• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.11
• /
• pp.1421-1428
• /
• 2000

Objectives : The aim of this study is to evaluate the sequential metabolic changes in experimental hydrocephalus and the clinical applicability to the diagnosis and prognosis of hydrocephalus using proton MR spectroscopy. Methods : Hydrocephalus was experimentally induced in 30 cats(2-3kg body weight) by injecting 1ml of sterile kaolin suspension(250mg/ml) into the cisterna magna. Proton MRS was performed with a 1.5 T MRI/MRS unit (Vision Plus, Siemens) at pre-treatment and at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after the kaolin injection. PRESS(TR/TE＝1500/270msec) technique was employed. The major metabolites which include N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine(Cr), choline(Cho), and lactate(Lac) were quantitatively analyzed and the relative concentrations ratios were evaluated. Multislice $T_2$-weighted images were also obtained using fast spin echo sequence(TR/TE＝ 2500/96msec) to monitor the morphologic changes along with progression of hydrocephalus. Results : Hydrocephalus was successfully induced in all 30 cats. Twenty five cats died within 3 days and one at the end of the second week. In all animals, the NAA/Cr ratios initially decreased during the acute stage. In 4 surviving cats, the NAA/Cr ratios initially decreased during the acute stage(<14 days) and then gradually increased to the prekaolin level as follows : pre-kaolin($1.49{\pm}0.04$), day 1($1.11{\pm}0.07$), day 7($1.17{\pm}0.04$), day 14($1.40{\pm}0.03$), day 21 ($1.46{\pm}0.06$), day 28($1.43{\pm}0.03$). These levels were relatively well correlated with the symptomatologic improvement. Lactate peak, which reflects the evidence of ischemia, did not appear throughout the entire period except in one case which expired at the end of the second week. Conclusions : The NAA/Cr ratio of the sequential proton MRS in kaolin-induced hydrocephalic cats reflects a metabolic aspect of the hydrocephalus at each stage. A decreased NAA level at the early stage is from both neuronal and axonal damage which may provide diagnostic information in the acute stage of hydrocephalus. In addition, the initial fall of NAA/Cr ratio and recovery in the late stage, when no lactate peak emerges, may suggest that the main insult of the parenchyma is not to the neuron itself but to the axon, which may be related to a good prognosis. However, emergence of the lactate peak and unrecoverable NAA/Cr at the end of the acute phase may be a poor prognostic factor. In the chronic stage, recovery of NAA/Cr ratio may provide a diagnostic clue for the differentiation between hydrocephalus and cortical atrophy.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.249-254
• /
• 2016

