While there have been not a few reports on the seroepidemiological characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Korea, most of them, however, have had several limitations; operational definition of HBV infection, validity of detection methods of HBV serologic markers, size of the study population, and confirmation of the vaccination history against HBV, etc. In order to avoid such limitations, authors randomly selected 1,495 healthy adults among the 217,511 insured (target population) of Korean Medical Insurance Corporation, living in seoul, and tested HBV(HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc) of all the subjects were tested, 392(26.2%) of interview failure cases 742 nonvaccinee were excluded from the actual population. Finally, the serologic markers tested of 742 nonvaccinee (study population) only were analyzed for the seroepidemiologic observation of the natural infection of HBV. The seroepidemiological characteristics of HBV infection in Korea were as follows ; 1 Point prevalence of HBs antigenemia was 11.7(9.1-14.3)% in male, which was slightly higher than that of female, 9.5(3.7-15.3)%. This level was one of the highest among those of Asian-Pacific countries. Decreasing tendency of HBsAg prevalence after the age of 50 was observed, which seems to be due to selective attrition of HBV chronic carriers among the healthy adults and/or to the limited-lasting duration of the HBs antigenemia, in part. 2. Point prevalence of anti-HBc(78.8% in male, 50.9% in female) was higher than that of anti-HBs(65.2% in male, 46.6% in female), respectively. And both of them were higher in male than in female. Increasing tendency of the prevalence of both antibodies was observed by age, which seems to be largely due to recurrent infection in adults and to some cumulative effect, in part, of their relatively longer-lasting duration. 3. The level of HBV infection defined by positive for at least one of the 3 serologic markers of HBV by RIA method was 84.7(81.8-87.6)% in male and 61.2(51.9-70.5)% in female, which was also one of the highest among those of Asian-Pacific countries. The proportion of susceptible population to HBV infection among healthy adults was 15.3% in male and 38.8% in female. 4. The relative frequency of current or past infection and chronic carrier among HBV infected person was estimated. The currently or past infected was estimated 75.7% in male and 71.8% in female, and chronic carrier state, 13.8% in male and 14.1% in female. The analysis of the geometric mean of the antibody titer in anti-HBs positive sera indicated also to be compatible with the above findings, suggesting that active, even though inapparent, infection of HBV occur so frequently among healthy adults in Korea.
Adult* ; Antibodies ; Carrier State ; Female ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Insurance ; Korea ; Male ; Prevalence ; Radioimmunoassay ; Seoul* ; Vaccination

The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries among female ballet dancers is much lower than among female soccer players, there is currently little research examining the landing error scoring system (LESS) of female ballet dancers and female soccer players. The purpose of this study was to investigate the LESS during drop vertical jump on ACL injury risk factors in female ballet dancers and female soccer players. Thirteen professional female ballet dancers and elite female soccer players participated in the study. Independent sample t-test was used to compare the LESS score between the groups with Bonferroni collection. The elite female soccer player group showed significantly higher stance width-wide, foot position-toe out, symmetric initial foot contact, overall impression and total LESS score than those of the professional ballet dancers.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament* ; Female* ; Foot ; Humans ; Incidence ; Risk Factors* ; Soccer*

No abstract available.
Intussusception*

We report two cases of benign symmetrical lipornatosis, one associated with mild hyperthyroidism in a 57-year-old man and the other with alcoholic hepatitis in a 57-year-old man. In the histologic exsmination of the excised mass we found fibrous pseudocapsules surrounding adipose tissue in case 1, but not in case 2. Liposuction was performed in case 1 and simple excision in case 2 for treatment of tumors. The tumor masses were not recurred in clinical observation for follow-up 5 months after treatment.
Adipose Tissue ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis, Alcoholic ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Lipectomy ; Lipomatosis* ; Middle Aged

The folling results were obtained through the clinical review and Virology Laboratory of 100 cases of meningitis seen at ward of the pediatric department of Has Sung Hospital during the period from May to June, 1993. 1) Early childhood period was the most frequent age group and male was predominant in aseptic meningitis. 2) The common chief complaints were fever, vomiting, headache in order. 3) On physical examination meningeal irritation signs were not prominent. 4) On admission, leukocytosis (WBC count>10.000/mm(3)) on peripheral blood was showed in 36%. 5) The findings of cerebrospinal fluid showed that cells (Mean WBC count 671.8/mm(3)) were increased in all cases, and protein and sugar were mostly within normal limit. 6) Echovirus 9 was thought to be main causative agent according to the cerebrospinal fluid culture and antibody test. 7) On follow up study 2 months after discharge, 14 cases showed minimal abnormalities of EEG but no abnormal finding in BERA.
Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Echovirus 9 ; Electroencephalography ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; Humans ; Leukocytosis ; Male ; Meningitis ; Meningitis, Aseptic* ; Physical Examination ; Virology ; Vomiting

