Tsutsugamushi disease is an acute febrile disease caused by Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, and which has been reported with increasing frequency thorough the nation since 1986. We experienced 21 cases of Tsutsugamushi Disease diagnosed with serologic test occurring in Taegu city and Kyungpook province during October-November, 1989. The results of survey are as follow. 1) Of 21 cases, 12 (57%) were males and 9 (43%) were females, and the peak incidence was the 4th decade. 2) The outbreak was in October to November and the peak incidence was in October. 3) The most frequent symptoms were fever and chill (100%), myalgia (95%), headache (90%), Eschar and rash were observed in 18 patients (86%) and the eschar was detected in all over the body, especially thorax (33%) and lower extremity (22%). 4) Laboratory features were SGOT elevation (83%), SGPT elevation (61%), LDH elevation (67%), leukocytosis (38%). 5) Indirect immunofluorescent antibody test was done in 18 patients and the antibody titer was above 1:320 in all patients. 6) The chloramphenicol, tetracycline or doxycycline regimens were very effective and mean duration of defervescence from initiation of therapy was 1.3 days. 7) The complication such as meningitis or shock, was not seen.
Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Chloramphenicol ; Daegu ; Doxycycline ; Exanthema ; Female ; Fever ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Headache ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leukocytosis ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Meningitis ; Myalgia ; Orientia tsutsugamushi ; Scrub Typhus* ; Serologic Tests* ; Shock ; Tetracycline ; Thorax

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed 200 cases of prenatal amniocentesis and compared them with other reported studies. Thus we propose the necessity of metanalysis for prenatal amniocentesis. METHOD: We analyzed 200 cases that have undergone amniocentesis at Masan Samsung hospital from January 1996 to December 1997. The results of our study was compared with other reported studies of amniocentesis by indication and maternal age. The proportion of age-class and indication are compared between previous study subjects and our 200 cases. RESULTS: Triple marker abnormality was the most common indication of amniocentesis(51%) and the most common age distribution was 25-29 years (43.5%). Chromosomal aberration was diagnosed in 20 cases (10%) of which the numerical aberration was 9 cases (4.5%) and the structural aberration was 11 cases (5.5%). 5 cases (2.5%) out of ll cases of the structural aberration were normal variant. There were 7 cases (trisomy 21) of autosomal aberration and 2 cases (Turner syndrome) of sex chromosome aberration. Arnong the structural aberration, there was only one reported case of 46, t(7:10) reciprocal translocation. There were no cases of fetal death except for a little self limited preterm labor. There were no neonatal complications. In the comparison of indication and maternal age with other studies, abnormal triple test was the most common indication of amniocentesis. The number of young pregnant women under 35 years old who underwent genetic amniocentesis was increased year by year. CONCLUSION: Triple maker screening test and genetic amniocentesis become popular method of antenatal diagnosis in Korea. Now, it is the proper time to establish standard indication of prenatal amniocentesis in this country by systemic and objective statistic examination. So we address the need for metanalysis in our country as comparing with other studies.
Adult ; Age Distribution ; Amniocentesis* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Female ; Fetal Death ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Maternal Age ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations

No abstract available.
Asthma* ; Child* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Rhinitis*

The prevalence of undernutrition in hospital populations is known to be high. The presence of malnutrition is associated with depression, infections, sarcopaenia, falls, fractures, reduced autonomy and increased mortality. This study specifically examined the prevalence of malnutrition in patients aged 65 or older at the time of admission as determined by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) which has been a frequently used nutritional risk screening tools in detecting undernutrition in old people. This study was done for one hundred eight hospitalized geriatric patients in Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul, Korea. On admission baseline history, anthropometrics measurements, laboratory data and nutritional status by MNA were assessed. Length of hospital stay was obtained by reviewing medical charts. We used one-way analysis of variance to compare the differences in variables. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated for associations between MNA and variables. On admission, 22.3% of patients were malnourished and 40.7% were at risk of malnutrition according to the MNA. Percent of ideal body weight, anthropometrics data, albumin, and hemoglobin were lower in the malnourished patients (p < 0.05). The malnourished patients stayed in the hospital 7.3 days longer, as compared with well nourished patients (p < 0.05). Percent of ideal body weight, albumin, hemoglobin and total cholesterol were correlated inversely with nutritional status according to MNA (p < 0.05). MNA can be used for nutritional assessment in Korean old people, because MNA significantly correlated with other nutritional assessment parameters, such as, anthropometric and laboratory data in hospitalized geriatric patients. The high prevalence of malnutrition in the elderly was observed and the presence of malnutrition on admission predicted a significant increase in the length of hospital stay in this study. Therefore further studies are needed to determine whether nutritional interventions in old people with low MNA scores can improve clinical outcomes during the hospital course.
Aged ; Cholesterol ; Depression ; Humans ; Ideal Body Weight ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Malnutrition ; Mass Screening ; Mortality ; Nutrition Assessment* ; Nutritional Status* ; Prevalence ; Seoul

