OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of magnesium sulfate and ritodrine hydrochloride in the management of preterm labor. METHODS: This study was undertaken to assess the clinical efficacy & safety of magnesium sulfate and ritodrine hydrochloride on 120 patients admitted with preterm labor from Jul. 1, 1996 to Dec. 31, 1998. RESULTS: 1. The incidence of preterm labor was showed 6.0~7.7% of total number of delivery. 2. The risk factors of the preterm labor were premature rupture of membrane, severe preeclampsia, previous preterm delivery, twin pregnancy, placenta previa, fetal anomaly, incompetent cervix, placental abruption, and uterine myoma in order, but 28.6% of preterm labor had no apparent risk factors. 3. The days gained in uterus was not statistically different between the magnesium sulfate group and the ritodrine group (p<0.05) but longer in the two groups than the control group. And the delivery time was also not statistically different between the magnesium sulfate group and the ritodrine group (p<0.01) but significantly increased in the two groups than the control group. 4. The rate of complete and incomplete success was similar as 12.5% and 35% (total success rate 47.5%) in the magnesium sulfate group, 7.5% and 45% (total success rate 52.5%) in the ritodrine group but only 2.5% and 27.5% (total success rate 30%) was showed in the control group. 5. The side effects were much more in the ritodrine group than the magnesium sulfate group. The patients requiring second-line therapy were similar in the both groups but the main cause was uncontrolled uterine contraction in the magnesium sulfate group, and intolerable side effects in the ritodrine group. 6. The pulse rate was not statistically different in magnesium sulfate group but markedly increased in ritodrine group (p<0.05). After managements of preterm labor, the serum potassium and ionized calcium level was significantly decreased in the two groups (p<0.05, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: There was not significantly different efficacy and safety of magnesium sulfate and ritodrine hydrochloride in the management of preterm labor.
Abruptio Placentae ; Calcium ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leiomyoma ; Magnesium Sulfate* ; Magnesium* ; Membranes ; Obstetric Labor, Premature* ; Placenta Previa ; Potassium ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Risk Factors ; Ritodrine* ; Rupture ; Uterine Cervical Incompetence ; Uterine Contraction ; Uterus

BACKGREOUND: The magnitude of neuromuscular blockade is related to plasma concentration of muscle relaxants. This study was designed to compare the maximal depression of twitch height by blood flow occlusion using a tourniquet at various time interval after intravenous administration of muscle relaxants. METHOD: We studied 127 healthy male adult patients who underwent elective surgery under the general anesthesia with propofol infusion and 50% nitrous oxide. The single supramaximal twitch stimulation applied to the ulnar nerve at the wrist at 1 Hz. The twitch response of adductor pollicis muscles were measured by a 2 kg Load Cell strain gauge with a thumb piece modification and recorded by a Gould TA 240 recorder. After occlusion of blood flow by the tourniquet in the upper arm, in which the neuromuscular monitoring was applied on the wrist, we administered the equipotent dose (ED95) of succinylcholine (S group), mivacurium (M group), and vecuronium (V group) intravenously on the contralateral arm respectively. We measured the maximal depression (%) of twitch height after the releasing tourniquet at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 240 second intervals after the injection of each drug. RESULTS: The depression of twitch height was not found from 90 seconds of tourniquet time in the M group, and 120 seconds of tourniquet time in the S group. However, in the V group, the depression of twitch height was maintained to 240 seconds of tourniquet time. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that the plasma concentration of mivacurium declined faster than that of succinylcholine, and that of vecuronium decreased slowest among the groups after intravenous administration of equipotent dose (ED95).
Administration, Intravenous ; Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Arm ; Depression ; Forearm* ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles ; Neuromuscular Agents* ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Neuromuscular Monitoring ; Nitrous Oxide ; Plasma ; Propofol ; Succinylcholine* ; Thumb ; Tourniquets ; Ulnar Nerve ; Vecuronium Bromide* ; Wrist

OBJECTIVES: Separation and reunion is common experiences in our life but enduring unwanted early-life separation from family members may be a distressful event. This study was executed to observe emotional resolution in the subjects who eagerly desire and experience reunion with their families after long-lasting separation. METHODS: Thirty subjects who have participated in the reunion program of the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) from April 2005 to July 2005 were interviewed to assess their demographic characteristics and memories about separation. Their anxiety and depressive mood were assessed using Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale before the family reunion. At the time of the reunion, psychological states of 14 participants who were able to meet their family members were assessed again using the same assessment tools and the follow-up assessment was performed for one possible case at 7 months after the reunion. RESULTS: The depression and anxiety levels of most subjects were significantly decreased after the reunion. Standardized T scores of their state-anxiety were mostly in abnormal range before the reunion but most of their anxiety levels were reduced within normal range after the reunion. Duration of education was negatively correlated with trait-anxiety level and duration of separation respectively even though trait-anxiety levels were not directly correlated with duration of separation. Emotional acceptability about childhood separation tended to contribute to the increased anxiety level. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to assess psychological distresses of the Korean people who have suffered from longlasting separation with their families. The results in this study suggest that the eagerly desired reunion after long-lasting separation from family may have a resolutive effect for emotional distress. Further study will be needed for larger population suffering from early-life separation.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Reference Values ; Reunion ; Stress, Psychological

