In order to understand the pathogenesis and progression of some synaptic loss related neuropsychiatric diseases. We attempted to develop a computer model in this study. We made a simple autoassociative memory network remembering numbers, transformed it into a disease model by pruning synapses, and measured its memory performance as a function of synaptic deletion. Decline in performance was measured as amount of synaptic loss increases and its mode of declines is sudden or gradual according to the mode of synaptic pruning. The developed computer model demonstrated how synaptic loss could cause memory impairment through a series of computer simulations, and suggested a new way of research in neuropsychiatry.
Computer Simulation* ; Dementia ; Memory ; Neuropsychiatry ; Schizophrenia ; Synapses

BACKGROUND: The chemiluminescent assay(CLA) is a new in vitro non-radioactive modification of the radioallergosorbent test(RAST). The CLA permits quick, siultaneous detection of total and specific IgE in human serum up to 35 different allergens, as well as their semiquantitative concentrations into classes from 0(negative) to 4(very high). The CLA has shown sensitivity, specificity, and a good correlation with the RAST and also with skin pick testing. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to find the causatix llergens and to evaluate the clinical significance of CLA comparing the results of tbe CLA wi! h hose of the prick test in patients with chronic urticaria. METHODS: We performed the CLA with 35 allergens(MAST immunosunosystems, Inc., California, America) and the prick test with 51 allergens(Bencard Ltd., Bricantord, England) in 70 patients with chronic urticaria. The CLA detects the allergen-IgE reactic say the use of an enzyme-labeled anti-IgE and a coupled photoreagent mixture. lhe amount of the luminescent energy is measured by exposing a polarcid film and then semiquantitation is a sessed by using a densitometer. RESULTS: Except for those over the age of 60, all age-groups ealed a similar positive reaction to the CLA and prick test, but the positive reaction rate o the prick test(91.4%) was higher than that of the CLA(38.6%). The positive reaction rate oringle allergen and compound allergens was 10.0% and 28.6% in the CLA, but 10.0% and 81.4% in the prick test, respectively. In the CLA, the rate of positive reaction was 17(24.3%) in Dermatophagoides(D.) farinae, 15(21.4% ) in D. pteronyssinus, 5(7.1% ) in house dust, an 13(4.3%) in shrimp in that order. In the prick test, the rate of positive reaction was 39(55.7%) in house dust, 35(50.0%) in D. farinae, 29(41.4%) in D. pteronyssinus, and 21(30.0%) in haydrst(30.0%) in that order. The results of the CLA to 3 comrnon allergens showed a concordance rare of 67.6%, sensitivity of 34.3%, and specificity of 97.3% compared with those of the prick case. The levels of total IgE and eosinophils were elevated in 59(n=70, 843%) and in 5(n=56, 84.3%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the CLA may be used as an alternative method for the diagnosis of chronic urticaria because it is and coiomic, safe, simple procedure with very high specificity and trelative low sensitivity, and is sirnilt. neously capable of testing to multiple allergens.
Allergens ; California ; Diagnosis ; Dust ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Luminescent Measurements* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin ; Urticaria*

The provision of adequate soft tissue cover for a complex hand and forearm wound-dirty, infected and exposed bone can be a challenging problem. Conventionally, a distant flap or free flap have been used, but these have been associated with several problems such as joint stiffness, risk of microsurgical procedures, negligible donor site morbidity, prolonged operation time and economic restriction. As well, fasciocutaneous flap has been the limitation of infection control. In these situations, the ipsilateral muscle flap provides the ideal cover with its rich blood supply and single operative field. Previously described by Lendrum(1980), by Lae et al.(1981), and later by McGeorge(1991), the brachioradilis muscle is the most superficial muscle on the radial side of the forearm. Its flap is based on the radial artery and venae comitantes. From August 1996 to October 1997, we performed branchioradialis muscle flap in seven patients. Despite the sacrifice of the major hand artery, brachioradialis muscle flap has many advantages including the reliability of flap survival, easy dissection, early mobilization and absence of functional and aesthetic problems at the donor site. It is a relatively simple and rapid method for resurfacing soft tissue defect in the hand and forearm. We obtained satisfactory and reliable results.
Arteries ; Early Ambulation ; Forearm* ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Hand* ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Joints ; Radial Artery ; Tissue Donors

