In order to investigate working conditions of underground coal mines, this work was undertaken to evaluate the respirable dust and the concentration of quartz in Taeback and Kangneung areas. The concentration of quartz was determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry. The results were as follows; 1) The concentration of respirable dust of drilling and coal face in Taeback and Kangneung areas were as followed. 2) Distribution of respirable dust was well fitted to the long-normal distribution and geometric mean value was log(-1) 0.37+/-log(-1) 0.47 (2.34+/-2.95) mg/m3. 3) The difference of respirable dust concentrations in Taeback and Kangneung areas was not significant statistically (p>0.05). 4) The concentration of quartz of drilling and coal face in Taeback and Kangneung areas were as followed. 5) Distribution of quartz concentrations was well fitted to the log-normal distribution and geometric mean value was log(-1) 0.33+/-log(-1) 0.45 (2.14+/-2.82)%. 6) The difference of quartz concentrations in Taeback and Kangneung areas was not significant (p>0.05), but significant at drilling sites and coal faces (p<0.05).
Coal* ; Dust* ; Fourier Analysis ; Gangwon-do* ; Quartz* ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared

No abstract available.
Biliary Tract*

Cardiac myxoma is a rare but potentially treatable cause of stroke. The diagnosis is rarely made on typical triad of constitutional, embolic, and obstructive symptoms, and it is difficult because there is no specific history, physical examination, chest X-ray, or electrocardiographic findings, but with the development of echocardiography the correct diagosis is now usualy made. Neurologic manifestation is frequent(25-45%) and presented with embolic infarction, aneurysm formation, intracranial hemorrhage, and distant metastasis. We experienced five patients with cardiac myxoma who presented with these neurologic manifestations. Also we should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cerebral infarction, particularly when multiple cerebral infarction and constitutional or obstructive symptoms are conjoined in young age stroke. We describe five patients who presented with embolic infarction, cerebral metastasis and aneurysm formation.
Aneurysm ; Cerebral Infarction ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Infarction ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Myxoma* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neurologic Manifestations* ; Physical Examination ; Stroke ; Thorax

BACKGROUND & PURPOSE: Of thalamic stroke syndrome, according to previous reports, the syndrome of hemiataxia and hemisensory loss (thalamic ataxia syndrome) is known to have localizing value confined to the lesion of posterolateral thalamus. And ataxia in thalamic ataxia syndrome is due to interruption of cerebellar outflow pathways. We observed the clinical characteristics of cerebellar manifestations in patients with thalamic ataxia syndrome to clarify intrathalamic cerebellar pathways because it is known that parts of cerebellar efferent fibers do not pass through the thalamus. METHODS: Ten patients with ataxia (5 men, 5 women ; mean age 64), out of 47 thalamic stroke patients admitted to Kyung Hee University Hospital from Jan. 1994 to May. 1995, were selected. The localization of the lesion was based on CT or MR imaging and ataxia was characterized in view of cerebellar functions - coordination of movement, regulation of equilibrium and muscle tone. RESULTS: Out of 10 patients, 4 patients were thalamic hematoma, 4 patients thalamic hematoma with intraventricular hemorrhage, 2 patients thalamic infarction. Four patients were hemiataxia-hemiparesis-hemisensory loss, 4 patients hemiataxia-hemisensory loss, 2 patients hemiataxia-hemiparesis. Posterolateral thalamus was involved in 4 patients, dorsal thalamus in 3 patients, posterolateral and dorsal thalamus in 3 patients. All patients had dysmetria, dysdiadochokinesia, kinetic tremor. Two patient has gait ataxia. Speech and ocular motility disturbances were not noted. CONCLUSION: Thalamic ataxia syndrome appeared in the lesion of posterolateral and dorsal thalamus. Common cerebellar manifestations symptoms of incoordination.
Ataxia* ; Cerebellar Ataxia ; Female ; Gait Ataxia ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Stroke* ; Thalamus ; Tremor

Quantitative serial measurements of Alpha-fetoprotein (a-FP) and Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (B-HCG) using radioimmunoassay were performed in a patient with recurrent non-germinomatous germ cell tumor (NGGCT) into CNS during radiotherapy and chemotherapy. When the pineal tumor was initially presented, elevated levels of serum a-FP and B-HCG fell dramatically to normal rage after the completion of cranial irradiation (5,060cGy). Three months later, the patient had a rise in serum and CSF tumor markers coincident with recurrence of tumor into lumbal spinal canal. Serum levels were not changed despite of 15 days of whole spine irradiation (2,000cGy) although decreased remarkably 1 month after the completion of radiotherapy (4,230cGy). At the time of relapse in the suprasella area and the cerebellopontine angle, serum and CSF levels rised again. As a result of two courses of chemotherapy the tumor markers fell markedly, but the tumor was spread to other sites into CNS. We conclude serial measurements of a-FP and B-HCG are useful for the diagnosis of the non-germinomatous germ cell tumor into CNS and for monitoring disease activity.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Cerebellopontine Angle ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Cranial Irradiation ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Germ Cells* ; Humans ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal* ; Pinealoma ; Radioimmunoassay ; Radiotherapy ; Rage ; Recurrence ; Spinal Canal ; Spine ; Biomarkers, Tumor*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the basal serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in the presence of normal serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are useful as a prognostic indicator of ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). METHODS: From January 1997 to January 1999, 91 infertile women with tubal factor who had undergone in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were enrolled in the present study. COH was performed using long protocol of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. All patients included in this study had blood samples drawn on cycle day 2 or 3 prior to COH for measurement of basal FSH and LH. Women who had other infertility factors or high basal FSH levels (> or = 8.5 mIU/ml) were excluded from this study. The results of COH and IVF-ET were compared between two groups according to the level of basal LH (low LH group [< 3mIU/ml] vs. control group [> or = 3mIU/ml]). RESULTS: Patient's characteristics were comparable in both groups except basal LH level. The number of ampules and duration of exogenous gonadotropins required were significantly higher in the low LH group than those in the control group (p<0.001; p<0.005, respectively). The number of follicles > or = 14mm diameter on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection was significantly less in the low LH group than that in the control group (p<0.001). The serum estradiol level on the day of hCG injection was also significantly lower in the low LH group, with 1115.5 +/- 380.9 pg/ml compared with 1340.6 +/- 403.0 pg/ml in the control group (p<0.005). There were significantly lower numbers in oocytes retrieved, oocytes fertilized and embryos frozen in the low LH group than those in the control group (< 0.001; < 0.001; <0.005, respectively). However, there was no difference in the fertilization rate between the two groups. The clinical pregnancy rate per cycle seemed to be lower in the low LH group, but the difference did not achieve significance (26.2% vs 39.7%). There were no differences in the miscarriage rate and multiple pregnancy rate between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the low basal LH levels ( < 3 mIU/ml) could be predictive of low ovarian response to COH and poor IVF results.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Structures ; Estradiol ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Gonadotropins ; Humans ; Infertility ; Lutein* ; Luteinizing Hormone* ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Pregnancy, Multiple

OBJECTIVES: To examine the in vitro interactions of blastocyst attachment using type I collagen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ICR mice were used and follicular growth was stimulated by pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin. On day 4 of pregnancy, the uteri were removed and blastocysts were flushed. Mixtures of 1mL sterile water, 0.5mL DMEM, 2mL type collagen solution and 0.5mL 0.1M NaOH were prepared and transferred to an incubator where the collagen solution polymerized. Blastocysts were transferred to dishes previously coated with type I collagen. CMRL 1066 was used as the basic culture medium. It was supplemented with 1mM glutamine and 1mM sodium pyruvate plus 50 IU/ml penicillin and 50 mg/ml streptomycin. During the first 4 days the culture medium was supplemented with 20% fetal calf serum and thereafter with 20% heat inactivated human cord serum. All blastocysts were initially cultured for 2 days without media change. After 2 days, fresh medium was renewed daily. The stages of embryo growth were examined and recorded everyday under a dissecting microscope and classified according to the standard in vivo criteria set forth by Witschi. RESULTS: By 48h, nearly all blastocysts had attached to the surface of collagen pad. Following adhesion to the collagen pad, the blastocysts maintained their 3-dimensional integrity in contrast to control. The embryos in collagen pad were not flattening and kept polarity and spherical shape during culture. The polar trophoblast invaded the type I collagen downward unlike the horizontal growth in control. In the developmental stage of mouse blastocyst, there were significant differences between control and type I collagen group during day 4 and 5 culture. CONCLUSION: Blastocyst development was better in type I collagen group than control. Therefore, in vitro culture study using type I collagen could provide improved model for the establishment of blastocyst implantation study.
Animals ; Blastocyst ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I* ; Embryo Implantation ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Glutamine ; Gonadotropins ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Incubators ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Penicillins ; Polymers ; Pregnancy ; Pyruvic Acid ; Sodium ; Streptomycin ; Trophoblasts ; Uterus ; Water

No abstract available.
Anesthesia ; Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2, 9 (MMP-2, 9) mRNA in mouse embryos. Materials and METHOD: From October 1997 to December 1998, morula stage mouse embryos were cultured for 48 hours with G-CSF and GM-CSF at concentrations of 0.1 pg/ml, 1 pg/ml, 10 pg/ml, 100 pg/ml, 1 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml, respectively. Embryos not treated with G-CSF or GM-CSF were served as control. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been used to examine the expression of MMP-2, 9 mRNA in developed blastocysts. Following reverse transcription, strategically designed nested primers, optimized for specificity, were used for amplification from the cDNA equivalent of a single embryo. The products were then verified by restriction enzyme digestion and sequence analysis. Results were analyzed with Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The statistical significance was defined as p< 0.05. RESULTS: The relative quantities (relative volume x intensity) of MMP-2 mRNA expressed in embryos of all G-CSF treatment groups were significantly increased than in the control, especially in 10, 100 pg/ml and 1 ng/ml treatment groups. The relative quantities of MMP-2 mRNA in all GM-CSF treatment groups were also significantly increased than in the control, especially in 100 pg/ml treatment group. The relative quantities of MMP-9 mRNA of all GM-CSF treatment groups except 10 ng/ml group were significantly increased than in the control, especially 10, 100 pg/ml and 1 ng/ml treatment group. However, the relative quantity of MMP-9 mRNA was significantly increased in only 10 ng/ml G-CSF treatment group than in the control and other treatment groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that G-CSF and GM-CSF may increase the m-RNA expression of MMP-2 or 9 in mouse blastocysts with the concentration-specific manner.
Animals ; Blastocyst ; Colony-Stimulating Factors* ; Digestion ; DNA, Complementary ; Embryonic Structures* ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor* ; Granulocytes* ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2* ; Mice* ; Morula ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Messenger ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sequence Analysis

BACKGROUND: We wanted to determine the postoperative analgesic efficacy of preincisional caudal epidural block versus instillation (splash block) following inguinal herniorrhaphy in children. METHODS: Thirty children (age range: 1-7 years) who were scheduled to undergo inguinal herniorrhaphy were divided into 2 groups: the caudal block group and the splash block group with 15 children in each group. Tracheal intubation was performed. Fifteen children received caudal block with 1.0 ml/kg of 0.25% ropivacaine (Group 1). Caudal block was performed using the loss of resistance method via the sacral hiatus. Fifteen children in Group 2 received local instillation (splash block) in the surgical site with up to 0.4 ml/kg of 0.25% ropivacaine. The patients were observed for 90 minutes in the postanesthesia care unit and then they were transferred to the ward. The pain scores were taken 4 times. We assessed pain using the Faces pain scores. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups regarding the pain scores at 10, 30 and 60 minutes upon entering the postanesthesia care unit. The pain scores of Group 1 were slightly lower at the last evaluation point when compared to that of Group 2. One patient in Group 1 required supplemental postoperative intravenous (IV) tramadol, while all the other patients in both groups did not require supplemental IV tramadol. The intraoperative requirement for sevoflurane was decreased in Group 1 as compared to that of Group 2. There were no major complications related to either type of block. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a splash block can have a similar analgesic effect as that of a caudal block for the postoperative herniorrhaphy pain of children.
Amides ; Analgesia ; Child ; Herniorrhaphy ; Humans ; Intubation ; Methyl Ethers ; Tramadol