BACKGROUND: The recently developed nucleic acid amplification methods may provide us with very sensitive, specific and rapid tests for the detection of M. tuberculosis. So the aim of this study was to compare the commercial Amplicor M. tuberculosis kit and our in-house polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the conventional culture and direct AFB staining method. Materials and METHODS: Among the total of 2,340 clinical specimens, 1,314 sputum samples were tested for the presence of M. tuberculosis by Amplicor PCR and 1,026 sputum samples were tested by in-house PCR performing with resin matrix preparation and DNA extraction, synthesized primer pair, detection using agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: One hundred-seventeen specimens were positive by Amplicor PCR, 105 were positive by in-house PCR, 185 were positive by culture. The sensitivity of the Amplicor PCR for all of the specimens and for smear-positive and smear-negative specimens was 92.9%, 97.9% and 88.2%, respectively after discrepant analysis. The sensitivity of the in-house PCR for all of the specimens and for smear-positive and smear-negative specimens was 80.0%, 93.6% and 65.5%, respectively after discrepant analysis. The specificity of the Amplicor PCR and in-house PCR for all of the specimens was 97.9% and 99.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Amplicor PCR was more sensitive than in-house PCR, but there was another problems such as high false positive rate and high cost. So PCR may certainly become very useful in microbiological laboratories if PCR method is selected according to the laboratory conditions.
DNA ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sputum* ; Tuberculosis

Because deep forehead wrinkle is considered of concept against beauty, many considerations and trials to solve the problem has been done. Furthermore severely exaggerated forehead wrinkle that is accentuated with upward gaze, especially of younger persons is tremendous handicap socially and psychologically. In the persons with blepharoptosis, forehead wrinkle is created because of the compensatory action of frontalis muscle for the additional lift of inferiorly malpositioned upper eyelid. We experienced twenty three patients from February 1993 to April 1996. the average age of the patients was 22.5 years (range 15 to 34 years). There were 4 unilateral and 19 bilateral cases. Preoperative measurement of ptotic amount, levator function by Berke's method, and Margin limbal distance (MLD) were 2.1mm, 10.2mm, and 2.2mm respectively. And postoperative measurement of there were not ptotic, 14.2, and 6.2mm. We followed up 18 months in the mean. Most of the patients were corresponding to mild and borderline ptosis. We operated all the patients under the local anesthesia, which enable us to use the adjustable suture technique and overcome the pitfall of formular prediction. Simultaneously at the end of the procedure, double eyelid operations were done in the cases of oriental eye lid. As a results, correction of blepharoptosis, repositioning of abnormally elevated eyebrow, disappearance of forehead wrinkle, improvement of vision, and acquisition of adequate eyelid functionally and aesthetically were possible. On the other hand, we confronted 7 cases of mild complication. These were as follows ; transient lagophthalmost (4 cases), overcorrection(1 cases), unfercorrection(1 case), and asymmetry(1 case). Lagophthalmos was improved spontaneously after several months. We achieved satisfactory result using levator shortening without significant side effects and complications. This method is of great worth for the spontaneous resolution of the forehead wrinkle with undertectable blepharoptosis.
Anesthesia, Local ; Beauty ; Blepharoptosis ; Eyebrows ; Eyelids ; Forehead ; Hand ; Humans ; Suture Techniques

No abstract available.
Nasolabial Fold*

No abstract available.
Facial Paralysis* ; Fascia Lata* ; Fascia*

No abstract available.
Forehead*

No abstract available.
Methylmethacrylate*

No abstract available.
Nose* ; Stents*

There are several factors to be considered while performing reduction mammoplasty in patients having giant breast with severe breast ptosis. These are degrees of breast ptosis, location of newly created nipple areolar complex, preservation of sensation, symmetry of both breasts, amount of breast tissues to be resected, and finally the postoperative scar. Among the above factors, postoperative scar seems to be the major problem that patients complain about. So several methods have been investigated in time to minimize the scar. Authors have performed 3cases of reduction mammoplasty in patients with severe ptotic large breast by applying the method of umbilicus creation in abdominoplasty, so that only periareolar and submammary scars remained without a vertical scar. The age were between 33 and 43 years old. Mean follow up period was about 6.5 months. Amount of the resected mammary tissues was about 750-1350g. Periareolar deepithelialization was made about 8cm diameter for better cirulation to the nipple areolar complex and wider contact area thus enhancing the stabilization and survival of the nipple areolar complex. Only 1 case with partial deepithelialization of the areola occurred but completely healed within 1 month. Patients were pleased with natural shape and size of the breast and the sensation of the nipple areolar complex was restored completely in all cases after surgery. Authors have performed reduction mammoplasty without leaving the vertical scar which considered to be the major problems of the classical methods. Other problems such as insufficient reduction, flattening of the breast and severe wrinkles around the nipple were also solved. This method not only improve the aesthetic importance but also minimize the functional complications such as sensory loss and difficulty in lactation.
Abdominoplasty ; Adult ; Breast ; Cicatrix* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lactation ; Mammaplasty* ; Nipples ; Sensation ; Umbilicus

Congenital lymphedema is a rare disorder of unknown etiology which affects the extremities, preponderantly the lower extremities, at or immediately after birth. We experienced a case of congenital lymphedema in a newborn with generalized edema on the left lower extremity. We performed lymphangioscintigraphy and MRI for diagnosis. Microlymphaticovenous anastomosis was done on 16 days after birth and the patient showed clinical improvement. We report this case with brief review of the related literature.
Diagnosis ; Edema ; Extremities ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Lower Extremity ; Lymphedema* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Parturition

Conjoined twins occur when there is imcomplete fission of the inner cell mass later at approximately 13 to 15 days after fertilization. The earlist case in the literat.ure appears to be that of the Biddenden Maids who were born in England in 1100. since then over two hundred cases of successful separation were reported on literature. And also successful separation cases were reported by Seung et al.(1991) in Korea. Conjoined twins occur between one in 50,000 to 100,000 births but real incidence is one in 200,000 because two thirds are stillbirth or died immediately after birth. The conjoined twins are not associated with maternal age, race or family history and 70 % of them are females. We experienced a case of conjoined twins with omphalopagus and performed surgical separation. A brief review of related literatures was done.
Animals ; Continental Population Groups ; England ; Female ; Fertilization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Maternal Age ; Murine Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Parturition ; Stillbirth ; Twins, Conjoined*