A survey for nematode and cestode parasites of rodents in Korea has been carried out at the areas of Chulwon, Kumwha, Pochon, Paju and Chungpyong, Kyunggi-Do. A total of 300 rodents of seven species was examined, comprising of 219 A. agrarius, 33 R. norvegicus, 8 R. alexandrinus, 14 Mus musculus yamashinai, Microtus fortis pellceus, 21 Crocidura russula and a Cricetulus trition nester. The following fifteen species belonging to thirteen genera were identified: NEMATODA: Heterakis spumosa, Syphacia obvelata, Nippostrongylus muris, Protospirura muris, Capillaria hepatica, Capillaria sp., Heligmosomum sp., Heligmosomoides sp., Rictularia sp. and Gongylonema sp. CESTODA: Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta, Raillietina coreensis, Paranoplocephala sp. and Cysticercus fasciolaris(the larva of Taenia taeniaeformis).
parasitology-helminth-nematoda-cestoda ; Heterakis spumosa ; Syphacia obvelata ; Nippostrongylus muris ; Protospirura muris ; Capillaria hepatica ; Capillaria sp. ; Heligmosomum sp. ; Cysticercus fasciolaris ; Taenia taeniaeformis ; epidemiology ; rodent

A case of sparganosis was presented. The patient was a 43-year-old Korean male who had a history of having eaten raw flesh of snake and frog in Keoje Island during 1950 to 1952 for the purpose of treatment of arthritis by the oriental custom. In the summer, l959, he had slight itching sensation in the left lower scrotal area. A few months later, he noticed the appearance of a peanut-sized mass in that area. However, the mass enlarged gradually to a hen's egg size during two years. On surgical exploration, the mass was found to be a fibro-connective tissue capsule(3 to 4 cm in diameter) in the lower left scrotal area. From the capsule three larvae(l9 to 28 cm by 2 to 6 mm) were freed by dissection without much difficulty. The sources of infection of some formerly reported sparganosis in Korea were discussed. It is most probable that human sparganosis is acquired by ingestion of raw flesh of snake and frog in this country.
parasitology-helminth-cestoda-sparagnum ; sparganosis ; case report

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of the preventive abduction brace in dementia patients after bipolar hemiarthroplasty of the hip. Materials and Method: A review of 30 patients who had dementia prior to bipolar hemiarthroplasty of the hip. 20 females and 10 males were evaluated and their mean age was 80.4 years old (range, 68 to -92 years old). The average MMSE-K in dementia patients was 14.2 (range, 8 to 20). The reasons for the bipolar hemiarthroplasties were femoral neck fractures in all the cases. We analyzed the dislocation rates of those who had preventive abduction braces applied prospectively. Results: The average follow-up period after hemiarthroplasty was 2.2 years. All 30 patients had preventive abduction braces and no dislocations occurred after the bipolar hemiarthroplasties. Conclusion: Hip dislocations were not detected in those patients who preventive abduction braces applied. The present findings suggest that having a preventive abduction brace will definitely reduce the dislocation rate in dementia patients who have difficulties with rehabilitation after their operations.
Braces* ; Dementia* ; Dislocations ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemiarthroplasty* ; Hip Dislocation ; Hip* ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Rehabilitation

No abstract available.
Pre-Eclampsia*

PURPOSE: This study was designed to analyze the short-term clinical and functional outcomes of perineal rectosigmoidectomy with levatoroplasty for complete rectal prolapse. METHODS: The data were prospectively collected and consisted of the clinical data, the functional status before and after surgery, the operation record, and the postoperative course. The functional status was evaluated by using Wexner's constipation score (0-30), Wexner's incontinence score (0-20), anorectal manometry, and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency. Follow-up was performed at 3-6 months after the operation by using both a standardized questionnaire completed in the outpatient clinic or telephone interview (n=23) and an anorectal physiology test (n=7). RESULTS: During a one-year period, 23 patients (male=10) underwent perineal rectosigmoidectomy with levatoroplasty for complete rectal prolapse. The median duration of the operations was 88 minutes. The median length of postoperative hospital stay was 6 days. There was one urinary tract infection and no mortalities. The constipation score was significantly decreased after the operation (9.8 vs 3.8; P<0.001), and constipation was improved in 90 percent (19/21) of the cases. The incontinence score was significantly decreased after surgery (mean preop.=11.6, postop.=3.7; P<0.001) and incontinence was improved in 17 of 21 patients with impaired continence (81 percent). Anal sphincter function was not improved but rectal reservoir capacity was significantly decreased after surgery (rectal urgent volume (45.7 cc vs 37.1 cc; P=0.045), maximal tolerable volume (120 cc vs 85.7; P=0.011). Most patients (83 percent) felt that the operation had improved their symptoms. The major reasons for dissatisfaction after surgery were frequent defecation, fecal soiling, persistent or aggravated fecal incontinence, and recurrence. One patient had a complete recurrence (4.3 percent), and another patient had a mucosal prolapse which was treated. CONCLUSIONS: Perineal rectosigmoidectomy with levatoroplasty for complete rectal prolapse is a safe technique with acceptable short-term functional results; however, it is not recommended for rectal prolapse patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Anal Canal ; Constipation ; Defecation ; Fecal Incontinence ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Length of Stay ; Manometry ; Mortality ; Physiology ; Prolapse ; Prospective Studies ; Pudendal Nerve ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rectal Prolapse* ; Recurrence ; Soil ; Urinary Tract Infections

