This study was carried out to investigate the direct neurotoxicity of alcohol on CNS and the effects of piracetam or vitamins on ultrastructural changes of the rat cerebellar and hippocampal neurons during long-term alcohol treatment. To evaluate the results, quantitative analysis were done for light and electronic microscopic findings. On the light microscopy, red degeneration of pyramidal cells and Purkinje cells was found more apparently in the alcohol only treated group than in the control group. On the electron microscopy, increased lipofuscin pigments wee found in cerebellum and hippocampus. In quantitative analysis, vitamins significantly reduced red degeneration in both hippocampus and cerebellum. However, piracetam significantly reduced red degeneration in cerebellum but not in hippocampus. Lipofuscin pigments in Purkinje cells and pyramidal cells were significantly reduced in the alcohol with piracetam treated group than the alcohol only treated group. However, vitamin had no significant reducing effect of lipofuscin pigments in Purkinje cells and pyramidal cells. According to the results, it is concluded that vitamins deficiency might cause red degeneration of pyramidal cell after long-term alcohol treatment, but increment of lipofuscin pigments in pyramidal and Purkinje cell may be caused by alcohol itself or its metabolite rather than vitamins deficiency. Piracetam seems to improve cognitive function impairment caused by alcohol consumption.
Alcohol Drinking ; Animals ; Cerebellum ; Hippocampus ; Lipofuscin ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron ; Neurons* ; Piracetam* ; Purkinje Cells ; Pyramidal Cells ; Rats* ; Vitamins*

BACKGROUND: Through a genome-wide search using the genetic markers(RFLP genetic markers), the familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(FHCM) with an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance has been firstly detected to be genetically linked to chromosome 14q1. The subsequent studies have shown that the point mutations at the exons encoding for the head and head /rod junction of the cardiac beta myosin heavy chain(beta-MHC) are the most frequent type of mutation in the FHCM families genetically implicated with a linkage to beta-MHC, whereas the alpha/beta-MHC hybrid gene and a large deletion at the 3' region of beta-MHC gene were also rarely detected. With the other families genetically implicated with the chromosomes 1,11,15,16 and 18, FHCM also manifests locus heterogeneity, a phenomenon in which abnormalities at different genes are involved in different families. In addition, a korean FHCM family with 403Arg-->Gln mutation of beta-MHC gene has been previously found by an american research group. METHODS: For clinical diagnosis, echocardiography and electrocardiography were performed on the individual members of a korean FHCM family. The microsatellite markers(MYO-I,MYO-II) located in the beta-MHC gene region were amplified by PCR(polymerase chain reaction) and the polymorphism was analyzed for the possible linkage to the phenotypic expression of FHCM. Independently, the same PCR products of the exons 13 and 23 were digested with the specific restriction enzymes for the presence of the most frequently reported point mutations of beta-MHC gene (403 and 908 amino acid mutations). Single strand conformation polymorphism(SSCP) of the exon 13 and 23 of the beta-MHC gene was also analyzed of the mobility shift expected if any point mutation is present at these two exons. RESULTS: The inheritance pattern of HCM(hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) in the family is considered as autosomal dominant. In this family(KU 101), one of the microsatellite markers(MYO-II) indicated the possible cosegregation between the allele was also present in the 32-year-old brother of the proband, who reveals no clinical signs of the disease. The other microsatellite genetic marker(MYO-I) was uninformative, without giving the discriminating power to verify the linkage to beta-MHC gene. In the analysis for two common mutations of beta-MHC gene by PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSCP, no evidence was found for 403 and 908 amino acid mutations and any point mutation in the exons 13 and 23. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the linkage analysis using microsatellite genetic markers, there was a possibility that the disease could be linked to an abnormality in the beta-MHC gene of the chromosome 14q1.
Adult ; Alleles ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic, Familial* ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Exons ; Genetic Markers ; Head ; Humans ; Inheritance Patterns ; Mass Screening* ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Population Characteristics ; Siblings ; Ventricular Myosins* ; Wills

