BACKGROUND: Keloids may occur at any age, but tend tend velop between the ages of 10 and 30. The incidence and median age of onset are equal for both sexes. Keloids are common among the darker pigmented rices, but there have been a few clinia studies of keloids in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpcse of this study was to evaluate the variable clinical characteristics of keloids in Korea. METHODS: This clinical investigation was made with 223 of patients of keloid who had visited the Department of Derrnatology, Chonnam University Hosptal from January 1984 to December 1993. RESULTS: 1.The annual incidenie averaged over 10 years was 0.831 (361 cases of total 43,752 outpatients). 2.The ratio of male to female was 1: 0.94(Male. 115, Feila 108). 3.The mean age of the onset and at the first visit to our hospital were 24.5years and 29.2 years respectively. 4.In our series tte presternal area was the most commor saes, the shouder region next. Most keloids on the shoulder were related to BCG vaccination in ifoncy or chilhood. 5.The precipitating fa ctors associated with keloid were riaeeding dermatologic diseases(33.2 %), unknown(17.9%) rejection & vaccination(15.2%), operation(13.9%), burn(13.9%) and laceration(5.8%) in descending order. 6.Among preceeding as, iociated dermatologic diseases, acne w s the most common. 7. A positive family history is more likely in cases of mitile keloidal (p<0,001), and severe keloidal formation. 8.Most patients did not. complain of any symptorns(45.3%) nd a symptom of pain or tenderness(40.8%) was piesert rather than pruritus(13.9%). 9.The most prevaent tr eatment modality was intralesional injection with triamcinolone acetonide (84.3%). CONCLUSION: According, to this study, usually keloids occore in patients between 10 and 29 years of age, and most keloids were located on the antetio partion of the chest, shoulders, and face and scalp. A positive family history is more likely in as of multiple, severe keloidal for mation.
Acne Vulgaris ; Age of Onset ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Injections, Intralesional ; Jeollanam-do ; Keloid* ; Korea ; Male ; Mycobacterium bovis ; Scalp ; Shoulder ; Thorax ; Triamcinolone Acetonide ; Vaccination

The pulmonary arterial pressure(PAP) was reported to be higher in essential hypertensives than in normotensives, but the underlying mechanisms for the higher PAP were not known exactly. In order to observe the changes of pulmonary hemodynamics and to get an insight into the mechanism of the pulmonary hypertension, if any, in essential hypertensive patients, the autors performed the cardiac catheterization in 13 normal controls(group A), 14 coronary patients with normal systolic left ventricular function and systemic blood pressure(group B), and 15 essential hypertensives with normal coronary artery and systolic left ventricular function(group C). 1)Pulmonary arterial pressure(PAP) was 19.2+/-3.2/8.1+/-1.9/12.0+/-1.9(s/d/m)mmHg in group A, 25.0+/-6.2/12.8+/-4.0/16.3+/-4.5mmHg in group B, 29.3+/-6.1/12.8+/-4.0/18.2+/-3.6mmHg in group C. The PAP was higher in group B and C than that of group A(p<0.005). 2) Pulmonary vascular resistance(PVR) was 88.2+/-34.9 dyne.sec.cm(-5) in group A. 137.8+/-74.5 dyne.sec.cm(-5) in group B and 173.9+/-77.5 dyne.sec.cm(-5) in group C. In group B and C, PVR was increased compared to that of group A(p<0.05, p<0.005, respectively). 3) Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure(PCWP) was 6.6+/-2.8 mmHg in groupa A. 9.9+/-2.9mmHg, and 9.6+/-3.6 mmHg in group C. PCWP in group B and C were higher than that of group A(p<0.005). 4) Systemic vascular resistance(SVR) was 1298+/-340 dyne.sec.cm(-5) in group A, 1466+/-362 dyne .sec.cm(-5) i group B and 2255+/-439 dyne.sec.cm(-5) in group C. In group C, SVR was increased compared to that of group A and B(p<0.002). 5) Significant correlation was demonstrated between PVR and PCWP in group A(r=-0.74, p<0.05). 6) In group B, significant correlations were shown between PAP and PCWp(r=0.55, p<0.05), between PAP and PVR(r=0.69, p<0.05). 7) In group C, significant correlations were demonstrated between PAP and PCWP(r=0.55, p<0.05), between PVR and SVR(r=<0.51, p<0.01). Above results revealed that PAP and PVR were increased in essential hypertensives without left ventricular failure and this elevated PAPseemed to be affected in part by increased PCWP, and increased PVR in accordance with increased SVR.
Capillaries ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Coronary Vessels ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Ventricular Function, Left

