OBJECT: There have been some controversies about the nature of peripheral neuropathy in patients with subacute comblned degeneration. Mayer concluded that the neuropathy was essentially demyelinating. And other reports which were based on pathologic or electrophyslological filldings have been saying axonopathy. We tried to find the nature of perlpheral neuropathy by doing conventional nerve conduction studies in 19 patients with subacute combined degeneration. SUBJECT AND METHOD: We included 19 patients with subacute combined degeneration, who were diagnosed by decreased serum vitamin B12(200pg/ml) and abnormal neurologic symptoms and/or signs. The patients were between 26 and 86 years of age. Eleven of them were male. We performed conventional nerve conduction studies Including H-reflex, When nerve conduction parameters deviated by more than 2SD from the normal mean value, they were consider as abnormal. RESULTS: nerve conduction studies were abnormal in 13/19. 11/13 with abnormal nerve conduction studies showed the pattern of peripheral polyneuropathy. Ten of them showed decreased amplitudes of sensory nerve action potentials or compound nerve action potentials with/wlthout mild slowing of nerve condcution. The abnormalities of the three patients with nerve conduction parameters of demyelinating range were confined to the distal segments of the median nerves. CONCLUSION: We thought that the results of the nerve conduction studies of our cases were compatible with axonopathy rather than demyelinopathy as a principal ]esion of the peripheral nervous system.
Action Potentials ; H-Reflex ; Humans ; Male ; Median Nerve ; Neural Conduction* ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Peripheral Nervous System ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Polyneuropathies ; Subacute Combined Degeneration ; Vitamins

The frequent measurement and recording of arterial blood pressure are fundamental parts of patient monitoring in the intensive care unit and the operating room. Two major categories of techniques for measuring arterial blood pressures, non-invasive(indirect) and invasive (direct) methods are currently available. But many physicians often have an experience to recognize that there are some variances in arterial blood pressure data depending on the measuring techniques or personnels. In view of these points, we carried out this study to examine whether these variances of arterial blood pressures measured by Riva-Rocci cuff and Korotkoff sound method (indirect l), automatic non-invasive method (indirect 2) and arterial cannulation method (direct) and those measured by nurse and student nurse are statistically significant or not in 14 patients. The results were as follows. l) In contrast to statistically non-significant variances of diastolic and mean blood pressures among indirect 1, 2 and direct method measured by nurse, there was significant variance of systolic blood pressures between indirect l and direct method, 120+/-13 torr and 129+/-15 torr, retrospectively (p<0.05), 2) There were no statistically significant variances of systolic, diastolic and mean blood pres- sure between two indirect methods measured by nurse. 3) In contrast to non-significant variances among systolic blood pressure measured with an aid of indirect 1, 2 and direct method by student nurse, diastolic blood pressure by indirect 1, 88+/-l4 torr was significantly elevated as compared with those by indirect 2 and direct method, 79+/-l3 torr and 81+/-13 torr, retrospectively (p<0.05). 4) there was significant variance of mean blood pressures measured by student nurese between indirect 1 and 2 methods, l0113 torr and 94+/-13 torr, retrospectively (p<0.05). 5) there were significant variances between systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures of 120+/-13 torr, 80+/-13 torr and 93+/-12 torr measured by nurse and those of l28+/-14 torr, 88+/-14 torr and 101+/-13 torr measured by student nurse, retrospectively (p<0.05).
Arterial Pressure* ; Blood Pressure ; Catheterization ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; Operating Rooms ; Retrospective Studies

No abstract available.
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease*

