Purpose: To answer the questions of ambulation dependency for risk of urolithiasis, the urinary lithogenic factors in normal controls were compared with long hospital stay immobilized patients. Materials and Methods: Fifty immobilized patients and twenty normal controls, on usual constant regular diet, were evaluated with 24-hour urine for the excretion rate differences of lithogenic and inhibitory constituents, such as volume, pH, calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, oxalate, citrate, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride and creatinine. The incidence of metabolic abnormalities in the immobilized patients was also evaluated. Results: The immobilized patients showed significantly increased excretions of uric acid, oxalate, sodium, potassium, urine volume, but decreased excretions of citrate and magnesium (p<0.05). No differences were found between the two groups with regard to urinary excretions of calcium, phosphate, creatinine and chloride or in the pH of excretions. The frequent metabolic abnormalities in the immobilized patients were hypomagnesuria (92%), hypocitraturia (86%), hyperoxalaturia (82%), hypernatriuria (44%), hyperuricosuria (16%) and hypercalciuria (12%). Conclusions: These results reveal that hypomagnesuria, hypocitraturia and hyperoxalaturia were the most important risk factors for urolithiasis in the immobilized patients. However, a further controlled prospective study will be needed with regard to the influence of ambulation.
Calcium ; Citric Acid ; Creatinine ; Diet ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypercalciuria ; Immobilization* ; Incidence ; Length of Stay ; Magnesium ; Oxalic Acid ; Phosphorus ; Potassium ; Risk Factors ; Sodium ; Uric Acid ; Urinary Calculi ; Urolithiasis ; Walking

No abstract available.
Macrophages, Peritoneal*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results and the changes of allogenic meniscal transplantation by using the second look arthroscopic findings and the MRI changes after surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 1997 to February 2007, among the patients that underwent allogenic meniscal transplantation, we chose 25 patients who underwent secondary arthroscopic evaluation. 16 of these 25 patients were men and 8 were women. Secondary arthroscopic evaluation was done without MRI in 3 cases. The mean age was 36.1 yr and the average follow up period was 28 months. Biopsy by the secondary arthroscopic evaluation was done in 2 cases. We evaluated the clinical results by the Lysholm knee scoring scale, the Knee Society Score (KSS) system and the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score. RESULTS: Second-look arthroscopy after allogenic meniscal transplantation revealed that 23 cases seemed normal at the probing procedure. 5 cases showed a decreased posterior horn size. The MRI findings and secondary arthroscopic findings matched in all cases. The clinical Lysholm score improved from preoperative 65.4 points to postoperative 80.6 points, the Knee Society Score (KSS) improved from preoperative 64.6 points to postoperative 82.6 points, the functional score improved from preoperative 70.2 points to postoperative 85.6 points and the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score improved from preoperative 66.4 points to postoperative 82.5 points (p=0.000). The function after surgery improved on all the tests and this was proved by paired t-tests. CONCLUSION: Allogenic meniscal transplantation showed good results on the second look arthroscopy and the follow-up MRI and according to the clinical functional outcome. We think that confirmation through arthroscopy after follow-up MRI for the patients with clinical knee problems seems to be necessary.
Animals ; Arthroscopy ; Biopsy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Horns ; Humans ; Knee ; Male ; Transplants

OBJECTIVES: Immunologic studies have characterized the numbers and types of inflammatory cells in diseased inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mucosa but have yielded conflicting results regarding intestinal lymphocytes activation in IBD. We investigated the levels of lymphocytes subsets, interleukin-2 receptor, transferrin receptor, and T cell receptors in mainly isolated lamina propria lymphocytes. Including intraepithelial lymphocytes of normal colonic mucosa or IBD (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) mucosa to understand the pathogenesis of IBD. We have results from this study. RESULTS: 1) In comparing ulcerative colitis with control, IL-2R (p < 0.05), TR (p < 0.01), and CD3/HLA-DR (<0.05) showed a significant increase. 2) In comparing Crohn's disease with control, CD3 (P < 0.05), TCR alpha/beta (p < 0.01) and TCR gamma/delta (p < 0.05) showed a significant decrease. 3) In comparing Crohn's disease with ulcerative colitis, CD19 (p < 0.01), TR (p < 0.01), TCR alpha/beta (p < 0.01) and TCR gamma/delta (p < 0.05) showed a significant decrease. CONCLUSION: From these results, there are increased T cell markers, IL-2R, TR, and CD3/HLA-DR in UC, but differently, decreased CD3, TCR alpha/beta and TCR gamma/delta in CD compared with control. In addition, definitive differences in lymphocytes markers, CD19, TR, TCR alpha/beta and TCR gamma/delta, which are higher in UC than in CD, may elucidate the different immunopathogenesis between UC and CD.
Adult ; Antigens, CD3/analysis ; Colitis, Ulcerative/pathology ; Colitis, Ulcerative/immunology ; Colitis, Ulcerative/diagnosis* ; Comparative Study ; Crohn Disease/pathology ; Crohn Disease/immunology ; Crohn Disease/diagnosis* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; HLA-DR Antigens/analysis ; Human ; Immunophenotyping* ; Intestinal Mucosa/pathology ; Intestinal Mucosa/immunology* ; Male ; Middle Age ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/analysis ; Receptors, Interleukin-2/analysis ; Receptors, Transferrin/analysis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tissue Culture

We evaluated the conditions required for sutures tied to a post for tibial fixation during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Harvested porcine tendon was used as a graft material and nonabsorbable suture was used for sutures. Samples were tested for ultimate tensile load and elongation according to thread numbers, knot numbers, suture techniques and stitch numbers. As thread numbers were increased, ultimate tensile load was increased and elongation was decreased. However, more than 4 strands of threads provided the sufficient ultimate tensile load more than 454 N of normal ACL for daily activities. As knot numbers were increased, ultimate tensile load was increased, but elongation was decreased. In terms of failure mode, unraveling occurred 100% in 3 and 4 knots, 81.2% in 5 knots, 54.5% in 6 knots, and 0% in 7 knots. Suture techniques and stitch numbers didn't significantly affect the ultimate tensile load and the elongation. For sutures tied to a post for tibial fixation in ACL reconstruction, more than 4 threads, more than 7 knots, and more than 4 stitches provide adequate ultimate tensile load and elongation.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction* ; Knee ; Suture Techniques* ; Sutures* ; Tendons* ; Transplants

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has resulted in a tremendous advance in the technology of medical diagnosis. However, even with all positive advances, there are usually some negative aspects, especially noise. It is well known that loud sounds can induce a hearing loss. This study was performed to determine the acoustic characteristics of MRI noise and whether or not the sound exposure resulting from routine MRI examinations is capable of altering the auditory thresholds of patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Digital Impulse Sound Level Meter was placed at patient's head level and at a 2m distance. Frequency of MRI noise was recorded by Digital audio tape and analyzed by Computerized Sound Lab (CSL). A total of 53 adults (106 ears) who were scheduled for MR imaging studies were included in the study. Pure-tone air-conductive auditory threshold was determined bilaterally in each patient before and after MRI. RESULTS: The noise levels at head level ranged from 80.8 dB to 86.0 dB, and at a 2 m distance, from 71.9 dB to 75.9 dB. The frequency ranged from 60 Hz to 2500 Hz. Nine of the 106 ears had a hearing loss of at least 10 dB at one frequency. CONCLUSION: The noise generated by the MRI is sufficiently intense to cause some temporary threshold shifts (TTS). TTS may transform to permanent threshold shifts. Therefore, it is important to devise a method to minimize the risk of these shifts, for example, by using earplug.
Acoustics* ; Adult ; Auditory Threshold ; Diagnosis ; Ear ; Ear Protective Devices ; Head ; Hearing Loss* ; Hearing* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Noise*

BACKGROUND: To determine relative fixation strengths of a single lateral locking plate, a double construct of a locking plate, and a tibial nail used in treatment of proximal tibial extra-articular fractures. METHODS: Three groups of composite tibial synthetic bones consisting of 5 specimens per group were included: lateral plating (LP) using a locking compression plate-proximal lateral tibia (LCP-PLT), double plating (DP) using a LCP-PLT and a locking compression plate-medial proximal tibia, and intramedullary nailing (IN) using an expert tibial nail. To simulate a comminuted fracture model, a gap osteotomy measuring 1 cm was created 8 cm below the knee joint. For each tibia, a minimal preload of 100 N was applied before loading to failure. A vertical load was applied at 25 mm/min until tibial failure. RESULTS: Under axial loading, fixation strength of DP (14,387.3 N; standard deviation [SD], 1,852.1) was 17.5% greater than that of LP (12,249.3 N; SD, 1,371.6), and 60% less than that of IN (22,879.6 N; SD, 1,578.8; p < 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test). For ultimate displacement under axial loading, similar results were observed for LP (5.74 mm; SD, 1.01) and DP (4.45 mm; SD, 0.96), with a larger displacement for IN (5.84 mm; SD, 0.99). The median stiffness values were 2,308.7 N/mm (range, 2,147.5 to 2,521.4 N/mm; SD, 165.42) for the LP group, 4,128.2 N/mm (range, 3,028.1 to 4,831.0 N/mm; SD, 832.88) for the DP group, and 5,517.5 N/mm (range, 3,933.1 to 7,078.2 N/mm; SD, 1,296.19) for the IN group. CONCLUSIONS: During biomechanical testing of a simulated comminuted proximal tibial fracture model, the DP proved to be stronger than the LP in terms of ultimate strength. IN proved to be the strongest; however, for minimally invasive osteosynthesis, which may be technically difficult to perform using a nail, the performance of the DP construct may lend credence to the additional use of a medial locking plate.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Nails ; Bone Plates ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/*instrumentation ; Fractures, Comminuted/physiopathology/*surgery ; Humans ; Models, Anatomic ; Tibial Fractures/physiopathology/*surgery

