BACKGROUND: The skin changes of X-linked recessive ichthyosis are cnused by the deficiency of the enzyme steroid sulfatase, which usually results from deletions of this gene in Caucasian populations. OBJECTIVE AND MEHTODS: To disgnose X-linked recessive ichthyosis and detect its carrier, we have investigated distinctive gene deletion and measured gene dosage of steroid sulfatase gene by southern blot hybridization in Korean patients with X-linked recessive ichthyosis. RESULTS: Patients from 8 of 9 unrelated families exhibited deletions, if the steroid sulfatase gene. Of 6 families showing a family history compatible with X-linked recessive inheritance, One family exhibited a normal pattern of hybridization. All but one family showed deletion of steroid sulfatase gene. All three patients lacking a fami1y history of the disease exhibited gene deletions. The ratio of the steroid sulfatsse specific band density to the Factor VIII specific band density was measured in 8 obligate carriers using a laser densitometer. The average ratio exhibited by the car riers was less than half that of normal women. Conclusian: These results suggest that the X-linked recessive ichth osis patient and its carrier can also be diagnosed and detected by Southern blot hybridization of steroid sulfatase gene in Korea.
Blotting, Southern* ; Diagnosis* ; Factor VIII ; Female ; Gene Deletion ; Gene Dosage ; Humans ; Ichthyosis* ; Korea ; Skin ; Steryl-Sulfatase ; Wills

We report herein two cases of pachyonychia congenita in 19-month-old and 7-year-old girls. In addition to severely deformed nails, both had white plaques on the tongue and keratotic papules on the elbows and knees. In the 19-month-old girl, her father showed deformity of the nails and severe hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles, The family history was normal in other case.
Child ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Elbow ; Fathers ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Knee ; Nails, Malformed* ; Pachyonychia Congenita* ; Tongue

Transient lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation (TLESR) is defined as LES relaxation without a swallow. TLESRs are observed in both of the normal individuals and the patients with gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). However, TLESR is widely considered as the major mechanism of the GERD. The new equipments such as high resolution manometry and impedance pH study is helped to understand of TLESR and the related esophageal motor activities. The strong longitudinal muscle contraction was observed during development of TLESR. Most of TLESRs are terminated by TLESR related motor events such as primary peristalsis and secondary contractions. The majority of TLESRs are associated with gastroesophageal reflux. Upper esophageal sphincter (UES) contraction is mainly associated with liquid reflux during recumbent position and UES relaxation predominantly related with air reflux during upright position. The frequency of TLESR in GERD patients seems to be not different compared to normal individuals, but the refluxate of GERD patients tend to be more acidic during TLESR.
Esophageal Sphincter, Lower/*physiology ; Esophagogastric Junction/physiology ; Esophagus/*physiology ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/*physiopathology ; Humans ; Muscle Relaxation/physiology

Objectives: . To determine the appropriate anatomical borders of implantation on the temporal bone in a cadaver study, and to develop a simplified surgical technique for Baha Attract implantation through a small incision along the hairline using anatomical evidence and a navigation system. Methods: . In a cadaver study, 20 human adult dry skulls were used to find flat areas of the temporal bone for Baha Attract magnet implantation. Four borders of the “optimal surgical site” were defined: Asterion line, occipitomastoid suture line, sigmoid sinus line, and digastric groove line. In three patients, we implanted the Baha Attract according to the newly developed surgical procedure and validated the feasibility of this technique with a navigation system. Results: . We identified the appropriate position of the implant on the temporal bone, suggesting a simplified surgical technique for Baha Attract with a small incision. We determined the spot of implantation, and the implants were inserted through a small surgical incision (<2.5 cm) under local anesthesia; the procedure lasted approximately 30 minutes. Conclusion . The optimal surgical site of the temporal bone is a safe and easily accessible location for implantation of the Baha Attract.

PURPOSE: Conventional contrast dacryocystography(C-DCG) has been used mainly for anatomical assessment of the lacrimal drainage apparatus, due to its limited information on the dynamics of the lacrimal system, and thus correlation role in epiphora. The purpose of study was to improve the diagnostic value in epiphora by utilizing RI dacryocystography(RI-DCG) with quantitative criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patient for RI dacryocystography set erect with the head fixed in front of gamma camera fitted with a standard 6 mm pinhole collimater. Both eyes of 85 patients(170 eyes) were scanned with 99rnTc-pertechnetate followed by conventional dacryocystography. The data from gamma camera were recorded simultaneously on a computer system for subsequent quantitative analysis. RESULTS: In 94 of 96 eyes without epiphora, RI-DCG was correlated with normal C-DCG and % of emptying was at least over 50%. In 58 of 74 eyes with epiphora, RI-DCG was correlated with abnormal C-DCG and % of emptying was at most below 50%. In 16 eyes with functional block, quantitative RI-DCG showed abnormal % of emptying. CONCLUSION: Nuclear DCG with quantitation had higher diagnostic yield in functional block and correlated higher with epiphora. Thus nuclear DCG with quantitation would be a valuable functional test after postprocedures such as dacryocystoplasty.
Computer Systems ; Drainage ; Gamma Cameras ; Head ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases* ; Radionuclide Imaging*

Edema ; Humans ; Lifting ; Maxillary Sinus ; Sinus Floor Augmentation ; Sinusitis ; Stress, Psychological ; Transplants

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Altered environmental gravity, including both hypo- and hypergravity, may result in space adaptation syndrome. To explore the characteristics of this adaptive plasticity, the expression of immediate early gene c-fos mRNA in the vestibular system following an exposure to hypergravity stimulus was determined in rats. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The animals were subjected to 2 G force (two-fold earth's gravity) stimulus for 3 hours, and were examined at post-stimulus hours 0, 2, 6, 12, and 24. Real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was adopted to analyze temporal changes in the expression of c-fos mRNA. RESULTS: The hypergravity stimulation produced the expression of c-fos mRNA in the vestibular ganglion, medial vestibular nucleus, inferior vestibular nucleus, hippocampus, vestibulocerebellum, and vestibular cortex. The peak expression occurred at hour 6 in the animals hypergravity-stimulated for 3 hours. Bilateral labyrinthectomy significantly attenuated the degree of up-regulation in c-fos mRNA expression. MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist, also significantly attenuated the degree of up-regulation in c-fos mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the adaptive neuroplasticity in response to an altered gravity occurs in the vestibular-related organs in the central nervous system, in which peripheral vestibular receptors and NMDA receptors play an important role.
Animals ; Central Nervous System ; Dizocilpine Maleate ; Ganglion Cysts ; Genes, fos ; Gravitation ; Hippocampus ; Hypergravity* ; N-Methylaspartate ; Neuronal Plasticity* ; Plastics ; Rats ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; RNA, Messenger ; Space Motion Sickness ; Up-Regulation ; Vestibular Nuclei

Hepatitis A can cause serious illness among adolescents and adults with low vaccination coverage. Even though hepatitis A vaccine is one of the strong candidates for Korean national immunization program, adolescents aged older than 12 yr would not benefit. Our purpose was to assess the willingness and analyze the correlates of Korean mothers for hepatitis A (HepA) vaccination to develop strategies for HepA vaccination. A national telephone survey on 800 mothers with children aged 7-18 yr was conducted with random-digit dialing method. Sixty-two percent and 92% of the mothers reported that they were willing to HepA vaccination at current cost and at half of the current cost, respectively. However, at current cost, only 79% wished to vaccinate their child in an epidemic and 32% wished to vaccinate promptly. Having two or more children, not having future plans to send the child overseas, and low family income were significantly associated with not willing to HepA vaccination. Low perception of the susceptibility for hepatitis A and perception of the current cost as barrier increased the odds of unwillingness to vaccination at current cost and to prompt vaccination. The mothers' willingness to HepA vaccination for the children aged 7-18 yr in Korea was not very high at current cost and associated socioeconomic status and health-belief. Targeted intervention or strategies are needed to increase the HepA vaccination rate among children in Korea.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Demography ; Female ; Health Status ; Health Surveys ; Hepatitis A/economics/*prevention & control ; Hepatitis A Vaccines/economics/*immunology ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mothers/psychology ; Republic of Korea ; Social Class ; *Vaccination

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is an uncommon, life-threatening infection of the subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia. The clinical course of NF is rapid and progressive, and it is often fatal despite the appropriate therapy. The prognosis of NF depends on a timely diagnosis and then proper treatment. At onset it may not be possible to clearly distinguish NF from minor soft-tissue infections. Although infection are common due to the use of steroids and immunosuppressive agents in patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), it is interesting that NF has rarely been reported with SLE. Here, we present two cases of NF with SLE.
Fasciitis, Necrotizing ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Prognosis ; Steroids ; Subcutaneous Tissue

Transient cortical blindness is a known but rare complication occurring in 0.3~1% of patients undergoing cerebral or vertebral angiography. It is an extremely rare complication following cardiac catheterizaton and coronary arteriography. Cortical blindness is characterized by complete loss of visual perception and optokinetic nystagmus with preservation of ocular motility, pupillary responses, and normal fundoscopic examination. It has been suggested that its occurrence is due to an adverse reaction to the contrast agent, which causes an osmotic disruption of the blood-brain barrier. Patients outcome appears to be generally favorable with return of vision within 24-48 hr. We report a case of 48 year-old male patient with transient bilateral cortical blindness after coronary angiography.
Angiography ; Blindness, Cortical* ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Coronary Angiography* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nystagmus, Optokinetic ; Visual Perception