OBJECTIVE: The conventional methods to determine fetal genetic status, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling(CVS) have small procedure-related risk of abortion. Recently, several researchers reported that fetal genetic status, such as sex, can be confirmed by fetal nucleated erythrocytes in maternal blood and this method might reduce such risk. Therefore, in this study, we attempted to determine the basic fetal genetic status, sex, with fetal nucleated erythrocytes. METHODS: In twelve pregnant women who undertook amniocentesis or CVS, 20 ml of venous blood was drawn immediately before the procedure and the nucleated erythrocytes were recovered by magnetic activated cell sorting(MACS). After MACS, DNA was extracted from 200 microliter of sample and single nucleated erythrocyte was obtained by additional procedure, immunostaining, and microdissection. After recovery of nucleated erythrocytes by microdissection, nested polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and fluorescent PCR of amelogenin gene were performed to identify the fetal gender. RESULTS: The DNA of enriched erythrocytes after MACS could identify the fetal gender in the 58.3% of the samples by nested PCR. After the recovery of single nucleated erythrocyte by MACS, immunostaining and microdissection, the minute DNA in a single cell could be amplified by primer extension preamplification(PEP), nested PCR, and fluorescent PCR. Fetal genders were correctly identified in 8 out of 12 (66.7 %). CONCLUSION: Through this study, we could conclude that fetal nucleated erythrocytes in maternal blood might be sufficient sample to determine fetal sex. And single cell isolation by microdissection could get the better results than nested PCR after MACS only. However, in spite of the pregnancy of male fetus, female specific bands were obtained after nested PCR of amelogenin in several cells, which might suggest that part of nucleated erythrocytes in maternal blood might be maternal origin. Therefore, to determine fetal genetic condition by nucleated erythrocytes in maternal blood, further improvements of methods to identify the nucleated erythrocytes of fetal origin are needed.
Amelogenin ; Amniocentesis ; Cell Separation ; Chorionic Villi ; Diagnosis* ; DNA ; Erythroblasts* ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Male ; Microdissection ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women

No abstract available.
Animals ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide* ; Calcitonin* ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger*

A muscular calf is esthetically unappealing in Asian women. Treatment by liposuction alone has poroven to be difficult due to a small amount of fat. We established a new method of transecting half of the gastrocnemius tendon in order to improve the contour of the calf. Thirty-five patients were operated on during the past 3 years. The medial or lateral half of the gastrocnemius tendon was cut using an endoscopic-guided 3M AGEE blade through a 1cm-sized incision. The portion of the muscle above the site of the transection was elevated from the underlying soleus muscles. We checked the calf circumference and evaluated the clinical results at 6 months postoperatively. An average 10% reduction in calf circumfernce was measured, showing a significant esthetic improvement. There were no significant changes in gait analysis or in the Cybex test. There were no specific complications related to the procedure. Through our clinical experience in 35 cases, we were able to prove that tenotomy is a effective, simple and easy method without severe morbidity.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Gait ; Humans ; Lipectomy ; Muscles ; Tendons ; Tenotomy*

No abstract available.
Arteries* ; Catheterization* ; Punctures* ; Radial Artery*

PURPOSE: Emotional and behavioral disturbances have been reported in severe short stature children. The purpose of this study was to examine psychosocial problems in children with Growth hormone deficiency(GHD), comparing with their normal height siblings. METHODS: Twenty three children with GHD(17 boys and 6 girls, mean age:13.1+/-2.8 yrs) were included. Their normal height siblings(8 boys and 2 girls, mean age:12.3+/-2.9 yrs) were included as control group. Parents of all participating children completed the Child Behavior Checklist. Patients 10 years and older completed the Youth Self Report. RESULTS: 1)Internalizing problem scores(somatic complaints, anxiety, depression, social incompetence) were higher in GHD compared to control group(49.0+/-15.0 vs 43.2+/-6.2, P<0.05). Externalizing problem scores and social competences were not different between GHD and control group. 2) Total problem scores in GHD were not different by sex. 3)Total problem scores were not different between idiopathic GHD and organic GHD. 4)Attention problems(r=0.45, P<0.05), delinquent behavior(r=0.49, P=0.01) and aggressive behavior(r=0.51, P<0.01) increased by age. 5)Height SDS negatively correlated with social problem(r=-0.47, P<0.05) and delinquent behavior(r=-0.61, P<0.01). Height SDS also negatively correlated with somatic complaints(r=-0.75, P<0.01), anxiety and depression(r=-0.66, P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Internalized problems such as somatic complaints, anxiety and depression were higher in GHD than control group. Behavioral problem scores were increased by age and behavioral problem scores were correlated with height deficit. When we treat GHD children, appropriate medical and psychological counseling should be included.
Adolescent ; Anxiety ; Checklist ; Child Behavior ; Child* ; Counseling ; Depression ; Female ; Growth Hormone* ; Humans ; Parents ; Self Report ; Siblings

