A preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the immediate postoperative recovery and socioeconomic efficacy with the surgical release of Carpal tunnel syndrome by double incision technique. Sixty cases of carpal tunnel syndrome were operated by one surgeon between 1993 and 1995 and 44 cases in 39 patients were available for this study. Surgery was done under axillary block and patients were evaiuated preoperatively, 3 weeks and 6 weeks each postoperatively. The evaluation was focused on the immediate recovery in terms of subjective symptoms of pain and paresthesia, local tenderness, strength of grip power and pinch power and postoperative disability. 1l was noted that surgical release of carpal tunnel syndrome utilizing double incision technique was as effective as seen in the endoscopic release in terms of quicker recovery of pain, local tenderness and strength. It was also noted that this double incision technique was as safe and economically beneficial as observed in the conventional open procedure.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Paresthesia

No abstract available.
Down Syndrome* ; Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute*

No abstract available.
Female ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Abdominal*

Characterizations of the VP4 (P type) and VP7 (G type) genes of Korean isolates of bovine rotavirus were performed using RT-PCR/RFLP and nucleotide sequencing analysis. After RT-PCR amplification of partial length (1094bp) of the VP4 and full length (1062bp) of the VP7 genes, amplified PCR products were digested with restriction endonucleases and digestion patterns were compared with those of reference rotaviruses. With the VP4 genes, four RFLP (AD) profiles were observed; three (A, B and C) were the same as those of bovine rotavirus NCDV (P[1]), IND (P[5]) and B223 (P[11]), respectively, Profile D was the same as that of porcine rotavirus OSU (p[7]). With the VP7 genes, five RFLP profiles (I-V) were observed; three of them (1, II and III) were the same as those of bovine rotavirus NCDV (G6), Cody I-801 (G8), and B223 (G10), respectively, Profile IV and V were atypical to those of reference bovine rotaviruses used in this study. These two profiles were identified as G6 and G5, respectively, after analyzing and comparing the nucleotide sequences. The G typing analysis revealed that 61.9% (26/42) were G6, which included G6 subtype; 28.6% (12/42) were G5; 7.1% (3/42) were G10; 2.4% (1/42) were G8. The P typing analysis revealed that 54.8% (23/42) were P(5); 28.6% (12/42) were P(7); 11.8% (5/42) were P(11); 4.8% (2/42) were P(1). Our results showed that G6/P(5) were the most prevalent rotaviruses in diarrheic calves in Korea. Also, this is the first report that G5P(7) rotaviruses were identified from cattle with diarrhea.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cattle ; Diarrhea ; Digestion ; DNA Restriction Enzymes ; Korea ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length* ; Rotavirus*

Scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) deformity most often occurs with chronic rotary scaphoid instability from scaphoiunate ligament tear and scaphoid fracture. Prior to 1984 when Watson HK reported his concept on SLAC wrist deformity, the most popular procedure for this pathology was scaphoid implant arthroplasty with or without midcarpal fusion. We have reviewed 15 cases of SLAC deformity treated with scaphoid excision and midcarpal fusion from 1984 to 1993. Among them, scaphoid implants made of silicone were inserted in 4 cases. Scaphoid implant arthroplsty without carpal fusion has been excluded. The mean period of follow-up was 8.8 years and the mean age of patients was 47.5 years. Males and right wrists were predominant. Wrist motion was 56% and grip power was 71% of the normal opposite side. On the average overall, 8 patients had no pain and 7 patients had mild pain. The grade of pain was minimal, 0.5 in grade (Rating system: no pain-0, mild- 1, moderate-2, severe-3). However, all of the 4 cases of limited carpal fusion with a scaphoid implant developed silicone particulate induced synovitis and pain. The procedure appears to be effective in maintaining function of the hand with minimal pain up to 5.8 years. However, silicone scaphoid implant appears not to be necessary and is not recommended with a limited carpal fusion for this pathology.
Arthroplasty ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Male ; Pathology ; Silicones ; Synovitis ; Wrist

BACKGROUND: Most mutations in the reverse transcriptase (RT) gene of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) are related to resistance to antiviral agents. Cross-sectional studies on the mutations of this gene are rare. Thus, we analyzed the mutation patterns of RT genes and their biochemical parameters. METHODS: From 2009 to 2012, 301 blood specimens from patients with chronic hepatitis B at Daegu Catholic University Medical Center were retrospectively analyzed for the RT gene sequence of HBV, ALT, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and HBV DNA. The mutation patterns of the RT gene were compared with the biochemical parameters. RESULTS: Of the 301 patients, 100 (33.2%) had no RT gene mutations. The remaining showed the following mutation patterns: rtM204I/V (50.2%), rtL180M (39.2%), and rtA181T/V (19.6%). Combined mutations were found in 146 cases (48.5%). Of these, the combination of amino acid changes at rt180+rt204 (49.3%) was most frequently detected, followed by rt181+rt236 (11.0%) and rt173+rt180+rt204 (9.6%). In the mutated group, HBV DNA and HBeAg positive rates were significantly higher (P<0.05 for both). Phenotypic analysis showed that lamivudine resistance was most frequently detected (34.6%), followed by adefovir resistance (15.6%). Multidrug resistance was detected in 48 cases (15.9%). The adefovir-resistant group had a higher proportion of cases with HBV loads greater than 2,000 IU/mL. CONCLUSIONS: We found correlations between the mutation status of the RT domain and biochemical parameters such as HBV DNA and HBeAg positive rate. The presence of RT gene mutations could therefore be utilized to predict clinical status.
Adenine/analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral/analysis ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Viral ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; Hepatitis B e Antigens/blood ; Hepatitis B virus/*enzymology/isolation & purification ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/drug therapy ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Lamivudine/therapeutic use ; Mutation ; Organophosphonates/therapeutic use ; Phenotype ; RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase/*genetics ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: To understand causes of abnormal reaction for the urinalysis, we analyze the interfering substances of clinical urine samples. We focused the effect of urinary vitamin C and fluorescein sodium to the urine chemistry especially glucose, hemoglobin, and leukocyte esterase. METHODS: Incidence of urinary vitamin C was determined for patients and people underwent a medical check–up. We decided dipstick results of glucose, hemoglobin, and leukocyte esterase as false negative based on urine sediment and serum glucose results. Dipstick urinalysis was tested by URiSCAN Pro III with URiSCAN 11 strip (YD Diagnostics, Korea). Urine sediments tests were performed by manual microscopic analysis or Sysmex UF–1000i (Sysmex Co., Japan). RESULTS: The incidence of vitamin C was 20.4% for all subjects. The positive rate of the medical check-up group (34.6%) was higher than others. When vitamin C was detected in clinical urine samples, 42.3%, 10.6%, and 8.2% were defined as false negative for glucose, hemoglobin, and leukocyte esterase dipstick tests, respectively. Fluorescein sodium also interfered on the results of hemoglobin and leukocyte esterase of the dipstick reagents. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin C was frequently found in the clinical urine samples, and its incidence was higher in the people who underwent medical check-up. The urinary vitamin C and fluorescein sodium can cause interferences in urine dipstick results. Thus, it is expected that present study will give useful information to predict false negative rates of urine dipstick tests by vitamin C and fluorescein sodium.
Ascorbic Acid ; Blood Glucose ; Chemistry ; Fluorescein ; Glucose ; Humans ; Incidence ; Indicators and Reagents ; Leukocytes ; Urinalysis*

Astragalus membranaceus is used as a natural herbal medicine in East Asia for preventing carcinogenesis and reducing side effects induced by chemotherapy in cancer patients. Although the mechanism of anti-tumor activity is not known, the polysaccharides may potentiate the host defense mechanism through the activation of immune system. The objective of this study is to investigate the mechanism by which APS activates macrophages. To analyze macrophage activation and iNOS gene expression, we performed nitrite generation assay, immunohistochemistry, and RT-PCR. In the present study we show that a polysaccharide isolated from the Astragalus membranaceus (Astragalus Polysaccharide, APS) significantly induces nitric oxide (NO). Immunohistochemical staining of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) showed that the increase of NO was due to the induction of iNOS production. To further study the mechanism responsible for the induction of iNOS, we investigated the effect of APS on the iNOS mRNA expression. RT-PCR analysis showed that APS produced significant induction of iNOS gene expression. In conclusion, we demonstrate that a polysaccharide isolated from Astragalus membranaceus stimulates macrophages to generate NO through the activation of iNOS gene expression.
Astragalus membranaceus* ; Carcinogenesis ; Drug Therapy ; Far East ; Gene Expression ; Herbal Medicine ; Humans ; Immune System ; Immunohistochemistry ; Macrophage Activation ; Macrophages ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Polysaccharides ; RNA, Messenger

BP201, porcine lung tissue-derived phospholipids, consists of phosphatidylcholine as a major phospholipid species. BP201 promoted hair growth after application onto the shaved backs of BALB/c and C3H mice. Its effect was enhanced when applied together with minoxidil (MNX) in C3H mice. When the tissue specimens prepared from the shaved skins of BP201-treated and control mice were microscopically examined, the total numbers of hair follicles in both anagen and telogen phases of BP201-treated mice were significantly higher than those of control mice. The numbers of hair follicles in the anagen phase of BP201-treated mice were also higher than those of control mice. In combination with MNX, BP201 further increased the total number of hair follicles, but did not alter the percentage of hair follicles in the anagenic phase. BP201 also increased the proliferation of human hair follicle dermal papilla cells. Collectively, BP201 possesses hair growth promoting potential, which would suggest its use singly or in combination for hair growth products.
Animals ; Hair Follicle ; Hair* ; Humans ; Lung* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C3H ; Minoxidil ; Phosphatidylcholines ; Phospholipids* ; Skin

Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common clinical disease which has been associated with cardiovascular disease and sudden death. Positive airway pressure (PAP) is the most effective treatment for OSA; however, most patients experience difficulties in tolerating machines, masks, or economic burdens. In Korea, National Health Insurance (NHI) application for PAP started in July 2018. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the PAP adherence and factors contributing to good adherence after NHI coverage in Korea. Methods: A retrospective study was performed to examine 89 patients with OSA who were treated with PAP in 2019. All medical records were analyzed to obtain demographic and clinical data, including personal history, polysomnographic data, and PAP results. Results: A total of 66 participants were included, of which 56 (84.8%) were maintained on PAP therapy after 3 months, and 32 of 42 (76.1%) were maintained on PAP therapy after 6 months; prolonged rapid eye movement (REM) sleep latency, increased nonREM (NREM) apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and supine AHI significantly contributed to good PAP adherence for 3 months. At 6 months, prolonged REM sleep latency, increased NREM AHI, supine AHI, and increased arousal index significantly contributed to good PAP adherence. However, comorbid hypertension contributed to poor PAP compliance. Conclusions PAP adherence in patients with OSA was 84.8% after 3 months, and 76.1% after 6 months after NHI coverage in a regional tertiary sleep center in Korea. Prolonged REM sleep latency and increased supine AHI and NREM AHI significantly contributed to good adherence, whereas comorbid hypertension was a factor for poor PAP compliance.