No abstract available.
Colon* ; Humans* ; Morphine* ; Naloxone* ; Perfusion*

Recently, NAG activity has gained increasing importance as and aid in the diagnosis of renoparenchymal diseases. Elevation of urine NAG activity has been found to be an indicator of renoparenchymnal diseases. To evaluate the diagnostic value of the NAG activity test in the renal disease, we carried out clinical study on 31 cases of renal disease patients who had been admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Chung-Ang University Hospital between March 1992 and February 1993. We analyese by two data: (1) Stastical Package for the Social Science. (2) Students'T test. The results were as follows 1) The urine NAG activity significantly increased (p<0.05) to 69.9+/-5165.69U/hr/mg Creatinine (U/hr/mg Cr) in the renal disease group compared to 3.6+/-1.91U/hr/mg Cr in the control group. 2) The serum NAG activity was 11.69+/-5.18U/L in the renal disease group and 10.58+/-4.04U/L in the control group. There was no significant difference in the serum NAG sctivity between two groups. 3) In the renal disease group, the serum NAG activity was 10.78+/-3.32U/L in male 12.53+/-6.47U/L in female. There was no significant difference between both sexes. In the renal disease, the urine NAG activity was 33.62+/-30.67U/hr/mg Cr in male and 114.05+/-241.62U/hr/mg Cr female. There was no significant difference between both sexes (p<0.05). 4) In the renal disease group, the urine NAG activity increased 314.73+/-420.39U/hr/mg Cr in the 2 years old group but there was no significant difference of urine NAG activity compared to above 2 years old group . 5) The urine NAG activities were 93.1+/-0193.04U/hr/mg Cr in the poteinuria subgroup and 13.3+/-47.62U/hr/mg Cr in the nonproteinuria subgroup and 3.66+/-1.91U/hr/mg Cr in the control group. There was no significant difference between the proteinuria subgroup and the nonproteinuria subgroup. but there was significant difference between nonproteinuria subgroup and control grouop(p<0.005).
Child, Preschool ; Creatinine ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pediatrics ; Proteinuria ; Social Sciences

No abstract available.
Extremities* ; Liposarcoma*

The presence of metastatic lymph nodes in cervical carcinoma is one of the most important prognostic factors to survival. In general, the characteristics of metastatic lymph nodes such as number, site, and bilaterality etc. can modify the survival of patients with lymph node metastasis. This nonrandomized retrospective study was performed to identify prognostic factors for survival in patients with FIGO stage IA2, I B and IIA, IIB carcinoma of the cervix with nodal metastases. From January 1, 1993, to December 31, 1995, 86 patients with FIGO stage I A, I B and IIA, IIB carcinoma of the cervix were found to have nodal metastasis at the time of radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea Cancer Center Hospital. The prognostic significance of number of metastatic lymph nodes, site(s) of lymph node metastases, cervical lesion size, age, FIGO stage have been evaluated. In this study, the 3-year disease free survival rate (DFSR) and clinical characteristics were compared with the prognostic factors. Univariate analysis revealed significant that number of metastatic lymph nodes (p=0.0008) and tumor size (p=0.0490) were significant prognostic factor, but there were no significant differences in 3-year DFSR according to age (p=0.1257), FIGO stage (0.4687), site(s) of lymph node metastases (p=0.5552). However, by multivariate analysis only number of metastatic lymph nodes (p=0.0248) was noted to be a significant prognostic factor determining survival of the patient. A risk of recurrence increased continuously in accordance with increased of the number of metastatic lymph nodes. In particular the 3-year DFSR fell markedly from 85.3% in patient with less than four metastatic lymph node to 25.9% in those with five or more metastatic lymph node (p=0.0008). These results demonstrated that the number of metastatic lymph nodes was the most important and independent prognostic factor in patients with cervical cancer showing lymph node metastasis.
Cervix Uteri ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Korea ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Obstetrics ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between follicular blood flow and the follicular fluid vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations, and to determine which factor might be a better predictor of the outcome of IVF-ET. METHODS: In our prospective study, forty-seven cycles who underwent in vitro fertilization with tubal factor (25 cycles) and male factor (22 cycles) at the infertility clinic of Pusan National University Hospital from Feb. 2002 to June 2002 were assessed. Follicular blood flow was estimated on the day of hCG administration. Each follicular fluid was collected at the oocyte retrieval and follicular fluid VEGF and NO concentrations were assessed. According to the age of patients, the cause of infertility, and pregnancy rate, follicular blood flow and follicular fluid VEGF and NO concentrations were measured. RESULTS: Of 47 cycles, 18 cycles were pregnant (38.3%). Follicular blood flow was significant higher in the pregnant group compared to the nonpregnant group (p<.05), but there was no statistical significantly difference in the age and infertility cause. Follicular fluid concentrations of VEGF and NO were not statistically different in age, infertility cause, and pregnancy outcome. As follicle size increases, the follicular blood flow and follicular fluid VEGF concentrations increased significantly, but follicular fluid NO concentrations decreased. There was no correlation between VEGF and NO concentrations in follicular fluid by linear regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Our present study showed that follicular blood flow was positively associated with outcome of pregnancy as well as size of follicles, follicular fluid VEGF, but NO had no correlation with patient's age and pregnancy outcome. These results suggest that follicular blood flow might be a more effective prognostic marker of the pregnancy outcome of in vitro fertilization rather than follicular fluid VEGF and NO concentrations.
Busan ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicular Fluid* ; Humans ; Infertility ; Linear Models ; Male ; Nitric Oxide* ; Oocyte Retrieval ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate ; Prospective Studies ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus viridans group (SVG) is the normal flora of the upper respiratory tract, skin and genitourinary tract, and is the major causative agent isolated in 30-40% of bacterial endocarditis patients. However, SVG has not been properly identified to the species level for lack of diagnostic system which enables the accurate identification of SVG. Poyart et al. have recently described the identification of SVG to the species level by DNA sequencing of superoxide dismutase gene (sodAint). Using this method, we report here the identification of SVG isolated from the patients in Seoul National University Hospital within recent 2 years. METHODS: According to the method by Poyart et al., a set of two oligonucleotides, D1 (5 '-CCI TAY ICI TAY GAY GCI YTI GAR CC-3 ') and D2 (5 '-ARR TAR TAI GCR TGY TCC CAI ACR TC-3 ') were used as PCR primers, and PCR products of 480-bp size were obtained. The PCR products purified by MicroSpin S-400 HR Column were sequenced using ABI-PRISM 3700 Sequence Analyzer. D1 and D2 were used as sequencing primers. The clinical isolates were respectively identified as the species showing the greatest sequence homology which was demonstrated by the BLAST program provided by NCBI(USA). RESULTS: Clinical strains isolated from 26 patients who had shown two or more positive blood cultures were analyzed by DNA sequencing of superoxide dismutase gene, which showed 6 strains of S. salivarius, five S. oralis, four S. sanguis, three S. pasteuri, three S. equisimilis, two S. gordonii, one S. constellatus, one S. luteciae, and one S. mitis. S. salivarius and S. sanguis were clearly discriminated, while S. equisimilis and S. pyogenes were not. Species identification results by conventional method seldom corresponded to those by DNA sequencing. Among 7 patients suspected to have bacterial endocarditis, S. sanguis were isolated in 4 patients, and S. gordonii, S. oralis, S. pasteuri in one, respectively. Among 17 patients with liver cirrhosis or cancer, S. salivarius were isolated in 6 patients, and S. oralis in four. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we could identify the species of SVG isolated from the patients with bacteremia; S. sanguis were frequently isolated from patients with bacterial endocarditis, while S. salivarius from ones with malignancy. These results imply that a different group of underlying diseases could show correspondingly different group of SVG species which cause bacteremia, and we suggest that further pathophysiological study on the correlations between underlying disease and the species of SVG be performed.
Bacteremia ; Endocarditis, Bacterial ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Male ; Oligonucleotides ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Respiratory System ; Seoul ; Sequence Analysis ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sequence Homology ; Skin ; Streptococcus* ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Viridans Streptococci*

Arteriovenous graft for hemodialysis vascular access is a widely used technique with many advantages. However, it has crucial complications with graft thrombosis and infection. We recently experienced an unusual case of arteriovenous graft complication involving graft thrombosis related to fistula formation between the graft and the natural vein with infection. We diagnosed this condition using Doppler ultrasound and computed tomography angiography. Successful surgical treatment including partial graft excision and creation of a secondary arteriovenous fistula using an inadvertently dilated cephalic vein was performed. The dialysis unit staff should keep this condition in mind and try to prevent this complication.
Angiography ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Dialysis ; Fistula* ; Renal Dialysis ; Thrombosis* ; Transplants* ; Ultrasonography ; Veins*