Reports of neural and non-neural injury associated with anesthesia have appeared in the medical literature. The majority of these injuries were due to improper patient positioning on the operating table and mostly correlated with the duration of surgery. We observed a case of lumbar disc herniation that was detected after general anesthesia in the traditional supine position. A 34-year-old woman underwent an operation for removal of uterine myoma. She complained of newly developed severe back pain that radiated down the lower right leg. HIVD L4~5 confirmed by lumbar MRI at POD 4th. We felt the cause of HIVD was related to the supine position or preexisting back pain with HIVD was exacerbated during surgery. This is possible to be prevented by evaluating the patient's postural limitation during the visit before anesthesia, padding under lumbar area and a more appropriate position to suit the patient needs for example, Lawn-chair position. The patient was treated with epidural injection of steroid at pain clinic.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General* ; Back Pain ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Epidural ; Leg ; Leiomyoma ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Operating Tables ; Pain Clinics ; Patient Positioning ; Supine Position

Reports of neural and non-neural injury associated with anesthesia have appeared in the medical literature. The majority of these injuries were due to improper patient positioning on the operating table and mostly correlated with the duration of surgery. We observed a case of lumbar disc herniation that was detected after general anesthesia in the traditional supine position. A 34-year-old woman underwent an operation for removal of uterine myoma. She complained of newly developed severe back pain that radiated down the lower right leg. HIVD L4~5 confirmed by lumbar MRI at POD 4th. We felt the cause of HIVD was related to the supine position or preexisting back pain with HIVD was exacerbated during surgery. This is possible to be prevented by evaluating the patient's postural limitation during the visit before anesthesia, padding under lumbar area and a more appropriate position to suit the patient needs for example, Lawn-chair position. The patient was treated with epidural injection of steroid at pain clinic.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General* ; Back Pain ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Epidural ; Leg ; Leiomyoma ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Operating Tables ; Pain Clinics ; Patient Positioning ; Supine Position

Background: Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT-lymphoma) is an extranodal lymphoma that occurs at various sites in the body. There is a limited understanding of the incidence and survival rates of MALTlymphoma. To investigate the nation-wide incidence and survival rates of MALT-lymphoma in Korea during 1999–2017, the data on MALT-lymphoma were retrieved from the Korea Central Cancer Registry. Methods: During the time period of 1999–2017, 11,128 patients were diagnosed with MALTlymphoma. The age and sex of the patients and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) summary stage of the tumor were analyzed, and the relative survival rates (RSRs) were calculated. Results: The age-standardized incidence rates of MALT-lymphoma in 2017 among males and females were 1.53 and 1.61 per 100,000 individuals, respectively, whereas those in 1999 among males and females were 0.21 and 0.20, respectively in Korea. The RSRs were more than 97% at 10 years post-diagnosis between 1993 and 2017. The 5-year RSRs were 87.4%, 94.8%, 97.8%, and 98.6% during 1996–2000, 2001–2005, 2006–2010, and 2013–2017, respectively. Based on SEER summary staging, the 5-year RSRs during 2013–2017 were 100.3%, 90.8%, 91.3%, and 97.9% for patients with localized, regional, distant, and unknown stages of MALT-lymphoma, respectively. Conclusion Although the incidence of MALT-lymphoma is low in Korea, it has been increasing in recent years. The prognosis of MALT-lymphoma is good even at advanced stages. These findings provide useful insights to clinicians about MALT-lymphoma and inform patients about the survival rate.

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the clinical significance of diffusely increased F-18 FDG uptake in the thyroid gland as an incidental finding on F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging in patients with breast carcinoma. METHODS: One hundred four patients with breast carcinoma who had no prior history of thyroid disease were enrolled. All patients underwent F-18 FDG PET/CT, ultrasound and thyroid function test (TFT-TSH, FT4, and T3), anti-TPO antibody test within 2 weeks. Also we checked estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR). We classified all patients into subgroups according to the existence and degree of F-18 FDG uptake in the thyroid gland, and evaluated the difference between subgroups. RESULTS: Of the 104 patients, 42 (40.4%) subjects showed diffusely increased thyroid uptakes. There was no significant difference in rate of abnormality in TFT and thyroid US, and existence of anti-TPO antibody and ER/PR between two groups. Of 42 patient who showed diffuse uptake, 12 (28.5%), 13 (31.0%), and 17 (40.5%) subjects demonstrated hypointense, isointense, and hyperintense thyroid uptake compared with activity of mediastinal blood pool. Thirteen (76.4%) of 17 subjects in the hyperintense thyroid uptake group revealed abnormality in various tests (US, TFT, and anti-TPO antibody). The rate of abnormality in this group was significantly different with the other two groups (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that the rate of diffuse thyroid uptakes on F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging of patients with breast carcinoma was higher than healthy subjects. In case of someone who had no prior thyroid disease showed diffuse thyroid uptakes more than activity of mediastinal blood pool on F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging, it should be considered further evaluation about the thyroid gland.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Estrogens ; Humans ; Incidental Findings ; Receptors, Progesterone ; Thyroid Diseases ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland

Background/Aims: Low-volume preparations for colonoscopy are gaining attention for their higher acceptability. However, the efficacy and safety of oral sulfate solution (OSS) preparations in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) has not been well known. Therefore, we aimed to compare OSS and 2-L polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid (PEG+Asc) for bowel preparation in inactive UC. Methods: A multicenter, randomized, single-blind study was conducted at six tertiary referral hospitals in Korea. Outpatients with UC who had stable disease activity were randomly allocated to the OSS group or the 2-L PEG+Asc group for bowel preparation before colonoscopy. The study outcomes included treatment efficacy, safety, tolerability, and acceptability. Bowel cleansing was assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale and rated as successful cleansing if the score was ≥6. Patient acceptance and tolerability were assessed using a 4-point ordinal scale. Additionally, disease activity and laboratory data before and after colonoscopy were evaluated to check for safety. Results: The OSS and 2-L PEG+Asc groups included 92 and 93 participants, respectively. No significant between-group difference was noted in successful cleansing (OSS [96.7%] vs 2-L PEG+Asc [97.8%], p=0.64). Moreover, the safety, acceptance, and tolerability were not significantly different (all p>0.05). Furthermore, no significant changes were found in serum electrolytes or disease activity in either group. Conclusions OSS is effective for colonoscopy cleansing, has acceptable tolerability, and does not affect disease activity; thus, it can be used safely for bowel preparation in patients with inactive UC.

OBJECTIVE: Mirtax is a generic mirtazapine widely used since 2003. We conducted an open-label, uncontrolled 6-week study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Mirtax for major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: Ninety three MDD patients with the diagnosis of MDD and 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score > or =14 were recruited. The HDRS, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity Scale (CGI-S) were administered at baseline, 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks. Response (> or =50% decrease in the HDRS or MADRS score), remission (absolute HDRS score < or =7 or MADRS score < or =10) and CGI-I score < or =2 were also calculated. Adverse event (AE) frequency and severity, weight, blood pressure, and pulse rate were checked to assess safety. RESULTS: The starting dosage was 11.5+/-6.4 mg/day, and the maintenance dosage was 23.1+/-9.4 mg/day. During 6 weeks, HDRS, MADRS and CGI-S scores decreased from 25.1+/-5.6 to 11.9+/-8.6 (mean change -13.1+/-8.3, p<0.001), from 30.2+/-6.3 to 13.73+/-10.40 (mean change -16.5+/-9.8, p<0.001), and from 5.0+/-0.8 to 2.5+/-1.3 (mean change -2.5+/-1.3, p<0.001), respectively. The percentages of responders, remitters by HDRS and patients with a CGI-I score < or =2 were 64.6%, 35.4% and 52.7%, respectively. Significant decreases in HDRS, MADRS and CGI-S scores were confirmed at week 1. The total rate of AEs was 32.3%; the most frequently reported AEs were sedation (4.3%) and constipation (4.3%). Weight was increased from 58.8+/-10.6 to 60.3+/-9.3 kg (mean change 0.7+/-1.7 kg, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: This study, as the first clinical trial of generic mirtazapine, demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of Mirtax for MDD using a single treatment design.
Blood Pressure ; Constipation ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major* ; Diagnosis ; Drugs, Generic ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Prospective Studies*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression. We assess miRNA regulation by Helicobacter pylori infection and elucidate their role in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. METHODS: The relationship between miRNA expression and DNA methylation was examined. Cells were treated with the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) inhibitor Bay 11-7082 to determine the relationship between miRNA expression and NF-κB signal transduction. RESULTS: In the negative control cells infected with H. pylori 26695, the expression of six miRNAs was increased, whereas the expression of five miRNAs was decreased. The expression of upregulated miRNAs was increased when the host cells were treated with H. pylori and an NF-κB inhibitor. miR-127-5p, -155, and -181 were associated with increased interleukin 6 (IL-6) secretion in H. pylori infected cells treated with anti-miRNA. The expression of miR-155, -127-5p, -195, -216, -206, and -488 increased by approximately 3-fold following treatment with the methylation inhibitor Aza. CONCLUSIONS: We found novel miR-NAs in H. pylori-infected negative control cells using miRNA microarrays. Upregulated miRNA expression was inversely related to the transcription of NF-κB. miR-195 and miR-488 appear to play a pivotal role in controlling IL-6 activity in H. pylori infection. miRNA expression in H. pylori infection was affected by methylation.
Bays ; Cytokines ; DNA Methylation ; Epithelial Cells ; Gene Expression ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Interleukin-6 ; Methylation ; MicroRNAs* ; NF-kappa B ; Signal Transduction