No abstract available.
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip* ; Ceramics*

The proportion of tear proteins is different markedly in various ocular diseases, so its measurement may be of considerable diagnostic value in certain ocular conditions. We studied prospectively proportion of tear proteins in 50 normal adult Koreans. 25 male and 25 female, by using protein electrophoresis. Four fractions were demonstrated by protein electrophoresis using cellulose acetate membrane: Fraction 1 represents as tear-specific prealbumin(TSP1) and albumin, fraction 2 as other tear-specific prealbumin(TSP2), fraction 3 as lactotransferrin and immunoglobulin, and fraction 4 as lysozyme. In this study, the proportion of tear proteins in fraction 1 to 4 were 33.4%, 1.1%, 44.2%, and 21.2% respectively. With age, the proportion of fraction 4 decreased, and its decrease was not statistically significant difference. There was no statistically significant difference between age groups in fractions 1,2 or 3. Difference of proportion of tear proteins between the sex was not statistically significant in any of the fractions. Further studies on the tear proteins may be helpful in diagnosing some ocular conditions.
Adult ; Cellulose ; Electrophoresis* ; Female ; Humans* ; Immunoglobulins ; Lactoferrin ; Male ; Membranes ; Muramidase ; Prospective Studies ; Tears*

Pulmonary Langerhans' cell histiocytosis is an uncommon granulomatous disorder of unknown cause. The authors retrospectively evaluated radiographs and computed tomographic findings of five patients with biopsy-proven pulmonary Langerhans' cell histiocytosis. The main structural abnormalities consisted of small nodules and cystic air spaces, but one case showed only pneumothorax due to bullae rupture. Its distribution has been known predominently in the upper lung fields, but in our cases, the lung lesions were distributed in the entire lung fields or predominently in the lower lung fields. We propose that pulmonary Langerhans' cell histiocytosis is extremely variable of its structural abnormalities and distribution.
Histiocytosis* ; Humans ; Lung ; Pneumothorax ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture

Popular use of intravascular catheterization of both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes led to increase in iatrogenic intravascular foreign bodies for which percutaneous removal has been accepted as the treatment of choice. The majority of percutaneously removed intravascular foreign bodies are located in the right side of the heart, large veins, and pulmonary arteries and intraarterial foreign body is rare. We recently experienced a case of intraarterial fragmented catheter which was removed with a basket percutaneously without any complication.
Catheterization ; Catheters ; Foreign Bodies* ; Heart ; Pulmonary Artery ; Veins

The authors analyzed the surgical results of posterior C1-C2 fusion in 18 cases of atlantoaxial instability. Posterior C1-C2 wiring with bone fusion(11 cases), C1-C2 transarticular screw fixation(6 cases), and occipitocervical fusion(1 case) have been performed for unstable odontoid process fractures(10 cases), transverse ligament injury(4 cases), os odontoideum(3 cases), rheumatoid C1-2 instability(1 case). Follow-up examination was performed in all patientts after a mean postoperativeduration of 39.9 months. Follow-up x-rays showed successful stabilization in 17 cases(94%). Postoperative neurological evaluation showed improvement in 16 cases(89%), stabilization in 2 cases(11%) and there was no major operative complication.
Follow-Up Studies ; Ligaments ; Odontoid Process

BACKGROUND: In recent years in Korea, human brucellosis (HB) and human leptospirosis (HL) have become the major zoonoses with a dramatic increased cases of incidence in man; we analyzed the current state and epidemiological aspects of related risk factors from 2001 to 2008. METHODS: Based on the surveillance data of HB and HL, most are confirmed cases in Korea from the Annual Reports of HB and HL in the Disease Web Statistics System, Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDCP). RESULTS: The incidence of HB in Korea from 2001 to 2008 was 596 cases, and that of HL was 1,025 cases. When both prevalence rates were compared during the same period, the HB was lower than that of HL. The seasonal distribution of HB cases showed that the incidence from spring to summer were higher than that of HL (P<0.01), while the outbreaks of HL in autumn was much more than that of HB (P<0.01). Geographical distribution HB cases were western and central regions of the rural (60.4% of total) in the Korean peninsula, showing higher outbreaks than other areas, while HL occurred in easterly regions (72.7%). Significantly more males were infected in both HB (84.2%) and HL (58.9%) than those of females in both HB (13.1%) and HL (41.1%), respectively (P<0.01). The distribution by age groups were different between HB and HL, while the outbreaks over 62.8% of the cases of HB occurred in 40 to 59 year-old age group, and that of HL was clearly showing a high incidence in the elderly age over-60-year-old (60.8%) (P<0.01). In both diseases, elderly people especially in farmers showed a very high prevalence rate (62.8% of HB and 60.8% of HL), which is possibly due to increased outdoor activities and a decreased number of young people in those areas. The occupational distribution of HB cases were farmers, veterinarians, dairyman and others, and those of HL cases were broad. CONCLUSION: The difference in HB and HL risk factors reflects the different influences of hosts/vector, climate, and geographical and environmental characteristics in the epidemiological patterns.
Aged ; Brucellosis ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Climate ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Leptospirosis ; Male ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Veterinarians ; Zoonoses

Cranial chordomas are rare and generally slow-growing malignant neoplasms of presumed notochordal origin. They seldom metastasize, but are difficult to manage because of their locally invasive nature and their proximity to critical structures. The clinical presentation and results of operative treatment, radiation therapy, and radiosurgery in a series of 10 patients with cranial chordomas seen at our hospital, between June 1989 and December 1994, are analysed. There were 4 men and 6 women with a mean age of 37.5 years. The most common presenting symptoms were visual loss, motor weakness and diplopia, and the most common presenting sign was visual field defect. The mean interval between symptom onset and initial treatment was 4.8(1-17) months. Three tumors classified as the chondroid type showed better clinical course. Extent of tumor resection included biopsy in 1 patient and subtotal or greater in 9. Four patients received postoperative radiation therapy and 4 patients stereotactic radiosurgery using Leksell gamma unit. Among them 1 patient showed tumor progression after radiation therapy but none after radiosurgery. One patient died due to tumor recurrence and two patients due to therapy but none after radiosurgery. One patient died due to tumor recurrence and two patients due to postoperative complications. At the time of analysis 7 patients were alive. The average length of follow-up for the alive patients was 34 months. The results of this study suggest that multimodality treatment using surgical debulking, radiation therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery is necessary for the optimal management of chordoma.
Biopsy ; Chordoma* ; Diplopia ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Notochord ; Postoperative Complications ; Radiosurgery ; Recurrence ; Visual Fields

Background: A total of 8,303 individuals (4.3%) with adverse reactions (n=191,860) after vaccination developed serious conditions or died. Such health developments could cause people not vaccinated yet or waiting for a booster shot to become fearful of the vaccination. Methods: The 3-month (July–September 2021) clinical data of 41 patients from the family medicine department of a single medical center were analyzed retrospectively to determine risk factors and to investigate the clinical course to identify the cause of symptoms in detail. Results: A significant number of older adults aged over 50 years reported experiencing general weakness (P=0.026) but fewer incidences of fever than patients aged 50 years or younger (P=0.011). Eighteen of the 41 patients were requested to visit more than twice or consult a specialist. In 14 patients, the symptoms were explained by other medical causes. Conclusion The primary physician has a pivotal role in thoroughly evaluating patients who complain of adverseeffects after vaccination, considering the broad multitude of symptoms and medical conditions presented. To thoroughlyevaluate and appropriately advise patients with adverse reactions to their chosen vaccine, taking detailedmedical history and nutritional counseling are required to identify possible underlying causes, resolve symptoms,and educate them on self-care and regarding vaccines.