OBJECTIVES: Cell adhesion molecules may play a role in integrating amnionic membrane. The objective of this study was to prove E-cadherin mRNA and proteins in cultured human amnionic cells. METHODS: We cultured amnionic cells from 4 women undergoing cesarean section without labor. E-cadherin was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western ligend blotting. To demonstrate E-cadherin mRNA, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed. RESULTS: On immunohistochemistry, E-cadherin was abundantly showed on the cytoplasm of the cells. Western ligend blotting showed clear 120 kDa bands on four specimens, and relatively weak band on one specimen. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed 432 BP bands. CONCLUSION: We proved E-cadherin and its mRNA by immunohistochemistry, Western ligend blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in cultured human amnionic cells.
Amnion* ; Cadherins* ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Cesarean Section ; Cytoplasm ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Membranes ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Messenger

Alzheimer's disease(AD) is associated with a characteristic neuropathology. The major hallmarks of AD are senile plaques(SPs) and neurofibrillary tangles(NFTs). beta-amyloid protein(Abeta) is derived from the proteolysis of amyloid precursor protein(APP) and then converted to SPs. Mature SPs produce cytotoxicity through direct toxic effects and activation of microglia and complement. NFTs are composed of paired helical filaments(PHFs) including abnormally phosphorylated form of the microtubule-associated protein(MAP) tau and increased tau level in cerebrospinal fluid may be observed in most AD. The aggregation of Abeta and tau formation are thought to be a final common pathway of AD. Acetycholine, dopamine, serotonin, GABA and their receptors are associated with AD. Especially, decreased nicotinic acetylcholine receptors(nAChRs) in AD are reported. Genetic lesions associated with AD are mutations in the structural genes for the APP located on chromosome 21, presenilin(PSN)1 located on chromosome 14 and PSN2 located on chromosome 1. Also, trisomy 21, Apo-E gene located on chromosome 19, PMF locus, low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein and alpha-macroglobulin increase risk of AD. In this article, we will review about the neurobioloby of AD and some newly developed research areas.
Acetylcholine ; Alzheimer Disease* ; Amyloid ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; Apolipoproteins E ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 ; Complement System Proteins ; Dopamine ; Down Syndrome ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Genetics ; Lipoproteins ; Microglia ; Neurobiology* ; Proteolysis ; Serotonin

No abstract available in English.
Transplants

Although the primary repair has been recognized so far, the tendon graft is reported as a primary treatment method for tendon injury in no man's land of Bunnel, judging from the state of injured hand, the ability of operator and the environment of medical operation. The 27 cases of tendon graft that were operated for 11 years from June, 1973 to June, 1984 in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hanyang University College of Medicine have been followed up for clinical study. The results were as follows: 1. The Material of this study was composed of 13 males (21 cases) and 5 females (6 cases) whose age were from 8 to 39 years old. 2. The injured fingers were classified with 3 thumbs, 6 index fingers, 7 middle fingers, 8 ring fingers and and 3 little fingers out of 27 cases and all injured parts of fingers were Zone II except that of thumb which was Zone IV of Bunnel. 6 patients were injured more than 2 fingers. 3. The duration from tendon injury to tendon graft which scattered from 1 month to 9 years and averaged out to 28.2 months is supposed to have little relation to post-operative results. 4. The post-operative results showed up 9 excellent, 7 good and 1 fair out of 17 cases in good gmup, 3 good and 6 fair out of 9 cases in cicatrix group, 1 fair out of 1 case in nerve damage group at pre-operative state. 5. The post-operative results of thumb which show up 2 excellent, 1 good out of 3 cases were most successful among those of all fingers. 6. The pre-operative state is supposed to have great relation to post-operative state judging from 94% satisfactory results of good group at pre-operative state. 7. As multiple injury makes little difference from single injury, the injured state of each hand is supposed to an important effect on post-operative results. 8. As all electric bumed injury show up fair except that of thumb, they are supposed to have unsatisfactory results.
Cicatrix ; Clinical Study ; Female ; Fingers ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Methods ; Multiple Trauma ; Orthopedics ; Tendon Injuries ; Tendons ; Thumb ; Transplants

Nine patients with ipsilateral tibial shaft fractures and knee ligament injuries were retrospectively reviewed to determine the methods of the diagnosis and the results of the treatment. The incidence of this combined injuries was 5% in one hundred and eighty two tibial shaft fractures. The injuries of posterior cruciate ligament were combined most freqently. Five of nine patients were open fractures. Bone union was obtained in all cases and the mean duration of bone union was 22.5 weeks. Athroscopy and stress X-ray for the cruciate ligament were helpful to diagnose this combined injures. The ligament injuries were surgically managed in eight and conservatively in one. Better results were obtained when this combined injuries were operated early, but four of nine patients were disabled. The results suggest that the examination of the knee is necessary to document ligamentous injuries that occur with tibial shaft fractures.
Diagnosis ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Incidence ; Knee ; Ligaments ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; Retrospective Studies

No abstract available.
Humans* ; Knee* ; Synovial Fluid*

No abstract available.

The present study was conducted to investigate dietary habits and biochemical indices according to the obesity index of elementary school students visiting a hospital for diagnosis. The subjects of this study were 150 elementary school students and their mothers. The overweight rates of child subjects were 37.5% for males and 40.9% for females, whereas the rates of underweight children were 35.0% for males and 14.5% for females. Children's obesity index significantly decreased with an increase in the average monthly income of children's families. Children's obesity index, mothers's weights, BMI, and percent ideal body weight were all positively correlated. Blood biochemical values in children (hemoglobin, hematocrit, albumin, globulin, glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels) and their obesity index also showed positive correlation. For the underweight group, the frequency of iron-deficiency anemia was significantly high, whereas for the overweight group, the frequency of dyslipidemia was high. There was a significant increase in children's obesity index and a decrease in frequency of regular exercise with time spent on the TV/computer. The normal weight group recorded the highest total scores for mothers' nutritional knowledge, whereas the overweight group recorded the lowest total scores. Therefore, to maintain healthy weight in children, nutritional education programs for mothers and children should be developed.
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Child ; Cholesterol ; Dyslipidemias ; Female ; Food Habits ; Glucose ; Hematocrit ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Ideal Body Weight ; Male ; Mothers ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Thinness ; Weights and Measures

No abstract available.
DNA* ; Ploidies*

Congenital dislocation of the knee is a very rare condition and was first described by Chatelaine in 1822. The etiology of this condition is unknown. It is generally subclassified as simple hyperextension, subluxation, and dislocation, depending on the degree of the joint displacement and the severity of disease. There are a large of associated conditions that have been described, the most common of which are congenital dislocation of the hip, club foot, arthrogryposis, and Larsen's syndrome. The mainstay of treatment is early serial rnanipulation and splinting. Operative treatment was indicated whenever conservative treatment did not lead to satisfactory reduction. The authors experienced a case of congenital hyperextension of left knee associated with the calcaneovalgus deformity of both foot. Early closed treatment obtanied a successful reduction and satisfactory knee motion.
Arthrogryposis ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Dislocations ; Foot ; Hip ; Joints ; Knee* ; Splints