BACKGROUND: It has been shown that L-type calcium channel blockers increase the muscle relaxation effects of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents whereas the potentiated neuromuscular blocking effects by L-type calcium channel blocker are resistant to reversal by neostigmine. The aims of this study were 1) to see whether the pretreatment of L-type calcium channel blocker, such as verapamil, aggravates the pipecuronium-induced muscle relaxation, 2) if so, to see whether these effects are reversed by anticholinesterase, such as neostigmine and edrophonium or potassium channel blocker, such as 4-aminopyridine. METHODS: The rat-phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragms (n=60) were prepared. Twenty microgram of pipecuronium was administered to all organ bath. All samples were divided into two groups according to the administration of 10uM of verapamil i.e. verapamil pretreated, non-pretreated group. The amounts of administered pipecuronium were gradually increased by 4ug until the force of twitch decreased to 10% of control value in both groups. Each group was subdivided into three groups according to the administration of 0.75 M of neostigmine, 12.4 uM of edrophonium or 40uM of 4-aminopyridine. RESULTS: The dose of pipecuronium required for the decrease of contractile force to 10% of control value was less in verapamil pretreated group than in non-pretreated group. And, the decrease of contractile force in both groups was more effectively reversed by 4-aminopyridine than neostigmine and edrophonium. CONCLUSIONS: Verapamil potentiates the pipecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade and 4-aminopyridine is more effective to reverse verapamil pretreated, pipecuronium induced neuromuscular blockade.
4-Aminopyridine* ; Baths ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; Edrophonium* ; Muscle Relaxation ; Neostigmine* ; Neuromuscular Blockade* ; Neuromuscular Blocking Agents ; Pipecuronium* ; Potassium Channels ; Verapamil*

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a nursing workplace spirituality instrument. METHODS: Using 44 preliminary items which were developed in a former study, a survey was done with 469 nurses working in 2 city general hospitals. Data were collected from September 19 to October 10, 2014 and were analyzed using statistical packages SPSS 18.0 and AMOS 18.0. RESULTS: The finalized Nursing Workplace Spirituality instrument consisted of 32 items and 6 sub factors: meaning of nursing, relationship with colleagues, transcendency through nursing service, inner self, interaction between the workplace environments, and harmony between individual and organization. A seven-point Likert scale was employed, and achieving a higher score in a particular factor and sum of all scores indicated high factor and Nursing Workplace Spirituality. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that with this instrument, it is possible to understand nursing organization's workplace spirituality. Therefore this instrument is recommended for use in hospitals.
Factor Analysis, Statistical* ; Hospitals, General ; Nursing Services ; Nursing* ; Spirituality*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify differences in sexual knowledge, attitudes and perspectives of sexual values for female students as these factors related to sexual characteristics. METHODS: The participants were 835 girls in junior or high school from Seoul and Kyunggi province in Korea. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, F-test and Scheffe with the SPSS 14.0 WIN program. RESULTS: The major results were as follows: First, for sexual knowledge, there were significant differences for girls from homes with conservative atmosphere and for those who had experiences related to porno. Second, related to sexual attitudes, students who had experience related to porno, were significantly more positive, and had a more open attitudes than students with no experience. Third, for perspectives of sexual value, students who perceived a conservative home atmosphere, who had boy friend, and who had experiences related to porno, had a more positive sexuality, and attitudes towards sexual equality. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that it is necessary to develop special sex education programs for both school and parents so that teachers and parents can guide these students appropriately.
Atmosphere ; Female ; Friends ; Humans ; Korea ; Parents ; Sex Education ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexuality ; Child Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Twin pregnancies represent a high risk obstetric population with perinatal morbidity and mortality much greater than that of singleton pregnancies. A retrospective dinical evaluation was attempted to analyse 211 cases of twin pregnancies in Chunchon Sacred Heart Hospital of Hallym University from Jan. l. 1988 to Dec. 31. 1997. The results were as follows. 1) The incidence of twin pregnancy was 1 in 93.9 deliveries. 2) The age of mother ranged from 19 to 42 years and predominant age group was 26-30 which covers 43.1% of all. 3) Nullipara was 61.1% and multipara was 38.9%. 4) The predominant gestational age group at delivery was 36-37 weeks, 33.2%. 5) In presentation, both cephalic combination was 46.4%, cephalic-breech was 26.1%. 6) The birth weight was less than 2500gm in 64.9% of the 1st babies and 70.6% of the 2nd babies, respectively. 7) The rate of cesarean section was 89.0%. The indications of cesarean section were malpresention (48.9%), elective cesarean section(38.8%), and toxemia(9.0%). 8) In 23 cases of vaginal delivery, the average duration of labor was 7.0 hours and 43.5% of 2nd baby was delivered within 5 min after 1st baby delivery, 9) The most frequent maternal complications during pregnancy were anemia(36.0%), preterm labor(34.6%) and preeclamsia(17.5%). 10) The perinatal mortality rate of the first and second twins was 10.4% and 12.3%, respectively. The main causes of perinatal death were prematurity(52.1%) and stillborn(22.9%). 11) Both female was 43.6%, both male was 39.3%, and opposite sex was 17.1% in infant.
Birth Weight ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Gangwon-do ; Gestational Age ; Heart ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Male ; Mortality ; Mothers ; Perinatal Mortality ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Twin* ; Retrospective Studies

