Great strides has been made in the past 20 years in the treatment of scoliosis. Treatment before scoliosis becomes severe eliminates the need for extensive surgery. Early detection of scoliosis by school screening has proven to be valuable for early diagnosis and prevention of severe deformities. Authors screened 5,256 middle and high school students in Seoul, who were chosen arbitrarily, to determine the incidence rates of scoliosis, and following results were obtained. 1. Scoliosis was diagnosed on a combination of at least one positive physical sign and a lateral curvature more than 5 degrees on an antero-posterior standing X-ray. 2. The overall incidence of scoliosis was 4.68% (Male 0.74%, Female 6.43%). 3. Idiopathic scoliosis was found in 238 students, congenital scoliosis in 5, and paralytic scoliosis in 3. 4. The most common pattern of curvature was thoracic curve. 5. In the single curve right to left ratio was 2.1, but 8.4 in the upper curve of double curve. 6. Close observations were required for all the 246 students and treatment was required in 14 students who had more than 20 degrees, 9 students for Milwaukee brace, and 5 students for surgical correction.
Braces ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Scoliosis ; Seoul

No abstract available.

No abstract available.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the location of leptin and receptors of ovary specimens obtained from patients undergoing hysterectomy by immunohistochemical staining and to determine the effect of leptin on the steroidogenesis of cultured granulosa cells. METHOD: In the culturing process of the granulosa cells, FSH (1 IU/ml)and leptin (50 ng/ml), IGF-I (50 ng/ml) was administered to each study group (Group I: FSH; Group II: FSH, leptin; Group III: FSH, IGF-I, leptin), and the levels of estradiol, progesterone, androstenedione in the culture media was measured by radioimmunoassay. Statistical analysis was conducted by one-way ANOVA with Scheffe test. RESULTS: The results showed that leptin and leptin receptors were both found to be strongly stained in granulosa and theca cells, and also in some interstitial cells. Leptin receptors were also observed in cultured granulosa cells. While there was no statistically significant difference in the androstnedione concentrations between the groups, estradiol concentrations was significantly decreased in Group IV (2202.0+/-151.14 pg/ml) compared to Group III (2859.0+/-122.6 pg/ml), and progesterone concentrations were also significantly decreased in Group II(4696.3+/-190.6 ng/ml) and Group IV (4517+/-206.78 ng/ml) compared to Group III(5546.0+/-179.5 ng/ml). CONCLUSTION: The study result of this study suggest that leptin is directly involved in the regulation of ovarian functions, in particular steroidogenesis.
Androstenedione ; Culture Media ; Estradiol ; Female ; Granulosa Cells* ; Humans* ; Hysterectomy ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Leptin* ; Ovary ; Progesterone ; Radioimmunoassay ; Receptors, Leptin ; Theca Cells

BACKGROUND: Measurements of coronary flow reserve(CFR) and phasic coronary flow profile are useful in assessment of the physiologic significance of coronary lesions. However, alterations in hemodynamic status are known to influence coronary flow reserve. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of increase in heart rate on maximal pharmacologin coronry flow reserve and phasic flow pattern. METHODS: We investigated 12 patients(9 females and 3 males, mean age : 49+/-12 years) with normal coronary artery and atypical chest pain syndrome for the measurement of CFR and coronary flow profile. CFR and systolic and diastolic coronary flow velocity integral(CFVI) were measured at the proximal portion of left anterior descending artery with 0.018 inch(12MHz) Doppler guide wire before and during intracoronary injection of 12 mcg of adenosine. The heart rate at the baseline ranging from 62 beats/min to 79 beats/min(mean : 70+/-5 beats/min) was increased to 100 beats/min and again to 120 beats/min by right atrial pacing. RESULTS: CFR progressively decreased from 3.0+/-0.5 at baseline to 2.4+/-0.4 during pacing at 100 beats/min and to 2.0+/-0.3 during pacing at 120 beats.min(p<0.001). CFVI/min at baseline was progressively increased(130+/-15% of control value at 100 beats.min, 135+/-30% at 120 beats.min(p<0.01) whereas in adenosine hyperemia remained unchanged(286+/-81% at hyperemia baseline, 296+/-91% at 100 beats/min, 289+/-105% at 120 beats/min, p>0.05). Systolic CFVI/min was increased at baseline(185+/-35% at 120 beats/min, p<0.01) and in adenosine hyperemia(377+/-153% at hyperemia baseline, 457+/-178% at 120 beats/min, p=0.01). Diastolic CFVI/min was increased at baseline(134+/-178% at 120 beats/min, p<0.01), but in adenosine hyperemia, no significant change was observed(278+/-77% at hyperemia baseline and 251+/-77% at 120 beats/min, p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Increase in heart rate induces a substantial reduction in maximal CFR. Thus,heart rate appears to be one of important variable for the measurement of CFR and phasin coronary flow profile.
Adenosine ; Arteries ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Vessels ; Female ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Male

