PURPOSE: Many articles have proposed that osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is caused by fat embolism or intravascular coagulation linked to hyperlipidemia. To determine whether hyperlipidemia is an associated factor for ONFH, serum lipid levels were measured. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nighty-eight patients presenting with ONFH and 110 controls were investigated. We compared the average value of serum lipid levels and the incidence of hyperlipidemia of the two groups. RESULTS: ONFH group showed generalized increase in lipid level and statistically significant difference in the average value of total cholesterol (P=0.0001), HDL-cholesterol (P=0.0261) and phospholipid (P=0.0465) compared with the control. The incidence of hyperlipidemia of the two groups showed statistically significant difference in HDL-cholesterol (P=0.019) and triglyceride (P=0.024). CONCLUSION: Hyperlipidemia seems to be associated with pathogenesis of ONFH. We speculated that hyperlipidemia might be a contributing factor of ONFH. Hyperlipidemia may play a role as a triggering factor in the pathogenetic process that results in osteonecrosis. However, it can not be ruled out that secondary hyperlipidemia might be a finding following ONFH.
Cholesterol ; Embolism, Fat ; Head* ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Incidence ; Osteonecrosis* ; Triglycerides

We performed an anatomical study on transscleral suture fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Results showed that the relationship of the ciliary sulcus to the overlying posterior surgical limbus differed in the vertical and horizontal meridians. Needles that pierced the ciliary sulcus after being passed perpendicularly through the sclera entered the sclera 0.88+/-0.22mm posterior to the posterior surgical limbus in the vertical meridians and 0.44+/-0.37mm in the horizontal meridians. The scleral exit site of a suture passed from the inside of the eye through ciliary sulcus was 0.90+/-0.12mm posterior to the posterior surgical limbus in the vertical meridians, 0.85+/-0.17mm in the oblique meridians, and 0.45+/-0.10mm in the horizontal meridian.
Lens Implantation, Intraocular ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Meridians ; Needles ; Sclera ; Sutures*

PURPOSE: To compare preoperative and postoperative thickness and to investigate the difference in the thickness change of corneal epithelium and stroma after cataract surgery through scleral tunnel incision. METHODS: Forty eyes of forty patients who were 40 years old or older and underwent small-incision superior scleral tunnel cataract surgery with phacoemulsification were included. Using the RTVue instrument (Optovue Inc., Fremont, CA, USA), corneal epithelial (ET) and stromal thicknesses (ST) of all subjects were measured preoperatively and at 3 days, 1 week, and 1 month postoperatively. Thicknesses were classified into 3 zones according to the distance from the vertex: central zone (within 2 mm), paracentral zone (2-5 mm diameter) and midperipheral zone (5-6 mm diameter). RESULTS: Mean central ST was 486.68 ± 25.15 µm, 535.16 ± 48.13 µm, 515.98 ± 44.07 µm, and 502.28 ± 34.87 µm preoperatively, and at 3 days, 1 week, and 1 month postoperatively, respectively (p < 0.001 for all). ST showed significant thickening in all three zones from 3 days to 1 month postoperatively (p < 0.001 for all). Mean central, paracentral, and midperipheral ET was 52.13 ± 3.41 µm, 50.42 ± 2.97 µm, 49.12 ± 3.05 µm at preoperatively and 51.03 ± 3.63 µm, 48.96 ± 3.62 µm, 47.67 ± 3.81 µm at 1 month postoperatively, respectively (p = 0.061, 0.006, 0.001, respectively), while there were no signficant changes in all three zones at 3 and 7 days postoperatively. Changes in ET and ST were prominent at the superotemporal incision site. CONCLUSIONS: After scleral tunnel cataract surgery, corneal edema was observed in the stroma immediately after surgery. There was no significant change at early times after surgery in the epithelium, and there was a decrease in the peripheral cornea at 1 month postoperatively. The change in ET was considered a compensatory change due to stromal edema and appeared between 1 week to 1 month postoperatively.
Cataract* ; Cornea ; Corneal Edema ; Corneal Stroma ; Edema ; Epithelium ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Humans ; Phacoemulsification

