A Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometric method was described for the determination of quartz, mica(sericite) and feldspar(potassium feldspar) in respirable dust in Taebaek area. The results were as follows; 1) The concentration of minerals were determined from the intensity of absorption peak of quartz at 799 cm-1, sericite at 539 cm-1, and potassium feldspar at 648 cm-1 respectively. 2) The precision(C. V. %) for the quartz determination was 7.70+/-2.68 % from 10 to 200 microgram of quartz. 3) The precision for the sericite determination was 16.34+/-6.82 % from 30 to 500 microgram of serictite. 4) The precision for the potassium feldspar determination was 5.28+/-1.74 % from 30 to 500 microgram of potassium feldspar. 5) The concentration of respirable dust in Taebaek area was 4.90+/-3.29 mg/m3(0.4-93.7%), percent quartz was 1.80+/-4.14% (0.01-20.56%), percent sericite was 11.37+/-6.43% (0.00-29.69%), percent potassium feldspar was 8.15 % (n=7, 3.41-19.70%). 6) The difference of respirable coal dust, quartz, and sericite concentration in drilling, coal cutting, hauling and separating was significant respectively (p<0.05).
Absorption ; Coal ; Dust* ; Fourier Analysis* ; Minerals ; Potassium ; Quartz* ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared*

In order to investigate working conditions of underground coal mines, this work was undertaken to evaluate the respirable dust and the concentration of quartz in Taeback and Kangneung areas. The concentration of quartz was determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry. The results were as follows; 1) The concentration of respirable dust of drilling and coal face in Taeback and Kangneung areas were as followed. 2) Distribution of respirable dust was well fitted to the long-normal distribution and geometric mean value was log(-1) 0.37+/-log(-1) 0.47 (2.34+/-2.95) mg/m3. 3) The difference of respirable dust concentrations in Taeback and Kangneung areas was not significant statistically (p>0.05). 4) The concentration of quartz of drilling and coal face in Taeback and Kangneung areas were as followed. 5) Distribution of quartz concentrations was well fitted to the log-normal distribution and geometric mean value was log(-1) 0.33+/-log(-1) 0.45 (2.14+/-2.82)%. 6) The difference of quartz concentrations in Taeback and Kangneung areas was not significant (p>0.05), but significant at drilling sites and coal faces (p<0.05).
Coal* ; Dust* ; Fourier Analysis ; Gangwon-do* ; Quartz* ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared

Human untreated costal cartilage was compared with lyophilized human costal cartilage which was treated with defatting solution for 48 hours and freeze drying for 72 hours (-70degree C, 10??bar) on the tendency of distortion. All cartilages, which were taken from six cadavers, were carved 5x5x30mm in size on principle of the balanced cross section. Their distortions were evaluated by two methods at intervals of one week, one month, three months, six months after experiment. At first, the degree of distortion was grossly graded with four steps: grade O; no distortion / grade I; minimal distortion / grade II; moderate distortion / grade III; severe distortion. Second method is measurement and quantification of distortion in the horizontal and vertical plane of cartilage.Untreated cartilage is shown to be an unsatisfactory material, with only three(12%) of the 25 cartilages being cosmetically acceptable(grade 0 and 1) after 6 months. In lyophilized cartilage, 18(94%) of the 19 cartilages were cosmetically acceptable(grade 0 and 1) at 6 months. This figure is highly significant(p<0.01). In another method, distortion in the horizontal(h) and vertical (v) planes of cartilage were measured, and mean values of ???? were calculated. In untreated group, the mean values of ???? were 0.82 at 1 week, 0.91 at 1 month, 1.13 at 3 months, and 1.31 at 6 months. In lyophilized group, the mean values were 0.27 at 1 week, 0.29 at 1 month, 0.40 at 3 months and 0.47 at 6 months. All values were statistically significant(p<0.01).
Cadaver ; Cartilage* ; Freeze Drying ; Humans

