No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Glomerular Basement Membrane*

MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) have provided for greater image resolution, detailed tissue contrast without use of contrast media and images acquired in any plane. The purpose of this study was to examine the anatomy and dimension of the epidural space using MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and to compare the information obtained with that from other investigative technique. The anatomy of the lumbar epidural space was studied retrospectively using lumbar MRI scans of 90 patients. The epidural width(E.W.) is divided into three distance between the anterior surface of the ligamentum flavum and the dura at the caudal end of the lumbar segment(A), at the mid point of the ligamentum flavum(B) and at the cranial end of the lumbar segment(C). The distance from skin to supraspinous ligament(S-L) and from supraspinous ligament to epidural space(L-E) were measured. And then with adding both the distance, We measured the distance from skin to epidural space(S-E). Results were as follows; I) Posterior to the dural sac, epidural fat which is of high signal(white) on Tlw(T1 weighted) image is demonstrated at levels Tl I-T12 to L5-Sl giving 'Saw toothed' pattem to the epidural space. The fat is divided into segments by the interposing laminar, and the epidural space is deeper at cranial end than caudal end. 2) It was the relatively wide epidural space in L2-3 and L3-4 level, and the narrowest epidural space in L5-Sl level. 3) The distance from skin to supraspinous ligament was noted marked variation(2-40mm) according to the individual disparity. And the distance from supraspinous ligament to epidural space is 17-43mm. In distance from skin to epidural space, the most narrow place is Ll-21evel (37.95+/-7.65mm). The most deep place is IA-5 level(46.35+/-7.20mm). As the age increase, epidural width is decreased at L3-4 level (p<0.05).
Contrast Media ; Epidural Space* ; Humans ; Investigative Techniques ; Ligaments ; Ligamentum Flavum ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of immediate or delayed composite resin filling on dentinal microtensile bond strength (microTBS) after applied the adhesive. The coronal dentin of human third molars was exposed. Single-Bond or One-Step was applied on the dentin surfaces, and composite resin were constructed immediately (group 1) or 5 min., 10 min., 15 min., 20 min. and 30 min. (groups 2-6) after an adhesive was applied. The specimens were sectioned and made bar-shaped. Each surface area of them was about 1mm2. The microTBS test was performed by EZ test. The results were analysed by One-way ANOVA and Tukey's test at 95% significance level. The results suggested that the microTBS of Single-Bond to dentin was decreased when the composite resin was constructed 20 min. and 30 min. after Single-Bond was applied. But the microTBS of One-Step was not affected by delayed composite resin filling.
Adhesives ; Dentin ; Humans ; Molar, Third

The authors conducted a clinical observation of 55 cases of solitary pulmonary nodules at Yeungnam University Hospital from June 1986 to October 1990, and the following results were obtained: 1. The age distribution was ranged from 18 to 77 years, and the male-to female ratio was 1.8:1. 2. Among 55 cases of nodules, 28 cases were benign and 27 cases were malignant nodules, and of malignant nodules, the primary lung cancer was 23 cases and of benign nodules, 18 cases were tuberculoma. 3. 23 cases (41.8%) was asymptomatic and the other 32 cases were symptomatic; chest pain 12 cases, hemoptysis; 8 cases, cough; 8 cases and dyspnea; 4 cases. 4. The non-smoker-to-smoker ratio was 1:1.04, but among 23 smoker over 20 pack years, 14 cases were malignant nodules. 5. According to nodular size, there is no striking differences between benign and malignant nodules except 3-4 cm sized nodules. 6. The lobar distribution of nodules, 35 cases were in the right lung (upper lobe; 14 cases, middle lobe; 11 cases, and lower lobe; 10 cases) and 23 cases were in the left lung (upper lobe; 9 cases, lower lobe; 11 cases), and the malignant nodules were most commonly observed in the right upper lung.
Age Distribution ; Chest Pain ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule* ; Strikes, Employee ; Tuberculoma

Malignant obstruction develops frequently in advanced gastric cancer. Although it is primarily the gastric outlet that is obstructed, there are occasional reports of colonic obstruction. Treating intestinal obstruction usually requires emergency surgery or stent insertion. There are several kinds of complications with stent insertion, such as bowel perforation, stent migration, bleeding, abdominal pain and reobstruction. Nevertheless, endoscopic stent insertion could be a better treatment than emergency surgery in cases of malignant bowel obstruction in cancer patients with poor performance status. We report a case of advanced gastric cancer with carcinomatosis in which a recurrent colonic stent was inserted at the same site because of cancer growth into the stent. The patient maintained a good condition for chemotherapy, thus improving their chances for survival.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction/etiology/radiography/*surgery ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Prosthesis Implantation/*methods ; *Stents ; Stomach Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: It is controversial that an electrocardiography (EEG) is valuable in evaluation of patients with headache. The purpose of this study was to determine whether EEG brain mapping can be a useful indicator for evaluating the analgesic efficacy of treatment on the patient with an occipital headache. METHODS: We did an EEG on 20 patients with occipital headaches at the peri-laser application period. The laser was radiated for 3 minutes a third of the total distance from the external occipital protuberance to the mastoid process on the superior nuchal line. An EEG was taKen before laser radiation as control use, and at 10, 30 and 60 minutes after laser radiation by 32 channel electrodes (international 10 20 system). The EEG mapping was red for the high electric potential and blue for the low electric potential. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the alpha wave increased significantly in parieto-occipital and occipital region at 60 minutes after laser radiation (P < 0.05). DarK red color was increased especially in occipital region at 60 minutes after laser radiation, compared with EEG mapping before laser radiation. Good and Fair improvements were observed in 55% of the patients with occipital headaches. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that EEG can be a valuable indicator in the evaluation of analgesic efficacy of treatment in the patients suffering from occipital headaches. Pain scores were assessed by the patient with the visual analogue scale (VAS).
Brain Mapping ; Electrocardiography ; Electrodes ; Electroencephalography* ; Headache* ; Humans ; Mastoid

PURPOSE: Finasteride, a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, has recently been used as a treatment for men with benign prostate hyperplasia(BPH). This study was undertaken to determine whether free-to-total(f/t) PSA ratio changed during the finasteride therapy in patient with BPH and whether it is possible to use this new discriminant ratio after prolonged treatment with finasteride. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 31 men (mean age 66 years) with finasteride therapy for BPH. Blood samples were taken before and after 3-13months of therapy with finasteride and f/t PSA ratio is determined using radioimmunometric assay. RESULTS: Although the mean t-PSA, f-PSA are significantly decreased after the treatment with finasteride, f/t PSA ratio remained unchanged. The duration of treatment and the level of initial t-PSA did not affect the f/t PSA ratio. CONCLUSIONS: The f/t PSA ratio is unchanged among the patients with finasteride therapy for BPH.
Finasteride* ; Humans ; Hyperplasia* ; Male ; Oxidoreductases ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Prostatic Neoplasms

Background: The purpose of the present study was to assess the daily protein uptake and its relationship with sarcopenia, as defined by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS), among elderly patients with hip fractures. Methods: Forty-seven elderly patients with hip fractures were enrolled in this retrospective observational study. The main outcome measures included protein uptake, muscle mass, and grip strength for sarcopenia in elderly patients. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to AWGS. Wholebody densitometry was used to measure skeletal muscle mass, and muscle strength was evaluated using handgrip testing. Results: Of 47 patients with hip fractures (12 men and 35 women), 37 (79%) patients exhibited insufficient protein intake (range, 0.01-0.588 g/kg/day), and 10 (21%) patients exhibited excessive protein intake (range, 1.215-2.121 g/kg/day). The mean daily protein intake was 56.5 g (range, 7.2–136.0 g). Prevalence of low muscle strength (handgrip strength <18 kg in women and <26 kg in men) was detected in 13 (37%) women and 8 (67%) men (P=0.076). Sarcopenia (lower muscle mass and lower muscle strength) was detected in 9 (26%) women and 6 (50%) men (P=0.119). Although lower protein intake was marginally associated with sarcopenia (P=0.189), it was significantly associated with lower grip strength (P=0.042). Conclusions The present study demonstrated that insufficient protein intake in elderly patients with hip fractures was common, and lower protein intake was significantly associated with lower muscle strength.

The radial artery as a graft for myocardial revascularization was introduced by Carpentier et al. in the early 1970s. Mid-term results were unfortunately discouraging, and the clinical experience with this graft was interrupted. At the end of the 1980s, these authors reproposed the same arterial conduit with more satisfying results, because of improved technique and pharmacological management of the graft. Between October 1994 and July 1995, 36 patients underwent myocardial revascularization with a radial artery graft in Sejong General Hospital. Left internal mammary artery was concomitantly used as a pedicled graft in 34 patients. Fifteen patients(42%) had a complete arterial graft revascularization. A total of 123 distal anastomoses were performed(average 3.4 per patient), including 36 left internal mammary artery grafts(two sequential in 2 patients), and 23 saphenous vein grafts. The remaining 64 distal anastomoses were performed with radial artery grafts (mean 1.8 per patient). The radial arteries were anastomosed to the circumflex(n=38), diagonal( n=18), right coronary(n=6), and left anterior descending coronary artery(n=2). The percentage of radial artery graft anastomoses(64) to the total anastomoses(123) was 52%. The radial artery was used as a single graft in 10 patients, as a sequential graft in 25 patients, and two grafts in 1 patient. Twenty patients underwent associated procedures : coronary endarterectomy(14), coronary artery patch angioplasty(4), mitral valve repair(1), and repair of ventricular septal rupture(1). One patient died of low cardiac output syndrome and the others had no perioperative myocardial infarction. There are no ischemic and functional complications in the arm or hand after removal of the radial artery. Only 1 patient required reexploration of the arm, for the hematoma evacuation, and 2 patients complained transient thumb dysesthesia of the side of the havested arm. This dysesthesia improved within one month. Postoperative angiographic controls were obtained in 11 patients(31%) postoperative 79 to 210 days(mean 126 days). The patency rate were as follows : left internal mammary artery(100%), saphenous vein(100%), and radial artery(95%). We concluded that the radial artery is useful alternative graft, but long term clinical and angiographic studies are required to dertermine whether wider application is warranted.
Arm ; Cardiac Output, Low ; Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Hand ; Hematoma ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Mammary Arteries ; Mitral Valve ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Revascularization ; Paresthesia ; Radial Artery ; Saphenous Vein ; Thumb ; Transplants