OBJECTIVES: Major depression is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. One possible explanation for this association is that major depression influences autonomic neurocardiac regulation. However, previous studies on the relationship between heart rate variability (HRV) and major depression have revealed conflicting results. The purpose of this study is to clarify that major depressive patients compared to healthy controls show a reduction in HRV as an expression of reduced modulation of vagal activity to the heart. METHODS: According to DSM-IV, the time and frequency domain HRV indices (5-min resting study) of 30 patients with major de-pressive disorder were compared with those of 30 healthy controls. Standardized HRV tests enable quantitative estimation of auto-nomic nervous system function. RESULTS: After controlling for age and gender, subjects with major depression showed a higher heart rate and significantly lower modulation of cardiovagal activity compared to controls. The total power (TP) band, very low frequency (VLF: 0.003-0.04 Hz) band, low frequency (LF: 0.04-0.15 Hz) band, and high frequency (HF: 0.15-0.4 Hz) band were significantly reduced in subjects with major depression compared to control subjects. CONCLUSION: Patients with major depression may suffer from functional disturbances in the interaction between the sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic systems.
Autonomic Nervous System ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major* ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Mortality ; Nervous System

PURPOSE: The purpose of this descriptive study was to assess levels of stress, coping style, and nursing needs for hospitalized pregnant women diagnosed with preterm labor. METHODS: Data were collected from 125 pregnant women aged between 20 and 40 years and diagnosed with preterm labor by OBGY units at 3 hospitals. Data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, t-test, and ANOVA with Scheffe test. RESULTS: The level of stress among women was an average of 2.13 out of 4 points, the level of coping style was an average of 2.66, and nursing needs was an average of 2.83 out of 4 points. The level of stress was significantly different by job, length of hospital stay, type of hospital, and history of admission at obstetric unit. The level of coping style was significantly different by age and monthly income. The level of nursing needs was significantly different by type of hospital. Higher level of stress and coping style were related to higher level of nursing needs. There was no significant correlation between stress and coping style. CONCLUSION: The result showed the importance of nursing intervention dealing with stress, coping style and nursing needs for women with preterm labor. Nurses need to provide nursing interventions to reduce the stress, to strengthen the coping style, and to satisfy the nursing needs for pregnant women hospitalized due to preterm labor.
Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Nursing* ; Obstetric Labor, Premature* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women*

The purpose of this study is to observe histopathologic changes in the bilateral craniomandibular joints after allowing 6 weeks of consolidation by varying the amount of distraction in rabbit mandible. Eight rabbits weighing about 2 to 3kg were used. After corticotomy was performed on the left mandibular body between the first premolar and the second premolar region, a unilateral fixation device was placed. Then, a 7-day period was allowed without distraction of the device. The mandible was lengthened 0.5mm/day. Corticotomy and lengthening of mandible were not performed in control group. After the completion of the lengthening process, a 6-week-consolidation period was allowed. Then, the rabbits were sacrificed, and histologic examination of the craniomandibular joints was performed. Proliferative changes were observed in the craniomandibular joints in all groups. With the increasing amount of distraction, hypertrophy of the cartilage layer became more severe, bone formed was dense and enchondral ossification was clearly shown in subchondral bone. Hypertrophy of the cartilage layer was also seen in the non-distracted side as the distracted side in the experimental group. These results indicate that when physical force is applied constantly to joints, the proliferation of articular cartilage and bone formation are present. When more than 6 weeks of consolidation period is allowed at the time of performing distraction for more than 5mm, articular changes, especially, in the contralateral side should also be noted.
Bicuspid ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Hypertrophy ; Joints* ; Mandible ; Osteogenesis ; Osteogenesis, Distraction* ; Rabbits*

A localized area of alopecia of the scalp can be a challenge in diagnosis. We report two patients with alopecia which was found to be associated with underlying congenital melanocytic nevus. Congenital melanocytic nevus should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of alopecic plaques of the scalp.
Alopecia* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Nevus, Pigmented* ; Scalp

A 75-year-old male patient with a left intertrochanteric fracture underwent emergency total hip arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia. He had an operation for laryngeal cancer about 10 years ago. Bronchiectasis and atelectasis were noticed in his preoperative roentgenogram. He underwent spinal anesthesia with 13 mg of 0.5% isobaric tetracaine. The level of spinal anesthesia was T7. The SpO2 (oxygen saturation of pulse oxymeter) decreased to 55% at 1 hour after start of operation. Breath sounds on the right lung were diminished. Tracheal intubation was performed for endotracheal suction. A large amount of yellowish secretion was aspirated through suction catheter. The SpO2 returned to 98%. We report a case of severe hypoxemia due to inability of expectoration in patient with bronchiectasis who underwent spinal anesthesia.
Aged ; Anesthesia, Spinal* ; Anoxia* ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Bronchi* ; Bronchiectasis* ; Catheters ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Intubation ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; Lung ; Male ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Suction ; Tetracaine

The search for tumor-avid agents for use in nuclear medicine imaging is an ongoing field of importance. The purpose of this study was to determine the affinity for radiolabeled vitamin B12 by a wide histologic variety of tumor types in mice. Seventeen different types of tumor were grown subcutaneously in female Balb/C or Balb nu/nu(nude) mice. When the tumors reached about 1 cm in diameter, mice were injected intraperitoneally with 57Co-vitamin B12. Twenty-foul hours later, the mice were sacrificed. Organs and tissues were removed, weighed, and activity per mg determined by gamma counter. Values represented cpm/mg tissue that was normalized to 20 grams body weight for each mouse. A wide variety of tumor types showed significant uptake and concentration of 57Co-vitamin B12, as evidenced by tumor:tissue activity ratios. For many tissues of great importance in terms of background(bone, muscle, blood), the tumor:tissue activity ratios of uptake were high. These data strongly suggest that further efforts to evaluate the utility of radiolabeled adducts of vitamin B12 for clinical use in oncologic imaging are warranted.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Female ; Humans ; Mice* ; Nuclear Medicine ; Vitamin B 12