BACKGROUND: Through a genome-wide search using the genetic markers(RFLP genetic markers), the familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(FHCM) with an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance has been firstly detected to be genetically linked to chromosome 14q1. The subsequent studies have shown that the point mutations at the exons encoding for the head and head /rod junction of the cardiac beta myosin heavy chain(beta-MHC) are the most frequent type of mutation in the FHCM families genetically implicated with a linkage to beta-MHC, whereas the alpha/beta-MHC hybrid gene and a large deletion at the 3' region of beta-MHC gene were also rarely detected. With the other families genetically implicated with the chromosomes 1,11,15,16 and 18, FHCM also manifests locus heterogeneity, a phenomenon in which abnormalities at different genes are involved in different families. In addition, a korean FHCM family with 403Arg-->Gln mutation of beta-MHC gene has been previously found by an american research group. METHODS: For clinical diagnosis, echocardiography and electrocardiography were performed on the individual members of a korean FHCM family. The microsatellite markers(MYO-I,MYO-II) located in the beta-MHC gene region were amplified by PCR(polymerase chain reaction) and the polymorphism was analyzed for the possible linkage to the phenotypic expression of FHCM. Independently, the same PCR products of the exons 13 and 23 were digested with the specific restriction enzymes for the presence of the most frequently reported point mutations of beta-MHC gene (403 and 908 amino acid mutations). Single strand conformation polymorphism(SSCP) of the exon 13 and 23 of the beta-MHC gene was also analyzed of the mobility shift expected if any point mutation is present at these two exons. RESULTS: The inheritance pattern of HCM(hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) in the family is considered as autosomal dominant. In this family(KU 101), one of the microsatellite markers(MYO-II) indicated the possible cosegregation between the allele was also present in the 32-year-old brother of the proband, who reveals no clinical signs of the disease. The other microsatellite genetic marker(MYO-I) was uninformative, without giving the discriminating power to verify the linkage to beta-MHC gene. In the analysis for two common mutations of beta-MHC gene by PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSCP, no evidence was found for 403 and 908 amino acid mutations and any point mutation in the exons 13 and 23. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the linkage analysis using microsatellite genetic markers, there was a possibility that the disease could be linked to an abnormality in the beta-MHC gene of the chromosome 14q1.
Adult ; Alleles ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic, Familial* ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Exons ; Genetic Markers ; Head ; Humans ; Inheritance Patterns ; Mass Screening* ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Population Characteristics ; Siblings ; Ventricular Myosins* ; Wills

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for detection of the pathogenic Yersinia pestis from other Yersinia spp. was developed. Five Y. pestis strains, ninety-two other Yersinia species and twenty-four Enterobacteriaceae strains were collected in Korea and from other countries. Oligonucleotide primers were designed from pathogenic gene of antiphagocytic protein capsule gene (fra 1) and plasminogen activator gene (pla). The 428 bp DNA fragment was amplified from five Y. pestis which contained the fra I gene. No product was amplified from other Yersinia species and other strains of the Enterobacteriaceae. The 439 bp DNA fragment was amplified from three K pestis which contained the pla gene. No product was amplified from two Y. pestis, other Yersinia species and other strains of the Enterobacteriaceae. These showed that the designed primers were specific for detection of Y. pestis among other Yersinia species and Enterobacteriaceae strains. Amplification was successful whether the template was derived from purified DNA or from aliquots of boiled bacterial suspension. The detection limits were 100 pg of DNA and 100 colony forming units (CFU) for fra I and 100 pg DNA and 10 CFU for pla, respectively. Our results prove that the PCR method using specific primers for Y. pestis is a rapid and convenient procedure for routine clinical detection and identification of Y. pestis.
DNA ; DNA Primers ; Enterobacteriaceae ; Korea ; Limit of Detection ; Plasminogen Activators ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Stem Cells ; Yersinia pestis* ; Yersinia*

In fusion of lumbar spine, every fused motion segments shows varisble limitation of motion in flexion, extension and lateral bending according to their types and level of fusion. The motion segment of lumbar spine is three joint complex which consists of posterior two articular facet joints and an anterior intervertebral disc. Nowadays, orthopedic surgeon prefer anterior fusion due to direct identification and removal of diseased tissue, reduction of fractured fragments, restoration of intrevertebral space, early rehabilitation and no damage of nerve root and cord, and is prefered short Segmental Spinal Instrumentation(e.g. Cotrel Dubousset Instrumentation, etc.) due to short and rigid fusion, no necessity of external support and low limitation of motion. We studied 58 cases of fused lumbar spine which had been operated since Sep.1983, by X-ray overlay method and 20 cases of healthy lumbar spine as eontrol group. In this study, we obtained following results ; 1. Harrington Rod Instrumentation reveals the most remarkable limitation of motion, whereas, C.D.I. and A.I.F. reveal the least limitation of motion. 2. Distinct differencies of motion are repersented by its range of fusion and range of motion in 2 segmental fusion reveals remarkable decreasement from range of motion in single segmental fusion. 3. In single segmental fusion, the most limitation of motion was represented in Harrington Rod Instrumentation and posterior fusion with bone graft. There is remarkable decreasement of flexion at lumbosacral junction by its site of fusion. 4.In double segmental fusion, the most limitation of motion was represented in Harrington Rod Instrumentation and there is no significant difference of motion by its site of fusion.
Intervertebral Disc ; Joints ; Methods ; Orthopedics ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation ; Spine ; Transplants ; Zygapophyseal Joint

