INTRODUCTION: The number of passengers using aircraft is steadily increasing with the improvement in the air transport business. It requires the investment both in materials and human resources for commercial aircrew members to be able to accomplish their tasks of aircraft safety. Therefore, the aircrew members are required to maintain and improve their mental and physical states to an optimal condition. It is also very important to periodically evaluate a physical condition, which is essential to flight safety. METHODS: In this study, each of a total of 89 out of a population of 278 korea aircrew members over 50 were examined in three aspects: blood lipids, maximal oxygen consumption, and bone density. The examinee were divided into two groups (HDL-C high group and HDL-C low group) and three parameters described above were compared between two groups. RESULTS: The results were as follows: (1) TC and LDL-C were significantly higher(p<0.05), and HDL-C, TG and TC/HDL were significantly lower in HDL-C High group than HDL-C Low group (p<0.01). (2) The maximal oxygen consumption was significantly higher in HDL-C high group (p<0.05). (3) The bone density of lumbar spine was significantly higher in HDL-C high group (p<0.01). (4) VO2max were significant (P< .05) correlate to HDL-C. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the study, an aerobic exercise which helps in improving the maximal oxygen consumption and cardiopulmonary function is considered to be essential for aircrew members to maintain physical conditions for their tasks, and it is desirable to develop more effective aerobic exercise programs.
Aircraft ; Bone Density* ; Commerce ; Exercise ; Humans ; Investments ; Korea ; Oxygen Consumption ; Spine

We retrospectively reviewed magnetic resonance image findings of primary CNS lymphomas in six patients. All patients showed parenchymal masses (n=8), a solitary mass in 4 and multiple in the other two. One patients showed leptomeningeal lesion. Parenchymal masses were located in forntal lobe (n=4), cerebellum (n=2), basal ganglia (n=1), and parietal lobe (n=1), These masses showed hypointensity on T1-weighted images (WI). On T2 WI, the signal intensity of mass was isointense to the brain parenchyma in 5 and hyperintese in 3. After Gadlinium-DTPA injection, seven lesions were enhanced homogeneously, and the margin of the mass was smooth in 5 and irregular in 3. Peritumoral edema was moderate in 4, absent in 3, and severi in 1. These characteristics may be useful in the diagnosis of primary CNS lymphoma.
Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Cerebellum ; Diagnosis ; Edema ; Humans ; Lymphoma* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Parietal Lobe ; Retrospective Studies

Kallmann's syndrome is characterized by hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism resulting from insufficient release of GnRH and associated with anosmia or hyposmia, which has been related to agenesis of olfactory bulbs. We experienced a case of 17 year-old Kallmann's syndrome woman and a case of successful pregnancy of 29 year-old Kallmann's syndrome woman with hMG and hCG treatment and present two cases with a review of literatures.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Kallmann Syndrome* ; Olfaction Disorders ; Olfactory Bulb ; Pregnancy*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of echo-planar FLAIR imaging in various cerebral lesions as compared with fast FLAIR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained consecutive fast FLAIR and echo-planar FLAIR images in 33patients in whom MR imaging had revealed ischemic infarction (n=11), acute infarction (n=5), brain tumor (n=3), other conditions (n=3) or no abnormality (n=11). On both sets of images, percentage contrast and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) were calculated for white matter-gray matter and white matter-lesion. RESILTS: White matter-gray matter percentage contrast and CNR were lower on echo-planar FLAIR imaging than on fast FLAIR imaging (percentage contrast, 19 +/- 2 % vs 28 +/- 3 %, CNR, 2.77 +/- 0. 5 vs 4.86 +/- 0.7). White matter-lesion percentage contrast on echo-planar FLAIR imaging was similar to or greater than that on fast FLAIR imaging; 75 +/- 12 % vs 45 +/- 11 % in ischemic infarction, 80 +/- 12 % vs 78 +/- 11% in acute infarction, and 121 +/- 25 % vs 102 +/- 15 % for tumors. White matter-lesion CNR was similar on both sets of images: 8.3 +/- 0.9 vs 7.9 +/- 0.8 in ischemic infarction, 11 +/- 1.5 vs 9.5 +/- 1.2 in acute infarction, and 24 +/- 4 vs 27 +/- 3 for tumors. Due to high susceptibility to magnetization, echo-planar FLAIR imaging showed image degradation at the interface of the paranasal sinus and adjacent to the temporal bone. CONCLUSION: Echo-planar FLAIR imaging may be a useful pulse sequence in the diagnosis of various cerebral lesions.
Brain Neoplasms ; Diagnosis ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Noise ; Temporal Bone

Growth factor stimulation induces Y783 phosphorylation of phosphoinositide-specific PLC-gamma1, and the subsequent activation of this enzyme in a cellular signaling cascade. Previously, we showed that a double point mutation, Y509A/F510A, of PLC-gamma1, abolished interactions with translational elongation factor 1-alpha. Here, we report that the Y509A/F510A mutant PLC-gamma1 displayed extremely high levels of Y783 phosphorylation and enhanced catalytic activity, compared to wild-type PLC-gamma1, upon treatment of COS7 cells with EGF. In quiescent COS7 cells, the Y509A/F510A mutant PLC-gamma1 exhibited a constitutive hydrolytic activity, whereas the wild-type counterpart displayed a basal level of activity. Upon treatment of COS7 cells with EGF, the Y783F mutation in Y509A/F510A PLC-gamma1 (Y509A/F510A/Y783F triple mutant) cells also led to an enhanced catalytic activity, whereas Y783F mutation alone displayed a basal level of activity. Our results collectively suggest that the Y509A/F510A mutant is more susceptible to receptor tyrosine kinase-induced Y783 phosphorylation than is wild-type PLC-gamma1, but no longer requires Y783 phosphorylation step for the Y509A/F510A mutant PLC-gamma1 activation in vivo.
Amino Acid Substitution/drug effects/*genetics ; Animals ; COS Cells ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Enzyme Activation/drug effects ; Epidermal Growth Factor/*pharmacology ; Hydrolysis/drug effects ; Mutant Proteins/metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositols/*metabolism ; Phospholipase C gamma/*genetics/metabolism ; Phosphorylation/drug effects ; Phosphotyrosine/*metabolism ; Point Mutation/*genetics ; Rats

STUDY DESIGN: Case report OBJECTIVES: To report a case of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VAT) minimally invasive anterior interbody fusion of the T11-T12 level using direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF) devices. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Interbody fusion of the thoracolumbar junction (especially T11-T12) is technically challenging from anterior, lateral, or posterior approaches. A VAT anterior interbody fusion approach using DLIF devices is a safe, minimally invasive alternative approach to the thoracolumbar spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 37-year-old male pedestrian was struck by a car sustaining fracture-dislocation at the T11-T12 level. The accident resulted in complete paraplegia of both lower extremities and multiple lower extremity fractures. A classical instrumented posterolateral fusion from T8 to L3 and staged VAT anterior interbody fusion at the T11-T12 level were performed. RESULTS: At one year postoperatively, he was capable of independent ambulation using a wheelchair without back pain, and plain radiographs and CT scans showed a solid fusion at the T11-T12 level. CONCLUSIONS: VAT anterior interbody fusion using DLIF devices provides excellent access to the anterior spinal column with the added benefits of an improved field of view and can be a safe and effective alternative to open thoracotomy in the management of various thoracolumbar junction problems.
Adult ; Back Pain ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Paraplegia ; Spine ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Thoracotomy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Walking ; Wheelchairs

Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C-gamma1 (PLC-gamma1) has two pleckstrin homology (PH) domains: an amino-terminal domain (PH1) and a split PH domain (PH2). Here, we show that overlay assay of bovine brain tubulin pool with glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-PLC-gamma1 PH domain fusion proteins, followed by matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), identified 68-kDa neurofilament light chain (NF-L) as a binding protein of amino-terminal PH domain of PLC-gamma1. NF-L is known as a component of neuronal intermediate filaments, which are responsible for supporting the structure of myelinated axons in neuron. PLC-gamma1 and NF-L colocalized in the neurite in PC12 cells upon nerve growth factor stimulation. In vitro binding assay and immunoprecipitation analysis also showed a specific interaction of both proteins in differentiated PC12 cells. The phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] hydrolyzing activity of PLC-gamma1 was slightly decreased in the presence of purified NF-L in vitro, suggesting that NF-L inhibits PLC-gamma1. Our results suggest that PLC-gamma1-associated NF-L sequesters the phospholipid from the PH domain of PLC-gamma1.
Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; Rats ; Protein Interaction Mapping ; Protein Biosynthesis/drug effects ; Protein Binding/drug effects ; Phosphoproteins/chemistry/*metabolism ; Phospholipase C gamma/antagonists & inhibitors/chemistry/*metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Diphosphate/metabolism ; Peptides/chemistry/metabolism ; PC12 Cells ; Neurofilament Proteins/chemistry/*metabolism ; Nerve Growth Factor/pharmacology ; Molecular Weight ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Microtubules/metabolism ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Isoenzymes/metabolism/pharmacology/physiology ; Glutathione Transferase/metabolism ; Blotting, Far-Western ; Blood Proteins/chemistry/*metabolism ; Binding Sites ; Animals ; Amino Acid Sequence