No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Spinal Stenosis*

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common neoplasm of the eyelids, occurring almost twenty times more often than squamous cell carcinoma. Extensive ulceration occurs with growth(rodent ulcer). Generally the lower eyelid is involved with basal cell carcinoma, particularly its outer portion, followed by the inner canthus, the upper eyelid and then lateral canthus. It is found most often in sixth decade life. The etiology of carcinoma of the lid is assumed to be association with trauma, irritation by long use of spectacles, dirty skin, chronic blepharitis and conjunctivitis, eczema and scar caused by burn. Complete eradication of these tumors is important. We experienced a case of basal cell carcinoma in lower lid with conjunctival involvement treated by rotation flap method.
Blepharitis ; Burns ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cicatrix ; Conjunctivitis ; Eczema ; Eyeglasses ; Eyelids ; Skin ; Ulcer

OBJECTIVE: The authors present the results of management outcomes for upper basilar artery aneurysms via transclinoidal approach. METHODS: Clinical and angiographic evaluations were performed in twenty two consecutive patients with upper basilar artery aneurysms(three of them had superior cerebellar artery aneurysms) treated by surgery via transclinoidal approach between January, 1990 and April, 2000. RESULTS: Of the 22 patients, fifteen patients had multiple aneurysms including basilar bifurcation aneurysms and basilar-superior cerebellar aneurysms. Seventy seven percent were in good preoperative neurological status(H-H grade I-III), 23% were in poor grade(H-H grade IV). The management outcome was:Glasgow outcome scale(GOS) I 54.5%, GOS II 18%, GOS III 13.6%, GOS IV 4.5% and GOS V(death) 9%. The major causes of morbidity were direct brain damage, perforator occlusion, vasospasm and meningitis. CONCLUSION: The management outcome of upper basilar artery aneurysms treated via clinoidectomy was good(72.5%). Transclinoidal approach is an acceptable alternative for upper basilar artery aneurysms.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Basilar Artery* ; Brain ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Meningitis

Primary intimal sarcoma of the pulmonary artery is a rare disease and there has been no report of any case originating from the pulmonary valve. Recently we experienced a 62 year-old female patient who had a primary intimal sarcoma of the pulmonary valve with distal metastasis. She was brought to medical attention due to exertional dyspnea facial edema productive coughing and general weakness for 1 month. Chest CT and echocardi-ography suggest an acute pulmonary thromboembolism or tumor. Exploration showed a large polypoid mass arising from the pulmonary leaflets and multiple masses on distal pulmonary arteries. We replaced the pulmonary valve and reconstructed the pulmonary artery. She received radiotherapy 1 month postoperatively and now 4 months after surgery she has begun receiving chemotherapy.
Cough ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Edema ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Pulmonary Valve* ; Radiotherapy ; Rare Diseases ; Sarcoma* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

RNA interference (RNAi) is a gene-silencing technology by which small double-stranded RNAs are used to target the degradation of RNA with complementary sequence. RNAi is found in a wide variety of organisms (Caenorhabditis elegans, insects, plants, microorganisms and animals). With RNAi, we have harnessed the gene function to be explored, revolutionized our ability to perform large-scale genetic screens, and even therapeutic potential.
Biology* ; Insects ; RNA ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Double-Stranded