OBJECTIVE: Estrogen is a major regulator/modulator of bone metabolism, and bone loss in estrogen deficiency is associated with increased bone turnover, But the mechanism for estrogen action on bone metabolism is still unknown. Recent studies have suggested that the increase in bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency is mediated by increased paracrine production of bone resorbing cytokines. Among cytokines, 1nterleukin-6(IL-6) is released from osteoblasts in estrogen deficiency and increases bone resorption by stimulation of osteoclastic activities and recruitment. Thus we performed this study to evaluate the effect of ovariectomies on bone mineral density and IL-6 in cultured monocytes of peripheral blood and bone marrow. METHODS: The experimental animals were 13 female Sprague-Dawley rats that were 8 weeks of age and weighed an average of 188.5 gram at the beginning of the study. Bilateral ovariectomies were performed in all rats from a ventral approach. Bone mineral density(BMD) of the total body, spine and level of IL-6 of cultured monocytes of peripheral blood and bone marrow were measured before and 8 weeks after ovariectomy. RESULTS: 1) BMD of total body and spine were lower after ovariectomy(0.257+/-0.069g/cm2, 0,208+/-0.005g/cm2) than before ovariectomy (0.276+/-0.005g/cm2, 0.229+/-0.011g/cm2), respectively (P<0.01). 2) Although IL-6 level of cultured monocytes in peripheral blood tended to be higher after ovariectomy than before ovariectomy, this difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). 3) IL-6 level of cultured monocytes in bone marrow was higher after ovariectomy(82.78+/-4.99pg/ml) than before ovariectomy(48.85+/-2.42pg/ml)(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: It is possible that increased production of IL-6 in estrogen deficiency induced by ovariectomy occurs in the local environment of bone or bone marrow rather than in the pheripheral blood and stimulates bone resorption.
Animals ; Bone Density* ; Bone Marrow ; Bone Resorption ; Cytokines ; Estrogens ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6* ; Metabolism ; Monocytes ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Ovariectomy* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spine

PURPOSE:The natural course of Hashimoto' thyroiditis (HT) is so dynamic that the disease progresses to overt hypothyroid or spontaneous recovery. The authors reviewed the clinical course of this disease and analysed the possible predicting factors regarding remission. METHODS:Thirty nine patients with HT (38 girls and 1 boy) were studied retrospectively. Of these patients, 30 were followed for more than 2 years. The possible remission factors were analyzed at initial diagnosis and during follow-up period. RESULTS:The mean age at the diagnosis was 11.8+/-.1 years. Initial thyroid function was euthyroid in 38.5%, compensated hypothyroid in 35.9%, overt hypothyroid in 23.1%, and hyperthyroid in 2.6% of patients. Antithyroglobulin antibody (ATA) was positive in 94.7%, and antimicrosomal antibody (AMA) was positive in 74.4%. The overall remission rate was 53.3% during the follow-up period (51+/-7 months). Initial goiter size, thyroid function status, and autoantibody titer had no relation to the remission rate statistically. Follow-up autoantibody titers in remission group were marginally lower than those in nonremission group (P<0.1), and follow-up AMA titer was significantly higher than initial titers in nonremission group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: We could not find any predictable remission factors from the initial clinical and autoantibody status. But, during follow-up period, patients with lower autoantibody titers showed slight higher remission, and those with increasing AMA titer showed less remission. Above results suggest that we should monitor antithyroid antibody titer as well as thyroid function regularly.
Adolescent* ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Goiter ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroiditis*

We evaluated the characteristics of HMB-45 monoclonal antibody(MoAb) and compared it with a polyclonal anti-S-100 antibody in immunohistochemical staining of 22 primary melanomas of the skin ; 13 acral lentiginous melanomas(ALM), 3 superficial spreading melanomas(SSM), 4 lentigo maligna melanomas(LMM), 3 nodular melanomas(NMM). All speimens were formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded, and were studied with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex technique. The results can be summarized as follows : l. In all tissue specimens, all or some of the melanoma cells in the dermis reacted with HMB-45 MoAb and anti-S-100 protein. 2. HMB-45 MoAb is more sensitive in detecting malignant melanoma cell heterogeneity t,han anti-S-100 protein. 3. Melanoma cells within the epidermis in 6 of 12 ALMs and 3 of 4 LMMs did not react with anti-S-100 antibody, whereas most melanoma cells within epidermis of 12 ALMs and 4 LMMs reacted with HMB-45 monoclonal antibody. These results indicated that immunohistochemical staining with HMB-45 MoAb and anti-S-100 protein is very useful in the study of biologic behavior of malignant, melanoma.
Dermis ; Epidermis ; Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle ; Melanoma* ; Population Characteristics ; Skin

Effects of several cytokines(IL -1beta, TNFalpha, and IFNgamma) have been examined on fetal rat osteoblast-like cells. To investigate whether cytokines play direct causal roles in production of lysosomal enzyme, fetal rat osteoblast-like cells were treated with IL-1beta, TNFalpha, and IFNgamma, respectively or combined. And acid phosphatase was determined by biochemical method. Alkaline phosphatase was assayed to determine the effects of IL-1beta, TNFalpha, and IFNgamma on the expression of this enzyme. And also experiment of calcified nodule formation was performed to assess the effects of cytokines on the bone-forming activity of osteoblast-like cells in vitro. Acid phosphatase activity was significantly increased by the addition of IL-1beta and TNFalpha, whereas decreased by IFNgamma, However, no significant changes in alkaline phosphatase activity was observed when the osteoblast-like cells were treated with IL-1beta and TNFalpha. Interestingly, IFNalpha showed stimulatory effect on alkaline phosphatase activity. The number of calcified nodules was decreased by treatment of cultures with 1ng/ml IL -lbeta, 20ng/ml TNFalpha, and 500 u/ml IFNgamma continuously for 21 days, while considerable number of calcified nodules were formed in control group of osteoblast-like cell in culture for 21 days. These results seem to suggest that cytokines may play crucial roles in bone remodeling through the direct action on the osteoblast-like cell.
Acid Phosphatase ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone Remodeling ; Cytokines* ; Interleukin-1beta ; Rats* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Two cases of vertebra plana due to eosinophilic granuloma were experienced and successfully treated by anterior fusion of the involved spines at the department of Orthopedic Surgery in Seoul National University Hospital. Literature on the subject was reviewed.
Eosinophilic Granuloma ; Granuloma ; Orthopedics ; Seoul ; Spine

Hemangioma in peripheral nerves is a very rare condition. Two such conditions are experienced. One case aceompanied by nerve symptom was observed in ulnar nerve and was operated on by extirpation of the tumor including the nerve and was followed by nerve grafting. The other case involved the median nerve had no signs of nerve irritation and was also treated by tumor extirpation.
Hemangioma ; Median Nerve ; Peripheral Nerves ; Transplants ; Ulnar Nerve

No abstract available in English.
Plasmacytoma

It is possible to create a diastasis in the hip by traction. The space thus created between articular surfaces can be visualized radiographically and is known as “a vacuum phenomenon”. Twenty one cases of unilateral hip joint disease were studied with vacuum arthrography from Oct. 1983 to July 1984 in Catholic Medical College and Center. The patients ages ranged from a month to 53 years of age but most of them(18 out of 21 patients) were below 10. There were 5 female patient's and 16 male patients in this series. The results were as follows: 1. In the absence of an effusion in all normal hip joints the vacuum phenomenon was demonstrated. 2. In the absence of an effusion in the hips of a transient synovitis, 4 Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and 3 sprain the size of vacuum was normal. 3. The size of vacuum of 3 transient synovitis and a pyohip of healing stage which had only mild effusion was smaller than those of normal hips. 4. In the presence of large amount of effusion in the hips of 5 transient synovitis, 2 pyogenic arthritis and 2 tuberculous arthritis it has not been possible to produce the vacuum phenomenon. 5. This study, in summary, shows that the size of vacuum represents the amount of effusion. 6. Non-ossified femoral head in the new born, articular surface of acetabulum and thickness & local changes in the cartilage of the femoral head could be demonstrated using the vacuum arthrography. 7. It has not been possible to demonstrate the articular surface lateral to the limbus, ligamentum teres and limbus in the vacuum arthrogram.
Acetabulum ; Arthritis ; Arthrography ; Cartilage ; Female ; Head ; Hip Joint ; Hip ; Humans ; Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease ; Male ; Round Ligaments ; Sprains and Strains ; Synovitis ; Traction ; Vacuum

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant* ; Korea*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant Formula* ; Infant* ; Infant, Low Birth Weight* ; Infant, Newborn