The disc internal disruption syndrome is not well known to us, but the following hypothesis is widely accepted in clinical practice. The disc internal disruption syndrome may develop intractable back pain with aggravated of pain, loss of spinal motion with any physical exercise, leg pain, loss of energy, marked weight loss, and profound depression. The patient with this syndrome will be found to have normal plain roentgenograms, myelograms, CT scans, results of blood examination and neurologic findings. For these reasons, this syndrome was frequently diagnosed by abnormal discographic findings. We had experience with two cases of disc internal disruption syndrome with clinical, roentgenographic and discographic evaluations. Thus we present these case with a brief review of the concerned literature.
Back Pain ; Depression ; Exercise ; Humans ; Leg ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Weight Loss

No abstract available.
Solvents*

BACKGROUND: Recently, it is substituted automatic sphygmomanometer for mercury sphygmomanometer. But it seems to be insufficient for data of its accuracy. A sample accurate automatic sphygmomanometer could have an important role in the management of hypertension. The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of the automatic sphygmomanometer that is used common practice and at home. METHODS: We collected 247 patients who visited the department of Famiiy Practice of Taegu medical center from April to August 1996. BP was measured sequentially same arm by standard device(mercury. sphygmomanometer), test device A(A&D TM-2650), test device B(seine SE-2000). We assessed the automatic sphygmomanometer according to the standards set out by the British Hypertension Society(BHS) protocol and the American Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation(AAMI). These data were analysed using pearson' correlation and paired t-test. RESULTS: Test device A was highly correlated to mercury sphygmomanometer in systolic and diastolic BP(r=0.90, r=0.88). Also test device B was highly correlated to that(r=0.90, r=0.87). The mean difference between BP value obtained by the standard device and those obtained by the test device A were 0.59+/-7.66mmHg systole(mean+/-SD) and 3.83+/-6.43mmHg diast.ole, whereas the difference between the former and those obtained by the test device B were 1.70+/-7.99mmHg systole.and 5.58+/-6.38mmHg diastole. Comparing to standard device, there were a signifioant difference except systolic BP of test device A(P<0.05). According to the criteria of the AAMI, the diastolic BP of test device B was not enough and according to the criteria of the BHS, the diastolic BP of both test device were not enough. CONCLUSIONS: Both test device were highly correlated to mercury sphygmomanometer. But according to the criteria of the BHS and AAMI, there were not enough. Because the use of automatic sphygmomanometer was popularized, I think that further study will be required to assess of accuracy.
Arm ; Blood Pressure* ; Daegu ; Diastole ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Sphygmomanometers*

No abstract available.
Mastoid* ; Otitis Media with Effusion* ; Otitis Media* ; Otitis*

The Parasitological investigation on the encysted metacercariae in brackish water fish, Tribolodon taczanowskii, in the downstream of Hyungsan river which is located in Kyungpook Province of Korea, were carried out serially and the following results were obtained. Metacercariae of Pseudexorchis major were found in six fishes(15.8 per cent ) out of 38 examined. Parasitic frequencies of the encysted metacercaria of Psedexorchis major in Tribolodon taczanowskii were 15.8 per cent (6 out of 38) in the scale, 10.5 per cent (4 out of 38) in the fin, 13.2 per cent (5 out of 38) in the gill, 10.5 per cent (4 out of 38) in the oral cavity and 7.9 per cent (3 out of 38) in the flesh. The worms were identified as Pseudexorchis major (Hasegawa, 1935) Yamaguti, 1938 by morphological studies on the metacercariae, excysted metacercariae, adults and eggs, and compared with prereported Pseudexorchis species.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Pseudexochis major ; Tribolodon taczanowskii ; epidemiology

Cartilage is one of the most commonly manipulated tissue in esthetic and reconstructive surgery. Cartilage has an important role in longitudinal bone growth. Anabolic hormones and locally produced peptide growth factors are known to influence this process Matrix composition changes through proliferation, maturation, and differentiation of chondrocytes, and endochondral ossification thereafter. Defined cartilage matrix is synthesized during the maturation of chondrocytes where the major change is the increment of type II collagen. Variable sulfated mucololysaccharides and hyaluronic acid are also synthesized during this maturation. IGF-I(insulin like growth factor-I), so called somatomedin C, is a prominent growth factor in serum. IGF-I is known to be involved in long growth. IGF-I is affected by pituitary growth hormone. There are few studies done on IGF-I effect in cartilage matrix formation and possible changes of collagen subtypes. This experiment was designed to see the IGF-I effect on the colagen synthesis of cultured chondrocytes. Optimal concentration of IGF-I for the experiment was determined using H3-thymidine incorporation into DNA. The IGF-I effect on collagen synthesis was studied using H3-proline. The IGF-I effect on the synthesis of subtypes of collagen was studied using SDS-PAGE and immunocytochemical staining. Chondrocytes were isolated from the ears of New Zealand white rabbit and cultured in 2 X 10(5) cells/300 microgram density. IGF-I increased DNA synthesis, and optimal concentration of IGF-I was determined by dose-relationship curve as 10ng/ml. Collagen synthesis was increased by IGF-I. Type II collagen was increased on SDS-PAGE with IGF-I and this gel electrophoresis showed type X collagen, also. The increase in type II collagen was confirmed with immunocytochemical staining, the reaction becoming stronger with the addition of IGF-I. Type I collagen was not changed with IGF-I on immunocytochemistry. We conclude that IGE-I is an important modulator influencing not only proliferation and maturation but also terminal different-iation of chondrocytes.
Bone Development ; Cartilage ; Chondrocytes* ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type II ; Collagen Type X ; Collagen* ; DNA ; Ear ; Electrophoresis ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Growth Hormone ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Immunohistochemistry ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I* ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; New Zealand

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Nephrotic Syndrome* ; Peritonitis*

While renovating our traditional medical curriculum to integrated curricular system in 1996, we planned to introduce a course of problem-based learning (PBL) on tutorial basis after finishing 14 courses of the integrated medical curriculum for two years. One tutorial group was composed of one tutor and eight students, and 105 students of the second grade were divided into thirteen small tutorial groups. The period of PBL course was two weeks from December 1 to 14 in 1997. There were three interrelated steps for design of PBL course: course preparation, implementation, and evaluation which were conducted by PBL subcommittee consisted of nineteen teachers. Students were exposed to four clinical case modules, and they met in small tutorial room three times per week for two weeks. The PBL programme was evaluated by questionnaire survey method at the end of PBL course. We obtained satisfactory and positive results from reply of faculty and students. Since many teachers participated in planning, implementing, and evaluation of PBL, we could accumulate lots of knowledge and skills regarding the PBL, and it was a good opportunity to train expertise for PBL, test the feasibility changing to PBL curriculum. At this moment, our present integrated medical curriculum will be gradually converted to PBL system totally, and our experience will provide a good aid for other medical schools appling traditional medical curriculum to introduce PBL in their medical education.
Curriculum ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Education, Medical ; Humans ; Problem-Based Learning* ; Schools, Medical

To evaluate the results and clinical impact of defecography in patients with anorectal diseases, 304 defecographic examinations from 304 patients were reviewed. The defecographic results were screened for the anorectal angle and perineal descent at rest, squeezing and during straining. Changes of rectal configuration and canal width during straining were reviewed. 304 patients had defecation problems such as terminal constipation, defecation defficulty, blood or mucus discharge, tenesmus, obstruction sensation etc. They were performed anorectal physical examination and anal manometry etc., and were later treated by operation and conservative management. Normal anorectal angle were measured to be 101°, 91°, 131°at rest, during squeezing and straining respectively. In the spastic pelvic floor syndrome, increase of anorectal angle less than 10 ° from rest to straining was observed. Incontinent patients had a larger anorectal angle (mean: 128°) at rest. 7.8cm of perineal descent was found in descending perineal syndrome in comparison to 4.0cm in normal. Normal anal canal width was measured 1.4cm only during straining but identified in incontinent patients at rest (mean:1.2cm). Abnormal rectal configuration was found in 254 defecographic examinations: rectoceles were observed in 235 cases and were associated with rectal prolapse in 115 cases, and rectal prolapses were found in 134 cases. In conclusion, the anorectal angle was valuable in evaluation of spastic pelvic floor syndrome and fecal incontinence. Degree of perineal descent was abnormally increased in descending perineal syndrome. In the cases of the rectoceles and rectal prolapses, defecography is helpful in preoperative evaluation of rectal wall change and postoperative follow up.
Anal Canal ; Constipation ; Defecation ; Defecography* ; Fecal Incontinence ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Manometry ; Mucus ; Muscle Spasticity ; Pelvic Floor ; Physical Examination ; Rectal Prolapse ; Rectocele ; Sensation

No abstract available.