Purpose: To report the surgical skills needed, and the clinical results of, minimally invasive hip surgery with dynamic hip screws and the comparison with the classical technique in stable pertrochanteric fractures of the femur. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two patients with pertrochanteric fractures of the femur who were treated with dynamic compression hip screws between April 1999 and March 2004, and were evaluated retrospectively, and were followed up for more than 12 months. 16 cases were treated with a classical dynamic hip screw technique and 16 cases with a minimally invasive technique in random order. The mean age was 73.2 years, and there were 11 males and 21 females. The operative times, total hemovac bleeding loss, functional scores, and average hemoglobin decrease ratios were evaluated. The clinical assessments were performed with the Harris Hip Score (HSS) and bony union was evaluated with serial follow-up plain radiographs. Results: The average operative time was 63.9 minutes with the classical technique and 42.5 minutes with the minimally invasive technique. The total average hemovac blood loss was 640 cc with the classical technique and 143 cc with the minimally invasive technique. Clinically, the HHS was an average of 85.9 and 89.2 in groups 1 and 2, respectively, by the last follow-up and there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P <0.05) The hemoglobin decrease ratio was the same in both groups and there was no nonunion. Conclusion: Minimally invasive dynamic hip screw insertion was useful in stable pertrochanteric fractures, because it decreased blood loss and operative times; and there were no changes in fracture healing and functional outcomes.
Female ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Healing ; Hemorrhage ; Hip* ; Humans ; Male ; Operative Time ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It has been reported that the difference in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype due to genetic heterogeneity of HCV influence the clinical features, prognosis of HCV associated liver disease and response to interferon therapy. Prevalence of different genotypes of HCV may also vary between geographic areas. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the response to interferon alpha (IFN-a) therapy and HCV genotypes in patients with chronic HCV infection in Taegu and its environs. METHODS: One hundred seventy six patients known to be HCV antibody and HCV-NA positive were evaluated for HCV genotypes by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Among patients who had elevated ALT levels, 67 patients have been investigated for the role of the HCV genotype on disease outcome and the response of IFN-a therapy. RESULTS: Genotype 1b were found in 59.0% of patients (103/176), genotype 2a in 37.5% (66/176). The mode of transmission of HCV infection was guessed as transfusion in genotype 1b, but as parenteral infection in genotype 2a. According to their response to IFN-a therapy, 73 patients were divided into three groups, complete response, 18 (60%) of 30 patients with genotype 2a and 21 (48.8%) of 43 patients with genotype 1b: partial response, 5 (16.7%) of 30 patients with genotype 2a and 7 (16.2%) of 43 patients with genotype 1b: no response, 7 (23.3%) of 30 patients with genotype 2a and 15 (34.9%) of 43 patients with genotype 1b. Good response to IFN-a therapy was observed among patients group showing normal platelet count in patients with genotype 1b and normal GGT in patients with genotype 2a. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequently identified genotype was genotype 1b in Taegu and its environs, followed by genotype 2a. The HCV genotype was not a reliable predictor of response to IFN-a therapy. When a standardized regimen of IFN-a was administered, pretreatment serum platelet counts and GGT level seem to be useful predictor of IFN-a therapy in HCV infection. Further investigations are required in order to establish a correlation between viral factors and therapeutic responses.
Daegu* ; Genetic Heterogeneity ; Genotype* ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; Interferons ; Liver Diseases ; Platelet Count ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Prevalence ; Prognosis