Upper limb amputations usually leave a significant functional limitation in activities of daily living for the amputees despite the use of a conventional prosthesis. New developments in prosthetic design have greatly increased the rehabilitation potential for active individuals with the upper limb amputation. The application of external power to artificial hands and elbow, and elimination of the control cables, the most unpopular feature of body-powered arms, has had a great impact on upper-limb prosthetics in the last two decades. We applied a myoelectric hand to a traumatic amputee with wrist disarticulation. As a result, it was possible to provide a considerable improvement in function and cosmesis with this new device. Further research will undoubtly improve the appearance, function and durability of the present electrically powered myoelectrical hand, making them even more acceptable and useful to the upper limb amputees.
Activities of Daily Living ; Amputation ; Amputees ; Arm ; Disarticulation* ; Elbow ; Hand* ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Rehabilitation ; Upper Extremity ; Wrist*

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS) is one of the most common types of anterior knee pain and many studies reported the patellofemoral malalignments (such as high patella, increased sulcus angle and increased congruence angle) as possible causes of the syndrone. In order to confirm this hypothesis, the difference of congruence, sulcus angles and patella height ratio in normal subjects and PFS patients was evaluated. The PFS subjects were selected according to the criterias of anterior knee pain, pain aggravation after the repeated knee flexion and extension motion. A combined knee injury was screened by MRI. We have compared our data to the previous studies of Merchant et al.(1974), Aglietti et al.(1983), and Dowd and Bently(1986). The radiographic studies were done on lateral view, Merchant view, and patella height was measured by Insall-Salvati method and Blackburn-Peel method. The sulcus angle and the congruence angle were measured on a Merchant view. The results showed that the average patella height of normal group was 1.00+/-0.17 by the Insall test and the patella index was 1.02?0.23. There was no statistical difference between normal and patient group of which the patella height was 0.96+/-0.16 by Insall test with patella index of 1.04?0.17. On Merchant view, the congruence angle was +/-7 +/-11 degrees, and the sulcus angle was 135.5+/-6 degrees in PFS patient group, and in normal group the congruence angle was +/-2 +/-14 degrees, and the sulcus angle was 136+/-5. A little statistical variation was noted in both group. Our results were not much different from previous studies except for the Aglietti's study in congruence angle. We concluded that the Insall test, patella index, congruence angle and sulcus angle could not help to idetify patellofemoral malalignment of knee joint in PFS patients.
Humans ; Knee ; Knee Injuries ; Knee Joint ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Patella ; Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome*

In order to understand the effect of retinoic acid (RA) on the craniofacial pattern formation during embryogenesis, we injected RA intraperitoneally into the pregnant female rat on day 11 post coitum (p.c.) and then embryos of day 13 to day 17 p.c. were isolated consequently. The overall morphology and the differential gene expression patterns were analyzed by the microscopic and (DD) RT-PCR methods, respectively. For the morphological study, the retardation of craniofacial region, the shortage of crown rump length and limbs were analyzed in the RA-treated embryos. In the RA-treated embryos of day 17, it was observed that the palatogenesis was completely finished just like in the normal embryos. However, the cleft plate was observed in 36 out of 52 total samples with the distance of cleft palate being 0.80+/-0.36 mm in average. The temporal expression pattern of Hox genes through RT-PCR revealed that the expression of Hoxa7 reached its peak on day 13 then slowly declined in the normal embryos. Whereas in the RA-treated embryos, the expression peak was observed on day 15, then declined subsequently. With the Hoxc8 gene, its expression was low in all stages until the day 16 of normal embryogenesis. On the other hand, Hoxc8 gene expression was detected slightly early on day 15 in the RA-treated embryos. In the study of Bcl-2 family genes, uniformly strong expression of anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic genes was observed from day 13 to day 17 of normal embryos, whereas anti-apoptotic gene expressions were decreased after day 16 in the RAtreated embryos. Additionally, a dramatic decline of pro-apoptotic gene expression was observed from day 13 to day 15 of the RA-treated embryos. Therefore, we believe that RA is a potential factor that is actively involved in the cleft palate formation. Moreover, it is profoundly linked with the regulation of Hox and Bcl-2 family gene expression pattern that leads to the embryonic malformation.
Animals ; Cleft Palate ; Crown-Rump Length ; Embryonic Development* ; Embryonic Structures ; Extremities ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Genes, Homeobox ; Hand ; Humans ; Palate* ; Pregnancy ; Rats* ; Tretinoin*