Lateral medullary syndrome is famous for its unique symptom complex such as crossed sensory change or Homer syndrome, and thus hardly can be misdiagnosed. Though this syndrome has been reported to be able to accompany ipsilateral motor weakness, the sensory change of extremities is known to be almost always contralateral to the lesion. We recently experienced one case presented with weakness and dysmetria on the right associated with ipsilateral sensory change. But few days later, he showed additional neurologic signs compatible with right lateral medullary syndrome. Brain MRI showed rostro-caudally elongated lesion extending from right lateral medulla to the upper cervical cord. Here we suggest the probable neuroanatomical substrate for this symptom and clinico-radiologic relationship with previous literature.
Brain ; Cerebellar Ataxia ; Extremities ; Lateral Medullary Syndrome* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Stroke*

Ki-1 antigen was found by a monoclonal antibody, made against a Hidgkin' disease-derived cell line (L428) that reacted with Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkins disease and a few lymphocytes around lymphoid follicle. In 1985, Stein et al identified a large cell anaplastic lymphoma showing a distinctive pleomorphic appearance, sinus growth pattern, and reactivity to Ki-l. We report a case of Ki-1 positive large cell anaplastic lymphoma, which was presenting as a elevated plaque on the skin of popliteal fossa in a 69-year-old female.
Aged ; Antigens, CD30 ; Cell Line ; Female ; Hodgkin Disease ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma* ; Reed-Sternberg Cells ; Skin

Gelastic Seizure(Ictal laughter) is frequently associated with hypothalamic hamartoma that is congenital tumor composed of heterotrophic and hyperplastic tissue located in the hypothalamus near the interpeduncular cistern, tuber cinereum, and mamillary body. The seizure usually begins in infancy or childhood and may be accompanied with precocious puberty and cognitive decline. A 14 year-old boy visited to our hospital because of paroxysmal frequent involuntary laughing regardless of emotional change. Brain MRI showed nonenhancing hypothalamic mass that had isointensity with gray matter on T1W1 and hyperintensity on T2Wl. So it was suspected that he had a gelastic seizure accompanied with hypothalamic hamartoma.
Adolescent ; Brain ; Hamartoma* ; Humans ; Hypothalamus ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mamillary Bodies ; Puberty, Precocious ; Seizures* ; Tuber Cinereum

We conducted this cohort analytic study to determine whether women with unexplained elevations of maternal serum hCG at 15-18 weeks' gestation are at increased risk for pregnancy complications and adverse perinatal outcomes. The inclusion criteria were a singleton gestation, a confirmed gestational age, and an hCG level greater than 2.0 multiples of the median (MoM). The exclusion criteria were fetal anomalies, an abnormal karyotype, molar pregnancy, and an MSAFP level greater than 2.5 multiples of the median (MoM). A group of randomly selected women with hCG levels under 2.0 MoM served as controls. Patients with elevated levels of hCG had a significantly higher risk for PIH (17.9% versus 4.5%; P <.05) and preterm delivery (17.9% versus 3.5%; P<, 05) than control. But no significant differences were observed in the incidence of intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight and in the newborn weight. We suggested that pregnancies with unexplained elevated hCG levels should be regarded as high-risk pregnancies. And these patients require careful monitoring with adequate obstetric management.
Abnormal Karyotype ; Chorionic Gonadotropin* ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans* ; Hydatidiform Mole ; Incidence ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; Pregnancy Outcome* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, High-Risk

BACKGROUND: Almost all STD(sexually tranamitted diseases) have been increasing worldwide since the 1960s. In Korea, the occurrence of STD from recent trends of sexual openness and development in the pleasure-seeking industry is becoming a social issue. However, epidemiological studies and reports concerning the incidence of STD are lacking in Korea, especially in the sexually aetive young age group. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the incidence of YTD and sexual behavior of recruits in a Korean arrny training center to contribute to the management of STD in Korea. METHODS: We studied 1304 recruits in a Korean army training center by questionnaire, physical examination and laboratory data. The subjects were divided into 3 groups: group 1(1072 persons), those who visited the hospital for evaluation of STD; group 2(641 persons), a control group for coitus rate; and group 3(1304 persons; group 1 plus 232 persons out of group 2), those who had coital experiences. RESULTS: 1. The incidence of STD in group 1 was 65.7%(704/1072) and that of the total number of recruits was 0.43%(704/164,134). 2. Among the 704 cases of STD, the most frequently observed STD was non-gonococcal urethritis, 292 cases(41.5%) and the second was gonorrhea, 236 cases(33.5%). The others were, 68 cases(9.7%) of pediculosis pubis, 41 cases(5.8%) of condyloma acuminatum, 29 cases(4.1%) of syphilis, 20 cases(2.8%) of combined STD, 14 cases(2%) of herpes progenitalis, 2 cases(0.28%) of molluscum cohtagiosum and 2 cases(0.28%) of chancroid. 3. The coitus rate in group 2 was 36.2%(232/641). 4. The incidence of previous STD in group 3 was 20.9%(273/1304). 5. The mn;t common form of STD which the patients experienced previously was urethritis(82.8%) and the others were pediculosis pubis(7.3%), syphilis(3.3%), condylcena acuminahun and herpes progenitalis. 6. The group with more sexual partners tended to have a lower educational level. 7. The experience rate of drug abuse was higher in the group with more sexual partners. 8. The experience rate of oral and anal sex was higher in the group with experiences of clrug abuse than in the ather one. CONCLUSION: In this study, urethritis was the most common form of STD(75% of all STD) and non-gonococcal urethritis showed a greater incidence than gonorrhea. The incidence of STD is thought to be closely related to the factors associated with social or behavioral science, such as the number of sexual partners, grade of education, drug abuse, experience of oral and anal sex. To accomplish more effective management of STD, therefore, the improvement of current social problems involving sexual openness, the pleasure-seeking industry and drug abuse should be achieved.
Behavioral Sciences ; Chancroid ; Coitus ; Education ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Gonorrhea ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Lice Infestations ; Physical Examination ; Sexual Behavior* ; Sexual Partners ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases* ; Social Problems ; Substance-Related Disorders ; Syphilis ; Urethritis ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.
Neutrophils*

A twenty four-year-old female patient had suffered progressive dyspnea for 6 years until death. She denied any symptoms suggestive of connective tissue disease, or deep vein thrombosis. She suffered an episode of pontine infarct in 1995. Four years after diagnosis of primary pulmonary hypertension, she died of sudden death during hospitalization. Gross features of pulmonary arteries at autopsy were as follows: left main pulmonary artery showed dilation of the lumen and thickening of the wall, and right main pulmonary artery was markedly dilated and contained fresh thrombus. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of lung tissue showed plexiform lesions of pulmonary arteries, complete luminal obliteration of pulmonary arterioles and dilated lesion of pulmonary arterioles, and capillaries. This patient represents a typical case with a primary pulmonary arteriopathy with plexiform lesions with thrombotic lesion, demonstrating the importance of thrombosis in situ in the pathogenesis of primary pulmonary hypertension. To our knowledge, this is the first autopsy report on the primary pulmonary hypertension in Korea.
Arterioles ; Autopsy ; Capillaries ; Connective Tissue Diseases ; Death, Sudden ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Hematoxylin ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Korea ; Lung ; Phenobarbital ; Pulmonary Artery ; Thrombosis ; Venous Thrombosis