Aspirin is one of the popular non -steroid anti -inflammatory drugs used in the management of pain. This study was performed to investigate the effects of aspirin on c -Fos expression in rat CNS after inducing somatic pain with formalin. Male S.D. rats were injected subcutaneously with 0.1 ml of 5% formalin in the plantar surface of right hindpaw. For experimental group, aspirin was administered orally before injection of formalin. Asprin -untreated group was utilized as the control group. Rats were sacrificed at 0.5, 1, 2, 6 and 24 hours after formalin injection. Rat brains were removed and sliced in rat brain matrix. Brain slices were coronally sectioned at interaural 5.70 ~6.70 mm. Serial sections were immunohisto-chemically reacted with polyclonal c -Fos antibody. The numbers of c -Fos protein immunoreactive neurons in the cingulate cortex, primary somatosensory area, and hippocampus were counted and analyzed statistically with Mann - Whitney U test. Results were as follows: 1. Higher numbers of c -Fos immunoreactive neurons were found in the cingulate cortex, primary somatosensory area and hippocampus. 2. Both aspirin -treated and -untreated groups, numbers of c -Fos immunoreactive neurons were significantly higher all time points than formalin -untreated group, which peacked at 2 hours. 3. The numbers of c -Fos immunoreactive neuron of the aspirin -treated group were less compared to the aspirin - untreated group at each time point. In conclusion, these results provide some basic knowledge in understanding the mechanism and control of formalin - induced somatic pain.
Animals ; Aspirin* ; Brain ; Central Nervous System* ; Formaldehyde ; Gyrus Cinguli ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Male ; Neurons ; Nociceptive Pain ; Rats

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn*

OBJECTIVES: In order to evaluate the degree of manganese exposure and its health hazards effect on welders in manufacturing industry. METHODS: The author measured airborne, blood and urine concentrations of manganese and blood chemistry, and also observed clinical symptoms and signs on 60 welders for case an.d 60 non-welders for control working in manufacturing industry by age maching method. RESULTS: The geometric means of blood and urine concentrations of manganese were 1.13 +/- 1.38 microgram /dI and 2.52 +/- 1.37 microgram /I for Welders group, 1.09 +/- 1.68 microgram /dl and 1.86 +/- 1.34 microgram / I for Non-welders group. Airborne concentration of manganese was 0. 15 +/- 1.66 mg/m3 for exposured group, and the urinary mean concentration of manganese was statistically significant difference between exposured and non-welders group (P < 0.05). Clinical signs in welders group were palmomentle reflex (23.3%), tremor (20.0%) and grabellar sign (5.0%). Symptoms in welders group were fatigue (66.7%), amnesia (66.7%), excessive sweating (51.7%), nervousness (51.7%), general weakness (48. 3%) and arthralgia (46.7%) and so on, and there was statistically significant difference compared to non-welders group (P<0.05). Manganese exposure effects on blood chemistry were not observed. There were statistically significant correlation between manganese concent- ration in blood and urine (r=0. 269), airborne and urine (r=0. 601) and airborne and blood (r=0. 268). CONCLUSION: The author suggest that further studies are followed to evaluate the health status of welders whose blood and urine manganese concentrations were below normal reference level, and to establish the questionnaire and the diagnostic tools for early detecting the chronic manganese poisioning on welders.
Amnesia ; Anxiety ; Arthralgia ; Chemistry ; Fatigue ; Manganese* ; Questionnaires ; Reflex ; Sweat ; Sweating ; Tremor