Background: Hypertension results from an impaired baroreceptor reflex and enhanced sympathetic activity. The prevalence of hypertension differs among ethnicities and is more frequent in South Asians than in Caucasians, suggesting that baseline autonomic nervous system functions and their regulation may also differ among ethnic groups. In most studies, the reference values for clinical autonomic function tests are obtained from heterogeneous ethnic populations, or ethnic factors are not considered in the study design. Obtaining reference data in a homogenous ethnic group and comparing them within various ethnic groups could be helpful to detect ethnic differences in autonomic functions. The aim of this study was to identify normative reference values for standard autonomic reflex measurements in a homogeneous Korean population. Methods: A total of 181 healthy Korean volunteers (age, 20–74 years) underwent standard autonomic function tests: heart rate difference during deep breathing, Valsalva maneuver, and the quantitative sudomotor axon-reflex test. Mean and 5th and 95th percentile values were obtained for each age group. We also analyzed factors (age, sex, and body mass index) that can influence autonomic functions. Results: The heart rate difference during deep breathing and expiratory-inspiratory ratio were higher in males than in females and were inversely related to age. The Valsalva ratio was inversely related to age. Males had higher sweat volumes at all body areas evaluated than those of females, and only forearm sweat volume was significantly different between the age groups. Conclusions: Cardiovagal function was affected by age and sex in Koreans. Sudomotor function was affected by sex, and only forearm sweat volume was affected by age and sex. These results represent preliminary normative clinical autonomic data in a Korean population comprised of a single ethnicity
Hypertension

Poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA) is widely used in facial rejuvenation as a collagen stimulator, with a lower risk of granuloma formation compared to poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). However, granulomas may still occur. In this case, a 58-year-old woman developed firm, non-tender, bilateral infraorbital granulomas 2 months after her third PDLLA injection for infraorbital hollowing. The lesions were unresponsive to intralesional trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and intense pulsed light therapy, necessitating surgical removal. Histopathological analysis confirmed foreign-body granulomas caused by the PDLLA filler. This case highlights the need for caution when injecting PDLLA into thin-skinned areas like the infraorbital region, where granulomas can be more visible due to limited tissue volume. Although PDLLA fillers are generally safe, granuloma formation remains a potential complication. Early diagnosis and treatment with non-surgical methods, such as intralesional TCA, should be prioritized. If these methods fail, surgical excision, aimed at preserving as much normal tissue as possible, may be necessary for optimal outcomes.

Objectives: White matter hyperintensities are known to influence dementia in Alzheimer’s disease. Genetic components are suggested as putative risk factors for vascular pathology and cognitive decline. This study aimed to determine whether there is an association between candidate genetic polymorphisms and the severity of white matter hyperintensities in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: Seventy-five patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease underwent genetic tests for specific alleles of apolipoprotein E, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. All patients underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging scans and neuropsychological tests. The severity of white matter hyperintensities was semiquantified using the CREDOS rating scale, and patients were divided into three groups according to their rating. Results:The severity of white matter hyperintensities was related to age and hypertension. However, none of the gene polymorphisms we tested was found to be associated with the severity of white matter hyperintensities. Conclusion:The genetic polymorphisms found in apolipoprotein E, angiotensin-converting enzyme and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase did not contribute to white matter hyperintensities in Alzheimer’s disease.Only age and hypertension factors were found to be contributory to white matter hyperintensities.
Alzheimer Disease ; Dementia

PURPOSE: Radiation adaptive response in human peripheral lymphocytes and mouse bone marrow cells was investigated using both metaphase analysis and micronucleus assay. We assessed the correlation between both tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two groups of the human peripheral lymphocytes and mouse bone marrow cells were exposed to low dose (conditioning dose, 0.18 Gy) or high dose (challenging dose, 2 Gy) gamma-rays. The other 4 groups were exposed to low dose followed by high dose after several time intervals (4, 7, 12, and 24 hours, respectively). The frequencies of chromosomal aberrations in metphase analysis and micronuclei in micronucleus assay were counted. RESULTS: Chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei of preexposed group were lower than those of the group only exposed to high dose radiation. Maximal reduction in frequencies of chromosomal aberrations were observed in the group to which challenging dose was given at 7 hour after a conditioning dose (p<0.001). Metaphase analysis and micronucleus assay revealed very good correlation in both human lymphocytes and mouse bone marrow cells (r=0.98, p<0.001; r=0.99, p=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Radiation adaptive response could be induced by low dose irradiation in both human lymphocytes and mouse bone marrow cells. There was a significant correlation between metaphase analysis and micronucleus assay
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells* ; Bone Marrow* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cytogenetics* ; Humans* ; Lymphocytes* ; Metaphase* ; Mice* ; Micronucleus Tests

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long lasting autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints, and patients with rheumatoid arthritis are predisposed to development of chronic skin ulcers. In addition, skin ulcers with rheumatoid arthritis tend to persist despite treatment because of sustained inflammation and poor healing capacity. Treatment of skin ulcers involves medications, wound coating agents, and surgical procedures including skin grafting, however, wound dressing or skin grafts are generally excluded because of excessive cost and time and poor intake rate. The dorsal metacarpal artery perforator (DMAP) flap, a vascular island flap for coverage of soft tissue defects on the fingers, provides promising results including matched quality and color. We experienced a case of DMAP flap for reconstruction of a rheumatoid ulcer, and a DMAP flap may be considered as a good faithful option for treatment of patients with rheumatoid ulcer.
Arteries* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Bandages ; Fingers ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Joints ; Perforator Flap* ; Skin ; Skin Transplantation ; Skin Ulcer ; Transplants ; Ulcer* ; Wounds and Injuries

Pharmacokinetic interaction of chrysin, a flavone present in honey, propolis and herbs, with caffeine was investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Because chrysin inhibited CYP1A-selective ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase and methoxyresorufin O-demethylase activities in enriched rat liver microsomes, the pharmacokinetics of caffeine, a CYP 1A substrate, was studied following an intragastric administration with 100 mg/kg chrysin. In addition to the oral bioavailability of chrysin, its phase 2 metabolites, chrysin sulfate and chrysin glucuronide, were determined in rat plasma. As results, the pharmacokinetic parameters for caffeine and its three metabolites (i.e., paraxanthine, theobromine and theophylline) were not changed following chrysin treatment in vivo, despite of its inhibitory effect on CYP 1A in vitro. The bioavailability of chrysin was found to be almost zero, because chrysin was rapidly metabolized to its sulfate and glucuronide conjugates in rats. Taken together, it was concluded that the little interaction of chrysin with caffeine might be resulted from the rapid metabolism of chrysin to its phase 2 metabolites which would not have inhibitory effects on CYP enzymes responsible for caffeine metabolism.
Animals ; Biological Availability ; Caffeine* ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; Drug Interactions ; Honey ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Metabolism ; Microsomes, Liver ; Pharmacokinetics ; Plasma ; Propolis ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Theobromine

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: It is widely believed that the post-lumbar puncture headache(PLPH) is related to CSF leakage through the dural hole made by needle tract. So it is accepted that PLPH is prevented by at least 4 hour bed rest after lumbar puncture (LP). If bed rest was unneccessary, the administrative and nursing advantages would be obvious,, especially in neurologic units, whereLP has been done frequently. Therefore, we evaluate the incidence of PLPH in the ambulant and bed-rest patients prospectively and compared the incidence difference between two group. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients without preceding headache who were done lumbar puncture for diagnostic purpose were selected prospectively. We compared the incidence of PLPH between the ambulant (50 patients) and bed-rest group (38 patient,) at 6 hour and 24 hours. We also evaluated the effect of the CSF profile (count of RBC and WBC, protein level and opening pressure) on PLPH. RESULTS: The PLPH was found in 11 cases(12.5%) among bed-rest and ambulant groups. The frequency of each group was 8% (3/38) in bed-rest group and 16%(8/50) in ambulant group, but there is no significant difference between two groups (p-vaIue = 0.26). The frequency of PLPH is also not correlated to the CSF profiles; count of RBC and WBC, protein level, and opening pressure. CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant difference between the ambulant and bed rest group in the frequency of the PLPH. We conclude that the bed rest after LP is unnecessary for the prevention of the PLPH.
Bed Rest* ; Headache ; Humans ; Incidence ; Needles ; Nursing ; Post-Dural Puncture Headache* ; Prospective Studies ; Punctures ; Spinal Puncture