We reviewed 217 patients (270 cases) of thoracic and lumbar fractures and fracture-dislocations, who were treated at Hanyang University Hospital from January, 1977 to December, 1985. We classified spinal injuries according to three column theory and then analyzed the cause of injury, sex-age distribution, treatment and neurological injuries. The results were as follows: 1. The cases were classified into 4 different categories according to the three column theory; compression fractures (191 cases, 70.7%), burst fractures (54 cases, 20.0%), fracture-dislocations(22 cases, 8.2%), and seat belt type injuries (3 cases, 1.1%). And each of these 4 different categories was then subdivided into subtypes. 2. The most common cause of injury was fall from a height (45.2 %). 3. The neurological injuries were occurred in 21 patients (9.7%). The 16 patients with neural deficit in fracture-dislocation, 15 patients were flexion rotation type. The 5 patients with neural deficit in burst fracture, all were incomplete neural deficits. 4. The greatest advantage of Luque instrumentation was an early rehabilitation without external surport.
Classification ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Paralysis ; Rehabilitation ; Seat Belts ; Spinal Injuries ; Spine

The seasonal occurrence and habitat of two parasitic copepods, Peniculus minuticaudae (Shiino, 1956) and Peniculus truncatus (Shiino, 1956) (Siphonostomatoida, Pennellidae) infecting the fins of black scraper Thamnaconus modestus and Korean rockfish Sebastes schlegelii, respectively were investigated. The fishes were collected from Tongyeong marine living resources research and conservation center, southern coast of Korea as five per month for two years from July 2011 to June 2013. In total, 391 copepods of P. minuticaudae were collected in two years, in contrast to P. truncatus. Prevalence was 85%, mean intensity was 3.25, and maximum intensity was 33. Season wise, the infestation was observed as the highest in autumn (September-November) season, and the lowest in winter (December- February). It was infested only on fins of black scrapers. Abundance of P. minuticaudae was found on the pectoral fin (43.5%), followed by anal (22.5%), second dorsal (20.5%) and caudal fins (13.5%). Statistically significant interactions were observed between season, infestation and infected regions (P<0.001). It is also reported for the first time in Korea from the fins of wild threadsail filefish Stephanolepis cirrhifer from Busan, Jeju, Tongyeong and Yeosu fish markets. It can be a new record on its host and localities. A total of 51 P. truncatus were collected with the prevalence of 37.5%, mean intensity of 0.37 and maximum intensity of 6. Season wise, infestation was observed as the highest in summer (June-August), and the lowest in winter. Attachment site was the dorsal fin and not found from any other fins of rockfish. Statistically significant interaction was observed between season and infestation (P<0.05). This is the first report on the ecology of these two pennellids.

Growth Patterns of cranium measured directly as head circumference have been well documented. With the recent progress in CT, it is easy to measure the size and cross sectional area of the structure. The author chose themidvnetricular level of brain CT scan and measured the product of maximum anteroposterior and lateral dimension and cross sectional area. The age of infants ans children was 0 to 2 years old. The author obtained the following results through statistical analysis; 1. The maximum anteroposterior dimension and the cross sectional area were obtained through the computerized program of CT scanner. Using these measurements, monthly growth curve was obtained and which shows accelarated growth in the initial 12 months especially during the first four months, and followd by reduced rate of growth in the next 12 months. 2. Comparing the size of the calvarium between sexed,females' were somewhat larger than males', but there was no statistical significance. 3. Comparing the crosssectional area with the head circumference, high correlation was seen(correlation coefficient=0.96). Similarelationship was also seen between the product of cranial linear dimensions and the head circumference(correlationcoefficient=0.93). Also statistically significant relationship was noted between the cross sectional area and theproduct of the cranial linear dimensions(correlation coefficient=0.97). 4. Using the cross sectional area and theproduct of cranial linear dimenstions, monthly average value and the 95% significant range were obtained which canbe used as indices for the growth and development of cranium. Of these, the product of cranial linear dimensionscan eadily be measured by brain CT images, which may be useful on practical basis.
Brain ; Child ; Growth and Development ; Head ; Humans ; Infant ; Skull ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Compliance of epileptic patients is one of the most important factors for adequate therapy. Recently, it had been shown that the variability of three serial measurement of the serum levels of antiepileptic drug(AED) may be used as an indication of the degree of compliance. Coefficient variation(CV) of serum drug levels calculated by only one AED had been used to determine the compliance in epileptic patients who took multiple AEDs. We attempted to evaluate the CV of AEDs and then find the objective clue of compliance and the compatible therapeutic planing according to CV. Ninety seven epileptic patients of outpatients department of the Gyengsang National University Hospital were entered to this study. All patients were taking medication at least for 6 months without any changes of drug regimen. Patient's information was acquired by reviewing the chart and interview with questionnaire. With these informations, we determined the compliance of the patients. Antiepileptic serum levels were measured three times at intervals of at least two to four weeks apart, and their CV was calculated. We compared the CV between the compliant and non-compliant group in each AED(phenytoin, carbamazepine , valproic acid) and three drugs in the compliant group. The mean CVs of phenytoin, carbamazepine and valproic acid in the compliant group were 18.3+/-13.0, 15.2+/-10.2 and 23.8+/-8.9, respectively(mean+/-SD). The mean of CV in the compliant and the non-compliant group were 17.9+/-10.9 and 38.8+/-27.2, respectively. The CVs of the compliant group were significantly lower than those of the non-compliant group(p<0.05). However, CVs had no significant difference between three antiepileptic drugs. This study showed that CVs of AEDs were not different between each AEDs, even though they possess different pharmacokinetic properties. Therefore, the CV of one AED can be used in determining the compliance of the epileptics who are taking multiple AEDs.
Anticonvulsants ; Carbamazepine* ; Compliance ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Phenytoin* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Valproic Acid*

OBJECTIVE: The object of this study was to assess the accuracy of dipyridamole stress intravenous (IV) myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) using pulse inversion harmonic imaging and PESDA in the detection of perfusion defect in the patients with coronary artery disease in comparison with dipyridamole stress Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT. METHODS: Total 46 patients (29 males, mean age 64 years old) were consecutively enrolled. Patients with prior myocardial infarction were excluded. MCE and Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT were performed at the same day during rest and after 0.56 or 0.84mg/Kg dipyridamole infusion. Continuous IV infusion of PESDA (2-5 mL/min) was administered while obtaining triggered (1:1) end-systolic apical 2, 4 chamber and long axis views. Tc-99m sestamibi was injected 3 minutes after dipyridamole. Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT images were obtained one hour later. Coronary angiography was followed within two days in all patients. Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT images were matched to the sixteen segments of left ventricle according to American Society of Echocardiography for segmental comparison. Both images were analyzed visually. Results Using coronary angiography as the standard, MCE showed overall sensitivity of 70.7%, specificity of 95.8%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 87.8% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 88.5% in the detection of coronary atherosclerosis (70% stenosis). Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT showed sensitivity of 75.6%, specificity of 98.9%, PPV of 96.8% and NPV of 90.6%. The overall concordance rate between MCE and Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT for the detection of perfusion defects was 86.9% (Cohen's kappa value 0.63) according to the coronary territory and 86.8% (Cohen's kappa value 0.55) according to segmental analysis. CONCLUSION: Dipyridamole stress IV MCE using pulse inversion harmonic imaging and PESDA is feasible and comparable to Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT in identifying significant coronary stenosis and inducible myocardial perfusion defects in the patients with coronary artery disease. MCE using pulse inversion harmonic imaging seems to be a promising modality for assessing myocardial perfusion in the patients with suspected coronary artery disease.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Stenosis ; Dipyridamole ; Echocardiography* ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans* ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; Perfusion* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess variations in caudate volume according to dopamin receptor D2/ankyin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 (DRD2/ANKK1) Taq 1a polymorphisms in young healthy adults and to evaluate the relationship between caudate volumes and psychiatric symptoms as measured by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. METHODS: Genetic information regarding DRD2/ANKK1 Taq 1a and T1-weighted brain magnetic resonance images were acquired from 30 young healthy adults. Automatic segmentation of caudate was performed using the FreeSurfer program. RESULTS: Individuals with A2 homozygotes of DRD2/ANKK1 Taq 1a polymorphisms (n = 10) had greater right caudate volumes compared to those with A1 allele (s)(18.4% greater ; p = 0.019). Right caudate volumes were negatively associated with total scores of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (beta=-0.50 ; p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest the possibility that DRD2/ANKK1 Taq 1a polymorphisms may underlie the psychiatric symptoms by influencing the structure of the right caudate.
Adult ; Alleles ; Brain ; Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale ; Dopamine ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Phosphotransferases