BACKGROUND: It has been documented that certain prognostic factors may affect the outcomes of the old aged victims by trauma. Considering that trauma is the sixth most common cause of death in people over the age of 65 years and there is a rapid growth of elderly population, it is paramount to understand the prognostic factors when dealing with geriatric trauma patients. Hypothesis and Goals : It can be hypothesized that the prognostic factors should be determined independently between populations being consisted of different races, countries, socio-economic states, cultures, or so on. Thus, study was designed to evaluate the factors affecting the outcomes of elderly Korean trauma patients. METHODS: One hundred forty six patients aged over 65 years were retrospectively reviewed, who visited the Emergency Canter of Korea University from January, 1997 to June, 1998. Of 146 patients, 7 were excluded due to discharge against advice or transfer to the other hospitals. Parameters analysed were age, sex, mechanism of injuries, body region injured, Injury Severity Score (ISS), previous medical illness, hospital morbidity, duration of hospital stay, and cost. Each patient was classified into improved or not-improved groups depending on the outcomes, and young-old or old-old group depending on the age. The factors affecting the hospital stay in improved patients were analyzed in the parameters of previous medical illness, hospital morbidity, multiple injuries, ISS, and age. All statistical tests were conducted with two-tailed levels of 0.05. RESULTS: Of 139 patients, the mean age was 74+/-7.1 years, mean ISS 9.3+/-7.26, mean hospital stay 27+/-27.1 days. Most commonly injured body region was the extremities due to fall from a level surface. Rate of previous illness showed 0.94 medical diseases per person and were aggravated after trauma in 39 patients (60.9%). Hospital morbidity rate was 0.46 incidents per person. There were no differences in age and duration of hospital stay between the improved and the not-improved group. Substantial differences were noted in affected body region, incidence of previous illness, and hospital morbidity between the groups (p=NS). Not-improved group had higher ISS (p<0.05). ISS, previous illness and hospital morbidity affected the duration of hospital stay in the improved group. Hospital stay was 40+/-25.1 days in patients with ISS over 6 while 6+/-8.6 days in those with ISS 5 (p<0.05). Hospital stay in the improved was 26+/-26.9 days while 31+/- 24.8 days in the improved old-old group (P=NS). Hospital stay in the young-old minor trauma (ISS5) patients with previous illness and hospital morbidity was 26+/-10.1 days while 4+/-7.3 days in those without previous illness and hospital morbidity (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Previous medical illness and hospital morbidity, not age, are predictive of outcomes of geriatric trauma patients with respect to hospital stay. As most of the hospital morbidity was a trauma-induced aggravation of previous medical illness and hospital morbidity contributing poor outcomes can be potentially avoidable, routine aggressive care far the geriatric trauma patients with previous medical illnesses is needed.
Aged ; Body Regions ; Cause of Death ; Continental Population Groups ; Emergencies ; Extremities ; Humans ; Incidence ; Injury Severity Score ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Multiple Trauma ; Retrospective Studies

Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture is an unusual finding that may occur after blunt trauma. In addition, diaphragmatic rupture occurring bilaterally is extremely rare. We experienced a 6-year-old boy with bilateral diaphragmatic rupture, whom survived after surgical treatment by open thoracotomy but, complicated with spinal cord injury discovered after surgery.

Background: Recent studies have elucidated the quorum-sensing mechanisms, biofilm formation, inter-pathogen interactions,and genes related to oral pathogens. This review aims to explore the recent expansion of drug targets against oral pathogens and summarize the current research on novel antibiotic substances derived from marine organisms that target oral pathogens. Methods: A comprehensive literature review summarized the novel mechanisms pertaining to quorum-sensing signal transmission systems, biofilm formation, and metabolite exchange in oral pathogens. The amino acid sequences of the 16 proteins identified as potential drug targets were systematically classified and compared across various oral microorganisms. Results: Through a literature review, we identified nine studies researching quorum sensing signaling inhibitors targeting oral pathogens. A comparison of the amino acid sequences of 16 potential drug targets in oral microorganisms revealed significant differences between oral pathogens and beneficial oral symbiotic microorganisms. These findings imply that it is possible to design drugs that can bind more selectively to oral pathogens. Conclusion By summarizing the results of recent research on the signaling mechanisms that cause pathogenicity, new drug targets against oral pathogens were proposed. Additionally, the current status of developing new antibiotics for oral pathogens using recently developed quorum sensing inhibitors and natural products derived from marine organisms was introduced.Consequently, marine natural products can be used to develop drugs targeting new proteins in oral pathogens.