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of depression and quality of life among older adults with osteoarthritis. The predictors included in the model were the client's characteristics(age, pain, disease duration, ADLs), personal resources(hardiness, self-care agency and family support), and depression. METHOD: 150 subjects who were older than 65 years and had diagnosis of osteoarthritis participated in the study. To answer the research questions, descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression were utilized using SPSS WIN program. RESULT: Older adults who were younger and had lower levels of pain and dependency on ADLs, and higher levels of self care agency and hardiness reported lower levels of depression(R2=0.517). Older adults who had lower levels of depression, pain, and dependency on ADLs, higher levels of family support and hardiness, and who are younger reported higher levels of quality of life(R2=0.804). CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, development of nursing intervention program including pain reduction, enhancing ADL abilities and personal resources (hardiness, family support) can be suggested. Further study is needed to increase the ability of generalization of the study findings to the broader population.
Activities of Daily Living ; Adult* ; Depression* ; Diagnosis ; Generalization (Psychology) ; Humans ; Nursing ; Osteoarthritis* ; Quality of Life* ; Self Care ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.
Eosinophilia*

Ossification and calcification of the spinal ligaments frequently cause pressure upon the spinal cord andnerve roots. Authors reviewed 150 cases of C-spine CT, 80 cases of T-spine CT, and 725 cases of L-spine CT whichwere carried out a Pusan Natina University Hospital for 2 years from May 1983 to May 1985. We analysed 34 caseswhich showed ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and ligamentum flavum (OLF) of these 955cases. The results are follows: 1. The male ot female ratio of spinal ligamentous ossification was 26:8. The 5thdecade group (24.41%) was the most prevalent age group. 4th decade(26.4%), 6th decade(23.52%), 7th decade(11.76),3rd decade (8.8%), and 8th decade(2.94%) in that order. 2. Of 955 cases of spine CT, the incidence of OPLL was 25cases(21.51%) and that of OLF was 10 ases(1.05%). 3. Regional incidence of spinal ligamentous ossification was asfollows. 1) In case of OPLL, cervical area was 19/150(12.67%) and lumbar area was 6/725 (0.83%). 2) In cases ofOLF, Thoracic area was 3/80(3.75%) and lumbar area was 8/725(1.10%). 4. The most frequent length of OPLL was 4body length (32%) and the most frequent locations are C4 and C5(68%). The types fo OPLL were 15 cases(60%) ofsegmental type, 8 cases(32%) of continuous type, and 2 cases(8%) of mixed type in that order. All segmental typeswere degree 1 or 2 and most continuous and mixed type (80%) were degree 2 or 3 dural sac effect. 5. The number ofinvolved interlaminar spaces in OLF was 1 to 5 interspaces and most of OLF were found at low thoracic and lumbararea. 6. There could be noted high correlation between the spinal ligamentous ossification and degenerative discdisease, The incidence of associated disc disease was 18/25(72%) in OPLL and 8/10(80%) in OLF.
Busan ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Ligaments ; Ligamentum Flavum ; Male ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ; Spinal Cord ; Spine

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) at acupoints suggested by oriental medicine to be related to the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rest/acupuncture-stimulation Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT using a same-dose subtraction method was performed on 54 normal volunteers (34 males, 20 females, age range from 18 to 62 years) using six paradigms: acupuncture at acupoints GV. 20, GV. 26, LI. 4, ST. 36 and SP. 6. In the control study, needle location was chosen on a non-meridian focus 1 cm posterior to the right fibular head. All images were spatially normalized, and the differences between rest and acupuncture stimulation were statistically analyzed using SPM for Windows . RESULTS: Acupuncture applied at acupoint GV. 20 increased rCBF in both the anterior frontal lobes, the right frontotemporal lobes, and the left anterior temporal lobe and the left cerebellar hemisphere. Acupuncture at GV. 26 increased rCBF in the left prefrontal cortex. Acupuncture at LI. 4 increased rCBF in the left prefrontal and both the inferior frontal lobes, and the left anterior temporal lobe and the left cerebellar hemisphere. Acupuncture at ST. 36 increased rCBF in the left anterior temporal lobe, the right inferior frontal lobes, and the left cerebellum. Acupuncture at SP. 6 increased rCBF in the left inferior frontal and anterior temporal lobes. In the control stimulation, no significant rCBF increase was observed. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated a correlation between stimulation at each acupoint with increase in rCBF to the corresponding brain areas.
Acupuncture Points* ; Acupuncture* ; Brain* ; Cerebellum ; Female ; Frontal Lobe ; Head ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; Needles ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Temporal Lobe ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

Hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) was considered to be a physiologic adaptation to the increased afterload of left ventricle, but recent studies revealed that LVH was one of the most important target organ damage in essential hypertensive patients & cardiovascular morbidity was increased in patients with hypertensive LVH. Hypertensive LVH could be classified into three types : concentric LVH, disproportionate septal thickening(DST), and left ventricular dilatation. Relatively high incidence of DST in hypertension has bee reported after clinical introduction of echocardiogram. But, the mechanisms for the development of DST and its clinical significance have not been elucidated exactly. In order to assess left ventricular diastolic function in hypertensives with DST, the authors performed phonocardiogram, M-mode, and pulsed Doppler echocardiogram in 15 normotensive control(group A : 5 male, 10 female, 44.4+/-7.7 years), 15 hypertensives without LVH(group B : 5 male, 10 female, 45.5+/-8.6 years), 85 hypertensives with DST(group C : 9 male, 16 female, 47.5+/-8.6 years) and 15 hypertensives with concentric LVH(group D : 8 male, 7 female, 47.7+/-6.1 years). The obtained results were as follows : 1) Left ventricular ejection fraction was 71.6+/-6.3% in group A, 71.9+/-7.5% in group B, 731+/-7.0% in group C, and 70.3+/-10.3% in group D. Ejection fraction was not significantly different in each other group. 2) Left ventricular mass index(LVMI) by echocardiogram was 87.8+/-20.6g/m
Adaptation, Physiological ; Bees ; Deceleration ; Dilatation ; Female ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy ; Incidence ; Male ; Relaxation ; Stroke Volume

Benzene and toluene, which are widely used aromatic hydrocarbons in workplace, are recently proved to cause health hazards due to their toxic effects. This study investigated the influence of toluene on the urinary excretion of benzene metabolite by administering short term exposure limit(STEL) of these compounds(i.e., 13.8mg/kg of benzene and 108.8mg/kg of toluene) intraperitoneally into Sprague-Dawley rats. After administration, urinary phenol concentration of rat was measured by gas chromatography for every three hours. Data were analyzed by non-parametric statistical methods using Kruskal-Wallis multi-sample test and Mann-Whitney U test. The following results were obtained: 1. Administration of STFL-benzene increased urinary phenol concentration in rats. 2. Urinary phenol concentration was increased logarithmically according to the dosage of benzene. 3. Excretion of phenol in urine was decreased when benzene and toluene were administered simultaneously compared with administering benzene alone. In Summary, these results reveal that administration of STEL of toluene has antagonistic effect of urinary excretion of benzene metabolite in rats.
Animals ; Benzene* ; Chromatography, Gas ; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic ; Metabolism* ; Phenol ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Threshold Limit Values ; Toluene

Authors presented the serial changes of brain MRI findings in two cases of cryptococcal meningitis. The MRI findings of the first patient (53-year-old female) consisted of dilated Virchow-Robin spaces, leptomeningeal enhancement, cryptococcomas and hydrocephalus. Dilated Virchow-Robin spaces were noted on the first MR obtained 33 days after symptom onset. The size and number of dilated Virchow-Robin space gradually decreased since 119 days after symptom onset (62 days after treatment). Faint leptomeningeal enhancement was found at cerebellar region on the first MRI, which became more distinct and intense on the day 119, probably due to improper treatment. The leptomeningeal enhancement decreased on the day 156. Mild hydrocephalus was noted on MRI obtained 70 days after symptom onset, which markedly aggravated on the day 119. It decreased after steroid therapy alone. Enhancing crytococcomas of variable size were noted at the right temporal lobe and cerebellum on MRI of the day 119, which decreased in size and number on the day 156. On the day 295 MRI showed nearly disppearance of the dilated Virchow-Robin space, but faint leptomeningeal enhancement, cerebellar crytococcomas and hydrocephalus still remained. The MRI findings of the second patient (36-year-old female) showed the findings similar to those of the first patient. Initial MRI obtained 18 days after symptom onset showed no abnormal findings. Dilated Virchow-robin spaces were noted on the day 36 (13 days after treatment onset), which nearly disappeared on the day 109. Enhancing cryptococcomas in both basal ganglia and cerebral cortex and leptomeningeal enhancement were noted on MRI of the day 136. Both cryptococcomas and leptomeningeal enhancement decreased in size and enhancing degree on the day 157. Hydrocephalus was noted on the day 109.
Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Cerebellum ; Cerebral Cortex ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Meningitis, Cryptococcal ; Temporal Lobe