Purpose: To evaluate the risk factors for the development of osteonecrosis in civilian professional divers by an epidemiologic study and to determine the correlation between osteonecrosis in divers and coagulopathy by analysis of serologic markers that are related to thrombophilia and hypofibrinolysis. Materials and Methods: Forty-two divers, who collected pen shells (Atrina pinnata), and among whom 10 had osteonecrosis (group 1), were compared with 32 divers without osteonecrosis (group 2). Both groups were evaluated based on the number of years of diving experience, number of dives per year, mean number of dives per day, mean diving time and depth, and diving methods. We determined any statistically significant differences among these variables. We measured the levels of serologic markers that were related to hyperlipidemia, thrombophilia, and hypofibrinolysis from the divers and a control group of 20 physicians (group 3). The levels of the serologic markers were compared between groups 1 and 2 and between the divers and the control group, in order to determine the relationship between the serologic markers and the development of dysbaric osteonecrosis. Results: None of the variables demonstrated any statistically significant differences, except for the mean diving time, in which group 1 had a mean diving time of 124 minutes and group 2 had a mean diving time of 62.1 minutes (P<0.05). In the analysis of the serologic markers, there were no statistically significant differences between groups 1 and 2; however, in comparison with the group 3, the divers demonstrated significantly decreased activity levels of proteins C and S (Protein C: P<0.05; Protein S: P<0.05), and an increase in the levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) (P<0.05). Conclusion: The divers with osteonecrosis had a longer mean diving time than did those divers without osteonecrosis. In the serologic marker analysis, the divers with osteonecrosis demonstrated significantly decreased activity levels of Proteins C, S and a significant increase in the levels of PAI-1, compared with the control group.
Biomarkers* ; Diving ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Epidemiology ; Hyperlipidemias ; Osteonecrosis* ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; Plasminogen Activators ; Protein S ; Risk Factors ; Thrombophilia

No abstract available.
Porphyrias, Hepatic*

BACKGROUND: Both atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia may progress to gastric dysplasia. This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing progression of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia to dysplasia. METHODS: People diagnosed with atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia for the first time received a follow-up endoscopy and were investigated for the cumulative incidence rate of gastric dysplasia by age, gender, smoking habit, alcohol intake, rice consumption and family history of stomach cancer. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence rate increased with age, consuming > or =3 bowls of rice per day and family history of stomach cancer. Multivariate analysis showed that the cumulative incidence rate of gastric dysplasia increased in subjects >61 years (RR=2.54, P=0.014), in those consuming > or =3 bowls of rice per day (RR=1.46, P=0.021) and in those with a family history of stomach cancer (RR=1.31, P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: More active management, such as intensive endoscopic follow-up examinations, lifestyle change and education regarding gastric dysplasia, are required in those older than 61 years, having a higher intake of grain or with a family history of stomach cancer.
Edible Grain ; Endoscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; Humans ; Incidence ; Life Style ; Metaplasia ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms

Myocarditis is defined as the myocardial inflammation caused by various infectious agents (such as virus, rickettsia , bacteria, protozoa, fungus and parasites). The clinical manifestations of myocarditis ranges from the asymptomatic state due to focal inflammation to fulminant fatal congestive heart failure secondary to diffuse myocardial involvement. Clinically, in some cases, it may simulate an acute myocardial infarction. We experienced a case of acute fulminant myocarditis that presented as acute myocardial infarction initially, and then progressed into and recovered from congestive heart failure and multiorgan failure.
Asymptomatic Diseases ; Bacteria ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Fungi ; Heart Failure* ; Inflammation ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocarditis* ; Rickettsia

PURPOSE: This study was to evaluate the accuracy of the implant torque controller used in dental clinics and to investigate whether it was applied appropriately. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty dentists who work in dental clinics were enrolled in this study. Dental (implant) practice career, experience frequency of implant screw loosening and fracture, education of implant torque controller application and infection control methods were included in the survey. 25 Ncm and 30 Ncm of the tightening torque applied to the implant screw were measured by 50 clinicians. After measuring the torque value by using the torque controller, the torque mean according to where education about the implant torque controller was received was analyzed with independent t-test at the significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The torque controller used in private dental clinics showed 4.78% error ratio. When 50 dentists applied 25 Ncm to the implant screw was 29.0 +/- 8.4 Ncm, and that in 30 Ncm was 34.3 +/- 9.1 Ncm. Statistical significance was found between the group that was educated about implant torque application and the group that was not educated. CONCLUSION: During the prosthodontic treatment with implant, there was difference between actual applied torsion force and the amount torque controller indicated. Clinicians have to not only be well-informed about the accurate usage method of the torque controller, but also keep and manage the torque controller so as to maintain continuous and accurate torque values. Through this, it is considered to achieve clinical results to minimize problems of screw loosening or fracture.
Dental Clinics ; Dentists ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Prosthodontics ; Torque

