OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of second-trimester maternal serum triple-marker screening test for Down syndrome and open neural tube defects in singleton pregnancies conceived from in vitro fertilization, the screen positive rates and triple-marker level of patients conceiving singleton pregnancies by IVF were compared to those of pregnancies conceived naturally. METHODS: Two hundred singleton pregnancies conceived by IVF and naturally conceived pregnancies who had done maternal serum screening test during the second trimester were analyzed from January 1995 to April 1998. RESULTS: One (0.5%) of the 200 cases of IVF singleton pregnancies had a positive result for Down syndrome compared with 1% of screen positive rate in the 200 cases of naturally conceived pregnancies. The median level of the triple markers were 0.92 multiples of the median(MoM) for alpha-fetoprotein(AFP), 1.44 MoM for unconjugated estriol(E3) and 0.87 MoM for human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG) respectively. CONCLUSION: The positive rate of triple test for Down syndrome and open neural tube defect in the two groups were significantly not different. As additional data are collected, corrected standards should be determined.
Chorion ; Down Syndrome ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Humans ; Mass Screening* ; Neural Tube Defects ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Pregnancy*

This study was undertaken to elucidate any quantitative abnormalities of Tlymphocyte subsets (helper/inducer T cell; T cell and suppressor/cytotoxic T cell: T cell) and IgE levels in the peripheraI blood in atopic dermatitis patients by using monoclonal antibodies and enzyme immunoassay, respectively. In addition we have tried to ascertain whether there are any correlations betveen such immuiiologic abnormalities and the severity of the disease. The results showed that there were significant decrease in the mean percentage of T Cells and increase in the mean value of T/T cell ratios in patients with atopic dermatitis. These changes seem to relate to the severity of the disease when evaluated as groups. A significant increase in the mean value of serum IgE was found in atopic dermatitis patients and the change was related to the severity of the disease. But increase of serum IgE level did not correlated closely with the T cell abnormalities in each patients.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Immunoglobulin E* ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets* ; T-Lymphocytes

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of intravaginal misoprostol versus intracervical dinoprostone (prostaglandin E2 gel) for cervical ripening and labor induction. METHODS: 60 patients with indication for labor induction and unfavorable cervices were randomly assigned to receive either intravaginal misoprostol or intracervical dinoprostone. 50 microgram tablets of misoprostol were placed in the posterior vaginal fornix every 4 hours for a maximum of 3 doses or dinoprostone 0.5mg was placed into the endocervix every 6 hours for a maximum of 2doses. No more medication was given after either spontaneous rupture of membranes or beginning of active labor. RESULTS: Among 60 patients enrolled, 30 received misoprostol and 30 received dinoprostone. The average interval from start of induction to active labor was shorter in misoprostol group (6.5+/-3.2 hours) than in the dinoprostone group (10.7+/-7.3 hours) (p<0.05). Oxytocin augmentation of labor occurred more often in the dinoprostone group (36.7%) than in the misoprostol group (10.0%) (p<0.05). There was a higher prevalence of fetal distress (23.3% versus 3.3%) and tachysystole (16.6% versus 6.6%) in the misorprostol group than in the dinoprostone group(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vaginally administered misoprostol is an effective agent for cervical ripening and induction of labor. Furthermore, the cost of misoprostol ( 360/200microgram) is much less than that of dinoprostone ( 42,000/0.5mg). Cost benefits from administration of misoprostol are evident, especially in clinics under system of diagnosis-related group (DRG) : however when given at this dosage, it is associated with a higher prevalence of fetal distress and tachysystole than dinoprostone. Further studies to compare the safety of misoprostole to that of dinoprostone and to delineate an optimal dosing regimen for misoprostol are needed.
Cervical Ripening* ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Diagnosis-Related Groups ; Dinoprostone* ; Female ; Fetal Distress ; Humans ; Membranes ; Misoprostol* ; Oxytocin ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies* ; Rupture, Spontaneous ; Tablets

Resorcin is widely being used in the fields of the therapeutics, cosmetics, industry, but allergic contact dermatitis is an infrequent adverse reaction. We have experienced a case of allergic contact dermatitis to resorcin. A 59-year-old male with Kaposi's sarcoma on the right foot developed linear erythematous vesicular eruption along the marking areas 4 days after application of Castellanis paint, used as a skin marking solution for radiation therapy. He showed patch test positive reaction to Castellani's paint as well as its individual components, resorcin and phenol.
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact* ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Foot ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paint ; Patch Tests ; Phenol ; Sarcoma, Kaposi ; Skin*

Achilles tendon is the most powerful and the biggest tendon of the body and its rupture is frequently sports-related. Many authors reported the effects of mobilization, electricity, ultrasound and various drugs as factors influencing the injured tendon. We studied the effects of early passive mobilization after firm suture using plantaris tendon as tension suture material and reinforcing membrane on the repair of a ruptured Achilles tendon. From March 1992 to December 1995, twenty-two operations on the Achilles tendon were carried out in our hospital. 1. Fourteen patients were male and eight patients were female. The mean patient age was 38 years, ranging from 13 to 68 years. Average follow-up periods was 2 years and 7 months, ranging from 12 months to 3 years and 8 months. 2. The rupture site was 4.7cm proximal to the tendon insertion into the calcaneus on average. 3. We performed the operations with end to end suture technique. After approximation of the ruptured ends of the tendon with a No. 5 Ethibond tension suture using a modified Kessler stitch, placed plantaris tendon in a fascial needle and pass it circumferentially and distal plantaris tendon is fanned out and tacked over the repair. 4. Postoperative treatment was done as following protocol Short leg cast was done with equinus position for initial 3 weeks, and then cast was removed, hydrotherapy and passive exercises was employed. About 6 weeks after operation when the foot can be brought to right angle, a reverse 90degrees ankle stop short leg brace was applied for additional 6 weeks and partial weight bearing was aUowed. 5. Follow-up results were classified according to the Arner-Lindholm scale. We had 16 excellent results and 6 satisfactory results. After rigid suture it may be possible to introduce a regimen of progressive isometric stimulation and protected loading and streching combined with removable orthosis. Such early exercises are likely to improve the rate of rehabilitation over plaster immobilization.
Achilles Tendon* ; Ankle ; Braces ; Calcaneus ; Electricity ; Exercise ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Humans ; Hydrotherapy ; Immobilization ; Leg ; Male ; Membranes ; Needles ; Orthotic Devices ; Rehabilitation ; Rupture* ; Suture Techniques ; Sutures ; Tendons ; Ultrasonography ; Weight-Bearing

No abstract available.
Female ; Ovary* ; Teratoma*

No abstract available.
Female ; Ovary* ; Teratoma*

No abstract available.
Sternotomy*

No abstract available.
Respiratory System* ; Respiratory Tract Infections* ; Roxithromycin*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Parents* ; Siblings*