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*

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.
Neck* ; Scalp* ; Superficial Back Muscles*

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*

PURPOSE: Cephalomedullary nail (CM nail) in the treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fractures is in the lime light in recent years. The purpose of this study is to compare surgical outcomes between experienced surgeon and non-experienced surgeons in respect of CM nail for femoral intertrochanteric fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 129 patients underwent CM nail for femoral intertrochanteric fracture more than six months of follow-up from April 2011 to March 2014 in Seoul Medical Center (Seoul, Korea) were participated in this study. For this study, group A consisted of experienced surgeons who performed more than 500 times of CM nail, and group B consisted of non-experienced surgeons who performed less than 50 times of CM nail. Clinical and radiologic outcomes, complications and the need for reoperation between both groups were compared in the study. RESULTS: According to clinical result, both the mean operation time and transfusion volume were significantly longer and greater in group B (P<0.05). In the radiologic outcomes, adequacy of reduction, tip-apex distance and numbers of case placed in the Cleveland zones 5, 6 and 8; there was no statistical difference between both groups. Moreover, rate of complication and reoperation had same results as radiologic outcomes. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference with statistical data in complications from CM nail for femoral intertrochanteric fractures between experienced surgeon and non-experienced surgeon. Although the operation time and transfusion volume were significantly longer and greater in the case of operation by non-experienced surgeon, satisfactory performance was seen in the complications and the need for reoperation.
Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip Fractures ; Humans ; Reoperation ; Seoul ; Surgeons*

PURPOSE: In western society, prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the standard treatment under colorectal surgery for colorectal cancer. However, the incidence of VTE after colorectal surgery and the effect of prophylactic methods are not well known in Korea. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of VTE and assess the efficacy and safety of low molecular weight heparin (enoxaparin) after major colorectal surgery in Korean patients with compression stockings. METHODS: From Jan. 2006 to Dec. 2008, 1,727 consecutive patients underwent major colorectal surgery. Thirty-six were excluded due to the therapeutic use of enoxaparin. A final number of 1,691 patients were included. Graduated compression stockings were used in all patients and 654 were perioperatively given enoxaparin. Only compression stocking group (group A) and compression stocking with enoxaparin group (group B) were compared in terms of VTE. The event of VTE within 6 months after surgery was counted by clinical symptoms, then imaging findings were used for confirmation. RESULTS: Total VTE developed in 10 patients (0.6%). Three with deep vein thrombosis had pulmonary embolism. Two had only pulmonary embolism. The rates of VTE were not different between group A and B (0.8% vs. 0.3%, P=0.333). Also, postoperative major bleeding was not significantly different. However, postoperative transfusion was higher in group B (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The incidence of VTE was very low after colorectal surgery in Korean patients with compression stockings. The additional use of enoxaparin for colorectal cancer patients with compression stockings seems to have little benefit for VTE prophylaxis.
Colorectal Neoplasms ; Colorectal Surgery ; Enoxaparin ; Hemorrhage ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Stockings, Compression ; Venous Thromboembolism ; Venous Thrombosis

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