BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW) and megathrombocyte index (MTI) is not clear. METHODS: We examined platelet indices in 900 cases of patients with hematologic disorders and compared them with those of the control to predict thrombopoiesis in the bone marrow. MPV and PDW were measured by Coulter Counter STKS (U.S.A). We calculated megathrombocyte index (MTI, the percentage of megathrombocytes) in the peripheral blood film using ocular micrometer, and examined megakaryocyte number in the bone marrow aspirates. RESULTS: In patients with acute leukemia, and aplastic anemia, MPV and MTI were lower than the control but PDW was higher. In myeloproliferative disorders, all platelet indices were higher, and in ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura), MPV and MTI were higher but PDW was not significantly different. MTI was higher in complete remission than initial acute leukemia. All platelet indices were not significantly different between pre- and post-BMT in AML. But in aplastic anemia, MPV and MTI were higher in post-BMT than pre-BMT. MTI was a better index to screen than MPV in the decreased megakaryocyte group, but in increased megakaryocyte group, there was no difference in screening ability between MPV and MTI. CONCLUSIONS: The platelet indices in peripheral blood may be good markers for predicting thrombopoiesis in hematologic disorders and in post chemotherapy of acute leukemia. In addition, after BMT of aplastic anemia, these indices could be used as valuable markers of engraftment.
Anemia, Aplastic ; Blood Platelets* ; Bone Marrow ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Leukemia ; Mass Screening ; Mean Platelet Volume ; Megakaryocytes ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; Thrombopoiesis

To demonstrate the stimulation effect on fracture healing by capacitively coupled electrical field, the rabbits' fibulae were fractured and treated with a capacitively coupled electrical signal (10V peak to peak, 60 kiloherz, symmetrical quadriangular wave) that was applied non-invasively over the skin surface overlying the approximate site of the fractured fibulae. Each fibula was evaluated with gross, roentgenographic, histological and mechanical tests after 21 days of the electrical stimulation, and compared to control group statistically. Maximum bending moment, Young's modulus of elasticity and bending stiffness were calculated by 3 point bending test, and the ratios of the fractured to the intact fibulae of the electrically stimulated rabbits were compared to the non-stimulated rabbits statistically. The results revealed that the fractured fibulae exposed to capacitively coupled electrical field showed the higher degree of fracture healing than the non-stimulated fibulae.
Elastic Modulus ; Elasticity ; Electric Stimulation ; Fibula ; Fracture Healing ; Rabbits ; Skin

The purpose of this study is to confirm the effectiveness of stay-suture which is commonly used in the procedure of end to end anastomosis, to find out general biomechanical properties of peripheral nerve with gradual stretching and to evaluate the histological difference after breakage of the nerve. The sciatic nerves of adult rabbits were excised and they were grouped by I and II. Group I was composed of 14 normal sciatic nerves and group II, 14 sciatic nerves sutured with 5-0 nylon after transection. They were stretched on the "Instron" universal testing machine at a constant rate of 200mm/min until breakage took place and the results were compared. The mean maximal tensile strength was 13.6N in group I and 2.1N in group II, representing about one seventh value. The mean ultimate tensile strength was 4.2MPa in group I and 0.9MPa in group II, representing about one fifth value. In load-elongation curve of group I, viscoelastic property was noted as all other biological tissues have. The mean modulus of elasticity was 19 in normal sciatic nerves, which is somewhat lower value than other tissues, indicating superior elastic property of peripheral nerves. Transverse histologic examination showed that epineurium lost its continuity earlier than perineurium, implying perineurium is a more resistant structure than epineurium. However, to confirm this, it is thought to be necessary to examine the nerves serially during distraction at each different status. In conclusion, stay-suture provided about one fifth of ultimate tensile stress, implying its usefullness of resisting excessive tension in end to end anastomosis of peripheral nerves. Normal sciatic nerves showed viscoelastic property with mean modulus of elasticity of 19.
Adult ; Elastic Modulus ; Humans ; Nylons ; Peripheral Nerves ; Rabbits ; Sciatic Nerve ; Tensile Strength

