Stasis dermatitis is one of the important skin manifestations of venous stasis. Therefore, the searching for the cause of venous stasis is importrnt. Two cases of stasis dermatitis with inferior vena caval obstruction are reported and possible etiologic factor is discussed. Case I The patient, 38-year-old carpenter, was admitted at Choong Buk Medical Center in April, 1974 with superficial venous engorgement of the lower extremities which had begun to appear two years after severe blunt trauma to both legs in 1962. 5 years prior to admission, abdomial venous engorgement and abdominal fullness developed and was exaggerated gradually. Since 2 years prior to admission, he has been suffered from the recurrent exudative ulcer on the right lower leg The physical examination revealed mild icteric sclera, hepatomegaly, abdominal distension, tortuous venous engorgement on the abdomen, the lateral chest wall and the lower extremities, and edematous scaly brawny pigmentation of the lower legs. Esphagogram showed no esphageal varices. Inferior vena cavogram showed complete obstruction at the level of upper border of 2nd lumbar vertebra and well developed collateral circulation, Findings of skin biopsy on the right lower leg showed moderate acanthosis, increased pigmentation of bosal cell layer in the epidermis, capillary proliferation, diffuse inflammatory cell infiltration with increased fibrosis and hemosiderin granules in the dermis. Case II The patient. 36-year-old farmer, was admitted at Dept. of Dermatology, St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Medical College in Sept., 1973.The physical examination revealed hepatomegaly, abdominal distension, superficial venous engorgement on the abdomen, the neck and the lower extrcmities, severe edema and pigmentation of the lower legs, and the multiplc. Exudative ulcers on the left lower leg. Liver scanning showed somewhat general enlargement with some mottlings along the margin and relative prominance of the left lobe. Liver biopsy revealed findings of non specific chrcnic hepatitis. Inferior vena cavogram through the left femoral vein showed complete obstruction at the level between 11th and 12th thoracic vertebrae.His peripheral edema and ascites was much subsided after adequate bed rest and the skin lesion improved with scar formation.
Abdomen ; Adult ; Ascites ; Bed Rest ; Biopsy ; Capillaries ; Cicatrix ; Collateral Circulation ; Dermatitis* ; Dermatology ; Dermis ; Edema ; Epidermis ; Femoral Vein ; Fibrinogen ; Fibrosis ; Hemosiderin ; Hepatitis ; Hepatomegaly ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Leg ; Liver ; Lower Extremity ; Neck ; Physical Examination ; Pigmentation ; Sclera ; Skin ; Skin Manifestations ; Spine ; Thoracic Wall ; Ulcer ; Varicose Veins

No abstract available.
Cervix Uteri* ; Conization* ; Female

PURPOSE: We wanted to determine and report on the outcome of combined gemcitabine/cisplatin chemotherapy for patients suffering with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 1999 and December 2004, 43 selected patients were enrolled in this study. Group 1 (the adjuvant chemotherapy group) had undergone radical surgery with removal of evident tumor from the following primary sites: bladder (n=8), renal pelvis (n=7) and ureter (n=3). Group 2 (the salvage chemotherapy group) had undergone palliative surgery with a remnant tumor at the following primary sites; bladder (n=23) and renal pelvis (n=2). All the patients were given gemcitabine/ciplatin and they evaluated for the therapeutic effect and toxicity. The patients were initially treated with gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 intravenously for 30 minutes on days 1, 8 and 15 of a 28-day cycle, and cisplatin 70 mg/m2 was administered intravenously on day 1 using prehydration measures. RESULTS: Group 1: The median follow-up period was 16.5 months. The mean age was 63 years (males: 15 cases, females: 3 cases), and eleven patients (61%) remained alive. The estimated median relapse-free survival period and 2-year survival rate were 24 months and 63%, respectively. Group 2: the median follow-up period was 20 months, the mean patient age was 63.8 years (males: 22 cases, females: 3 cases), and nine patients (36%) remained alive. The overall response and 2-year survival rates were 36% and 43%, respectively. Toxicities: Grade 3 toxicities developed in 14 cycles during the total 232 cycles. Grade 4 toxicity did not occur. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm that adjuvant and salvage chemotherapy with using gemcitabine and cisplatin is tolerable and safe.
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cisplatin ; Drug Therapy* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Pelvis ; Palliative Care ; Survival Rate ; Ureter ; Urinary Bladder ; Urologic Neoplasms

No abstract available.
Abortion, Induced* ; Female ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care*

No abstract available.
Abortion, Induced* ; Female ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care*

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Titanium is widely used as an implant material for artificial teeth. Also, studies on surface treatment to form a fine passive film on the surface of commercial titanium or its alloys and improving bioactivity with bone have been carried out. However, there is insufficient data about the biocompatibility of the implant materials in the body. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine whether the precipitation of apatite on titanium metal is affected by surface modification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens chemically washed for 2 minute in a 1:1:1.5 (in vol%) mixture of 48% HF, 60% HNO3 and distilled water. Specimens were then chemically treated with a solution containing 97% H2SO4 and 30% H2O2 at 40 degrees C for 1 hour, and subsequently heat-treated at 400 degrees C for 1 hour. All specimens were immersed in the HBSS with pH 7.4 at 36.5 degrees C for 15 days, and the surface were examined with TF-XRD, SEM, EDX and XPS. Also, commercial purity Ti specimens with and without surface treatment were implanted in the abdominal connective tissue of mice for 4 weeks. Conventional aluminium and stainless steel 316L were also implanted for comparison. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained were summarized as follows. 1. An amorphous titania gel layer was formed on the titanium surface after the titanium specimen was treated with a H2SO4 and H2O2 solution. The average roughness was 2.175 micrometer after chemical surface treatment. 2. The amorphous titania was subsequently transformed into anatase by heat treatment at 400 degree C for 1 hour. 3. The average thickness of the fibrous capsule surrounding the specimens implanted in the connective tissue was 46.98 micrometer in chemically-treated Ti, and 52.20, 168.65 and 100.95 micrometer, respectively in commercial pure Ti, aluminum and stainless steel 316L without any treatment.
Alloys ; Aluminum ; Animals ; Connective Tissue ; Hot Temperature ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Mice ; Stainless Steel ; Titanium* ; Tooth, Artificial ; Water