BACKGROUND: Median sternotomy remains the standard approach used by surgeons for most intracardiacscar we have tried to use alternative skin incision (bilateral subm-ammary skin incision) to median sternal skin incision, In this study we have tried to compare different postoperative results of wound between two different skin incisional methods. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between June 1997 and June 1998, a bilateral subma-mmary skin incision combined with v operations but the residual scar is cosmetically unsatisfactory. To avoid an unsightly midline ertical sternotomy was performed in 21 pediatric female patients (submammary group)to repair acyanotic congenital heart disease. after the period we carried out a retrograde sion controls in whom there were 23 pediatric patients (control group). RESULT: Patients' age ranged from 14 to 96 months(mean 38.2 months) Mean duration of subcutaneous drains using Hemovac which was used only in the patients of submammary group was 4.2 days and total amount of the drained effusion was 51.1 ml. Postoperative wound complications included wound eruption in one patient wound disruption in one patient and skin necrosis in 3 patients in submammary group and included wound disruption in 4 patients in controls. mean duration required for wound healing was 15,5 days in submammary group versus 10.4 days in controls. The mean scar length was 12.5 cm in submammary group versus 11.3 cm in controls. The average follow-up was 8.2 months in submammary group versus 9.0 months in controls. In submammary group 3 patients parents(14.3%) were pleased with their cosmetic results of wound scar but 8(38.1%) were dissatisfied. Among the 23 patients in control group 8(34.8%) were pleased but 8(34.8%) complained ofunhappiness with the scar.
Cicatrix ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart* ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Skin* ; Sternotomy* ; Thoracic Surgery* ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries*

An increased placental ratio has known to be associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular complications in adulthood among the intrauterine fetal growth restriction. A retrospective study on 202 singleton growth-restricted infants without major congenital anomalies born from Jan. 1995 to Feb. 2001 was performed to determine the relationship between placental ratio and neonatal morbidity. The cases were categorized into three groups according to the placental ratio (<1SD below the mean, within 1SD of the mean, >1SD above the mean). There were no differences in the maternal characteristics and antenatal complications except pregnancy induced hypertension between high placental ratio group and the other groups. It presented the trend that was toward the increase of placental weight and the decrease of birth weight in high placental ratio group. The infants with a high placental ratio had increasing tendencies of meconium stained amnionic fluid, hypocalcemia, phototherapy, asphyxia.
Amnion ; Asphyxia ; Birth Weight ; Female ; Fetal Development ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Hypocalcemia ; Infant* ; Meconium ; Phototherapy ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies

An increased placental ratio has known to be associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular complications in adulthood among the intrauterine fetal growth restriction. A retrospective study on 202 singleton growth-restricted infants without major congenital anomalies born from Jan. 1995 to Feb. 2001 was performed to determine the relationship between placental ratio and neonatal morbidity. The cases were categorized into three groups according to the placental ratio (<1SD below the mean, within 1SD of the mean, >1SD above the mean). There were no differences in the maternal characteristics and antenatal complications except pregnancy induced hypertension between high placental ratio group and the other groups. It presented the trend that was toward the increase of placental weight and the decrease of birth weight in high placental ratio group. The infants with a high placental ratio had increasing tendencies of meconium stained amnionic fluid, hypocalcemia, phototherapy, asphyxia.
Amnion ; Asphyxia ; Birth Weight ; Female ; Fetal Development ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Hypocalcemia ; Infant* ; Meconium ; Phototherapy ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies