PURPOSE: This is to evaluate the clinical results and radiologic changes of the mandibular condyle fractures following the open reduction and fixation using the Lag-screws introduced by Eckelt and Martin Co. MATERIALS & METHODS: Ten patients who had been treated by the Lag-screw fixation for the unilateral fracture of the mandibular condyle at the high level and followed up for over 6 months(ranged from 24 weeks to 33 weeks). The incisal opening by time elapsed, displacement of the fragments, bone resorption around the Lag-screws, operating time consumed, and untoward complications were evaluated. The data were tested by repeated measure ANOVA and paired t-test. RESULTS: The maximum mouth opening was increased by time as follows ; 20.2+/-2.8mm soon after reduction. 26.3+/-3.9 at the 2nd week, 37.7+/-4.2mm at the 4th week, 44.4+/-4.3mm in PO 2 months(P<0.05). The bone resorption at anterior to lag-screw nut was measured to 1.9+/-1.0mm, while the posterior resorption was 2.6+/-1.9mm on average(P<0.05). Reduction and fixation of the fragments by Lag-screw were done within 80 minutes including the skin closure. The clicking sound of the TMJ(40%), weakness of the marginal branch(60%) were complicated but transient for 4-8weeks. There were no signs of bony displacement, but loosening of screws were observed at the time of removal. CONCLUSION: Open reduction and fixation with condylar Lag-screw(Martin co., Germany) thru the ramus can be a good option to reduce the high level(Kruger's Level III & IV) fracture of the mandibular condyle with anterior or medial displacement. However, this procedure requires 2nd surgery to remove the devices and it may complicate improper reduction for delayed fractures and in case of 's' curved mandibular ramus.
Bone Resorption ; Humans ; Mandibular Condyle* ; Mouth ; Nuts ; Prognosis* ; Skin

Seventeen patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis have been treated with gold sodium thiomalate(G.S.T) injection and followed up for 1.7 years on average. The results obtained are as follows: 1. Clinical improvement was obtained in 12(70.3%) out of 17 cases, but only in 5 cases(29.3%) marked and persisting improvement was obtained. Such improvement was first noticed when the total dose of the gold sodium thiomalate reached 500mg or more, and also noticed about 10 weeks after initiation of G.S.T therapy. 2. Changes in laboratory parameters such as hemoglobin, hematocrit, eosinophilia, titers of rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein, and proteinuria began to appear at the time of the clinical improvement. 3. Adverse reaction consisted mostly of mucocutaneous lesions. The main causes of drop-out during therapy also are severe skin rashes and pruritus. Most of the adverse reactions appeared when the total dose of G.S.T. administered reached over 500mg. In two severe cases skin rashes terminated the gold therapy. Our findings suggest, because of high incidence of adverse reaction during G.S.T therapy, repeated careful clinical and laboratory examination of the patient are mandatory especially when the total dose of G.S.T is reached 500mg. In spite of the well documented reports of the maintenance gold therapy for rheumatoid arthritis it is felt that the maintenance gold therapy should be studied further before it can be safely used as a routine in daily rheumatology practice because of its toxicity.
Arthritis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; C-Reactive Protein ; Eosinophilia ; Exanthema ; Gold Sodium Thiomalate ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Incidence ; Proteinuria ; Pruritus ; Rheumatoid Factor ; Rheumatology ; Sodium

Repeated throwing of baseballs by juvenile pitchers is known to cause damages to bone and cartilage as well as soft tissue in the involved upper extremity. Authors present 4 cases of osteochondral lesion at capitellum of the humerus as a result of repeated insult by throwing baseballs in the juvenile pitchers. Pain and limitation of extension of the affected elbow were the commonest symptoms. Cystic change or osteochondral loose body was found on plain X-ray. Treatment consisted of rest and analgesic administration in the patient who has no loose body, while in case of having loose body it was removed surgically without further treatment to the crater. In spite of the rapid relief of the pain by these treatment, limitation of extension persisted for considerable period of time. It is strongly suggested not to overlook elbow pain in young adolescent whose bone is still growing and who can hardly withstand repeated insult to prevent the development of baseball elbow.
Adolescent ; Baseball ; Cartilage ; Elbow ; Humans ; Humerus ; Osteochondritis ; Upper Extremity

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrom is an acute febrile disease which is caused by Hantanvirus and several other viruses that belong to the genus Hantavirus. Gl and G2 glycoproteins of Hantanvirus have been thought to be involved in protective immunity against Hantanvirus infection. In this study, the antigenicity of G1 and G2 glycoproteins in cell mediated immune response was investigated. When peripheral blood mononuclear cell fraction from recovered hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome patient was cultivated with a recombinant protein containing amino-terminal 78 amino acids of G2 glycoprotein, these cells were activated to proliferate and secreted significant amount of interleukin-2 and interferon-r. These results suggest that T cell epitope exists in the amino-terminal region of G2 glycoprotein.
Amino Acids ; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte ; Fever ; Glycoproteins* ; Hantavirus ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; Humans ; Interleukin-2