In a murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), donor CD8+T cells rapidly fall into anergy to host cells, while donor CD4+T cells hyperactivate B cells and break B-cell tolerance to self-Ags in the recipient mouse. The functional recovery of donor CD8+T cells can result in the conversion of cGVHD to acute GVHD (aGVHD), indicating that donor CD8+T-cell anergy is a restriction factor in the development of cGVHD. In this report, we present evidence that donor CD4+CD25+regulatory T cells (T(reg) cells) are critical in maintaining the donor CD8+T-cell anergy and thus suppressing the development of aGVHD in mice that are naturally prone to cGVHD. Our results provide a novel insight into the role of T(reg) cells in determining cGVHD versus aGVHD.
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/*immunology ; Mice, Inbred DBA ; Mice ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/*metabolism ; Immune Tolerance/physiology ; Graft vs Host Disease/*immunology ; Female ; Clonal Anergy/*physiology ; Chronic Disease ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/*immunology ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/*immunology ; Animals

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to develop a Korean version of the Participatory Action Oriented Training (PAOT) program and training materials for improvement of agricultural working environments. METHODS: The PAOT manual and checklist were developed on the basis of the original English version of the training materials, a questionnaire survey of agricultural health and safety professionals, and a brainstorming conference. Good example pictures were collected through visits to agricultural workers' houses, and an easily understandable picture was drawn by an animation specialist. A PAOT action manual and five types of action checklists were developed for use in different agricultural environments. Each action checklist contained six categories and 38 items of agricultural health and safety principles; the six categories were material storage and handling, work stations and tools, machine safety, physical environment, working schedule and organization, and basic health and safety management. Incorporating these training materials, a one-day Korean PAOT program was developed. RESULTS: Among 307 candidate agricultural workers from four rural Korean villages, 94 workers (59 males, 35 females) participated in a PAOT from July 2007 to Oct 2008. The PAOT program was successful and the mean self-estimated satisfaction score of the participants was greater than 90%. CONCLUSIONS: A Korean PAOT program and training materials were successfully developed and applied to Korean agricultural workers. Although more studies are needed, it is expected that PAOT will greatly contribute to the improvement of agricultural working conditions and health and safety through the use of agricultural workers' self initiatives.
Appointments and Schedules ; Checklist ; Farmers ; Handling (Psychology) ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Safety Management ; Specialization ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The objective of this study is to identify any differences in disease status between foreign patients staying in Korea and Korean patients. The study results are : First, more foreign stayers than Korean in their 20's and 30's seek medical services but those after age of 60 show the opposite pattern. This difference seems to feflect cultural difference in the concept of medical services and health seeking behavior. Second, foreign pateints were much more frequently(almost threee times) diagnosed as having an acute disease, and the fact that the most common diseases were "diseases of the respiratory system" can suggest the seriousness of air pollution problem in Korea. And, the fact that foreign stayers, especially those from developed countries, tend to take more periodic general physical examina-tion indicated that their health maintenance efforts place emphasis on prevention. Foreign patients seek more medical services during the spring and summer time when compared to Korean patients, and Korean patients visited the clinic more frequently during the autum time. Also, the review of the number of outpatients seeking medical services and the average duration of outpatient follow-up mainten-ance after discharge suggest that foreigners suffer less severe diseases than Koreans do. Finally, in contrast to the usual practice of Koreans of coming to the center without prior calling for reservation, most foreign patients tend to make reservations before coming(usually a day before) in general. This is also reflective of cultural difference related to the way of utilizing medical services.
Acute Disease ; Air Pollution ; Developed Countries ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Outpatients

BACKGROUND: The measurement of functional disabilities in patients with dementia is one of the essential parts of evaluation for dementia from the viewpoint of diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. Nevertheless, few standardized scales for the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are available in Korea. The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the Korean IADL (K-IADL). METHODS: K-IADL is comprised of 11 items that were selected by the Representative Committee of the Korean Dementia Research Group. These include: (1) shopping, (2) mode of transportation, (3) ability to handle finances, (4) house keeping, (5) preparing food, (6) ability to use a tele-phone, (7) responsibility for own medication, (8) recent memory, (9) hobbies, (10) watching television, and (11) fixing around the house. K-IADL was administered to informants of 114 dementia patients and age and sex matched 106 con-trols. The informants rated each item as follows: 0=normal, 1=with some assistance, 2=with much assistance, 3=unable to do, NA=not applicable. RESULTS: Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.96) and the test-retest reliability(r=0.94) of K-IADL were significant. A principle component factor analysis extracted a single factor that accounted for 70.3% of the total variance (Eigenvalue: 7.74), and K-IADL was correlated significantly with other general cognitive indices, demonstrating good validity. With a cut-off point of 0.43, the K-IADL had a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 82% in the diagnosis of dementia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that K-IADL could be a reliable and valid tool for the quantification of functional disabilities of Korean dementia patients.
Activities of Daily Living* ; Dementia ; Diagnosis ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Hobbies ; Humans ; Korea ; Memory ; Reproducibility of Results* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Television ; Transportation ; Weights and Measures