No abstract available.
Hyperthyroidism* ; Muscular Diseases*

Normal C3WHeN strain mice exposed to topical 8inethoxypsomlen plus long wave ultraviolet (PUVA) showed a reduction in contact hypersensitivity, (CH) which was localized to the skin in the area of PUVA treatment (local suppression), whereas systemic PUVA treatment caused diffuse suppression of CH reaction, regardless of the application site of 2,4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene (DNFB). There seem to be two different mechanisms responsible for CH reduction by PUVA. Local suppression by topical PUVA treatment was thought to be a result of blocking the afferent phase of immune response, it was associated with a lack of CH effector cells in the peripheral lymph nodes and could not be reversed by indomethacin treatment. Diffuse suppression induced by systemic PUVA treatment seemed to be associated with blocking of egress of effector cells from the regional lymph nodes, this depressed CH response was prevented when indomethacin was administered before PUVA treatment.
Animals ; Dermatitis, Contact* ; Indomethacin ; Lymph Nodes ; Mice ; Skin

Objectives: . The aim of this study was to evaluate vestibular function loss after cochlear implantation (CI) and the relationship between vestibular function and hearing changes. Methods: . Seventy-five patients with CI were enrolled and divided into those with normal preoperative caloric function (group I) and those with a normal preoperative waveform in cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (c-VEMP) testing (group II). The relationship between hearing and changes in the vestibular system was analyzed preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Results: . In group I, unilateral weakness on the implanted side was detected in five (7.7%) and eight (12.3%) patients at 3 and 6 months post-CI, respectively. By 3 months post-CI, the total slow-phase velocity (SPV; warm and cold stimulations) was significantly different between the implanted and non-implanted sides (P=0.011), and the shift in total SPV from pre- to post-CI was significantly correlated with the average hearing threshold at 6 months post-CI. In group II, an abnormal c-VEMP was detected on the implanted side in six patients (16.2%) at 3 months post-CI, and in six patients (16.2%) at 6 months post-CI. Significant changes were noticed in the P1 and N1 amplitude at 3 months postCI (P=0.027 and P=0.019, respectively). Conclusion . Vestibular function and residual hearing function should be afforded equal and simultaneous consideration in terms of preservation.

Type II mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS II) commonly known as Hunter syndrome, is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by iduronate-2-sulfatase deficiency, which in turn causes otorhinolaryngological manifestations, including sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Previously, the median survival age of patients with MPS was approximately 13.4 years. However, in the era of enzyme replacement therapy and other multidisciplinary care modalities, the life expectancy has increased. Herein, we report a rare case of an adolescent with MPS II who underwent SNHL treatment with cochlear implantation (CI). Based on unexpected findings of mastoid emissary veins and overgrowth of the vessels around the temporal bone, CI was performed using the transmeatal approach instead of the conventional transmastoid method, to avoid damage to the vessels. The average hearing threshold after CI was 35 dB and no surgical complications were encountered. Adolescent MPS II may present vessel abnormalities, which can reduce the success rate of surgery. In patients with MPS II with SNHL, CI should be performed under careful monitoring of vessel overgrowth. Moreover, with regard to feasibility of CI in adolescent patients with MPS II with SNHL, surgical techniques such as the transmeatal approach should be selected based on adequate assessment of the case.

PURPOSE: Recently, the emergency medical information center has evolved into a new alternative institution providing emergency medical dispatching in Korea. The objective of this study is to analyze the recognition level of the emergency medical information center, the compliance of the emergency medical dispatch, and the accuracy of dispatching questions for appropriate triage. METHOD: A telephone survey of Gwangju citizens and a retrospective analysis of audio recordings of dispatcher-caller conversations collected by the Gwangju Emergency Medical Information Center for one year were conducted. RESULT: Of 105 respondents, only 21 (21.9%) were aware of the existence of the emergency medical information center and it's telephone number '1339' while 92 (87.6%) respondents were aware of 119, another emergency call number for ambulance service. Distributions of calls are as follows: The most frequent age was 0~9 (43.1%) years and the busiest hour was between 18:00 and 23:59. Also, most callers asked about abdominal pain (19.7%), high fever (10.9%), and injury (10.5%). The compliance of callers to dispatcher's recommendation, 'reassurance or self-care,' 'visit a physician's office,' 'use emergency room service,' 'immediately visit emergency medical center,' was 66.7%, 70.1%, 64.0%, and 92.6%, respectively. Overall, caller's compliance and satisfaction rate were 75.95% and 68.4%, respectively. Logistic regression models showed no significant association between the cardinal dispatcher questions and appropriate triage of trauma patients. CONCLUSION: The recognition level of the emergency medical information center was very low. This result indicates that some new strategies are needed to increase community knowledge and usage of the emergency medical information center. The utilization pattern of emergency medical information center was similar to that of emergency room. It is expected that non-urgent patients could be diverted from overcrowded emergency medical centers to other medical resources by improving the emergency medical information center. Lastly, if prehospital care is to be improved further, the dispatch protocol should be refined and revised with a comprehensive emergency medical system considered.
Abdominal Pain ; Ambulances ; Compliance* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Medical Service Communication Systems ; Emergency Medical Services ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Fever ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Information Centers* ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Telecommunications ; Telephone ; Triage

We have investigated the changes of DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction in proliferative lesions of rat liver. Proliferative lesions were induced by diethylnitrosamine and partial hepatectomy. DNA ploidy was measured by flow cytometer, and S-phase fraction was measured by in situ bromodeoxyuridine(BRdU)-anti BRdU monoclonal antibody techniques. Normal liver and initiated lesion revealed DNA diploidy or DNA tetraploidy. Hepatocyte nodule (NODULE) and hepatocelular carcinoma (HCC) revealed DNA diploidy, tetraploidy or aneuploidy. S-phase fraction was 1.0+/-0.9, 1.0+/-0.9m 3.7+/-2.3, 5.5+/-4.9, and 13.8+/-11.6 in normal liver, initiated lesion, NODULE not associated with HCC, NODULE associated with HCC, and HCC, respectively. In NODULE associated with HCC, it was widely distributed, ranging from 0.8 to 15.5%. In conclusion, S-phase fraction appeared to be increased as the hepatocarcinogenesis proceeded, but DNA ploidy did not. There was a heterogeneity of DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction in the proliferative hepatic lesions.
Rats ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular

No abstract available.
Interferon-gamma Release Tests* ; Lupus Vulgaris*

PURPOSE: The use of a total gastrectomy for gastric cancer has increased with the increasing incidence of gastric cancer involving the proximal stomach. Various types of reconstruction have been introduced to reduce the associated complications, such as reflux esophagitis and malnutrition, following a total gastrectomy. METHODS: Between January 2002 and September 2003, the incidence of reflux esophagitis and the nutritional status, according to three types of reconstructive, were analyzed in 67 patients who underwent a total gastrectomy for gastric cancer involving the proximal stomach. The three types of reconstruction were a Lygidakis pouch (LY-26 cases), a Hunt-Laurence pouch (HR-25 cases) and an Aboral pouch (AB-16 cases). RESULTS: Twenty three (88%), 21 (84%) and 10 (62%) patients complained of reflux esophagitis symptoms following the Lygidakis pouch, Hunt-Laurence pouch and Aboral pouch procedures, respectively. Less reflux esophagitis complications were observed following the Aboral pouch than with the other two procedures (P=0.03). No significant differences were found in the levels of serum hemoglobin, cholesterol, total protein and albumin for nutritional status between the three types. CONCLUSIONS: The Aboral pouch procedure was superior to the other two reconstructive procedures with respect to reflux esophagitis.
Cholesterol ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; Gastrectomy* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Malnutrition ; Nutritional Status ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms*

The emergency department thoracotomy (EDT) is a bold and challenging procedure, which may be the only chance of survival for some moribund trauma patients. EDT provides ample exposure to the injury site of the heart, enabling an effective open cardiac massage. Clamshell thoracotomy is a rapid and simple procedure that provides excellent exposure to internal structures. Because EDT has more favorable outcomes for penetrating injuries than for blunt injuries, the indication for EDT in patients with blunt trauma should be well established. Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening condition that requires emergent pericardial decompression. EDT has been associated with successful initial resuscitation for traumatic cardiac arrest with cardiac tamponade. To date, there has not been any reports of clamshell incision via EDT for trauma patients in South Korea. Hence, herein, we describe two cases in which EDT with clamshell incision was implemented for cardiac tamponade with cardiac arrest after blunt trauma.
Cardiac Tamponade* ; Decompression ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Heart ; Heart Arrest ; Heart Massage ; Humans ; Korea ; Resuscitation ; Thoracotomy* ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating

No abstract available.
Angiofibroma*