PURPOSE: In order to elucidate the actual mechanism and the optimal concentration of Lamotrigine(LTG) that suppresses epileptiform discharges, we observed epileptiform discharges from hippocampal slices of immature rat in 4-aminopyridine(4-AP) added Mg2+ - free medium of artificial cerebrospinal fluid(aCSF) with various LTG concentrations. METHODS: We divided 19-23 day-old Sprague-Dawley rats into 4 groups; control group(n=12) and 3 LTG groups depending on the concentrations of LTG such as 400 (n=9), 800(n=7), and 1,000(n=8) microM. The rats were anesthetized and their brains were taken, soaked in aCSF(NaCl 125 mM, KCl 2.5 mM, NaH2PO4 2 mM, MgSO4 1.25 mM NaHCO3 25 mM, CaCl2 2 mM, Glucose 10 mM, pH 7.3-7.4). And then the brains were cut into 400 microm hippocampal slices by a vibratome. The slices of control group were soaked in 200 microM 4-AP added Mg2+ -free medium of aCSF for 1 hour, and then extracellular recordings were performed in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal region. The slices of LTG groups were soaked in the solution containing 400, 800, and 1,000 microM LTG, then extracellular recordings were performed. RESULTS: Interictal discharges were observed in all the control and the LTG groups. The latency to the first interictal discharges after 4-AP addition was 52.7+/-26.9 sec in control group, but was 225.0+/-28.2 sec in 800 microM and 322.1+/-116.4 sec in 1,000 microM group of LTG(P<0.05). The duration of interictal discharges was 64.6+/-35.6 sec in control group, but was the shortest in 800 microM group of LTG at 39.3+/-12.6 sec. Ictal discharges were observed in all of control and 400 microM group, but the frequency was decreased as the concentration of LTG increases, 57.1% in 800 microM, 12.5% in 1,000 microM group. The latency to ictal discharge after 4-AP addition was 142.1+/-52.6 sec in control group, but increased as the concentration of LTG increases, 304.4+/-84.5 sec in 400 microM group and 689.8+/-213.1 sec in 800 microM group(P<0.05). The duration of ictal discharges was 1,534.7/-339.3 sec in control group, but decreased as the concentration of LTG increases, it was 126.5+/-76.1 sec in 800 microM group(P <0.05) and 42 sec in 1,000 microM group. CONCLUSION: The antiepileptic effects of LTG were most significant when the concentration, inhibiting epileptiform discharges induced by 4-AP and Mg2+ -free medium in hippocampal slices of immature rats, was 800 microM or higher. Although the basic pharmacologic mechanism of LTG is the inhibition of sodium channel, it may also work on potassium channel at higher concentrations.
4-Aminopyridine* ; Animals ; Brain ; Glucose ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Potassium Channels ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium Channels

Aortopulmonary septal defect is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly. A 15 year old boy was admitted to Department of Internal Medicine of Seoul National University Hospital because of exertional dyspnea. Aortopulmonary septal defect was confirmed by cardiac catheterization demonstrating severe pulmonary hypertension and patent foramen ovale, and retrograde aortogram showing contrast material passing from the ascending aorta just above the aortic valve into the pulmonary trunk. We present a case of aortopulmonary septal defect with a review of literatures.
Adolescent ; Aorta ; Aortic Valve ; Aortopulmonary Septal Defect* ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Dyspnea ; Foramen Ovale, Patent ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Internal Medicine ; Male ; Seoul

