The results of this study which had been investigated for the purpose of analyzing heavy metal concentrations in women's blood and urine, their correlation degree and significance of cadmium as indicator of accumulated heavy metals are as follows. 1) In blood, concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn are respectively 0.0110+/-0.14 ug/ml, 0.208+/-138 ug/ml, 0.899+/-0.153 ug/ml and 5.432+/-1.020 ug/ml. 2) In urine, concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn are respectively 0.003+/-0.12 ug/ml, 0.025+/-0.18 ug/ml, 0.013+/-0.12 ug/ml and 0.277+/-0.192 ug/ml. 3) Correlation coefficients between blood and urine are only significant in Zn (r=0.363, p<0.01). 4) In blood, correlation coefficients of Cd concentration and Pb, Zn are respectively 0.518 (p<0.01). 5) Correlation coefficients between Cd concentration in blood and Pb, Cu and Zn in urine are respectively r=-0.012, r=0.027, r=0.241 (p<0.05), and only Cd concentration and Zn is significant.
Cadmium ; Metals, Heavy

No abstract available.
Peristalsis*

No abstract available.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to understand the differences in masseter muscle (MM) between the shifted and non-shifted sides in facial asymmetry patients, and the changes shown by MM after mandibular surgery. METHODS: Pre- and post-operative CT scans were performed on 12 Class III patients with facial asymmetry who were treated by intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy and 10 subjects with normal occlusion. Using the V-works 4.0 program (Cybermed, Seoul, Korea), 3-dimensional images of the mandible, and MM were reconstructed, and evaluated. RESULTS: In the asymmetry group, the MM angle between the shifted and non-shifted sides was only significantly different (p < 0.05). Compared with normal occlusion, the asymmetry group showed a significantly smaller volume and maximum cross-sectional area in both sides of MM (p < 0.05). After mandibular surgery, the angle of MM (p < 0.01) and differences in angle between the shifted and non-shifted sides of MM (p < 0.05) were significantly decreased. The thickness in the maximum cross-sectional area was significantly increased (p < 0.01). After surgery, MM in facial asymmetry patients was similarly changed to those in the normal occlusion group except for widths. CONCLUSIONS: MM in facial asymmetry was definitely different from those in normal occlusion. However, this study suggests that MM changed symmetrically in conjunction with the mandible after proper mandibular surgery.
Facial Asymmetry ; Humans ; Mandible ; Masseter Muscle ; Orthognathic Surgery ; Osteotomy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) and the significance of microorganisms as the causative factor of CPPS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the frequency of 19 possible causative microorganisms of prostatitis in 849 patients who had prostatitis symptoms from April 2007 to March 2009 by using multiplex PCR. All of the enrolled patients were category III by the definition of the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Workshop. RESULTS: Of the 849 patients, 414 (49%) and 435 (51%) were categories IIIa (inflammatory CPPS) and IIIb (noninflammatory CPPS). On multiplex PCR, using the third voided urine specimen (VB3), 369 (89%) of the 414 category IIIa and 367 (84%) of the 435 category IIIb cases were found to have positive PCR results for causative microorganisms. The common microorganisms were Enterococcus, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Chlamydia trachomatis in 173 (18%), 144 (15%), 129 (13%), 78 (8%), and 69 cases (7%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There were too many positive PCR results for causative microorganisms in the CPPS patients despite negative urine culture examination. Therefore, it is necessary to rule out contamination of the specimen to achieve reliable results with multiplex PCR. However, multiplex PCR can detect various unknown microorganisms suggestive of the etiology of CPPS, particularly those that are difficult to cultivate. PCR is expected to play an important role in the diagnosis of CPPS, but further studies will be required to define the usefulness of molecular tests.
Chlamydia trachomatis ; Enterococcus ; Humans ; Lactobacillus ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pelvic Pain ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prostatitis ; Streptococcus agalactiae ; Ureaplasma urealyticum

