The author attempted to allelic association between the a1 allele of Dopamine D2 receptor and alcoholism in Korean. The allelic disribution of Taq I polymorphism of the D2 dopamine receptor gene with alcoholism was examined in 67 Korean alcoholics and compared with 100 Korean controls. In alcoholics, the numbers of alcoholics with A1A1, A1A2 and A2A2 were 11(16.4%), 30(44.8%) and 26(38.8%) respectively and in control with A1A1, A1A2 and A2A2 were 17(17.0%), 42(42.0%), respectively. The prevalence of the A1 allele in alcoholics was 61.2% and 59.0% in controls. And the frequency of the A1 allele in alcoholics and controls were 0.39 and 0.38, respectively. There was not significant difference in the frequency of the A1 allele between alcoholics and controls. This data suggest that the A1 allele is not associated with alcoholism in Koreans. The author conclude that our data do not support on allelic association between the A1 allele at Dopamine D2 receptor and alcoholism. Further systemized studies will be necessary to determine whether the role of allele of Dopamine D2 receptor is major effect gene or modifying effect gene in the pathogenesis of alcoholism.
Alcoholics* ; Alcoholism ; Alleles ; Dopamine* ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Receptors, Dopamine ; Receptors, Dopamine D2

Distal radioulnar is a part which has a rotational movement through the function of distal radioulnar joint and extensor carpi ulnaris. The injury mechanism in this area is usually a trauma largely due to traffic accidents. In general these injuries to the distal radioulnar joint are treated by a closed reduction. However, the isolated distal ulnar fracture without radial fracture, which is often called the night stick fracture, is difficult to treat by a closed reduction and a cast immobilization alone, especially if there is a displacement or fracture segment impinging soft tissue or severe comminution. Nonunion has been the frequent outcome with this method of treatment and limitation of rotation of forearm and distal radioulnar joint have occurred due to long period of immobilization or malunion. Thus, a different treatment modality such as open reduction and internal fixation and early active joint motion has arisen as a better treatment modality. In this study, 8 cases of isolated distal ulnar fracture without radial fracture have recieved the operation and the early active joint movement, if a displacement was present either at the time of injury or after the initial closed reduction. As a result, this method has enabled the patients to reduce the rate of complication of nonunion and to recover limitation of joint motion in a shorter time period.
Accidents, Traffic ; Forearm ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Joints

A purpose of present study is to provide basic information evaluating the utility of Magnetic Resonance imaging as a biological marker estimating manganese effects to central nervous system among welders, which is conducted by comparing urinary and blood manganese concentrations and signal intensities of brain MR images between exposed group and non-exposed group, evaluating the objectivity of subjective grading estimated by correlations between Pallidal signal intensity index (P. I) and subjective grades among exposed group, and comparing the difference of signal intensities according to presence of neurologic symptoms, signs and exposure variables among the exposed group. The exposed group is composed of 11 welders complaining severe symptoms or showing neurological signs, and the non-exposed group is composed of 5 patients who admitted a hospital. Urinary manganese concentrations and signal intensities in T1-weighted MR images among exposed group were higher than those of the non-exposed group significantly, which exhibits that increased signal intensities in T1-weighted MR image represent the effect of manganese exposure. P. Is among the exposed group revealed relatively high correlations with subjective grades ( gamma =0.63, p=0.037) , which suggests the objectivity of subjective grade. Signal intensity in globus pallidus was a suitable single variable representing the effect of manganese accumulation in C.N.S system appropriately, which was verified as follows ; Increased signal intensities among the exposed group had the highest frequency and intensity in the globus pallidus, and the P.I. had a relatively high correlation coefficient ( gamma 0.62, p=0.044) with total score of subjective grades. Signal intensity with subjective grading in globus pallidus represented very high correlation gamma =0.97, p=0.00) with total score of subjective grades, and had a similar correlation coefficient with many variables. It is hard to argue that signal intensities are markers representing pathologic change in C.N.S system or can be used as a diagnostic tool for manganese intoxication, because signal intensities had no difference between the exposed group and the non-exposed group according to presence of neurological signs.
Biological Markers ; Brain ; Central Nervous System ; Globus Pallidus ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male* ; Manganese ; Neurologic Manifestations

No abstract available.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Proper proximal contact is important for maintaining and stabilizing the dental arch. However, the proximal contact strength (PCS) is not a constant value and can be affected by a variety of factors. PURPOSE: This study examined the influences of postural changes on the posterior PCS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve adults with a normal occlusion and had not undergone prosthetic treatment or proximal restoration were participated in this study. A metal strip was inserted into the proximal surface and removed at a constant velocity. The contact strength was measured in every contact point between canine to second molar in both arches. The PCSs were obtained initially in the upright position, secondly in the supine position and finally in the upright position again. All measurements were repeated after a 2 hour period. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Friedman test (P < .05). RESULTS: Generally, a decrease in PCS occurred when the posture was changed from the initial upright to supine position, while it increased when the posture was changed from the supine to upright position. A significant change was observed in all areas except for between the canine-first premolar in the maxilla and between the first molarsecond molar in the mandible areas. CONCLUSION: The posterior PCS, which dentists generally believe to be a static feature of occlusion, is affected significantly by posture.
Adult ; Bicuspid ; Dental Arch ; Dentists ; Humans ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Molar ; Posture ; Supine Position

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is an X-linked combined immunodeficiency disorder characterized by severely decreased number of platelets which are small in size, eczema resembling atopic dermatitis and recurrent infection. The serum of the patient contains elevated concentrations of IgA and IgE, whereas the IgG level is usually normal and IgM level is decreased. The patients also shows skin test anergy and progressive T-lymphocytopenia. Bleedings and recurrent infections are the main causes of death and the patients usually die before age 10. Bone marrow transplantation is accepted to be the only radical therapy. We experienced a case compatible with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome in a 5 year old male child who accompanied above clinical manifestations and laboratory findings.
Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Eczema ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Male ; Skin Tests ; Thrombocytopenia ; Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome* ; X-Linked Combined Immunodeficiency Diseases

PURPOSE: This study was designed to verify intermediate-term functional and radiological results of limb salvage operation using endoprosthetic replacement system (MUTARS(R)) used in patients with a malignant bone tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty one cases which used MUTARS(R) tumor prosthesis were reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 49.2 years and the mean follow up was 39.8 months. We retrospectively reviewed complications, and evaluated functionally and radiologically by Enneking functional score, ISOLS radiological implants evaluation system at last follow-up. RESULTS: 3 patients had died of disease, distant metastasis was seen in 4 patients and local recurrence was seen in 1 patients. Complications were developed in 12 patients. (infection 6, leg length discrepancy 2, aseptic loosening 2, periprosthetic femoral fracture 1, screw loosening 1) Mean value of total functional scores were 81.2% in proximal femur, 77.4% in distal femur, 78.1% in proximal tibia, and 80.2% in proximal humerus. The overall radiological result was relatively satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest limb salvage with the MUTARS(R) endoprosthesis is successful with good functional and radiological results. But we should be careful with complications such as infection.
Extremities ; Femoral Fractures ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humerus ; Leg ; Limb Salvage ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prostheses and Implants ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibia

Neurocognitive research focusing on cognitive deficits in schizophrenia resulted in several important yet potentially contradictory findings. Studies have shown that chronic patients have a diffuse pattern of cognitive impairment which is frequently indistinguishable from that of focal brain-damaged patients. Some reports have suggested that there is a focal pattern of deficit, such as left hemisphere dysfunction, frontal lobe impairment, or the dysfunction of the temporal-limbic cortex. The aim of this study is to evaluate neurocognitive functions in treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients. The subjects are 33 treatment-resistant schizophrenics. And their neurocognitive functions are compared with those of 37 treatment-reactive schizophrenic patients and 35 normal control subjects. Patients with a history of neurological disease, alcohol dependence, substance abuse and mental retardation are excluded. The diagnosis of specific subtypes are made after a review of all available information including medical records, historical data from informants, and by the confirmation of 2 board-certified psychiatrists. To control potential neurocognitive effects of medications, all patients had drug-free period of 1 week. The following tests are administered to each subjects; Mini Mental State Examination-Korean(MMSE- K), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale(BPRS), Clinical Global Impression(CGI), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS), and Neurological Rating Scale for Extrapyramidal Symptoms(EPS scale). And they are assessed with a part of Vienna Test System which is computerized neurocognitive function tests which evaluate attention, eductive ability, reproductive ability, visuoperceptual analysis, vigilance, visual immediate memory, the speed of information-processing, judgement, and fine motor coordinations. The results indicated that treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients have deficits in eductive ability, visuoperceptual analysis, sustained attention, information-processing, reaction time and motor coordination. The study provides useful information about neurocognitive functions of carefully diagnosed subgroups of chronic schizophrenic pateints, especially treatment-resistant patients.
Alcoholism ; Diagnosis ; Frontal Lobe ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Medical Records ; Memory, Short-Term ; Psychiatry ; Reaction Time ; Schizophrenia ; Substance-Related Disorders

Schilder’s disease is a rare sporadic demyelinating disease of the brain. We report a girl with Schilder’s disease who had undergone Kasai operation for biliary atresia. The patient presented with acute right hemiparesis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a single large tumefactive white matter lesion. A diagnosis of Schilder’s disease was based on clinical features and MRI findings. The patient showed dramatic clinical improvement and significant regression of the lesion in response to high-dose intravenous methyl prednisone, and remained free of relapse of other neurologic problems during the 3-year follow-up.

No abstract available.
Congenital Abnormalities* ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing*