No abstract available.
Estrogens* ; Progesterone* ; Receptors, Progesterone*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between fracture pattern and the development of acute radiculopathy after osteoporotic lumbar compression fracture. METHODS: This study included 59 patients who underwent bone cement augmentation for osteoporotic compression fracture below the L2 level, which can lead to radiculopathic radiating pain. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of radiculopathy (group A : back pain only; group B : back pain with newly developed radiating pain). We categorized compression fractures into three types by the position of the fracture line. The incidence of newly developed radiculopathy was examined retrospectively for each compression fracture type. RESULTS: The overall incidence of newly developed leg pain (group B) was 25%, and the frequency increased with descending spinal levels (L2 : 0%, L3 : 22%, L4 : 43%, and L5 : 63%). The back pain-only group (group A) had mostly superior-type fractures. On the other hand, the back pain with radiculopathy group (group B) had mostly inferior-type fractures. Most patients in group B showed significant relief of leg pain as well as back pain after bone cement augmentation. CONCLUSION: The incidence of a newly developed, radiating pain after osteoporotic compression fractures increased gradually from the L3 to L5 levels. Most of these fractures were of the inferior type, and the bone cement augmentation procedures seemed to be sufficient for relief of both back and radiating pain.
Back Pain ; Fractures, Compression* ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leg ; Osteoporosis ; Radiculopathy* ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVES AND OMPORTANCE: The present study investigated the levels of basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) in the CSF of patients with moyamoya disease and its clinical significance. METHODS: The levels of bFGF in CSF, taken from 26 hemispheres of 14 moyamoya patients and 20 patients without vascular anomaly(control group), were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We analyzed the correlation between the level of bFGF and the clinical factors such as age, onset pattern, development of neovascularization, and cerebral circulation. RESULTS: The CSF of moyamoya patients contained a high concentration of bFGF to a significant extent. The bFGF level was apparently elevated in the patients in whom neovascularization from indirect revascularization, such as modified encephalo-duro-arterio-synangiosis(EDAS) was well developed. A linear correlation between the values of bFGF and clinical progression was noted. CONCLUSIONS: The elevation of bFGF in moyamoya disease seems to be specific. Clinically, the bFGF level may be considered a useful indicator to predict the efficacy of indirect revascularization.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2* ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Moyamoya Disease*

Intracranial calcifications are relatively common computed tomographic findings in the field of neurosurgery, and cysticercosis, tuberculosis, HIV, and cryptococcus are acquired intracranial infections typically associated with calcifications. However, intracranial calcification caused by a bacterial brain abscess is rare. Here, we present a rare case of intracranial calcification caused by a bacterial brain abscess, from which staphylococcus hominis was isolated. To the best of our knowledge, no previous report has been published on intracranial calcification caused by bacterial brain abscess after decompressive craniectomy for traumatic brain injury. In this article, the pathophysiological mechanism of this uncommon entity is discussed and relevant literature reviewed.
Brain ; Brain Abscess ; Brain Injuries ; Cryptococcus ; Cysticercosis ; Decompressive Craniectomy ; HIV ; Neurosurgery ; Staphylococcus hominis ; Tuberculosis

A Schmorl's node is defined as a simple endplate intravertebral herniation resulting from trauma or idiopathic causes. Although Schmorl's nodes have been considered clinically insignificant, they might indicate an active symptomatic process or cause serious complications. In this study, we report an interesting case of complete separation of a vertebral body caused by an untreated Schmorl's node accompanying severe osteoporosis. To our knowledge, this is the first clinical report in the published literature to evaluate the complete separation of a vertebral body associated with a Schmorl's node.
Osteoporosis*

Closed mouth impression technique by using bite tray is preferred for single tooth impression taking. However, for implant impression taking, open mouth impression technique by using single arch tray is generally used whether it is for single implant or multiple implant. Closed mouth impression technique by using bite tray can save time and materials. It also decreases the chance of error occurrence when a model is mounted on an articulator. In this case report, we tried to show a satisfying result of fabricating single implant fixed prosthodontics after bite tray impression taking by using two different copings for closed mouth impression.
Dental Articulators ; Mouth* ; Prosthodontics ; Tooth

