No abstract available.
Cytomegalovirus* ; DNA* ; Humans* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction*

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcomes after fixation using a 3.5-mm locking compression plate (LCP) hook plate for isolated greater tuberosity (GT) fractures of the proximal humerus. METHODS: We evaluated the postoperative radiological and clinical outcomes in nine patients who were followed up at least 1 year with isolated GT fractures. Using the deltopectoral approach, we fixed the displaced GT fragments with a 3.5-mm LCP hook plate (Synthes, West Chester, PA, USA). Depending on the fracture patterns, the hook plate was fixed with or without augmentation using either tension suture or suture anchor fixation. RESULTS: All the patient showed successful bone union. The mean time-to-union was 11 weeks. The radiological and clinical outcomes at the final follow-up were generally satisfactory. The mean visual analogue scale for pain, the University of California at Los Angeles score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and the subjective shoulder value were 1.4, 30.3, 84.3, and 82.2%, respectively. The mean active forward flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation of the shoulder were 156.7°, 152.2°, 61.1°, and the 10th thoracic vertebral level, respectively. Only one patient presented with a postoperative complication of shoulder stiffness. The patient was treated through arthroscopic capsular release on the 5th postoperative month. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that fixation using 3.5-mm LCP hook plates for isolated GT fractures of the proximal humerus is a useful treatment method that provides satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes.
California ; Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humerus* ; Joint Capsule Release ; Methods ; Postoperative Complications ; Shoulder ; Surgeons ; Suture Anchors ; Sutures

BACKGROUND: It has been well known that absolute and interpeak latencies of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) are usually prolonged in diabetics. However, Its etiology is still controversial. We tried to identify whether the cause is structural or metabolic in origin by performing BAEP and brain MRI in the diabetic patients. METHODS: BAEP were performed in both the diabetic patients (DM) group (16 males and 15 females) and the normal control group (25 males and 33 female). A brain MRI was performed in the DM group on those who showed abnormal BAEP and com-pared the results of BAEP of the DM group with those of the control group. RESULTS: 7 patients (22.6%) showed abnor-mal BAEP (male; 6, female; 1, unilateral; 4, bilateral; 3) when abnormal BAEP was defined as being larger than two and a half standard deviations of the control group BAEP results. Two males of the DM group who showed abnormal structural lesions of the pons in their brain MRI were not included in the statistical analysis. The remaining 14 diabetic male patients (mean age: 58.7 +/-9.1 years, mean disease duration: 6.1 +/-4.7 years, mean hemoglobin (Hb) A1C: 7.7 +/- 2.0%) and 15 diabetic female patients (mean age: 60.6 +/-10.8 years, mean disease duration: 5.4 +/-5.1 years, mean HgA1C: 7.8 +/-2.1%) were stastistically analyzed. Interpeak latencies of I-III, III-V, and I-V were found to be signifi-cantly prolonged in the DM group. The prolongation of interpeak latencies of I-III and I-V were found to be signifi-cantly correlated with the disease duration only in the diabetic female patients, but not with age and HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that both metabolic derangement and structural lesion contribute to prolonging the central conduction time on BAEP pathway in diabetics.
Brain ; Brain Stem* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem* ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Pons

In a series of paleo-parasitological investigations, we have been able to obtain invaluable data on parasite infection patterns prevalent among the Joseon (1392-1910) people in Korea. Thus far we have established that the Joseon people were in fact heavily infected by various species of parasites, though precise patterns and exact statuses of infection in specific town and cities have proved elusive. In the present study, relevant historical documentation was obtained and examined, shedding light on some of the operative socio-cultural factors that might have played a role in inducing a high infection prevalence of Ascaris, a soil-transmitted roundworm, in Joseon society. On this evidentiary basis, we could confirm that the recycling of human feces as fertilizer and the habit of eating raw vegetables were both closely related to infection. These factors were sufficient to maintain the life cycle of Ascaris, there by perpetuating a cycle of infection and reinfection among the Joseon inhabitants. Overall, this study demonstrated the value of close medical-scientist / historian interdisciplinary collaboration infacilitating comprehensive and meaningful paleo-parasitological findings and interpretations.
Ascaris ; Cooperative Behavior ; Eating ; Feces ; Helminths ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Cycle Stages ; Light ; Parasites ; Prevalence ; Recycling ; Vegetables

The PFC (Press Fit Condylar) knee was first implanted clinically in 1984 with retention of posterior cruciate ligament. Thereafter PFC modular version had been developed at 1988 with option of posterior cruciate ligament substitution and minor design changes. We classified the 170 patients, 252 knees which underwent the PFC total knee arthroplasty in the period from January 1988 to May 1995 into three groups. In group I, 62 patient. Had 93 total knee arthroplasties with insertion of the original PFC total knee prosthesis with retention of posterior cruciate ligament from January 1988 to October 1991. In group Iia, 51 patients had 74 total knee arthroplasties with insertion of the modular PFC total knee prosthesis with retention of posterior cruciate ligawient from November 1991 to May 1995. In group III, 57 patients had 85 total knee arthroplasties with insert.ion of the modular PFC total knee prosthesis with substitution of posterior cruciate ligament from November 1991 to May l995. Average follow-up periods were 7 years 5 months in group I and 3 years 2 months in group Iia and Ilb. Clinical and radiographic results were similar among the group I, Iia and llb except slight better scores in group Iia and Iib than group I, even though group IlI and IlI had short follow-up periods, Postoperative implant wear was developed at 5 knees in group I, 1 knee in group Iia and not developed in group Ilb. Implant loosening was developed at 1 knee only in group 1. Revisional arthroplasty was performed to 7 knees in group I, 1 knee in group Iia and not in group 1Ib. In conclusion, posterior cruciate ligament substitution group had no difference in functional results with the retention group. In the problem of implant wear, posterior cruciate ligament substitution group was superior to the retention group but similar in loosening.
Arthroplasty* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee Prosthesis ; Knee* ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; Postoperative Period

No abstract available in English.
Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous

No abstract available in English.
Lasers, Gas ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.
Hand*

Although vascular injury after clavicular fracture is a extremely rare, it is a complication which is serious problem. Vascular injury associated with the fracture can be immediate or delayed. We report a case of late-onset brachial artery occlusion caused by subclavian artery stenosis with excessive scar tissue after open reduction and plate fixation for clavicular fracture and include a review of the literature.
Brachial Artery* ; Cicatrix ; Subclavian Artery* ; Subclavian Steal Syndrome* ; Vascular System Injuries