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study analyzing the results of chip PLIF with pedicle screw instrumentation for various spinal lesions. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical and radiologic results of chip PLIF and to compare the amount of blood loss and transfusion and operation time with the ordinary PLIF. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The ordinary PLIF has 86-95% of radiologic union rate and 80% of clinical satisfactory rate. The problems of ordinary PLIF were donor site morbidity, limited bone resources, prolonged operation time and excessive blood loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients were treated by chip PLIF utilizing cubical chip bone obtained from spinous process, facets and lamina from October 1995 to October 1997. Twenty-four patients, followed up over 12 months, were included in this study. Radiologic union, disc space collapse and change of kyphotic angle were assessed by simple X-ray and clinical results by improvement of back pain, radicular pain and change of neurological deficits. Twenty-nine patients treated by ordinary PLIF were compared concerning the operation time, amount of blood loss and transfusion. RESULTS: The mean age was 51.5 years(27-68 years) and mean follow-up was 20.7 months(12-30 months). Complete radiologic union rate was 47.6%, which was lower than ordinary PLlf. Satisfactory clinical result rate was 79%, which was similar with other fusion methods. Operation time, amount of blood loss and transfusion were less than the ordinary PLIF. There were three complications that were one dural tear ailed two pedicle screw breakages. CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between radiologic union rate and clinical satisfactory result after chip PLIF. Although operation time is relatively short and blood loss is less, it's not a good method to obtain nice bony union in spinal lesions.
Back Pain ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Tissue Donors

Objectives: . The association between pet sensitization and pet ownership remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the association between pet sensitization and pet ownership by age. Methods: . We retrospectively reviewed 2,883 patients who visited our allergy clinic for nasal symptoms from January 2003 to December 2014, of whom 1,957 patients with data on skin-prick tests and questionnaire responses were included and divided into adults (age >19 years) and children (age ≤19 years). The association between pet sensitization and pet ownership was evaluated in both groups. Results: . Among children, dog and cat sensitization showed no associations with dog and cat ownership, respectively. However, among adults, dog sensitization was significantly associated with dog ownership (odds ratio [OR], 3.283; P<0.001), and cat sensitization with cat ownership (OR, 13.732; P<0.001). After adjustment for age, sex, familial history of allergy, sinusitis, diabetes mellitus, other pet ownership, and non-pet sensitization, significant associations remained between dog sensitization and dog ownership (adjusted OR [aOR], 3.881; P<0.001), and between cat sensitization and cat ownership (aOR, 10.804; P<0.001) among adults. Dog ownership did not show any association with allergic rhinitis, asthma, or atopic dermatitis, whereas atopic dermatitis had a significant association with cat ownership in adults (aOR, 4.840; P<0.001). Conclusion . Pet ownership in adulthood increased the risk of pet sensitization. However, pet ownership was not associated with the prevalence of atopic disorders, regardless of age, except for atopic dermatitis and cat ownership in adults.

Objectives: . The association between pet sensitization and pet ownership remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the association between pet sensitization and pet ownership by age. Methods: . We retrospectively reviewed 2,883 patients who visited our allergy clinic for nasal symptoms from January 2003 to December 2014, of whom 1,957 patients with data on skin-prick tests and questionnaire responses were included and divided into adults (age >19 years) and children (age ≤19 years). The association between pet sensitization and pet ownership was evaluated in both groups. Results: . Among children, dog and cat sensitization showed no associations with dog and cat ownership, respectively. However, among adults, dog sensitization was significantly associated with dog ownership (odds ratio [OR], 3.283; P<0.001), and cat sensitization with cat ownership (OR, 13.732; P<0.001). After adjustment for age, sex, familial history of allergy, sinusitis, diabetes mellitus, other pet ownership, and non-pet sensitization, significant associations remained between dog sensitization and dog ownership (adjusted OR [aOR], 3.881; P<0.001), and between cat sensitization and cat ownership (aOR, 10.804; P<0.001) among adults. Dog ownership did not show any association with allergic rhinitis, asthma, or atopic dermatitis, whereas atopic dermatitis had a significant association with cat ownership in adults (aOR, 4.840; P<0.001). Conclusion . Pet ownership in adulthood increased the risk of pet sensitization. However, pet ownership was not associated with the prevalence of atopic disorders, regardless of age, except for atopic dermatitis and cat ownership in adults.

Percutaneous mitral ballon valvuloplasty(PMV) is an effective nonsurgical procedure for patients with mitral stenosis. PMV was performed in 13 patients(mean age, 41 years) with mitral stenosis. All patients underwent echophonocardiography(Echophono) before and after PMV. Two dilatation balloons were used in which the diameters approximately equaled the mitral valve annulus diameter as determined. After PMV, the mean mitral valve pressure gradient decreased(22.3+/-1.89mmHg to 5.2+/-2.6mmHg), the mean left atrial pressure decreased(21.3+/-5.1mmHg to 9.0+/-4.5mmHg) and the mitral valve area increased from 0.8+/-0.3cm2 to 1.7+/-0.6cm2. The Echophono data are correlated with clinical and hemodynamic changes produced by PMV. PMV resulted in echophono changes consistent with decresed severity of mitral stenosis ; shortening of Q-S1, from 88+/-14 to 73+/-11 mses(p<0.01) and (Q-S1)-(S2-OS), from 0.9+/-1.7 to -2.1+/-1.6(p<0.001) ; prolongation of S2-OS from 80+/-15 to 103+/-14 msec(p<0.001) and increase of EF slope from 14.7+/-5.4 to 26.7+/-8.1 mm/sec(p<0.001). Compared with pre-PMV, post-PMV Echophono showed significant decrease in the severity of mitral stenosis. Thus Echophono is a simple, low cost method helpful in evaluation and follow-up patients undergoing PMV.
Atrial Pressure ; Balloon Valvuloplasty ; Dilatation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Stenosis

Astrocytes are non-excitable cells in the brain and their activity largely depends on the intracellular calcium (Ca²⁺) level. Therefore, maintaining the intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis is critical for proper functioning of astrocytes. One of the key regulatory mechanisms of Ca²⁺ homeostasis in astrocytes is the store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE). This process is mediated by a combination of the Ca²⁺-store-depletion-sensor, Stim, and the store-operated Ca²⁺-channels, Orai and TrpC families. Despite the existence of all those families in astrocytes, previous studies have provided conflicting results on the molecular identification of astrocytic SOCE. Here, using the shRNA-based gene-silencing approach and Ca²⁺-imaging from cultured mouse astrocytes, we report that Stim1 in combination with Orai1 and Orai3 contribute to the major portion of astrocytic SOCE. Gene-silencing of Stim1 showed a 79.2% reduction of SOCE, indicating that Stim1 is the major Ca²⁺-store-depletion-sensor. Further gene-silencing showed that Orai1, Orai2, Orai3, and TrpC1 contribute to SOCE by 35.7%, 20.3%, 26.8% and 12.2%, respectively. Simultaneous gene-silencing of all three Orai subtypes exhibited a 67.6% reduction of SOCE. Based on the detailed population analysis, we predict that Orai1 and Orai3 are expressed in astrocytes with a large SOCE, whereas TrpC1 is exclusively expressed in astrocytes with a small SOCE. This analytical approach allows us to identify the store operated channel (SOC) subtype in each cell by the degree of SOCE. Our results propose that Stim1 in combination with Orai1 and Orai3 are the major molecular components of astrocytic SOCE under various physiological and pathological conditions.
Animals ; Astrocytes* ; Brain ; Calcium* ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Mice