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We studied to evaluate the virological and biochemical responses to lamivudine and to detect YMDD mutants in patients who received long-erm lamivudine therapy. METHODS: We conducted a one-ear trial of lamivudine in 45 Korean patients with chronic liver disease due to hepatitis B virus. The patients were treated with a single oral average dose of 100 mg of lamivudine every day for 12 months. RESULTS: The suppression of serum HBV DNA was sustained in 77.8% of the patients and the normalization of serum ALT in 80%. The proportions of patients with HBeAg seroconversion were 25%. YMDD mutants were detected in 4 of 8 patients who showed sustained HBV DNA and serum ALT response (n=31) and in 3 of 8 patients who showed HBV DNA or serum ALT breakthrough (n=9). The response to lamivudine therapy in HBeAg-egative patients was excellent. CONCLUSION: Lamivudine therapy resulted in a significant virological and biochemical improvements and were well tolerated. But, YMDD mutants were detected during lamivudine therapy.
DNA ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Lamivudine* ; Liver Diseases* ; Liver*

BACKGROUND: When local anesthetics for regional anesthesia is used, usually small amounts of bicarbonate are added for rapid onset. This addition gives the mixed solution a more alkaline pH. The following result is an increased unionized form of the local anesthetic and rapid penetration of the drug into tissue. Unfortunately, no data about adequate mixing volumes of domestic lidocaine and bicarbonate is available. METHODS: We examined six mixing pairs of two kinds of 2% lidocaines and three kinds of 8.4% bicarbonates for minimum volumes of bicarbonate to cause a precipitation of 2% 20 ml lidocaine. RESULTS: The mean volumes of bicarbonate to cause precipitation were 1.54 ml for Kwang-Myung lidocaine with Kwang-Myung bicarbonate, 2.90 ml for Kwang-Myung lidocaine with Dae-Won bicarbonate, 2.73 ml for Kwang-Myung lidocaine with Je-Il bicarbonate, 0.97 ml for Je-Il lidocaine with Kwang-Myung bicarbonate, 1.26 ml for Je-Il lidocaine with Dae-Won bicarbonate and 1.39 ml for Je-Il lidocaine with Je-Il bicarbonate. CONCLSIONS: We conclude that the Kwang-Myung lidocaine and the Je-Il lidocaine could cause precipitation when mixing with a smaller bicarbonate volume than foreign textbook recommended.
Anesthesia, Conduction ; Anesthetics, Local ; Bicarbonates ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lidocaine

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disorder of unknown origin and characterized by accumulation of T cells and macrophages. Various cytokines may play crucial roles In the activation of T cells and macrophages, and thereby in the formation of granulomas. However, little is known about the balance between proinflammatory cytokines and antiinflamatory cytokines in the development of sarcoid granulomas and disease activities. In the present study, we measured IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) from patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis 13 find out whether there is an imbalance between proinflammatory cytokines and antiinflammatory cytokines in the lung. METHODS: Fourteen subjects with the diagnosis of sarcoidosis and six healthy volunteers were included. BALF was concentrated ten-fold by pressure ultrafiltration and each cytokine levels were measured by ELISA method. Active sarcoidosis was defined by major organ involvement or clinically progressive diseases. RESULTS: The mean IL-6 love]s in the BALF of the active sarcoidosis group were significantly increased than in controls or inactive sarcoidosis group(p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the IL-8 levels were increased and IL-10 levels were decreased in the active sarcoidosis group than in controls or inactive sarcoidosis group without significance(p>0.05). In active pulmonary sarcoidosis patients, the IL-6 love]s in BALF correlated with the BALF CD4/CD8 ratio(r=0.768, p < 0.05) and IL-8 levels(r=0.564, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The data presented showed that proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 is important in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis and decreased tendency of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 might also be involved in the development of granulomatous inflammation in sarcoidosis.
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage* ; Cytokines ; Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Granuloma ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukin-8 ; Interleukins* ; Lung ; Macrophages ; Sarcoidosis ; Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary* ; T-Lymphocytes ; Ultrafiltration

The authors had performed stereotactic surgery to diagnose and treat 2 cases of neurocysticercosis under the local anethesia. Generally, such the open surgery need a general anethesia which may increase the chance of brain parenchyml injury. However, the stereotactic surgery has the advantage of being an easy and precise procedure under local anethesia. The authors reviewed the literature and discussed the stereotactic surgery in the diagnosis, and treatment of neurocysticercosis.
Albendazole ; Brain ; Diagnosis ; Neurocysticercosis* ; Praziquantel