PURPOSE: To determine the usefulness of CT for diagnosing metastases to primary and secondary echelon lymph nodes (LNs) and to investigate various CT findings of metastatic LNs in thyroid carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the CT and histologic findings in 59 patients with thyroid carcinomas who had undergone thyroidectomy and neck dissection. Primary echelon LNs (Level VI) were removed by central neck dissection in all patients, and in 21, a total of 136 levels of secondary echelon LNs (Level II-V) were excised away by lateral neck dissection. CT criteria of metastatic LNs included large size, significant homogeneous enhancement, calcification, and cystic change. We evaluated the ability of CT to detect primary and secondary echelon LN metastasis and tried to determine which CT features were useful for the diagnosis of LN metastasis. RESULTS: Histologically, LN metastasis was found in 31 (53%) of 59 patients, including 30 with metastasis to primary echelon LNs. Of the 136 levels of secondary echelon LNs resected in 21 patients, 44 were found at histology to harbor metastatic foci. The sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracies of CT in the diagnosis of metastasis to primary and secondary echelon LNs, respectively, were 27% and 93%, 100% and 93%, 100% and 87%, 57% and 97%, and 63% and 93%. While all secondary echelon LNs with at least one of the following CT criteria-large size (n=19), cystic or necrotic change (n=14), or calcifications (n=8)-were histologically proven to be metastatic, six (24%) of 25 such LNs with a sole sign of significant enhancement at CT were found to be due to reactive lymphadenopathy. CONCLUSION: Although CT was unable to detect metastasis to primary echelon LNs, it was useful in the detection of secondary echelon LN involvement. Large size, cystic change, and calcification are considered highly reliable signs of metastatic LNs.
Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes* ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Neck Dissection ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND: The protease inhibitor aprotinin reduces blood loss and homologous blood usage after a cardiac operation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of low- and high-dose aprotinin on thromboelastography (TEG) variables and to examine the relationship between the clinical effect of aprotinin and the TEG variables in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). METHODS: Twenty-three patients scheduled for an elective CABG were randomly assigned to receive either high does (group H, n = 12) or low does (group L, n = 11) aprotinin. TEG variables, and a coagulation profile test at baseline and arrival in ICU were performed. Amount of blood loss, homologous blood transfusion and heparin requirements were measured. RESULTS: In group L, there were significant increases in r time and k time and significant decreases in MA and alpha angle after aprotinin administration. In group H, just k time after aprotinin administration was significantly increased compared with baseline data. There were no significant differences in amount of blood loss and allogenic blood transfusions between the two groups. There was not a significant correlation between TEG variables and amount of blood loss in both groups. Interestingly a siginificant negative correlation between the length of cardiopulmonary bypass and MA was noted in group H (r = -0.63; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In CABG patients, aprotinin preserves platelet function more significantly in the high-dose aprotinin group. In addition, TEG variables indicated a later clot formation in the low dose aprotinin group.
Aprotinin* ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Transfusion ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Heparin ; Humans ; Protease Inhibitors ; Thrombelastography*

The nuclear and infranuclear pathway of eye movement begins from the ocular mo-tor nuclei situated in thebrain stem, where the axons originate and form three ocular motor nerve s. Although each of the ocular motornerves follows a distinct route to reach the end organ, the extraocular muscles, they also have common housings inthe cavernous sinus and at the orbital apex, where part or all of them are frequently and simultaneously affectedby a common disease process. Since the fine details of normal and diseased structures can frequently be seen onradiologic imaging, especially mag-netic resonance (MR) imaging, a knowledge of the basic anatomy invo l ved innuclear and infranuclear eye movement is important. In this description, in addition to the normal nuclear andinfranuclear pathway of eye movement, we have noted the radio-logic findings of typical diseases involving eachsegment of the nuclear and infranu-clear pathway, particularly as seen on magnetic resonance images. Briefcomments on ocular motor pseudopalsy, which mimics ocular motor palsy, are also included.
Axons ; Brain ; Cavernous Sinus ; Cranial Nerves ; Eye Movements ; Muscles ; Ocular Motility Disorders* ; Orbit ; Paralysis