The effect of ephedrine on intraoperative hypothermia / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Prevention of intraoperative hypothermia has become a standard of operative care. Since ephedrine has a thermogenic effect and it is frequently used to treat hypotension during anesthesia, this study was designed to determine the effect of ephedrine on intraoperative hypothermia of patients who are undergoing spine surgery. METHODS: Twenty-four patients were randomly divided to receive an ephedrine (the ephedrine group, n = 12) or normal saline (the control group, n = 12) infusion for 2 h. The esophageal temperature (the core temperature), the index finger temperature (the peripheral temperature) and the hemodynamic variables such as the mean blood pressure and heart rate were measured every 15 minutes after the intubation. RESULTS: At the end of the study period, the esophageal temperature and hemodynamic variables were significantly decreased in the control group, whereas those in the ephedrine group were stably maintained. The index finger temperature was significantly lower in the ephedrine group compared to that in the control group, suggesting the prevention of core-to-peripheral redistribution of the heat as the cause of temperature maintenance. CONCLUSIONS: An intraoperative infusion of ephedrine minimized the decrease of the core temperature and it stably maintained the hemodynamic variables during spine surgery with the patient under general anesthesia.

Distribution of Asymmetrical Hearing Loss Among the Workers participated in Noise-specific Health Examination / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Noise-induced hearing lose(NIHL) is characterized by bilaterally symmetrical hearing loss, but some screening audiometries of employees who were exposed noise showed asymmetry. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate distribution of asymmetrical hearing loss and factors influencing asymmetries. METHODS: Study subjects were 294 male employees who have participated in 1st and 2nd noise-specific health examination. RESULTS: The interaural threshold difference of 20 dB or more at 4,000 Hz was classified as asymmetry. Among 294 NIHL employees. 19% had left asymmetric hearing loss. 22% had right asymmetric hearing loss. and overall asymmetry were 41%. Prevalence of asymmetry at 4,000 Hz significantly more decreased in middle(80~84 dB (A)) and high-level noise exposure groups(> or =85 dB(A)) than low-level exposure group and significantly increased as greater hearing threshold level in the worse ear. Prevalence of left asymmetry at 4,000 Hz significantly increased as greater hearing threshold level in the worse ear than right asymmetry. The interaural difference was significantly greater in the left asymmetry. CONCLUSIONS: Noise exposure produced asymmetric hearing loss(interaural asymmetry was 20 dB and more in 41% of case) and left ear was more susceptible to noise demage than right ear.

The Effect of Parental Socioeconomic Status on the Nutrient Intake of Urban and Rural Adolescents / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was conducted to assess the nutrient intake patterns among urban and rural adolescents and to investigate the effects due to parent's socioeconomic status and other factors, such as mother's job, family type and regular exercise on that pattern. 2,455 middle and high school students living in Seoul and Yangpong, Kyounffi-Do participated in a self-administered questionnaire that was used to collect data. The one-day dietary intake was surveyed through a 24-hour recall method. The factors significantly different between urban and rural adolescents according to monthly income, parent's education level, mother's job, family type and exercise. Income, the parents' education level and regular exercise were associated with the patterns of nutrient intakes as a percent of the RDA. So, when adjusted for parental income, the father's and mother's education level and regular exercise, there were no signifcant differences within the patterns of nutritional intake between urban and rural adolescents. The results provided the information regarding the determinants of nutrient status among adolescents and were expected to be helpful for planning school health promotion programs.