No abstract available.
Hypokalemia*

Abrupt increase in the size of cervico-mediastinal tumor due to infection or spontaneous hemorrhage into cyst can induce severe tracheal compression and therefore sudden death. A 5 year old boy, who had a history of URI, had an enlarging cystic hygroma on the right side of the neck and anterior mediastinum. Under diagnosis of the cervico-mediastinal cystic hygroma, surgical removal was scheduled. After induction of anesthesia, intubation was done without any difficulty. A few minutes later, signs of partial airway obstruction were appeared. And within a very short period, total airway occlusion occurred. The tracheal tube was removed and manual ventilation was performed with positive airway pressure, but ineffective. We attempted to puncture cricothyroid membrane with 14 Gauge needle in order to ventilate manually. As soon as we puncture cricothyroid membrane, straw-colored fluid, not air, gushed out through a needle. After aspiration of about 200ml of cystic fluid, the obstructive signs disappeared and the patency of the airway was maintained. Intraoperatively, no more airway problems occured and vital signs were stable. And postoperatively, patient had no specific complications and discharged on the 7th day after operation.
Airway Obstruction* ; Anesthesia ; Child, Preschool ; Death, Sudden ; Diagnosis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal* ; Lymphangioma, Cystic* ; Male ; Mediastinum ; Membranes ; Neck ; Needles ; Punctures ; Ventilation ; Vital Signs

BACKGROUND: Recent DNA polymorphism analysis using numerous DNA markers has been used to determine the parental origin of the extra chromosome 21 in Down syndrome. In this study we used seven dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms on chromosome 21 to characterize a case of rea(21q21q) and to know whether it is consistent with an isochromosome or a true Robertsonian translocation. METHODS: Cytogenetic investigation was done by conventional G banding DNA was extracted from whole blood of a proband and her parents and was amplified by PCR using seven sets of (GT)n repeat dinucleotide markers located on the long arm of chromosome 21 After electrophoresis of the PCR product in polyacrylamide gel and silver staining the parental origin and number of DNA copy were determined by visual comparison of the band intensities within and between individuals. RESULTS: Conventional cytogenetics showed that the proband had a 46.XX.re(21q21q) chromosome pattern. Parental chromosome studies were normal, therefore, the rearrangement was a de novo event. All seven DNA markers showed one or two alleles, demonstrating rea(21q21q) to be an isochromosome. For D21S215 and D21S156 markers both parents were heterozygous and the proband inherited one copy of paternal allele and two copies of maternal allele which both parents did not share. This finding was consistent with a maternally derided isochromosome. CONCLUSION: Use of dinucleotide repeat DNA polymorphisms after PCR amplification will be very useful to detect the parental origin of additional chromosome 21 or rearrangement of chromosome 21 in Down syndrome. Besides employing siltier staining of a PCR product we will be able to avoid using of radioisotopes and apply to clinical laboratory diagnosis.
Alleles ; Arm ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 ; Clinical Laboratory Techniques ; Cytogenetics ; Dinucleotide Repeats* ; DNA ; Down Syndrome ; Electrophoresis ; Genetic Markers ; Humans ; Isochromosomes ; Parents ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Radioisotopes ; Silver Staining

Urinary tract anomaly is the most common anomaly in childhood. We reviewed medical records of 45 patients who were confirmed urinary tract anomalies on radiologic studies as Chuncheon Sacred Hospital, from Dec. 1984 to Sep. 1992. We analyzed incidence and clinical characteristics of urinary tract anomalies. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The age distribution were: 1)7 cases (37.8%) under 3 years, 6 cases (13.3%) from 4 to 6 years, 10 cases (22.2%) from 7 to 9 years, 9 cases (20.0%) from 10 to 12 years and 3 cases (6.7%) from 13 to 15 years. 2) Main symptoms were fever, dysuria and hematuria. 3) 26 cases (59.8%) were combined with urinary tract infection, and main causative organism were E. coli and Staphylococcus. 4) The most common anomalies were hydronephrosis, duplication of urinary tract and renal agenesis in order of sequence. 5) 34 cases (75.6%) were simple anomaly and 11 cases (24.4%) were complex anomalies. 6) Operative correction was needed on 20 cases.
Age Distribution ; Dysuria ; Fever ; Gangwon-do ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Incidence ; Medical Records ; Staphylococcus ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Urinary Tract*

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor*