The amniotic membrane has some characteristics. First, it does not express the human leukocyte antigens, and therefore immunologic rejection is not a concern. Second, it can be obtained easily and sufficiently. Third, because it has antimicrobial properties, transplantation of the amniotic membrane has fewer risks of post-operative infection. So it is under research for the amniotic membrane transplantation in cases of sterile corneal ulcer, pterygium excision,severe chemical and thermal corneal burns, ocular surface defects, conjunctival surface reconstruction after removal of large conjunctival lesions. We have experienced a good result of amniotic membrane transplantation for the conjunctival defect resulting from conjunctival necrosis, in enucleated eye having undergone scleral graft for scleral necrosis. Therefore, we report this case with a review of the literature.
Amnion* ; Burns ; Corneal Ulcer ; HLA Antigens ; Necrosis* ; Pterygium ; Transplants

As a new concept of resistive exercise, isokinetic exercise was developed during the early 1950's. In isokinetic exercise, the subject works at a fixed speed against variable and totally accommodating resistance. The isokinetic equipment has been used widely as a therapeutic modality in clinical setting, as a training and testing device for sports practicians, and as a method for scientific examination of postoperative status of muscles and joint function for orthopedists. In order to acquire the isokinetic normative data of the knee for clinical use, we examined the flexor and extensor muscle force of the knee joint in 160 subjects with Cybex II. The results were as follows; 1. Mean values of extensor strength were 76.04 ft.-1bs in right knee 75.45 ft.-lbs in left knee, 78.42 ft.-1bs in dominent hand side leg 73.84 ft.-1bs in non-dominent hand side leg, and 82.52 ft.-1bs in dominent leg 71.93 ft.-lbs in non-dominent leg. 2. Sex difference of extensor strength were 95.13 ft.-lbs in male 55.98 ft.-1bs in female, and that of flexor strength were 54.90 ft.-1bs in male 33.68 ft.-1bs in female. 3. Mean of position angle of maximal torque were between 58° and 65° for extensors, 35° and 45° for flexors. 4. Mean of total range of motion at working isokinetically with 60°/sec speed was 99°. 5. Mean values of extensor power were 54.43 ft.-1bs in male 30.63 ft.-lbs in female, and that of flexor power were 35.99 ft.-1bs in male 22.42 ft.-1bs in female. 6. Strength and power decreased as ages getting old, and there was significant diminish between 4th decade and 5th decade. 7. Power endurance had more difference when it was compared with occupation. Mean value of power endurance was between 12 times and 18 times.
Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee Joint ; Knee ; Leg ; Male ; Methods ; Muscles ; Occupations ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Sex Characteristics ; Sports ; Torque

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary thromboembolism is relatively frequent and potentially fatal. However, it is commonly misdiagnosed. The incidence of pulmonary thromboembolism is not decreasing despite advances in diagnosis and effective prophylatic measures. Its potential for significant sequela necessitates a prompt diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, there are many difficulties and problems regarding accurate diagnosis. There is a low prevalence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism in Korea and only few reports on this subject are available. METHOD: The clinical features of 36 patients, who were diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism at the Korea University medical center, were reviewed. RESULTS: 1) There was no significant difference in prevalence between men an women, and the mean age was 50.9 years in men 59.2 years in women. 2) The frequent causes of pulmonary thromboembolism were malignancies (22.2%), surgery (22.2%), and heart disease(8.2%). Specific causes were not identified in 33.3%. 3) The most common symptom was dyspnea(72.2%), and the most common sign was tachypnea(61.1%). 4) The EKG findings were normal in 28.6%, and S1Q3T3 pulmonale pattern in 25.7%, ST or QRS changes in others. 5) The chest X-ray findings indicated pulmonary infiltation in 37.5%, cardiomegaly in 15.6%, pleural effusion in 12.5%, and normal in 27.8%. The perfusion lung scan showed a high probability in 66.7%, and intermediate or low probability in 33.3%. 6) The pulmonary arterial pressure(PAP) in the high probability groups was 57.9mmHg with a higher mortality rate(35%). CONCLUSION: Pulmonary thromboembolism is not uncommon in Korea and its clinical features do not differ greatly from those reported in the literature. When pulmonary thromboemblism of unknown causes are diagnosed, a search for an occult malignancy is recommended. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are achieved when thromboemblism is suspected.
Academic Medical Centers ; Cardiomegaly ; Diagnosis ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Lung ; Male ; Mortality ; Perfusion ; Pleural Effusion ; Prevalence ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Thorax ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Venous Thrombosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECT: Immunostimulatory CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (ISS CpG-ODN) up-regulate the TH1-type immune response and down-regulate the TH2-type response. This study was performed to investigate the immune response changes resulting from ISS CpG-ODN on bronchial hyperrestponsiveness, eosinophilic inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in rat asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 10 normal controls(NC) and 26 asthmatic rats, which were generated by ovallbumin(OVA) sensitization and challenge, were studied. The asthmatic rats were randomized into 11 asthma controls(AC) and 15 in the asthma-CpG treatment group(CpG). The CpG group was administered ISS CpG-ODN intramuscularly and the AC group was administered a placebo(0.9% NaCl)on day 15 and 20. After CpG-ODN or placebo administration, we measured the IFN-(TH1-type cytokine) and IL-4(TH2-type cytokine) levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF), the specific airway resistance(sRaw), eosinophilic fraction in BALF, eosinophilic infiltration, goblet cell dysplasia and MUC5AC gene expression in the lung tissue. RESULTS: In the BALF of the CpG group, the IFN-γ concentration was significantly high and the IL-4 concentration was significantly low when compared with the AC group. Both the sRaw and eosinophilic fraction, and infiltration into the BALF and lung tissue significantly lower in the CpG group when compared with the AC group. However, little difference in goblet cell dysplasia and MUC5Ac gene expression was observed between the CpG group and the Ac group. CONCLUSION: ISS CpG-ODN decreases bronchial hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilic inflammation in the rat asthma model through the up-regulation of the TH1-type immune response with the down-regulation of the TH2-type response. However, the effect of these immune response changes on mucus hypersecretion was is not remarkable in this study.
Animals ; Asthma* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Down-Regulation ; Eosinophils ; Gene Expression ; Goblet Cells ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-4 ; Lung ; Mucus ; Rats* ; Up-Regulation

