No abstract available.
Drug Therapy*

No abstract available.

This study was conducted to assess the referral patterns to specialist from general practitioners in health center and perceived needs of referred patients for specialist care in health center. The study subjects were 249 patients who visited to health centers and were referred to other medical facilities. The data were obtained from questionnaire survey which was conducted in Kyongjuu-city Health center, Seongju-Gun Health center and Koryong-Gun Health center in Kyongsangbuk-Do, from June 10 to october 17, 1995. The total referral rate was 2.7%. The proportion of patients who wished to be referred to medical specialists was 85.9%, and the proportion of patients referred by general practitioners in health centers was 14.1%. Among the patients who wished to be referred to medical specialists, 45.9% visited directly to health centers, 34.6% visited health centers via local clinics and 19.5% visited health centers to get referral permission only. The reasons for getting referral permission in health centers were easy geographical accessibility(34.6 %), easy to get referral permission in health centers(27.l%), and very difficult to get referral permission in local clinics(l6.4%). Among the diseases of referred patients, diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue were most prevalent on a whole, but diseases of nervous system and sensory organs were comparatively high among the patients who wished to be referred to medical specialists and infectious and parasitic diseases were comparatively high among the patients referred by general practitioners in health centers. The most favorable medical facility was general hospital including university hospital in both groups of patients who wished to be referred to medical specialist and the patient referred by general practitioners in health centers. Regarding the needs for specialist care in health center, 75.2% patients who wished to be referred to medical specialists and 74.3% of patients referred by general practitioners in health center wanted the specialist care. The most frequently requested speciality is internal medicine(47.1%), and then orthopedics and general surgery. Based on above results, this study revealed that the majority of patients referred from health center wished to be referred to medical specialists at their own will, so, referral system at health center level should be changed. And if specialist care in health center be provided, the medical care by internist could be provided first, and then that of orthopedics and general surgery could be provided. These kinds of medical cares could be covered by local clinicians as a part-time job on a voluntary basis.
Connective Tissue ; General Practitioners ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Musculoskeletal System ; Nervous System ; Orthopedics ; Parasitic Diseases ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Referral and Consultation* ; Specialization*

No abstract available.
Cartilage* ; Fetus* ; Humans* ; Osteogenesis* ; Talus*

Premature rupture of membranes(PROM) means the rupture of amniotic membranes at any time prior to labor during the gestational period. The dilemma of correctly diagnosing rupture of the fetal membranes is well known as the consequences of management based on an incorrect diagnosis. This study was undertaken to determine if the measurement of B-hCG levels in the vaginal fluid is useful for the diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes. HCG is synthesized and secreted by the placental syncytiotrophoblast and it is normally found in amniotic fluid, maternal urine and blood. We used B-hCG for diagnosis of PROM to exclude the cross reaction with other hormones. After irrigating the posterior vaginal fornix with 3 ml of sterile saline and obtaining vaginal washings, we measured B-hCG levels. The groups were classified normal group(group I), confirmed PROM group(group II ), and suspicious PROM group(groupIII) during the third trimester. The median and 95% confidence intervals(CIS) of vaginal fluid B-hCG in each group(normal, confirmed PROM, suspicious PROM group) were 30.99mIU/ml(range: 0.32-209.89mIU/ml), 188.61mIU/ml(range: 9.65-2095.00mIU/ml), 69.63mIU/ml(range 4.76-349.56mIU/ml). There was significant difference between normal and confirmed PROM group(p<0.05), sensitivity was 95.00%, specificity 80.00%, positive predictive value 82.60%, negative predictive value 94.12%, and accuracy 87.50%, using threshold value of 60mIU/ml. There was significant difference between normal and suspicious PROM group(p<0.05) but the result of the B-hCG was not used in the obstetric decision. In terms of these results, the B-hCG level in vaginal fluid is a useful marker of PROM during the third trimester. A new technic is proposed to confirm the diagnosis of rupture of the membranes based on the introduction of B-hCG in vaginal fluid.
Amnion ; Amniotic Fluid ; Cross Reactions ; Diagnosis ; Extraembryonic Membranes ; Female ; Humans ; Membranes* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Rupture* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Trophoblasts

PURPOSE:Insulin-like growth factors, IGF- I and IGF-II, are proteins that promote cellular growth and differentiation of the various organs including the kidney. These peptides circulate in serum bound to specific carrier proteins, called IGF binding proteins(IGFBPs). The IGFs are produced in most organs but liver is believed to be the principal source of circulating IGF-I. We studied the correlation of serum IGF-I and IGFBP-2 pattern with aging. METHODS:Sera were collected from 320 healthy population who were grouped according to age. IGF-I was seperated from IGFBPs by Sephadex G-50 acid chromatography. We measured serum IGF-I and IGFBP-2 by using radioimmuno-assay (RIA) and immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) respectively. RESULTS:Serum IGF-I levels were quite low in early childhood, rising slowly and reaching a peak during puberty and a significant decline(P<00.01) during adulthood. The age-dependent pattern of serum IGFBP-2 levels shows a pattern opposite to that of IGF-I which are high at birth, decline by late puberty and increase again with aging. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the alteration of serum IGF-I and IGFBP- 2 pattern with aging. These data suggests that when these tests are performed in the clinic, their interpretation should be based upon age specific criteria.
Adolescent ; Aging* ; Carrier Proteins ; Chromatography ; Humans ; Immunoradiometric Assay ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Kidney ; Liver ; Parturition ; Peptides ; Puberty

Venous island flap has many advantages over other flaps, such as random pattern flap, island flap or free flap. It can cover the defect with wide arc of rotation and does not require vessel anastomosis and arterial pedicle, hence more sites are available for donor. The procedure is a time saving and simple procedure and can be performed even by two operating members. But it is not frequently used because of the poor survival of the flap. In this study, we attempted to allow whether pharmacological or delay procedure can enhance the survival of the venous island flap and the mechanism of the delay flap survival. We devised a model of venous island flap whose pedicle was a branch of central vein on the auricle of Newzeland white rabbit. SOD, allopurinol and SOD and allopurinol were given as pharmacological treatment and delay procedure was carried out to enhance the survival of the flap. For the study of survival mechanism of the delay flap, SOD levels of the delay and non-delay flap were observed by SOD 525 method. The results were as follows: 1. Allopurinol, SOD and, SOD and allopurinol improved the survival of the flap significantly. 2. Delay procedure improved the survival of the flap significantly. 3. The level of SOD in delay flap was higher than that of non-delay flap regardless of the site within the flap or time passage. In conclusion, it is inferred that the administration of allopurinol and SOD and surgical delay can enhance the survival of the venous island flap. In delay venous island flap, increased level of SOD within the flap seem to contribute to the increased survival of the flap.
Allopurinol ; Free Radicals* ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Oxygen* ; Tissue Donors ; Veins

No abstract available.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors*

No abstract available.
Nephrectomy*

No abstract available.
Candidiasis* ; Drug Therapy* ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin*