Epilepsy can be divided into idiopathic epilepsy and symptomatic epilepsy according to the existence ofunderlying organic disease. It has been said that the incidence of the symptomatic epilepsy caused by underlyingorgainic brain disease is higher in late-onset epilepsy after the age of 20 than in childhood-onset epoilepsy. CTis very sensitive and non-invasive method for detection of organic brain disease. 168 cases of late-onset epilepsyafter the age of 20 were studied by CT in recent 2 years were analyzed. The results were as follows; 1. The 3rddecade was the most frequent age group, and the ratio of male to female was 2.5;1. 2. Structural abnormality onbrain CT was demonstrated in 51.8% of hte patient. 3. The older the onset of age was, the higher the rate of theabnormal CT finding, except 5th decade which showed less CT abnormality than 4th decade. 4. The most frequenthistory related to epilepsy was trauma. 63.1% of the patients had no relevant history; and they showed CT findingsof brain tumor, atrophy and infarction in decreasing order of frequency. 5. Abnormal CT finding was demonstratedin 49.2% of normal neurologic examination and in 46.4% of normal EEG study. 6. The most frequent lesion ofabnormal CT scan in late-onset epilepsy was 30 cases(18.4% )of brain atrophy. The next frequent lesion was 18cases (10.7%) of brain tumor. Infarction, parasites and calcification were other frequnet lesions.
Atrophy ; Brain ; Brain Diseases ; Brain Neoplasms ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infarction ; Male ; Methods ; Neurologic Examination ; Parasites ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: The cytotoxicity by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is mediated by inhibition of thymi- dylate synthase (TS), which is a rate-limiting enzyme for DNA synthesis. To test whether the resistance to 5-FU would be associated with cellular TS activity, we analyzed TS gene expression from human gastrointestinal cancer cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We established the experimental conditions for quantitating TS mRNA expression by competitive RT-PCR using mimic DNA. Based on this method, we compared TS mRNA expression between 5-FU resistant cell line and parent cell line and investigated the expression of TS mRNA following 5-FU administration in 6 human gas- trointestinal cancer cell lines. RESULTS: Competitive RT-PCR using mimic DNA seemed to be more effective than Northern blot analysis for quantitation of TS gene expression. The quantity of TS mRNA and IC50 value of 5-FU in 5-FU resistant H630 was found to be 2.5 and 10 times higher than in parent cell line, respectively. And also, we observed linear relationship between TS mRNA level and IC50 value of 5-FU (r 0.76) in 6 gastrointestinal cancer cell lines. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that overexpression of TS mRNA may play a role in the development of 5-FU resistance in human gastrointestinal malignancies
Blotting, Northern ; Cell Line ; DNA ; Drug Resistance* ; Fluorouracil* ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; Gene Expression ; Humans* ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Parents ; RNA, Messenger* ; Thymidylate Synthase*

The index on myocardial contractility of pure mitral regurgitation(MR) after mitral valve replacement is believed to be useful in determining proper operation time before irreversible myocardial damage by volume overload. Thus the authors examined pre and post-operative echocardiographic results of 20 cases of pure MR patients who had been admitted to Pusan National University hospital and compared the usefulness of each index. Pre and post-operative echocardiographic results were as follows respectively ; 1) Left ventricular internal dimension in diastole(LVIDd) were 6.49+/-0.19cm and 5.51+/-0.17cm. 2) Left ventricular internal dimension in systole(LVIDs) were 4.26+/-0.12 and 3.79+/-0.18cm. 3) Ejection fraction were 71.28+/-1.57% and 59.24+/-3.05%. 4) Fractional shortening(FS) were 34.09+/-1.18% and 27.21+/-1.84%. 5) Mean Vcf were 1.53+/-0.08cm/sec and 1.18+/-0.09cm/sec. 6) Left ventricular end-diastolic volume index(EDVI) were 196.35+/-18.33cc/m2 and 98.46+/-9.96cc/m2. 7) Left ventricular end-systolic volume index(ESVI) were 55.28+/-5.12cc/m2 and 41.88+/-6.07cc/m2. 8) Left ventricular end-systolic wall stress/ESVI(ESS/ESVI) were 2.3+/-0.21 and 3.91+/-0.83. ESS/ESVI showed significantly(p<0.05) elevated postoperative change, LVIDd, LVIDs, EF, FS, EDVI, ESVI revealed significantly(p<0.05) reduced postoperative change whereas Mean Vcf had no postoperative change. After examining correlation between preoperative and postoperative results of each index, it is believed that LVIDd, LVIDs, and ESS/ESVI were useful prognostic indices but were unrelated to postoperative ejection phase indices such as EF, FS, and MEan Vcf. Especially in case of LVIDd>6cm, LVIDs>4cm, and ESS/ESVI<2, the prognosis was poor due to myocardial damage by mitral regurgitation.
Busan ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency* ; Mitral Valve* ; Prognosis ; Stroke Volume

Osteoporosis represents reduced amount of bone mass per unit volume as compared with controls of the same age and sex. The purpose of this study was to show how bone mineral densities of spine and intertrochanteric area decrease with aging, to investigate the relationship between the bone mineral densities (BMD) of the two areas, and to obtain fracture threshold values. We measured BMD of lumbar vertebrae and intertrochanteric areas by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) from 241 postmenopausal women. 190 normal postmenopausal women comprised non-fracture group and there were 50 fresh thoracolumbar fracture patient and 31 intertrochanteric fracture patients in whom the fractures were not caused by high energy trauma. The mean bone mineral density values of non-fracture group were significantly higher than those of fracture groups and significant correlation held between bone density of spine and that of intertrochanteric area in non-fracture group and fracture groups. The fracture threshold was 0.837 g/cm3 in spine fracture group and 0.792 g/cm3 in the intertrochanteric fracture group.
Absorptiometry, Photon* ; Aging ; Bone Density* ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Osteoporosis ; Spine

PURPOSE: The authors investigated the process of endochondral ossification quantitatively and objectively in respect to proliferation and apoptosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fractures were made on the left tibiae of 72 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The fracture callus was harvested at the 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 14th, and the 21st day after fracture. Cellular DNA content was analyzed with image cytometry, and proliferative index was determined from the data. The Ki-67 antigen expression was semiquantitatively measured by the immunohisto-chemical method. TUNEL was used for in situ localization of apoptotic cells. The expression of cell cycle inhibitors, P21 and P27, was investigated with Northern blotting. RESULTS: The proliferation index was highest on the 5th day, then gradually decreased until the 11th day. The expression of Ki-67 antigen gradually decreased with time. Apoptotic cells increased in accordance with enhanced bone formation within chondroid callus. The expression of p21 and p27 was highest on the 11th and the 14th day. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that proliferative activity decreased with the reduction of mesenchymal tissue and the appearance of mature chondroid tissue. The apoptosis of hypertrophic chondrocytes occurred in accordance with enhanced bone formation. P21 and P27 had a certain role in the differentiation of chondrocytes.
Apoptosis* ; Blotting, Northern ; Bony Callus ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation* ; Chondrocytes ; DNA ; Fracture Healing* ; Humans ; Image Cytometry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Ki-67 Antigen ; Male ; Osteogenesis ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tibia

