No abstract available.
Humans ; Male ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Cord*

Plasmodium vivax malaria re-emerged in South Korea in 1993, and epidemics continue since then. We examined genetic variation in the region encompassing the apical membrane antigen-1 (PvAMA-1) of the parasites by DNA sequencing of the 22 re-emerging P. vivax isolates. The genotype of the PvAMA-1, which was based on sequence data previously reported for the polymorphic regions, showed that two haplotypes were present at one polymorphic site. Compared with reported data, the two types, SKOR type I and type II, were similar to Chinese CH-10A and CH-05A isolates, respectively. Thus, the present study showed that two genotypes of AMA-1 genes coexist in the re-emerging Korean P. vivax.
Adult ; Aged ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; *Antigens, Protozoan ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Female ; Genotype ; Human ; Korea ; Malaria, Vivax/*genetics ; Male ; Membrane Proteins/chemistry/*genetics ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymorphism (Genetics) ; Protozoan Proteins/chemistry/*genetics ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PUPOSE: The superficial spreading type of early gastric cancer has different clinicopathologic features from other types of early gastric cancer in terms of its invasiveness and lymph-node metastases. Therefore, we attempted to elucidate the pathological features, surgical procedures and patients prognoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical information was reviewed for patients who had undergone a gastrectomy for gastric cancer during an 8-year period (1995~2002) at Dankook University Hospital and Ulsan University, with an average follow-up of 48 months. Three hundred (300) superficial spreading lesions were analyzed with respect to macroscopic type, lymph-node (LN) metastasis, recurrent pattern, survival rate and method of surgical operation. In addition, the clinicopathological features of the superficial spreading type were compared with those of 739 other patients with small-sized cancer. RESULTS: In both groups, the IIc-type macroscopic lesion, the elevated subtype to be more specific, occurred most frequently. There was no significant difference in the method of surgery between the groups. The submucosal invasion was 39.8% in small-sized cancer, and 61.7% in superficial spreading cancer (P=0.005). The incidence of LN metastasis was 11.3% in early gastric cancer, 7.8% in small-sized cancer and 20.0% in superficial spreading cancer (P=0.005). The incidence of lymphatic invasion was 4.6% in small-sized cancer and 13.0% in superficial spreading cancer (P=0.009). The incidence of recurrence was 1.4% in small-sized cancer and 3.6% in superficial spreading cancer. The overall 5-year survival rate was 84.8% in superficial spreading cancer and 93.0% in small-sized cancer (P=0.052). The 5-year disease- free survival rate was 94.7% in superficial spreading cancer and 87.5% in small-sized cancer (P=0.053). CONCLUSION: The superficial spreading type of early gastric cancer tends to be more invasive and to show a higher incidence of lymph-node metastasis than small-sized early gastric cancer. A wide resection with extensive lymph-node dissection seems to be an appropriate treatment for a superficial spreading type of early gastric cancer.
Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Survival Rate ; Ulsan

Chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP) is a major complication after inguinal herniorrhaphy. We report the treatment of CPIP using ultrasonography-combined with nerve stimulator for injection of the genitofemoral nerve (GFN). A 59-year-old man underwent laparoscopic herniorrhaphy and presented with numbness from the inguinal region to the scrotum after operation. In the pain clinic, ultrasonography-guided GFN block and pharmacological treatments had little effect. Six month after operation, patient was referred to the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and ultrasonography-combined with nerve stimulator for GFN injection underwent to enhance the accuracy of neural approach. The induction of scrotal contraction and paresthesia on the GFN distribution was monitored by nerve stimulator and local anesthetic was injected. After the block, pain relief lasted for 6 months without analgesic use. Ultrasonography-combined with nerve stimulator is an effective approach to treat CPIP as it enhances precise localization and injection of small peripheral nerve like GFN.
Herniorrhaphy ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Middle Aged ; Pain Clinics ; Paresthesia ; Peripheral Nerves ; Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine ; Scrotum

