No abstract available.
Neck* ; Scalp* ; Superficial Back Muscles*

Systolic time interval measurements were made sequentially during second, third trimesters and postpartum period. Recordings were made in the supine position after bed rest for at least five minutes in order to obtain a steady state. In second trimester, pre-ejection period index (PEPI) was significantly shortened and left ventricular ejection period index(LVETI) remained normal while PEP/LVET decreased. Four possible mechanisms may be involved to account for the alterations in hemodynamic changes during this period(late stage of second trimester) : (1) increased metabolic demands of pregnancy: (2) hemodynamic effects of hypervolemia: (3) circulatory adjustments secondary to an arteriovenous shunt-like effect of the placental circulation: (4) cardiovascular effect of steroid hormone. The third trimester was characterized-by a markedly shortened LVETI, a prolonged PEPI and PEP/LVET. This findings are consistent with impaired left ventricular performance and are probably due to decreased left ventricular preload resulting from diminished venous return secondary to inferior vena caval obstruction by the large gravid uterus. In the postpartum period, the PEPI and PEP/LVET remained elevated and the LVETI shortened in the supine position. It is concluded that alterations in systolic time intervals occur normally during the course of uncomplicated pregnancy and persist into the postpartum period.
Bed Rest ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Placental Circulation ; Postpartum Period* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third* ; Supine Position ; Systole* ; Uterus

No abstract available.
Anesthesiology* ; Education* ; Publications*

This study explores some basic issues behind adults' seeking and using patterns of alternative medicine as well as health food (health food/medicine). In order to do this, 791 adult participants in Seoul and Busan were interviewed face-to-face. The results of the survey showed that 1) interpersonal influence was the most influential factor in relation to the adoption of health food/medicine(46.9% of the participants reported on the influences), 2) keeping healthy was the main motivation for the usage of health food/medicine(34.5% of the participants), 3) mass media was the important information source for health food/medicine, 4) with regard to trustworthiness of information sources, experts were believed to be the most trustworthy while information from acquaintances were thought less, and finally, 5) pharmacies and health food stores were main suppliers of health food/medicine. This study suggests some marketing strategies for health food/medicine. For example, it can be suggested that interpersonal communication among other information channels should be focused and might be increased trust by using professionals.
Adult ; Busan* ; Complementary Therapies ; Dietary Supplements ; Friends ; Food, Organic ; Humans ; Marketing ; Mass Media ; Motivation ; Pharmacies ; Seoul*

The characterisitic finding of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is left ventricular hypertrophy without dilated chamber. Echocardiographic studies of patients with pheochromocytoma in the past have revealed both dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies, as well as obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract. We report this case because we experienced a pheochromocytoma patient who had reversible hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which might be related with circulating catecholamine level.
Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic* ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Pheochromocytoma*