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor (TGF)- has a large variety of biological functions, including the modulation of inflammation and the immune system, and is presumed to play important roles in repairing wounds and reducing scarring. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of TGF-1 on healing wounds and reducing scarring. We have also analysed the ability of the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ) liposome mediated antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) to specifically inhibit wound-induced expressions of TGF-1 proteins and mRNA in the rat skin. METHODS: Skin wounds were created on the backs of 80 anesthetized rats. The first group of wounds, as the controls, was unmanipulated. The second group of wounds, as positive controls or an excessive scarring model, was injected with TGF-1 subcutaneously. The third group of wounds was injected with anti-TGF-1 antibody subcutaneously. The fourth group of wounds was injected with HVJ liposome mediated antisense ODNs for TGF-1 subcutaneously. The wounds of all groups were bisected and analysed histologically 5, 10, 15, 30, and 50 days after the wounds were made. RESULTS: All control wounds (TGF-1 or no injection) healed with scarring, whereas the wounds treated with the antibody or antisense ODNs healed with less scar formation compared to the control group. The wounds treated with the antibody or antisense ODNs had fewer macrophages, less collagen and fibronectin contents than the other wounds. Northern blotting and in situ hybridization analysis showed that wound sites treated with HVJ liposome mediated antisense ODNs for TGF-1 exhibited decreased levels of TGF-1 mRNA after injury. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest an important new approach to controlling scarring in normal wound healing, complementing the practice of adding exogenous growth factors to chronic wounds in the attempt to inhibit collagen deposition.
Animals ; Blotting, Northern ; Cicatrix* ; Collagen ; Complement System Proteins ; Fibronectins ; Genetic Therapy* ; Immune System ; In Situ Hybridization ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Liposomes ; Macrophages ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; Oligoribonucleotides ; Rats ; RNA, Messenger ; Sendai virus ; Skin ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Transforming Growth Factors ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.
Herpes Zoster* ; Infertility*

Corneal and conjunctival squamous epithelial cells have been known to express the mucin MUC1. We attempted to reveal the expression and localizational characteristics of the membrane-spanning mucin MUC1 as a component of the mucous layer in the human corneal epithelium. An antibody to the MUC1 was used to detect the MUC1 on the corneal epithelium by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescent staining. In situ hybridization was performed to determine the distribution of MUC1 mRNA in the ocular surface. Immunohistochemically, the MUC1 mucin was observed along the apical membranes of the corneal epithelium. According to immunofluorescent staining, cells varied in the amount of mucin MUC1. Expression of MUC1 mRNA was observed in all layers of the corneal epithelium. The MUC1 mucin synthesized by the corneal epithelia exists on the apical membrane of the superficial cells. The amount of MUC1 may vary with the vertical migration and the activity of the cells.
Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium, Corneal* ; Humans* ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Membranes ; Mucin-1 ; Mucins ; RNA, Messenger

PURPOSE: To analyze the action mechanism of NF-kappaB, IkappaB-alpha and effect of the Dexamethasone (DEXA) in mediating this inflammation, after stimulating cultured herniated intervertebral disc cells with TNF-alpha. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After cultured human intervertebral disc cells passaged three times, they were divided into four groups: A control group (A), DEXA treatment group (B), TNF-alpha treated group (C), TNF-alpha and DEXA were treated at the same time (D). IL-6 and IL-1beta gene expression were measured with semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Western blot analysis was performed to measure protein expression of IkappaB-alpha in the above groups for 10 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours. In addition, in order to explain the mechanism of NF-kappaB nuclear binding for each group, the nuclear amount of NF-kappaB binding in the nucleus is measured by EMSA. RESULTS: In RT-PCR, expression of IL-6 and IL-1beta was greatest in group C, followed by group D, group A. IkappaB-alpha expression of the group treated with DEXA was not detected in Western blot results within 10 minutes. However, if stimulated by TNF-alpha, the DEXA was not inhibited of IkappaB-alpha concentration. After 1 hour and 2 hours, IkappaB-alpha levels were expressed by cells autonomously (autoregulatory induction). EMSA results expression levels in nuclear protein was maintained in accordance with protein expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that DEXA inhibits the production of mediators such as inflammatory IL-6 and IL-1beta, however, may not inhibit the transcription of NF-kappaB stimulated by TNF-alpha.
Blotting, Western ; Dexamethasone ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; I-kappa B Proteins ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Intervertebral Disc ; Negotiating ; NF-kappa B ; Nuclear Proteins ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND: Lacquer contains an allergen, which can cause severe contact dermatitis. Systemic dermatitis resulting from the ingestion of lacquer is quite common in Korea, until now. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to elucidate the clinical features and laboratory findings of systemic contact dermatitis (SCD), due to the ingestion of lacquer in Chungcheongnam-do. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 33 patients with SCD, after ingestion of lacquer from Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Cheonan, over a 6-month period. RESULTS: In this study, 33.3% of patients ate lacquer, as a health food, and some (15.2%) by encouragement of friends or spouse. The most common way of ingestion was the lacquer-boiled chicken (48.5%), but many also ate lacquer tree sprouts (42.4%). The skin lesions developed as erythematous maculopapular eruptions, erythema multiforme, erythroderma, purpura, wheals and vesicles. On laboratory findings, 13 patients (52%) exhibited leukocytosis and 11 patients had elevated eosinophil counts. CONCLUSION: The general public is becoming more aware of the toxic effects of lacquer ingestion, but still does not fully understand the dangers of lacquer tree sprouts, and this ignorance is frequently causing SCD in Chungcheongnam-do.
Chickens ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dermatitis, Exfoliative ; Eating ; Eosinophils ; Erythema Multiforme ; Friends ; Food, Organic ; Humans ; Korea ; Lacquer ; Leukocytosis ; Medical Records ; Purpura ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Spouses ; Trees