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of emergent carotid artery stenting (CAS) for occlusion or high-grade stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: From November 2004 to May 2007, 17 patients admitted to the hospital within 12 hours of symptom onset with occlusion or a high-grade stenosis of the proximal ICA underwent emergent CAS. We analyzed risk factors, imaging findings, functional outcome scales, and peri-procedural complication. The outcome was measured by the modified Rankin scale (mRS) 3 months later and classified into good (mRS score of 0 to 2) or poor (mRS score of 3 to 6). RESULTS: All patients were recanalized successfully. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 12.6 (range 4 to 24) just before the emergent CAS, which decreased to 9.4 and 8.2 at 1 day and 7 days after the stenting. Three months later, 12 patients showed good outcome while three had poor outcome and two of them died. Two patients (11.8%) exhibited symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation following the emergent CAS. Smoking status, and initial and immediate post-procedural NIHSS scores were associated with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Emergent CAS is a feasible and effective method in acute treatment of selected stroke patients with steno-occlusion of the proximal ICA.
Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stents ; Stroke ; Weights and Measures

Owing to the paucity of information on the clinical outcomes in female patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in relation to the comorbid disease burden, we explored the differences in their clinical outcomes and identified predictive indicators.A total of 3,419 female AMI patients were stratified into two groups: Group A (those with zero or one comorbid diseases) (n=1,983) and Group B (those with two to five comorbid diseases) (n=1,436). Five comorbid conditions were considered: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, prior coronary artery disease, and prior cerebrovascular accidents. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs). The incidence of MACCEs was higher in Group B than in Group A in both the unadjusted and propensity score-matched data. Among the comorbid conditions, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and prior coronary artery disease were found to be independently associated with an increased incidence of MACCEs. Higher comorbid disease burden was positively associated with adverse outcomes in the female population with AMI. Since both hypertension and diabetes mellitus are modifiable and independent predictors of adverse outcomes after AMI, it may be necessary to focus on the optimal management of blood pressure and glucose levels to improve cardiovascular outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Mitral regurgitation is a valvular heart disease that produce complex hemodynamic alternations and myocardial dysfunction occurs subclinically, so result in a high incidence of left ventricular dysfunction that might affect postoperative result. In order to assess preoperative factors affecting the outcome of mitral valve replacement in patients with chronic mitral regurgitaion, we evaluated prognostic factors from preoperative clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic findings in 71 patients with chronic mitral regurgitation who received mitral valve replacement. METHODS: From 1985 to 1994, 71 patients with chronic mitral regurgitation, who received mitral valve replacement, were included in this study. The patients were defined as group I who had improved symptom and / or decreased left ventricular end-diastolic dimension after operation, and group II who had persistent symptom and / or over 60mm of left ventricular end-diastolic dimension after operation. RESULTS: 1) In clinical findings, preoperative systolic blood pressure was higher in Group I patients(p<0.05). 2) Hemoglobin, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen level were not significantly different in both groups. 3) In echocardigraphic findings, left atrial dimension, left ventricular end-systolic / end-diastolic dimension, and left ventricular volume index of Group II were much higher than those of Group I patients(p<0.05). 4) In the discriminant analysis, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, age, NYHA functional class, and left ventricular mass index were defined as important prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: According to the above results, preoperative age, NYHA functional class are significant prognostic factors in clinical and laboratory findings. And left atrial dimension, left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic dimensions, left ventricular volume index, and left ventricular mass index are significant prognostic factors in echocardiographic findings.
Blood Pressure ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; Echocardiography ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency* ; Mitral Valve* ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left

Recently limb sparing surgery is accepted as an alternative method in the management of muskuloskeletal tumors of the extremity without undue compromise to the patient s life. But the limb sparing procedure results in large osseous and soft tissue defects. To fill these defect, several options have been used such as tumor prosthesis, temporary spacer with cementation, allograft, and autograft(fresh, autoclaved, low heat treated, and extracorporeal irradiated). To identify the indica- tions ot' individual option, we studied 66 cases of musuloskeletal tumors of extremity which were treated with wide or marginal resection and reconstructive surgery from June, 1990 to June, 1997, in which 48 cases were osteosarcomas, 3 chondrosarcomas, 2 synovial sarcomas. I liposarcoma, 1 giant cell tumor, I malignant lymphoma, and 10 metastatic bone tumors. The location of the lesion were distal femur in 24, proximal tibia in 24, proximal femur in 9, proximal humerus in 6, tibial midshaft in 1. distal radius in 1, and calcaneus in 1. In Enneking stages about primary bone tumors 6 cases were IIA, 42 IIB, and 8 III. We reconstructed the osseous defect with tumor prosthesis in 22 cases, temporary spacer in 9(later, 4 cases was changed to tumor prosthesis for staged operation), allograft in 25, and autograft in 14(low heat treated in 2, irradiated in 12). Total functional result by Enneking system was 71.5% . 80.8% with tumor prosthesis, 50.5% with temporary spacer, 70% with allograft, 75.3% with autograft. Infections were occurred in 18% of the patients treated with tumor prosthesis, 34% with allograft, 0% with temporary spacer or low heated autograft, and 18% with irradiated autograft. Delayed union or nonunion was occurred in l5% of the patients treated with allograft, 40% with autograft. There were 2 cases of metal failure and 2 cases of graft fracture using autograft. In conclusion, we propose that the indication of the tumor prosthesis is for the skeletally matured patient, patient with high-grade malignant tumor, older patients, and patient who have limited life expectancy. The reconstruction with allograft have several advantages for the patients with henign bone tumor and locally aggressive or low-grade malignant tumor. The temporary spacer may be used as staged operations for the skeletally immature patient and patient who have an extreme hone and soft tissue defects after limb sparing operation. The recycling autograft may be applied to the patients at any age with minimal bony involvement of tumor. The low heat treated autograft may be useful in the patients requiring intercalary reconstruction, and the irradiated autograft may he useful in the patients with periarticular involvement.
Allografts ; Autografts ; Calcaneus ; Cementation ; Chondrosarcoma ; Extremities* ; Femur ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Humerus ; Life Expectancy ; Liposarcoma ; Lymphoma ; Osteosarcoma ; Prostheses and Implants ; Radius ; Recycling ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; Tibia ; Transplants

Clinical and bacteriologicaql studies on 133 cases of urinary tract infection who were admitted to the Dept. of Pediatrics, NMC during the period of Jan. 1974 to Jan. 1979 were subjected in this study. The resultes were as follows : 1. Among the total 133 cases, 100 cases(75.2%) were male and 33 cases(24.8%) were female with sex ratio of 3:1. 2. The highest incidence(42.1%) was in children below the age of one year. The rate then decreased with age. 3. Seasonal incidence was relatively high in summer months, but seasonal difference was not significant. 4. Edema, signs of URI, vomiting, hematuria, failure to thrive and feeding problem were common clinical features. 5. Urinalysis disclosed proteinuria in 43 cases(32.3%), hematuria in 36 cases(27.1%) and pyuria in 26 cases(19.6%). 6. Hematological findings showed low hemoglobin in 40 cases(30.0%), leucocytosis in 31 cases(23.3%) and elevated ESR in 42 cases(31.6%). 7. IVP was performed in 13 cases, and 3 cases of them showed abnormal findings. 8. Nephrotic syndrome, acute glomerulonephritis, hyperbilirubinemia and sepsis were the common concurrent illnesses. 9. E. coli predominated as the infecting organisms(36.8%). It was most sensitive to ;gentamycin(83.7%) and cefamezine(77.8%)
Child* ; Edema ; Failure to Thrive ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Incidence ; Male ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Pediatrics ; Proteinuria ; Pyuria ; Seasons ; Sepsis ; Sex Ratio ; Urinalysis ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract* ; Vomiting