No abstract available.
Budesonide* ; Humans

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare endogenous plasma lithium concentrations among schizophrenic patients classified by DSM-IV subtype and control groups and to investigate the correlation of endogenous plasma lithium concentration and psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia. METHODS: Schizophrenic patients were selected among psychiatric inpatients without lithium medication and then classified by DSM-IV schizophrenia subtype. Schizophrenic patient groups were composed of 15 disorganized type, 15 paranoid type and 15 undifferentiated type schizophrenic patients. The control group was composed of 15 healthy subjects without any psychiatric disease. Endogenous plasma lithium concentrations were estimated by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer. The psychotic symptoms in schizophrenic patients were classified as positive symptoms, negative symptoms and disorganized symptoms according to andreasen classification1 about SANS and SAPS items. Endogenous plasma lithium concentration among three subtypes of schizophrenia and control group was compared, and correlation between endogenous plasma lithium concentrations and psychotic symptoms was examined. RESULTS: 1) Schizoprenic patients showed higher endogenous plasma lithium concentration than control groups (p=0.033). Endogenous plasma lithium concentrations were significantly different among three subtypes of schizophrenia (p=0.001). Compared with the control group, disorganized type showed higher endogenous plasma lithium concentration, but paranoid type and undifferentiated type were not significantly different. 2) Disorganized symptoms correlated with endogenous plasma lithium concentration (r=0.416, p=0.004), but negative symptom and positive symptom did not significantly correlate with endogenous plasma lithium concentration (r=0.202, p=0.184. r=-0.216, p=0.155). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that schizophrenic patients with disorganized symptom show the differences in utilization or distribution of endogenous lithium.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Lithium* ; Plasma* ; Schizophrenia*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical features, associated factors, and treatment outcomes of scleritis in the Korean population. METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for 94 eyes of 76 patients with scleritis. Clinical features of scleritis, including systemic disease, presence of microorganisms, serologic markers, history of previous ocular surgery, and use of immunosuppressants were investigated and compared amongst the subtypes of scleritis. Treatment outcomes were evaluated using best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and time to scleritis remission. RESULTS: Nodular scleritis was the most common form observed, followed by necrotizing scleritis with inflammation, diffuse scleritis, and necrotizing scleritis without inflammation, respectively. A total of 16 of 76 patients (21.1%) had connective tissue diseases. Eleven cases (14.5%) had infectious scleritis, of which bacteria (54.5%) and fungi (45.5%) were the causative microorganisms. Thirty-three patients (43.4%) had previous ocular surgery, mostly pterygium excision. Notably, a history of pterygium excision was significantly associated with development of necrotizing and infectious scleritis (odds ratio [OR], 399 and 10.1; p < 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). In addition, patients with necrotizing scleritis were more likely to have infectious scleritis (OR, 11.7; p = 0.001). BCVA after treatment and time to remission also showed significant differences among the different scleritis subtypes. Systemic immunosuppression was required in addition to steroids for treating diffuse and necrotizing scleritis. CONCLUSIONS: Careful taking of patient history including previous pterygium excision should be performed, especially in patients with necrotizing and infectious scleritis. In addition, evaluation of microbiological infection can be crucial for patients with necrotizing scleritis and history of pterygium excision.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bacterial Infections ; Child ; Eyeglasses ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Middle Aged ; Mycoses ; Postoperative Period ; Pterygium/surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Scleritis/classification/ethnology/*etiology/*surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Acuity ; Young Adult

In this study we evaluated the effects of the genetic polymorphism of aldehyde dehydrogenase2 (ALDH2) on toluene metabolism and determined biological exposure indices (BEIs) for toluene by the genotypes of ALDH2. The study subject were 77 men workers who are handling toluene in a video tape manufacturing factory and a textile company. Through the face-to-face interview, the information about smoking and drinking behavior wag obtained. For determination of ALDH2 poly morphism, 5 ml of venous blood sample was obtained from each subject after informed consent. DNA was extracted from the buffy coat and ALDH2 genotyping were performed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The genotype of ALDH2 was classified into the homozygous genotype of normal ALDH2 (NN), and the heterozygous genotype of normal and inactive ALDH2 (ND), and homozygous genotype of an inactive ALDH2(DD). The concentration of hippuric acid (HA), the main metabolite of toluene, was determined in urine specimens collected at the end of shift, corrected with creatinine (HA/C), and compared with BEI for toluene, which is 2.5 g/g creatinine. The personal exposure level of toluene were monitored, using personal air sampler and analyzed by gas chromatography. The frequencies of the three genotypes in this study subjects were, NN : 45 (58.4%), ND : 26 (33.8%) and DD : 6 (7.8%), and frequencies of the genotypes in the middle or heavy toluene exposure workers were not significantly different from those in the mild toluene exposure workers. The frequencies of the DD type of ALDH2 was lower among alcohol drinkers than among non-drinkers. The urinary HA concentration of DD group was significantly lower than that of the NN or ND group, which suggests that the HA formation from toluene decreased in DD group. Regression lines were used to estimate the BEIs of the NN, ND, and DD groups. NN : y = 0.0085x + 0.23, r = 0.90 ND : y = 0.0074x + 0.21, r = 0.85 DD : y = 0.0041x + 0.82, r = 0.83 The three regression lines revealed that the estimated urinary HA concentration of NN, ND, and DD groups at 377 mg/m3 toluene(TLV-TWA) exposure were 3.43, 3.00, and 2.37 g/g creatinine, respectively. The HA concentration of the NN, and ND group were higher than that of the ACGIH BEI (2.5 g/g creatinine) ; however, the HA level of DD group was lower than the BEI. These results suggests that the ACGIH BEI is not adequate to estimate the toluene exposure of the NN, ND and DD groups at the same time. Based upon those results, a new BEI for ALDH2 deficient workers may be necessary.
Chromatography, Gas ; Creatinine ; DNA ; Drinking Behavior ; Genotype ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Male ; Metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Textiles ; Toluene*