BACKGROUND: There has been no statistical study of dermatoses in the Ganganm area of Seoul which has been rapidly developing in the last 10 years. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the recent distributions of dermatoses in the Gangam area of Seoul and compared them with the previous reports in Seoul and other provinces of Korea. METHODS: 47,015 new outpatients who visited the Yongdong Severance Hospital from 1983 to 1992 were analyzed statistically RESULTS: The study results are summarized as follows: 1. Among the 47,015 outpatients, the total number of number of male patients were 20,180(42.9%) and female patients 26,835(57.1%). 2. In age distribution, the most frequent age groups were the 3rd decade(21.3%), the lst decade(19.5%), and the 4th decade(19.2%) amounting to 60% of the total outpatients. 3. The most common 15 dermatoses were dermatophytosis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, irritant contact dermatitis, acne vulgaris, allergic contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, other eczemas, warts, vitiligo, drug eruption, herpes zoster, psoriasis, bacterial infection, and syphilis. 4. Those dermatoses which showed an increasing tendency annually were seborrheic dermatitis, warts, vitiligo, and syphiiis. Dermatophytosis and bacterial infection showed a decreasing tendency. 5. Seasonal distribution showed that those diseases occurring most frequently during the summer were dermatophytosis, urticaria, allergic contact dermatitis, vitiligo, herpes zoster, and bacterial infection. The incidence of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis increased during the winter season. 6. In sexual distribution, acne, allergic contact dermatitis, and irritant contact dermatitis were more frequent in females, and the remainding common dermatoses did no show any difference. 7. In age distribution, atopic dermatitis and bacterial infection were most frequent in the lst decade. Urticaria, allergic contact dermatitis, acne, drung eruption, psoriasis, and syphilis were most frequent in the 3rd decade, with warts and vitiligo in the 2nd decade, and herpes zoster in the 6th decaded. 8. The distributions of dermotoses as disease groups were eczema(24.9%), urticaria-drug eruption (13.2%), dermatophytosis(10.7%), skin appendage disorder(10.1%), viral infection(10.1%), pigmentary disorders(4.5%), and papulosquamous diseases(4.0%) which constituted 78% of the total. 9. In patients dwelling in apartments, atopic dermatitis and molluscum contagiosumn showed a more frequent tendency in comparison to those living in house. 10. The most common 10 dermatoses among children were atopic dermatitis, urticaria, contact dermatitis, molluscum contagiosum, bacterial infection, dermatophytosis, vitiligo, other viral infections, and nevo-cellular nevi. On the other hand, the most common 10 dermatoses among the elderly were drmatophytosis, other eczemas, urticaria, herpes zoster, pruritus, contact dermatitis, drug eruption, lichen simplex chronicus, seborrheic dermatitis, and vitiligo. CONCLUSION: In contrast to earlier published report from Seoul, the infectous dermatoses, especially parasitic infestation, showed a decreasing tendency. The distribution pattern of the skin diseases did not differ fro other provinces of Korea in general.
Acne Vulgaris ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Bacterial Infections ; Child ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Drug Eruptions ; Eczema ; Female ; Hand ; Herpes Zoster ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Molluscum Contagiosum ; Neurodermatitis ; Nevus ; Outpatients ; Pruritus ; Psoriasis ; Seasons ; Seoul* ; Skin ; Skin Diseases* ; Statistics as Topic* ; Syphilis ; Tinea ; Urticaria ; Vitiligo ; Warts

Coenzyme Q is concentrated in Golgi apparatus membranes and mitochondria, but not in other membranes. Although it is difficult to prove the metabolic action of coenzyme Q administered exogenously in clinical cases, the effect of this substance can be evaluated by criteria based on clinical findings. In an attempt to evaluate the effect of coenzyme Q for the treatment of 67 patients(male 26 cases, female 41 cases) of congestive heart failure, we administered Coenzyme Q1030mg daily for 4 to 8 weeks. Most of them were valvular heart disease(74.6%) and hypertension (14.9%). Clinical effects were evaluated at least 4 weeks later by the criteria using a scoring method of severity of congestive heart failure which was devised by Ishiyama, etc. In summary, a definite effect was found in 13 cases(19%) and a mild effect was observed in 46 cases(69%). During treatment there were no significant side effects, and also no significant changes in heart rate and blood pressure.
Blood Pressure ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Female ; Golgi Apparatus ; Heart ; Heart Failure* ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Membranes ; Mitochondria ; Research Design ; Ubiquinone

No abstract available.
Cardiomyopathy, Dilated* ; Child* ; Humans