Many factors exert an influence on enzyme activity and thus on the rate of reactions that they catalyse. The most important of these factors are pH, temperature, substrate concentration, and the concentration of some inhibitors present. A solution of the enzyme diastase, which breaks down molecules of the polysaccharide starch to the disaccharide maltose by hydrolysis, was provided. Activity of these enzyme was measured by the rate at which starch was removed from the reaction mixture. These experiments were designed to study this reaction rate under varying conditions and the following results were obtained. 1. The range of optimum pH for this enzyme at room temperature was 4.0-7.0 and the optimum pH was 5.0. 2. The range of optimum temperatures for this enzyme at pH 7.0 was 30-50 degrees C and the optimum temperature was 40 degrees C. 3. The relationship between the enzyme activity and substrate concentration could be expressed by the Michaelis-Menten equation. The limiting velocity of these enzyme at room temperature and pH 7.0 was 415 microgram starch removed/ml of reaction mixture/min and Km, Michaelis constant, was 343 microgram/ml. 4. Inhibitors NaCl and HgCl2 blocked this enzyme activity completely at 1% and 0.01% respectively.
Amylases* ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hydrolysis ; Maltose ; Mercuric Chloride ; Starch ; Water*

The management of fractures of os calcis remains highly controversial. The fractures involving subtalar joint may cause serious and persistent disabilities. Recently, the computed tomography (CT) scan has been shown to he superior in evaluating the intraarticular fractures of calcaneus and the most widely used classification is based on the number of fragments especially seen on. Although the classification of calcaneal fractures hy CT, tongue type and joint depression type fractures hy plain radiographic views have been commonly used. Generally, closed reduction and axial fixation with metallic pin for tongue type fractures and open reduction and internal fixation for joint depression type fractures have been performed. The authors did so. The 13 fractures were tongue types and 17 fractures were joint depression types. The intraarticular calcaneal fractures of 30 feet in 26 patients who were treated at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital were analyzed in clinical and radiological aspects from Mar.1991 to Apr.1996. The results were as follows: 1. Of 30 cases, 16 fractures were treated with closed reduction and pinning, and 14 fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. 2. The preoperative, postoperative and the last follow-up average Bohlers angle were 6.0, 21.0 and 20.5 respectively. 3. The preoperative, postoperative and the last follow-up average Gissanes angle was 106, 129 and 126 respectively. 4. Based on assessment of the criteria of Salama et al 19), excellent results were 5, good results were 14, fair results were 6 and poor results were 5. 5. All the five cases of poor results were tongue type fractures and they were treated with closed reduction and axial pinning. 6. Of 7 fractures using autogenous iliac bone graft, 6 fractures were good, I fracture was fair and there was no poor results. Therefore, open reduction and internal fixation for joint depression type calcaneal fractures was thought to be a good method of treatment. But we must consider whether axial fixation with metallic pin for tongue type calcaneal fractures will be a good method of treatment.
Calcaneus ; Classification ; Depression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Humans ; Intra-Articular Fractures ; Joints ; Subtalar Joint ; Tongue ; Transplants

With an aging population, osteoporotic vertebral collapse is an increasingly common condition. This compression fractures has been considered a benign entity, quite responsive to conservative treatment. In a rare patients, however, a major neurologic complication and painful kyphosis despite conservative treatment can develop. Therefore, the purpose of this present study is to analyze the surgical results of 14 patients with severe back pain, an increasing kyphosis and neurologic deficits caused hy osteoporotic vertebral collapse following minor trauma, who were treated surgically. Presenting signs and symptoms included severe back pain with progression of kyphosis in 6 patients and increasing neural deficit in 8 patients. Of 14 patients, eight patients had an intravertebral cleft sign (vacuum sign). Indications for surgery included increasing kyphotic deformity, intractable pain, or increasing neurologic deficit. There was no correlation between intravertebral cleft sign and neurologic deficit. However, patients who had intravertebral cleft sign had not well respond to conservative treatment. As treatments, combined anterior and posterior fusion in 8, anterior fusion in 4, posterior instrumentation, and wide decompressive laminectomry in one patient, respectively, were carried out. The final correction of the deformity averaged 0.3 degrees. Therefore. correction of kyphosis was not favorably maintained because of variable surgical methods, and sinking of graft bone or instrumentation into the osteoporotic vertebral bodies. However, pain was reduced significantly in all patients. In addition neurological symptoms improved in 7 patients. One patient underwent reoperation with nnterior inierbody tusion together with anterior instrument because of an increasing kyphosis, neurologic. iymptoms and scvcre hack pain following wide decompressive laminectomy. There was no complication relatecl to instruments. The authors strongly helieved that surgical intervention has highly satisfactory results in patients who have intravertehral cleft sign with persistent back pain despite conservative treatment, and proressive or persistent neurologic deficits following osteoporotic vertebral collapse.
Aging ; Back Pain ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Laminectomy ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Osteoporosis ; Pain, Intractable ; Reoperation ; Transplants

