Multiple species of muridae and arvicolidae rodents serve as the natural reserviors of hantaviruses. Hantaviruses are distributed in rodent populations world-widely even in geographical areas where hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) has not been reported. Serologic diagnosis of infection, using hantaviral antigen, indicates that hantaviruses are wider distributed in wild rodents. This study was designed to intended the hantavirus infection among wild rodents captured in Kyebang mountain, Kangwon-do in Korea. A total of 216 wild rodents in 3 species were trapped in July and September in 1995. Serological evidence for hantaviruses infection were tested against five hantavirus antigens by indirect immunofluorescent antibody technique (IFA). Among 100 Eothenomys regulus, 78 Apodemus peninsulae and 38 Apodemus agrarius (IFA). Among 100 Eothenomys regulus, 78 Apodemus peninsulae and 38 Apodemus agrarius; 12 C. regulus, 15 A. peninsulae and 6 A. agrarius were IF antibody positive against hantaviruses. This data suggest that Eothnomys regulus and Apodemus peninsulae would be a natural reservoir of hantaviruses.
Animals ; Diagnosis ; Gangwon-do ; Hantavirus Infections* ; Hantavirus* ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; Korea ; Muridae ; Murinae ; Rodentia*

No abstract available.

Certain hormone values were evaluated on 207 subjects during the period from January 1983 to December 1983. These subjects were divided into the following 5 groups: Group I composed of 28 healthy men; Group AI, 83 patients with impotence; Group III, 60 patients with infertility; Group AV, 31 patients with hypogonadism; and Group V, 5 patients with intersex. Levels of plasma LH, FSH, testosterone and prolactin were measured by radioimmunoassay technique. Results were analysed and compared with those of control group. Conclusions were summarized as follows: 1. Mean values of plasma LH, FSH, and testosterone of Group I(control group)were 7.91mIU/ml, 11.29 mIU/ml, and 595.7ng/100ml, respectively. 2. In Group II, mean values of FSH were significantly decreased, but those of testosterone and prolactin were within normal ranges. 3. In Group III, mean values of plasma LH and FSH were significantly elevated but those of plasma testosterone were inversely decreased. Levels of plasma prolactin were within normal ranges. 4. Testicular histology taken from azoospermias revealed that most common findings were germ cell aplasia. 5. In Group IV, hypergonadotropic to hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism ratio was 1.4:1. Mean values of plasma LH and FSH were significantly elevated in hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, but decreased in hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, Mean values of testosterone decreased in both groups 7. A reciprocal proportion was found between age and plasma testosterone levels in the patients with varicocele.
Azoospermia ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Infertility ; Male* ; Plasma* ; Prolactin ; Radioimmunoassay ; Reference Values ; Testosterone ; Varicocele

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between a new osteoporotic vertebral fracture and instrumented lumbar arthrodesis. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: In contrast to the growing recognition of the importance of adjacent segment disease after lumbar arthrodesis, relatively little attention has been paid to the relationship between osteoporotic vertebral fractures and instrumented lumbar arthrodesis. METHODS: Twenty five patients with a thoracolumbar vertebral fracture following instrumented arthrodesis for degenerative lumbar disorders (study group) were investigated. The influence of instrumented lumbar arthrodesis was examined by comparing the bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck in the study group with that of 28 patients (control group) who had sustained a simple osteoporotic vertebral fracture. The fracture after instrumented arthrodesis was diagnosed at a mean 47 months (range, 7 to 100 months) after the surgery. RESULTS: There was a relatively better BMD in the study group, 0.67 +/- 0.12 g/cm2 compared to the control group, 0.60 +/- 0.13 g/cm2 (p = 0.013). The level of back pain improved from a mean of 7.5 +/- 1.0 at the time of the fracture to a mean of 4.9 +/- 2.0 at 1 year after the fracture (p = 0.001). However, 12 (48%) patients complained of severe back pain 1 year after the fracture. There was negative correlation between the BMD of the femoral neck and back pain at the last follow up (r = - 0.455, p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Osteoporotic vertebral fractures after instrumented arthrodesis contribute to the aggravation of back pain and the final outcome of degenerative lumbar disorders. Therefore, it is important to examine the possibility of new osteoporotic vertebral fractures for new-onset back pain after lumbar instrumented arthrodesis.
Arthrodesis ; Back Pain ; Bone Density ; Femur Neck ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Retrospective Studies

A series of 4 patients with aneurysm of distal anterior cerebral artery(DACA), operated with microtechniques, is reviewed. Because the incidence of aneurysms in this location was only 2 to 4% of that of total aneurysm, little expericences on surgical management of this aneurysm have been reported. An aneurysm in this location is difficult to approach surgically because of their multiplicity, characteristically broad and sclerotic base, with small subarachnoid space in the interhemispheric fissure. We surgically treated DACA aneurysms of 4 cases through the interhemispheric approach via the unilateral frontal paramedian craniotomy on the nondominant side.
Aneurysm ; Anterior Cerebral Artery* ; Craniotomy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Subarachnoid Space