Deregulation of G1 cyclins has been reported in several human and rodent tumors including colon cancer. To investigate the expression pattern of G1 cyclins in 1,2- dimethyl-hydrazine dihydrochloride (DMH)-induced rat colon carcinogenesis, we studied the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The mRNA level of cyclin D1 was increased 1.2-fold in adenocarcinomas but not significantly in adenomas, when compared with normal rat colonic mucosa (p<0.05). The cyclin E mRNA level was increased 2.7-fold in adenomas and 3.3-fold in adenocarcinomas (p<0.05). The PCNA mRNA level was also increased 1.9-fold in adenomas and 1.8-fold in adenocarcinomas (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed exclusive nuclear staining of the neoplastic cells for cyclin D1, cyclin E and PCNA. Cyclin D1 expression was detected in 56.3% of the adenomas and in 61.5% of the adenocarcinomas examined, whereas cyclin E expression was detected in 87.5% of the adenomas and in 92.3% of the adenocarcinomas. Overall, cyclin D1, cyclin E and PCNA expression was significantly increased at both the mRNA and protein levels in normal colonic mucosa, adenomas and adenocarcinomas, but there was no significant difference in the degree of expression of these genes in adenomas and adenocarcinomas. Our results indicate that the overexpression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E may play an important role during the multistage process of rat colon carcinogenesis, at a relatively early stage, and may disturb cell-cycle control in benign adenomas, and thereafter, participate in tumor progression.
1,2-Dimethylhydrazine/toxicity ; Adenocarcinoma/*chemically induced/metabolism ; Adenoma/*chemically induced/metabolism ; Animals ; Carcinogens/toxicity ; Cell Cycle/drug effects/physiology ; Colon/metabolism ; Colonic Neoplasms/*chemically induced/metabolism ; Cyclin D1/*biosynthesis/genetics ; Cyclin E/*biosynthesis/genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen/biosynthesis/genetics ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The previous unilateral bite force recorder has several limitations for taking long time for measuring and causing discomfort to subjects. Because of these reasons, it could not use widely for epidemiological researches. However, "Dental Prescale System" which is new equipment for measuring bite force, is more convenient for measuring bite force than previous unilateral recorder. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare a new technique(Dental Prescale System) using pressure sensitive foils for recording of maximal jaw closing force with conventional measurement using unilateral bite force recorder. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This studies included 22 healthy dental students in college of dentistry, Yonsei university in Rep. of Korea. Mean age was 23.9 years. All subjects had continuous dental arches and no significant malocclusion or signs from the teeth and craniomandibular system. The Dental Prescale System (Fuji Film, Tokyo, Japan) consists of a horseshoe-shaped pressure sensitive sheet (50H, R type) and a computerized scanning system.(FPD705) We also used unilateral bite force recorder(Denbotics Co. Seoul, Rep.Korea) for comparing with Dental Prescale. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The total bite force recorded with Dental Prescale System (1423 N) was systematically higher than that recorded by unilateral bite force recorder.(256 N) However, the maximum bite force values measured in the two ways were significantly correlated (r=0.46, p<0.05). The Dental Prescale bite force calculated for first molar (208 N) was lower than that recorded by unilateral bite force recorder.(256 N) The two values were also very significantly correlated .(r=0.66. p<0.001) There were significantly different in bite force between two measurement methods. The reasons were first, unilateral bite force recorder measured only the bite force of a part of teeth, and Dental Prescale measured the total teeth force. Second, in measurement, a difference in muscle contraction appeared by an extent of mouth-opening. Third, unilateral bite force recorder has the reducing effect of the bite force by protective tape. Fourth, Dental Prescale has limitations during the computer scanning procedure. Therefore, Dental Prescale System is considered to be a very promising alternative to be conventional bite force recording methods.
Bite Force* ; Dental Arch ; Dentistry ; Humans ; Jaw ; Korea ; Malocclusion ; Molar ; Muscle Contraction ; Seoul ; Students, Dental ; Tooth

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The previous unilateral bite force recorder has several limitations for taking long time for measuring and causing discomfort to subjects. Because of these reasons, it could not use widely for epidemiological researches. However, "Dental Prescale System" which is new equipment for measuring bite force, is more convenient for measuring bite force than previous unilateral recorder. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare a new technique(Dental Prescale System) using pressure sensitive foils for recording of maximal jaw closing force with conventional measurement using unilateral bite force recorder. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This studies included 22 healthy dental students in college of dentistry, Yonsei university in Rep. of Korea. Mean age was 23.9 years. All subjects had continuous dental arches and no significant malocclusion or signs from the teeth and craniomandibular system. The Dental Prescale System (Fuji Film, Tokyo, Japan) consists of a horseshoe-shaped pressure sensitive sheet (50H, R type) and a computerized scanning system.(FPD705) We also used unilateral bite force recorder(Denbotics Co. Seoul, Rep.Korea) for comparing with Dental Prescale. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The total bite force recorded with Dental Prescale System (1423 N) was systematically higher than that recorded by unilateral bite force recorder.(256 N) However, the maximum bite force values measured in the two ways were significantly correlated (r=0.46, p<0.05). The Dental Prescale bite force calculated for first molar (208 N) was lower than that recorded by unilateral bite force recorder.(256 N) The two values were also very significantly correlated .(r=0.66. p<0.001) There were significantly different in bite force between two measurement methods. The reasons were first, unilateral bite force recorder measured only the bite force of a part of teeth, and Dental Prescale measured the total teeth force. Second, in measurement, a difference in muscle contraction appeared by an extent of mouth-opening. Third, unilateral bite force recorder has the reducing effect of the bite force by protective tape. Fourth, Dental Prescale has limitations during the computer scanning procedure. Therefore, Dental Prescale System is considered to be a very promising alternative to be conventional bite force recording methods.
Bite Force* ; Dental Arch ; Dentistry ; Humans ; Jaw ; Korea ; Malocclusion ; Molar ; Muscle Contraction ; Seoul ; Students, Dental ; Tooth

