diaphragm.
Diagnosis ; Diaphragm* ; Humans ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Mortality*

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common problem in patients recovering from anesthesia and surgery. P6 point is the acupressure point for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. We evaluated the efficacy of acupressure at the P6 point in 94 patients undergoing thyroidectomy in a randomized, prospective and placebo-controlled study. METHODS: Ninety-four female patients, aged 18 to 60, scheduled for elective thyroidectomy, were randomized to have either placebo band or acupressure band (Sea-Band(R) UK Ltd., Leicestershire, England, UK) applied to the P6 point of both hands before induction of anesthesia. The acupressure bands removed 24 h later. Postoperative nausea and vomiting was evaluated 1, 6 and 24 h following surgery. In addition, the need for rescue antiemetic medication during 24 h was registered. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative nausea was lower in acupressure group at 0-1 h (16.7% vs. 39.1%; P = 0.015) and at 6-24 h (0% vs. 15.2%; P = 0.05). The need for rescue antiemetic medication was also lower at 0-1 h (4.2% vs. 23.9%; P = 0.006), at 1-6 h (6.2% vs. 20.9%; P = 0.039) and at 6-24 h (0% vs. 13%; P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing thyroidectomy, nausea and need of rescue antiemetic medication were reduced by acupressure at the P6 point.
Acupressure ; Aged ; Anesthesia ; England ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Nausea ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Prospective Studies ; Thyroidectomy

No abstract available.
Gardnerella vaginalis* ; Gardnerella*

Orientia tsutsugamushi, a causative agent of scrub typhus, is an obligate intracellular parasite and usually propagates in the cytoplasm of host endothelial cells and macrophages. Macrophages are the first defense line against bacterial infection and NF-kappaB is activated upon contact with bacteria, resulting in the transcription of inflammatory cytokine to control bacterial infection. In this study, we investigated whether O. tsutsugamushi modulates NF-kappaB activation in the macrophages. We examined the changes of NF-kappaB proteins upon infection with O. tsutsugamushi and found that NF-kappaB is activated at a slow rate as judged with EMSA and immunoblot analysis. Interestingly, we found that p65 was cleaved generating a 45 kDa fragment. In addition, fragment of p65 is generated only by the virulent serotype strain of O. tsutsugamushi, suggesting this cleavage may be associated with the mouse virulence. It is still unknown whether this is a direct result of O. tsutsugamushi proteins or enzymes of host cell. Further exploration of the mechanism that modulates NF-kappaB activity by O. tsutsugamushi could contribute to a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of O. tsutsugamushi infection.
Animals ; Bacteria ; Bacterial Infections ; Cytoplasm ; Endothelial Cells ; Macrophages ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; Orientia tsutsugamushi ; Parasites ; Proteins ; Scrub Typhus ; Sprains and Strains

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the differences of past histories, current symptoms, treatment responses and cognitive functions between smoking and nonsmoking schizophrenic patients. METHODS: The subjects were composed of 67 schizophrenic patients including 36 smokers and 31 non-smokers. They were examined by psychiatric history checklist, Simpson and Angus's rating scale for extrapyramidal side effects, positive and negative syndromes scale(PANSS), global assessment scale(GAS), and Vienna test including Standard Progressive Matrices(SFM), Cognitron, and Flicker Fusion Analyzer(FFA). RESULTS: The results were as follows: 1) Although the duration of illness of smokers was longer than that of non-smokers, the smokers had significantly higher score of GAS and significantly lower score of PANSS than non-smokers at admission 2) With effects of age and duration of illness controlled, there were no differences of mean dosage of neuroleptics, extrapyramldal side effects, PANSS improvement rate and GAS improvement rate between both groups. 3) With effects of age, duration of illness, and total PANSS score controlled, there were no differences of score of SFM, cognitron, and FFA. 4) In smokers, the PANSS improvement rate and the GAS improvement rate were positively correlated with mean number of daily smoked cigarettes, with effects of age and duration of illness controlled. CONCLUSIONS: In schizophrenic patients, smokers had less severe symptoms than non-smokers. In smokers, the PANSS improvement rate and the GAS improvement rate were positively correlated with mean number of daily smoked cigarettes. But smokers were not proven to have received higher dosage of neuroleptics, to have lower extrapyramidal side effects, or to have less severe impairment of cognitive function.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Checklist ; Flicker Fusion ; Humans ; Schizophrenia ; Smoke* ; Smoking* ; Tobacco Products

We studied the effects of intraperitoneal CO2 insufflation on the blood pressure, acid-base balance and blood gas changes by continuous recording of blood pressure, heart rate and repeated determinations of blood pH and blood gas. This was done by direct method in various conditions such as the horizontal position without CO2 insufflation, lithotomy and Trendeledburg positions with CO2 insufflation and the horizontal position after deflation in 20 women having had laparoscopies. The following data are the experimental results. 1) Laparoscopy in 20 women with intraperitoneal CO2 insufflation of up to 10~15 mmHg in the lithotomy and Trendelenburg positions under controlled ventilation was sccompanied with elevated arterial pressure, increased heart rate, increased PCO2, and a decrease in blood pH. 2) When the abdomen was completely deflated and the patient was placed in horizontal position under controlled ventilation, all recordings returned close to the original control values. 3) The present study represented the remarkable stability of the cardiovascular system, acid-base balance and blood gases with the aid of controlled ventilation during CO2 pneumoperitoneum.
Abdomen ; Acid-Base Equilibrium ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Pressure* ; Cardiovascular System ; Female ; Gases* ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Insufflation* ; Laparoscopy* ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Ventilation