The objectives of this study were to examine the changes of birth weight and relationship of birth weight with maternal age and parity. The study population included 13,634 single live births out of 14,346 births delivered at a general hospital in Busan between January 1, 1977 and December 31, 1986. Data were obtained from the delivery record. In 1979 the mean birth weight of male was 3,074 gm and that of female to 2,985 gm. In 1986 birth weight of male was increased to 3,266 gm and that of female to 3,210 gm. Low birth weight (< or = 2,500 gm) incidence rate was 7.2% in 1977 and it was increased gradually to 10.4% in 1980 but decreased thereafter to 6.5% in 1986. Incidence rate of overweight infant (4,001 gm < or =) was 3.9% for 10 years and it ranged from 2.9% to 4.6% but no particular changing pattern was observed. The percentage of mothers who had history of induced abortion was decreased from 51.6% in 1979 to 45.1% in 1986. Also, stillbirth rate was decreased from 2.6% in 1977 to 1.5% in 1986. The proportion of the first and second births was increased from 85.4% in 1977 to 96.0% in 1986 and the proportion of mothers of 25-34 years increased from 72.1% in 1977 to 84.7% in 1986. The incidence rates of low birth weight and over weight infant are lower in the first and second births of 25-34 years old mothers than other parities and age groups. In creased mean birth weight and decreased low birth weight incidence rate indicate that the health status of newborn infants has been improved and substantial portion of these changes can be attributed to increase in family planning practice rate and delayed marriage. There is no evidence, however, for increasing incidence rate of overweight infant.
Abortion, Induced ; Birth Weight* ; Busan ; Family Planning Services ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Live Birth ; Male ; Marriage ; Maternal Age* ; Mothers ; Overweight ; Parity* ; Parturition* ; Stillbirth

No abstract available.
Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal* ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial*

This investigation evaluated the fracture toughness (KIC) of eight currently available core materials, and relate the fracture toughness value to fractography analysis and surface characteristics using a atomic force microscope (AFM). Single-edge notched (SEN) test specimens (n=10) and compact tension (CT) test specimens (n=10) were prepared conforming to the ASTM Standard E-399 for a high copper amalgam, three composite core materials (Core-Max II, Core Paste, Bisfil Core), two reinforced composite core materials (Ti-Core, Ti-Core Natural), a resin-modified glass ionomer core material (Vitremer), and a conventional glass ionomer core material (Ketac-Molar). The specimens were tested with an Instron Universal Testing Machine. The maximum loads were measured to calculate the fracture toughness (KIC). Thereafter, fracture surfaces of SEN specimens of each material were investigated for fractography analysis using scanning electron microscope. And, disc-shaped specimens with 1mm thickness were fabricated for each material and were investigated under AFM for surface morphology analysis. The results were as follows : 1. Bisfil Core showed the highest mean fracture toughness regardless of test methods. 2. For the tooth-colored materials, Ti-Core Natural exhibited the highest fracture toughness. 3. Ketac Molar showed a significantly low fracture toughness when compared with the amalgam and the composite resin core materials (p<0.05). 4. The fracture toughness values obtained with the single-edge notched test, except Ketac Molar, were higher than those obtained in the compact tension test. 5. SEM revealed that the fracture surface of high fracture toughness material was rougher than that of low fracture toughness material. 6. AFM revealed that the surface particles of the composite resins were smaller in size, with a lower surface roughness than the glass ionomer core materials.
Composite Resins ; Copper ; Glass ; Molar

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and associated repair integrity in patients treated with arthroscopic repair for a transtendinous rotator cuff tear followed by resection of the remnant rotator cuff tendon. METHODS: Between July 2007 and July 2011, we retrospectively reviewed patients who were treated for transtendinous full-thickness tears in the tendinous portion of the rotator cuff by arthroscopic repair. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Shoulder Rating Scale of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), the Constant-Murley score, a visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, and range of motion (ROM). The repair integrity was determined by magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasonography. RESULTS: There were 19 shoulders with transtendinous full-thickness tears in the tendinous portion of the rotator cuff. The ASES, UCLA, Constant-Murley, and VAS pain scores showed significant improvements in function and symptoms (all p<0.001). The active ROM for forward flexion and abduction was also significantly improved (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively). The postoperative radiological examination showed cuff integrity without a re-tear in 68.4% of patients. However, the UCLA, ASES, and Constant-Murley scores were not significantly different between healed and re-torn group (p=0.530, p=0.885, and p=0.262, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although repair of transtendinous rotator cuff tears followed by resection of the remnant rotator cuff tendon in the footprint has a relatively high re-tear rate, no significant difference was observed in the short-term clinical results between the re-tear and healed groups.
Arthroscopy ; California ; Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Rotator Cuff* ; Shoulder ; Surgeons ; Tears* ; Tendons ; Ultrasonography