No abstract available.
Female ; Humans ; Hysterosalpingography*

BACKGROUND: A genetic aberration in the MTHFR gene has been shown to result in reduced MTHFR enzyme activity and induced hyperhomocysteinemia. Recently, a second genetic polymorphism in MTHFR at position 1298 was reported. However, the association between the A1298C MTHFR polymorphism and ischemic stroke has not been reported. Therefore, we attempted to determine whether the MTHFR C677T and A1298C gene polymorphisms were associated with ischemic stroke. METHODS: We enrolled 220 ischemic stroke patients and 203 healthy individuals and compared their fasting plasma homocysteine levels and analyzed the MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms. RESULTS: Plasma homocysteine levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) in ischemic stroke patients (10.86 +/- 5.07 micro mol/L) than in control subjects (9.39 +/- 2.98 micro mol/L). Despite a clear association between 677TT genotype and elevated homocysteine level, there was no association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and ischemic stroke. On the other hand, the odds ratio and 95% CI adjusted for other risk factors were 1.80 (1.08 to 3.00) for the 1298AC genotype, and 8.98 (1.00 to 80.42) for the 1298CC genotype. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for the 1298AC/CC genotypes were also significantly higher than that in the controls (AOR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.19 to 3.24). However, in the analysis of combined genotypes with C677T and A1298C polymorphism, the AOR was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: MTHFR A1298C gene polymorphism may be an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke. Our findings suggest that prediction of ischemic stroke may be possible by analyzing genetic defects.
Fasting ; Genotype ; Hand ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; Odds Ratio ; Plasma ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors* ; Stroke*

Five volunteers received patch tests with 5% sodium lauryl sulfate (SIS) in solutions of differing pH. The irritant effect was monitored by visual scoring as well as by a laser Doppler vlelocimeter, evaporimeter, cutometer, and colorimeter. The non-invasive methods used in this study with the exception of the cutometer were effective in the evaluation of skin irritation. No significant differences in the skin responses to SIS in different pH solutions were found either clinically or by the non-invasive methods used for quantification. It was concluded that the pH of SIS is not a major factor in the degree of skin irritation produced by SIS.
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Patch Tests ; Skin ; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate* ; Sodium* ; Volunteers

Sinusitis manifested as symptomatic imflammation of the paranasal sinuses is a common pediatric diagnosis. Many studies have focused more directly on the question of relationship between allergy and sinusitis but the relevance of the relationship between allergy and sinusitis still needs further examination, The purpose of this study is to assess of relationship of allergy to extent or severity of sinusitis. A clinical evaluation was performed on 199 children, age 2 to 15 years, in whom the diagnosis of sinusitis was confirmed by paranasal sinus radiographic assessment at our hospital Pediatric OPD and in the ward from July 1991 to June 1993. The results were as follows: 1) Male was more prominent than female (M:F ratio 1.76:1). The age distribution, 100 cases(55.2%) of the total case were 4-7 year old. 2) The symptoms were coughing, most common (77,9%), rhinorrhea, nasal discharge and nasal stuffiness, in decreasing order. The clinical signs were postnasal drip (62.8%), most common, throat injection, wheezing sound, and allergic shiner in decreasing order. Eighty eight patients were evaluated acute and compared with 111 patients with chronic sinusitis. 3) Comparable study between two groups were summarized as follwos: (1) There was no significant difference in age and sex distribution between acute and chronic group. (2) The lowest seasonal incidence of acute group was seen in summer and autumn but there was no significant variation between both group (p>0.05). (3) Allergc disease was more prevalent in chronc group than acute group (p<0.05). Asthma incidence was higher in chronic group than acute group (p<0.05). (4) The frequency of total IgE level checked by PRIST higher than 200 IU/ml in acute group and chronic group was 23.2% and 42.3%, respectively (p<0.05). The incidence of positive skin prick test in acute group and chronic group was 25.0% and 46.5% respectively (p<0.05). (5) Otitis media, nasal polyp and adenoid hypertrophy incidence were higher in chronic group than acute group (p<0.05). (6) There was no significant difference if ESR between both groups. The eosinophilia in peripheral blood higher than 5% in the acute group and chronic group was 15.9% and 42.3% respectively (p<0.05). (7) The patients with chronic group had more severe involvement of the paranasal sinuses than acute group (p<0.05). (8) There were no significant difference in chest radiographic findings and follow up paranasal sinus radiographic findings after treatment (P>0.05).
Adenoids ; Age Distribution ; Asthma ; Child* ; Cough ; Cyprinidae ; Diagnosis ; Eosinophilia ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Hypertrophy ; Immunoglobulin E ; Incidence ; Male ; Nasal Polyps ; Otitis Media ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Pharynx ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Respiratory Sounds ; Seasons ; Sex Distribution ; Sinusitis* ; Skin

We experienced nutiple brain abscess in two neonates. Diagnosis was made CT scan, Which revealed multiple ring-like enhancing leason in both frontoparietal and left posterior parietal cerebral parenchyme. Therapy was consisted of systemic antibiotic treatment and CSF V-P shunt operation due to complicated hydrocephalus. One neonate was died and the other neonate has been followed up due to convulsion and neurological sequale.
Brain Abscess* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infant, Newborn* ; Rabeprazole ; Seizures ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed