BACKGROUND: Pulmonary tuberculosis with a remaining cavitary lesion is considered to be a problem with the course of treatment. In particular, re-treatment cases tend to respond poorly to current anti-tuberculosis agents. Therefore the factors that are related with the poor closure of a cavitary lesion in pulmonary tuberculosis during treatment were evaluated. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records and chest X-ray films of 68 patients who had chemotherapy for the pulmonary tuberculosis with cavitary lesions was made. All the patients had been followed up for more than 12 months at National Masan Tuberculosis Hospital as of Aug. 2000. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 3.9:1. 72.4% of the patients were between 20 to 50 years of age. 66.2% of the cavitary lesions on the chest X-ray films were confined to the upper lung fields : 36.8% in the right upper lung field and 29.4% in the left upper lung field. 82.4% of the cavities were less than 40mm in their size, and 83.8% were less than 6mm thick. The cavitary lesions were closed in 48 cases and remained in 20 cases during a follow-up period of more than 12 months. The factors that are though to affect ot the outcomes of the cavities were age, past medication history, the number of unused drugs, and the number of sensitive drugs. CONCLUSION: In the treatment courses of pulmonary tuberculosis with cavitary lesions, the following factors are associated with less desirable outcome:an age over 45, a past medication history of more than 2 courses of treatment, The number of unused drugs not exceeding average 6 and the number of sensitive drugs not exceeding average 7.
Drug Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitals, Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Lung ; Male ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary* ; X-Ray Film

This study included 38 children patients of less than 4 years old and 18 kg body weight. After 8 hours of starvation, the children were divided into 2 groups: Group I received Hartmann's solution and Group II received Hartmann's dextrose solution. In both groups, the rates of infusion were 10 ml/kg/hr before and during operation and blood samples were collected just before and 1 hr after induction of anesthesia, respectively. The results were as follows; 1) In the Group I, blood glucose concentration just before induction was decreased than control values that was checked at ward, and 1 hr value after induction was significantly increased then control values. 2) In the Group II, blood glucose concentration was increased just before and 1hr after induction than control values significantly respectively. 3) In the blood glucose concentration 1 hr after induction, difference between Group I and Group II was not significant. 4) In children, duration of starvation about 8 hrs did not significant influence on blood glucose concentration although dextrose was not administered.
Anesthesia* ; Blood Glucose* ; Body Weight ; Child* ; Fluid Therapy* ; Glucose ; Humans ; Starvation*

No abstract available.
Ectropion*

Pityriasis rotunda is characterized by perfectly circular to oval brownish scaly patch on the trunk and extremities. This disease is considered to be a form of acquired ichtkyosis of unknown etiology and develops usually in association with certain systemic diseases, such as tuberculosis, malignant neoplasrn, leprosy, ovarian cyst and uterine myoma etc, We experienced 2 cases of pityriasis rotunda on the abdomen, chest and back associated with liver cirrhosis in 66 year old man 43 year old woman and clinical presentation was made with review of related literatures.
Abdomen ; Adult ; Aged ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; Leprosy ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Ovarian Cysts ; Pityriasis* ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis

A 22-year-old-male patient has numerous brownish-black, soft follicular papules which compatible with acne are scattered on the chest, scapular regions, back and buttocks for 4 5 years duration. Biopsy specimen revealed cystic structures in the mid-dermis lined by squamous cell epithelium w4ich contained laminated keratinous material and varying number of vellus hairs, histopathologically, compatible with diagnosis of eruptive vellus hair cysts. Related literatures and histogenesis were discussed,
Acne Vulgaris ; Biopsy ; Buttocks ; Diagnosis ; Epithelium ; Hair* ; Humans ; Thorax

Monilethrix is a rare familiar disorder of unknown cause, occurring in either sex, and ueually confined to the scalp. In most cases it is manifested in early childhood. lt is characterized by localized or widespread dystrophy of hair and follicles, the shafts showing regular variations in diameter producing alternate "nodes" and "internodes" which confer a striking beaded or moniliform appearance on the hair. We experienced a case of monilethrix, which was associated with keratosis pilaris and occurred in three generations. The patient's one sibling, mother, 4 uncles and 2 aunts of mother side and grandmother with her sister were all affected with a similar diaorder of hair.
Family Characteristics ; Hair ; Humans ; Keratosis ; Monilethrix* ; Mothers ; Scalp ; Siblings ; Strikes, Employee

Backgrounds: Thyroid hormones play a fundamental role in the initiation and maintenance of somatic growth in mammalian species, and the insulin-like growth factors(IGFs) occupy a position of central importance in the growth of all tissues. To evaluate the changes in serum insulin-like growth factor-I(IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients, sera was obtained from 19 hyperthyroid patients, 9 hypothyroid patients, and 10 healthy volunteers. Methods: IGF-I concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay, and changes in IGFBPs were assesed by Western Ligand Blotting. To evaluate the binding pattern of IGF-I & IGFBPs, autoradiographs were obtained. Results & Conclusion: IGF-I levels were increased significantly in hyperthyroid patients(mean ±SE, 267.88±9.80 ng/ml, p<0.05) and decreased significantly in hypothyroid patients(154.81±1.43 ng/ml, p<0.01) compaired to healthy control group(209.45±.60 ng/ml). Autoradiograph of serum IGFBPs from patients with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism did not show any change in the intensity of IGFBP-3 bands(40-45 KD) and IGFBP-1 bands, but in hyperthyroid patients, it showed increased intensity of IGFBP-2 band compared to healthy control group and hypothyroid patients.
Equidae ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Hypothyroidism ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Radioimmunoassay ; Thyroid Hormones

BACKGROUND: Cerebral white matter lesions(WMLs), such as leukoaraiosis, may be related to damage from cerebral ischemia and may also be associated with the degenerative process. The apolipoprotein E (APOE) 4 allele is a risk factor for degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer`s disease, and ischemic brain damage through acceleration of atherosclerosis. No study has been performed regarding WMLs and APOE genotype in Korea. We investigated the association between WMLs and APOE among Koreans. METHODS: Brain MRI was performed in 225 subjects(ages 61 to 85 years) without neuropsychiatric disease randomly selected from the Ansan Health Cohort Study. WMLs observed on 225 MRI scans were rated in terms of severity by 2 raters. All study subjects underwent APOE genotyping. RESULTS: WMLs were observed in 109(48.4%) of subjects. In the subjects with WMLs, the distribution of APOE genotypes was 0.9% for epsilon 2/epsilon 2, 11.0% for epsilon2/epsilon3, 1.8% for epsilon2/epsilon4, 61.5% for epsilon3/epsilon3, 22.9% for epsilon3/epsilon4, and 1.8% for epsilon4/epsilon4, respectively. The distribution of APOE genotypes did not differ between subjects with and without WMLs. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that there is no association between WMLs and APOE genotypes in Koreans.
Acceleration ; Alleles ; Apolipoproteins E ; Apolipoproteins* ; Atherosclerosis ; Brain ; Brain Ischemia ; Cohort Studies ; Genotype ; Gyeonggi-do ; Korea ; Leukoaraiosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Risk Factors

In the therapeutic or the nutritional aspects, Zn2+ has been used as a supplement in a variety of drugs. Most of divalent or trivalent cations affect ion channels in the cell membranes of various organs. In particular, Zn2+ has been regarded as a potassium (K+) channel blocker in the field of electrophysiology. ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel, which is a kind of inward rectifier K+ channel, resides in the cell membrane of pancreatic beta cells and plays an important role in glucose-induced insulin secretion. The glucose increases intracellular ATP concentration, and this inhibits KATP channels. The inhibition of KATP channels activity depolarizes the cell, and subsequently, insulin is released by Ca2+ influx through the voltage- gated Ca2+ channels. Here, we demonstrate that KATP channels in the pancreatic beta cells are also the targets of extracellular Zn2+ blockade and its blockade is dependent on intracellular ATP concentration. This may be a compensatory mechanism preventing the oversecretion of insulin from the Pancreatic beta cells triggered by Zn2+ intake in a physiologically fasting condition.
Adenosine Triphosphate* ; Cations ; Cell Membrane ; Electrophysiology ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Insulin ; Insulin-Secreting Cells* ; Ion Channels ; KATP Channels* ; Potassium ; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying

Endoscopic technique have become very popular in plastic and reconstructive surgery. They have provided advantages over previously closed techniques by minimizing scars, soft tissue manipulation and access with excellent visualization and magnification. More than twenty cases of facial bone surgery were performed over the past 3 years by endoscopic assistance. Our series consist of 3 cases of frontal bone contouring, 1 zygoma contouring, 3 fracture of zygoma, 9 fracture of orbit, 4 rhinoplasty for deviated nose. To accomplish this technique, a rigid 4 mm, 30 degree down angled endoscope was used. The frontal bone or zygomatic arch is approached endoscopically through two or three small incisions on the temporoparietal scalp. All endoscopic instrument are then manipulated through these incisions. The approach for zygoma complex, maxilla and mandible needs intraoral incision. Recontouring by a power bur and osteotomy using a small saw are done with endoscopic visual assistance. Rigid fixation requires an additional small incision over the plate for trocar method. The other technique was same with routine standard rhinoplasty procedures. The duration of follow-up ranged 3 months to 27 months. The postoperative course were satisfactory with fewer complication than conventional technique. The extra-time need for the endoscopic procedures was about 1 hour Endoscopically assisted facial bone recontouring, osteotomy and plate fixation can be performed with adequate visualization and direct manipulation of all facial bone. Complications usually associated with extensive incisions and pool visualization may be avoided. This technique may prove to be ideal for aesthetic surgery for facia skeleton with smaller scars and less morbidity.
Cicatrix ; Endoscopes ; Facial Bones ; Follow-Up Studies ; Frontal Bone ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Nose ; Orbit ; Osteotomy ; Plastics ; Rhinoplasty ; Scalp ; Skeleton ; Surgical Instruments ; Zygoma