No abstract available.
Mass Screening* ; Rural Health*

In this study, we measured the activity of the erythrocyte pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase(P5N) for 83 workers exposed to lead in their workplace, and analyzed the correlation of the activity with other biological exposure indices of lead. The measurement was performed by using a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a reverse phased ODS column. The results are as follows; 1. The correlation of the erythrocyte P5N activity with the concentration of blood lead(PbB) was shown to be statistically significant (r=-0.71, p=0.0001). 2. For a group of subjects whose PbB was less than 10microgram/dl, the erythrocyte P5N activity was 14.9+/-1.5 micromole uridine/h/g Hb. 3. For medical surveillance, this study suggests the erythrocyte P5N activity of 12 micromole uridine/h/g Hb is equivalent to 40 microgram/dl of PbB. 4. The correlation coefficients of the erythrocyte P5N activity with other biological exposure indices of lead such as PbB, ZPP, ALA-U, PBU, CP-U, ALAD, and log ALAD were -0.71, -0.64, -0.57, -0.51, -0.50, 0.46 and 0.64, respectively. 5. The correlation coefficients of the PbB with other biological exposure indices of lead for ALAD, P5N, ZPP, PBU, CP-U, and ALA-U were -0.76, -0.71, 0.68, 0.59, 0.42, and 0.41, respectively. The erythrocyte P5N activity can be used as a reliable biological exposure index of lead.
5'-Nucleotidase* ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Erythrocytes*

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the effectiveness of 2 developmental tests-Korean Infant and Child Development Test (KICDT) and Korean Bayley Scale of Infant Development-II (K-BSID-II)-in the assessment of children with developmental delay. METHODS: Twenty-eight children with suspected developmental delay, who visited the Department of Pediatrics in Asan Medical Center from February 2007 to June 2008 were enrolled. They were examined using both KICDT and K-BSID-II. The results of the tests were compared on the basis of 2 parameters: age group of the children and detection of organic brain lesion on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The correlation between the results of the 2 tests was analyzed using SPSS. Further, intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated using SAS to examine consistency between the results of the 2 tests. RESULTS: The mental developmental index of K-BSID-II showed significant correlation with every KICDT score (P<0.01). The psychomotor developmental index of K-BSID-II was also significantly correlated with every KICDT score except the fine motor score (P<0.01). The mental developmental index of K-BSID-II showed significant correlation [Editor20] with the KICDT gross motor, fine motor, and language scores (P<0.05). Further, there was significant correlation between the psychomotor developmental index of K-BSID-II and the KICDT gross motor score (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: There was significant [Editor21]correlation between the results of KICDT and K-BSID-II for infants and children with developmental delay. Although our results suggest that KICDT is useful in assessing developmental delay, further research would be needed to standardize this test.
Brain ; Child ; Child Development ; Humans ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pediatrics ; Phenothiazines

The posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome(PRES) is characterized clinically by a combination of acute or subacute confusion, lethargy, visual disturbance, and seizures. PRES has been described in various clinical settings, including severe hypertension, chemotherapy, eclampsia, and seizure. We report a case of a 7-year-old girl who had taken cyclosporine for steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome. Twenty one days after the cyclosporine therapy, she was admitted due to generalized tonic clonic seizure and headache. Her blood pressure was 170/90 mmHg. Magnetic resonance(MR) imaging showed necrotic/cystic lesions involving the bilateral parieto-occipital region. After discontinuation of cyclosporine, and control of blood pressure, she had no more seizure and headache. The follow-up MR examination which was performed 6 months later showed the decreased extent of the lesion.
Blood Pressure ; Child* ; Cyclosporine* ; Drug Therapy ; Eclampsia ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Lethargy ; Nephrotic Syndrome* ; Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome* ; Pregnancy ; Seizures