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of strenuous exercise on ${\beta}$-endorphine (${\beta}$-END) level in fibromyalgia (FM) patients compared to healthy subjects. Methods: We enrolled 30 FM patients and 15 healthy individuals. All study participants underwent a treadmill exercise test using modified Bruce protocol (M.Bruce). The goal of the test was achieving at least 70% of the predicted maximal heart rate (HRMax). The serum levels of ${\beta}$-END were measured before and after the exercise program. Measurements were done while heart rate was at least 70% of its predicted maximum. Results: The mean ${\pm}$ the standard deviation (SD) of exercise duration in the FM and control groups were $24.26{\pm}5.29$ and $29.06{\pm}3.26$ minutes, respectively, indicating a shorter time to achieve the goal heart rate in FM patients (P < 0.003). Most FM patients attained 70% HRMax at lower stages (stage 2 and 3) of M.Bruce compared to the control group (70% versus 6.6%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Compared to healthy subjects, FM patients had lower serum ${\beta}$-END levels both in baseline and post-exercise status ($Mean{\pm}SD$: $122.07{\pm}28.56{\mu}g/ml$ and $246.55{\pm}29.57{\mu}g/ml$ in the control group versus $90.12{\pm}20.91{\mu}g/ml$ and $179.80{\pm}28.57{\mu}g/ml$ in FM patients, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusions: We found that FM patients had lower levels of ${\beta}$-END in both basal and post-exercise status. Exercise increased serum the ${\beta}$-END level in both groups but the average increase in ${\beta}$-END in FM patients was significantly lower than in the control group.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.277-282
• /
• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the influences of the rope and the tipping chute restraints on body temperature (BT) and heart rate (HR) as acute response for stress caused by restraining for diagnasis and treatment in cattle. Both parameters were recorded by active biotelemetry. In addition cortisol concentration in blood was analyzed as a indicator for stress response. Twelve cattle were divided into two groups based on hydraulic power, the rope restraint group and the tipping chute restraint group. BT and HR were measured at -30 (base), 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 90, 120, and 180 minutes, including restraint period from 0 to 30 minutes during the experiment. The results obtained in this study was summarized as follows: 1. BT of the rope restraint group was increased ($39.8{\pm}0.3^{\circ}C$) until 20 min after restraint stress for 30 min, and then maintained with high values to the end of experiment. In the tipping chute restraint group, the BT was increased ($39.6{\pm}0.3^{\circ}C$) until the end of the restraint period, but then showed decrese until the end of experiment. 2. HR of both groups was maximized at the beginning of the restraint stress (P<0.05), and then it was decreased gradually but in the tipping chute restraint group showed increase again at the end of the reatraint stress (P<0.05). 3. The cortisol level of the rope restraint group was increased significantly ($9.72{\pm}5.09{\mu}g/d{\ell}$) until 30 min after the end of the restraint stress (P<0.05) and then decreased, but in the tipping chute restraint group showed great increase ($4.68{\pm}1.56{\mu}g/d{\ell}$) at the end of the restraint stress (P<0.05) and then decreased while the tipping chute restraint group was significantly lower than the rope restraint group 30 min after the restraint stress (P<0.05). In conclusion, this study suggests that the tipping chute restraint produces less response to physical stress than the rope restraint but the time for diagnasis and treatment should be shortened when using the tipping chute restraint.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.125-133
• /
• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between end of life care competencies and terminal care stress of nurses in long term care hospitals. Methods: For this study, 140 nurses were sampled among those that have over 6-month end of life care experience and were working at long term care hospitals located in A city and C city of Chungcheongnam-do. Using a questionnaire, data were collected from January 2018 through March 2018. Data were analyzed using the SPSS, Windows version 21.0, according to the purpose of the study and analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, one way ANOVA, $Sch\acute{e}ffe^{\prime}s$ test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: The mean score on terminal care stress of nurses was above the normal level. The scores on end of life care competencies significantly varied by age, total career at hospitals, death/hospice and palliative care education, and bereavement experience. The mean score of end of life care competencies was negatively correlated with the mean score of lack of knowledge and skills among the subitems of the terminal care stress category (r=-0.260, P=0.002). Conclusion: To decrease the terminal care stress of long term care hospital nurses, it is suggested to carry out end of life care education tailored to nurses characteristics.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.62-68
• /
• 2023

The treatment of complicated anterior cerebral artery aneurysms remains challenging. Here, the authors describe a case of ruptured complicated A3 aneurysm, which was treated with trapping and in-situ bypass. A 47-year-old man presented to the emergency department with severe headache and vomiting. Computed tomography illustrated acute intracerebral hemorrhage in the right frontal lobe. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) confirmed a ruptured fusiform A3 aneurysm with lobulation and a daughter sac. Trapping of the ruptured fusiform A3 aneurysm and distal end-to-side A4 anastomosis was performed. DSA on postoperative day 7 showed mild vasospasm to the afferent artery. However, 2 months later, DSA demonstrated that the antegrade flow through the anastomosis site had recovered. Thus, surgeons should be aware of the possibility of postsurgical vasospasm of anastomosed arteries, especially in cases of ruptured aneurysms.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.307-315
• /
• 2013

Objective: Colistimethate was first became available in 1950s and used until the early 1980s to treat infections caused by gram-negative bacteria and was abandoned due to its nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. However, it was recently reintroduced into the clinical practices due to emergence of multidrug-resistance gram-negative bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumanii. Therefore, it is increasingly used in the intensive care unit settings as a salvage therapy. This study was designed to investigate the incidence rates and risk factors of acute kidney injury associated with colistimethate by using the standardized definition in critically ill patients. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 71 adult patients above 18 years old receiving intravenous colistimethate at least 48 hours at intensive care unit, university-affiliated hospital from Nov 2012 to Aug 2013 and excluded patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and required renal replacement therapy before initiation of the colistimethate therapy. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was determined by using the standardized RIFLE criteria, classified with risk, injury, failure, loss and ESRD according to serum creatinine (Scr) levels. Results: Among the 71 patients included in the analysis, AKI developed in 40 patients (56.3%) and 6 patients (8.4%) had irreversible kidney injury. AKI occurred within 5 days in 20 patients (50.0%). Maximum Scr level showed a significant increase in the patients with AKI ($1.92{\pm}0.86mg/dL$ vs. $1.12{\pm}0.46mg/dL$ p=0.001), maximum BUN also increased ($64.2{\pm}28.7mg/dL$ vs. $48.4{\pm}24.9mg/dL$ p=0.017) and minimum creatinine clearance (CLcr) was significantly decreased in the patients with AKI than non-AKI ($34.5{\pm}18.6ml/min$ vs. $64.4{\pm}33.7ml/min$ p=0.185). The patients with AKI had significantly longer duration of colistimethate therapy ($21.1{\pm}17.0$ days vs. $13.0{\pm}11.5$ days, p=0.020) and larger cumulative doses of colistimethate ($6465.9{\pm}4717.0mg$ vs. $4438.1{\pm}3426.7mg$, p=0.040). Conclusion: The incidence and severity of AKI associated with colistimethate in critically ill patients was high and serious. Drug monitoring program should be performed to shorten duration of therapy and reduce cumulative dose from initiation of colistimethate therapy for minimizing AKI of colistimethate.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.46-50
• /
• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and its tear pattern in comparison with arthroscopic finding. Materials and Methods: Sixty consecutive patients with acute ACL injury were taken NRI followed by arthroscopic examination between January 2002 and June 2004. MRI findings were reviewed according to the presence of ACL discontinuity, diffuse swelling or thickening, focal edema, collapse on distal end, and any combined tear. The pathologic findings were then confirmed arthroscopically. The diagnostic accuracy of MRI on ACL tear pattern was analyzed by obtaining its positive predictive value. Results: All fifty two cases with presence of discontinuity on MRI showed ACL rupture arthroscopically. The location of ACL tear, diffuse swelling and focal edema on MRI also corresponded with arthroscopic findings respectively. However, the diagnostic accuracy of MRI was relatively lower in the presence of other ACL patterns such as collapses and combined tear. Conclusion: Preoperative MRI findings seem to be in accordance with arthroscopic findings and is significantly accurate in detection of location and diffuse swelling and focal edema of ACL tear.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.201-207
• /
• 2002

Purpose : We analyzed clinical features and causal viruses of acute lower respiratory tract infections(LRTIs) in order to improve the management of these infections. Methods : From end of April to early May 2001, amongst 30 children at a local institute for children's adoption and welfare, 13 were admitted to the hospital with the diagnostic impression of acute LRTIs. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were sent in Seoul National University Hospital for viral culture of respiratory syncytial virus(RSV), adenovirus, parainfluenza virus. Results : One or more viral agents were identified in 4 cases(30.7%) : were RSV(15.4%), adenovirus(7.7%), and a mix of these two viruses(7.7%). Initial symptoms were fever(69%), cough(100%), tachypnea(54%), chest retraction(69%), rale(85%) and wheezing(15%). Leukocytosis was noted in 23%, CRP increased more than 10 mg/L in 46%. Chest X-ray abnormalities were 69%. Conclusion : Although viruses were identified in 30.7%, further studies should be made for prevention and treatment of acute viral LRTIs.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.105-116
• /
• 2001

We examined and referred to some literatures on the meaning, Dai meridian and Meridian points of joining with circulation of Dai meridian through literatures of every generation. And then we came to get a few conclusions as follows. 1. Dai meridian starts below the hypochondriac region. Running obliquely downward, it runs transversely around the waist like a belt. Its function is to bind up all the meridians to circulate in a proper way. 2. The coalescent points of dai meridian are $D\grave{a}im\grave{a}i$(帶脈), $W\check{u}sh\bar{u}$(五樞) and $W\acute{e}id\grave{a}o$(維道). 3. Location of $D\grave{a}im\grave{a}i$(帶脈) is on the lateral side of the abdomen, 1.8 cun below $Zh\bar{a}ngm\grave{e}n$(章門), at the crossing point of vertical line through the free end of the 11th rib and a horizontal line through the umbilicus. Location of $W\check{u}sh\bar{u}$(五樞) is on the lateral side of the abdomen, anterior to the anterosuperior iliac spine, 3 cun below the level of the umbilicus. Location of $W\acute{e}id\grave{a}o$(維道) is on the lateral side of the abdomen, anterior and inferior to the anterosuperior iliac spine, 0.5 cun anterior and inferior to $W\check{u}sh\bar{u}$(五樞). 4. Indication of $D\grave{a}im\grave{a}i$(帶脈) is irregular menstruation, leukorrhea with reddish discharge, hernia, pain in the lumbar and hypochondriac region. Indication of $W\check{u}sh\bar{u}$(五樞) is prolapse of the uterus, leukorrhea with reddish discharge, irregular menstruation, hernia, pain in the lower abdomen, constipation and lumbosacral pain. Indication of $W\acute{e}id\grave{a}o$(維道) is edema, pain in the side of the lower abdomen, prolapse of the uterus, hernia and morbid leukorrhea. 5. The Dai meridian binds all meridians, produces pregnancy, grasps lumbar and abdomen region and controls leukorrhea. 6. Diseases of the Dai meridian manifested as distention and fullness in the lumbar region and abdomen, leukorrhea with reddish discharge, pain the navel, lumbar and spinal regions, flaccidity and hypoactivity of the lower limbs, etc.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.225-232
• /
• 2019

Thymus vulgaris L. is widely used as an ingredient in cooking and in herbal medicine. However, there is little information about its toxicity. The present study was performed to evaluate the acute and repeated 28-day oral dose toxicity of thyme essential oil in rats. For the acute toxicity test, two groups of three rats were used. The rats received a single dose of essential oil: 300 or 2,000 mg/kg of body weight (bw). The rats were observed individually during the first four hours, and then daily until day 14. For the toxicity test with repeated doses, four groups of 10 rats were used. Doses of 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day were tested for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected and the animals were sacrificed. Histopathological examination showed that in the lungs of rats given the 2,000 mg/kg bw dose, polymorph nuclear infiltrates, hemosiderin macrophages, and interstitial space thickening were present. In the repeated dose study, all rats survived the 28-day treatment period and apparently showed no signs of toxicity. The hematological and biochemical parameters were not altered. The histopathological study of the organs showed severe changes in the lung, with the dose of 500 mg/kg/day; in the other organs, no alterations were observed or the changes were slight. The body weight was only altered in male rats given the 500 mg/kg dose. The relative weight of the organs did not show any significant changes. Our studies revealed that the essential oil of Thymus vulgaris has moderate oral toxicity according to the results of the acute test, whereas the results of the 28-day oral toxicity test suggest that the no-observed-adverse effect level (NOAEL) is greater than 250 mg/kg/day.