BACKGROUND: The bispectral index (BIS) has been used as an indicator of sedative state and has been considered to be related to anesthetic agents and noxious stimulus. In this study, we measured BIS, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) during induction of anesthesia (IA) with propofol, with and without midazolam pretreatment. METHODS: A study design was used in 20 ASA physical status 1 and 2 patients aged from 18 to 60 years undergoing short (2 h) operation times. In the control group (group 1, n = 10), propofol 12 mg/kg/h was infused continuously after propofol 2 mg/kg as an intravenous bolus for IA preceded by normal saline. In group 2 (n = 10), propofol 12 mg/kg/h was infused continuously after half-strength propofol 1 mg/kg as an intravenous bolus for IA preceded by 0.1 mg/kg midazolam 2 min before. Patients received intravenous propofol for IA over 40 seconds. During the infusion, vecuronium (0.15 mg/kg) was given 3 5 min before intubation. The assistant and controlled ventilation were maintained with 100% oxygen over 5 min, and continued until BIS decreased to 40 and intubation was called for. The BIS, BP and HR were measured 2 min after midazolam or normal saline infusion, 3 5 min after propofol with vecuronium and 1, 3 and 5 min after endotracheal intubation. RESULTS: The midazolam pretreatment produced transient decreases in systolic BP and the BIS. During IA with propofol, BP decreased 20% in both groups. BIS decreased significantly 5 min after endotracheal intubation. CONCLUSIONS: Midazolam pretreatment attenuated the cardiovascular response to intubation, so BIS is considered a good monitor as a predictor of hypnotic state during intravenous anesthesia.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, Intravenous ; Anesthetics ; Blood Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Midazolam* ; Oxygen ; Propofol* ; Vecuronium Bromide ; Ventilation

The study was the clinical analysis of 509 patients with pure ocular injuries who visited to Chonnam University Hospital Emergency center from July 1, 1996 to June 30, 1997 retrospectively. Clinical data survey including sex and age distribution, causes of trauma, injury site, ocular disease, and surgical intervention was done. Most of ocular injury patients were male. 3rd and 4th decade who were socially active were nearly 50%. Direct and indirect injury from foreign body was the most common cause of ocular injuries followed by fist blow, traffic accident, falling down, and sport injury. Cornea was the most common ocular injury site (209 patients, 41.1%). The incidence of the traumatic ocular disease showed corneal erosion (117 patients, 22.9%) and then eyeball perforation, traumatic hyphema etc. by frequency of order. Eyeball perforation was the most common ocular injury which needed a emergency surgical intervention. As a results, emergency physicians have to pay attention to the cornea in case of any type of ocular injuries and eyeball perforation which caused by direct and indirect injury from foreign body.
Accidents, Traffic ; Age Distribution ; Cornea ; Emergencies ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Hyphema ; Incidence ; Jeollanam-do ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Sports

No abstract available.
Dogs ; Animals

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study for radiographically and clinically assessing nonunion after lumbar spine fusion. OBJECTIVES: We wanted to analyze the risk factors for nonunion that requires surgical treatment after lumbar spine fusion SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: A diagnosis of the nonunion after lumbar spine fusion was made by using only the only radiologic images. The incidence of nonunion has been underreported because there are many asymptomatic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The plain X-ray films were evaluated for 1317 patients who could be followed up more than 1 year after lumbar fusion. Nonunion was diagnosed at 1 year after fusion by instability seen on the flexion-extension radiograph and the clinical findings like as sustained pain and local tenderness at the surgical site. The risk factors we reviewed included age, the number of levels fused, associated diseases, smoking, alcohol drinking, the initial diagnosis, a previous history of spinal operation, infection, a clear zone and malposition of pedicle screws and metal failure. The relations between nonunion and the factors mentioned above were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were diagnosed as having nonunion underwent reoperation and all had surgically confirmed nonunion. Smoking, infection and a previous history of spine operation had a significant influence on nonunion (p < 0.05). Clear zones persisting more than 1 year and metal failure also had a significant influence on nonunion (p < 0.05). Age, the number of fused levels, the initial diagnosis and alcohol drinking were not shown to influence the rate of nonunion (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A through clinical and radiologic evaluation is essential to diagnose nonunion, and this should not be done according to the radiologic images only. Risk factors such as a previous history of spine operation, infection, smoking, the development of a clear zone and metal failure all showed a statistically significant influence on nonunion. Additionally, preoperative and postoperative evaluation of these parameters is needed to achieve bone union.
Alcohol Drinking ; Humans ; Incidence ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spine ; X-Ray Film