Cystic lymphangioma is a relatively rare congenital malformation of the lymphatic system. It is very rare that retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma was detected by prenatal ultrasonography. There has been no case reported that scrotal cystic lymphangioma was detected by prenatal ultrasonography. We detected a cystic structure with multiseptation in the scrotum at 30 weeks gestation. In addition, we detected the same structure in the retroperitoneum at 35 weeks gestation by routine ultrasonography. Because of increasing size of the cyst, we performed induction delivery at 38 weeks gestation. Operation of the neonate was performed on the 13th day after birth by a pediatric surgeon and the mass was excised and confirmed as cystic lymphangioma. We experienced a case of huge cystic lymphangioma of the retroperitoneum and scrotum by prenatal sonography and report our case with a brief review of literature.
Fetus* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Lymphangioma, Cystic* ; Lymphatic System ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Scrotum* ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

OBJECTIVE: The bulk of recent studies have tested whether video games change the brain in terms of activity and cortical volume. However, such studies are limited by several factors including cross-sectional comparisons, co-morbidity, and short-term follow-up periods. In the present study, we hypothesized that cognitive flexibility and the volume of brain cortex would be correlated with the career length of on-line pro-gamers. METHODS: High-resolution magnetic resonance scans were acquired in twenty-three pro-gamers recruited from StarCraft pro-game teams. We measured cortical thickness in each individual using FreeSurfer and the cortical thickness was correlated with the career length and the performance of the pro-gamers. RESULTS: Career length was positively correlated with cortical thickness in three brain regions: right superior frontal gyrus, right superior parietal gyrus, and right precentral gyrus. Additionally, increased cortical thickness in the prefrontal cortex was correlated with winning rates of the pro-game league. Increased cortical thickness in the prefrontal and parietal cortices was also associated with higher performance of Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that in individuals without pathologic conditions, regular, long-term playing of on-line games is associated with volume changes in the prefrontal and parietal cortices, which are associated with cognitive flexibility.
Brain ; Follow-Up Studies ; Pliability ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Rabeprazole ; Video Games ; Wisconsin

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of arm morbidity following breast cancer surgery including axillary dissection and to identify related factors. MATERIASL AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty nine patients were studied using a self-report questionnaire and a clinical examination. Lymphedema, reduction of range of motion in shoulder joint and subjective symptoms (pain, impaired arm movement, numbness, stiffness) were evaluated. As related factors, demographic, oncologic characteristics and types of treatment were analysed. RESULTS: The incidence of lymphedema (> or =2 cm difference comparing to unaffected arm) was 6.3%, 10.7%, 22.6% and 23.3% at each 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm from wrist. Reduction of range of motion in shoulder joint (> or =20 degree difference comparing to unaffected arm) was noted in more than 1/3 patients for flexion, abduction and internal rotation. Especially the reduction of range of motion in internal rotation was severe (> 50% reduction) in 1/3 patients. Approximately 50 to 60% of patients complained impaired arm movement, numbness, stiffness and pain. Body mass index (BMI) was the significant risk factor for lymphedema. CONCLUSION: Lymphedema was present in 1/3 of patients and the common sites of edema were 30 cm 40 cm proximal from the wrist. Also most severe reduction of range of motion in shoulder joint was with internal rotation. There needs weight control for lymphedema because BMI was the significant risk factor for lymphedema. Also rehabilitation program for range of motion especially internal rotation in shoulder joint should be developed.
Arm* ; Body Mass Index ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Demography ; Edema ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Incidence ; Lymphedema ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation ; Risk Factors ; Shoulder Joint ; Wrist

PURPOSE: When using the emergency room of a tertiary hospital, both patients and their relatives or friends sometimes experience dissatisfaction and complain. Patient satisfaction deserves attention not only because it is an intrinsically worthy goal but also because it is a potentially significant mediator for promoting health and well-being. This study aims to identify patient's official complaints and to improve the quality of care in the Emergency Department (ED). METHODS: We investigated retrospectively 144 official complaints of visitors in 4 tertiary university hospital emergency centers between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2003. RESULTS: Among those 144 official complaints from the 4 hospital emergency centers were 116 appropriate complaints, as determined by the inclusion criteria, and 212 detailed descriptions of dissatisfaction. The seven major categories of dissatisfactions were analyzed: rudeness or lack of kindness, delayed waiting time, insufficient explanation of patient condition, distrust of treatment, absence of a specialist, poor emergency-department environment, and high treatment fee. CONCLUSIONS: Dissatisfaction related to the lack of kindness was the most common problem in all four university hospital emergency centers. The next most important problem was the delayed time or distrust of treatment. The concrete causes of the complaints varied with the hospital. To improve the quality of care for patients in the ED, the hospital staff should be more attentive and kind and should explain the patient's condition in more detail. Reducing the waiting time is also important.
Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Fees and Charges ; Friends ; Humans ; Patient Satisfaction ; Retrospective Studies ; Specialization ; Tertiary Care Centers*

The web of the common bile duct is an extremely rare anomaly and the cause of the obstructive jaundice. We experienced a case of the congenital web of common bile duct in a 42 years old male who complained of jaundice for 10 days prior to admission without choledocholithiasis and cholangitis. An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed a common bile duct web (transverse, diaphragmatic type) and the diagnosis was confirmed by an endoscopic forcep biopsy. We reported a case of the congenita1 web of the common bile duct which was treated with a stent insertion and balloon dilatation.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholangitis ; Choledocholithiasis ; Common Bile Duct* ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation* ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; Male ; Stents ; Surgical Instruments