A female newborn had the following characteristics; a congenital localized absence of skin over the lower extremities; blistering of the skin or mucous membrane, incited by trauma, which heals without scarring; and congenital absence or deformity of the nails. In respect to the characteristic manifestation, clinical course and electron microscopic features, our patient seems to fit well into Bart's syndrome. The inheritance pattern appears to be autosomal dominant but, as in this report, isolated cases have been recognized. As the review of the literatures, congenital localized absence of skin has been observed in various subsets of inherited E.B. But, we believe that the term Bart's syndrome should be used to identify patients with good prognosis as the Bart's initial description To the best of our knowedge, this is the first reported case of Bart's syndrome in the korean literature.
Blister ; Cicatrix ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Inheritance Patterns ; Lower Extremity ; Mucous Membrane ; Prognosis ; Skin

PURPOSE: This study was done to investigate the mediation effects of cognitive emotion regulation on influences of self-differentiation and family function in high school students' problem behavior. METHODS: Study design was a cross-sectional descriptive analysis of causal research. A survey was conducted with 194 students in a C city high school. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 21.0. RESULTS: There were direct effects of self-differentiation (β= -.39, p<.001), adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies (β=-.16, p=.004) and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies (β=.34, p<.001) on problem behavior in these students. A mediator effect was found for self-differentiation, as it had a direct impact on the maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategy (β=-.15, p=.014), which then had a direct impact on problem behavior. However, family function had no direct impact on both the maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategy and the adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategy and on problem behavior, no mediator effect was observed. Explanatory power of these variables for problem behavior was 48.0%. CONCLUSION: Study findings suggest that to intervene for problem behavior in high school students, there is a need to develop and utilize programs that not only intervene for self-differentiation but also decrease high school students' use of non-adaptive cognitive emotion regulation.
Humans ; Negotiating* ; Problem Behavior*

PURPOSE: In the evaluation of visual field defect, Goldmann kinetic perimetry is the preferred method. However, in many cases, Humphrey static perimetry is performed for visual disability evaluation in Korea. In the present study we investigated the correlation between Goldmann kinetic perimetry and Humphrey static perimetry for disability evaluation using visual field score (VFS). METHODS: This study included 126 eyes, classified into the following groups: 60 eyes, normal group; 11 eyes, contraction of central visual field group; 42 eyes, irregular visual field group; 13 eyes, hemianopsia group. All subjects were examined with Goldmann kinetic perimetry and Humphrey static perimetry. We studied the correlation of the VFS between Goldmann kinetic perimetry and Humphrey static perimetry according to the Korean Academy of Medical Science Guides for Impairment Evaluation (KAMS Guides) and American Medical Association Guides for the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides). RESULTS: Regarding contraction of central visual field group, Goldmann VFS, Humphrey VFS and extended Humphery VFS showed no statistical significance (AMA: p = 0.50, p = 0.30, KMAS: p = 0.36, p = 0.18. respectively). In the irregular visual field and hemianopsia groups, Goldmann VFS and Humphrey VFS showed statistical significance (AMA: p = 0.00, p = 0.00, KMAS: p = 0.00, p = 0.00. respectively). Goldmann VFS and extended Humphrey VFS showed no statistical significance (AMA: p = 0.13, p = 0.12, KMAS: p = 0.08, p = 0.99. respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The contraction of central visual field based on Humphrey static perimetry can be applied to visual disability evaluation. However, in the majority of cases, there is a difference between the two tests and Goldmann kinetic perimetry should be used first in the evaluation of visual field disability evaluation.
American Medical Association ; Disability Evaluation* ; Hemianopsia ; Korea ; Methods ; Visual Field Tests* ; Visual Fields

No abstract available.
Infectious Mononucleosis*

PURPOSE: To report a case of keratoconjunctival chemical injury caused by exposure to EMLA(R) 5% cream. CASE SUMMARY: A 51-year-old woman presented with ocular pain and decreased visual acuity in her left eye after an autologous fat injection for forehead lifting. At her initial visit, her best corrected visual acuity was 20/40 in the left eye. Slit-lamp examination showed a diffuse corneal epithelial defect and conjunctival injection. Based on history of inadvertent seepage of EMLA(R) 5% cream into the left eye and clinical findings consistent with chemical injury, the patient was treated with antibiotics, steroids, and artificial tears. Two weeks after treatment, several corneal erosions remained, and best corrected visual acuity improved to 20/20. After two months, the corneal and conjunctival epithelia were healed. CONCLUSIONS: EMLA(R) 5% cream is commonly used as topical anesthetic ointment for dermatologic surgery, including laser procedures. The cream is highly alkaline and can cause chemical injury to the eye, thus extreme caution should be used when applying the cream to the eyelid or face.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Eye ; Eyelids ; Female ; Forehead ; Humans ; Lifting ; Middle Aged ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Steroids ; Visual Acuity