The author investigated serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, and IgM) and complements (C3) of cord blood in 74 cases of normal fullterm infants and 50 cases of premature infants. Serum immunogloblin and complement levels were measured by the single radial immunodiffusion method. The following results were obtained; 1) The mean seru IgG levels of cord blood in 74 cases of the normal full term infants was 1407.3+/-230.5mg/dl. 2) The mean serum IgG levels of cord blood in 50 cases of the premature infants was 675.2+/-329.4mg/dl. In comparison of serum IgG levels between the premature infants and the normal full term infants, serum IgG levels in the premature infants was significantly lower than that level of the normal infants (P< 0.05). 3) The serum IgA levels were measured in 28 (37.8%) of 74 cases of the normal full term infants and in 6 912%) of 50 cases of the premature infants. The serum IgA levels measured ranged from 0.4mg/dl to 3.7mg/dl in the normal full term infants and ranged from 0.4mg/dl to 2.4mg/dl in the prematre infants. 4) The mean serum IgM levels of cord blood in 74 cases of the normal full term infants was 4.05+/-3.53mg/dl and that in 50 cases of the premature infants was 2.20+/-2.15mg/dl. 5) The mean serum C3 levels of cord blood in 74 cases of normal full term infants was 49.7+/-18.1mg/dl and those of the premature infants was 30.9+/-10.5mg/dl. In comparison of serum C3 levels between the premature infants and the normal full term infants, the mean levels of serum C3 in the premature infants was significantly lower A statistically significant increase of IgG and C3 levels of cord blood in newborn infants were observed in accordance with the increase of the gestational age. It has been suggested that decreased IgG levels among premature infants may provide a rationale for prophylactic gamma globulin administration.
Complement System Proteins* ; Fetal Blood ; gamma-Globulins ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Immunodiffusion ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunoglobulins* ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Infant, Premature

BACKGROUND: It is well known that neuronal degeneration can occur after a brief deprivation of energy source. To investigate whether glial astrocyte can induce a phenomenon of delayed cell death after transient energy loss and to see how different are the effects of nifedipine, lidocaine, carnosine and hypothermia on delayed toxicity in astrocyte. METHODS: Human astrocytoma cells (U1242MG) were used in this study. To assess the astrocyte survival during post-ischemic period after transient histotoxic hypoxia, 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl]-2,5, diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test was used. Compared to MTT test, tryphan blue test was also used to demonstrate membrane damage of affected cells. Studies on intracellular calcium dynamics during ischemic and post-ischemic period were carried out with fluo-3 and flow cytometry system. RESULTS: The percentage survival of astrocyte during post-ischemic period was decreasing with time. Calcium channel blocker nifedipine, sodium and calcium channel blocker lidocaine and free radical scavenger carnosine could not prevent post-ischemic cell damage. But, hypothermia was only an effective method in ameliorating post-ischemic cell death. Intracellular calcium increase during ischemia and post-ischemia was dependent on extracellular calcium influx. CONCLUSIONS: Only hypothermia was effective in reducing astrocyte death during post-ischemia after transient energy depletion. Intracellular calcium alterations during post-ischemia was from extracellular space.
Anoxia* ; Astrocytes* ; Astrocytoma ; Calcium ; Calcium Channels ; Carnosine ; Cell Death ; Extracellular Space ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Hypothermia* ; Ischemia ; Lidocaine ; Membranes ; Neurons ; Nifedipine ; Sodium

Two cases of traumatic bilateral anterior and posterior dislocation of hip are reported. Dislocations were developed by a traffic accident as a passenger injury in truck. In both cases, the fractued femoral heads appeared posteriorly dislocated on x-ray examination and one of them was removed through posterior approach. Primary arthroplasty for operated hip was not attempted because the patient was young and the defect seemed to be unrelated to weight bearing surface. Extreme rarity of its incidence and curious uncertain mechanism of injury urge to report these cases.
Accidents, Traffic ; Arthroplasty ; Dislocations ; Head ; Hip ; Humans ; Incidence ; Motor Vehicles ; Weight-Bearing

We studied thirteen, all male, patients who had trans-scaphoid perilunar dislocation(stage I, 5 cases) and dislocation of lunate(stage IV, 8 cases). Age of patient was ranged from 25 years to 49 years(avr. 36 years)and the most common cause of injury was fall down(6 cases, 46%). Seven acute cases, diagnosed and treated within 3 weeks from injury, were treated by open reduction and K-wire fixation(5 cases), and K-wire fixation and bone graft(1 case) and Herbert screw for fracture of scaphoid(1 case). Six chronic cases diagnosed and treated after 3 weeks from injury were treated by open reduction and K-wire fixation(1 case), K-wire fixation and bone graft(1 case), removal of lunate(2 cases), and arthroplasty using muscle after removal of lunate(2 cases). Thirteen cases were followed up for average 33 months(from 13 months to 81 months). Grip power was evaluated as excellent or good in 8 cases and fair in 5 cases. Range of motion of wrist joint was decreased 21 degrees in flexion, 22 degrees in extension, 4 degrees in ulnar deviation, and 5 degrees in radial deviation of wrist joint, compared with uninjured side. Carpal height and carpal height ratio were decreased to 33.1 and 0.51, compared with normal 35.8(p=0.001) and 0.55(P < 0.001), respectively. Between 2 groups of acute and chronic cases, no significant differences were noted in carpal height or carpal height ratio. The surgical treatment of perilunar fracture-dislocation has not simple option, therefore, we would recommend the early diagnosis and exact anatomical reduction.
Arthroplasty ; Dislocations ; Early Diagnosis ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Male ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Wrist Joint

OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to investigate the effects of physical illness on depression in North Korean Defectors. METHODS: One hundred forty-four North Korean Defectors(20 males, 124 females) and 376 South Koreans 133 males, 243 females) in Incheon Metropolitan areas participated the present study. Face-to-face interview was conducted for demographic information including presence of physical illnesses. To investigate depressive symptoms, all participants were required to complete the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale (CES-D). RESULTS: After controlling gender, age, marital status, educational year, employment status and physical illness, North Korean Defectors showed higher CES-D score than South Koreans(beta=0.449, p<0.001). Within North Korean Defectors, the presence of physical illnesses independently was related to higher CES-D score(beta=0.243, p<0.001). However, within South Koreans, the presence of physical illnesses did not significantly predict CES-D score. North Korean Defectors with physical illness have higher CES-D score than North Korean Defectors without physical illness(26.8+/-13.8 versus 19.7+/-12.7). However, there was no significant differences of CES-D score between South Koreans with physical illness and South Koreans without physical illness(10.3+/-9.8 versus 9.3+/-8.8). CONCLUSION: Compared to South Koreans, North Korean Defector showed higher depressive symptoms independently from gender, age, education, employment, marriage. In addition, only North Korean Defectors showed the relationship between depression and physical illness. Our study suggests that depression should be assessed when North Korean Defectors have physical illness.
Depression ; Employment ; Humans ; Male ; Marital Status ; Marriage

The pleomorphic adenoma is the most common neoplasm involving both the major and minor salivary glands. It is a benign, slowgrowing tumor, but local recurrences can occur. The pleomorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG1), which is a novel zinc finger gene, is frequently activated by reciprocal chromosomal translocations involving 8q12 in a subset of salivary gland pleomorphic adenomas. This experimental study was preformed to observe the translocation patterns between PLAG1 gene and the three translocation partner genes. We also have analyzed the presence of PLAG1 transcripts by RT-PCR. CTNNB1/PLAG1 gene fusion was observed in three of nine pleomorphic adnomas. However, LIFR/PLAG1 and SII/PLAG1 gene fusions were not detectable. All of three gene fusions was not detectable in one Warthin's tumor and three inflammatory salivary gland tissues. PLAG1 transcripts were expressed in all inflammatory salivary gland tissues and tumors except for three pleomorphic adenomas. Of particular one pleomorphic adenoma showing CTNNB1/P AG1 gene fusion did not express PLAG1 transcipt. Our data indicate that gene fusion involving PLAG1 is a frequent event in pleomorphic adenoma, but correlation between gene fusion involving PLAG1 and PLAG1 transcription is not definite.
Adenoma, Pleomorphic* ; Gene Fusion ; Recurrence ; Salivary Glands* ; Salivary Glands, Minor ; Translocation, Genetic ; Zinc Fingers

For determining the distribution of specific IgE and IgG-subclass antibodies and their role in allergic disorders, we measured the serum levels of specific IgG-subclass and IgE antibodies to Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) on 60 atopic children, aged between 8 to 12. All of them had positive skin test to Df, and was grouped into three: children with asthma only (group 1), with rhinitis (group 2), and with them together (group 3). Every data were compared with that of 47 nomal children. ELISA (for IgG and IgG-subclass) and RIA (for IgE) were used. The results are as following. 1) Specific IgE-antibody is significantly higher in all three allergic groups, compared with normal control group. But there was no significant difference between three allergy groups. 2) Specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2 IgG4-antibodies were higher than those in normal control group, but IgG3 was not significant. IgG1 and IgG2 were elevated particularly in patients with asthma and rhintis, but IgG4 was elevated in asthma group. 3) The linear correlation between specific IgE and IgG1-antibody was significant (r=0.286), but IgG4 did not have this correlation with IgE. In conclusion, the levels of specific IgE is essential for the diagnosis of allergies, and IgG1 and IgG4 seem to participate in allergic reactions with a different mechanism.
Antibodies ; Asthma ; Child* ; Dermatophagoides farinae* ; Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin G ; Pyroglyphidae* ; Rhinitis ; Skin Tests

We report serial change of nerve conduction tests, somatosensory evoked potentials and brainstem auditory evoked pontenials in a case of puffer fish poisoning, who recovered completely from comatous state with respiratory and generalized muscle paralysis.
Brain Stem ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ; Neural Conduction ; Paralysis ; Poisoning* ; Tetraodontiformes*

In this paper, acknowledgments section was omitted unintentionally.

PURPOSE: The effects of telephone intervention on self-care practices and quality of life for gynecological cancer patients under chemotherapy was investigated. METHODS: A non-equivalent control group pre-test post-test quasi-experimental design was used. The subjects were women cancer patients who had received less than two chemotherapy sessions at C university hospital of Chonnam province(26 in the experimental group: 25 in the control group). The patient's self-care practices(Na & Lee, 1999; Jang, 2004) and quality of life(Lee & Jo, 1997) were measured three times. using a questionnaire. The data was analyzed by Repeated Measures ANOVA, the Friedman test, and the Mann-Whitney test using the SPSS window version 12.0 program. RESULTS: This study showed that the score of self-care practices and quality of life for the experimental group under telephone counseling were higher than those of the control group. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that a telephone intervention as supportive nursing care for women cancer patients under going chemotherapy was effective for self-care practices and qualify of life during the recovery period. Futhermore, this study also suggests that telephone counseling can serve as a continuing nursing supportive intervention for women cancer patients for the upcoming stages of further chemotherapy.
Adult ; Female ; Genital Neoplasms, Female/drug therapy/*nursing/radiotherapy ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Models, Nursing ; Patient Education as Topic ; *Quality of Life ; *Self Care ; Specialties, Nursing ; Telephone ; Time Factors