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

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.
Solvents*

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

Methylprednisolone pulse therapy was performed for 8 patients of childhood nephrotic syndrome who showed resistance to conventional prednisolone therapy of 4 to 8 weeks. The pathological diagnosis of the patients were: 1 case of membranous nephropathy, membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis, Menbranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with epithelial crescent (70%), sclerosing glomerulonephritis, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, focal and global glomerulonephritis, and 2 cases of focal and segmental glonerulosclerosis. Creatinine clearance was above 50% of the normal in 7 cases, and less than 20% in crescentic glomerulonephritis. 20% in crescentic glomerulonephritis. 30gm/kg/D. of methylprednisolone was administered intravenously over 1~2hours, which was repeated 2 to 9 times on every other day. Thereafter, alternate day prednisolone therapy was continued. The results were as follows: Remission was attained in membranous nephropathy and MPGN, within 9 weeks and 13 weeks respectively. Marked improvement was noted in crescentic glomerulonephritis. Ccr increased from 18.5ml/min/1.73mm(2) to 59.1ml/min/1.73mm(2) 10 days later after pulse? Sclerosing glomerulonephritis showed significant improvement in clinical finding and serum albumin. There was no improvement in mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, focal and global glomerulonephritis, and 2 cases of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis. These findings suggest that methylprednisolone pulse?therapy may benefit the childhood nephrotic syndrome with resistance to conventional prednisolone therapy.
Creatinine ; Diagnosis ; Glomerulonephritis ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranous ; Humans ; Methylprednisolone ; Nephrotic Syndrome* ; Prednisolone* ; Serum Albumin

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of obesity in practice has been done indirectly by anthropometric values such as body mass index(BMI), waist and hip circumferences and waisthip ratio(WHR). Somatotype drawing developed by Srensen has been evaluated as a simple instrument of obesity without real somatic measuring in several studies. This study was attempted to evaluate correlation between somatotype drawing and anthropometric values. METHODS: The subjects were measured anthroprmetric values such as height, weight, hip and waist circumferences. After calculating BMI and WHR, we evaluated correlation between these values and somatotype drawing. And we tried to grouping of somatotype drawing with the means of anthropometric values. RESULTS: The data were collected from 224 subjects, whose BMI(kg/m2) and WHR were 22.81+/-2.96 and 0.84+/-0.07(mean+/-SD). Spearmans correlation coefficients(rs) of somatotype drawing were 0.77 with BMI, 0.62 with waist circumference, 0.61 with weight and hip circumference, 0.40 with WHR that remained statistically significant after adjusting age, sex, education level, monthly income and job. And, the grades of somatotype drawing were grouped as 1, 2, 3-4, 5-6, 7 by BMI and hip circumference, 1, 2-4, 5, 6, 7 by waist circumference(ANOVA and Duncans method). CONCLUSIONS: Somatotype drawing has a good correlations with BMI, weight, waist and hip circumference. But it is not applicable to assess WHR because of its relatively lower correlation.
Education ; Hip ; Obesity ; Somatotypes* ; Waist Circumference

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

To observe the change in the status of stresses according to three different postural angulation of an intervertebral disc with or without nucleus pulposus, 6 specimens of a 3-dimensional photoelastic model of the spine were made of epoxy. The nucleus pulposus portion was replaced with silicon in three models, and the three were made without silicon. Through axial application of a vertical compressive load of 8 kg, the peculiar patterns of the isochromatic fringes were observed. Stresses on the intervertebral disc were analyzed according to three different postural angulations of the intervertebral disc with the nucleus pulposus and without the nucleus pulposus. The results of these study are as follow: 1. In an erect neutral posture with the nucleus pulposus, the stress concentration was much increased at the posterior portion rather than at the anterior portion. Also, the high stress was concentrated at the medial and central portion. In an erect neutral posture without the nucleus pulposus, the stress concentration was much increased at the anterior portion rather than at the posterior portion and the stress distribution seemed to be locally concentrated. 2. In a maximal flexed posture, the stress concentration was much increased at the posterior portion rather than at the anterior portion. Comparing the presence of the nucleus pulposus with the absence of the nucleus pulposus, the stress concentration was lower at the anterior portion in the presence of the nucleus pulposus than in the absence of the nucleus pulposus. However, the stress distribution at the posterior portion was nearly same in the two groups. According to the analysis of the stress distribution diagram, as a whole, the stress pattern around the disc was evenly distributed. 3. In a maximal extended posture, the higher concentration of the stress distribution at the anterior and medial portion rather than in the posterior and lateral portion was observed. The stress concentration was higher in the presence of the nucleus pulposus than in the absence of the nucleus pulposus. 4. Comparing the maximal flexed posture with the erect neutral posture, the stress concentration in the flexed posture was much decreased in the posterior portion rather than in the erect neutral posture, and an even distribution of the stress pattern in the flexed posture was observed. 5. In the presence of the nucleus pulposus, at the anterior and posterior portion, the stress concentration in the flexed posture was much decreased compared with the extended posture. In the absence of the nucleus pulposus, at the anterior and posterior portion, the stress concentration in the extended posture was much decreased compared with the flexed posture.
Intervertebral Disc* ; Posture ; Silicon ; Spine