BACKGROUND: Liposuction is a procedure to reduce the volume of subcutaneous fat by physical force. Intracellular storage fat is composed of triglyceride, whereas circulating fat particles exist as cholesterol or triglycerol bound to carrier proteins. It is unavoidable that the storage form of fat particles enters the circulation system after these particles are physiologically destroyed. To date, however, no studies have clarified the fatal characteristics of fat embolism that occurs after the subclinical phase of free fat particles. METHODS: A mixture of human lipoaspirate and normal saline (1:100, 0.2 mL) was injected into the external jugular vein of rats, weighing 200 g on average. Biopsy specimens of the lung and kidney were examined at 12-hour intervals until postoperative 72 hours. The deposit location and transport of the injected free fat particles were confirmed histologically by an Oil Red O stain. RESULTS: Inconsistent with previous reports, free fat particles were transported from the intravascular space to the parenchyma. At 24 hours after infusion, free fat particles deposited in the vascular lumen were confirmed on the Oil Red O stain. At 72 hours after infusion, free fat particles were accumulated compactly within the parenchymal space near the perivascular area. CONCLUSIONS: Many surgeons are aware of the fatal results and undiscovered pathophysiologic mechanisms of free fat particles. Our results indicate that free fat particles, the storage form of fat that has been degraded through a physiological process, might be removed through a direct transport mechanism and phagocytotic uptake.
Animals ; Biopsy ; Carrier Proteins ; Cholesterol ; Embolism, Fat* ; Fats ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; Kidney ; Lipectomy ; Lung ; Physiological Processes ; Rats ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) neuromodulation of suprascpaular nerve (SSN) in patients with chronic shoulder pain due to adhesive capsulitis and/or rotator cuff tear. METHODS: The study included 11 patients suffering from chronic shoulder pain for at least 6 months who were diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis (n=4), rotator cuff tear (n=5), or adhesive capsulitis+rotator cuff tear (n=2) using shoulder magnetic resonance imaging or extremity ultrasonography. After a favorable response to a diagnostic suprascapular nerve block twice a week (pain improvement >50%), PRF neuromodulation was performed. Shoulder pain and quality of life were assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) before the diagnostic block and every month after PRF neuromodulation over a 9-month period. RESULTS: The mean VAS score of 11 patients before PRF was 6.4+/-1.49, and the scores at 6-month and 9 month follow-up were 1.0+/-0.73 and 1.5+/-1.23, respectively. A significant pain reduction (p<0.001) was observed. The mean OSS score of 11 patients before PRF was 22.7+/-8.1, and the scores at 6-month and 9 month follow-up were 41.5+/-6.65 and 41.0+/-6.67, respectively. A significant OSS improvement (p<0.001) was observed. CONCLUSION: PRF neuromodulation of the suprascapular nerve is an effective treatment for chronic shoulder pain, and the effect was sustained over a relatively long period in patients with medically intractable shoulder pain.
Adhesives ; Bursitis ; Chronic Pain ; Extremities ; Failed Back Surgery Syndrome ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nerve Block ; Quality of Life ; Rotator Cuff ; Shoulder Pain* ; Shoulder* ; Spinal Cord Stimulation ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Digits injured by punch press machines show peculiar types with segmental loss of middle part of digits. Although the distal parts of finger survived, thr results is frequently unfavorable with respect to function and appearance after inappropriate reconstruction. METHODS: From August 2008 to February 2013, five digits injured by punch press machines in four patients were managed. Pinch strength, two-point discrimination and active range of motion were measured to evaluate finger function. RESULTS: Three digits with a preserved amputated segment underwent replantation. Partial necrosis occurred in one digit in which local flap was performed. Secondary tendon graft was performed in the other digits. Two digits without segment was reconstructed by arthrodesis after shortening the length. The patients were generally satisfied with function and appearance. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of digits injured by punch machines are technically difficult. Replantation is the best method in cases of preserved segment, while arthrodesis with shortening is appropriate in cases without segment.
Amputation ; Arthrodesis ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Fingers ; Humans ; Methods ; Necrosis ; Pinch Strength ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Replantation ; Tendons ; Transplants

In this study, we describe our diagnosis and treatment of two patients who presented with femoral vessel compression caused by a cystic lesion in the groin. One case was diagnosed as adventitial cystic disease (ACD) of the common femoral artery resulting in leg claudication and the other was diagnosed as a ganglion cyst (GC) causing femoral vein compression and unilateral leg swelling. The operative findings differed between these two cases with respect to the dissection of the cyst and femoral vessel, but the postoperative histological examination results were similar. The pathogenesis of ACD and GC is not fully understood, and further investigation is needed to delineate the exact pathology of these uncommon conditions.
Adventitia ; Diagnosis ; Femoral Artery ; Femoral Vein ; Ganglion Cysts ; Groin* ; Hip ; Humans ; Leg ; Pathology

Cystadenocarcinoma of the salivary gland is a rare malignant tumor. It was first defined as papillary cystadenocarcinoma in the 1991 World Health Organization (WHO) classification, and it was reclassified as cystadenocarcinoma in the 2005 WHO classification. It is a low-grade neoplasm that features slow growing and predominantly cystic growth. We report a case of cystadenocarcinoma occurring on the parotid gland of a 61-year-old female patient presenting palpable mass on her left cheek. Preoperative examination may not reveal typical malignant characteristics. Such as in our case, the differential diagnosis between cystadenocarcinoma and benign lesion is difficult occasionally. We discuss the clinical and histopathological features of cystadenocarcinoma with the review of the literature.
Cheek ; Cystadenocarcinoma* ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Parotid Gland ; Salivary Glands ; World Health Organization