No abstract available.
Hyperlipidemias* ; Obesity* ; Risk Factors* ; Urolithiasis*

No abstract available.
Hyperlipidemias* ; Obesity* ; Risk Factors* ; Urolithiasis*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Macrophages, Peritoneal* ; Mice* ; Mycobacterium bovis*

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to know the shisho constitutional distribution of outpatients at the Center for Kampo Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine (the Keio Kampo Center, herein) and to find out if there are differences in the type of diseases and symptoms according to shisho constitution.
Methods : We collected data from 366 outpatients at the Keio Kampo Center. All did a SSCQ-P (shisho Constitution Questionnaire for Patients) to obtain a shisho constitution diagnosis. We then classified their shisho constitutions and surveyed disease and symptom prevalence according to same.
Results : 1 : Among the 366 outpatients, distribution rates for Taiyojin, Syoyojin, Taiinjin, and Syoinjin were 0.8%, 27.3%, 28.7%, and 43.2% respectively. 2 : And the prevalence of V. Mental and behavioral disorders, XI. Diseases of the digestive system, XV. Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium, and Feeling of coldness (under XVIII. Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, NEC) items for Shoinjin were significantly higher than those for the other constitutions. (p < 0.05)
Conclusions : The distribution rate for shisho in 366 outpatients at the Keio Kampo Center was different from that in Korea, with the rate for shoinjin in these outpatients at the Center especially, being significantly higher than that for Koreans. There were also significant differences in the prevalence of some diseases and symptoms in shoinjin group.

From Mar. 1985 to Dec. 1992, 170 cases of osteosarcoma, which were proved histologically were admitted in our department at least one time. Among them we analysed 89 cases of Ennekings stage IIB who took limb-salvage(54) or amputation(35) and followed our protocol, with non-randomized retrospective study. The average age of the 89 patiens was 17.0 years(7 to 57). Fifty-four cases of salvage group took neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 35 cases of amputation group took neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. The result revealed prevalences of 2/54, 0/35 as to local recurrence; 15 of 54, 17 of 35 as to metastasis; 14 of 54, 15 of 35 as to death. Of the 2 patients who had a local recurrence, one died of metastasis and the other was lost follow up. According to Kaplan-Meier's plot 5-year continuously disease free survival rate for whole 89 cases of stage IIB was 43.1%, for salvage group 56.4%, for amputation group 34.0%. There were no signifcant difference in survival rate between salvage and amputation groups(p>0.05, by log-rank test). This result means the limb-salvage operation for Enneking's stage IIB osteosarcoma does not hinder patients survival.
Amputation ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Osteosarcoma ; Prevalence ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: We report clinical and radiologic outcomes after metacarpal extension osteotomy for mild osteoarthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1999 to 2008, 11 patients were diagnosed with mild thumb carpometacarpal arthritis (Eaton stage I, II), and extension osteotomies were performed. Of these, seven patients with at least 6 years follow-up were analyzed retrospectively. Male to female ratio was 2:5, and mean age at time of surgery was 38.9 years old. Symptom onset period was a mean of 11.2 months. Two patients were I, and five patients were II in Eaton stage. Preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) and disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand scale (DASH) scores were 3.7 points (3-4 points), and 40.1 points (32-51 points). Radial abduction was 38.5degrees (30degrees-45degrees), and volar abduction was 42.1degrees (40degrees-45degrees). Grip strengths and pinch powers, compared with the normal contralateral side were 82% (64%-90%) and 72% (40%-100%), respectively. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 8.5 years, and all patients except one maintained their occupational activity during the follow-up period. Final VAS and DASH scores were 0.7 points (0-2 points) and 11.7 points (8-16 points), respectively, and were statistically significant. Volar abduction, grip strengths, and pinch power were improved to 45degrees (40degrees-50degrees), 92.3% (73%-117%), and 94.4% (75%-117%) with statistical significances. In five patients, Eaton stages did not change, and two patients advanced to the next stage (stage I to II in one patient, stage II to III in one patient). CONCLUSION: Among the various treatment options for mild thumb carpometacarpal arthritis, metacarpal extension osteotomy may be considered as an effective treatment.
Arm ; Arthritis* ; Carpometacarpal Joints ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteotomy* ; Retrospective Studies* ; Shoulder ; Thumb*

Bipotent progenitors for T and natural killer (NK) lymphocytes are thought to exist among early precursor thymocytes or liver lymphocytes. The identification of such a progenitor population or mature NK cells in such organs remains undefined. Here we report the identification of a novel receptor of NK cells, p58 (HLA class I-specific inhibitory receptors), in fetal thymocytes and fetal liver lymphocytes. Our finding suggests the NK cells mature in the developmental stage during feta1 ontogeny. Flow cytometric analysis revealed p58 positive cells in thymocytes or in fetal liver lymphocytes and reverse transcription PCR also showed amplification of p58 RNA. The result of single stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) showed it discriminates one or two base pair differences of the p58 gene. Although the question still remains as to whether the expression of p58 is due to the NK cells or natural T cells, it is clear the p58 is expressed in fetal thymocytes or liver lymphocytes. And SSCP analysis using appropriate sets of primers used in this study, is helpful to study the diversity of p58.
Base Pairing ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Liver* ; Lymphocytes* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA ; T-Lymphocytes ; Thymocytes*

OBJECTIVES: In order to devise the combination module transmitting bio signal and signal data remotely, as defect of wirewireless combination module was complemented by designing a single combination of wireless module and power supply module, a single system was implemented. METHODS: Currently in case of wireless transmission, it had various problems causing by some factors such as buildings, obstruction, and entanglement of wires and so on. In order to overcome problems of wireless transmission, a single combination module design was researched, which transmits vital signal and sign data using basic electric line installed in the inner building or between others. Even though it was also possible of wireless communication and the internet, in case of a power supply without them, it could be possible to transfer data to underground or top ground in the inner building without any special communication line. RESULTS: Bio signal data was transmitted through a power supply line, a noise problem occurred would be solved by the designed noise filter. The filter showed that noise was cut off about more than 90%. It was also confirmed that the used ECG signals was stably received on transmission experiment. An internal PCB antenna could make the system be wireless communication without the disclosure of an antenna. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, in order to implement a useful system transmitting bio signal and data through wire and wireless management for combination design of wireless module and electrical line module, bio signal transmission system was implemented by design of noise break filter circuit to reduce power noise and PCB internal antenna design.
Complement System Proteins ; Disclosure ; Electric Power Supplies ; Electrocardiography ; Internet ; Noise ; Vital Signs

BACKGROUND: The inhibitory effects of nitric oxide(NO) on platelet adhesion and vascular smooth muscle cell(VSMC) proliferation may have a possible role inhibiting development of neointima following balloon catheter induced injury. We tested the hypothesis that L-arginine, the precursor of NO, would attenuate neointima formation following balloon catheter induced injury via regulation of antagonistic balance between proliferation and apoptosis of VSMC. METHODS: Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats(300 to 400g) were anesthetized with ketamine (100mg/kg intraperitoneally). The left common and external carotid artery were exposed. For endothelial denudation, 2mm angioplasty catheter was introduced through the left external carotid artery into the left common carotid artery. The catheter was inflated at I atm. and withdrawn three times. Animals were randomized to receive 2.25% L-arginine in their drinking water(n=14) or placebo(n=16) from 2 days prior to and 9 days following denudation. VSMC proliferation was quantified by immunohistochemical staining with an antibody to the proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA). The cells undergoing apoptosis were identified by terminal nucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling(TUNEL) method and morphologic changes by computerized planimetry and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: 1) The neointimal area in injured arteries were significantly reduced in L-arginine supplemented animals compared with placebo group(p<0.05). 2) L-arginine administration significantly reduced the number of PCNA positive cells in neointima when compared with placebo at 9 days(p<0.05). 3) Positive TUNEL cells were not influenced by L-arginine supplementation. 4) On transmission electron microscopy, there were no cells showing characteristics of apoptosis in neointima. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the inhibitory effect of L-arginine on neointima formation is due to reduced VSMC proliferation, but is not due to increased VSMC apoptosis at the early time period after initmal injur .
Adult ; Angioplasty ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Arginine* ; Arteries ; Blood Platelets ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Carotid Artery, External ; Catheters ; Drinking ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Ketamine ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Neointima* ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular System Injuries*

It is usually difficult to obtain an exact reduction of bony mallet finger involving more than one third of the articular surface by closed manipulation and extension splinting and needs the operative treatment to obtain an exact anatomical reduction. Operative treatment of a mallet finger is a difficult procedure, fraught with many potential problems, including intraoperative fragmentation of dorsal lip fracture, difficulty of exposure and anatomical reduction of the fragment, skin slough, and postoperative loss of fixation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the fixation technique and to reduce intraoperative complications. We retrospectively reviewed 13 patients of bony mallet fingers, who were treated by tension wire fixation between January 1994 and August 1995 at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kwangmyung Sung Ae Hospital. There were 6 male and 7 female pateints. The most common cause was sports injury (6 cases). According to Wehbe and Schneider classification, 8 cases were type II and subtype B, 7 cases were the other types. According to modified Abouna and Brown criteria, the clinical results were success in 10 cases and failure in 3 cases. Postoperative complications were superficial infeciton (2 cases), skin necrosis (1 case), nail deformity (1 case) and secondary extensor tendon rupture (1 case). In conclusion, tension wire fixation of bony mallet finger was a simple and effective fixation of the fragment under the direct vision, which make it possible to exercise early and fix sturdily. But it should be avoided some pitfalls associated with internal fixation of small bony fragments.
Athletic Injuries ; Classification ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Fingers* ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Lip ; Male ; Necrosis ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Skin ; Splints ; Tendons