No abstract available.
Asthma* ; Humans ; Prednisolone* ; Theophylline*

Two cases of subdural tension pneumocephalus were introduced after posterior fossa surgery in the sitting position. The possible mechanism for entry of air into the subdural space is explained as the fluid pours out air bubbles to the top of the container. All of two cases manifested generalized seizure at recovery room and were diagnosed with plain skull series and computed tomogram. Subdural air evacuated patient fail to recover as expected, following posterior fossa surgery in sitting position.
Humans ; Pneumocephalus* ; Recovery Room ; Seizures ; Skull ; Subdural Space

This study was undertaken to investigate the change of ear swelling response (ESR) of the mice according to repetitive ultraviolet radiation. 100mJ/crn of UVB was irradiated daily for 4 weeks, and a total of 25 C57BL mice were used as subjects. The results were as follows : 1. After 1 day, 2 days and 3 days irradiation of UVB, ESR reached 21.3+/-1.5, 22.3+/-1.1 and 24.3+/-1.6 respectively with increasing tendency, but there was no statistical significance (Wilcoxon rank sum test p>0.05). 2. ESR reached at maximum, 78.0+/-1.8, after 1 week(p<0.01), thereafter ESR decreased gradually with reparative process. 3. Inspite of continued irradiation, ESR decreased gradually after 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks irradiation, ESR decreased to 51.6+/-11.8, 45.1+/- 3.3 and 42.8+/-6.8 respectively, but, there were still increment of ESR (p<0.01).
Animals ; Ear* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL* ; Skin*

PURPOSE: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and eosinophilic inflammation have their role in asthma, but there were no studies on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis. The aim of our study was to investigate whether TNF-alpha has a role in eosinophilic inflammation of lower respiratory tract infections with RSV and has the correlation with other cytokines. METHODS: Fifty children with first RSV bronchiolitis (RSV group) and 18 healthy children without any respiratory symptom and sign (control group) were enrolled. Clinical data, such as eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), were analyzed. We measured interleukin (IL)-5, IL-8, TNF-alpha, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon (IFN)-gamma, eotaxin, and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) in nasal lavage fluid in both groups. RESULTS: Eotaxin, GM-CSF, IL-8, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha were higher in the RSV group than the control group. TNF-alpha correlated with an eosinophil-active cytokine, GM-CSF (r=0.86, P<0.0001), IFN-gamma (r=0.90, P<0.0001), and with eosinophil-active C-C chemokines such as eotaxin (r=0.50, P<0.0001). TNF-alpha also correlated with proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-8 (r= 0.81, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: TNF-alpha correlated with eosinophil-active chemokines and cytokines. Therefore, TNF-alpha may have a role in eosinophilic inflammation in children with RSV bronchiolitis.
Asthma ; Bronchiolitis ; Chemokines ; Chemokines, CC ; Child ; Cytokines ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein ; Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin ; Eosinophils ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Granulocytes ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interferons ; Interleukin-8 ; Interleukins ; Nasal Lavage Fluid ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

An analytical observation was carried out on clinical features manifested by 435 patients admitted to Sacred Heart Hospital under a diagnosis of hypertension for a period of June 1968 to August 1972. The following results were obtained: 1. The occurence rate of hypertension was like to be higher in males than in females, showing a ratio of 3:2. The group of the 6th decade of age showed the densest distribution followed the groups in the 5th and the 7th decades, in either sex. 2. The average measurement of blood pressure in patients with hypertension for less than 2 years of duration was 174.8+/-25.14/114.0+/-18.72 mmHg. One who had suffered for over 10 years showed 189.7+/-32.02/126.6+/-23.95mmHg. The value had a tendency to increase as the ailment duration prolonged. 3. In eye fundus findings,hypertensive retinopathy of K-W stage II was the most frequent, observed in 39.0% of all. The appearing rate of hypertensive retinopathy increased and the change in the eye ground was accentuated as the ailment lingered longer. There was no noticeable correlative evidence between serum cholesterol and retinopathy by K-W classification, while the appearing rate of arteriosclerosis in the eye ground by Scheie's classification somewhat increased as serum cholesterol elevated. 4. Albuminuria was observed in 62.9% of all cases, a tendency of a higher appearing rate in parallel with the protraction of illness and a higher measurement of blood pressure. 5. The appearing rate of albuminuria increased as the change of eye fundus deepened. 6. The mean value of serum cholesterol was 192.0mg%, and there was no difference in cholesterol determination by age. 7. The ECG revealed an abnormal tracing in 78.0% of all cases, of which LVH was the most common abnormality appearing in 62.3%. The abnormalities in ECG were found more frequently as the illness protracted longer and blood pressure measured higher. 8. The chest X-ray showed abnormal findings in 55.6% of all cases, of which cardiomegaly was the most common change evidenced in 43.9%. 9. The cerebrovascular accident(22.9%), cardiac failure(8.6%) and renal insufficiency(7.9%) were the major complications of hypertension. The cerebrovascular accident was also found in higher occurence in the cases of longer duration of ailment with hypertension.
Albuminuria ; Arteriosclerosis ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiomegaly ; Cholesterol ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Hypertensive Retinopathy ; Korea* ; Male ; Stroke ; Thorax

PURPOSE: Eosinophilic inflammation plays a critical role in asthma and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scoring systems have been used to evaluate the extent and severity in long standing adult asthma. We investigated if there is a correlation between eosinophil degranulation markers and HRCT scores in childhood asthma. METHODS: Children with acute asthma exacerbation (n=25) underwent HRCT and were assessed for bronchial wall thickening (BWT), low lung density (LLD), and bronchial dilatation (BD) using semi-quantitative scoring techniques. Serum eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels indicating eosinophil degranulation were determined. Comparisons were made with normal control subjects (n=14). RESULTS: BWT (P<0.001) and LLD (P<0.001) scores were higher in the childhood asthma group than in the control group, but BD scores were not. The EDN (r=0.405, P<0.05) and ECP (r=0.565, P<0.01) levels significantly correlated with BWT scores, but not with LLD and BD in the childhood asthma group. The EDN (r=0.710, P<0.0001) and the ECP (r=0.580, P<0.0001) levels were significantly correlated with serum total eosinophil counts. CONCLUSION: The EDN and ECP levels were correlated with BWT scores on HRCT. These findings suggest that EDN and ECP may be valuable for quantifying airway thickening in children with asthma exacerbation.
Adult ; Asthma* ; Child* ; Dilatation ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein* ; Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin* ; Eosinophils* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lung

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of modified dynamic metacarpophalangeal joint flexion orthoses for treatment of post-burn hand contractures. METHOD: We enrolled 42 hand burn patients with limited range of motion at the metacarpophalangeal joints in this study. The patients were randomly assigned into either a control or an orthotic group. Both groups received the standard rehabilitation therapy focused on hand therapy; 21 subjects in the orthotic group wore a splint for 3 hours per day for 8 weeks. Hand function was measured by active range of motion, grip strength and other assessment tools. All parameters were estimated using the Mann-Whitney U test at the beginning and the end of the treatment after 8 weeks. RESULTS: The 21 subjects that had an orthotic intervention showed significant improvement in the range of motion at 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th metacarpophalangeal joints (p<0.05). However, the grip strength was not significantly increased after the 8 weeks of treatment compared to control group (p>0.05). There was a significant difference in the hand function scales between the 2 groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The modified dynamic metacarpophalangeal joint flexion orthoses provide continuous flexion to metacarpophalangeal joint that is needed for the restoration of range of motion in post-burn hand contractures. For the clinical application of hand orthoses in patients with hand disorders, additional research into its affects are required.
Burns ; Contracture ; Hand ; Hand Deformities ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint ; Orthotic Devices ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Splints ; Weights and Measures

Retraction of any part of the brain may damage the cortex as well as the parenchyma, so it is advisable to retract the brain with the least force necessary and for the shortest time as possible. The purpose of this study was to examine in cats the damage caused by retraction of the brain by measuring the regional blood flow and brain edema, and to determine which of two methods, continuous or intermittent brain retraction, is less harmful to the brain. Twenty five adult cats weighting 2.5 to 4.0Kg, were used in this study. The twenty five cats were divided into three groups ; control (n=5), continuous retraction (n=10) and intermittent retraction groups (n=10) respectively. The brain retraction was produced by applying the lead weight with the stainless retractor on the right frontal lobe through a craniectomy at the right frontal bone. The weight (20g) was supported throught the pulley so that its long axis was perpendicular to the cortical surface. In the continuous retraction group, the brain was retracted for 180 min with a retraction force of 20g and in the intermittent retraction group, a 15 min period of retraction was applied, followed by a 5 min release, repeated nine times. The regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and brain specific gravity measurements were carried out in each animal before and immediately after brain retraction, at the 30th min, 60th min, 90th min, 120th min, 150th min and 180th min after retraction. The rCBF was measured by hydrogen clearance method and the brain edema was measured by gravimetric technique. The results were as follows : 1) After the brain retraction, there were rise in blood pressure and bradycardia in 60 min. 2) Normal control cerebral blood flow (rCBF, ml/100g/min) were 38.7+/-1.9 in right frontal, 38.7+/-1.7 in left frontal, 38.6+/-2.3 in right parietal and 38.2+/-2,3 in left parietal lobes. 3) A considerable reduction in rCBF at the retraction site, has been demonstrated with continuous brain retraction in 60 min after retraction. A reduction in rCBF to 30% of control (RF ; 28.2+/-2.1ml/100g/min) in 180 min after continuous retraction of the right frontal lobe, however, intermittent retraction resulted in a reduction of flow to 12% of control(RF ; 37.5+/-2.9ml/100g/min) at retraction site in 180 min after retraction. 4) The changes of brain specific gravity relatively began to notice at rCBF less than 23.0ml/100g/min. It might be inferred from these that intermittent retraction was less harmful to the brain, which indicate adequate arterial blood flow under the retractor was vital for the preservation and return of the neuronal function following brain retraction.
Adult ; Animals ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Blood Pressure ; Bradycardia ; Brain Edema* ; Brain* ; Cats ; Frontal Bone ; Frontal Lobe ; Humans ; Hydrogen ; Neurons ; Parietal Lobe ; Rabeprazole ; Regional Blood Flow ; Specific Gravity

BACKGROUND: Several studies have been conducted on the role of the p63 gene family in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Nevertheless, the role of these genes in the development and progression of NSCLC remains controversial. This study was designed to examine the expression and clinicopathologic significance of the p63 family in NSCLC. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 92 cases of NSCLC (47 squamous cell carcinomas [SqCCs] and 45 adenocarcinomas [ACs]) using tissue microarray blocks. The results were analyzed and correlated with clinicopathologic data. RESULTS: The expression of delta Np63 (Delta Np63) was elevated in SqCC (39/47), but not in AC (2/45; p<0.01). Both p63 and Delta Np63 had high expression in 39 SqCCs; p63 and Delta Np63 also had a similar geomorphologic distribution in most positive tumors. The expression of Delta Np63 was correlated with histologic type, gender, pT stage, p53 expression, and p63 expression. pT and pN stages were independent factors in survival (p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The major p63 isoform in NSCLC, Delta Np63, had a strong correlation with p53 and p63, and was exclusively expressed in SqCC. However, our findings suggest that Delta Np63 was not an independent prognostic factor for NSCLC.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung

It has been reported that theophylline clearance is lower in Korean infants than in Americans, suggesting that dose requirements for theophylline in Korean infants will be 1ower than those in Americans. Therefore, we reviwed patients charts retrospectively to formulate the new theophylline dosing equation appropiate to Korean infants. We reviewed patient charts of 111 asthmatic infants who received intravenous aminophy1line and oral theophylline in Wa1lace Memorial Baptist Hospital. We set the therapeutic serum concentration at 5-15microgram/ml in Korean infants based on response rate to theophylline therapy, which is supported by National Institute of Health Expert Panel Recommendations. Doses required to achieve a therapeutic serum concentration increased with age. The mean dose among the infants less than 4 months of age was 578+/-154mg/kg/day and increased to 10.12+/-1.78mg/kg/day after 8 months (p<0.0001). The relationship between age and dosage requirements can be expressed by the least squares determination of the linear regression :Dose (mg/kg/day) = 557 + 0.14 X (age in weeks). The coefficient of correlation for this relationship is 0.67(p<0.0001). Half-lives of elimination among the infants studied correspondingly decreased with age. In conclusion, this study showed that the relationship between age and dosage requirements in Korean infants may be different from those in Americans. Therefore, we strongly suggest that it is required to formulate a new theophylline dosing equation appropriate for Korean infants through well-designed prospective studies.
Asthma* ; Humans ; Infant* ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Linear Models ; Protestantism ; Retrospective Studies ; Theophylline*