In order to observe the complement fixation test and immuno-diffusion test of paragonimiasis, the sera taken at 10 days intervals up to 150 days from cats infected with Paragonimus westermani were examined by the above two immunological methods. The resultant findings were as follows: The complement fixation test showed positive reaction 20 days after the infection with 20 metacercariae, and 40-50 days after the infection with 10 metacercariae. The highest titer was observed 110 days later following the acceleration at 80 days later. In immuno-diffusion test, one are appeared 30 days after the infection with 20 metacercariae, but 60 days after the infection with 10 metacercariae. However, more than two arcs were observed since 70 days after infection. A relatively wide band appeared by the antigens of Fresh worm material and Somatic material. But relatively clear precipitin lines were observed in the diffusion test with V.B.S. antigen, increasing to 3-4 arcs after 110days. In general, complement fixation test showed earlier and higher sensitive reaction than immuno-diffusion test, and was considered to be more valuable method forr immunological diagnosis.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Paragonimus westermani ; immunology ; cat ; complement fixation test ; immuno-diffusion test

No abstract available.
Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory* ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation*

BACKGROUND: Identification of specific antinuclear antibodies is useful for the diagnosis, subclassification and determination of prognosis in autoimmune disorders. In many diseases, multiple autoantibodies are detected, and simultaneous detection of multiple autoantibodies has been shown to be useful. Recently, a commercial kit (EL-ANA/6 profiles, TheraTest Laboratories, USA) losing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method for detection of six specific autoantibodies is avallable. In this study, we attempted to compare the results of EL-ANA/6 profiles with those of routinely used methods and evaluated usefulness of EL-ANA/6 profiles. METHODS: EL-ANA/6 profiles were performed with 28 sera which were positive for fluorescent antinuclear antibody (FANA) Simultaneously we tested anti-dsDNA antibodies with immnofluorescent (If) method and anti-Sm, anti-RNP, anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies with double immunodiffusion (DID). To evaluate specificity, EL- ANA/6 profiles tests were performed on 10 sera from healthy blood donors. RESULTS: Ten sera of healthly blood donors were all negative for EL-ANA/6 pro biles. In the results of EL-ANA/6 profiles on sera positive for FANA, the concordance rate with IF method for the anti-dsDNA antibodies was 89.3% (25/28) and the con- cordance rates with DID for anti-Sm, anti-Sm/RNP, anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies were 85.7% (24/28), 82.1% (23/28), 92.9% (26/28) and 82.1% (23/28), respectively. In 16 discordant settings, thirteen (81.3%) were negative on DID and positive on EL-ANA/6 profiles. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the EL-ANA/6 profiles show good concordance rates with If and DID. EL-ANA/6 profiles showing quantitative profiles for multiple autoantibodies is useful for diagnosis and tool)ow-up of autoimmune disorders.
Antibodies ; Antibodies, Antinuclear* ; Autoantibodies ; Bile ; Blood Donors ; Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunodiffusion ; Prognosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity

No abstract available.
Skin*

No abstract available.
Peroneal Nerve*

No abstract available.
Rehabilitation* ; Stroke*

Irradiation which acts directly and produces the reactive oxygen radicals by ionizing water molecules, causes significant morbidity and mortality. The muscle is damaged by direct action, oxygen radicals and the alterations of microcirculation and metabolism after irradiation. The changes of SOD immunoreactivities in muscles of the rats after irradiation were observed. The ultrastructural changes of the irradiated muscles with the pretreatment of SOD (superoxide dismutase) or without were also investigated. A total of 60 healthy Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing from 200g to 250g were used as experimental animals. Under urethane (1.15g/kg. IP.2 times) anesthesia,30 Gy irradiation to lower extremities by PICKER-C9 Cobalt-60 teletherapy unit was done. 15,000 unit/kg of SOD was administered intraperitoneally 1 hour before irradiation. The experimental animals were sacrificed 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after irradiation. The superficial portions of the mid-belly of the rectus femoris muscles were obtained and sliced into portions, 2 mm in length, 1 mm in width and in thickness. The specimens were prepared by routine methods for the electron microscopic observation. All preparations were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and observed with a Hitachi-600 electron microscope. The other parts of mid-belly of the rictus femoris muscles were sectioned in 14 micrometer thickness with cryostat at -20 degrees C. The immunoreactivities of SOD by use of antihuman Cu, Zn-and Mn-SOD antibodies were observed. The results were obtained as follows . 1. After irradiation, the immunoreactivities of SOD in the rictus femoris muscle were decreased. 2 weeks after irradiation, the immunoreactivities of Cu, Zn-SOD were trace, which was lowest.4 weeks after irradiation, the immunoreactivities were trace or weak. 1 day after irradiation, the immunoreactivities of Mn-SOD were trace, which was lowest. The immunoreactivities of Mn-SOD were increased gradually 4 weeks after irradiation, the immunoreactivities of Mn- SOD were moderate or weak. 2. The ultrastructural changes in the rectus femoris muscles of the rats were getting severer and severer after irradiation. 2 weeks after irradiation, unclear A band and I band, myofibrillolysis, increased and dilated cistemae of sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria with dilated cristae and electron lucent matrix were seen. 4 weeks after irradiation, lysis of sarcomere and increased cisternae of sarcoplasmic reticulum were seen. 3. The ultrastructural changes in the rectus femoris muscles of the rats were getting worse and worse after 3 days of irradiation with the pretreatment of SOD. 2 weeks after irradiation with the pretreatment of SOD, myofibrillolysis, increased and dilated cisternae of sarcoplasmic reticulum and damaged mitochondria were seen. 4 weeks after irradiation with the pretreatment of SOD, the ultrastructures of rectus femoris muscles were recovered to normal. Consequently, after irradiation of 30 Gy, the immunoreactivities of SOD are decreased and SOD attenuates the reversible changes of ultrastructures in muscles.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Citric Acid ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Metabolism ; Microcirculation ; Mitochondria ; Mortality ; Muscles ; Quadriceps Muscle* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Sarcomeres ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Urethane

This study consisted of 66 peritrochanteric fractures which were treated by the modified Gamma nail (Asian Pacific nail) from August 1993 to October 1995. Sixty-one intertrochanteric fractures and five subtrochanteric fractures were treated in our institution. Average length of follow-up was 15.0 months. Four patients died during follow-up. The results were as follows; Lag screws were ideally introduced in 55 (83%) cases. The mean length in lag screw sliding was 4.3 mm in stable trochanteric fractures and 5.7 mm in unstable ones. Fifty-one out of 62 patients (82%) were returned to their previous ambulatory status. Intraoperative complications were as follows; distal crack (3 cases); rotation of femoral head (2 cases); entry point crack (I case); medialization of proximal fragment (7 cases); and missing of the interlocking screw (1 case). All of these complications did not affect the outcome. All medial cortical gaps were closed after sliding of lag screws. Three distal cracks did not propagate to the shaft. Postoperative complications were a case of superior cut-out, and two second fractures after falls. Callus formed more early in the stable trochanteric fractures (5+/-2.1 weeks) than unstable fractures (7.3+/-2.1 weeks). It was statistically significant. Union time between stable and unstable trochanteric fractures was not statistically significant. In conclusion, the Asian Pacific (AP) nail could appropriately fix the osteoporotic peritrochanteric fractures in elderly patient. It could offer early rehabilitation to these patients and decrease the mortality and morbidity.
Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bony Callus ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary* ; Head ; Hip Fractures ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; Rehabilitation

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify the relationship of perceived health status, leisure satisfaction, loneliness and life satisfaction and to identify predictors of life satisfaction for elders. METHOD: The research design for this study was a descriptive survey design using a convenience sample. Data collection was done using self-report questionnaires with 297 elders from 6 community health practitioner posts. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, t-test, Pearson correlation coefficients and hierarchical multiple regression with the SPSS Win 18.0 Program. RESULTS: Life satisfaction had significant negative correlations with age (r=-.31, p<.001) and loneliness (r=-.73, p<.001), and positive correlations with monthly spending money (r=.44, p<.001), health status (r=.63, p<.001), and leisure satisfaction (r=.62, p<.001). The explained variance for life satisfaction was 72%. Variables of monthly spending money, health status, leisure satisfaction, and loneliness significantly predicted the degree on life satisfaction of these elders. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study provide a comprehensive understanding of life satisfaction and related factors for elders in Korea. However, further studies with a larger random sample and more detailed research design are necessary.
Aged ; Data Collection ; Humans ; Korea ; Leisure Activities ; Loneliness ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Research Design

No abstract available.
Humans ; Posture*