BACKGROUND: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is accompanied by various skin manifestations, and recently, the survival time of patients is increasing owing to the development of dialysis treatment, and skin manifestations are on the rise. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the differences in skin changes, according to the dialysis method and period in ESRD patients, and to verify whether a correlation exists between the factors that affect pruritus. METHODS: Various kinds of skin manifestations were identified by examining and asking 80 outpatients detailed questions and the difference was examined by classifying them into groups, according to the dialysis method and period. RESULTS: The most common symptoms were xerosis (91%) and pruritus (85%). The study showed that most symptoms occurred more frequently in the peritoneal dialysis group than the hemodialysis, and among these, the change of sweating had a significant difference (p=0.043). As the dialysis period got longer, skin manifestation generally showed a higher frequency, and the particular bleeding tendencies and nail abnormalities showed an obvious difference. Results considering the relation of severity of pruritus and xerosis with the dialysis method and period showed a significant increase only in pruritus, according to the dialysis period (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Skin changes showed a high frequency in peritoneal dialysis, but it didn't show a significant difference. Bleeding tendencies, changes of sweating, and nail abnormalities, according to the dialysis period, showed a significant difference. Factors causing pruritus were more related with xerosis than blood levels showing a renal function.
Dialysis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Nails, Malformed ; Outpatients ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Pruritus ; Renal Dialysis ; Skin ; Skin Manifestations ; Sweat ; Sweating

BACKGROUND: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is accompanied by various skin manifestations, and recently, the survival time of patients is increasing owing to the development of dialysis treatment, and skin manifestations are on the rise. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the differences in skin changes, according to the dialysis method and period in ESRD patients, and to verify whether a correlation exists between the factors that affect pruritus. METHODS: Various kinds of skin manifestations were identified by examining and asking 80 outpatients detailed questions and the difference was examined by classifying them into groups, according to the dialysis method and period. RESULTS: The most common symptoms were xerosis (91%) and pruritus (85%). The study showed that most symptoms occurred more frequently in the peritoneal dialysis group than the hemodialysis, and among these, the change of sweating had a significant difference (p=0.043). As the dialysis period got longer, skin manifestation generally showed a higher frequency, and the particular bleeding tendencies and nail abnormalities showed an obvious difference. Results considering the relation of severity of pruritus and xerosis with the dialysis method and period showed a significant increase only in pruritus, according to the dialysis period (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Skin changes showed a high frequency in peritoneal dialysis, but it didn't show a significant difference. Bleeding tendencies, changes of sweating, and nail abnormalities, according to the dialysis period, showed a significant difference. Factors causing pruritus were more related with xerosis than blood levels showing a renal function.
Dialysis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Nails, Malformed ; Outpatients ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Pruritus ; Renal Dialysis ; Skin ; Skin Manifestations ; Sweat ; Sweating

No abstract available.
Acne Keloid* ; Acne Vulgaris* ; Humans