From January 1982 to December 1991, we experienced 96 hands of 66 patients with Dupuytren's disease in Seoul National University Hospital. We performed retrospective analysis of these 96 hands of 66 patients and the results were as follows. Among 66 patients, 60 patients (91%) were male and 51 patients (77%) were in sixth or seventh decade, the average age 58.1 years. Occupations of 66 patients were manual laborer(18 patients, 28%), farmer(15 patients, 22%), sportsman(4 patients, 6%) and deskworker(29 patients, 44%). Among the diseases such as diabetes mellitus, alcoholics, epilepsy known as associated with Dupuytren's disease, diabetes mellitus was more common in our cases, whereas alcoholics and epilepsy were relatively rare. There was no case in which family history was present. Both hands were involved in 30 patients, right hand only in 30 patients, and left hand only in 6 patients. Right hand was involved in 60 patients(91%), whereas left hand was involved in 36 patients(55%). The case in which only the 4th finger was involved was most common(42 hands, 44%). The 4th finger was affected most frequently(81 hands, 84%). In diabetic patients, the middle finger was involved more frequently than in non-diabetic patients(p < 0.05). Most of patients(83 hands, 86%) had symptoms of flexion contracture, nodule or contracted cord simultaneously. Surgical treatment was per- formed in 32 hands of 22 patients, with the results of excellent in 24 hands(75%), good in 6 hands(19%) and no recurrence, in average follow-up 3.6 years(2.6 years to 5.0 years). In conclusion, it might be thought that Dupuytren's disease in which surgical treatment was required was relatively rare in Korean and even if necessary, partial fasciectomy resulted in rather good result.
Alcoholics ; Contracture ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Dupuytren Contracture ; Epilepsy ; Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Occupations ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul

No abstract available.
Atrophy* ; Heat Stroke* ; Hot Temperature*

No abstract available.
Chondroblastoma*

No Abstract Available.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* ; Collagen* ; Humans ; Ligaments*

Plasmapheresis has been used for some conditions during pregnancy and puerperium, such as hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome. We present one case of the HELLP syndrome which was treated with plasmapheresis and also review the indications, complications and guidelines for repetitive plasma exchange.
Blood Platelets ; Female ; HELLP Syndrome* ; Hemolysis ; Liver ; Plasma Exchange ; Plasmapheresis* ; Postpartum Period* ; Pregnancy

PURPOSE: To evaluate ethanolamine oleate (EAO)-microfibrillar collagen (MFC) mixture as a new scleroembolic material for the interventions requiring both permanent obliteration of vascular lumen and atrophy of mass, such as for the facial AVM and other hypervascular soft tissue masses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine transcatheter transarterial embolizations of renal arteries were performed in six groups of rabbits classified by the EAO concentration and the addition of MFC. Postembolization angiography, gross morphological and microscopic examinations of embolized kidneys were performed immediately, 3 days, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after embotization. Analysing points were the usefulness as a scleroembolic material (endovascular retention, thrombogenic-sclerosing effect, perivascular fibrosis and inflammatory reaction), effects of the EAO concentration and the addition of MFC. RESULTS: EAO-MFC mixture satisfied all ideal conditions of scleroembolic agent;persistent endovascular retention, good thrombogenic-sclerosing effect with a mild inflammatory reaction and significant atrophy of kidney. The effect of increasing concentration of EAO was proximal embolization. The effects of MFC were promotion of proximal embolization, endovascular retention and sclerosing effect. CONCLUSION: EAO-MFC mixture can be used as a new effective scleroembolic material for the various hemodynamic situations in which embolic level can be controlled by EAO concentration and the addition of MFC.
Angiography ; Atrophy ; Collagen* ; Ethanolamine* ; Fibrosis ; Hemodynamics ; Kidney ; Oleic Acid* ; Rabbits* ; Renal Artery

Abnormal offsprings from balanced translocation carriers usually inherit only one of the translocated products and are therefore partially trisomic for one chromosome and partially monosomic for another. Partial trisomy 1q usually demonstrates fetal growth restriction and anomalies of head, face, urogenital tract, heart, finger and toes with a wide range of characteristics and severities. It has been reported in a few individuals in the world and this is the first report of partial trisomy 1q in Korea. We present the case of recurrent partial trisomy 1q in maternal balanced translocation which was prenatally diagnosed by amniocentesis with fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH) based on abnormal ultrasonographic findings and poor obstetric history.
Amniocentesis ; Fetal Development ; Fingers ; Fluorescence ; Head ; Heart ; Korea ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Toes ; Trisomy*