No abstract available.
Delusions* ; Hallucinations* ; Humans

BACKGROUND: The aging process may be induced, at least in part, by reactive oxygen species(ROS). It has been though that the lung could be a good source of ROS because it has a high oxygen tension. In the present study, we invetigated the inducibility of the first and last lines against oxidative stress, superoxide dismutases (Cu/Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD) as a scavenger of O2- and metallothionein(MT) as a scavenger of OH·, respectively, in mouse lungs with age. METHODS: Oxidative stress was induced by paraquat, an intracellular superoxide generator, at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months of age and then SODs and MT mRNAs were determined by RT-PCR method. RESULTS: The steady-state level of Mn-SOD mRNA increased from 1 to 8 months but decreased thereafter. However, Mn-SOD mRNA was not induced by paraquat after 1 month. On the other hand, there was no change in the steady-state level of Cu/Zn/-SOD mRNA, which decrease abruptly at 12 months of age. Additionally, Cu/Zn/-SOD mRNA was not induced by paraquat at any age. There was no change in the steady-state level of MT mRNA with age whereas its inducibility by paraquat was intact at all ages. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that lack of induction of SODs with age may be one of the causative factors in the aging process while induction of MT may play an important role in the defense against oxidative stress. It is therefore implicated that the tissue antioxidant/proxidant balance could be one determinants of meal life span.
Aging* ; Animals ; Hand ; Lung* ; Meals ; Metallothionein* ; Mice* ; Oxidative Stress ; Oxygen ; Paraquat* ; RNA, Messenger ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Superoxides*

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Unfortunately, the frequency of breast cancer and mastectomy are increasing in Korea. The purpose of the study is to analyze the results of breast reconstruction using free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous(TRAM) flap and to suggest the operative technique for more satisfactory results. 19 patients underwent immediate breast reconstruction from 1990 to 1998, and we experienced 2 cases of bilateral immediate reconstruction of breasts following mastectomy. We have performed the free TRAM flaps based on the deep inferior epigastric vessels using microvascular technique. TRAM flap included very small portion of rectus sheath and muscle-so called muscle sparing technique. So it reduced markedly donor site morbidity. The postoperative course of these cases was uneventful with minor complication. The free TRAM flap was an excellent method of immediate breast reconstruction using autogenous tissue and provided satisfactory outcome. The goals of the immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy are to restore body image, to achieve near normal shape of breast, and to reduce the complications. This paper represents our experience of immediate breast reconstruction using free TRAM flap, and technical options to get more satisfactory result and reduce the complications. We think this method could be regarded as the first choice for immediate breast reconstruction.
Body Image ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Mammaplasty* ; Mastectomy ; Rectus Abdominis* ; Tissue Donors

No abstract available.
Chungcheongbuk-do* ; Leptospira interrogans* ; Leptospira*

No abstract available.
Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* ; Korea*

No abstract available.
Delusions* ; Hallucinations* ; Humans

Wireless intraoperative load sensors have been used to improve the quality of soft-tissue balancing during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Recent studies using the sensors have demonstrated reductions in gap imbalance, as well as early improvement of patientreported clinical outcomes and low rates of arthrofibrosis. However, well-designed prospective studies are needed to determine whether the application of the sensor technology for TKA will have clinical benefits and improve the survival of prosthesis. Knowledge of the load-sensing technology (advantages and disadvantages, potential pitfalls, and future prediction) is crucial to apply this new TKA technique successfully. Herein, we conduct a narrative review of previous studies on this technique.

BACKGROUND: Scuba diving has become increasingly popular in Korea. Medical problems are common with dives, especially decompression sickness(DCS). This study was performed to obtain an useful information of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in DCS in Korea. METHOD: We reviewed the 62 cases of Korean divers, who were diagnosed as DCS and received recompression therapy according to U.S. Navy Standard Recompression Treatment Table at Ocean and Underwater Medical Research and Training Center of ROK Navy, for 6 years from Jan. 1993 to Nov. 1998. RESULT: 1) the mean no-decompression limit excess time between type I DCS group(72.7 min.) and type II DCS group(92.8min.) showed significant difference. 2) The rate of symptoms appeared on surfacing and within 10min. after surfacing of type I and type II DCS were 41.4%and 72.7% respectively. 3) The cure late of type I and type II were 75.9%and 42.4% respectively. In type II DCS group, the cure rate of the group within 12 hour-delayed recompression treatment and the group above 12 hour-delayed treatment were 64.3%and time 26.3% respectively, and in type I DCS group, 100% and 66.7% respectively. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the education of safety, the strict observance of the standard decompression table, and the avoidance of excessive repeated diving are important for reducing the risk of diving related disease. And to offer proper management of DCS, there should be more multiplace hyperbaric oxygen chambers, the suitable transport system, and the specialist of diving medicine or hyperbaric medicine in Korea.
Decompression Sickness* ; Decompression* ; Diving ; Education ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation* ; Korea ; Oxygen ; Specialization