We present a series of 10 Patients(Seven men and three women with an average age of 53 years) who underwent decompressive craniectomy for treatment to massive brain swelling following acute cerebral infarction. Clinical signs of cerebral herniation(anisocoria or fixed and dilated pupil, and/or hemiplegia with decerebrate righidity) were present in all patients. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed the mass effect by cerebral edema through midline shift. All patients were treated with an extensive craniectomy and duroplasty. Among them, one recovered without neurological deficit, three were moderately disabled but functionally dependent, three remained in a persistent vegetative state and three died within 9 days after surgery(good recovery=1, moderate disability=3, persistent vegetative state=3, death=3). The results suggest that decompressive craniectomy can be an useful lifesaving procedure for massive cerebral edema following widespread hemispheric infarction.
Brain Edema ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Decompressive Craniectomy* ; Female ; Hemiplegia ; Humans ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Persistent Vegetative State ; Prognosis ; Pupil

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation is to determine the frequency of chromosomal or genetic causes of recurrent spontaneous abortion. METHODS : A cytogenetic study was made in of 921 couples for 13 years from January 1984 to December 1997 in which the woman was ascertained to have had two or more spontaneous abortions at our Cytogenetic Laboratory, Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Population, Seoul National University. RESULTS : The overall incidence of chromosome anomaly was 80 out of 921 (8.7%). There were 34 cases (3.69%) of reciprocal balanced translocation and 13 cases (1.41%) of Robertsonian translocation. Also 17 cases (1.85%) of inversion and 5 cases (0.54%) of X chromosome mosiacism was observed. In the case of reciprocal balanced translocation, chromosome 8,6,7,13 were preferentially involved over others. And in the case of Robertsonian translocation, chromosome 13 was preferentially involved. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that cytogenetic analysis is indicated in couples with 2 or more spontaneous abortion and about half of these disorders are reciprocal balanced or Robertsonian translocations.
Abortion, Spontaneous* ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 13 ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Cytogenetics* ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Pregnancy ; Reproductive Medicine ; Seoul ; X Chromosome

No abstract available.
Anesthesia, Spinal* ; Arthroplasty*

Between August 1994 and June 1995, seventeen patients diagnosed as having partial or complete ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament on MRI were managed by non-operative methods. Among them four patients were excluded due to operation during follow-up and the results were evaluated at a one year follow-up. We selected the patients prospectively for non-operative care using the selection criteria of age, degree of instability, activity level and patient compliance. The average age of them was 37.7 years. Initially knee stress test and MRI were checked, and Cybex study and Lysholm knee scoring were done at post-trauma one year follow-up. They were managed conservatively by ROM and muscle strengthening exercises and a brace fitting schedule for three months. Among them, six cases had partial tears and seven had a complete tear initially. At the one year follow-up, five of six cases who had shown partial ruptures, and two of seven cases with complete tears, recovered continuity of the ruptured ACL on MRI. Their Lysholm knee score was 84.4, and the Cybex test showed no difference in muscle power between the injured and uninjuried side. Those patients who had loss of continuity on follow-up MRI showed Lysholm score of 57.4 and decreased muscle power on Cybex study. Although there are still controversies about the adequate management of ACL injuries, our study suggests that conservative management is a viable alternative to surgery as long as the patients are selected prudently. For more concrete results, however, careful analysis based on a longer follow up period is necessary.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament* ; Appointments and Schedules ; Braces ; Exercise ; Exercise Test ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Patient Compliance ; Patient Selection ; Prospective Studies ; Rupture*