BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal symptoms, such as pain, numbness, and ganglions on involved joints were common problems in repetitive job workers, who exposed to prolonged, repetitive use of the wrist in factory. This study was performed to compare the degree of musculoskeletal symptoms and prevalence of soft tissue mass (esp. ganglion on wrist) in repetitive job group with those of non-repetitive job group and to evaluate the association of development of ganglion and the duration of wrist use. METHODS: Study subjects were 253 workers who work on a brick manufacturing factory and they were composed of 153 non-repetitive job workers and 100 repetitive job workers. Authors conducted a questionnaire survey among workers in the factory and examined their lesions. RESULTS: There were no significant difference statistically in age, level of education and work duration in both groups. It was statistically significant that the degree of wrist use was more frequent in repetitive job group than in non-repetitive job group(P<0.01). Musculoskeletal symptoms, such as pain and numbness on affected joints were more common in repetitive job group than in non-repetitive job group. Affected side was bilateral in three joints and right only in two joints(P<0.01, P<0.05). The prevalence of ganglions in repetitive job group(6 subjects, 6.0%) was much higher statistically than that in the non-repetitive job group(2 subjects, 1.3%). In a comparison of two groups according to the existence of ganglions, no stasistically significant differences were found in age, level of education and work duration. However, duration of wrist use was statistically significant relation with development of wrist ganglions(P<0.05). The 8 subjects with ganglion on wrist all worked on manufacturing part in the factory. The duration of work ranged from two to fourteen years. The affected sides of ganglions on wrist were right in 3 cases and left in 5 cases. Size of ganglions ranged from 0.5 to 3 cm in diameter. Painful symptom in the ganglion was complained by two cases(25%) among 8 cases. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that prolonged, repetitive activities such as carrying a brick, have a tendency to develop musculoskeletal symptoms and ganglions in the workers. Because high prevalence of ganglions in this factory seems to be an important occupational problem among repetitive job workers, further studies on the factors contributing to development of ganglions in this factory are needed.
Education ; Ganglion Cysts* ; Hypesthesia ; Joints ; Prevalence ; Wrist ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This experiment was aimed to investigate the contractile responses of the fermoral artery to the electrical stimulation and the inhibitory effects of verapamil and papaverine on the electrical stimulation of the fermoral artery in the control (n=46) and the diabetic rabbits(n=40). Diabetic rabbits were made by and administration of alloxan (100 mg/kg) intravenously and sacrified 8 weeks later. Femoral arterial rings 3 mm in length were taken and mounted on the force-displacement transducer for the measurements of isometric tension. All experiments were done in the aerated (95% O2 with 5% CO2)biological chamber filled with Kreb's solution and the initial tension of 1.5g was applied to the rings. After 1 hour of equilibrium of the rings, the contractile responses of the electrical stimulation on the femoral arterial rings were taken without vasoactive drugs and then, under verapamil and papaverine solution. And we compared the morphologic findings of the vessels in the two groups in relation to the functional changes by transmission electron miroscopy. The results are as follows: 1. The contractile responses in the presence of verapamil or papaverine solutions to the electrical stimulation were lowed significantly in the fermoral arterial rings of the diabetic rabbits compared with that of the control rabbits (verapamil; 10M~10M: p<0.01, papaverine; 10M & 10M: p<0.01). 2. Transmission electron microphotographs showed many morphological differences of the femoral arteries between the control and the diabetic rabbits. These were irregularities of the internal elastic lamina and the hypertrophy of the cytoplasms of the smooth muscle cells. And also, there were many vacuoles in the cytoplasm of the endothelial cells, lateral to the internal elastic laminaes, and between the smooth muscle cells in the diabetic rabbit femoral artery. By this study, we found that the contractile responses of the femoral arterial rings to the electrical stimulation were decreased in the diabetic rabbits, and the vasodiatory effects of verapamil and papaverine on the electrically stimulated femoral arterial rings were also lowered in the diabetic rabbits compared with the control rabbits. These changes of the vasular responses of the diabetic vessel may be associated with morphological changes manifested by transmission electron microscopy or any other functional derangement of the vessels.
Alloxan ; Arteries ; Cytoplasm ; Electric Stimulation* ; Endothelial Cells ; Femoral Artery ; Hypertrophy ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Papaverine ; Rabbits ; Transducers ; Vacuoles ; Vasodilator Agents* ; Verapamil

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of bone graft or cement fill for tibial bone defect in total knee arthroplasty. 51 knee in 45 patients which had bone graft or cement fill for tibial bone defect of more than 1cm3 in total knee arthroplasty, between March, 1990 and July, 1994 at the department of Orthopedic Surgery in Hanyang University Hospital were followed for average 30 months. Bone grafts were performed in 33 knees and cement fills in 18 knees. The size of tibial defect was measured after removal of sclerotic and dense bone in the tibial plateau. The average size of tibial defect treated by bone graft was 4.9 cm3 in volume, 11 mm in height and the average size of tibial defects treated by cement fills was 1.5cm3 in volume, 6.8 mm in height. The results were as follows ; 1. In true A-P and lateral x-ray checked by fluoroscopic guide, trabecular union was seen in all 33 knees of bone grafts without collapse, loosening and bone resorption. In one of 18 knees of cement fill, radiolucent line was detected 2 mm in width between cement mantle and the adjacent tibial bone. In other 17 knees, radiolucent was seen 1 mm or less in width. 2. According to the system of Knee Society Score, average knee rating score was improved from 23.2 points preoperatively to 90 points postoperatively in bone graft cases, from 23.4 points preoperatively to 93.2 points postoperatively in cement fill cases. Average functional score was improved from 14.8 points preoperatively to 81.5 points postoperatively in bone graft cases, from 13.3 points preoperatively to 81.4 points postoperatively in cement fill cases. 3. Finally, we obtained the good results by cement fill during cement fixation of tibial component or bone graft without cement fixation of tibial component for small tibial bone defect and by bone graft for large tibial bone defect.
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Bone Resorption ; Humans ; Knee ; Orthopedics ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune*

No abstract available.
Rabeprazole* ; Sebaceous Glands*

No abstract available.
Erythropoietin* ; Humans ; Plasma*

BACKGROUND: After the development of the Q-switched lasers, it was possible to remove tattoos without causing scarring. Currently, Q-switched ruby lasers, Q-switched Nd: YAG lasers and Q-switched alexandrite lasers are used selectively to treat tattoos. The objective of this study was to determine the difference of effectiveness aceording to color, site and duration in removing tattoo pigments by the alexandrite laser. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 tattoos were treated with a Q-switched alexandrite laser(model IL-l, Candela Laser Corporation. Wayland. U.S.A.). Pretreatment evaluation included a clinical desrviption of the site, color, duration and photographs were taken. The effects were examined by fether photo graphs and telephone follow-up. The response was expressed as the percentage area cleared of the tattoo. The clearance was graded as follows: clear, >95%; excellent, 76-95%; good, 51-75%; fair, 26-50%; poor < 25%. The occurence of adverse events were also examined. RESULTS: 1""he results are summarized as follows: 1. Treatment with fluences that ranged from 6.0-8.0J/cm2 was given on average 1.7 times and better results were achived than expected in 80% of all patients with tattoo. 2. The effectiveness of laser therapy correlated with the number of treatments. 3. After 1 laser session, tattoos of black and darkblue showed better results than light blue in terms of color. 4. After 1 laser session, the sites of tattoos on upper extremitise showed better results than those of the eyebmw, eyeline and face. 5. Differences in duration after 1 laser session were not seen. 6. Hyperpigmentation in 2 cases and bulla formation in 1 case occurred and all complications had ceased after a few months. CONCLUSION: The alexandrite laser is an effective treatment for cosmetic, general and traumatic tattoos with a low incidence of significant adverse effects and provides excellent cosmetic results.
Cicatrix ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Incidence ; Laser Therapy ; Lasers, Solid-State* ; Telephone

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine whether the clinical presentation of patients with central precocius puberty(CPP) varies according to the etiology, whether this permits the differentiation between idiopathic and organic forms and to examine whether LH determination in a single timed blood sample after GnRH administration is sufficient to diagnose CPP. METHODS: This study included 33 girls with signs of breast development, of whom 23 were diagnosed as definite central precocious puberty. Sixteen patients had idiopathic CPP; the remaining 7 patients had organic CPP. Ten patients were classified as non-CPP. Potential clinical and laboratory predictors of CNS abnormalities were assessed and GnRH stimulation test was done. RESULTS: The age of onset in patients with organic CPP was 4.11+/-2.08 years, whereas the age in patients with idiopathic CPP was 7.25+/-1.34 years. This parameter is the only one showing statistical significance. We compared sensitivities and specificities at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min which yielded sensitivities of 8.7%, 87.0%, 91.3%, 87.0%, 73.9%, 60.9%. CONCLUSION: It is impossible to exclude a central nervous system lesion in patient with central precocious puberty without performing central nervous system imaging. However, this study indicates earlier the onset of disease, higher the possibility of presence of CNS lesion. According to the mean GnRH stimulated LH levels and sensitivity at each times, a single blood sample obtained for LH determined after GnRH administration at 30 min can be used to diagnose the central precocious puberty.
Age of Onset ; Breast ; Central Nervous System* ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Puberty, Precocious*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Urinary Retention*

BACKGROUND: In 1996, our emergency department(ED) had 148.4 patients per day and an average time for managing simple and uncomplicated patients was 248 minutes. To relieve congestion, delay and conflict in ED, we have developed Fast Track to treat patients with minor illness rapidly and effectively. The Fast Track area is located in a separate area in front to the main department. The efficiency and effectiveness of new system and patients satisfaction were investigated. METHODS: All ambulatory patients(> 15 years of age) were triaged and treated at Fast Track by emergency physicians. Patients, triaged as severe illness, were moved directly to main ED and the other patients with minor illness were managed in Fast Track. We analysed the patients who were managed at Fast Track from Jan. 1st 1997 through Nov. 30th 1997. The total time staying in Fast Track from beginning of trige to final decision such as discharge or admission was recorded retrospectively. A questionnaire was obtained from random patients in the same period to evaluate the patient's satisfaction. RESULTS: The number of patients who were managed in Fast Track was 13,378, and it was 55.8% of all adult patients who visited ED during the period. The average staying time was decreased significantly with time, (140.9+/-2.9 minutes in June, 125.4+/-2.8 minutes in July, and 97.7+/-1.0 minutes after July). The 75 percentile weighted average time was also decreased significantly; 196 minutes in June, 107 minutes in July, 135 minutes from August to November(p<0.01). The questionnaire were obtained from 107 patients. The results were revealed that 90 of 107 patients(84.1%) were satisfied with emergency care at Fast Track, and the remaining patients expressed unsatisfied comments such as long waiting time(4.7%), overcrowding(1.9%), unsatisfactory care(1.9%). CONCLUSION: The Fast Track system could decrease patient's staying time and improve patient's satisfaction. In addition, the efficiency and effectiveness of the acute care in ED would be enhanced by managing minor illness in Fast Track rapidly and effectively.
Adult ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Medical Services ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers*