The authors analysed 261 cases of mycoplasmal pneumonia in children who were admitted to the pediatric department of Seoul Adventist Hospital between July 1986 and June 1991. The result obtained were as follows; 1) Yearly distribution of the cases showed high in 1987 and 1991, but no significant difference was noted in seasonally or monthly distribution. 2) The peak incidence of age was between 2 and 6 years of age, and the sex ratio of boy to girl was 1.1:1. 3) pulmonary manifestations were asthma in 21 cases (8.0%), atelectasis in 5 cases (1.9%), emphysema in 3 cases (1.2%), pleural effusion in 16 cases (6.1%), otitis media in 4 cases (1.2%) and sinusitis in 9 cases (3.4%). 4) Extrapulmonary complication were hepatitis in 53 cases (20.3%), skin rash in 9 cases (2.4%), proteinuria in 6 cases (2.3%), and hematuria in 4 cases (1.5%). 5) On the chest X-ray examination, the most common type of pneumonia was interstitial pneumonia (94 cases, 39.8%), and unilateral involvement was common (85.6%), and the most common involvement was right lower lobe (83 cases, 41.4%). 6) The relationship between the type of pneumonia and cold agglutinini titer, and between the type of pneumonia and Mycoplasma antibody titer were not found (P>0.05). 7) In the 16 cases of pleural effusion, The type of pneumonia was lobar, lobular (9 cases), bronchopneumonia (7 cases), and interstitial type was not present. The site of pneumonia was left (6 cases), right (9 cases), and 1 case showed bilatrality. The extent of pleural effusion was mild (10 cases), moderate (3 cases), and severe (3 cases). The result of pleural fluid exam in severe cases was all exudate. 8) The mean duration of admission was most common from 6 to 10 days. the mean duration of admission by the type of pneumonia was lobar, lobar (10.71+/-3.40), interstitial (8.78+/-2.14), and bronchopneumonia (8.83+/-2.47). 9) Both mycoplasma antibody test and cold agglutinin test were carried out in 185 cases and sensitivity of mycoplasma antibody test was 55.1%.
Asthma ; Bronchopneumonia ; Child* ; Emphysema ; Exanthema ; Exudates and Transudates ; Female ; Hematuria ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Male ; Mycoplasma* ; Otitis Media ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumonia* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Proteinuria ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Seasons ; Seoul ; Sex Ratio ; Sinusitis ; Thorax

This study was performed to observe the effect of ultrasound(1.0MHz, 0.75W/cm2 and 1.0W/cm2) irradiation on cultured MC3T3-E1 cell, osteoblastic like cell with respect to the proliferation, protein synthesis, and alkaline phosphatase activity of the cells. The results were as follows: 1. The proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells was increased on ultrasound irradiated group compared with control group. 2. The protein synthesis was not apparently increased on ultrasound irradiated group compared with control group. 3. The alkaline phosphatase activity level was not apparently increased on ultrasound irradiated group compared with control group. From the above results and other literatures, we could suggest that the ultrasound with the appropriate intensity and frequency may have important roles in stimulation of cell proliferation. Therefore the ultrasound may be used in the acceleration of the bone regeneration and bone fracture healing.
Acceleration ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Bone Regeneration ; Cell Proliferation ; Fractures, Bone ; Osteoblasts ; Ultrasonography

Background: The development process of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) must adhere to development standards and must be supported and steered by a representative and consistent governing body. We aimed to investigate the current status of the most recent CPGs published in Korea through surveys of medical professional societies and literature searches. Methods: We collected CPGs developed in Korea in the past 5 years through several electronic database searches (MEDLINE, Embase, and KoreaMed), hand searches, and surveys of medical society memberships from the Korean Academy Medical Societies. Three authors selected Korean CPGs according to our inclusion/exclusion criteria and extracted data from selected CPGs about general characteristics, characteristics of CPGs for setup, evidence evaluation, and the finalization phase. Results: Out of 2,337 articles searched from various sources and 66 documents collected by survey, 129 guidelines (122 by database searching and 7 by survey) were selected. During the recent 5 years, the yearly numbers of CPGs developed were around 25. A single organization was the most frequent CPG development body (42, 32.6%). The most common development methodologies described in the CPGs included were de novo (53, 41.1%) followed by adaptation (48, 37.2%) and hybrid (4, 3.1%). Systematic literature searching was performed in most of the guidelines (79.8%). The evidence level was reported in 104 guidelines (80.6%).There were 77 guidelines (59.7%) that reported an update plan. Fifty guidelines were published in Korean (41.0%), and 46 guidelines were published in English only (37.7%). Conclusion Among CPGs developed in Korea in the last 5 years, the proportion adhering to CPG development standards has increased, but there is still room for improvement.

Background: The development process of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) must adhere to development standards and must be supported and steered by a representative and consistent governing body. We aimed to investigate the current status of the most recent CPGs published in Korea through surveys of medical professional societies and literature searches. Methods: We collected CPGs developed in Korea in the past 5 years through several electronic database searches (MEDLINE, Embase, and KoreaMed), hand searches, and surveys of medical society memberships from the Korean Academy Medical Societies. Three authors selected Korean CPGs according to our inclusion/exclusion criteria and extracted data from selected CPGs about general characteristics, characteristics of CPGs for setup, evidence evaluation, and the finalization phase. Results: Out of 2,337 articles searched from various sources and 66 documents collected by survey, 129 guidelines (122 by database searching and 7 by survey) were selected. During the recent 5 years, the yearly numbers of CPGs developed were around 25. A single organization was the most frequent CPG development body (42, 32.6%). The most common development methodologies described in the CPGs included were de novo (53, 41.1%) followed by adaptation (48, 37.2%) and hybrid (4, 3.1%). Systematic literature searching was performed in most of the guidelines (79.8%). The evidence level was reported in 104 guidelines (80.6%).There were 77 guidelines (59.7%) that reported an update plan. Fifty guidelines were published in Korean (41.0%), and 46 guidelines were published in English only (37.7%). Conclusion Among CPGs developed in Korea in the last 5 years, the proportion adhering to CPG development standards has increased, but there is still room for improvement.

Nephrolithiasis is one of the most common disease seen in the Emergency Department. Among the patients who visited in the Emergency Department with acute abdominal pain, many people were suspected urolithiasis. Because of limitation of diagnostic method on Emergency Department we planned this study in order to confirm the our accuracy of diagnosis and the possibility of misdiagnosis. During 5 months from April 1996 to August 1996, the 189 patients was suspected the urolithiasis. Among this patient, 51 cases was excluded due to incomplete study. After performing P/ex, U/A KUB in the Emergency Department, they were followed out patients department of Urology and performed Intravenous Pyelogram. The sensitivity and specificity for KUB were 84.5% and 94.0%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 93.8%, the negative predictive value was 93.8%. Diagnostic accuracy of urolithiasis in our Emergency Department is 89.1%. There was no relationship between urinary occult blood and KUB or IVP. There was no relationship between degree of occult blood and diagnosis of urolithiasis. For differential diagnosis of urolithisis, emergency ultrasound and IVP will be available. So combination of this diagnostic methods will improve accuracy and safety of diagnosis and treatment of urolithiasis.
Abdominal Pain ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diagnostic Errors ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Humans ; Nephrolithiasis ; Occult Blood ; Outpatients ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography ; Urolithiasis* ; Urology

Many synthetic bone materials have been studied for their potential of regenerative effects in periodontal tissue. Safflower seeds have been traditionally used as a drug for the treatment of fracture and blood stasis in oriental medicines. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the osseous responses in rat calvarial defects between bone substitutes such as calcium carbonate and bovine-derived hydroxyapatite and feeding of safflower seeds. The calvarial defects were made with 8 mm trephine bur in 24 Sprague-Dawley rats. Two graft materials were implanted in each experimental groups, whereas the control and safflower seed feeding groups were sutured without any other treatment. And then the rats of safflower seed feeding group were supplied with 3 g/day of safflower seeds. Each group was sacrificed at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. To study a histopathology related to bone healing and regeneration, Goldner's Masson Trichrome stain was done at each weeks. The tissue response was evaluated under light microscope. There were more osteoblastic activity, new bone formation, dense bony connective tissues in bovine-derived hydroxyapatite group compared to other groups at 8 weeks. The osseous defect area of safflower seed feeding group was filled with prominent fibrous tissues, where less inflammatory infiltration and new capillary proliferation. In the early phase of bone healing, safflower seed feeding reduces the inflammatory response and promotes the proliferation of connective tissue. These results suggest that natural bovine-derived HA and safflower seed feeding could enhance the regenerative potential in periodontal defects.
Animals ; Bone Substitutes* ; Calcium Carbonate ; Capillaries ; Carthamus tinctorius* ; Connective Tissue ; Durapatite ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Regeneration ; Transplants

Lawsonia intracellularis is not culturable with a standard bacteriologic culture. One step PCR assay as a clinical diagnostic method was developed for the rapid detection of porcine proliferative enteritis (PPE) caused by L. intracellularis. Primers were designed based on the p78 DNA clone of L. intracellularis. The one step PCR resulted in the formation of a specific 210-bp DNA product derived from L. intracellularis. The nonspecific amplification product was not detected with swine genomic DNA or other bacterial strains causing similar symptoms to L. intracellularis infection. The one step PCR was as sensitive as 100 pg of L. intracellularis genomic DNA. We applied this method to field specimens diagnosed as PPE by macroscopic observation. Of 17 mucosal scraping specimens, 16(94%) were identified as positive to PPE and 15(88%) of 17 feces specimens. These results suggest that the one step PCR can be used as a rapid diagnostic method for L. intracellularis infection.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; DNA Primers ; Desulfovibrionaceae Infections/diagnosis/*veterinary ; Ileum/microbiology/pathology ; Intestinal Mucosa/microbiology/pathology ; Lawsonia Bacteria/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/*methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Swine ; Swine Diseases/*diagnosis/microbiology

The purpose of this survey was to investigate the prevalence of obesity, eating habits and life styles of children. This survey was carried out anthropometry and questionnaires in 180 male and 141 female students of fifth-grade at Dongmak elementary school. The results are summarized as follows : 1)18.2% of the male and 19.3% of female students were obese. Underweight group was 10.5% of the male and 15.0% of the female students. 2) Average height of male and female students were 142.0 cm, 144.0 cm and weight of those were 35.8 kg and 37.1 kg respectively. The height and skinfold thickness of the triceps in female students were significantly higher than those of male students and body fat content in female students was significantly lower than that of male students. There was no difference in BMI, RW and RI between male and female students. The average BMI, RW, RI were 17.7, 25.4, 124.0, respectively. 3) The student's height was positively related to parent's height and moth's weight. There were significantly positive correlation between mother's and subject's weight. BMI, RW and RI were positively related to parent's BMI. 4) 78.3% of male and 51.8% of female students had prejudice for special food, and 45.5% of male and 34.5% of female students had an overeating habit. Male students had significanthy higher rate than female in both cases. Average eating time per meal was 18.9 minutes for male and 21.0 minutes for female students. Experience for taking nutrient supplement in male student was more than that in female. Obese group had prejudice for special food, overeating habit and rapid eating rate more than any other groups. The prevalence of obesity among the children is gradually increasing. Therefore, in order to prevent progress into adulthood obesity, nutrition education including the right perception for obesity and eating behavior modification was needed.
Adipose Tissue ; Anthropometry ; Child ; Eating* ; Education ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Incheon* ; Life Style* ; Male ; Meals ; Obesity* ; Prejudice ; Prevalence* ; Skinfold Thickness ; Thinness ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Benign cystic mesothelioma (BCM) is a rare mesothelial lesion that forms multicystic masses in the upper abdomen, pelvis and retroperitoneum. Although it is categorized as a benign lesion, it has a tendency to recur. It is uncertain whether the nature of this lesion is reactive or neoplastic, but many articles support the conclusion that it is reactive rather than neoplastic. The majority of cases were associated with a history of a previous abdominal or pelvic operation, or an evidence of endometriosis or a pelvic inflammatory disease, or a combination of these findings. In a 26-year-old woman we experienced a case of BCM which was incidentally discovered at cesarean delivery revealing multilocular thin and translucent walled cysts in the pelvic cavity. Microscopic examination revealed a thin cyst wall that was composed of fibrous connective tissue and lined by internal stratified and external nonstratified single cuboidal epithelia.
Abdomen ; Adult ; Connective Tissue ; Endometriosis ; Female ; Humans ; Mesothelioma, Cystic* ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; Pelvis

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IV-Ig) have been used asfirst line treatments for acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) in children. High dose dexamethasone (HD) has been reported to be effective for chronic refractory ITP and for the initial treatment of AITP in adults. There has been no report about HD as the initial treatment for childhood AITP. We assessed the effectiveness of HD for the initial treatment of childhood AITP, as compared to IV-Ig. METHODS: 25 Patients with newly diagnosed AITP were enrolled. We conducted a prospective, randomized study to compare the two treatment options. 11 patients were treated with IV-Ig and 14 patients were treated with HD. The platelet counts were assessed at 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 days after the beginning of the treatment. The adverse effects were noted, and the patients were followed for more than 6 months. RESULTS: Both the IV-Ig and HD groups showed a rapid rise of the platelet counts and the platelet counts were maintained at 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 days. The difference of platelet counts between the two groups was significant at day 5 (P<0.05). During the follow-up period, 5 patients had a recurrence: 2 in IV-Ig group and 3 in HD group. All 5 patients were re-treated with HD and they had a good response. One of the recurred patients in the IV-Ig group had chronic ITP. Some side effects were observed, but they were not severe enough to necessitate the discontinuation of treatment. CONCLUSION: We conclude that HD is as effective and safe as high dose IV-Ig for the initial treatment of childhood AITP. The choice between these treatment options can be made according to the cost-effectiveness and the therapy-related risks.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Adult ; Child ; Dexamethasone ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Platelet Count ; Prospective Studies ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic