Evaluation of the Source and Quality of Information Regarding Cervical Disc Herniation on Websites

Objectives@#The purpose of this study was to assess the source and quality of information regarding cervical disc herniation available to patients on websites.Summary of Literature Review: Studies have shown that 92% of the Korean population regularly accesses and searches for medical information on websites. While a large amount of information exists on websites, there is a possibility that patients will be misled due to inaccurate information because there are no established criteria for qualitative evaluation. In addition, little research has been conducted on websites that provide information about cervical disc herniation. @*Materials and Methods@#The search term ‘‘cervical disc herniation’’ was entered into the three most popular search engines in Korea (Naver, Daum, and Google). The first 50 websites displayed by each engine were selected for inclusion in this study and were categorized as academic, commercial, physician, non-physician, government organization, and unspecified. Information was assessed in terms of DISCERN, accuracy, and exhaustivity scores, and a total summary score was calculated for each website. @*Results@#Among the theoretical total of 150 websites, 83 unique and relevant websites were identified. The distribution by source was as follows: non-physician, 34.9%; physician, 27.7%; commercial, 13.3%; unspecified, 10.8%; academic, 9.6%; and government, 3.6%. Academic and government websites obtained the highest total summary scores, with statistical significance when compared to other types (p=0.03). @*Conclusions@#Website information on cervical disc herniation is generally limited. Institutional improvement efforts are needed to foster an environment where patients can receive high-quality medical information, and physician groups should play a central role in this process.

Changes of Enzyme Activities and Compositions of Abnormal Fruiting Bodies Grown under Artificial Environmental Conditions in Pleurotus ostreatus.

This study investigated the biochemical changes of abnormal fruiting bodies grown under artificial environmental conditions in P. ostreatus. Abnormal mushroom growth during cultivation damages the production of good quality mushroom. This study showed that different environmental conditions produced morphological changes in the fruiting bodies of P. ostreatus. The fruiting bodies with morphological changes were collected and examined for differences in biochemical properties, enzyme activities, and carbohydrates composition. The enzyme activities assay showed that glucanase and chitinase activities decreased when the temperature was below or above the optimum cultivation temperature for P. ostreatus. The biochemical compositions of the abnormal mushroom were significantly different from the normal fruiting bodies. It was suggested that the changes in the biochemical composition of abnormal mushroom were caused by the unfavorable environmental conditions during mushroom cultivation.

Seizure disorder patients in the emergency department

No abstract available.

Three Cases of Malignant Melanoma

Malignant Melanoma is rare, occupied less than about 0.5% of malignant skin cancer, in Korea. We have experienced three cases for recent 2 years. Case 1 was a 65-year-old woman suffered from 2.0 × 3.0cm sized fungating mass with central ulceration on the left heel for 1 year duration. Left inguinal lymph node was enlarged. She expired 9 months later in spite of treatment with surgical excision, lymph node dissection, and chemotherapy with DTIC. Case 2 was a 37-year-old woman showed 1.0 × 1.5cm sized lobulated, black papules on the right preauricular area for 8 years duration. Satellite lesions developed 1 year ago. There were recurrences on the excisional sites after treatment with wide surgical excision. Case 3 was a 45-year-old woman had 0.5 × 2.Ocm sized, black pigmented patch with satellite lesions on the left sole for 2 years duration. Surgical excision and follow-up for 1 year after treatment showed no recurrence yet.

A Cases of Nevus Sebaceus of Jandassohn Associated with Tubular Apocrine Adenoma / 대한피부과학회지

The nevus sebaceus of Jadsssohn is an organoid nevus generally noted on the scalp or the face as a single lesion. A 26-year-old man has suffered from a pea sized, pedunculated cherry red colored papule on the back ground of yellowish colored verrucous plaque on the vertex. Clinically, pedunculated papule was similar to granuloma pyogenicum, but histopathologic examination showed the features of tubular apocrine adenoma with focal areas of syringocystadenoma papilliferum, suggesting that might be a variant or could be associated with syringocystadenoma papilliferum.

Three Cases of Allergic Contact Dermatitis due to Hair Growth Stimulator / 대한피부과학회지

To take advantage of hypertrichosis, one of the side effcct of minoxidil, is used as a application to male pattern baldness and alopecia areata. Recently 101 Hair Regrowth Liniment which is a new hair growth stimulator from China is used in male pattern baldness, but its components, actions and side effects are exactly unknown. We experienced three cases of allergic contact dermatits one case due to minoxidil and others due to 101 Hair Regrowth Liniment which were confirmed by patch test.