Influence of Contraceptive Pill Use, Premenopause and Postmenopausal State on Hemostatic Parameters in Ethnic Chinese Women.

Background: Epidemiological studies has shown that increased fibrinogen and factor VIIc are two independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Postmenopausal women have a higher incidence of CVD than premenopausal women; one possible explanation is the increase of fibrinogen. Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of oral contraceptive pill use and postmenopausal status on coagulation factors in ethnic Chinese women.

Diagnostic imaging of Salmonella-related mycotic aneurysm of aorta by CT.

The purpose of this study was to review the computed tomography (CT) appearance of mycotic aneurysm of the aorta caused by Salmonella infection. Eight patients were suggested to have mycotic aneurysm of the aorta by clinical presentation of fever, abdominal or back pain, leukocytosis, and pulsatile abdominal mass in addition to positive blood or tissue culture of salmonella. All underwent plain radiography, abdominal sonography, and CT for confirmation.

Biomechanical evaluation of subcortical versus bicortical screw purchase in anterior cervical plating.

The purpose of this in vitro study is to compare the stabilities provided by anterior cervical H-plating with screws purchased either subcortically or bicortically on porcine cervical spines. Nine porcine cervical spines (C3-C4) were challenged by 12 Nm in extension followed by 6 Nm in flexion in 6 consecutive steps, i.e.

The effectiveness and safety of low dose pravastatin in elderly hypertensive hypercholesterolemic subjects on antihypertensive therapy.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low dose (10 mg) pravastatin in hypercholesterolemic, hypertensive elderly subjects undergoing antihypertensive treatment, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 6-month trial was conducted. The subjects had a total plasma cholesterol of at least 250 mg/dL and had been, for at least 3 months, consuming a standard lipid-lowering diet (American Heart Association Step 1 Diet). Sixty elderly hypertensive patients randomly received placebo (n = 30) or pravastatin (n = 30) treatment.

Thrombophilia associated with obesity in ethnic Chinese.

Objective: To investigate a possible interrelationship between obesity and the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems of ethnic Chinese.

Design: The Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Two-Township Study, a longitudinal, prospective study in Taiwan, which focuses on the evolution of cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Measurements: Haemostatic parameters measured in this study included prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, factor VIIc, factor VIIIc, antithrombin III and plasminogen.

Breast-feeding counseling by a 24-hour telephone hot-line.

A 24-hour telephone hot-line functioning as a counseling service and case registry was included in a multi-faceted breast-feeding promotion program. The mothers could speak directly to especially trained staff members in a municipal hospital. All the questions were answered according to an "Answering Book" which included the anticipated question and the optimum answer.

Increased sympathetic nervous system activity in Chinese hypertensive patients with type II diabetes mellitus.

To evaluate the coexistence of sympathetic overactivity and hypertension in type 2 diabetic patients, a population-based study was conducted of newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients recruited from a single community located at northern Taiwan. This study included 2877 (male 1382, female 1495) middle-aged ethnic Chinese adults, aged 45-65 years. Of the 1382 males, 67 had newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus, whereas 75 of the 1495 females had type 2 diabetes.

Acute heroin intoxication with complications of acute pulmonary edema, acute renal failure, rhabdomyolysis and lumbosacral plexitis: a case report.

After intravenous injection of heroin, a 27-year-old male with altered mental status and hypotension was seen at the Emergency Service where acute pulmonary edema was noted. The problem was resolved three days later after oxygen therapy had been administered by face mask. Acute renal failure, rhabdomyolysis and monoplegia of the patient's left leg were exhibited during his stay at the Intensive Care Unit.

Metered dose inhaler and nebuliser in acute asthma.

One hundred and eleven children with acute asthma were studied to compare delivery of terbutaline by either a metered dose inhaler (MDI) with a valved holding chamber or a nebuliser driven by air. Eligible patients were randomised; the MDI group received three puffs (0.75 mg) of terbutaline and the nebuliser group received 2 ml (5.

Salmonellosis and mycotic aneurysm of the aorta. A report of 10 cases.

We report a 5 year experience of 10 cases of mycotic aneurysms of the aorta caused by salmonella infection. Of the 10 patients, nine were males and one was female in an age range from 60 to 80 years with a mean of 71 years. The major clinical manifestations were fever, abdominal or back pain, pulsatile abdominal mass and leucocytosis.

[Irreducible fracture dislocation of the ankle: report of two cases].

The goal of operative treatment of ankle fracture are to obtain an anatomical reduction and rigid fixation to ensure a healed fracture and normally functioning recovery. Irreducible ankle fracture or fracture-dislocation is seldom encountered in clinical practice. Two cases of irreducible ankle fractures are presented.

Effectiveness of shunting in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus predicted by temporary, controlled-resistance, continuous lumbar drainage: a pilot study.

From 1984 to 1992 15 consecutive cases of normal pressure hydrocephalus were included in this pilot study. A series of tests included CT of the brain, grading of the cognitive mental state with the mini-mental state examination; urodynamic studies, and gait evaluation. These tests were carried out on admission, and repeated on day 1, day 3, and day 5 after controlled-resistance, continuous lumbar drainage (CRCLD).

[Family environment of children with simple obesity].

Fifty obese children aged from 6 to 15 years and 50 non-obese controls paired on the basis of age and sex were evaluated by anthropometric measurements and a parents' questionnaire. Birth weight was comparable in obese and non-obese children. The majority (78%) of the cases in the study group were becoming obese during the age among 2 and 12 years.

Povidone-iodine in umbilical cord care interferes with neonatal screening for hypothyroidism.

Out of 1346 newborns screened for congenital hypothyroidism, 31 non-hypothyroid infants were summoned because of a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level above 10 microU/ml. False-positive TSH levels were significantly more frequent in the babies treated with povidone-iodine (4.6%) than in those treated with either alcohol or triple dye (0.

Incomplete forms of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome: report of a case.

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is a rare disease characterized by a constellation of congenital and time-dependent abnormalities such as defects of the abdominal wall, gigantism, craniofacial dysmorphism, visceromegaly and hemihypertrophy. The syndrome is divided into complete and incomplete forms and, as it may only have subtle phenotypic features, it is easily neglected by clinicians. Patients with this syndrome, particularly those associated with hemihypertrophy, have a high risk of growing malignant tumors.

Measurement of Chinese lumbar pedicles: with special reference to transpedicular screw fixation.

Background: Thorough understanding of the morphometric parameters of the lumbar pedicles is essential for transpedicular screw fixation. The purpose of this study is to establish a database for proper spinal instrumentations in Chinese patients.

Methods: A total of 764 pedicles (L2-S1) were measured from spinal computed tomography (CT) of 100 Chinese volunteers.

[Respiratory failure after nebulized terbutaline treatment in severely wheezy infants: report of three cases].

Subjective clinical observations have suggested that nebulized bronchodilators are helpful in the treatment of some wheezy infants. Although the role of beta 2-agonists in the management of acute asthma in infants and very young children remains controversial, the use of beta 2-adrenergic agents in this age group has been widespread. beta 2-agonists nebulization continues to be the first-line treatment for acute attack of asthma, irrespective of age, in some institutes, but their uses are not without side effect especially in young wheezy infants.

Biomechanical evaluation of spinal stability after disc injury in a porcine model.

The biomechanical effects of disc injury on flexion-extension were investigated in nine fresh porcine functional spinal units. Under 12 N-m in extension and 6 N-m in flexion, the range of motion among intact specimens were 23.11 degrees -33.

Chronic elemental mercury intoxication: clinical and field studies in lampsocket manufacturers.

Four workers chronically exposed to elemental mental mercury in a lampsocket manufacturing factory were studied. The clinical manifestations were severe in one, mild in another, and suspicious in the remaining two. Correlation between severity of clinical features and increased urinary mercury concentrations was found.

Noninvasive hemodynamic classification of carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas by duplex carotid sonography.

The hemodynamic classification of the CCF has important implications for prognosis and therapy, but satisfactory criteria for such a differentiation are still lacking. We studied the application of extracranial duplex sonography in 14 cases of CCF with emphasis on the hemodynamic parameters of the RI and flow volume and made a correlation with the angiographic findings. We conclude with proposed duplex sonographic criteria for hemodynamic classification: (1) small RI with increased flow volume in the ICA: direct ICA-cavernous sinus fistulas (type A); (2) normal RI and flow volume in the ICA and ECA: dural branch of ICA-cavernous sinus fistulas (type B); (3) small RI with or without increased flow volume in the ECA: dural branch of ECA-cavernous sinus fistulas (type C) or dural branches of ICA- and ECA-cavernous sinus fistulas (type D).

[Pulmonary siderosis: report of a case].

Pulmonary siderosis is one kind of pneumoconiosis caused by the long term inhalation of iron dust. It occurs in a number of occupations including steel rolling and grinding, welding, polishing, casting, boiler scaling, iron ore mining and emery working. Here we report a case of pulmonary siderosis.

[Parent-directed weight reduction program for obese children: model formulation and follow-up].

To investigate the effect of a parent-directed weight reduction program on childhood obesity, a prospective 12-month follow-up study was performed at an outpatient clinic in a district general hospital. Sixty obese children, who, together with their parents received a free of charge weight reduction program, were compared with 52 obese controls who refused the program. The program included knowledge of childhood obesity and ways to decrease calories and increase physical activity; emphasized family participation and behavior modification; and stressed parent direction and self-responsibility.

[Home health care and the social supports for community-dwelling stroke patients].

The stroke survivors often suffer various degrees of disability and require some forms of assistance in their activities of daily living, and continuing care for the community-dwelling stroke survivors. This article includes three components to explain the needs of continuing care for the stroke survivors: the significance of continuing care for the stroke survivors, current problems of social support systems and future perspective on continuing care for the stroke survivors.

Complete membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava: clinical characteristics of Chinese patients.

Objectives: To analyse the clinical presentations of membranous-type Budd-Chiari syndrome and the long-term outcome of balloon angioplasty.

Design: A case-control study. Patients who received abdominal sonography and were suspected of having hepatic venous outflow obstruction were advised to receive cardiac catheterization and angiography.