No abstract available.
Humans ; Male* ; Thyroid Diseases* ; Thyroid Gland*

Ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) has been recognised as a definite clinical entity as an ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. It has been known that the incidence of OLF is high in Japan and OLF usually occurs in the thoracic and lumbar region. Recently OLF has received considerable attention as a cause of myelopathy. OLF is quite distinct from “hypertrophy” of the ligamentum flvum. We experienced 2 cases of OLF with neurological symptom, which were treated by decompressive laminectomy and removal of the ossified ligamentum flavum. So remarkable symptomatic improvement was obtained.
Incidence ; Japan ; Laminectomy ; Ligamentum Flavum ; Longitudinal Ligaments ; Lumbosacral Region ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spine

For measurement of the degree of osteoporosis, various methods have been used. The Saville's index of the lumbar spine is very simple method. With the object of studying the reliability and clinical usefulness of Saville's index, authors compared the Saville's index with anteroposterior(A.P.) and lateral Dual x-ray absorptiometry, and the Singh's index with the anteroposterior D.X.A. We took the D.X.A. and simple lumbar spine lateral view in 124 patients in same time and also performed D.X.A. and both hips anteroposterior views in 112 patients, then analyzed the correlation between the A.P. and lateral D.X.A., Saville's index and D.X.A., Singh's index and D.X.A. The results were as follows. 1. The correlation coefficient of the A.P. and lateral D.X.A. was 0.46 and appeared the low degree of correlation. 2. The correlation coefficient of the A.P. and lateral D.X.A. compared with Saville's index were 0.68 and 0.83, respectively. Saville's index appeared the higher correlation in lateral D.X.A. than A.P. D.X.A. 3. The correlation coefficient of Singh's index and D.X.A. was 0.84, appeared nearly the same results of Saville's index with lateral D.X.A. 4. Intrapersonal differences were 36% in Saville's index, 28% in Singh's index. Saville's index appeared higher intrapersonal error than Singh's index. The lateral D.X.A. is more accurate and precise method than A.P. D.X.A. because lateral D.X.A. reduces the influence of soft tissue calcification and degenerative changes of spine. As Saville's index is a grading method based on lateral view of lumbar spine, we think that it should be compared with the lateral D.X.A. Regarding this results, authors suggest that Saville's index is not any accurate measurement of bone quantity, but has clinical usefulness for evaluation of osteroporosis.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Bone Density ; Hip ; Humans ; Methods ; Osteoporosis ; Spine

The medial collateral ligament is the most commonly injured ligamentous structure of the knee. The management of the medial collateral ligament injuries were divided into surgical and conservative treatment. More recently, many investigators reported that isolated medial collateral ligament injuries did well under non-operative treatment. So, arthroscopic examination of the knee to rule out other intraarticular pathologic conditions such as cruciate ligament injuries, meniscal tear and osteochondral lesion is essential. From October 1993 to April 1995, we treated 45 cases of Grade III medial collateral ligament injuries and arthroscopic finding for cruciate ligament, meniscus, bony structure were analized in these cases. The result were as follows; 1. Anterior cruciate ligament injury:37.5% in +1 degree, 42.8% in +2 degree, 86.7% in +3 degree 2. Posterior cruciate ligament injury:12.5% in +1 degree, 13.4% in +2 degree, 33.3% in +3 degree 3. Meniscal injury:12.5% in +1 degree, 21.3% in +2 degree, 33.4% in +3 degree 4. Medial capsular ligament injury was more frequent and severe in the meniscofemoral ligament than in the meniscotibial ligament, but that finding was not correlated with degree of medial instability.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Collateral Ligaments ; Humans ; Knee ; Ligaments ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; Research Personnel ; Rupture ; Tears

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 plays an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis and has been described as a useful tumor marker and one of the poor prognostic indicators in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To investigate the role and cellular localization of TGF-beta1 during multistep hepatocarcinogenesis we performed a quantitative analysis of TGF-beta1 mRNA and immunohistochemical expression of TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta receptor II (TGF-betarII) in female Sprague-Dawley rats. The experimental groups included neoplastic lesions produced by Solt-Farber's protocol, regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy, and normal control. Quantitative change of TGF-beta1 mRNA was analysed by competitive reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). TGF-beta1 protein and TGF-betarII expression were evaluated by immunohistochemical stain. The discrete tumor nodules were detected on 14th day and then increased in number and size. Three HCCs were induced on 8th or 9th month. RT-PCR demonstrated TGF-beta1 mRNA band in all examples of the normal and regenerating liver, nodules and HCCs. Competitive RT-PCR displayed higher TGF-beta1 mRNA in nodules, HCCs and regenerating liver than in normal controls. Hepatocytes from control and regenerating livers showed weak immunoreactivity for TGF-beta1. In contrast, the cytoplasm of hepatocytes of nodules in 7th, 8th and 9th month and HCCs were intensely stained for TGF-beta1. Some sinusoidal cells showed immunoreactivity for TGF-beta1 in all experimental groups. In early phase of carcinogenesis, the cytoplasm of hepatocytes in liver of 12h, 1d and 3d showed transiently increased immunoreactivity for TGF-beta1 and The immunoreactivity decreased thereafter. TGF-beta1 mRNA was also detected in the neoplastic hepatocytes by in-situ hybridization. Although TGF-betarII expression was correlated with TGF-beta1 immunoreactivity during early phase of carcinogenesis, hepatocytes in most nodules in 7th, 8th, 9th month and carcinomas showed decreased or little immunoreactivity for TGF-betarII. Based on the above results, it is concluded that TGF-beta1 expression increases not only in precancerous nodules but also in HCCs and its increase seems to be correlated with decrease or loss of TGF-betarII expression although its mechanism remains unclear. Hepatocytes may be a major cellular source of TGF-beta1 during hepatocarcinogenesis.
Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cytoplasm ; Diethylnitrosamine* ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; Hepatocytes ; Humans ; Liver ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley* ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta* ; RNA, Messenger* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1* ; Transforming Growth Factors*