PURPOSE: To find out the advantages and disadvantages of the suture technique and improve the method of operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Postoperative follow-up of at least one year was possible in thirteen cases including 7 surgical neck fractures and 6 three-part fractures. The results were analysed radiographically and clinically using a modified UCLA scale. RESULTS: There was one non-union and except for that case, the average union time was 10.2 weeks. Active forward flexion averaged 140 degrees, external rotation 50 degrees and internal rotation between T12 and L1 vertebra. The clinical results were 3 excellent, 5 good and 4 fair. There was no significant corelation (P=0.538) between fracture type and clinical results statistically. But for above 65 years, the UCLA scale averaged 25.8 points and for under 65 years, 31.6 points (P=0.006 ) . CONCLUSION: The use of a suture technique for these displaced fracture without the use of metals achieved a high percentage of acceptable results. But in order to achieve good stability and early exercise, the neck fragment had to be impacted into the humeral head and the medial and lateral part of the neck fracture should be fixed together. Therefore, it is difficult to use this method for severely comminuted neck fractures.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humeral Head ; Metals ; Neck ; Shoulder Fractures* ; Spine ; Suture Techniques* ; Sutures*

No abstract available.
Etoposide* ; Fluorouracil* ; Stomach Neoplasms*

No abstract available.
Antiemetics* ; Drug Therapy, Combination* ; Humans ; Ondansetron*

PURPOSE: Osteolysis has become a major cause of aseptic loosening in total hip arthroplasty. Macrophages phagocytose wear debris from implants and release the pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and nitric oxide. We evaluated the effects of metal patricles on the release of bone-associated cytokines and nitric oxide from J774 mouse macrophage cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Titanium-Aluminum-Vanadium (Ti6Al4V) and Cobalt-Chrome-Aluminium (CoCr) particles were loaded and nitric oxide production was measured indirectly by the nitrite assay. The effect on cell proliferation, and apoptosis were also investigated with non-isotopic proliferation assay, and ELISA to DNA and histone. The levels of two proinflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, were measured with ELISA. The modulatory effect of anti-inflammatory cytokine on the nitrite, IL-6 and TNF-alpha production was additionally investigated. RESULTS: Nitrite levels increased after administration of Ti6Al4V and CoCr particle. IL-10 and IL-4 inhibited the production of nitrite with TiAl4V particle, but not in significant amount with CoCr particles. Cellular proliferative activity decreased and apoptosis increased after administration of Ti6Al4V and CoCr particle. Levels of IL-6 and TNF-a increased with both particles. IL-10 and IL-4 inhibited the production of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in varying degrees. CONCLUSION: Our data confirmed the increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide with metal particles and the inhibitory effect of IL-10 and IL-4 on the production of these substances, and suggest differences in the specific action between different metal particles.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Cytokines* ; DNA ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Histones ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-6 ; Macrophages ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; Osteolysis* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

PURPOSE: Osteolysis has become a major cause of aseptic loosening in total hip arthroplasty. Macrophages phagocytose wear debris from implants and release the pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and nitric oxide. We evaluated the effects of metal patricles on the release of bone-associated cytokines and nitric oxide from J774 mouse macrophage cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Titanium-Aluminum-Vanadium (Ti6Al4V) and Cobalt-Chrome-Aluminium (CoCr) particles were loaded and nitric oxide production was measured indirectly by the nitrite assay. The effect on cell proliferation, and apoptosis were also investigated with non-isotopic proliferation assay, and ELISA to DNA and histone. The levels of two proinflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, were measured with ELISA. The modulatory effect of anti-inflammatory cytokine on the nitrite, IL-6 and TNF-alpha production was additionally investigated. RESULTS: Nitrite levels increased after administration of Ti6Al4V and CoCr particle. IL-10 and IL-4 inhibited the production of nitrite with TiAl4V particle, but not in significant amount with CoCr particles. Cellular proliferative activity decreased and apoptosis increased after administration of Ti6Al4V and CoCr particle. Levels of IL-6 and TNF-a increased with both particles. IL-10 and IL-4 inhibited the production of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in varying degrees. CONCLUSION: Our data confirmed the increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide with metal particles and the inhibitory effect of IL-10 and IL-4 on the production of these substances, and suggest differences in the specific action between different metal particles.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Cytokines* ; DNA ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Histones ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-6 ; Macrophages ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; Osteolysis* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha