Controversy persists regarding the abnormality of the bone metabolism in various bone diseases. Osteocalcin, the vitamin K-dependent protein synthesized in bone, has been shown to be a specific and sensitive marker of bone turnover in metabolic bone diseases. The author measured the serum osteocalcin level using newly developed radioimmunoassay (RIA) in the patients with osteogenesis imperfecta, metastatic bone tumor, postmenopausal osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis, which can be the causes of osteoporosis, and ankylosing spondylitis. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the value of the osteocalcin measurement comparing the each data of disease group with the normal control group. The results were as followings ; 1. The mean of osteocalcin in normal Korean was 4.43±1.04 ng/ml. (4.45±1.08 ng/ml in male, 4.41±1.01 ng/ml in female). The difference between male and female was not significant statistically. 2. The osteocalcin of osteogenesis imperfects was 9.14±2.21 ng/ml, which was significant statistically, And it was thought to be the result of increasing bone turnover rate and the osteocalcin was useful as biochemical marker. 3. In metastatic bone tumor, osteocalcin was under the normal level in both untreated and treated groups, which meant low bone turnover rate or low osteoblastic activity. Osteocalcin was not a useful marker for the assessment of the effect of treatment in this study, but if the radioimmunoassay was done in the same tumor group, a valuable results could be expected. 4. Osteocalcin level in the patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis was not different with normal control group and osteocalcin was not useful marker for the evaluation of the degree of osteoporosis and bone turnover. 5. Osteocalcin didn't play a role in the pathologic ossification of ankylosing spondylitis. In conclusion, the osteocalcin by radioimmunoassay can be used as a biochemical marker in metabolic bone diseases and metastatic cancer for the disgnosis and the assessment of prognosis or the effect of treatment.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Biomarkers ; Bone Diseases ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Bone Remodeling ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolism ; Ossification, Heterotopic ; Osteoblasts ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis ; Osteogenesis Imperfecta ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; Prognosis ; Radioimmunoassay ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; Vitamins

No abstract available.
Hepatic Veins*

Although the distribution of locus ceruleus terminals has been demonstrated in the fundus striati[nucleus accumbens septi] by light microscopy[Jones & Moore, 1977 ; Mason & Fibiger, 1979 ; Streit or et al., 1979 ; Groenewegen et al., 1980], the synaptic organization of its terminals was not clarified. The purpose of the present investigation was to demonstrate the direct monosynaptic connection of the locus ceruleus terminals to the neuronal elements of the fundus stirati, and to clarify the synaptic structures of its terminals by electron microscopy two days after unilateral electric coagulation of the locus ceruleus. In the ipsilateral fundus striati, many axon terminals undergone dark degeneration were observed. These degenerating terminals containing small clear vesicles have asymmetric synaptic contacts with dendritic spines. Already two days after locus ceruleus lesion, distinct features of terminal degenerations appeared in the fundus striati ; enlarged axon terminals with altered synaptic vesicles, decrease of synaptic vesicles detached from the synaptic site, multiplication of dense bodies and infiltration of floccular material. At the same time, a regressive change occurred in which astrocytic processes encircled totally degenerated synapses spiraled around the synaptic remnants. These observations indicate that monosynaptic noradrenertic afferent connections to the fungus striati are confirmed, and the locus ceruleus terminals characterized by small round vesicles might be formed asymmetrical axo-spinous synapses with spiny neurons in the fundus striati.
Animals ; Cats* ; Dendritic Spines ; Fungi ; Locus Coeruleus* ; Microscopy, Electron ; Neurons ; Presynaptic Terminals ; Synapses ; Synaptic Vesicles

The main problem in peripheral nerve repair is adhesion, axonal escape, and the ingrowth of extraneurial tissue into the wound. Meticulous microsurgical neurorrhaphy is one of possible answer for these problem. Shielding of nerve suture is another attractive practice. But the results are still unpredictable. We compared the results of nerve repair between microsurgical epineurial neurorrhaphy plus silastic cuff shielding group and epineurial neurorrhaphy group in the sciatic nerve of white rat. The reasults we obtained are as follows; 1. Silastic cuff shielding method was effective for reducing abnormal neurial growth and neuroma formation into the surrounding soft tissue. 2. Some adhesion was formed over the silastic cuff, but there was no adhesion at the inner space of the cuff. 3. Silastic cuff could prevent fibrous tissue ingrowth into the nerve. 4. The slit of the silastic cuff provided vascular ingrowth between surrounding connective tissue and nerve tissue. 5. No evidence of foreign body reaction was observed in and out of the silastic cuff. 6. Nerve conduction test showed a little supperior results in the silastic cuff shielding group. Silastic cuff shielding method in nerve suture might be recommanded to prevent axonal escape, fibrous scar tissue ingrowth to the nerve, and fibrous adhesion in clinical practice. But, it seemed that the final evaluation of the functional recovery of the nerve needed long term follow-up and nerve conduction study.
Animals ; Axons ; Cicatrix ; Connective Tissue ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; Methods ; Nerve Tissue ; Neural Conduction ; Neuroma ; Peripheral Nerves ; Rats ; Sciatic Nerve ; Sutures ; United Nations ; Wounds and Injuries

Anal incontinence following pelvic trauma, surgery, or neurologic disorders has significant medical and social implication. Both Chetwood in 1902 and Bistom in 1944 utilized coccygeal origin portion of the gluteus maximus muscle for the anal sphincter reconstruction. The gluteus maximus muscle is a broad, fan-shaped muscle with a wide origin from the ilium sacrum and coccyx and a narrow insertion along the iliotibial band of the lateral femur. Its blood supply is from the inferior gluteal artery and its innervation is from L-5, S-1 roots by means of the inferior gluteal nerve Incisions are placed at the inferior border of the ischial tuberosity. Subcutaneous tunnels are created about the rectum and gluteal and perirectal incisions. Two overacting slings are being created Their opposing pull creates sphincter or valve effect about the distal rectum. We have experienced 2 cases of irregular, deep soft tissue defects of the perianal region requiring muscle coverage with the gluteus maximus muscle overlapping slings. We think the use of the gluteus maximus muscle is one of the most useful method for reconstruction of the anal sphincter mechanism.
Anal Canal* ; Arteries ; Coccyx ; Femur ; Ilium ; Nervous System Diseases ; Rectum ; Sacrum

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of cardiovascular risk factors of type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: Diabetic patients (N=160) were interviewed from November, 2003 to June, 2004. The 24 hour dietary recall, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale for patient with Type 2 diabetes, the Revised Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure Scale and Parma Cardiovascular Risk Index were used to measure the predictors. Data were analyzed by descriptive analyses, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression using the SPSS WIN 10.0. RESULTS: Mean dietary intakes of the participants were protein(P) of 64.5g, carbohydrate(C) of 280.74g, fat(F) of 30g, and calcium of 511.45mg. The ratio of CPF was 75:17:8. About 45% of the participants didn't exercise on a regular basis. The levels of self-efficacy, self-care, and cardiovascular risk factors of the participants were moderate. Self-efficacy was the most important predictor of cardiovascular risk factors along with self-care, exercising for more than 6 months, carbohydrate intakes and levels of physical activities. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study suggest that intervention programs increasing self-efficacy on diabetic management would be more beneficial than the fractional approach focusing only on diet or physical activities.
Calcium ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Diet* ; Humans ; Motor Activity* ; Risk Factors* ; Self Care*

The physical conditions of the Koreans aged 10-30 were studied by obtaining physical and nutritional indices on a sample of 10,535 males and 7,175 females which were surveyed in 1986 National Anthropometric Survey for the purpose of grasping the state of arts of the physique and physical development of Korean. The summary results are as follows :1. Anthropometric measurements : 1) Compared with the results of 1979 survey, the stature and body weight in young ages increased markdly while the sitting height increased a little or rather decreased in the males aged above 16 and in the females aged above 14. The chest circumference shows similar or rather decreased values compared with that of the past. 2) Compared with the results of 1984 anthropometric survey in Japan, the stature and body weight of the Korean young males and females in ages up to 14 show larger values than those of the Japanese. But in ages above 15, those of the Korean show similar or rather smaller values than those of the Japanese. In chest circumference, the Korean turn out to be smaller than the Japanese up to age 16. 3) Compared with the results of 1977 anthropometric survey in U.S.A., difference in the stature, chest circumference and body weight between the Korean and the American start to appear around age 12, but in sitting height there is no big difference.2. Physical and nutritional indices by ages : 1) The relative body weit to stature increases linearly up to age 16 in the males and up to 14 in the females and is larger in the females than the males at ages between 11 to 13. Compared with the results of 1979, it decreased slightly, which indicates that the growth of stature was more prominent than that of body weight. 2) The relative sitting height to stature decreased by 2-3 points than in 1979 which means that the lower part of the body grows more, and the values in the males at age 14 and in the females at age 12 are smallest. Compared with the Japanese, it shows 2-3 points smaller value. 3) The relative chest circumference shows 1-3 points smaller value compared with that of 1979, but similar vaiue compared with that of the Japanese. 4) The R hrer indices, compared with the 1979 data, become smaller in the males at ages above 12 and larger in the females above 12. But the Korean shows similar R hrer index values compared with the Japanese. 5) The Pelidisi indices of the nutritional status turn out to be increasing with advancing ages and show 2-3 points larger values compared with the past. Compared with the Japanese, the pelidisi indices of the Korean males are similar but those of the Korean females are larger. 6) The surface areas of body increase lineally up to age 15 in the males and age 13 in the females which shows a similar tendency with the past.3. Estimation of mean body weight in the Korean : A equation for the estimation of body weight in the Korean by age, sex and stature is developed.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Weight ; Female ; Growth and Development* ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Japan ; Male ; Nutrition Assessment ; Nutritional Status ; Thorax

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*

Free flaps have been widely used in lower leg reconstruction. However, in cases with extensive injury to the vessels as well as to the bone and soft tissues, and having only one intact major vessel in the lower leg(single vessel leg), careful selection of recipient vessels for the free flap transfer is mandatory for preventing further vascular compromise of the distal lower leg. The sural artery and its vena comitantes are frequently protected form externally harmful forces by the bulky surrounding gastrocnemius muscle and can be used as recipient vessles for free flaps without any detrimental influence on the vascularity of the distal lower leg. In our department, three latissimus dorsi muscle free flap were transferred with sural vessels as recipient vessels in the reconstruction of the single vessel legs. Except for one case of flap failure due to serious infection at the microvascular anastomoses site, all the other cases were successfully reconstructed without any necrosis of the gastrocnemius muscle or the distal leg. In addition, the sural vessels were easily accessed in any patient position and their caliber was similar to that of the vascular pedicles of the donor muscle flaps. In conclusion, the sural vessels can be another useful option in selecting recipient vessels for free flap transfer in the reconstruction of the single vessel leg.
Arteries ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Humans ; Leg* ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Necrosis ; Superficial Back Muscles ; Tissue Donors

The gag encoded p24 protein of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) is a major constitutent of the viral core, and is also known as one of the most immunodominant antigens in the host immune response against the HIV-1. Based on the neutralizing ability of anti-p24 antibodies as well as their rapid appearance in human serum after viral infection, the development of vaccines and diagnostic tools targeting the p24 protein and anti-p24 antibodies is of great interest. For the characterization of the immunological properties of the HIV-1 p24 protein, in a previous study, putative B-cell epitopes were identified by screening the reactivity of a goat anti-p24 antiserum to a large array of overlapping synthetic peptides covering the whole p24 sequence. Four peptides were identified for their abilities to elicit a strong B-cell response, which sequences comprises the regions p24 (164-182), (202-221), (217-236) and (232-256), respectively. In the present study, the immunogenicity and differential properties of each of these individual epitopes were further characterized. To evaluate the time course of the antibody response, BALB/c mice were immunized with the HIV-1 p24 protein and their serum titers against each of these peptides were determined. The earliest immune response was observed against the p24 (202-221) peptide, which also showed the highest antibody titer against the immunized antigen. Furthermore,. enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with HIV-1 p24 protein coated microtiter plates revealed that anti-p24 (202-221) antiserum has the most pronounced reactivity against the native p24 protein. Since the p24 (202-221) epitope has also been reported to include a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitope, it is suggested that this region might represent a powerful antigenic site responsible for eliciting both T- and B-cell immune response. The possible application of this specific epitope in vaccine development or AIDS diagnosis is discussed.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Antibody Formation ; B-Lymphocytes ; Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epitopes* ; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte ; Goats ; HIV* ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Immunodominant Epitopes ; Mass Screening ; Mice ; Peptides* ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; Vaccines