Lumbar braces, cast jackets and lumbar corsets are commonly prescribed for the relief of low back pain or the prevention of instability of lumbar or lumbosacral vertebrae. These devices have been presumed to achive their effect by (1) decreasing movement at the involved intervertebral joints, (2) shifting a portion of the load from the spine to the rest of the trunk by compressing the abdomen, (3) decreasing lumbar lordosis and therefore, mechanical stress on the spine and (4) providing sufficient support to allow relaxation of the muscles of the trunk. But it is doubtful that lumbar braces or corsets significantly decrease movement between lumbar vertebrae. To maintain the stability of the lumbar and lumbosacral spine, abdominal muscles and intrinsic muscles of the back play an important role. When these muscles weaken the lumbar lordosis becomes exaggerated possibly bringing about degenerative changes in the articular processes and approximation of the spinous processes. In severe cases results in the so-called kissing spine which causes low back pain. The pain may be relieved by use of lumbo-sacral corsets or knight braces, which diminish lordosis. However, there has been no scientific report on adequate types of braces, duration of use or muscle weakness resulting from its use as yet. The prupose of this study is to provide a theoretical braces for, planning adequate prevention and early treatment, so that labour loss from retirement or change of job due to low back pain could be minimized, permitting early return to employment and resumption of activities of daily living. In other words, this study concentrates on the indications for use and selection of which will produce optimum results in the treatment of patients with low back pain. The EMG was taken immediately after admission, and after 3 weeks of bed rest accompanied by pelvic traction with or without heating, and also it was taken after 6 weeks of use of brace. The results obtained from this study were as follows; 1. After bed rest the EMG activities were increased in back muscles, such as longissimus dorsi, multifidus and iliocostalis lumborum and in abdominal muscles of internus abdominis while decreased in rectus abdominis. 2. There has been no significant change after use of corset in acute cases while the muscle activities. were increased after use of lumbar corset in chronic cases. 3. Rectus abdominis was most senstively influenced by bed rest or use of brace both in acute and chronic cases. And it was the last to recover probably because it does not contract in ordinary alow walking. 4. Knight brace was considered to be preferable to lumbar corset in acute cases with evidence of weakness in abdominal muscles by EMG. 5. There was no difference between bed rest and use of brace in patients who had radiculopathy with functional difficulties or not.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Muscles ; Activities of Daily Living ; Animals ; Back Muscles ; Bed Rest ; Braces ; Employment ; Heating ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Joints ; Lordosis ; Low Back Pain ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Muscle Weakness ; Muscles ; Paraspinal Muscles ; Radiculopathy ; Rectus Abdominis ; Relaxation ; Retirement ; Spine ; Stress, Mechanical ; Traction ; Walking

Giardiasis is one of the most common causes of infectious diarrhea and it has a worldwide distribution. Although it is a relatively common disorder, histologically confirmed Giardiasis is a rare occurrence and there have been no previous reports in Korea. A 34-year-old man presented with a 2-year history of epigastric discomfort and left flank pain. On stool examination, many cystic forms of Giardia lamblia were noted. In biopsy specimens of the small intestine, there was moderate chronic inflammatory cell infiltration and several trophozoites of Giardia were observed in the intervillous space and luminal surface. The trophozoites were pear shaped symmetrical organisms with two nuclei, and measured 9~10 micrometer in length.
Male ; Humans ; Biopsy

BACKGROUND: The immortalized human keratinocyte line, HaCaT cells have been widely used as substitutes for normal epidermal keratinocytes. Recently, reconstruction of a skin equivalent using HaCaT cells showed a multilayered epithelium,but somewhat different tissue architecture as compared with normal epidermis. OBJECTIVE: In this study, using HaCaT cells we tried to reconstruct an epidermis resembling more closely to normal epidermis than the previous results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HaCaT cells were cultured in air-liquid interface on a recently developed dermal substrated in our laboratory, de-epidermized dermis (DED) raised on fibroblast-populated collagen matrix and the result was compared with those on DED or fibroblast-populated collagen matrix alone. RESULTS: HaCaT cells on the new dermal substrate formed a multilayered epithelium with rete ridges, showing rather orderly cellular organization compared with those on fibroblast-populated collagen matrix. However, horny and granular layers were not observed contrary to normal epidermis. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that differentiation markers such as keratin 1, keratin 6 and involucrin showed the similar pattern to those in HaCaT cells cultured on fibroblast-populated collagen matrix. Markers of terminal differentiation, loricrin and filaggrin were not expressed contrary to normal epidermis. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that organotypic culture HaCaT cells on the dermal substrate combines DED with fivroblast-populated collagen matrix results in incomplete differentiation of HaCaT cells contrary to normal keratinocytes.
Antigens, Differentiation ; Collagen* ; Dermis* ; Epidermis ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Keratin-1 ; Keratin-6 ; Keratinocytes ; Skin

BACKGROUND: A definition of granuloma is a focal chronic inflammatory response to tissue injury evolved by a poorly soluble substwice characterized by the accumulation and proliferation of the mono-nuclear histiocytic cells. The accuracy with which rnononuclear cells may be identified in skir. is much improved by the use of both heteroantisera and monoclonal antibodies directed against selected cellular antigens, OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to examine the staining patterns of anti-lysozyme, anti-a-1-antitrypsin, anti-S-100 protein antibodies, and MAC-387 monoclonal anibody in granulomatous skin diseases. METHOD: We performed imminoperoxidase staining(the labelled str prvidin-biotin peroxidase complex method on the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of granulomatous skin diseases. RESULTS: S-100 protein positive dendritic cells were demonstrated in the granulomatous infiltrates as scattered pattern and MAC-387 positive cells were predominantly found in the center of granulomas, The staining pattern and percentage of positively stained cells of a--antitrypsin were similar to those of lysozyme. A1Pha-1-antitrypsin and lysozyme positive cells w re present in the center as well as lymphohistiocytic infiltrates of granulomas. CONCLUSION: These data sugget that histiocytes are composed of heter igeneous groups of cells such as the mononuclear-phagocyte system and dendritic cell system.
Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Dendritic Cells ; Granuloma ; Histiocytes ; Muramidase ; Peroxidase ; S100 Proteins ; Skin Diseases ; Skin*

Calciphylaxsis is a rare and life-threatening condition of progressive cutaneous necrosis secondary to calcification of small and medium-sized blood vessels. It is seen almost exclusively in patients with end-stage renal disease, in a setting of secondary hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia resulting in metastatic vascular calcification, We experienced a case of calciphylaxsis manifested with chara- cteristic cutaneous lesions that began as tender violaceous livedoid discolorations and subsequent ulceration on the proximal aspect of the extremities and on the lower part of the abdomen. Histologically, calcification is found in small and medium-sized blood vessels in the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The patient had been treated for hypercalcemia, not complicating renal failure, but the cause of hypercalcemia was not found. However, the hypercalcemia was contolled and the skin lesions also improved after oral prednisolone therapy. Our case is a rare presentation of calciphylaxsis in the absence of renal failure, reversibly improved.
Abdomen ; Blood Vessels ; Dermis ; Extremities ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Necrosis ; Prednisolone ; Renal Insufficiency ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Ulcer ; Vascular Calcification

OBJECTIVE: Human embryonic stem (ES) cells have a great potential in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. The human ES cells could be differentiated into specific cell types by treatments of growth factors and alterations of gene expressions. However, the efficacy of guided differentiation and isolation of specific cells are still low. In this study, we characterized isolated cells from differentiated human ES cells by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) system using specific antibodies to cell surface markers. METHODS: The undifferentiated hES cells (Miz-hESC4) were sub-cultured by mechanical isolation of colonies and embryoid bodies were spontaneously differentiated with DMEM containing 10% FBS for 2 weeks. The differentiated cells were isolated to positive and negative cells with MACS system using CD34, human epithelial antigen (HEA) and human fibroblast (HFB) antibodies, respectively. Observation of morphological changes and analysis of marker genes expression were performed during further culture of MACS isolated cells for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Morphology of the CD34 positive cells was firstly round, and then it was changed to small polygonal shape after further culture. The HEA positive cells showed large polygonal, and the HFB positive spindle shape. In RT-PCR analysis of marker genes, the CD34 and HFB positive cells expressed endodermal and mesodermal genes, and HEA positive cells expressed ectodermal genes such as NESTIN and NF68KD. The marker genes expression pattern of CD34 positive cells changed during the extension of culture time. CONCLUSION: Our results showed the possibility of successful isolation of specific cells by MACS system from undirected differentiated human ES cells. Thus, MACS system and marker antibodies for specific cell types might be useful for guided differentiation and isolation of specific cells from human ES cells.
Antibodies ; Ectoderm ; Embryoid Bodies ; Endoderm ; Fibroblasts ; Gene Expression ; Humans* ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Mesoderm ; Nestin ; Regenerative Medicine ; Tissue Engineering

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

The congenital long-QT syndrome (LQTS) is characterized by recurrent syncope, prolonged QT intervals, QT interval lability, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, and sudden death. We report a case of congenital long QT syndrome in a 28-day-old male infant who presented with syncope, bradycardia with 2: 1 pseudo-atrioventricular block and a markedly prolonged QT inteval. One episode occured after crying and degenerated into ventricular fibrillation and terminated after cardioversion. A VVI type cardiac pacemaker was implanted. Subsequently, the infant's heart rate was over 110/min and 2: 1 AV block and any other arrhythmia were absent. The infant recovered from the accompanied pneumonia and sepsis and was discharged 47 days after adrnission. However, 13 days after discharge, the infant returned to our hospital ER with syncope. Ventricular fibrillation ceased after cardioversion. Despite medication with propranolol, ventricular tachycardia persisted. The infant expired the day after he was discharged against medical advice.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrioventricular Block* ; Bradycardia ; Crying ; Death, Sudden ; Electric Countershock ; Heart Rate ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Infant ; Long QT Syndrome ; Male ; Pneumonia ; Propranolol ; Sepsis ; Syncope ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Ventricular Fibrillation

Metastatic tumors to the oral cavity from other parts of the body are rarely reported and representing about 1-4% of all oral malignancies. The most common primary tumor site of oral metastatic tumor was the breast followed by the lung, kidney, thyroid, prostate, and colon. Oral metastasis of primary esophageal carcinoma is extremly rare and only 11 cases were reported till now. Only one case was metastased to the maxilla. We experienced a mteastatic squamous cell carcinoma to the maxilla and the scalp in a 52-year-old male patient who previously diagnosed as esophageal carcinoma and performed operation with post operative radiation therapy. We report the case with literature review.
Breast ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Colon ; Humans ; Kidney ; Lung ; Male ; Maxilla* ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prostate ; Scalp* ; Thyroid Gland

No abstract available.
Neurothekeoma* ; Scalp*