BACKGROUND: We conducted this study to verify whether a mechanical ventilator is adequate for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). METHODS: A self-inflating bag resuscitator and a mechanical ventilator were used to test two experimental models: Model 1 (CPR manikin without chest compression) and Model 2 (CPR manikin with chest compression). Model 2 was divided into three subgroups according to ventilator pressure limits (P(limit)). The self-inflating bag resuscitator was set with a ventilation rate of 10 breaths/min with the volume-marked bag-valve procedure. The mode of the mechanical ventilator was set as follows: volume-controlled mandatory ventilation of tidal volume (Vt) 600 mL, an inspiration time of 1.2 seconds, a constant flow pattern, a ventilation rate of 10 breaths/minute, a positive end expiratory pressure of 3 cmH2O and a maximum trigger limit. Peak airway pressure (P(peak)) and Vt were measured by a flow analyzer. Ventilation adequacy was determined at a Vt range of 400-600 mL with a P(peak) of < or = 50 cmH2O. RESULTS: In Model 1, Vt and P(peak) were in the appropriate range in the ventilation equipments. In Model 2, for the self-inflating bag resuscitator, the adequate Vt and P(peak) levels were 17%, and the P(peak) adequacy was 20% and the Vt was 65%. For the mechanical ventilator, the adequate Vt and P(peak) levels were 85%; the P(peak) adequacy was 85%; and the Vt adequacy was 100% at 60 cmH2O of P(limit). CONCLUSIONS: In a manikin model, a mechanical ventilator was superior to self-inflating bag resuscitator for maintaining adequate ventilation during chest compression.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation* ; Manikins* ; Models, Theoretical ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Thorax ; Tidal Volume ; Ventilation* ; Ventilators, Mechanical*

We experienced one case of severe pituitary dwarfism in a 10 years old female girl. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) revealed transection of the pituitary stalk stalk with the formation of high intensity ectopic posterior lobe located at the median eminence and agenesis of an anterior lobe of pituitary gland. The serum growth Hormone (GH) response to clonidine and L-dopa revealed severe GH deficiency. The patient had responses to TRH, normal TSH and partial prolactin response, respectively. There was not response LH and FSH to GnRH. The morning cortisol concentration and serum T4 concentration were decreased below the normal range. These findings and no hyperprolactinemia suggested the presence of a vascular connection between the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, which is not visible on MRI. Sofar, the primary cause of idiopathic pituitary dwarfism in many patients is injury to hypothalamus by perinatal insults. In this patient, there was no history of perinatal insults and postnatal head trauma but transection of the pituitary stalk. We report a case of severe pituitary dwarfism due to agenesis with brief review of related litereature.
Child ; Clonidine ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Dwarfism, Pituitary* ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hyperprolactinemia ; Hypothalamus ; Levodopa ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Median Eminence ; Pituitary Gland* ; Pituitary Gland, Anterior* ; Prolactin ; Reference Values

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The transmission routes of HCV infection were not determined in the half of the HCV infected patients. So intrafamilial personal contact, sexual contact, vertical transmission and some vectors are supposed as a route of HCV infection. We investigated the prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in healthy Korean children and compared with the data from the healthy adults whether the vertical transmission is feasible. METHODS: Serum samples from 2,080 children in 8 elementary schools were tested for serum aminotransferases, hepatitis B viral markers by radioimmu- noassay, and anti-HCV by the third generation EIA. Sera from anti-HCV positive children were tested for HCV-RNA by RT-PCR. Six months later, same tests were repeated. RESULTS: Anti-HCV was positive in 17 children among 2,080(0.82%). Among 17 anti-HCV positive children, HCV-RNA was detected only in one case and the HCV genotype was type II by Okamotos classification. Anti-HCV was tested again in 7 of 17 anti-HCV positive children after 6 months later and all of these children were anti-HCV positive and additional 3 of 19 family members were anti-HCV positive. But HCV-RAN was not detected in alL CONCLUSION: Anti-HCV positive rate in children was 0.81%.
Adult ; Biomarkers ; Child* ; Classification ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B ; Humans ; Prevalence* ; Transaminases

Specific values for amplitude and implicit time may differ among laboratory due to normal variations in recording electrodes, equipment, and protocol. We presented the results of fulHield and focal macular electroretinography in normal subjects using MacADIOS 411 and Maculoscope. Full-field electroretinograms were obtained in 87 normal subjects (65 males, 22 females) and focal macular electroretinograms were recorded in 33 valunteers(18 males, 15 females) under controlled condition. Age-matched norms were given in table, and for the purpose of clinical application, range of values was given for each group.
Electrodes ; Electroretinography* ; Humans ; Male

A 50-year-old woman visited our hospital for two palpable masses on her sternal and left upper abdominal areas. She had augmentation mammoplasty 12 years prior. Based on the physical examination, the mass in the sternal area was firm, movable, and round. The size of the mass was approximately 3.0x3.0x1.0 cm3. The mass in the upper-left abdomen showed similar characteristics, with a size of approximately 10.0x15.0x1.5 cm3. Ultrasonography revealed a 3.9x1.0x3.4 cm3 hypoechoic lesion in the sternal area. On enhanced-mode computed tomography, a rupture of the left breast implant was noted. Both masses had similar densities as the implant. After rupture of the breast implant, surgery was performed under general anesthesia. Using an inframammary approach, both breast implants and masses were removed using the site of the previous mammoplasty incision. Intraoperative findings revealed that the left breast implant was ruptured and the masses consisted of implant gel components. After surgery, the patient's recovery was uneventful. The patient was discharged without any problem on hospital day 9.
Abdomen ; Anesthesia, General ; Breast Implants* ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; Middle Aged ; Physical Examination ; Rupture ; Silicone Gels* ; Ultrasonography

With the development of body sensor technology, wearable health monitoring systems have been an emerging information technology in the 'ubiquitous health care' system. Wearable sensors enable long-term continuous physiological monitoring important in health promotion and management of many chronic disorders. In this paper, we present several wearable health monitoring systems developed by different countries and discuss emerging opportunities, as well as, existing challenges such as standardization, administration, validation, and discrepancy issues between technology and clinical implication.
Health Promotion ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; Telemedicine

BACKGROUND: A prospective study about the association between serum ferritin concentration and diabetes mellitus showed that higher risk of diabetes was found in men in higher concentration of serum ferritin. The aims of this study is to examine the association between serum ferritin concentration and the risk of diabetes mellitus in healthy Korean in hospital-based samples. METHODS: In a volunterred healthy population(n=14,782), who underwent health examination in Samsung Medical Center, from January to December 1997, serum ferritin and glucose were determined. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, BMI, serum triglyceride concentration, and multiple logistic regression analysis showed that those in the highest quartile had increased risk of diabetes mellitus (OR: men 2.26(95% CI 2.41-2.95, p=0.0001), women 3.03(95% CI 2.51-3.67, p=0.0001), compared with those in the lowest quartile. CONCLUSION: In studied population, elevated serum ferrtin concentration was associated with an increaed risk of diabetes.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Ferritins ; Glucose ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides

The nutcracker syndrome is the congestion of left renal vein due to the compression of left renal vein by the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery and has been known as the cause of hematuria with or without left renal flank pain, mild to moderate proteinuria and orthostatic proteinuria. We present here one case of 13.5 year of girl has severe typical nutcracker syndrome with orthostatic protinuria and idiopathic chronic fatigue.
Aorta ; Child* ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Fatigue* ; Female ; Flank Pain ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; Proteinuria* ; Renal Veins

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare the pregnancy outcomes of nulliparous women aged 40 years and older with those of nulliparous women under 35 years of age. METHODS: From January 1989 to December 1998 total 57,563 deliveries were seen in Gachon Gil Medical Center. Among them we experienced 59 cases of nulliparas at 40 years and older. These women were compared with 188 young nulliparas under 35 years of age as the control group. The statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square tests, and statistical significance was defined as p<0.05. RESULTS: The incidence rate of elderly nulliparas aged 40 years and older was increased from 0.04% in 1989 to 0.30% in 1998. The age distribution was from 40 years to 45 years. The gravidity of eldery nulliparas was 2.2 in comparison with 1.6 in control group. The incidence of uterine myoma, gestational DM, IUGR and oligohydramnios was significantly high rate in elderly nulliparas. There was significantly high rate of cesarean section in elderly nulliparas(88.1%) in comparison with control group(40.4%). The reasons of cesarean section were her demand(39.0%), CPD(15.3%) and breech presentation(13.6%) in decreasing order. The preterm delivery rate was 10.2% in elderly nulliparas in comparison with 4.3% in the control group. Placenta accreta and uterine atony were significantly high in elderly nulliparas and mean estimated blood loss was also high. There was no difference in 5-minute Apgar score between both group, but there were more cases of neonatal intensive care unit admission in neonates of elderly nulliparas(6.8% vs 0%). CONCLUSION: The incidence of elderly nulliparas is continuously increasing. The elderly nulliparas and their babies are at greater risk than young women. Therefore all elderly nulliparas aged 40 years and older can be regarded as high risk patients and they must be managed with careful attention.
Age Distribution ; Aged ; Apgar Score ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Gravidity ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Leiomyoma ; Oligohydramnios ; Placenta Accreta ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Uterine Inertia

From March, 1988 to August, 1989, the authors performed nasolacrimal duct reconstruction with Pyrex glass tube without bony perforation in 26 eyes of 25 patients who has chronic dacryocystitis with nasolacrinal duct obstruction. This method is implantation of permanent indwelling pyrex glasstube from base of the sac through the interosseous canal into the vault of inferior nasal meatus and there are several advantages in this method; The technique is more simple and less traumatic than other dacryocystorhinostomy, tear drainage inferioly prevents pooling of tear in inferior portion of lacrimal sac after surgery, normal anatomic relationships are retained and less postoperative care is required. The results were as follows: 1. Success was achieved in 24 of 26 cases including partial success. 2. Postoperative complications were developed that hypertrophic scar 2 cases, superficial punctate keratitis 1 case, wound infection 1 case, nasal bleeding 1 case.
Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Dacryocystitis ; Dacryocystorhinostomy ; Drainage ; Epistaxis ; Glass* ; Humans ; Keratitis ; Nasolacrimal Duct* ; Postoperative Care ; Postoperative Complications ; Tears ; Wound Infection