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the intense pulsed light (IPL) and meibomian gland (MG) expression (MGX) combination therapy according to the total numbers of sessions in the meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Methods: Ninety patients with MGD were included. Patients had maximal five sessions of IPL (Aqua Cel, Jeisys Medical) and MGX combination therapy at 2-week intervals. The ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire score, MG profile grades, tear matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tear break-up time (BUT), tear osmolarity, tear secretion, and corneal erosions were evaluated. Results: The number of patients who had a total of one to five sessions (1S to 5S) was 10, 25, 17, 20, and 18, respectively. The time-serial decrease of OSDI scores was significant in patients who had three or more sessions (3S, p = 0.002; 4S, p < 0.001; 5S, p < 0.001). The MG expressibility grade decreased with two or more sessions (2S–5S, p < 0.001), but the meibum quality significantly improved with all sessions (1S, p = 0.012; 2S, p = 0.024; 3S, p = 0.015; 4S, p < 0.001; 5S, p < 0.001). Although tear BUT increased even in patients with one session (1S, p = 0.040; 3S, p = 0.005; 4S, p = 0.006; 5S, p = 0.021), tear MMP-9, osmolarity, Schirmer I, and corneal erosions were not improved in every number of sessions. The female sex was the sole contributor to the final symptomatic improvement (p = 0.042), and the MGD stages were not related to the final OSDI decrease. Conclusions The OSDI score, MGD grades, and BUT were improved after the IPL and MGX combination therapy in MGD patients. Unlike MGD grades and tear film instability might be improved just after a few sessions, the overall subjective relief was accomplished in three or more sessions.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the importance of prenatal care of the unmarried mothers. METHODS: Clinical characteristics of 131 newborn babies of unmarried mothers who were hospitalized at National Medical Center from April, 1998 to August, 1999 were compared to 131 newborn babies of married mothers who were also hospitalized at National Medical Center from June, 1999 to August, 1999 by reviewing their medical records retrospectively. RESULTS: Average age of mothers were 20.1+/-4.0 years in unmarried group and 28.8+/-4.4 years in married group, which was statistically significant. In unmarried group, the highest rate of maternal age (55.8%) was below 20 years of age, which showed increased tendency compared to previous report. In cesarean section rate, there was significant difference; 11.4% in unmarried group and 48.1% in married group. In the birth order, the first baby was most frequent in both groups. The sex ratio showed 1.78 : 1 with male preponderance in unmarried group and 1 : 1.02 with slight female preponderance in married group. In average gestational age, birth weight, height, head circumference, chest circumference, 5 minutes Apgar score, and admission rate, there was no significant difference. The unmarried group had more babies in postmaturity and meconium-stained condition. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in growth and morbidity rate between newborn babies from unmarried mothers who had prenatal care and those from married mothers.
Apgar Score ; Birth Order ; Birth Weight ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Head ; Humans ; Illegitimacy* ; Infant, Newborn* ; Male ; Maternal Age ; Medical Records ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Care ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Ratio ; Single Person* ; Thorax

Far Eastern countries including Korea show the high prevalence of hepatitis B virus carriers, so that the incidence of liver cirrhosis is higher than in western countries. But pregnancies with liver cirrhosis are rarely encountered in clinical settings, since liver cirrhosis usually develops after childbearing ages and often causes the disturbance of estrogen metabolism, resulting in severe menstrual irregularity and infertility. Therefore, little is known about the interactions between liver cirrhosis and pregnancy. Liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension are not contraindications to pregnancy but necessitate intensive monitoring throughout pregnancy because the complications of liver cirrhosis, which pose additional risks during pregnancy, are numerous and unpredictable. We report 3 cases of pregnancies in patients with liver cirrhosis with brief review of the literature.
Estrogens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; Incidence ; Infertility ; Korea ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Metabolism ; Pregnancy* ; Prevalence

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surface characteristics and response of osteoblast-like cell at SLA surface treated with NaOH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three kinds of specimens were fabricated for the experiment groups. Control group was a machined surface, SLA group was a conventionally SLA treated surface, and SLA/NaOH gorup was SLA surface treated with NaOH. To evaluate the surface characteristics, the surface elemental composition (XPS), surface roughness and surface contact angle were evaluated in each group. And the cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, cell proliferation and ATP activity of osteoblast-like cells (MG-63 cells) were compared in each group for evaluatation of the cell responses. Statistical comparisons between groups were carried out via one-way ANOVA using the SPSS software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA), and then performed multiple comparisons. The differences were considered statistically significant at P<.05. RESULTS: SLA surface treated with NaOH (SLA / NaOH group) was changed to hydrophilic surface. All groups did not show the cytotoxicity to the MG-63. In cell adhesion studies, SLA / NaOH group showed the higher degree of adhesion than anothers (P<.05), Up to 7 days of incubation, the proliferation was showed the increasing tendency in all groups but SLA / NaOH group showed the highest cell proliferation between the three groups (P<.05). At 7 days of incubation, there was no difference in ALP activities between the three groups, but at 14 days, SLA / NaOH group showed significant increase in ALP activities (P<.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, SLA surface treated with NaOH promoted cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. It means that SLA/NaOH group is possible to promote osseointegration of implants.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Proliferation ; Osseointegration