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Congestive heart failure is one of the most frequent problems in cardiovascular patients. However, very little data concerning this syndrome in Korea was available. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics, and the prognostic factors of patients hospitalized with congestive heart failure in Korea. SUBJECTS AND MEHTODS: Six university hospitals, fulfilling the protocol for clinical information of patients with heart failure, were prospectively engaged in this study. One thousand and forty seven patients, admitted between Jan.1. 1998 and Dec. 31. 2000 were enrolled. RESULTS: The cumulative survival rates at 3 and 6 month, and 1 and 2 years were 90.5, 87.5, 82 and 75.9%, respectively. Ischemic heart disease was the most frequent underlying disease (36.7%). Diabetes mellitus (OR : 1.626, 95% CI : 1.156-2.289, p=0.005), previous history of myocardial infarction (OR : 2.044, 95% CI : 1.488-2.808, p<0.0001), atrial fibrillation (OR : 1.516, 95% CI : 1.042-2.206, p=0.02), and cerebrovascular accident (OR : 2.187, 95% CI : 1.366-3.501, p=0.001) were the worse prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Ischemic heart disease was the major cause of heart failure. The cumulative 1 year survival rate, of the patients of congestive heart failure was 82%. The poor prognostic factors were diabetes, old myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation and cerebrovascular accident.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Epidemiology ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Heart Failure* ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Korea* ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Stroke ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVE: The authors surveyed the prevalence and the clinical character of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) in Korean male adolescents, and the usefulness of current conscription criteria. METHODS: The data of 39,673 nineteen-year-old males that underwent a conscription examination at the Seoul Regional Korean Military Manpower Administration (MMA) from October 2010 to May 2011 were investigated. For those diagnosed as having lumbar disc herniation, prevalences, subject characteristics, herniation severities, levels of herniation, and modified Korean Oswestry low back pain disability scores by MMA physical grade were evaluated. The analysis was performed using medical certificates, medical records, medical images, and electromyographic and radiologic findings. RESULTS: The prevalence of adolescent LDH was 0.60%(237 of the 39,673 study subjects), and the prevalence of serious adolescent LDH with thecal sac compression or significant discogenic spinal stenosis was 0.28%(110 of the 39,673 study subjects). Of the 237 adolescent LDH cases, 105 (44.3%) were of single level LDH and 132 (55.7%) were of multiple level LDH, and the L4-5 level was the most severely and frequently affected. Oswestry back pain disability scores increased with herniation severity (p<0.01), and were well correlated with MMA grade. CONCLUSIONS: In this large cohort of 19-year-old Korean males, the prevalence of adolescent LDH was 0.60% and the prevalence of serious adolescent LDH, which requires management, was relatively high at 0.28%. MMA physical grade was confirmed to be a useful measure of the disability caused by LDH.
Adolescent ; Back Pain ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Low Back Pain ; Male ; Medical Records ; Military Personnel ; Prevalence ; Spinal Stenosis ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to evaluate the usefulness and limitations of chest radiographs in scoliosis screening and to compare these results with those of thoraco-lumbar standing radiographs (TLSR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: During Korean conscription, 419 males were retrospectively examined using both chest radiographs and TLSR to confirm the scoliosis and Cobb angle at the Regional Military Manpower. We compared the types of spinal curves and Cobb angles as measured from different radiographs. RESULTS: In the pattern of spinal curves, the overall matching rate of chest radiographs using TLSR was about 58.2% (244 of 419 cases). Cobb angle differences between chest radiographs and TLSR with meaningful difference was observed in 156 cases (37.2%); a relatively high proportion (9.5%) of Cobb angle differences more than 10 degrees was also observed. The matching rate of both spinal curve types and Cobb angle accuracy between chest radiographs and TLSR was 27.9% (117 among 419 cases). Chest radiographs for scoliosis screening were observed with 93.94% of sensitivity and 61.67% of specificity in thoracic curves; however, less than 40% of sensitivity (38.27%, 20.00%, and 25.80%) and more than 95% of specificity (97.34%, 99.69%, and 98.45%) were observed in thoraco-lumbar, lumbar, and double major curves, respectively. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of chest radiographs for scoliosis screening was low. The incidence of thoracic curve scoliosis was overestimated and lumbar curve scoliosis was easily missed by chest radiography. Scoliosis screening using chest radiography has limited values, nevertheless, it is useful method for detecting thoracic curve scoliosis.
Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Radiography, Thoracic/methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis/*diagnosis/*radiography ; Young Adult

In an attempt to clarify the relationshop between left ventricular function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), systolic time intervals were measured in 79 control subjects and 60 patients with COPD who had no evidence of organic heart disease. The patients with COPD were divided into three groups based on the percent predicted forced expired volume in one second. Significant differences in pre-ejection period index(PEPI) and left ventricular ejection time index(LVETI) existed between the control subjects and the patients with the most severe lung disease(Group III). A highly significant difference in PEP/LVET existed between these two groups. The abnormalities of systolic time intervals demonstrated in these patients are characteristic of left ventricular dysfunction and indicate that left ventricular dysfunction is frequently present in patients with moderate obstructive lung disease.
Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Diseases, Obstructive ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* ; Systole* ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left ; Ventricular Function, Left

OBJECTIVE: There are few published studies which have documented psychopathological abnormalities in patients with of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychopathological influence of AIS in Korean 19-year-old males. METHODS: The authors compared the Korean military multiphasic personal inventory (KMPI) military profiles of 105 AIS cases (more than 10 degrees of Cobb's angle without surgical treatment) with the KMPI profiles of 108 normal controls. The AIS group was split depending on Cobb's angle to further evaluate this relation by the severity of AIS. RESULTS: A significantly decreased result on the faking-good response scale and an significantly increased result on the faking-bad response were observed in the AIS group compared to the control (p<0.012). The neurosis scale results, including anxiety, depression and somatization symptoms, were significantly increased in the AIS group compared to the control (p<0.010). The severity level of personality disorder and schizophrenia were also significantly increased in the AIS group (p<0.010). Differences in KMPI scale scores were not related to the severity of AIS. CONCLUSION: Young males with AIS tend to have abnormal results on the multiphasic personal inventory test compared to normal volunteers, suggesting that AIS may be related to psychopathology in the young male group in Korea. Although these psychopathology in AIS were differently observed compared to normal controls, but not interfered with military life. Clinicians are recommended to pay attention the psychopathological traits of patients with AIS.
Adolescent ; Anxiety ; Depression ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Personality Disorders ; Psychopathology ; Schizophrenia ; Scoliosis

This study aims to identify effects of intra-dialytic, short-term strength exercises on physical fitness, depression and dialysis adequacy. In addition, we aim to examine the minimum level of momentum that positive effect is displayed for each part. The subjects were 27 hemodialysis patients who have no disability in free living. They were allocated to a moderate amount exercise group and a low amount exercise group. Both groups joined strength exercise program during hemodialysis which was set three times a week for 4 weeks. The exercise program was progressed by warm up, main exercise, and cool down that was designed to use low limb and core muscles. Measurements were taken before and after the intervention. In physical factor, body composition, physical fitness, physical function, physical activity level and, dialysis adequacy was measured. In psychological part, depression was measured. As a results, body composition, physical function, physical activity and dialysis adequacy were not changed by exercise intervention. However, leg strength and agility was increased (p<0.05) after 4-week moderate amount exercise program. Also, depression was significantly improved (p<0.05) in both exercise group.
Body Composition ; Depression* ; Dialysis* ; Exercise ; Extremities ; Humans ; Leg ; Motor Activity ; Muscles ; Physical Fitness* ; Renal Dialysis ; Resistance Training