BACKGROUND: Snoring is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. There has been little research done on the factors associated with snoring among adults by sex in Korea. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of habitual snoring in the Korean population and to evaluate its related factors by sex. METHODS: The study subjects were 2,007 volunteers aged 40-69 years who participated in regular health check-ups (male: 434, female: 1,573) from May to December in 2012. Standard interviews, anthropometrics and biochemical studies were conducted. Habitual snoring was defined as snoring more than 4 days per week. RESULTS: The prevalence of snoring in our sampling pool was 52.9% (male 61.6%, female 47.1%) and habitual snoring was 13.7% (male 21.1%, female 11.5%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that habitual snoring was independently associated with sex, age, hypertension and body mass index (P<0.05). Fatty liver was independently associated with habitual snoring in males whereas age, waist circumference and body mass index were independently associated with habitual snoring in females. CONCLUSIONS: Snoring and habitual snoring may be predisposing factors for cardiovascular disease. There are significant associations between habitual snoring and sex, age, alcohol use, hypertension and body mass index.
Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Fatty Liver ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Snoring ; Waist Circumference

No abstract available.

The finger extension reflex was performed to the 419 normal infants without CNS abnormalities that visited to the well baby clinic and out-patient department, and so to the patients with CNS abnormalities on the brain sonography and brain CT under the age of 2 months from May 1992 to September 1993 in the department of pediatrics, Hanyang university hospital. The results were summerized as follows 1) The positive rates of the finger extension reflex according to age in month on the normal infants from birth to 8 months of age were 100%, 100%, 100%, 72.3%, 57.1%, 28.6%, 17.5%, 6.3% and 0% respectively, and the reflex was almost lost after the age of 5 months. 2) Of 21 patients with brain pathology on the brain sonography and/or brain CT, the finger extension reflexes were absent on two patients with grade 3~4 intraventricular hemorrhage, one with hypoxic brain damage and one with severe brain parenchymal hemorrhage, partially responded on two patients with brain edema and one with moderate-sized brain parenchymal hemorrhage, and completely responded on 11 patients with mild intracranial hemorrhage, two with hydrocephalus and one with aneurysm of Galen vein. 3) Because there were no cases with localized brain pathology, we couldn't find the differences of the finger extension reflexes associated with the location of brain pathology. In conclusion, we found that the finger extension reflex may be lost from 3 months through 6 months of age. With further study of normal premature babies and more infants with brain pathology, we may use the finger extension reflex as one of the primitive reflexes and predict severe CNS abnormalities.
Aneurysm ; Brain ; Brain Diseases ; Brain Edema ; Cerebral Veins ; Fingers* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Hypoxia, Brain ; Infant ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Outpatients ; Parturition ; Pediatrics ; Reflex*

This study was undertaken to investigate to compare the ratio of positive reactions to benzoic acid(BA), sorbic acid(SA) and cinnamic acid(CA) which are well known materials producing non-immunologic contact urticaria. Various concentrations(0.l% to 5%) and different vehicles(petrolatum, water, hydrophilic ointment base) were used in open and 20 minutes closed test using Finn chamber on Scanpor tape. One hundred total subjects were consisted of nonallergic patients and normal persons. The results were as follows ; 1. Total numbers of positive reactions were 69 in closed test(CT) and 60 in open test(OT), regardless of the materials and vehicles. 2. Total riumbers of positive reactions in BA, SA and CA were 68, 31, 35 in CT and 59, 20, 14 in OT respectably. 3. CT showed much more positive reactions than OT with all materials tested except 0.l% SA in water. 4. Hydrophilic ointment base showed a better reactivity than any other vehicles in CT. But in OT, petrolatum, water, hydrophilic ointment base showed better reactivity in BA, SA, CA respectably. 5. Almost all the reactions appeared within 45 minutes and disappeared within 3 hours. Erythema preceded edema and persisted 30 minutes to 1 hour after dissappearance of edema. 6 Itching, burning and tingling sensation were the only symptoms observed except. localized erythema and edema.
Benzoic Acid ; Burns ; Edema ; Erythema ; Humans ; Petrolatum ; Pruritus ; Sensation ; Sorbic Acid ; Urticaria* ; Water

No abstract available.
Aged* ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors* ; Hypercholesterolemia*

No abstract available.
Immunocompromised Host* ; Trichosporon*

No abstract available.
Electroencephalography* ; Humans ; Neurologic Manifestations* ; Seizures*

PURPOSE: To compare standard laparoscopy-assisted Billroth I gastrectomies including standard lymph node dissection (LABIG) with hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery with the HandPort system (HALS) for the removal of early gastric cancers (EGC). METHODS: A prospective study was performed on 26 patients of EGC at Ewha Womans University Mok-Dong Hospital from July 1999 to August 2001. Seventeen patients (Group L) received LABIG using conventional laparoscopy-assisted methods and 9 patients received LABIG using HALS (Group H). We used staplers for the anastomosis, and a standard D2 lymph node dissection was done with ultrasonic shears or electrocautery. RESULTS: In group L, pathologic reports revealed 14 EGC (stage IA 14 cases), and 3 pm cancers (stage IB 1 case, II 2 cases). In group H, there were 9 early gastric cancers (stage IA 8 cases, IB 1 case). Significant differences (P<0.05) were present between group L and H in regards to the number of harvested lymph nodes (30.8 vs 18.9), estimated blood loss (462.1 vs 286.7 ml) and postoperative transfusion amounts (0.59 vs 0 unit). There were no differences in the mean operating time, distance from the lesion to the resection margin, postoperative leukocyte count, frequencies for pain control, wound size, time to diet, weight loss, serum protein, and postoperative hospital stay. Complications were present in 1 case in group L (enterocutaneous fistula) and 1 case in group H (gastric atony). There was one conversion to open surgery in group H. CONCLUSION: LABIG including standard lymph node dissections with both standard laparoscopic surgery and HALS were performed with equal outcome. The choice of surgical method depends on the characteristics of the lesion and the patient's physical factors.
Conversion to Open Surgery ; Diet, Reducing ; Electrocoagulation ; Female ; Gastrectomy* ; Gastroenterostomy* ; Hand-Assisted Laparoscopy* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Leukocyte Count ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Prospective Studies* ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Ultrasonics ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: Interferon alpha-2a has already been shown to be effective in clinical use of virus-originated diseases such as hairy cell leukemia, condyloma acuminatum, and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. The use of recombinant alpha-interferon may allow common warts to be treated relatively atraumatically and with less incidence of recurrence. OBJECTIVE: We tried to determine the safety and effectiveness of intralesional injections of recombinant alpha-2a interferon in the treatment of patients with common warts. METHODS: A single wart on each patient was weekly injected with 0.75 to 1.5×10(5) IU/25mm2 of interferon for 8 weeks, and the response to treatment was followed up-to 6 months. RESULTS: Clearing of the treated wart at the end of treatment occurred in 5(71%) out of 7 patients and the rest showed no improvement. With evaluation for relapses up-to 6 months after treatment, warts relapsed in 2(40%) out of 5 patients. Therefore, 3(43%) out of 7 patients were completely free of warts 6 months after treatment. CONCLUSION: Intralesional recombinant interferon alpha-2a has a limited therapeutic effect, but may be considered as a therapeutic modality of recalcitrant verruca or when it can be anticipated that destructive techniques or blistering agents will not be tolerated.
Blister ; Humans ; Incidence ; Injections, Intralesional ; Interferon-alpha ; Interferons* ; Leukemia, Hairy Cell ; Recurrence ; Sarcoma, Kaposi ; Warts*

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule*