We have observed that the companion shadow of the upper rib may be misinterpreted as a small pnemothorax or pleural plaque associated with asbestosis. To observe the radiographic characteristics of the normal companion shadow, we analyzed, on the posteroanterior(PA) chest radiographs, the companion shadow of 50 normal cases. Factors such as occurrence on each rib, the sharpness of the margin, the relative position to the rib, the shape and the thickness were observed. Also, we analyzed the displaced pleura of 4 pneumothorax cases to differentiate their frndings from the findings of normal companion shadows. On 50 normal chest radiographs, 192 compaion shadows were observed on the first to fourth ribs. In 173 of those shadows, the visceral margin of the companion shadow on the second rib simulated pneumothorax more closely than those on any othe rivs due to its apical location and thinness. In six of 50 normal cases, the companion shadow on the first or second rib showed an inw rdly convex lower margin, mimicking pleural plaque. The compaion shadow was suggested on the plain chest radiograph by the following characteristics imultiplicity(47/50), thicker than normal pleura(3/4), persistent on serial filma with the same shape and specific location(4/4).
Asbestosis ; Friends* ; Humans ; Pleura ; Pneumothorax ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Ribs* ; Thinness

This study was done to identify the reality in doing the intradermal skin test of injectional antibiotics and to serve a basis to the clinical and educational situations. For the study, the survey was done to the staff nurses who are working at one of the selected 39 hospitals in the capital area, from January 6 to Feburary 8 in 1997. The data analysis was done by mean, standard deviation, Fisher's exact test, t-test, ANOVA through running SAS computer program. The results of the study were as follows : 1.The dilution ratio of the antibiotics was mostly 1 : 10 regardless of what kind of antibitics. Making the contrast was done only for the suspended to the antibiotics. Mostly the reaction was detected after 15 to 20 minutes from its diameter of redness and wheals. Most of the respondents answered they do the intradermal skin test only once for the same antibiotics. 2. In the education on the skin test the 66.7% from the respondents had exposed to the education mostly through the new nurses orientation. The 85.4% from them answered the need of the continuous education which had a significant difference in the number of beds(p=.046). The had experiences of detecting positive reactions(98.3%), and of anaphyaxis(49.5%) which had a significant difference in experience(p=.002) and in their age groups(p=.000). 3. The average score of the confidence on the intradermal skin test was 3.32 form 4-point scale. Also it had a significant difference from the number of beds(p=.010), the year of experiences(p=.016), and their age groups(p=.046). 4. From the general characteristics of respondents, the infection methods had a significant difference in the amounts of injection, whether adopting the contrast pairing, and the repeatable skin tests for the same antibiotics. 5. Only 15 from 39 hospitals had their protocol about the intradermal skin test provided by nursing department which differs in its contents from that provided by the medical information center. From the results of the study, it is suggested that the continuous education on the intradermal skin test and its unified protocol should be provided. Also it is recommended that the drug manufacturer should notice about its anaphylactic cautions and pack its extra skin test use.
Anti-Bacterial Agents* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Education ; Information Centers ; Nursing ; Running ; Skin Tests* ; Skin* ; Statistics as Topic

No abstract available.
Nephritis, Interstitial* ; Yersinia pseudotuberculosis* ; Yersinia*

OBJECTIVE: We studied the expression of epidermal growh factor(EGF) and transforming growth factor(TGF)-a and epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) in human trophoblast and decidua at the first and third trimester. METHODS: To confirm the expression of EGF, TGF-a and EGFR immunohisochemically in human trophoblast and decidua, we used monoclonal antibodies to EGF, TGF-a and EGFR. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical stainings using anti-EGF, anti-TGF- a and anti-EGFR antibodies showed a specific stainings in human trophoblast and decidua at the first and third trimester. The staining intensity of EGF in the trophoblast was light to moderate at the first trimester and moderate at the third trimester, and that in the decidua was light to moderate at the first trimester and light at the third trimester. The patterns of expression of TGF- a in the trophoblast and decidua were similar to that seen with EGF in the trophoblast and that of EGFR in trophoblast and decidua were similar to that seen with EGF in decidua. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that EGF, TGF-a and EGFR may play an important role in human trophoblast and decidua during gestation.
Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Decidua* ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Trophoblasts*

This study examined effect of preceptorship on clinical education of senior nursing students of Y. University in Seoul. Quasi-experimental study design was used. Sixty students of pre-test and 80 of post-test participated in this study. Competency scores of the students before the clinical education(pre-competency scores) were compared with the competency scores after the clinical education(post-competency scores), and teacher evaluation scores between preceptors and clinical the data from students with preceptors(experimental group, N=22) and with clinical instructors(comparative group, N=58) were also examined. Study results indicated that the total post-competency scores were higher compared to the total pre-competency scores, and the difference was statistically significant. Among 7 sub-domains, differences were all statistically significant in 6 sub-domains except "self-esteem" domain. Competency scores of the students who had clinical education with had clinical education from clinical instructors. But the difference between those scores was not statistically significant. However, students gave higher evaluation scores to preceptors than clinical instructors. This study concluded that preceptorship did not influence much on clinical education at this time yet. However it is expected that when preceptors adjust their new roles and function them in expert education. This study recommended that for the preceptors to increase their motivation to teach students and to accept their roles, systemic rewards are needed.
Education* ; Humans ; Motivation ; Nursing* ; Preceptorship* ; Reward ; Seoul ; Students, Nursing*

No abstract available.
Kidney* ; Rhabdomyolysis* ; Transplantation*

DNA barcoding has been widely used in species identification and biodiversity research. A short fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence serves as a DNA bio-barcode. We collected DNA barcodes, based on COI sequences from 156 species (529 sequences) of fish, insects, and shellfish. We present results on phylogenetic relationships to assess biodiversity the in the Korean peninsula. Average GC% contents of the 68 fish species (46.9%), the 59 shellfish species (38.0%), and the 29 insect species (33.2%) are reported. Using the Kimura 2 parameter in all possible pairwise comparisons, the average interspecific distances were compared with the average intraspecific distances in fish (3.22 vs. 0.41), insects (2.06 vs. 0.25), and shellfish (3.58 vs. 0.14). Our results confirm that distance-based DNA barcoding provides sufficient information to identify and delineate fish, insect, and shellfish species by means of all possible pairwise comparisons. These results also confirm that the development of an effective molecular barcode identification system is possible. All DNA barcode sequences collected from our study will be useful for the interpretation of species-level identification and community-level patterns in fish, insects, and shellfish in Korea, although at the species level, the rate of correct identification in a diversified environment might be low.
Biodiversity ; DNA ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; Electron Transport Complex IV ; Insects ; Korea ; Shellfish

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial urinary tract infection (UTI) accounts for 35% of the nosocomial infection and 80-90% of them are associated with urethral catheters. Recently, we experienced an outbreak of nosocomial UTI caused by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in neurosurgical intensive care unit (NSICU). METHODS: We investigated clinical records of the patients and observed the methods of care of urethral catheters in NSICU. Identification of P. aeruginose was done by API NE (API system; bioMerieux, France) and antibiotic susceptibility tests were done by disk diffusion method. Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay was used as a genotyping method. RESULTS: Between November 1997 and January 1998, 11 P. aeruginosa strains were isolated from the urine of 11 patients hospitalized in NSICU of Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital. Routine regular bladder irrigation, and emptying urine with common urinal had been done falsely. Antibiogram of the isolates showed resistance to multiple antibiotics including imipenem, gentamicin. amikacin, piperacillin, ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, and cefoperazone/sulbactam. RAPD of the outbreak strains showed clonal relatedness, which was different from those of other clinical strains, We instructed all the health care workers to stop bladder Irrigation, and to use the separate urinals for each patient. Thereafter, no further case of P. aeruginosa UTI has occurred. CONCLUSION: An outbreak of UTI, caused by a single clone of P. aeruginosa, was confirmed by RAPD and was eradicated after correction of false practice on care-of urinary catheter.
Amikacin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ceftazidime ; Ciprofloxacin ; Clone Cells ; Cross Infection ; Delivery of Health Care ; Diffusion ; DNA ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Gentamicins ; Humans ; Imipenem ; Intensive Care Units ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Piperacillin ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa* ; Pseudomonas* ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Catheters ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract*

BACKGROUND: The sinus conversion rate after the maze procedure in chronic atrial fibrillation using radiofrequency energy is lower than with either conventional 'cut and saw' technique or cryothermia. The creation of incomplete transmural lesions due to poor tissue-catheter contact is thought to be the main cause. To address this problem, the current study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a specially constructed compression device designed to enhance tissue catheter contact during unipolar radiofrequency catheter ablation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Circumferential right auricular epicardial lesions were created with a linear radiofrequency catheter in 10 anesthetized pigs. A device specially designed to increase contact by compression of the catheter to the atrial wall was used in 5 pigs (study group). This device was not used in the control group (5 pigs). Conduction block across the right auricular lesion was assessed by pacing, and the transmurality of the lesions were confirmed by microscopic examination. RESULT: Conduction block was observed in a total of 8 pigs; 5 in study group and 3 in control group. Transmural injury was confirmed microscopically by the accumulation of acute inflammatory cells and loss of elastic fibers in the endocardium. In two pigs with failed conduction block, microscopic examination of the endocardium appeared normal. CONCLUSION: Failed radiofrequency ablation is strongly related to non-transmural energy delivery. The specially constructed compression device in the current study was successful in creating firm tissue-catheter contact and thereby generating transmural lesions during unipolar radiofrequency ablation.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Catheter Ablation ; Catheters ; Elastic Tissue ; Endocardium ; Equipment Design ; Swine

PURPOSE: To find out the proper compression ratios without degrading image quality and affecting lesion detectability on diagnostic images used in dentistry compressed with JPEG 2000 algorithm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty Digora periapical images, sixty panoramic computed radiographic (CR) images, sixty computed tomographic (CT) images, and sixty magnetic resonance (MR) images were compressed into JPEG 2000 with ratios of 10 levels from 5 : 1 to 50 : 1. To evaluate the lesion detectability, the images were graded with 5 levels (1: definitely absent; 2: probably absent; 3: equivocal; 4: probably present; 5: definitely present), and then receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed using the original image as a gold standard. Also to evaluate subjectively the image quality, the images were graded with 5 levels (1: definitely unacceptable; 2: probably unacceptable; 3: equivocal; 4: probably acceptable; 5: definitely acceptable), and then paired t-test was performed. RESULTS: In Digora, CR panoramic and CT images, compressed images up to ratios of 15 : 1 showed nearly the same lesion detectability as original images, and in MR images, compressed images did up to ratios of 25 : 1. In Digora and CR panoramic images, compressed images up to ratios of 5 : 1 showed little difference between the original and reconstructed images in subjective assessment of image quality. In CT images, compressed images did up to ratios of 10 : 1 and in MR images up to ratios of 15 : 1. CONCLUSION: We considered compression ratios up to 5 : 1 in Digora and CR panoramic images, up to 10 : 1 in CT images, up to 15 : 1 in MR images as clinically applicable compression ratios.
Data Compression ; Dentistry* ; Radiography, Dental, Digital ; ROC Curve ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed