We have exprierienced 10 cases of pelvic bone fractures that were treated by Hoffmann's external fixation devices from June, 1979 to June, 1982. As a result, following advantages were noted; 1. Rapid recuction of pain, prevention of serious early complication, and easiness of nursing care were possible. 2. Late complications such as lumbosacral pain and gait disturbance could be preventable in majority of the patients, as well as shortening the duration of the hospitalization.
External Fixators ; Fracture Fixation ; Gait ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Nursing Care ; Pelvic Bones

BACKGROUND: Coronary arteriovenous(AV) fistula is a rare congenital disease, and seldom produce symptoms during childhood. However late complications can occur including congestive heart failure, myocardial ischemia, and bacterial endocarditis. Therefore surgical repair is recommended even if the patients are asymptomatic. In these days many investigators are interested in transcatheter embolization because of high procedural success rate without risks and morbidity associated with cardiac surgery. METHODS: Five patients(4 females and 1 male) of coronary AV fistula were treated with transcatheter coil embolization. All had symptom of chest pain. In coronary angiograms fistulous tracts were originated from left anterior descending artery(LAD) and drained to main pulmonary artery(MPA) in 4 cases. The other case had abnormal vessel from left circumflex artery(LCX) to bronchial artery. Transcatherter coil embolization were done with Judkins left guiding catheter, 018 inch Tracker or 3F Microferret catheter, and 018 inch coils. RESULTS: The fistula tracts were completely occluded in 3 cases after coil emboilzation. In 2 cases with multiple fistular vessels, major fistula were occluded, but minor vessels remained. There were no procedure related complications. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter coil embolization may be an effective treatment modality in coronary AV fistula with excellent result and minimal complications.
Arteriovenous Fistula* ; Bronchial Arteries ; Catheters ; Chest Pain ; Embolization, Therapeutic* ; Endocarditis, Bacterial ; Female ; Fistula ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Research Personnel ; Thoracic Surgery

Objective: We investigated the agreement between anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels measured with revised Gen II (rev-Gen II) and automated AMH (Access) assays and evaluated the reproducibility of each method under various blood/serum storage conditions. Methods: AMH levels in blood samples from 74 volunteers were measured by rev-Gen II and Access assays under various conditions: immediate serum separation and AMH measurement (fresh control); serum stored at –20 °C and AMH measured after 48 hours, 1 week, and 2 years; serum stored at 0 to 4 °C and AMH measured after 48 hours and 1 week; and blood kept at room temperature and delayed serum separation after 48 hours and 1 week, with immediate AMH measurement. Results: In fresh controls, all rev-Gen II-AMH values were higher than comparable Access-AMH values (difference, 8.3% to 19.7%). AMH levels measured with the two methods were strongly correlated for all sample conditions (r=0.977 to 0.995, all p<0.001). For sera stored at –20 °C or 0 to 4 °C for 48 hours, Access-AMH values were comparable to control measurements, but rev-Gen II-AMH values were significantly lower. AMH levels in sera stored at –20 °C or 0 to 4 °C for 1 week were significantly lower than in fresh controls, irrespective of method. Across methods, long-term storage at –20 °C for 2 years yielded AMH measurements significantly higher than control values. When serum separation was delayed, rev-Gen II-AMH values were significantly lower than control measurements, but Access-AMH values varied. Conclusion The rev-Gen II and Access-AMH assays showed varying reproducibility across blood/serum storage conditions, but automated Access yielded superior stability to rev-Gen II.

The autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a group of neurodegenerative diseases, clinically and genetically heterogeneous, characterized by degeneration of spinocerebellar pathways with variable involvement of other neural systems. At present, 27 distinct genetic forms of SCAs are known: SCA1-8, SCA10-21, SCA23, SCA25-28, DRPLA (dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy), and 16q-liked ADCA (autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia). Epidemiological data about the prevalence of SCAs are restricted to a few studies of isolated geographical regions, and most do not reflect the real occurrence of the disease. In general a prevalence of about 0.3-2 cases per 100,000 people is assumed. As SCA are highly heterogeneous, the prevalence of specific subtypes varies between different ethnic and continental populations. Most recent data suggest that SCA3 is the commonest subtype worldwide; SCA1, SCA2, SCA6, SCA7, and SCA8 have a prevalence of over 2%, and the remaining SCAs are thought to be rare (prevalence <1%). In this review, we highlight and discuss the SCA7. The hallmark of SCA7 is the association of hereditary ataxia and visual loss caused by pigmentary macular degeneration. Visual failure is progressive, bilateral and symmetrical, and leads irreversibly to blindness. This association represents a distinct disease entity classified as autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia (ADCA) type II by Harding. The disease affectsprimarily the cerebellum and the retina by the moderate to severe neuronal loss and gliosis, but also many other central nervous system structures as the disease progresses. SCA7 is caused by expansion of an unstable trinucleotide CAG repeat in the ATXN7 gene encoding a polyglutamine (polyQ) tract in the corresponding protein, ataxin-7. Normal ATXN7 alleles contain 4-35 CAG repeats, whereas pathological alleles contain from 36->450 CAG repeats. Immunoblott analysis demonstrated that ataxin-7 is widely expressed but that expression levels vary among tissues. Instability of expanded repeats is more pronounced in SCA7 than in other SCA subtypes and can cause substantial lowering of age at onset in successive generations termed 'anticipation' so that children may become diseased even before their parents develop symptoms. The strong anticipation in SCA7 and the rarity of contractions should have led to its extinction within a few generations. There is no specific drug therapy for this neurodegenerative disorder. Currently, therapy remains purely symptomatic. Cellular models and SCA7 transgenic mice have been generated which constitute valuable resources for studying the disease mechanism. Understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms of neurodegeneration in SCAs should lead to the identification of potential therapeutic targets and ultimately facilitate drug discovery. Here we summarize the clinical, pathological, and genetic aspects of SCA7, and review the current understanding of the pathogenesis of this disorder. Further, we also review the potential therapeutic strategies that are currently being explored in polyglutamine diseases.
Child ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Mice ; Animals

BACKGROUND: Accurate placement of double-lumen endobronchial tube(DLT) is essential for successful one-lung anesthesia. This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of bronchial cuff inflation technique for accurate placement of DLT. METHODS: One hundred and five patients undergoing elective thoracotomy which required the use of DLTs were studied. Following induction of anesthesia, the tip of the left-sided DLT was advanced just past the vocal cords, the stylet in the endobronchial lumen was removed and the tube was rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise. After rotation of DLT, the bronchial cuff was inflated with air(4-6 ml) and the tube was advanced until resistance to further passage was encountered. After deflating of the bronchial cuff, the tube was advanced 2 cm more distally. The fiberoptic bronchoscopy was then introduced into the tracheal lumen of the tube and the tube's position was evaluated. RESULTS: In the 100 patients out of 105 patients, the tube was inserted into the left side bronchus correctly. In the 77 patients(77 %) out of 100 patients, the position of DLTs was evaluated as ideally placed. In the 16 patients(16 %), the tube was evaluated as too deeply inserted into the appropriate bronchus and in the other 7 patients, the tube was too shallow. But only one patient needed repositioning. CONCLUSIONS: Bronchial cuff inflation technique may be useful for accurate placement of DLT for the one-lung anesthesia in the situation without fiberoptic bronchoscope.
Anesthesia ; Bronchi ; Bronchoscopes ; Bronchoscopy ; Humans ; Inflation, Economic* ; Thoracotomy ; Vocal Cords

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare CO2 DSA and nonionic contrast media angiography in respect to the quality of the opacification of collaterals and incidence of side-effects in peripheral occlusive arterial disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients who were suspected to have peripheral occlusive arterial disease were performed angiography with nonionic contrast media and CO2 at the same location with the same catheter. The causes of the lesions were atherosclerosis(n=7) and Buerger's disease(n:9). CO2 DSA was compared with nonionic contrast media angiography in respect to the quality of image in the diagnosis of the lesions, opacifications of collaterals and side-effects. RESULTS: In atherosclerosis;quality of the images of CO2 DSA was same as that of nonionic contrast media angiography in 6 patients and was poor in 1 patient;opacifications of collaterals of CO2 DSA were same as that of nonionic contrast media angiography in 5 patients and was poor in 2 patients. In Buerger's disease;quality of the images of CO2 DSA was same as that of nonionic contrast media angiography in 2 patients and was poor in 7 patients;opacifications of collaterals of CO2 DSA were same as that of nonionic contrast media angiography in 1 patient and was poor in 8 patients. Leg pain was the only side-effect after CO2 injection occuring in 4 out of 16 patients. CONCLUSION: CO2 could be used as safe contrast media in patient with risk factors for nonionic contrast media and for diagnosis of the atherosclerosis in lower extremity. For the procedures such as vascular intervention reguiring large amount of contrast media CO2 could effectively replace nonionic contrast media.
Angiography* ; Atherosclerosis ; Catheters ; Contrast Media ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leg ; Lower Extremity* ; Risk Factors

No abstract available.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of Hyruan(sodium hyaluronate) in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. METHODS: A 12-week open study of Hyruan was conducted in 48 patients with osteoarthritis(OA) of the knee. Hyruan was injected into knee joints weekly for 5 weeks. Clinical evaluations were performed using visual analog scale(VAS) for pain, Lequesne's index, tenderness and swollen joint counts weekly for the first 5 weeks and then monthly up to 3 months post-injection. RESULTS: Significant improvements in VAS, Lequesne's index, tenderness and swollen joint counts were noted from the first week and maintained until the end of 3 month follow-up period. At 3 months post-injection, 68.8% of patients had >20mm reduction in the VAS. The patients with Kellgren stage lIl showed significant response in VAS and Lequesne's index as patients with Kellgren stage I and II. The clinical improvement after treatment was slower in patients(n=16) with late(>5 years) OA than in patients(n=32) with early(<5 years) OA, but it was statistically significant in either groups, compared to baseline. There were no severe adverse reactions to Hyruan therapy and laboratory examinations revealed no evidence of toxicity. CONCLUSION: Hyruan has been shown to be effective and safe in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Joints ; Knee Joint ; Knee* ; Osteoarthritis*

OBJECTIVE: To identify differences in the expression of the genes for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in granulosa cells (GCs) from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and controls undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. METHODS: Nine patients with PCOS and six controls were enrolled in this study. On the day of oocyte retrieval, GCs were collected from pooled follicular fluid. Total mRNA was extracted from GCs. Reverse transcription was performed and gene expression levels were quantified by realtime quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, and total gonadotropin dose, except for the ratio of luteinizing hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone between the PCOS and control groups. PPAR-γ and COX-2 mRNA was significantly downregulated in the GCs of PCOS women compared with controls (p=0.034 and p=0.018, respectively), but the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA did not show significant differences. No significant correlation was detected between the expression of these mRNA sequences and clinical characteristics, including the number of retrieved oocytes, oocyte maturity, cleavage, or the good embryo rate. Positive correlations were found among the PPAR-γ, COX-2, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA levels. CONCLUSION: Our data may provide novel clues regarding ovarian GC dysfunction in PCOS, and indirectly provide evidence that the effect of PPAR-γ agonists in PCOS might result from alterations in the ovarian follicular environment. Further studies with a larger sample size are required to confirm these proposals.
Body Mass Index ; Cyclooxygenase 2* ; Cytokines* ; Embryonic Structures ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Follicular Fluid ; Gene Expression ; Gonadotropins ; Granulosa Cells* ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Oocyte Retrieval ; Oocytes ; Ovulation Induction ; Peroxisomes* ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; PPAR gamma ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Messenger ; Sample Size ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

No abstract available.
Antibodies* ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Kidney*