To analyse the clinical characteristics of children with atrial flutter(AF1), we reviewed(the medical records of the children who had been admitted and diagnosed as AF1 or 12 leads surface ECG during the period between February, 1986 and Octobe, 1990. The onset age of 25 children was evenly distributed between gestational period and upto 14 years of age. The sex ratio between boys and girls was 11:14. The cardiac abnormalities were detected in 21 children(dilated cardiomyopathy in 3, congenital heart defect in 18). In 4 children, AF1 occured in apparently normal heart. In 9 children, AF1 developed without relation to cardiac surgery(4 in normal heart, 3 in dilated cardiomyopathy, 2 in preoperative CHD). AF1 developed in 9 children within 30 days postoperatively(group A) and in 7, after 30 days postoperatively(group B). In group A, various types of operation were done. In 2 of them, AF1 persisted beyond the immediate postoperative period and 1 died of cardiac decompensation 3 months postoperatively. In group B, operative procedures before AF1 were Senning operation in 2, Fontan operation in 2, operation for tetralogy of Fallot, ventricular septal defect with severe tricuspid regurgitation, endocardial cushion defect in 1 each. Five children in group B( except 1 Senning operation and 1 Fontan operation) had significant residual atrioventricular regurgitation. The associated rhythm disturbance besides AF1 could be determined in 23 children. The sinus node dysfunction was associated in 8 ; the supraventricular dysrhythmia in 10; the ventricular dysrhythmia in 6; the atrioventricular conduction disturbance in 3, and no other associated rhythm disturbance in 6. The efficacy of various methods in conversion of AF1 to sinus rhythm were 57.1%(4/7) with DC cardioversion, 38.5%(5/13) with digoxin and other antiarrhythmic drug(amiodarone, beta blocker, quinidine, verapamil, flecainide), 25%(5/20) with pacing in esophagus or endocardium. The follow-up evaluation was possible in 24 children. Eight children were dead : 5 due to chronic decompensation, 2 due to sudden cardiac arrest, and 1 due to sepsis. Of the 16 alive children, 14 had recovered the normal sinus rhythm and the other 2 had persistent AF1. Twelve children without AF1 and 1 with persistent AF1 were on medication, Although there were none cardiac death in children without persistent AF1, 7 out of 9 children with persistent AF1 were dead. Of the 7 children with significant atrioventricular regurgitation, corrective procedures were done in 4. There were no death in these 4 children, despite of 2 cardiac death out of 3 children on whom corrective procedure were not done. In conclusion, the atrioventricular regurgitation was a significant factor in relation to the occurrence and persistence of AF1 and the prognosis was bad in children with persistent AF1. It is recommended to trat the children with AF1 associated with atrioventricular regurgitation promptly and more aggressively.
Age of Onset ; Atrial Flutter* ; Cardiomyopathies ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; Child* ; Death ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Digoxin ; Electric Countershock ; Electrocardiography ; Endocardial Cushion Defects ; Endocardium ; Esophagus ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fontan Procedure ; Heart ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Postoperative Period ; Prognosis ; Quinidine ; Sepsis ; Sex Ratio ; Sick Sinus Syndrome ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Tetralogy of Fallot ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency ; Verapamil

No abstract available.
Humans ; Pneumonectomy* ; Respiratory Function Tests*

The 150 kDa protein of cyst fluid (CF) of Taenia solium metacestodes was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and Superose 6 HR gel filtration chromatography. The purified protein consisted of three subunits (15, 10 and 7 kDa proteins), which were analyzed with the use of a 7.5-15% gradient sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Immunofluorescence study was carried out by using immunize specific polyclonal antibody. Positive reactions were noticed at bladder walls, calcareous corpuscles, granules of cyst fluid and some host tissue surrounding the bladder wall of the metacestodes. These results suggest that the 150 kDa protein was secreted into host tissues, inducing immune responses in the host, and it may play important roles in the cellular physiology of the parasites.
Animals ; Chemical Fractionation ; Chromatography, Gel ; Cyst Fluid/*chemistry/metabolism/parasitology ; Cysticercosis/*metabolism/parasitology ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Helminth Proteins/chemistry/*isolation & purification ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Molecular Weight ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Swine ; Swine Diseases/parasitology ; Taenia solium/*metabolism

With a rapid development of neuroscience, the theories related to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia have been changed a lot from a simple hyperdopaminergic one to the various complicated ones. Among these, the theories regarding prefrontal cortex(PFC) pathology as a cause of schizophrenia are gaining more recognition as the results of neuroimaging and neuropsychological tests in schizophrenia consistently report abnormalities in PFC. Therefore, we first reviewed the unique characteristics of PFC in anatomy, neurochemistry and neurophysiology to enhance an understanding of those ones. Secondly, various neurotransmitter, neurodevelopmental and neural network theories of schizophrenia introduced recently were reviewed in terms of PFC pathology.
Dopamine ; Neurochemistry ; Neuroimaging ; Neurophysiology ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Neurosciences ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Pathology ; Prefrontal Cortex* ; Schizophrenia*

The results of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty are still controversial. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical results of three different component systems of unicompartmental knee arthroplasties. From December 1982 to January 1996, 106 unicompartmental knee arthroplasties were performed. There were 13 Modular II(group I), 47 Microloc(group II) and 46 Allegretto(group III) unicompartmental knee arthroplasties. Average follow-up period was 7 years 1 month. At the last follow-up, average knee score of Hospital for Special Surgery(HSS) was 92 points and average tibiofemoral angle was valgus 3.5 degrees. Among three groups, there was no significant difference in knee score of HSS and tibiofemoral angle. Twelve knees(11%) in all three groups have required revision. The causes of revision were six implant wears(all in group II), five implant loosenings(one in group I and four in group III) and one deep infection(in group II). In conclusion, the results of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty at average 7.1 years follow-up period were satisfactory. High incidence of insert wear in Microloc unicompartmental knee arthroplasty(group II) might be due to thin polyethylene insert supported by metal backed tibial tray.
Arthroplasty* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Incidence ; Knee Joint ; Knee* ; Polyethylene

No abstract available.
Bilirubin* ; Brain Stem* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Kernicterus*

No abstract available.
Checklist* ; Child ; Child Behavior* ; Child* ; Conduct Disorder* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Ureaplasma urealyticum* ; Ureaplasma*

Eosinophil degranulation is considered to be a key effector function for the killing of helminthic worms and tissue inflammation at worm-infected lesion sites. However, relatively little data are available with regard to eosinophil response after stimulation with worm-secreted products which contain a large quantity of cysteine proteases. In this study, we attempted to determine whether the degranulation of human eosinophils could be induced by the direct stimulation of the excretory-secretory products (ESP) of Paragonimus westermani, which causes pulmonary paragonimiasis in human beings. Incubation of eosinophils for 3 hr with Paragonimus-secreted products resulted in marked degranulation, as evidenced by the release of eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) in the culture supernatants. Moreover, superoxide anion was produced by eosinophils after stimulation of the ESP. The ESP-induced EDN release was found to be significantly inhibited when the ESP was pretreated with protease inhibitor cocktail or the cysteine protease inhibitor, E-64. These findings suggest that human eosinophils become degranulated in response to P. westermani-secreted proteases, which may contribute to in vivo tissue inflammation around the worms.
Animals ; *Cell Degranulation ; Cysteine Endopeptidases/metabolism/*physiology ; Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin/metabolism ; Eosinophils/*physiology ; Humans ; Paragonimus westermani/*enzymology ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Superoxides/metabolism ; Time Factors

STUDY DESIGN: Thirteen patients with cervical interlocked facets dislocation in whom closed reduction by skull traction was failed were evaluated about the patterns of ruptured disc fragment. Objects : To evaluate the causes of failure at closed reduction, and the relation between ruptured discs and interlocked facets, and the treatment results through an anterior approach. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: In traumatic dislocation of the cervical facet joints, spinal cord or nerve roots injury associated with the ruptured disc fragment has been reported. However, there is few report evaluating the patterns of ruptured disc fragment as a cause of reduction failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1988 and 1997, thirteen patients were treated by anterior fusion with plate after complete removal of the intervertebral disc through anterior approach and reduction of interlocked facets by O1iveira method. They have been followed for an average of 36 months(range : 12-96 months). The interlocking was bilateral in seven cases and unilateral in six cases. We assessed the types of ruptured disc fragment by preoperative MRI and CT and the clinical and radiological results. RESULTS: Ruptured disc fragment was found in all thirteen patients with interlocked facets dislocation. The patterns of ruptured discs were within the uncovertebral joints in 5 cases, posterioly under the posterior longitudinal ligament in 3 cases, anteriorly under intact anterior longitudinal ligament in 3 cases and combined under the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligament in 2 cases. The displacement of ruptured disc fragment were seemed to be the cause of failure in closed reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Intervertebral disc injury should be evaluated carefully with MRI and CT in the lower cervical interlocked facet dislocations before trial of reduction or decision makings of treatment.
Dislocations* ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Joints ; Longitudinal Ligaments ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Skull ; Spinal Cord ; Spine* ; Traction ; Zygapophyseal Joint