PURPOSE: Although influenza is regarded as one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in children with cancer, the actual vaccine coverage remains poor. We conducted evaluation of immunogenicity and safety of influenza vaccine in children with cancer. METHODS: In this study, 25 children with cancer who received influenza vaccine (SK influenza IX vaccine(R)) at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital between October and December 2009 were analyzed. Blood samples of patients were collected twice (at the beginning of this study and at 30th day after vaccination) and their antibody titers were measured using the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) assay. Immunogenicity of the influenza vaccine was assessed by seroprotection rate on days 0 and 30, seroconversion rate on day 30, and mean fold increase (MFI) of geometric mean titer (GMT) of HI between days 0 and 30. RESULTS: Any of the subjects in our study did not experienced serious adverse events after influenza vaccination. Seroprotection rates were 68% for H1N1, 40% for H3N2, and 36% for B. Seroconversion rates were 12% for H1N1, 16% for H3N2, and 20% for B. MFIs were 0.9 for H1N1, 1.2 for H3N2, and 1.8 for B. CONCLUSION: In the study, we found a limited protective immune response to influenza vaccine, among subjects with cancer. However, some subjects showed seroconversion, and there were no severe adverse events among all subjects, supporting the recommendation of annual influenza vaccination in children with cancer.
Child ; Humans ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza, Human ; Korea ; Vaccination

We herein report a case of transient acrodermatitis enteropathica in a 3-month-old, breast-fed, full-term infant. The patient was presented with a 2-month history of diarrhea and crusted erythema- tous patches on the periorificial area. Similar lesions were seen in his siblings. His serum zinc level and the zinc level in his mother's breast milk were markedly reduced. Diarrhea and skin lesions disappeared promptly with oral zinc supplementation and did not recur when zinc was discontinued after three weeks. Our case indicates that even full-term infants, who feed excl-usively on mothers milk, run a risk of developing zinc deficiency, if the concentration of zinc in the breast milk is very low.
Acrodermatitis* ; Diarrhea ; Humans ; Infant* ; Milk ; Milk, Human ; Mothers ; Siblings ; Skin ; Zinc

Hydrops fetalis is diagnosed when abnormal fluid collections are manifest in two or more fetal compartments, including abdominal ascites, pleural effusions, pericardial effusions, skin edema, polyhydroamniosis and placental edema. Although fetal hydrops was hystorically most commonly associated with Rh blood group isoimmunization, the availability of Rh immunoglobulin has increased the proportion of fetuses affected due to nonimmune etiologies. We have experienced a case of nonimmune hydrops fetalis at 32 weeks of gestation in a 27-year-old woman and reported that with brief review of related literatures.
Adult ; Ascites ; Edema ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Hydrops Fetalis* ; Immunoglobulins ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pleural Effusion ; Pregnancy ; Skin

PURPOSE: We examined the incidence of root tear of the medial meniscus posterior horn among patients who had undergone total knee replacement and we analyzed the factors that cause this tear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 258 knees of 173 patients who had undergone total knee replacement from January 2008 to June 2009. The mean age was 68.8 (range: 50~87). There were 23 men (28 cases) and 150 women (230 cases). We performed statistical correlation analysis between the assumed causes of meniscal tears (age, gender, grade of osteoarthritis, the predisposition site, BMI and varus deformity) and root tears. RESULTS: Meniscal tears were observed in 182 cases (70.5%), and there were 18 cases (64.2%) of 28 cases and 164 cases (71.3%) of 230 cases in the men and women, respectively. Root tear had correlation with the severity of osteoarthritis (p=0.040) and varus deformity (p=0.030), but other underlying factors didn't show significant correlation (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Root tears of the medial meniscus posterior horn in total knee arthroplasty were related to the severity of osteoarthritis and varus deformity, but active interventions are required whether or not there are predisposing factors that cause osteoarthritis.
Animals ; Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Horns ; Humans ; Incidence ; Knee ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial ; Osteoarthritis

Ectopia cordis is defined as a congenital malposition of the heart partially or completely outside the thorax and often associated with sternal and congenital heart defects:surgical repair is generally unsuccessful because of the magnitude of the deformity and the associat-ed intracardiac anormalies. Four types of ectopia cordis are described : cervical, thoracic, abdominal and thoracoa- bdominal. Cervical and thoracic type are often fatal within days, because the heart is expo- sed and malformed. Abdominal type carries a better prognosis because cardiac abnormalities are less often found. The prognosis of thoraco-abdominal type mainly depends on the pre- sence of intracardiac abnormalities. We have experienced a case of thoracic ectopia cordis at 25 weeks' gestation by ultra- sonography, so present the case and the review with literature briefly.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Ectopia Cordis* ; Heart ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis* ; Prognosis ; Thorax

PURPOSE: To analyze relation between age or parameters measured before operation and cartilage erosion of the first metatarsal head measured during operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was targeted at 56 patients and 79 feet, who underwent Scarf osteotomy or Scarf and Akin osteotomy from November 2009 through November 2010, and whose cartilage lesion of the first metatarsal head referred to the cartilage grade III or IV of the International Cartilage Repair Society. The measurement parameters were age, hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle (1~2), tibial sesamoid position, proximal articular set angle and distal articular set angle. The cartilage erosion of the first metatarsal head was measured by one surgeon using cellophane. Occupancy rate and frequent involved sites of the cartilage erosion were recorded using AutoCAD(R) and adobe Illustrator CS4 program. SPSS correlation test and T-test were used for statistical analysis of the parameters and the cartilage erosion. RESULTS: The cartilage erosion was incurred frequently in the sagittal groove and the site where subluxation or dislocation of the tibial sesamoild bone occurred but frequent involved sites had no statistical significance with cartilage erosion. The age showed a statistical significance with the cartilage erosion in the correlation test (p=0.003). Especially, the group of over 51 year old patients was turned out to have association with the cartilage erosion, compared to the group of below 51 (p=0.007). But, hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle (1~2), tibial sesamoid position, proximal articular set angle and distal articular set angle were no statistical significance with the cartilage erosion. CONCLUSION: We found the more the age of patients increased (especially above 51), the more cartilage erosion increased. And it is thought that we pay attention to reduce tibial sesamoid bone.
Cartilage ; Cellophane ; Dislocations ; Foot ; Hallux ; Hallux Valgus ; Head ; Humans ; Metatarsal Bones ; Osteotomy ; Sesamoid Bones

The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of citric acid on the change of implant surface microstructure according to application time. Implants with pure titanium machined surface, titanium plasmasprayed surface, and sand-blasted, large grit, acid etched surface were utilized. Implant surface was rubbed with pH 1 citric acid for 1/2 min., 1 min., 1 1/2 min., 2 min., and 3min. respectively in the test group and implant surface was not treated in the control group. Then, the specimens were processed for scanning electron microscopic observation. The following results were obtained. 1. Both test and control group showed a few shallow grooves and ridges in pure titanium machined surface implants. There were not significant differences between two groups. 2. In titanium plasma-sprayed surfaces, round or amorphous particles were deposited irregularly. The irregularity of titanium plasma-sprayed surfaces conditioned with pH 1 citric acid was lessened and the cracks were increased relative to the application time of pH 1 citric acid. 3. Sand-blasted, large grit, acid etched surfaces showed the macro/micro double roughness. The application of pH 1 citric acid didn't change the characteristics of the sand-blasted, large grit, acid etched surfaces. In conclusion, the application of pH 1 citric acid to titanium plasma-sprayed surface is improper. And pure titanium machined surface implants and sand-blasted, large grit, acid etched surface implants can be treated with pH 1 citric acid for peri-implantitis treatment if the detoxification of these surfaces could be evaluated.
Citric Acid* ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Peri-Implantitis ; Titanium

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of mixed extracts of aralia cortex and phellodendron cortex (P55A) on activities of human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells in vitro. First experiment was done to evaluate the effect of PS5A in normal condition. In control group, die cells(4.5 x 10(4)cells/ml) were cultured with Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium contained with 10% fetal bovine serum. In experimental groups, P55A was added to the above culture condition at the final concentrations of 0.1 microgram/ml(Test group 1),1 microgram/ml(Test group 2) and 10 microgram/ml(Test group3). Then each group was tested for the cell proliferation rate at 1/2 , 2 , 5 days, protein levels at 2, 5 days, and alkaine phosphatase activity at 2 , 5 days. Second experiment was done to evaluate the effect of P55A in high glucose condition. 200 mg/dl glucose was added to the same culture condition of all groups in first experiment. Then each group was tested for the cell proliferation rate at 1/2 , 2 , 5 days, protein levels at 2 , 5 days, and alkaline phoaphatase activity at 2, 5 days. The results were as follows ; 1. First experiment 1) As P55A concentration increased, cell proliferation rate increased significantly in test group 2 at 2 days, and test group 2 and 3 at 5 days in human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells(P<0.05). 2) In human gingival fibroblasts, all test groups showed significantly increased protein levels as compared to control group at 5 days. In periodontal ligament cells, test group 2 and 3 showed significantly increased protein levels as compared to control group at 2 , 5 days(P<0.05). 3) Alkaline phosphatase activity of human periodontal ligament cells increased as P55A concentration increased. The test group 2 and 3showed significant increase as compared to control group at 5 days(P<0.05). 2. Second experiment 1) As P55A concentration increased, cell proliferation rate increased significantly in test group 2 at 2 days, and test group 2 and 3 at 5 days in human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells(P<0.05). 2) In human gingival fibroblasts, all test group 3 showed significantly increased protein levels as compared to control group at 2 days, and all test groups at 5 days. In periodontal ligament cells, test group 2 and 3 showed significantly increased protein levels as compared to control group at 2, 5 days(P<0.05). 3) Alkaline phosphatase activity of human periodontal ligament cells increased as P55A concentration increased. The test group 2 and 3 showed significant increase as compared to control group 2 at 2 days, and all test groups at 5 days(P<0.05). From the above results, mixed extracts of aralia cortex and phellodendron cortex appeared to enhance cellular activities including cell proliferation rate, protein levels and alkaline phosphatase activity of human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells in normal and high glucose condition. This study suggests that mixed extracts of aralia cortex and phellodendron cortex seem to be able to subside the inflammation of periodontal tissue and regenerate the destructed periodontal tissue.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Aralia* ; Cell Proliferation ; Fibroblasts ; Glucose ; Humans* ; Inflammation ; Periodontal Ligament ; Phellodendron*