BACKGROUND: Although secondary cervicothoracic scoliosis frequently occurs in patients with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), the relationship between scoliosis and CMT has not been evaluated. This study aims to evaluate the effects of surgical release of sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle on secondary cervicothoracic scoliosis in patients with CMT and determine factors affecting the improvement of scoliosis after surgical release of SCM muscle. METHODS: Eighty-seven of the 106 patients, confirmed as having secondary cervicothoracic scoliosis with CMT with a minimum 1-year follow-up, were included in this study. Preoperative and last follow-up radiologic outcomes were assessed for the cervicomandibular angle (CMA), Cobb angle of the cervicothoracic scoliosis, and direction of convexity in the scoliosis curve. Patients were divided into two groups to assess the improvement of Cobb angle according to residual growth potential; age ≤ 15 years and > 15 years. The improvement of Cobb angle after surgical release was compared in the two groups. Correlation analysis and multivariable regression analysis were performed to determine the factors affecting the improvement of scoliosis. RESULTS: All the radiologic parameters, such as the Cobb angle and CMA, improved significantly after surgical release (p < 0.001). The improvement of Cobb angle was significantly higher in age ≤ 15 years than in age > 15 years (p < 0.001). The improvement of Cobb angle was significantly correlated with age (r = −0.474, p < 0.001) and the preoperative Cobb angle (r = 0.221, p = 0.036). In multivariable regression analysis, age and preoperative Cobb angle were shown to be predisposing factors affecting the improvement of scoliosis. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that SCM release can be a beneficial treatment for secondary cervicothoracic scoliosis. The improvement of scoliosis was greater when the SCM release was performed before the patient reached the end of growth.
Causality ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Scoliosis ; Torticollis

Objectives: This study was conducted to demonstrate the reliability of mini-open anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) combined with lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) followed by 2-stage posterior fixation in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD).Summary of Literature Review: Although the correction of ASD using LLIF has become more widespread, the amount of sagittal plane correction has been reported to be suboptimal.Materials and Method: Thirty ASD patients who underwent ALIF with LLIF followed by 2-stage posterior fixation (AP group) were compared to 60 patients who underwent posterior-only surgery (PO group) and were matched according to age, sex, diagnosis, fusion level, pelvic incidence, and follow-up duration. Spinopelvic parameters, hospitalization data, clinical outcomes, and complications were compared between the 2 groups. Results: Postoperative lumbar lordosis was greater in the AP group than in the PO group (p<0.001). The reduction in the sagittal vertical axis was also greater in the AP group than in the PO group (p=0.005). Postoperatively, 90.0% of the AP group had a pelvic incidence– lumbar lordosis value within 9°, whereas only 50.0% of the PO group met that criterion (p<0.001). The operation time of the AP group was longer than that of the PO group, while estimated blood loss and red cell transfusion were lower in the AP group. Postoperative medical complications and delayed surgical complications developed more frequently in the PO group. Conclusions Mini-open ALIF with LLIF followed by 2-stage posterior fixation can restore sagittal balance more appropriately, with a lower rate of complications, than posterior-only surgery for the correction of ASD.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation(AF) is the common and importand arrhythmia in the eldery. Because the distribution of cardiovascular disease changes according to age group and era, the distribution of underlying diseases in patients with AF also tends to change. The purpose of this study is to identify the difference between the eldery(> or = 65yr) and the young adult(<65yr) patients with AF in distribution of underlying disease. METHODS: 218 patients with AF diagnosed by routine EKG and Holter minitoring from Jan. 1996 to Dec 1998 in National Medical Center was evaluated. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively in aspect of age, sex, developmental form & underlying disease of AF. In detail. last two subjects were investigated in two separate age group and at the same time, relation between them studied. RESULTS: The majority of age group with AF was 65~74yr(40.4%) and the eldery patient was 59.7%. Acute paroxysmal form and chronic persistent form was 21.1% and 78.9% respectively. There was no significant difference in development form of AF between the eldery and young adult group(chi2=1.45, p=0.227) The common underlying disease were hypertension(33.4%), congestive heart failure(32.1%), rheumatic valvular heart diseas(20.2%). ischemic heart disease(14.2%), hyperthyroidism(6.9%), COPD(4.1%), and lone AF(10.1%). In the eldery patients. hypertension is the most common underlying disease(42.3%) and congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, rheumatic valvular heart disease, and COPD were 36.2%, 21.5%, 10.8%, 6.9% respectively. In the young adult group-, rheumatic valvular heart disease was the most common(34%), and congestive heart failure, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and hyperthyroidism were 26.1%, 20,5%, 3.4%, 10.2% respectively(chi2 = 62.71, p = 0.000). wheares ischemic heart disease, COPD, hyperthyroidism, stress, trauma, acute alcohol intoxication and lone AF were more common in acute paroxysmal AF, but hypertension, congestive heart failure, reumatic valvular heart disease were more common in chronic persistent AF(chi2 = 93.75, p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Among underlying disease of AF. hypertension, congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease were markedly increased and rheumatic valvular heart disease was decreased than previous reports in Korea. Hypertension, congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, COPD were more common in the eldely and as to rheumatic valvular heart disease, hyperthyroidism, and lone AF were in the young adult. Thus it showed significant difference in underlying desease between the eldery & the young adult as well as acute paroxysmal & chronic persistent form.
Aged* ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Electrocardiography ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hyperthyroidism ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in higher-order aberrations (HOAs) after implantation of an ICL (implantable contact lens). METHODS: Twenty-six eyes that had undergone ICL implantation between February 2008 and October 2009 were included. Ocular higher-order aberrations of all the eyes were measured using the Hartmann-Shack aberrometer (KR9000PW). Examinations were performed preoperatively, as well as one week, one month, and three months after ICL implantation. Changes in ocular total higher-order aberrations, total spherical aberration, coma aberration, trefoil aberration, and S3 and S4 calculated in the central 4-mm zone and expressed as root mean square (RMS) values were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 25.4 years, and the mean preoperative spherical equivalent was -6.40 diopters(D). The mean postoperative spherical equivalents were 0.00 +/- 0.13D, 0.03 +/- 0.21D, -0.013 +/- 0.12D at one week, one month,and three months, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in ocular higher-order aberration RMS,including spherical, coma, or trefoil aberration, at one week, one month, or three months postoperative or between preoperative and postoperative measurements. CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant change of ocular higher order aberration in the central 4-mm zone after ICL implantation.
Coma ; Eye ; Humans ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Lotus

The purpose of this study is to investigate the current status of and to collect the basic informations of musculoskeletal diseases of upper extremities in manufacturing and telecommunication companies. The subjects were 213 workers, consisted Of 98 manufacturing workers and 115 telephoBfi operators. The musculoskeletal ,symptom survey, Job safety analysis (JSA), and medical examinations including neurologic, and'nerve.cqnduction velocity (NCV) test were conducted.: All workers were women in company A, while the other composed of 68(69.4%) men and 30(30.6%) women. The results were as follows: 1. The rates of self-reporting symptoms in each company were 85.2% at the neck, 81.1% at the shoulder joint, 73.0% at the wrist joint and 34.8% at the elbow joint in company A, while 56.1% at the shoulder joint, 51.2% at the neck and 23.5% at the elbow joint in company B in order. 2. No relationship was observed between the work duration and symptom rate in company A, but the highest symptom rate was observed at the neck in 10-19 year work duration group, at the shoulder, elbow and wrist joint in 5-9 year work duration group in company B. 3. Over the 22.8% of total workers in this study having symptoms got medical treatment at the medical clinics or drug stores, but there was no statistical difference between both companies. 4. In company A, 16(13.9%) workers were classified as D category, 12(10.4%) workers as C category and 2(1.7%) workers as R category among 115 workers. And D category was 10(10.2%), C category 31(31.6%) and R category 4(4.0%) among 98 workers in company B. D category means disease category needed futher treatment, C category means disease category needed no treatment and R category means recheck category, needed futher evaluation. 5. The types of musculoskeletal disorders including D, C, and R category were 46 cases(D 13, C 30, R 3) of tension neck .syndrome (TNS), 16 cases (D 3, C 8, R 5) of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), 5 cases of De Quervain's disease, 3 cases of lateral epicondylitis, 3 cases of bicipital tendinitis, 3 cases of rotator cuff tendinitis, 2 cases of medical epicondylitis, and 5 cases of cervical disc syndrome. 6. In company A, the total cases of 11 TNS, 8 CTS, 3 De Quervain's disease, 3 lateral epicondylitis, 3 rotator cuff tendinitis and 1 cervical disc syndrome were diagnosed and so were total cases of 35 TNS, 8 CTS and 4 cervical disc syndrome in company B. 7. By stepwise multiple regression analysis with dichotomization of musculoskeletal disease, the following odds ratios were significantly high (p<0.05)-sex (2.707) and age(l.926).
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Cumulative Trauma Disorders ; De Quervain Disease ; Elbow ; Elbow Joint ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Diseases* ; Neck ; Odds Ratio ; Rotator Cuff ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Joint ; Telecommunications* ; Tendinopathy ; Upper Extremity* ; Wrist Joint

The purpose of this study is to investigate the current status of and to collect the basic informations of musculoskeletal diseases of upper extremities in manufacturing and telecommunication companies. The subjects were 213 workers, consisted Of 98 manufacturing workers and 115 telephoBfi operators. The musculoskeletal ,symptom survey, Job safety analysis (JSA), and medical examinations including neurologic, and'nerve.cqnduction velocity (NCV) test were conducted.: All workers were women in company A, while the other composed of 68(69.4%) men and 30(30.6%) women. The results were as follows: 1. The rates of self-reporting symptoms in each company were 85.2% at the neck, 81.1% at the shoulder joint, 73.0% at the wrist joint and 34.8% at the elbow joint in company A, while 56.1% at the shoulder joint, 51.2% at the neck and 23.5% at the elbow joint in company B in order. 2. No relationship was observed between the work duration and symptom rate in company A, but the highest symptom rate was observed at the neck in 10-19 year work duration group, at the shoulder, elbow and wrist joint in 5-9 year work duration group in company B. 3. Over the 22.8% of total workers in this study having symptoms got medical treatment at the medical clinics or drug stores, but there was no statistical difference between both companies. 4. In company A, 16(13.9%) workers were classified as D category, 12(10.4%) workers as C category and 2(1.7%) workers as R category among 115 workers. And D category was 10(10.2%), C category 31(31.6%) and R category 4(4.0%) among 98 workers in company B. D category means disease category needed futher treatment, C category means disease category needed no treatment and R category means recheck category, needed futher evaluation. 5. The types of musculoskeletal disorders including D, C, and R category were 46 cases(D 13, C 30, R 3) of tension neck .syndrome (TNS), 16 cases (D 3, C 8, R 5) of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), 5 cases of De Quervain's disease, 3 cases of lateral epicondylitis, 3 cases of bicipital tendinitis, 3 cases of rotator cuff tendinitis, 2 cases of medical epicondylitis, and 5 cases of cervical disc syndrome. 6. In company A, the total cases of 11 TNS, 8 CTS, 3 De Quervain's disease, 3 lateral epicondylitis, 3 rotator cuff tendinitis and 1 cervical disc syndrome were diagnosed and so were total cases of 35 TNS, 8 CTS and 4 cervical disc syndrome in company B. 7. By stepwise multiple regression analysis with dichotomization of musculoskeletal disease, the following odds ratios were significantly high (p<0.05)-sex (2.707) and age(l.926).
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Cumulative Trauma Disorders ; De Quervain Disease ; Elbow ; Elbow Joint ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Diseases* ; Neck ; Odds Ratio ; Rotator Cuff ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Joint ; Telecommunications* ; Tendinopathy ; Upper Extremity* ; Wrist Joint