There were few studies about anatomic characteristics in Korean humerus recently. In addition, there was no comparison between Westerner (European and American) and Korean in anatomic characteristics of humerus. The aims of this paper are therefore to investigate anatomic characteristics in Korean humerus and to compare them with those of Westerner humerus. The seventy-two humerus (male : 66, female : 6) were scanned by computed tomography and three dimensional (3D) models of humerus were then reconstructed from acquired cross-section images. The twenty-one anatomic characteristics of the humerus were analyzed and were measured for each humerus. From the results, humeral head vertical diameter in the present study was generally bigger than that in the previous study (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the anatomic characteristics of the right and left humerus in the present Korean (p>0.05). Humeral head inclination angle, greater tuberosity lateral offset distance, humeral head height in Korean were generally bigger than those in Westerner (p<0.05). This study may contribute to develop an optimal implants and prostheses for the treatment of humerus fractures of Koran.
Female ; Humans ; Humeral Head ; Humerus ; Prostheses and Implants

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although children's personality and behavior change caused by adenotonsillar hypertrophy have been thought to significantly relate with children's growth and learning capability, it has not been substantiated by any available standarized assessment. We aim to uncover the impact of adenotonsillar hypertrophy on children's personality and behavior by K-CBCL (Korean Child Behavior Checklist) and KPI-C (Korean Personality Inventory for Children). MATERIALS AND METHOD: Children aged 5 through 15 years old, a total of 33 (M: 18 F: 15) who were scheduled for T & A (Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy), were studied. The control group consisted of 42 healthy children (M: 22 F: 20) of the same age. Two standard questionnaires, K-CBCL and KPI-C, were given to the parents of the children to complete and then a statistical analysis carried out by a clinical psychologist for interpretation (p<0.05, by SPSS v10.0). RESULTS: According to K-CBCL, internalizing problems and total behavior problems were of statistical significance for the patient group compared to healthy children (p<0.05). KPI-C test revealed statistical significance on ERS (ego resilience scale), ANX (anxiety), SOM (somatization) and FAM (familial relationship)(p<0.05). In both groups, the results between gender were quite different. In female patient group, the total behavior problems were indicated, while in the male patient group, the total behavior problem, internalizing problem as well as somatic complaints were indicated. Especially, indications of ERS and SOM were of statistical significance (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy have difficulty in adaptation, and lack the ability to respond to situation, and easily get broken down by stress, and experience frequent anxiety.
Adenoids ; Adolescent ; Anxiety ; Child Behavior ; Child* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertrophy* ; Learning ; Male ; Palatine Tonsil ; Parents ; Personality Inventory ; Psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Popular myringoplasty techniques include either an underlay or an onlay approach using tissues such as temporalis fascia or perichondrium as grafting materials. The "cartilage butterfly technique" using a tragal cartilage graft that resembled butterfly wings without incising canal skin was described by Eavey in 1998. This study describes the results of using this technique and analyzes the postoperative hearings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cartilage butterfly inlay tympanoplasty was carried out in 28 patients to close small-to-medium tympanic membrane perforations from October 1998 to December 2000. We excluded one patient due to accidental removal of graft at another clinic. We evaluated the success rate and postoperative hearing results. RESULTS: The graft take rate was 96.3% (26/27) at the end of the follow-up period (mean follow-up was 6.0 months). All of successful cases had cartilage grafts that were intact and dry at the last visit. One patient failed due to otorrhea and extruding graft. Two patients were not evaluated, because one had profound preoperative hearing loss and the other was a cerebral palsy patient. Mean air-bone gap (A-B gap) was improved from 16.3 dB to 9.8 dB. Ten patients had an A-B gap average between 0 and 10 dB, 14 patients between 11 and 20 dB, and no patient greater than 20 dB. CONCLUSION: The cartilage butterfly technique was effective to close tympanic membrane perforations in selected patients. It could provide advantages in high success rate, ease, speed and patient comfort.
Butterflies* ; Cartilage* ; Cerebral Palsy ; Fascia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Inlays ; Myringoplasty* ; Skin ; Transplants ; Tympanic Membrane ; Tympanoplasty