OBJECTIVE: Lithium inhibits the action of inositol monophosphatase(IMPase) in phosphoinositide(PI) signal transduction system at therapeutically relevant concentration. The depletion of inositol by lithium itself cannt explain the lithium's therapeutic effect. However, attention has focused on the abnormality of PI signal transduction system as the pathophysiology of bipolar affective disorder(BPD). We investigated whether IMPase mRNA levels of lymphocytes would be different between BPD patients(n=16) and age, sex-matched normal controls(n=16). We also investigated the change of IMPase mRNA level by lithium during 4 weeks to probe the possibility that IMPase mRNA levels could predict the therapeutic response to lithium and clinical course. METHOD: Relative IMPase mRNA levels in lymphocyte were quantified by reverse transcriptase(RT)-PCR in sixteen drug-free BPD patients and sex, age-matched normal controls. The psychopathology of patients were measured using YMRS(Young Mania Rating Scale) and CGI(Clinical Global Impression). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in IMPase mRNA levels between BPD patients and normal controls. And the IMPase mRNA levels were not significantly changed by 4 week treatment with lithium. However, the basal IMPase mRNA levels were negatively correlated with the changes of CGI after 4 weeks. Furthermore, the patients with relatively high basal IMPase mRNA levels showed much more improvement during 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: BPD patients and normal controls were not distinguished by lymphocyte IMPase mRNA level. Although we do not support the hypothesis that lymphocyte IMPase activity would be related with the pathogenesis of BPD and the action of lithium, these data raise the possibility that lymphocyte IMPase mRNA levels could function as a predictor of therapeutic response and clinical course of BPD.
5'-Nucleotidase ; Bipolar Disorder ; Humans ; Inositol* ; Lithium* ; Lymphocytes* ; Mood Disorders* ; Psychopathology ; RNA, Messenger* ; Signal Transduction

Recently autogenous nerve graft was usually used for segmental defect of peripheal nerve injury. In case of inappropriate size or amount of donor nerve graft, there were many studies included nerve regeneration with special nerve conduit material. To compare the result of autogenous nerve graft with that of silicone tubing method in segmental defect of sciatic nerve, the experiments were carried out on adult rats with autogenous nerve graft on the left side and silicone tubing on the right side. The results were as follows; 1. Myelinated nerve fibers were larger in silicone tubing method than autogenous nerve graft at postop. 4 weeks. 2. There was no difference in nerve regeneration in both groups at postop. 12 weeks. 3. Some atrophic changes were showed in denervated muscles in both groups at postop. 4 weeks. Skeletal muscle changes between the two groups were meagre. 4. Perineural adhension was rare in silicone tubing group in contrast to autogenous nerve graft group. 5. Nerve Conduction Velocity was similar between autogenous nerve graft and silicone tubing method after 4 weeks postoperatively. In conclusion, this study suggests that silicone tubing can be useful method to repair the large nerve gaps and has a potential clinical utilization in large segmental nerve defect.
Adult ; Animals ; Autografts ; Humans ; Methods ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscles ; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated ; Nerve Regeneration ; Neural Conduction ; Rats ; Sciatic Nerve ; Silicon ; Silicones ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Compartment Syndromes*

OBJECTIVES: This study determined the work schedules of public project workers who work an irregular shift and assessed the effect of these schedules on depression. METHODS: Study subjects were 2934 laborers who are members of seven labor unions. Each was given a questionnaire requesting basic personal information, habits, socioeconomic status, and work schedules. Information gathered on work schedules included daytime, nighttime, and weekend work hours. Depression was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), with Laborers who checked "not depressed" and "slightly depressive" categorized to a low-risk group, whereas laborers who checked "depressed" and "severely depressed" were categorized to a high-risk group. We used the Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression to examine associations between work schedules and depression. RESULTS: Laborers on an irregular work schedule averaged 47.8 hours/week and laborers who working over 48 hours/week comprised over half (54.5%) of the total population. Laborers performing night work, Sunday work, and Saturday work more than once in a month made up 25.7%, 30.8% and 33.5% of the examined population, respectively. A high-risk for depression was identified in 10.4% of laborers. Using logistic regression, depression was statistically associated with working : over 10 hours a day (OR=1.63, 95% CI 1.10~2.43), night work (OR=2.20, 95% CI 1.46~3.32), Sunday work (OR=1.81, 95% CI 1.15~2.85) and Saturday work (OR=1.82 95% CI 1.18~2.82). CONCLUSION: A significant number of laborers with irregular working shifts work long hours and on weekends. Depression was significantly associated with this type of work schedule.
Appointments and Schedules ; Depression ; Humans ; Labor Unions ; Logistic Models ; Public Sector ; Questionnaires ; Social Class

Menigioma arising from the orbit is uncommonly encountered. Ectopic(extradural) meningiomas are exceedingly rare orbital tumors that do not originate from either the optic nerve or the intracranial meninges. We present a case of probable primary ectopic(extradural) orbital meningioma that was successfully treated with a complete surgical excision.
Meninges ; Meningioma* ; Optic Nerve ; Orbit

No abstract available.
Alopecia Areata ; Alopecia ; Humans ; Hydroxychloroquine

BACKGROUND: In general, the outcomes of arthroscopic repair for superior labrum anterior to posterior lesions (SLAP) are favorable, however, persistent pain and limitation of motion are not rare complications. One of the possible cause is a “knot-ache”. This study evaluated the results of reoperation of symptomatic recurrent SLAP lesions and asked whether the knot is associated with postoperative complications. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2015, a total of 11 patients who had undergone arthroscopic SLAP repair were reoperated for recurrent symptomatic SLAP lesion. By retrospective chart review, operative findings, the visual analogue scale for pain (pVAS), the range of motion (ROM), and functional scores were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 38.3 years, and the mean follow-up period was 42.5 months. In the primary operation, there were nine cases of repairs with conventional knot-tying anchors and three cases with knotless anchors. Impingement of the knots during abduction and external rotation of the shoulder was observed in the all cases with knot-tying anchors. The mean pVAS, ROM, and functional scores significantly improved with reoperation. At the final follow-up, the mean satisfaction VAS was 8.3. CONCLUSIONS: The knots of suture anchor maybe a possible etiology of the pain, which we termed a “knot-ache”. Considering that reoperation is performed due to pain after primary repair, the use of knotless suture anchor may have benefits of eliminating one of possible cause, “knot-ache”. Therefore, authors suggest the use of knotless anchors during reoperation for recurrent or recalcitrant pain after primary SLAP repair.

Bone defect of the long bone continues to challenge orthopedic surgeons. It is usually very difficult to obtain union. Ilizarov ext. fixation has recently gained popularity as a multifactorial approach to the management of tibial bone defect because nonunion, bone defects, limb shortening, and deformity can all be addressed simultaneously with the Ilizarov apparatus. From February 1992 to May 1993 at the department of orthopedic surgery, Inje University Pusan Paik Hospital, 9 patients aged from 8 to 37 years were treated for tibial bone defect. The causes were open comminuted fractures with initial bone loss and bone defect after removal of infected necrotic bone. Bony defect size was ranged from 2cm to 14cm, averaging 7.2cm. Bony defects were gradually closed by the Ilizarov's internal bone transport technique, and final equalization of leg length discrepancy was achieved by means of external lengthening technique. Soft tissue defects were treated with secondary closure, split thickness skin graft, and muscle flap. The average healing index was 42.8 days/cm. According to Paley's classification the complications were developed as follows; The problem included pin tract infection(9), knee flexion contracture(4), and intractable pain(1), the obstacles included delayed union(3) and premature consolidation(1), the complication included nonunion(9) and equinus ankle(1). At an average 1 years follow up, according to Paley and Catagnl's classification, body and functional results were either excellent or good in 7 cases. So, we recommend that Ilizarov technique is very useful treatment for open fracture with bone loss, bone defect after removal of infected necrotic bone and limb shortening.
Busan ; Classification ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Extremities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; Knee ; Leg ; Orthopedics ; Skin ; Surgeons ; Tibia ; Transplants

This study aimed to establish and validate an HPLC method for the quantitative analysis of bioactive compounds in a mixture of the L. glauca leaves extract and water-soluble mastic gum (MLM). MLM has shown potential as an effective agent for preventing hair loss in the previous study. For the development of the quality evaluation of MLM, quercitrin (1), isoquercitrin (2), and oleanonic acid (3) were selected as analytical markers.The separation was achieved using a reverse-phase column with a gradient solvent system of 0.1% formic acid aqueous-0.1% formic acid acetonitrile at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Detection was carried out at 210 nm and 254 nm. The calibration curves for all three markers exhibited good linearity (R 2 > 0.999). Recoveries of the three markers ranged from 100 ± 15%. The concentrations of compounds 1, 2, and 3 in MLM was determined to be 25.73 ± 1.38, 8.36 ± 0.05, and 212.24 ± 12.88 μg/mL, respectively. The validated method will facilitate further compositional investigations in MLM.

In this study of the physical anthropological characteristics of the Akha and Lahu in northern Thailand, whose customs are similar to the Koreans, the authors examined the finger and palm prints of the Akha (male 107, female 114) and Lahu (male 92, female 101) using qualitative methods, and compared them with those of various ethnic groups including Koreans. The results were as follows : The whorl types (Akha 57.7%, Lahu 58.1%) were the most common finger prints, followed by ulnar loop types (Akha 39.7%, Lahu 38.7%), arch types (Akha 2.6%, Lahu 2.8%), and radial loop types (Akha 1.7%, Lahu 1.2%). Of the palm print types, 9-7-5 (Akha 32.7%, Lahu 21.3%) and 7-5-5(Akha 25.4%, Lahu 21.3%) were most common, followed by 11-O-7 (Akha 2.0%, Lahu 11.3%), 9-O-5 (Akha 1.5%, Lahu 10.0%), 11-9-7 (Akha 6.0%, Lahu 5.7%), 7-5-4 (Akha 7.0%, Lahu 2.2%). The finger and palm print patterns of the Akha and Lahu did not correspond closely to the patterns of those classified as White, Negro, or Oriental, although they were closest to the patterns of the latter, particularly Chinese (rather than Korean or Japanese).
African Continental Ancestry Group ; Anthropology ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Dermatoglyphics ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Fingers* ; Humans ; Thailand*