Tumor necrosis factor-n (TNF - alpha) involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and contribute to the degeneration of oligodendrocytes as well as neurons. TNF - alpha is produced by miocroglia and astrocytes, which also produce hormones and cytokines that influence its biological activity. Astrocytes, the major glial cells in the CNS, are capable of producing TNF - alpha at both the mRNA and protein levels in response to interleukine-1 (IL-1) or TNF - alpha. Two immunosuppressive cytokines, transforming growth factor - beta (TGF - beta) and IL-10, have been shown to influence glial cell function. TGF - beta can modulate the activity of glial cells by inhibiting interferon-gamma (IFN - gamma) induced expression of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on astrocytes and microglia. To explore the role of astrocytes in the production of TNF - alpha, astrocytes were pretreated with IL-10 or TGF - beta and then stimulated with IL-1p to determine their effects on TNF - alpha production. The secretion of TNF - alpha by human fetal astrocytes was markedly inhibited by TGF - beta at a low concentration. In contrast IL-10 had no effect on TNF - alpha mRNA level. These results show that TGF - beta may regulate the expression of TNF - alpha in activated human fetal astrocytes.
Astrocytes* ; Cytokines ; Gene Expression* ; Humans* ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-10 ; Major Histocompatibility Complex ; Microglia ; Multiple Sclerosis ; Necrosis ; Neuroglia ; Neurons ; Oligodendroglia ; RNA, Messenger ; Transforming Growth Factors

Aortopulmonary fistula is an exceedingly rare vascular malformation. It is commonly derived after chest injuly or from complication of chest operation and aortic dissection and congenital aortopulmonary fistula is only several cases combined with Tetralogy of Fallot or aortic stenosis. But a congenital aortopulmonary fistula without any hemodynamic abnormalities was not reported. A 56-year old man with exertional dyspnea was admitted. In an examination on admission, there were no abnomalities. Aortography showed an aortopulmonary fistula that branches from the ascending aorta adjacent to the right coronary artery, running to the main pulmonary artery. Transcatheter coil embolization was performed and he was discharged 7 day after embolization without complication. Exertional dyspnea disappeared and careful follow up has be performed periodically.
Aorta ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Aortography ; Coronary Vessels ; Dyspnea* ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Fistula* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Artery ; Running ; Tetralogy of Fallot ; Thorax ; Vascular Malformations

No abstract available.
Astrocytes* ; Gene Expression* ; Humans* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction*

No abstract available.
Astrocytes* ; Humans*

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness for vagal stimulation by ice water aplication to face during metronome-controlled respiration of 15 breaths/minute was examed. The importance of basal vagal tone and sympathovagal interaction in the individual variability of responsiveness to the vagal stimulation was investigated. METHOD: Fifty three 12~13 year old healthy volunteers were included. Vagal tone and sympathovagal interaction before and after application of ice water to the face were assessed by power spectral analysis of RR interval(heart rate) variability. RESULT: Basal heart rate, high frequency power, and low to high frequency power ratio were 81+/-13(58~110 beats/min), 791+/-1061(56~4161 msec2) and 1.08+/-1.22(0.04~4.85) during controlled respiration. After ice water application twenty three children developed 5 more nodal escape beats due to severe bradycardia. Minimum heart rate, high frequency power and low to high power ratio changed to 42+/-12(19~72/min), 1890+/-1882(221~7258msec2) and 0.64+/-0.43(0.12~1.46). The increased ratio of high frequency power, maximum heart rate decrement and its percent after stimulation were 5.44+/-5.62(0.63~24.26), 39+/-14(10~81/min) and 47+/-15(16~81%) respectively. The increased ratio of high frequency power was correlated with basal logarithmic high frequency power(r=-0.60, p=0.0004). Maximum heart rate decrement was correlated with basal logarithmic high frequency power(r=-0.41, p=0.0018) and low to high frequency power ratio(r=0.27, p=0.04). CONCLUSION: Application of ice water to the face during controlled respiration produces powerful vagal stimulation and bradycardia, however, there is a wide individual variability of responsiveness to it. The absolute basal vagal tone contribute to this individual variability.
Bradycardia ; Child ; Healthy Volunteers ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Ice* ; Respiration* ; United Nations ; Water*

The purpose of this study was to examine dietary attitudes of students and changes in their attitudes toward the school lunch service. The participants of the study were 483 students ranging from third grade elementary school students to middle school sophomores living in the Seoguipo area of Jeju Island. The subjects were asked to complete questionnaires under the supervision of their teachers or dietitians, and data were grouped into elementary school 3rd and 4th grades, elementary school 5th and 6th grades; and middle school 1st and 2nd grades for each gender. There were no significant differences among the groups with respect to their regularity of food intake, dietary considerations, or the frequency of imbalance in their diets. In the case of female participants, their frequency of snacking decreased as their grade level increased. In general, the overall changes in dietary attitudes became more negative as their grade level increased. Male students demanded increased serving sizes of both staple food and side dishes, while female students demanded increased serving sizes dishes, but not staple food as their grade levels increased. there was also an increase in the number of student sin higher grades who discarded or did not eat enough their entire meals. The major reasons for not eating the food were : no taste to the food and not proper saltiness of food. These results may suggest that school dietitians need to pay more attention to increased taste and proper seasoning of meals. Students suggested that the school lunch service should be continued, but that it needs improvement. Students in higher grades were more aware of the importance of the environment in which the meal was provided. Also, an early education in nutrition and healthy diets seemed important in preparing them for following a healthy lifestyle in later life.
Diet ; Eating ; Education ; Female ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Life Style ; Lunch* ; Male ; Meals ; Nutritionists ; Organization and Administration ; Seasons ; Serving Size ; Snacks ; Surveys and Questionnaires