The Reconstructive techniques of palatal defect are palatal island flap, palatal mucoperiosteal expansion, buccal flap, tongue flap, pushback palatoplasty, free flap and so on. We report a reconstruction of palatal defect using palatal flap. Excellent results were obtained by palatal connective tissue island flap and split thickness pedicle flap. Healing of defect occured rapidly. There were no postoperative complications except dull pain.
Connective Tissue ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Postoperative Complications ; Tongue

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to find the predictors for successful arthrocentesis for anterior disc displacement without reduction(ADD without Reduction) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Arthrocentesis and lavage was carried out in 25TMJs of 22patients whose MRI findings were all anterior disc displacement without reduction. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated in terms of the postoperative range of maximal mouth opening (MMO) and the degree of postoperative pain score. Predectors which was analyzed were age, duration of painful locking, MMO, the degree of pain, perioperative clicking and the amounts of irrigation fluid. RESULTS: 18cases (72%) was included to criteria for success. There were no significant differences in age, duration of locking, MMO and the degree of pain statistically. But In 15cases(83%) of successful cases, amouts of irrigated solution recovered to normal MMO were less than 150ml. And In 8cases (44%) of successful cases, perioperative clicking was appeared. CONCULSION: Amounts of irrigated solution recovered to normal MMO and the appeareance of perioperative clkicking may be predictors of the successful results of arthrocenetesis of ADD without reduction of TMJ.
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mouth ; Pain, Postoperative ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders* ; Temporomandibular Joint* ; Therapeutic Irrigation*

Congenital renal arteriovenous fistula is a rare disease and manifested by gross hematuria, bladder tamponade and flank pain. We experienced one case of congenital renal arteriovenous firstula which was cirsoid type and treated with superselective transcatheter arterial embolization of four small segmental arteries. The microcoils made of platinum and synthetic fiber were used as theembolization modality.
Arteries ; Arteriovenous Fistula* ; Flank Pain ; Hematuria ; Platinum ; Rare Diseases ; Urinary Bladder

No abstract available.
Perfusion* ; Stroke Volume* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

No abstract available.
Perfusion* ; Stroke Volume* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

BACKGROUND: During a 1-month period in 2005 , a series of 4 Leclercia adecarboxylata and 8 Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremias were reported from patients admitted to the emergency room. METHODS: An outbreak of L. adecarboxylata and P. aeruginosa bacteremia that occurred from February to March 2005 was investigated. The infection control nurse reviewed medical records and observed the procedures of blood cultures at the clinical microbiology laboratory. Specimens were obtained for investigational cultures from alcohol sponge, tray, sink, water of sink, saline cotton, microscope, computer, and telephone. RESULTS: L. adecarboxylata was isolated from 4 patients and P. aeruginosa from 8 patients during a 1-month period. Observation of the culture procedure revealed that saline cotton was used to prevent betadin skin discoloration. The culture of the saline solution yielded a heavy growth of P. aeruginosa, which was not isolated from any other specimens. CONCLUSIONS: This was a pseudoepidemic caused by contaminated saline cotton. The use of the saline cotton was stopped, and during the follow-up period of 3 months, no additional L. adecarboxylata or P. aeruginosa bacteremia were reported.
Bacteremia ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Enterobacteriaceae* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Medical Records ; Porifera ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Skin ; Sodium Chloride ; Telephone ; Water