In Korea, sudden deaths of middle-aged and older male workers who are the responsible persons at home as well as workplace, have aroused social concern. Besides, U.N. has reported recently that mortality of Korea male in 40-50's was one of the highest among newly developed countries in 1992. Not much is, however, known about the nature of the work contributing to the mortality of different groups of workers. Therefore, this study was done to examine mortality of public servants, comprising about 5% of all the employed in Korea, according to their job titles and grades. The datas of 1753 official deaths, comprised 323 (only disease-oriented deaths) applicants of survivors' compensation, were used to examine age-adjusted Standardized Mortality Ratios(SMRs) according to their job titles, grades, tenures and cause of deaths. Controlling age and sex difference was conducted using 26,950,481 general population, 95,340 general deaths and 864,560 working public servants. All the groups were aged 20-64, who were being observed January - December in 1993, at the same time. Results and discussions are as follows. 1. SMRs standardized by general population was significantly low (SMR 44.9 CI 42.8-52.7) for all job titlses. Of public servants, 90.0% was graduated from high school, although 17.5% in general population. The distinction of social status such a education may produce a strong healthy worker effect. Besides, SMRs for different tenure groups showed a steady increase as tenure increases. This suggests that the magnitude of healthy-worker effect may be greater with increasing tenures. 2. SMRs standardized by own public servants was significantly elevated for workmen(SMR 121.0, CI 110.2-132.6) in solitue. When SMRs for different grade of workmen was examined, 9th(SMR 124.2, CI 104.4-146.7) and 10th(SMR 137.9 CI 120.8-156.8)grade, lower grade in workmen, showed significantly elevated SMRs. Of workmen, 57.0% were graduated from high school and 50.1% in 9th grade, as well. These mean that low economic states made up social class, education may increase mortality rate. 3. Of SMRs according to all causes of death, only policemen on 'cause of death related hypertensive disease'(SMR 282.5, CI 121.6-556.7) was significantly high except for 'cause of death related other signs, symptoms and ill-defined conditions'. 4. When SMRs on cause of death related hypertensive disease for different grade of policemen was examined, senior policemen(SMR 241.9), in charge of the front service, showed elevated SMR, in spite of statistical no significance. Especially, the working hour of senior policemen is quite long and also the work schedule is even more irregular for policemen. The results of this study showed that mortality for different jobs differed, and it differed also for different grades in the same job. This difference in mortality may reflect the difference in the nature of job contents, and further studies are warranted to elucidate which job characteristics are responsible.
Appointments and Schedules ; Cause of Death ; Compensation and Redress ; Death, Sudden ; Developed Countries ; Education ; Healthy Worker Effect ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality ; Police ; Sex Characteristics ; Social Class

Subepidermal calcified nodule(SCN) is a form of calcinosis cutis which is usually present as a single small, raised, hard nodule with verrucous surface. A 13-year-old girl presented with a 10-month history of a ricegrain-sized, hard, yellowish white papule on both upper eyelids. The lesions were asymptomatic and had increased slowly in size. An excisional biopsy specimen of the left upper eyelid showed acanthosis and narrow pointed rete ridges of the epidermis, and closely aggregated deposition of basophilic material in the uppermost dermis. The material in the dermis did not stain with von Kossa. It was confirmed as calcium deposition by staining with alizarin red S which is far more specific for calcium than the von Kossa stain.
Adolescent ; Basophils ; Biopsy ; Calcinosis ; Calcium ; Dermis ; Epidermis ; Eyelids ; Female ; Humans

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to find the differences in physical activity according to general characteristics and factors related to physical activity between the elderly over 65 with hypertension living rural and urban areas. METHODS: This study included 681 participants (221 rural, 460 urban) with hypertension from The Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V). The collected data were analyzed through an chi2-test to examine the differences in physical activity and multiple logistic regression to assess factors related to physical activity between the elderly over 65 with hypertension living rural and urban areas. RESULTS: The significant statistical factors related with physical activities for the urban hypertension group were education level, activities of daily living, and quality of life. However, the related factors for rural residents were activities of daily living and limitation of activity. CONCLUSIONS: The study results indicated that the factors that affected the level of physical activity revealed difference in case hypertension between the urban and rural groups. An awareness of the importance of physical activity will have a positive influence on improving the physical function and quality of life for elderly people with hypertension.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged* ; Education ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Motor Activity* ; Nutrition Surveys ; Quality of Life

PURPOSE: Many stresses produce reactive oxygen species and bring about mechanism of antioxidant reaction. Cytokine and a neurotransmitter through the cell membrane, as well as signal transduction through the cell membrane, are used for various pathological condition of the brain, such as neurodegenerative disease. There are several antioxidant enzymes in cells (superoxcide dismutase, glutathion peroxidasae, peroxiredoxin catalase, etc.) METHODS: This study used single- or double-label immunohistochemical techniques to analyze mouse spinal neuron cells expressing Prx I and Prx III after acute mobilization stress. RESULTS: Prx I was observed in dendritic cell of the gray matter of the spinal cord, and Prx III was observed in the cytoplasm of the GM of the spinal cord. CONCLUSION: The results of this study will help to explain differences of expression in the distributions of the peroxiredoxin enzymes of the spinal cord.
Animals ; Brain ; Catalase ; Cell Membrane ; Cytoplasm ; Dendritic Cells ; Immobilization* ; Mice ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neurons ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Peroxiredoxins* ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Signal Transduction ; Spinal Cord*

PURPOSE: Many stresses produce reactive oxygen species and bring about mechanism of antioxidant reaction. Cytokine and a neurotransmitter through the cell membrane, as well as signal transduction through the cell membrane, are used for various pathological condition of the brain, such as neurodegenerative disease. There are several antioxidant enzymes in cells (superoxcide dismutase, glutathion peroxidasae, peroxiredoxin catalase, etc.) METHODS: This study used single- or double-label immunohistochemical techniques to analyze mouse spinal neuron cells expressing Prx I and Prx III after acute mobilization stress. RESULTS: Prx I was observed in dendritic cell of the gray matter of the spinal cord, and Prx III was observed in the cytoplasm of the GM of the spinal cord. CONCLUSION: The results of this study will help to explain differences of expression in the distributions of the peroxiredoxin enzymes of the spinal cord.
Animals ; Brain ; Catalase ; Cell Membrane ; Cytoplasm ; Dendritic Cells ; Immobilization* ; Mice ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neurons ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Peroxiredoxins* ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Signal Transduction ; Spinal Cord*

In case of missing of permanent teeth by trauma or innate defect, the decision of treatment modalities and application timing have an important effect on the prognosis of oral rehabilitation. In this case report, interdisciplinary approach between the orthodontic and prosthodontic treatment, the way to re-establish the collapsed occlusal vertical dimension, and implant prosthetic considerations will be discussed. Proper diagnosis on teeth and craniofacial skeleton was made prior to treatment and provisional restorations were used in regard of growth patterns of the patient. Finally, the edentulous areas were restored with fixed implant prostheses. Diagnosis, treatment rationale and prognosis will be discussed thoroughly.
Adolescent* ; Growth and Development ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthodontics ; Tooth* ; Vertical Dimension

Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis requires fusion of the involved segments and decompression laminectomy because it is mechanically unstahle and usually associated with stenosis of the spinal canal. Transabdominal retroperitoneal approach through small longitudinal pararectal skin incision provides easy and safe access to L3-4 and L4-5 disc spaces with less bleeding. We thought that anterior interbody fusion enable us to restore the disc space and to reduce partially the listhesis with less hleeding and less harvest of graft hone compared to posterolateral fusion, and also without the risk of neural or dural damage which could he occurred in posterior lumbar interbody fusion 4.15.16.17). Thus, authors performed the same-day anterior and posterior spinal surgery (APSS) in 28 patients (30 disc spaces) from 1992 to 1996 and analyzed the clinical and radiological results. The most common site of involvement was L4-5 level (82.1%). The mean follow-up period was 2 years and 2 months (from l2 months to 4 years). Fusion was ohtained at 29 disc spaces (96.7%) within 24 weeks (average, I 6 weeks). The anterior displacement was corrected up to the average of 65.4% (5.8mm) postoperatively and the average of 60.7% (5.2mm) correction remained at last follow-up. The intervertebral disc space was restored up to the average of 96.9% (7.5mm) postoperatively and the average of 86.0% (6.2mm) restoration remained at last follow-up. Twenty-five out of 28 patients (89.2%) showed excellent or good clinical results hy the criteria of Kim, et al6). In conclusion, the same-day procedure of successive anterior interbody fusion, decompression laminectomy and posterior pedicular instrumentation for the degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis associated with spinal stenosis was thought to be a good method of treatment.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Decompression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Laminectomy ; Skin ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spondylolisthesis* ; Transplants