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

Four cases of subungal exostosis are presented. All of them were young male and big toe was involved in 2 cases. Histological features of subungal exostosis was characteristic; the cancellous bony stalk was capped mainly fibrocartilage, although scattered areas of hyaline cartilage were also found where enchondal ossification occured. Superficial to this cartilaginous cap, there was fibrous tisse covering. When terminal phalax of a toe shows deformity of nail and skin changes due to hard mass, radiological examination is required for the proper diagnosis and treatment. Complete local excision is required but damage to the nail bed during excision should be avoided.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis ; Exostoses ; Fibrocartilage ; Hallux ; Humans ; Hyaline Cartilage ; Male ; Skin ; Toes

No abstract available.
Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome*

No abstract available.
Sepsis* ; Serratia marcescens* ; Serratia*

No abstract available.
Wilms Tumor*

The diagnostic importance of finding an appendicolith in the plain x-ray of the abdomen has been well documented. However, most of the papers so far published have stressed x-ray findings of the preoperative abdomenin acute appendicitis. In the present study we have attempted to correlate incidences of appendicoliths insurgical specimen and plain x-ray of the abdomen. The materials were 37 surgical specimens of the appendix removed for acute appendicits at St. Mary's Hospital, St. Paul's Hospital, Kang Nam Hospital, Holy Family Hospital and Our Lady of Mercy Hospital of Catholic Medical College during the period of 6 months from August 1980. Each surgical specimen was subjected to soft tissue radiography to detect calcified appendicolith. Then the preoperative x-raysof abdomen were retrospectroscopically analysed for the presence of radiographically demonstrable appendicoliths.Our study revealed that in as many as 32% of 37 surgical specimens one or more calcified appendicoliths were demonstrated radiographically whereas only one of these was identified as such in the preoperative x-ray film ofthe abdomen. Such a great discrepancy between the incidences of appendicoliths in the surgical specimen andpreoperative x-ray films of the abdomen are ascribed to (1) relative smallness of appendicoliths (87% of the stones measured less than 1cm in diameter in radiographs of surgical specimen in our series), (2) overlapping of these small stones on the right iliac bone and (3) underpenetrating of the iliac bone area in x-ray films of theabdomen. For improving detctability of appendicoliths therefore it is recommended that the technique of radiography of plain abdomen should be such that a small appendicolity overlying the iliac bone can be brought outof trabecular shadows.
Abdomen ; Appendicitis ; Appendix ; Humans ; Incidence ; Radiography ; X-Ray Film

PURPOSE: This study was performed to develope a scale of gender role identity in Korean adults based on the Bem's theory of androgyny. Although there were several tools in Korea, they were revealed having some problems of cultural differences, translation biases, and methodological problems. METHODS: A list of 78 items were developed using the existing tools and descriptions from 5 married couples. The items were the typical personality characteristics which were manifested by gender, male or female. And the list contained several items which were the socially desirable personality characteristics. which would be simply used as contextual items. Validity of the 78 items were screened by 18 expert panels with 4 point Likert scale, and 57 items were judged as highly valid from 70% of the experts, which were selected as preliminary items for the tool. Using the preliminary tool which was developed as a 4 point Likert scale, data were collected from 1,127 subjects for item analysis and factor analysis. 53 items were remained, because 4 items whose item-total correlation were lower than 0.2 were excluded by the result of item analysis. Factor analysis was done with the 53 items, and 49 items whose factor loadings were same and higher than 0.4 were remained. 3 factors were identified with eigen value 2.0, and these factors were named as masculinity, femininity, and social desirability. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: KGRII(Korean Gender Role Identity Inventory) which contained 45 items was developed, with 15 items for 3 factors. The reliability of the tool was very high. Cronbach alpha of the tool was 0.929, and alpha of the subscales were ranged from 0.841 to 0.922.
Adult ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Femininity ; Gender Identity* ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Masculinity ; Social Desirability

PURPOSE: This study was retrospectively conducted to evaluate the clinical results of consecutive 167 myopic eyes of 117 patients undergoing laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK) for myopia with either of the two excimer lasers, which differ in the method of laser delivery: flying spot scanning versus broad beam. METHODS: According to the laser used, the treated eyes were divided into two groups: Group I, 84 eyes of 58 patients with LaserScan LSX(R)(Lasersight Inc., USA); Group II, 83 eyes of 59 patients with OmniMed II(R)(Summit, USA). Each patient had been followed up for more than 6 months after surgery. Only single procedure outcomes were included. Mean preoperative spherical equivalents(SE) were -5.67+/-1.79 D(range:-1.50~-9.75 D) in group I and -6.40+/-1.79 D(range:-3.50~-9.75 D) in group II. RESULTS: At postoperative 6 months, mean uncorrected visual acuity increased to 0.94 in group I and 0.88 in group II. Uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better occurred in 100% of group I and 96.4% of group II, and of 20/20 or better, in 57.2% and 48.2%, respectively. No eye in either group lost more than 1 line of best-corrected visual acuity. Mean SEs at postoperative 6 months were -0.28+/-0.50 D in group I and -0.55+/-0.60 D in group II(P<0.05). Manifest SEs were within +/-1.00 D in 97.6% of group I and 84.3% of group II, and +/-0.50 D in 73.8% and 60.2%, respectively. Intra- or postoperative complications were subconjunctival hemorrhage(4 eyes, group I; 5 eyes, group II), Sands of Sahara syndrome(7 eyes, group I; 5 eyes, group II), epithelial ingrowth(1 eye, group II only) and infectious keratitis(1 eye, group II only). No case had a central island or irregular astigmatism postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that LASIK using the LaserScan LSX(R)excimer effectively reduces myopia compared with OmniMed II(R). However, its predictability decreased as the attempted correction increased. LASIK for myopia less than -10 D with the LaserScan LSX(R)provided satisfactory refractive results that compare well with other reports in the literature.
Africa, Northern ; Astigmatism ; Diptera ; Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ* ; Lasers, Excimer* ; Myopia ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Silicon Dioxide ; Visual Acuity

No abstract available.
Anemia, Hypoplastic, Congenital*

No abstract available.
Calcium* ; Lidocaine* ; Neuroglia* ; Reperfusion*