BACKGROUND: Superoxide disrnutase(SOD) provides a protective defease mechanism against potential cytotoxicity of superoxide radical in the aerobic organism. Although human skin is constantly at risk for developing acute and chronic changes by ultraviolet radiation and phototoxic reactions with exogenous and endogenously procluced photosensitizing molecules, studies in SOD in the human skin are rare. OBJECTIVE: We measured the level of SOD activities in the scar tissues and the normal human skin specimens. This study was to investigate changes of SOD activity by age, sex, and regional differences of SOD activities in the scar issues and the normal skin. METHODS: Aut,hors assayed the level of SOD activit,ies in 32 scar tissues(male 8, female 24) and 11 normal human skin specimens(male 8, female 3), which were obtaine 3 from face/neck(17 and 3 specimens), forearm(only 4 scar tissues), trunk(10 and 8 specimens), and lower extremity(only 1 scar tissue). RESULTS: First, activities of total SOD, Cu, Zn-SOD, and Mn-SOL ere 18.93+5.49, 16.97+55.31, and 1.96+0.90 units/mg proteiii respectively in the scar tissues. Second activities of total SOD, Cu, Zn-SOD, and Mn-SOD were 17.27+7.09, 13.82+6.44, and 3.45+1.07 units/mg protein respectively in the normal skin. Third, the changes of total SOD, Cu, Zn-SOD, and Mn-SOD activities by age and sex were similar each other and three were no significant, differneces between age groups in total, Cu, Zn- SOD, and Mn-SOD activities. Fourth, in sun exposed area and unexposed area there were no significant differences in the scar tissues in SOD activities. But, SOD activite.(total, Cu, Zn, and Mn-SOD) in face/neck were higher than those in trunk and lower extremity in tae normal skin(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that there are no differences in the intrinsic SOD activities by age and sex in the mature scar tissues and the normal skin. Differences between exposed and unexposed area in the normal skin are due to the induction of exogenous SOD activity by sun-light generation of superoxide radicals. In wound, increased production of leukocyte derived superoxide radicals is the main factor of increased level of SOD activity.
Cicatrix* ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Lower Extremity ; Skin ; Solar System ; Superoxide Dismutase* ; Superoxides* ; Wounds and Injuries

For many years chemonucleolysis has been proven effective in the curative treatment of lumbar disc herniation. However, this technique is seldom popular in the herniated cervical disc. For several years microsurgery of the cervical disc has been effective in the treatment of refractory cervicobrachial neuralgia. To compete with this method which has been familiar to neurosurgeons, cervical nucleolysis using chymopapain for 1 year. Twenty two pateints(75%) had excellent outcomes, 5 pateints(15%) considered good while 3 sustained their symptom, but showed decreased intensity. The decision to intervene is made when the radiculagia is recurrent or resistant to medical treatment of several weeks duration, without myelopathy or bony abnormalities such as spondylosis or canal stenosis. The principal advantages of this method are : short stay in the hospital(3 days to 5 days on average), absence of general anesthesia, prompt resumption of previous activities, and long-term preservation of an intervertebral space. As a result, cervical nucleolysis has been shown to be an effective alternative to surgery for cervical soft disc herniations with refractory radicualgia.
Anesthesia, General ; Brachial Plexus Neuritis ; Chymopapain ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Intervertebral Disc Chemolysis* ; Microsurgery ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spondylosis

To elucidate the complex of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGF-BPs) in short stature patients, we carried out a prospective study on three patients who were diagnosed as complete GH deficiency at the department of pediatrics from July 1992 to June 1993. The results were summarized as follows: 1) Two circulating IGFs complexed to specific binding protein existed in normal serum. Binding activity was found to be in the 150,000 molecular weight area (the large complex) and 50~60,000 molecular weight area (the small complex). 2) Binding activity for the large complex was seen to be dependent on advancing age, level of large IGF-BP3 complex peacked at the age of 15~16 years. 3) The binding activity for large complex diminished in three GH deficient patients and increased after hGH injection to near or above normal level. 4) Increased growth rate after GH treatment in GH deficient patient was closely related with increasing level of the large IGF-BP3 complex. Therefore we suggest that the large IGF-BP3 complex is regulated by GH. Estimating its serum level is useful for screening of GH deficiency and the monitoring of response to GH therapy.
Carrier Proteins ; Growth Hormone* ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I* ; Mass Screening ; Molecular Weight ; Pediatrics ; Prospective Studies

A 29 year old woman with unresectable leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cave extending into the right atrium of the heart was presented. The upper and middle inferior vena cava involved and there were both intrinsic and extrinsic tumor growth components. The diagnosis was made by a combination of radiological studies including ultrasound, CT, inferior vena cavography and arteriography and the diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound guided rumor biopsy. The clinical and radiological presenting features were reviewed.
Angiography ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Heart ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Leiomyosarcoma* ; Ultrasonography ; Vena Cava, Inferior*

A 29 year old woman with unresectable leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cave extending into the right atrium of the heart was presented. The upper and middle inferior vena cava involved and there were both intrinsic and extrinsic tumor growth components. The diagnosis was made by a combination of radiological studies including ultrasound, CT, inferior vena cavography and arteriography and the diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound guided rumor biopsy. The clinical and radiological presenting features were reviewed.
Angiography ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Heart ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Leiomyosarcoma* ; Ultrasonography ; Vena Cava, Inferior*

The effects of KCI continus tablet(K-Contin(R)) on the serum level of K and uric acid during hydrochlorothizide therapy(25mg/day) were evaluated in 30 patients with essential hypertensien. The results are as follows : 1) During hydrochlorothiazide therapy(25mg/day), 23% of all patients showed hypopotassemia(<3.5mEq/1) while no patient developed hypopotassemia after potassium supplement therapy(8 mEq/day). 2) During the period of K supplement, the level of serum uric acid showed less elevation. 3) The side reaction of KCI continus tablet were mild indigestion which developed in two patients and disappeared soon without any particular treatment. In conclusion, the KCI continus tablet is useful in the prevention of hypopotassemia during chronic diuretic therapy.
Dyspepsia ; Humans ; Hydrochlorothiazide ; Hypokalemia ; Potassium ; Uric Acid*

No abstract available.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra* ; Spondylolysis*

In certain low-grade malignant tumors such as chondrosarcoma and giant cell tumor, radical treatments may provide a good chance for cure. And large bony defect after the radical treatment can be filled with the massive bone graft. Recent advances in clinical microsurgery have made free tissue transfer a clinical reality, and Taylor in 1975, first reported the technique of free vascularized fibula graft for the reconstruction of large tibial defects with excellent clinical results. We tried wide excision and free vascularized bone graft in 6 patients with malignant or aggressive bone tumor from April 1981 to November 1985 and followed up for more one year. Mean follow up of free vascularized bone graft is 26.4 months and that of devascularized bone graft is 22.6 months. The results of the free vascularized bone graft were compared with 10 patients who were treated with the wide excision and the devascularized bone graft. In this analysis, free vascularized bone graft is superior to devascularized bone graft in bony union, complications and functional results.
Chondrosarcoma ; Fibula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Humans ; Microsurgery ; Transplants

No abstract available in English.
Clinical Study ; Dislocations ; Hip

No abstract available.
Mass Screening* ; Prospective Studies*