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the usefulness of selective nerve root block (SNRB) as a prognosis predictor of a lumbar disc herniation. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The biochemical factors of radiculopathy, as opposed to the biomechanical factors, are more reversible and responsive to a corticosteroid injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients underwent SNRB for the radiculopathy caused by a herniated lumbar disc and were followed for at least 1 year. The straight leg raising (SLR) angle, visual analog scale (VAS) and the patients' subjective satisfaction, using the Weber criteria, were initially investigated, and again at 1 week and 1 month after the procedure, and finally at the final follow-up. The patients were divided into two groups according to the final satisfaction. Group 1 (satisfactory prognosis, N=32) had Excellent/Good results at the final follow-up, whereas Group 2(unsatisfactory prognosis, N=18) had Fair/Poor final results, or underwent surgical treatment. The improvements in the SLR and VAS at 1 week and 1 month were compared between two groups. The subjective satisfaction each time was compared to the final outcome; the relative risks were also calculated. RESULTS: The improvements in the SLR and VAS for Group 1 were significantly better than those for Group 2 at both 1 week and 1 month (p<0.05). Those patients with Excellent/Good results at 1 week and 1 month manifested satisfactory final outcomes (p<0.05). The risks of the patients with Fair/Poor results at 1 week and 1 month manifesting unsatisfactory final outcomes were 6.8 and 15.2 times higher than those with Excellent/Good results. CONCLUSION: Selective nerve root block could be a useful method, not only to relieve acute leg pain, but also to predict the longterm prognosis of a herniated lumbar disc. Early surgical treatment could be considered for the patients not manifesting significant improvement until 1 month after SNRB.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leg ; Prognosis* ; Prospective Studies ; Radiculopathy ; Visual Analog Scale

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the usefulness of selective nerve root block (SNRB) as a prognosis predictor of a lumbar disc herniation. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The biochemical factors of radiculopathy, as opposed to the biomechanical factors, are more reversible and responsive to a corticosteroid injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients underwent SNRB for the radiculopathy caused by a herniated lumbar disc and were followed for at least 1 year. The straight leg raising (SLR) angle, visual analog scale (VAS) and the patients' subjective satisfaction, using the Weber criteria, were initially investigated, and again at 1 week and 1 month after the procedure, and finally at the final follow-up. The patients were divided into two groups according to the final satisfaction. Group 1 (satisfactory prognosis, N=32) had Excellent/Good results at the final follow-up, whereas Group 2(unsatisfactory prognosis, N=18) had Fair/Poor final results, or underwent surgical treatment. The improvements in the SLR and VAS at 1 week and 1 month were compared between two groups. The subjective satisfaction each time was compared to the final outcome; the relative risks were also calculated. RESULTS: The improvements in the SLR and VAS for Group 1 were significantly better than those for Group 2 at both 1 week and 1 month (p<0.05). Those patients with Excellent/Good results at 1 week and 1 month manifested satisfactory final outcomes (p<0.05). The risks of the patients with Fair/Poor results at 1 week and 1 month manifesting unsatisfactory final outcomes were 6.8 and 15.2 times higher than those with Excellent/Good results. CONCLUSION: Selective nerve root block could be a useful method, not only to relieve acute leg pain, but also to predict the longterm prognosis of a herniated lumbar disc. Early surgical treatment could be considered for the patients not manifesting significant improvement until 1 month after SNRB.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leg ; Prognosis* ; Prospective Studies ; Radiculopathy ; Visual Analog Scale