PURPOSE: To evaluate postoperative knee joint function, activity, stability and complications of the patients who had taken PCL reconstruction with tibial inlay method which has the advantages of firm tibial fixation and no killer turn. METHODS: From August 1998 to September 2000, tibial inlay method of PCL reconstruction was used in 20 patients who could be followed over 15 months. The Lysholm score and Tegner activity score was applied for the function and activity of the patients, KT-2000 arthrometer and posterior stress X-ray was used for the stability of the knee joint. RESULTS: 1) Lysholm score: the mean value of the preoperative score was 40.7 and the postoperative score was 83.8(Excellent 3, Good 9, Fair 7, Poor 1). 2) Tegner activity score: 1.9 of preoperative score was improved to 3.8. 3) The posterior displacement on the preoperative stress X-ray to compare with normal side showed 17 cases of grade III, 3 of grade IV(mean 13.6 mm). The postoperative posterior displacement showed 16 cases of grade I, 4 of grade II( mean 3.6 mm). 4) The side to side difference of KT -2000 arthrometer between affected and normal side was 2.4 mm under loading of 20 lb. 5) The difference of Quadriceps circumference between normal and affected side was 2.2cm and post-operative range of motion revealed slight extension limitation (10 degrees) in reconstruction group. CONCLUSION: Although disadvantages of inlay method are technical difficulty and risk of neurovascular injury and intraoperative positioning, tibial inlay method is thought to be an excellent option for PCL reconstuction with its advantages no killer turn and firm tibial fixation.
Humans ; Inlays* ; Knee Joint ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; Range of Motion, Articular

Objective: To clearly identify the symptoms of sciatica in patients with piriformis syndrome, we retrospectively reviewed patients whose symptoms significantly improved over long-term postoperative follow-up. Methods: Among patients who underwent sciatic nerve decompression for piriformis syndrome over the past 3 years, the preoperative sciatic pain symptoms of 32 patients whose symptoms were confirmed to have improved by more than 50% during more than 1 year of follow-up were analyzed. To identify the characteristics of sciatic pain in piriformis syndrome, we investigated pain when sitting, pain when resting, pain when standing or walking, and pain when resting at night. In addition, the distribution of sciatic pain in the lower back, buttocks, lower extremities, and feet was investigated. Results: The most common symptom was pain when sitting, which was present in 25 patients (81%). Pain characteristically occurred even at rest, occurring in 62.5% of patients while lying down at night and in 53.1% of patients during daytime rest. Sciatic pain from piriformis syndrome was most commonly distributed in the buttock (90.6%) and also present in the lower back (37.5%). Pain was present in the posterior thigh in 23 patients (71.9%), in the calf in 68.8% of patients, and in the foot in 50% of patients. Conclusion Buttock pain exacerbated by sitting was the most common pattern of pain in patients with piriformis syndrome. However, the sciatic pain of this disease was also found to be characterized by pain that persisted even at rest.

Objective: To clearly identify the symptoms of sciatica in patients with piriformis syndrome, we retrospectively reviewed patients whose symptoms significantly improved over long-term postoperative follow-up. Methods: Among patients who underwent sciatic nerve decompression for piriformis syndrome over the past 3 years, the preoperative sciatic pain symptoms of 32 patients whose symptoms were confirmed to have improved by more than 50% during more than 1 year of follow-up were analyzed. To identify the characteristics of sciatic pain in piriformis syndrome, we investigated pain when sitting, pain when resting, pain when standing or walking, and pain when resting at night. In addition, the distribution of sciatic pain in the lower back, buttocks, lower extremities, and feet was investigated. Results: The most common symptom was pain when sitting, which was present in 25 patients (81%). Pain characteristically occurred even at rest, occurring in 62.5% of patients while lying down at night and in 53.1% of patients during daytime rest. Sciatic pain from piriformis syndrome was most commonly distributed in the buttock (90.6%) and also present in the lower back (37.5%). Pain was present in the posterior thigh in 23 patients (71.9%), in the calf in 68.8% of patients, and in the foot in 50% of patients. Conclusion Buttock pain exacerbated by sitting was the most common pattern of pain in patients with piriformis syndrome. However, the sciatic pain of this disease was also found to be characterized by pain that persisted even at rest.

Objective: To clearly identify the symptoms of sciatica in patients with piriformis syndrome, we retrospectively reviewed patients whose symptoms significantly improved over long-term postoperative follow-up. Methods: Among patients who underwent sciatic nerve decompression for piriformis syndrome over the past 3 years, the preoperative sciatic pain symptoms of 32 patients whose symptoms were confirmed to have improved by more than 50% during more than 1 year of follow-up were analyzed. To identify the characteristics of sciatic pain in piriformis syndrome, we investigated pain when sitting, pain when resting, pain when standing or walking, and pain when resting at night. In addition, the distribution of sciatic pain in the lower back, buttocks, lower extremities, and feet was investigated. Results: The most common symptom was pain when sitting, which was present in 25 patients (81%). Pain characteristically occurred even at rest, occurring in 62.5% of patients while lying down at night and in 53.1% of patients during daytime rest. Sciatic pain from piriformis syndrome was most commonly distributed in the buttock (90.6%) and also present in the lower back (37.5%). Pain was present in the posterior thigh in 23 patients (71.9%), in the calf in 68.8% of patients, and in the foot in 50% of patients. Conclusion Buttock pain exacerbated by sitting was the most common pattern of pain in patients with piriformis syndrome. However, the sciatic pain of this disease was also found to be characterized by pain that persisted even at rest.