The authors studied the effect of insufflation of oxygen at 5 cmH2O into the nonventilated lung on the arterial oxygenation in the thoracotomy patients(n=14) who showed PaO2 below 100 mmHg or oxygen saturation below 95% during one-lung ventilation. When applying CPAP 5 cmH2O to the collapsed lung, we inflated the collapsed lung with reservoir bag that is one of the equipment of self made CPAP device. Hemodynamic parameter(mean arterial pressure and heart rate), arterial blood gas analysis and calculated shunt fraction was collected 10, 20, 30min after applying CPAP. PaO2 was significantly increased from 76+/-20mmHg to 180+/-66 (mean+/-SD) and shunt fraction was significantly decreased from 43.5+/-5.6% to 31.5+/-4.9% at CPAP 10 min. There was no significant difference in the PaO2 and shunt fraction between CPAP 10, 20 and 30 min. Heart rate was also significantly decreased with CPAP compared to pre-CPAP value. Other parameter(mean arterial pressure, PaCO2) was not changed with CPAP. The authors conclude that CPAP 5 cmH2O to the nonventilated lung is effective to improve oxygenation when hypoxemia occurs during one-lung ventilation.
Anoxia ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure* ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Insufflation ; Lung* ; One-Lung Ventilation* ; Oxygen* ; Thoracotomy

No abstract available.
Amino Acid Sequence* ; HIV* ; Phenotype*

STUDY DESIGN: This study is a retrospective evaluation of the high lumbar disc herniations. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study is to observe the clinical and radiological findings and out-comes of the high lumbar disc herniations, thus providing a guideline for making diagnosis and for proper treatment modality. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: High lumbar disc herniations at the L1 -2, L2-3 and L3-4 levels represent less than 5% of all disc herniations. The location of pain was highly complected. The represented symptoms and signs such as motor, sensory and reflex changes were variable and potentially misleading in suggesting a level of the disc herniation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients with high lumbar disc herniations were retrospectively evaluated. Seventeen patients were treated conservatively and fourteen patients underwent surgery. Review of results was undertaken by an independent observer using a proven outcome assessment measure. RESULTS: The incidence of high lumbar disc herniation is 4.7%(L1-2: 13%, L2-3: 29%, L3-4: 58%) with declining frequency as the level ascends. The peak age incidence is 6th decade in male and 5th decade in female. The positive rate of femoral nerve stretching test(74%) is higher than that of straight leg raising test(51%). In fourteen operative cases, the positive rate of straight leg raising test is 86%. The accuracy of MRI findings in predicting the type of herniated disc is 93%. In results of operation thirteen cases showed more than fair grade(93%). CONCLUSION: The age incidence of the high lumbar disc herniation is older than that of the lower lumbar disc herniation. The femoral nerve stretching test is more useful than straight leg raising test in making diagnosis of high lumbar disc herniations. The prognosis after treatment is comparable with high lumbar disc herniations.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Femoral Nerve ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Prognosis ; Reflex ; Retrospective Studies

Multiple cerebral infarction developed in a 36-year-old woman with adenocarcinoma of the right lung with direct cardiac invasion. Neurological examination and brain MRI showed findings of ordinary infarction. Transesophageal echocardiography showed left atrial pedunculated mass which was the potential source of embolism. We report a rare case who had such multiple spontaneous tumor emboli large enough to result in clinically detectable cerebral infarction.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adult ; Brain ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Embolism ; Female ; Humans ; Infarction ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; Neurologic Examination

Breastfeeding is an ideal approach for physical and emotional development of babies, as well as recovery of mothers. A breastfeeding education for female students seems to be an effective intervention to increase the Korean women breastfeeding rate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes, and other related breastfeeding variables for developing a design for a pre-parental breastfeeding educational information for Korean female students of childbearing age. The sample consisted of 205 Korean female college students, ranging in age from 20 to 25 years old. In this study, a self-administered questionnaire included 6 pages with close-ended multiple-choice questions, and included a cover page with 15 questions on demographic characteristics and personal experiences related to breastfeeding. Data analysis was done utilizing inferential statistics using SPSS 12.0 computer program. The findings indicated that breastfeeding education programs should focus on the practical aspect of attitudes toward breastfeeding, and that educational information design should focus on the practical aspects of breastfeeding for all levels of students' education by nurses. Therefore, education for female college students seems to be an effective intervention to increase breastfeeding rate. This study is useful for descriptions of educational activities to help female students develop positive attitudes to breastfeed, to help these students have confidence toward breast-feeding in future by providing correct information and practical techniques on breastfeeding.
Breast Feeding ; Female ; Humans ; Mothers ; Software ; Statistics as Topic ; Surveys and Questionnaires