Ipratropium bromide (IP) is a new anticholinergic bronchodilator. To evaluate its effect on bronchial asthma which is still unknown in Korea, a double blind and randomized study was done on all patients of bronchial asthma who visit out-patients clinic of out department from June to September 197 and showed 75 to 100% of FEV1/FVC ratio on prebronchodilator spirometry (pre BD). The selected patients were given 2 puffs of Fenoterol (FE) or Ipratropium inhalator blindly and Spirometry. The repeated results are: 1. In both FE and IP groups, there was a significant bronchodilatory effect on 5 and 60 minutes after administration. 2. One 5 minutes, effect of FE was significantly greater than IP (FVC p<0.05, FEV1 p<0.01). 3. One 60 minutes, effect of IP was slightly less than FE but statistically non-significant. On the basis of above results, we concluded that onset of effect of IP is slower than FE, but its effect is significant and nearly comparable to FE.
Asthma* ; Fenoterol ; Humans ; Ipratropium* ; Korea ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Outpatients ; Spirometry

No abstract available.
Spina Bifida Occulta*

BACKGROUND: It is well known that IgA isotype switching is induced by TGF-beta1. LPS-activated mouse normal B cells well differentiate into IgA secreting plasma cells under the influence of TGF-beta1. Nevertheless, there are lots of difficulties in studying normal B cells in detail because it is not simple to obtain highly purified B cells, showing low reproducibility and transfection efficacy, moreover impossible to keep continuous culture. To overcome these obstacles, it is desperately needed to develop B cell line which acts like normal B cells. In the present study, we investigated whether CH12F3-2A lymphoma cells are appropriate for studying IgA isotype switching event. METHODS: CH12F3-2A B cell line was treated with LPS and TGF-beta1, then levels of germ-line (GL) transcripts were measured by RT-PCR, and GLalpha promoter activity was measured by luciferase assay. In addition, membrane IgA (mIgA) expression and IgA secretion were determined by FACS and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS: TGF-beta1, regardless of the presence of LPS, increased level of GLalpha transcripts but not GLgamma2b transcripts. However, IgA secretion was increased dramatically by co-stimulation of LPS and TGF-beta1. Both mIgA and IgA secretion in the presence of TGF-beta1 were further increased by over-expression of Smad3/4. Finally, GLalpha promoter activity was increased by TGF-beta1. CONCLUSION: CH12F3-2A cell line acts quite similarly to the normal B cells which have been previously reported regarding IgA expression. Thus, CH12F3-2A lymphoma cell line appears to be adequate for the investigation of the mechanism(s) of IgA isotype switching at the cellular and molecular levels.
Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cell Line ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Immunoglobulin A* ; Immunoglobulin Class Switching* ; Luciferases ; Lymphoma* ; Membranes ; Mice* ; Plasma Cells ; Transfection ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

No abstract available.
Pancreaticoduodenectomy*

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical usefulness of magnetic resonance angiography(MRA) as a diagnostic modality and for treatment planning of intracranial arteriovenous malformations(AVM). METHODS AND MATERIALS: In 14 patients with intracranial AVM which were confirmed by operations, radiologic studies and clinical evaluations, magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), MRA and conventional angiography(CA) were retrospectively reviewed with specific regards to nidus depiction, detectability of feeding arteries and draining veins, and number and anatomic consistency of these vessles. MRA was obtained by 3 D TOF, 2 D PC, and 3 D methods with adequate VENC selection. RESULTS: Nidus of AVM was well demonstrated in MRI and MRA, and no remarkable difference in detection and size estimation of nidus among MRI, MRA and CA except 2 cases of associated intracranial hemorrhage, in which 3 D PC MRA well depicted nidus that were not visualized on MRI because of subacute hemorrhage. Feeding arteries were well demonstrated on 3 D TOF and 3 D PC MRA. Dilated draining veins were well depicted on 3 D PC MRA by scannig with adequate VENC selection, and the results were no remarkable difference compared with the ones on CA. CONCLUSION: MRA of a consecutive scan after MRI is a excellent modality for evaluation and treatment planning of intracranial AVM, and possible substitutive method for CA except for radiotherapy or transarterial embolization.
Arteries ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations* ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Radiotherapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Veins

Osseous bridging between lumbar transverse processes is an uncommon condition that may cause low back pain. In most cases, its etiology is alleged to be trauma to the back and only rarely has a congenital origin been indicated. Furthermore, most reported cases involved adults, the majority of whom were middle-aged. Here, the authors describe the case of the youngest girl reported to date with congenital transverse process bridging. As far as the authors' knowledge, there has been no report of congenital bridging of transverse processes in children or adolescents in Korea.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Humans ; Korea ; Low Back Pain

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) is a minimally invasive procedure for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures that fail to respond to conventional conservative treatment. It significantly improves intolerable back pain within hours, and has a low complication rate. Although rare, PV is not free of complications, most of which are directly related to cement leakage. Because of its association with new adjacent fracture, the importance of cement leakage into the adjacent disc space is paramount. Here, we report an interesting case of cement leakage into the adjacent upper vertebral body as well as disc space following PV. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no report of cement leakage into the adjacent vertebral body following PV. This rare case is presented along with a review of the literature.
Back Pain ; Fractures, Compression ; Osteoporosis ; Vertebroplasty*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the anglographic finding and clinical result of transarterial embolotherapy(TAE) in patients with injuries of renal artery branches by blunt trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was based on retrospective analysis of seven cases, in which TAE was attempted for the control of traumatic renal arterial bleeding. All procedures were performed via the transfemoral approach. TAE was performed with stainless steel coil in two cases, Gelfoam in one case, and Gelfoam and stainless steel coil in four cases. RESULTS: Angiographic findings of vascular injuries were pseudoaneurysm in four cases, extravasation in two cases and arteriocalyceal fistula in one case. All procedures were performed successfully without complication. CONCLUSION: Pseudoaneurysm is a common anglographic finding in patients with injury of renal artery branches and TAE is considered a safe and effective method for treating such cases.
Aneurysm, False ; Embolization, Therapeutic* ; Fistula ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Renal Artery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Stainless Steel ; Vascular System Injuries

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of bone cement augmentation of pedicular screwing in severe osteoporotic spondylolisthetic patients. METHODS: Twenty patients with spondylolisthesis (8 : spondylolytic spondylolisthesis 12 : degenerative spondylolisthesis) who had undergone pedicular screwing and interbody fusion for osteoporotic lumbar spine (T-score on bone mineral density<-3.0) from 2002 to 2005 were reviewed. Mean age was 62.3 years with 3 male and 17 female patients. Average follow-up period was 14 months. Average T-score on bone mineral density (BMD) was -3.62. After decompression of neural elements, about 6cc of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was injected into the each vertebral body through transpedicular route. All patients underwent one level interbody fusion and pedicular screw fixation. Clinical outcome was assessed using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) on the last clinical follow-up. In addition, a modified MacNab's grading criteria was used to objectively assess patient's outcome postoperatively. Radiographic analysis of sagittal contour was assessed preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at final follow-up including fusion rate. RESULTS: Eighteen of 20 patients were graded as excellent or good according to the modified MacNab's criteria. An significant improvement of ODI was achieved in both groups. Mean sagittal angle at the preoperative state, postoperative state and at the last follow-up state was 11.0 degrees, 20.1 degrees and 18.3 degrees, respectively, with mean sagittal angle correction gain 7.3 degrees. Firm fusion was achieved in all patients. There were one compression fracture above the fused segment after 6 months follow-up and one case of seroma. But, there were no postoperative complications related to bone cement leakage and pedicular screwings such as screw pullout or screw cut-up. CONCLUSION: Bone cement augmentation of pedicular screwing can be an effective procedure for osteoporotic lumbar spine in spondylolisthetic patients.
Bone Density ; Decompression ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Male ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Postoperative Complications ; Seroma ; Spine ; Spondylolisthesis

The first purpose of this study was to compare the mean Knowledge, Attitude & Practice(KAP) scores concerning major occupational Health between two types of occupational health management in small & medium-scale textile factories. Sample number was 1,138 workers. In small & medium factories with 300 workers or less, they have two alternatives for occupational health management; Individual Health Management or Vicarious Health Management. The second purpose was to determine if there was a relationship between duration of Vicarious health management and mean kap scores for 694 workers from the Vicarious Health Management group. We used self-administered questionnaires for measuring KAP. The results of this study were; 1. There was significant difference concerning all socioeconomic & occupational variables(gender, age education level, marital status, Blue/White collar, working duration of present factory, working duration of total factories) except for shift. 2. There was no significant difference of mean scores of Knowledge and attitude between the Individual Health Management Group and the Vicarious Health Management. But, the mean score of Practice was significantly different. 3. According to multiple regression analysis, the mean score of Knowledge significantly increased with age, education level, working duration of all factories increased. The mean score of Attitude significantly increased with age, education level and married. The mean score of Practice significantly increased with age, education level, working duration of all factories, married and men. 4. In conclusion, The type of Health management did not significantly affect the mean KAP scores concerning major occupational Health problems. 5. But, the Duration of Vicarious Health management significantly increased the mean KAP scores.
Education ; Humans ; Male ; Marital Status ; Occupational Health* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Textiles