While there have been not a few reports on the seroepidemiological characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Korea, most of them, however, have had several limitations; operational definition of HBV infection, validity of detection methods of HBV serologic markers, size of the study population, and confirmation of the vaccination history against HBV, etc. In order to avoid such limitations, authors randomly selected 1,495 healthy adults among the 217,511 insured (target population) of Korean Medical Insurance Corporation, living in seoul, and tested HBV(HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc) of all the subjects were tested, 392(26.2%) of interview failure cases 742 nonvaccinee were excluded from the actual population. Finally, the serologic markers tested of 742 nonvaccinee (study population) only were analyzed for the seroepidemiologic observation of the natural infection of HBV. The seroepidemiological characteristics of HBV infection in Korea were as follows ; 1 Point prevalence of HBs antigenemia was 11.7(9.1-14.3)% in male, which was slightly higher than that of female, 9.5(3.7-15.3)%. This level was one of the highest among those of Asian-Pacific countries. Decreasing tendency of HBsAg prevalence after the age of 50 was observed, which seems to be due to selective attrition of HBV chronic carriers among the healthy adults and/or to the limited-lasting duration of the HBs antigenemia, in part. 2. Point prevalence of anti-HBc(78.8% in male, 50.9% in female) was higher than that of anti-HBs(65.2% in male, 46.6% in female), respectively. And both of them were higher in male than in female. Increasing tendency of the prevalence of both antibodies was observed by age, which seems to be largely due to recurrent infection in adults and to some cumulative effect, in part, of their relatively longer-lasting duration. 3. The level of HBV infection defined by positive for at least one of the 3 serologic markers of HBV by RIA method was 84.7(81.8-87.6)% in male and 61.2(51.9-70.5)% in female, which was also one of the highest among those of Asian-Pacific countries. The proportion of susceptible population to HBV infection among healthy adults was 15.3% in male and 38.8% in female. 4. The relative frequency of current or past infection and chronic carrier among HBV infected person was estimated. The currently or past infected was estimated 75.7% in male and 71.8% in female, and chronic carrier state, 13.8% in male and 14.1% in female. The analysis of the geometric mean of the antibody titer in anti-HBs positive sera indicated also to be compatible with the above findings, suggesting that active, even though inapparent, infection of HBV occur so frequently among healthy adults in Korea.
Adult* ; Antibodies ; Carrier State ; Female ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Insurance ; Korea ; Male ; Prevalence ; Radioimmunoassay ; Seoul* ; Vaccination

BACKGROUND: A good doctor-patient relationship should be based on mutual understanding and reliance. Proper conversation and same understanding of the use of this terminology is needed. This study was designed to make a comerstone to establish appropriate medical terminology by means of investigation of the meaning of 'neurotic' among family' physicians. METHOD: A questionnaire was sent to 971 family doctors registered as regular members in the Korean Academy of Family Medicine. We analysed 184 returned questionnaires. We calculated the percent for each item. Chi-square test used to analyse demographic characteristics and compare whether the word 'neurotic' has been used or not, and whether it was a proper medical terminology or not. RESULT: 82.6% of responders(152/184) were used to 'neurotic' as a medical terminology. Doctors in their thirties were the least using group(78.7%) and doctors working in university hospitals rarely used them being statistically significant (p<0.000). 82.5% of the doctors in using 'neurotic' responded it is not an appropriate terminology. The most frequent situation in using it was 'patient appealed organic symptom without abnormal lab result'(51.1%). The target diseases were not organic disorders such as functional dyspepsia(64.1%), tension headache(58.5%), psychosomatic or somatoform disorder(54.9%). 59% of the patients diagnosed as 'neurotic' gave unsatisfying responses. Family doctors recommended substituting to terminology such as 'functional'(33%), 'psychogenic'(31.8%), and 'stress-induced'(25.0%). CONCLUSION: Most family doctors were used to the word 'neurotic' but they did not think it was an appropriate terminology. There fore, other substitute words should be faken into consideration.
Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changing pattern of serum leptin level and the correlation between estradiol level during the clomiphene citrate challenge test(CCCT) or controlled ovarian hyperstimulation(COH) cycle. METHODS: Twenty-seven women who underwent CCCT and fourteen women who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation were recruited to measure the serum leptin level. After correction of serum concentration with body mass index(BMI), changes of leptin level and correlation with serum estradiol level during CCCT and COH cycle were analyzed. RESULTS: Circulating leptin levels were significantly correlated with BMI at each time point in CCCT cycle(P<0.01). In CCCT cycle, leptin/BMI level was significantly increased at midluteal phase compared to that of menstrual cycle day 3 and 10(p<0.05). In women with regular menstruation, leptin/BMI level at midluteal phase was significantly higher than that of menstrual day 3 and 10, but this difference was not seen in women with irregular menstruation. The leptin/BMI level in COH cycle showed increasing tendency throughout ovarian stimulation. But there was no significant correlation between leptin/BMI and estradiol level in CCCT and COH cycle. CONCLUSION: There is a significant correlation between BMI and circulating leptin level. Midluteal leptin level is significantly higher than that of follicular phase in CCCT cycle, and there is an increasing tendency in leptin level after ovarian stimulation in CCCT and COH cycle without statistical significance. These findings suggest that circulating estradiol concentration has no major influence on circulating leptin level.
Clomiphene* ; Estradiol ; Female ; Follicular Phase ; Humans ; Leptin* ; Menstrual Cycle ; Menstruation ; Ovulation Induction

A 7-year-old girl had a 7 × 6cm sized dark red colored tumor on the left elbow and several erythematous macules on the face, right upper arm, and both thighs. Her general health was good and all laboratory findings were within normal limit. Histopathologic examination revealed an infiltration of atypical mononuclear cells in the dermis and subcutis. L26 and leukocyte common antigen were positively stained in an immunohistochemical study. According to clinical, histological and immunohistochemical findings, we diagnosed the disease as primary cutaneous B cell lymphoma. The patient's skin lesions markedly improved after a surgical excision and chemotherapy.
Antigens, CD45 ; Arm ; Child ; Dermis ; Drug Therapy ; Elbow ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell* ; Skin ; Thigh

Actinomycosis, in which the principal causative agent in man is known to Actinomyces israelii, is a chronic, suppurative diseases characterized by extensive fibrosis, multiple abscesses, and formation of sinus tracts that drain suppurative exudates. On the basis of the anatomical sites involved; it can be subclassified into the cervicofacial form, which is the most common form, pulmonary form and abdominal form. Kidneys are rarely affected. Clinically, radiologically, and at operation it is difficult to differentiate the renal actinomycosis from renal tuberculosis and renal carcinoma. The prognosis is excellent after nephrectomy followed by appropriate antibiotic therapy. We presented a case of renal actinomycosis with a brief review of the literatures.
Male ; Humans

Authors carried out an investigation of the helminthic parasites of the wild birds in Korea. Most wild birds were collected from Kyoung Sang Do, Kyoung Kee Do and Seoul area from September 1970 to March 1973. A total of 70 wild birds, 19 species were examined, which comprised as follows; 10 Anas platyrhynchus, 10 Anas fulicata, 4 Anas poeciolorhyncha zonorhyncha, 8 Anser albifrone albifrone, 5 Anser cygonopsis cygnoid, 10 Aythya fuligula, 6 Gallicrex cinerea, 2 Porgana fusca, 2 Phisianum calichius korponri, 4 Sterptopilla orientalis, Podiceps cristatus, Larus crasirotatus, Malantta fusca, Garis artcus, Buetes buteo, Egretta alba, Starmus philpiens, Bombycilla granulus. Trematode parasites found from six species of the wild birds. Echinostomatidae has been found from intestine of the Anas platyrhynchus platyrhynchus, Anas poeciolorhyncha zonorhyncha, Anas fulcata. Notocatylus attenuatis found from intestine of the Podiceps cristatus, Anas fulcata. Catylurus japonicus was found from rectum of the Anas platyrhynchus platyrhynchus, Anas poeciolorhyncha zonorhyncha.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Notocatylus attenuatus ; Catylurus japonicus ; Echinostoma revolutum ; Echinostoma gotoi ; Echinostoma miyagawai ; Echinoparyphium koizumi ; bird

Radiographic measurement of cervical spine is very important in cervical spine injury especially those without fracture. Authors measured the retropharyngeal space, retrotracheal space, lordortic curve and sagittal diameter of cervical spinal canal in 148 cases of normal adult male. The results are as follows: 1 . In normal Korean adult male maximum retropharyngeal space is 7mm in C, level and Smm in Cs level. Maximum retrotracheal space is 16mm in C, level. 3. Loss of normal lordotic curve is shown in 21 cases(14.2%), 4. Average sagittal diameter of C, level is 21.27mm-it's the largest of all the cervical spinal cana1s, and that of C, level is 16.15mm-it's the smallest.
Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Spinal Canal ; Spine

There are many experiences and principles about posterior approach in the spine as surgical procedure in the treatment of the patients with low back pain. And the anterior approach to the disc with its excision and bone graft, less known to others, has become a relatively safe procedure with the increasing experience. The greatest advantage of anterior lumbar interbody fusion is that the reduction of lumbar vertebral slipping is possible, the distance between the involved bodies is well maintained and the rate of fusion increases by spreading the vertebral bodies and putting into the measured bone bloc especially in the patients with severe segmental instability or spondylolisthesis. We analysed 48 patients having anterior interbody fusion by using a specially designed reduction-spreader during eight years, from January 1.978 to December 1985. The results were as follows: 1. Among 48 cases, 20 cases were male and 28 cases were female; 12 cases were in the fourth decade and 19 cases were in the fifth decade-most common in the fifth decade. 2. 28 cases were at the level of L4–L5, 16 cases were L5–S1, and 4 cases were two levels(L3–L4 L4–L5 and L4–L5 LS–Sl). 3. Retroperitoneal approach was used for the L3–L4 and L4–L5, and transperitoneal approach was used for the L5–S1. 4. After distraction between the involved vertebral bodies using an effective device, reduction-sprea-der, a pair of full thickness iliac bone grafts were impacted into the interspace, maintaining the reduction after removal of the reduction-spreader. 5. Fusion was achieved between 3 months and 6 months in 46 cases except 2 cases. 6. Overall clinical results were as follows: good in 42 cases, fair in 6 cases. 7. The anterior interbody fusion using the reduction-spreader is found to be useful method in the treatment of low back pain with spinal instability diagnosed by lumbar flexion-extension lateral roentgenograms.
Clinical Study ; Female ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Male ; Methods ; Spine ; Spondylolisthesis ; Transplants

Surgical endarterectomy has been shown to be superior to medical treatment in the management of severe carotid stenosis. Endarterectomy, although effective, does have limitations, and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stent may offer an alternative modality of treatment. We report on a patient with severe coronary disease that femoral arterial cannulation was not possible due to aorto-femoral shunt operation and absent pulse. The transradial approach was used for aortography, bilateral carotid angiography and successful elective stent deployment in the left internal carotid artery. The transradial approach might be useful alternative in case of problems with femoral approach.
Angiography ; Angioplasty* ; Aortography ; Carotid Arteries* ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Carotid Stenosis* ; Catheterization ; Coronary Disease ; Endarterectomy ; Humans ; Stents*

The nature of carbohydrate in the male genital tract of the rat was studied through the carbohydrate-binding specificities of lectins. Lectins used in this study were BS-I, DBA, SBA, WGA, PNA, Cona and RCA. The results were as follows : 1. Secondary spermatocyte showed positive reactions to RCA, spermatid to PNA and RCA and sperm to WGA, PNA and ConA. The sperm in rete testis were positive to DBA, SBA, PNA, ConA and RCA while in epididymis the reactions to SBA, WGA and PNA were positive in all part and the reactions to ConA and RCA were positive only partly. 2. Cell membrane at luminal side of epithelial cell in rat genital tract showed positive reactions to DBA, WGA, and ConA in rete testis; in epididymis, the reactions to WGA and ConA were only partly positive; in vas deferens, the reactions to PNA and ConA were positive in all part and the reactions to DBA and WGA were only partly positive. 3. Cytoplasm of epithelial cell in rat genital tract showed positive reactions to DBA, WGA and ConA in rete testis; in epididymis, the reaction to WGA was positive in all part and the reaction to SBA was only partly positive; in vas deferens, the reaction to ConA was positive in all part and the reactions to BS-I and DBA were positive in some part. 4. Basal side of epithelial cell in rat genital tract showed positive reactions to DBA, WGA and ConA in rete testis; in epididymis, the reaction to WGA was positive in part and in seminal vesicle, the reaction to BS-I was partly positive. 5. Lamina propria of rat genital tract showed positive reactions to BS-I, WGA, ConA and RCA in rete testis; in epididymis, the reaction to WGA was positive in all part and the reaction to SBA was positive in some part; in seminal vesicle, the reaction to BS-I was positive. 6. Muscle layer of rat genital tract showed positive reaction to WGA in epididymis; in seminal vesicle, the reactions to BS-I and DBA were positive. 7. Adventitia of rat genital tract showed positive reaction to WGA in rete testis; in epididymis, the reactions to SBA, PNA, ConA and RCA were positive; in vas deferens, the reactions to BS-I and PNA were positive; in seminal vesicle, the reactions to BS-I and PNA were positive. In conclusion, variable lectin binding properties in the uroepithelia and the cells in the process of spermatogenesis, which were demonstrated in this study, offer the basic data for carbohydrate research in the male genital system.
Adventitia ; Animals ; Cell Membrane ; Cytoplasm ; Epididymis ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Lectins ; Male ; Mucous Membrane ; Phenobarbital ; Rats* ; Rete Testis ; Seminal Vesicles ; Spermatids ; Spermatocytes ; Spermatogenesis* ; Spermatozoa ; Vas Deferens