Objective: To clearly identify the symptoms of sciatica in patients with piriformis syndrome, we retrospectively reviewed patients whose symptoms significantly improved over long-term postoperative follow-up. Methods: Among patients who underwent sciatic nerve decompression for piriformis syndrome over the past 3 years, the preoperative sciatic pain symptoms of 32 patients whose symptoms were confirmed to have improved by more than 50% during more than 1 year of follow-up were analyzed. To identify the characteristics of sciatic pain in piriformis syndrome, we investigated pain when sitting, pain when resting, pain when standing or walking, and pain when resting at night. In addition, the distribution of sciatic pain in the lower back, buttocks, lower extremities, and feet was investigated. Results: The most common symptom was pain when sitting, which was present in 25 patients (81%). Pain characteristically occurred even at rest, occurring in 62.5% of patients while lying down at night and in 53.1% of patients during daytime rest. Sciatic pain from piriformis syndrome was most commonly distributed in the buttock (90.6%) and also present in the lower back (37.5%). Pain was present in the posterior thigh in 23 patients (71.9%), in the calf in 68.8% of patients, and in the foot in 50% of patients. Conclusion Buttock pain exacerbated by sitting was the most common pattern of pain in patients with piriformis syndrome. However, the sciatic pain of this disease was also found to be characterized by pain that persisted even at rest.

Diffuse mesotheliomas of the pleura and peritoneum are considered "signal tumors" of asbestos exposure. Although asbestos use in Korea started before the national liberation, it rose abruptly with economic development in 1970's. Considering latent period of mesotheliomas as twenty years, occupational mesothelioma cases would increase rapidly. In Korea construction is a major industry which use asbestos. Because workers in construction industry are mostly composed of daily based workers, it is hard to calculate the number of workers involving asbestos related work, to manage them with organized method, to educate them about adverse effects of asbestos and protection methods, to check health status of them periodically, and to follow them up. Although a case of occupational mesothelioma which was found in a asbestos textile worker have been reported, no case related with construction workers have been reported so far in Korea. The authors experienced occupational malignant pleural mesothelioma combined with asbestosis in a boilermaker and plumber in a construction industry.
Asbestos ; Asbestosis* ; Construction Industry ; Economic Development ; Korea ; Mesothelioma* ; Peritoneum ; Pleura ; Textiles

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study was to compare the efficacy of antibiotic monotherapy with antibiotic plus alpha-blocker combination therapy for the treatment of inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2005 and May 2006, 69 patients who were diagnosed as CPPS(National Institutes of Health; NIH-catagory IIIa), were included in this study. The patients were randomly placed into two groups: group I was treated with gatifloxacin alone(35 patients), and group II was treated with gatifloxacin and doxazosin(34 patients) for 6 weeks. For all the patients, the urinalysis, expressed prostatic massage, the National Institute of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index(NIH-CPSI) and a distal rectal examination(DRE) were performed at the initial visit. The NIH-CPSI was compared both before and after the treatment. RESULTS: On the initial diagnosis, the mean CPSI of the group I patients was 24.0+/-6.3, and that for the group II patients was 24.7+/-6.9. After the treatment, that of the group I was 16.6+/-5.4, and that of group II was 13.4+/-5.3. After 6 weeks of treatment, the changes in the total CPSI scores had significantly improved in group II compared with group I(p<0.05). A statistically significant improvement occurred in the pain score, the voiding symptom score and the quality of life in the group II compared with group I(p<0.05) CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that combination therapy of antibiotic plus alpha-blocker would be more effective than antibiotic monotheraphy for treating patients with inflammatory chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
Academies and Institutes ; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Fluoroquinolones ; Humans ; Massage ; Pelvic Pain ; Prostatitis ; Quality of Life ; Urinalysis