No abstract available.
Brain* ; Hydrocephalus*

No abstract available.
Skull Fracture, Depressed*

Neutrophils and eosinophils, 2 prominent granulocytes, are commonly derived from myelocytic progenitors through successive stages in the bone marrow. Our previous genome-wide transcriptomic data unexpectedly showed that genes encoding a multitude of neutrophil primary granule proteins (NPGPs) were markedly downregulated during the end period of eosinophilic terminal differentiation when cord blood (CB) cluster of differentiation (CD) 34+ cells were induced to differentiate toward the eosinophil lineage during a 24-day culture period. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine whether NPGP genes were expressed on the way to eosinophil terminal differentiation stage and to compare their expression kinetics with that of genes encoding eosinophil-specific granule proteins (ESGPs). Transcripts of all NPGP genes examined, including proteinase 3, myeloperoxidase, cathepsin G (CTSG), and neutrophil elastase, reached a peak at day 12 and sharply declined thereafter, while transcript of ESGP genes including major basic protein 1 (MBP1) attained maximum expression at days 18 or 24. Growth factor independent 1 (GFI1) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPA), transactivators for the NPGP genes, were expressed immediately before the NPGP genes, whereas expression of C/EBPA, GATA1, and GATA2 kinetically paralleled that of eosinophil granule protein genes. The expression kinetics of NPGPs and ESGPs were duplicated upon differentiation of the eosinophilic leukemia cell line (EoL-1) immature eosinophilic cells. Importantly, confocal image analysis showed that CTSG was strongly coexpressed with MBP1 in differentiating CB eosinophils at days 12 and 18 and became barely detectable at day 24 and beyond. Our results suggest for the first time the presence of an immature stage where eosinophils coexpress NPGPs and ESGPs before final maturation.
Bone Marrow ; Cathepsin G ; Cell Line ; Eosinophils* ; Fetal Blood ; Granulocytes ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome ; Kinetics ; Leukocyte Elastase ; Myeloblastin ; Neutrophils* ; Peroxidase ; Trans-Activators

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by genetic deficiency or decreased function of C1-esterase inhibitor. It is characterized by swelling of subcutaneous and submucosal tissues of the extremities, gastrointestinal tract, and upper airways which can be life-threatening. Thus, early recognition and treatment of the disease are important. Short- and longterm prophylaxes are used to decrease the severity and frequency of attacks. Icatibant is a selective bradykinin B2-receptor antagonist, earlier treatment of acute attacks and hospital admission. The authors present a case of 47-year-old woman who was diagnosed with type II HAE, danazol as a long term. Her symptoms improved dramatically after drug treatment. The unpredictability and recurrence of HAE attacks could have a negative impact on social life and quality of life. This case shows that timely and proper treatment could improve quality of life and reduce morbidity and mortality. (

PURPOSE: A limited number of studies have examined the link between F-wave abnormalities and clinical presentation in pediatric Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Therefore, this study examined the importance of F-wave abnormalities as a prognostic factor in pediatric GBS patients. METHODS: The records and electrodiagnostic studies (EDS) of 70 GBS patients were retrospectively evaluated, and divided into 2 groups according to the results of EDS. Group A (n=33) presented with F-wave abnormalities, and group B (n=26) exhibited normal findings. We compared laboratory reports, clinical features, response to treatment, and prognosis between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Motor weakness was the most frequently observed symptom for either group. Clinically, the incidence of fever and upper respiratory symptoms differed between the 2 groups, while the prevalence of abnormal deep tendon reflex (DTR) was significantly higher in group A than B (P<0.05). Patients diagnosed with GBS had received intravenous immunoglobulin treatment: 94% in group A and 58% in group B. Furthermore, significantly greater numbers of patients in group A showed H-reflex abnormalities and poor prognosis compared with group B (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that F-waves are a clinically important prognostic factor in GBS. F-wave abnormalities were associated with abnormal DTR and poor prognosis in patients. Limited studies have examined the link between F-wave abnormalities and clinical results; therefore, further randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm the clinical characteristics and efficacy of treatments.
Child* ; Fever ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome* ; H-Reflex ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Incidence ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Reflex, Abnormal ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Childhood asthma is one of the most frequent chronic inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract and can have profound effects on emotional, and economical aspects not only for childhood asthma patients, but also the patient's caregivers. It was also performed has been done in Korea in 1999 under the supervision of The Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease (KAPARD). We compared and evaluated the data from the questionnaire between 1999 and 2007 in order to obtain the pilot data for a nation-wide study on the life quality of childhood asthma caregivers. METHODS: We selected childhood asthma patients at the Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Seoul Hospital and Guri Hospital. The contents and categories of the questionnaire were identical with the one developed by KAPARD, the questionnaire were filled up twice at first & second visit, divided into emotion and activity domains. All items were rated on a 5 scores from 1 to 5: 1, a lower quality of life; and 5, a satisfactory quality of life. For the validity of the study, the caregivers filled up the first and the second questionnaire at least at 1-week intervals the measurement of forced expiratory volume 1 (FEV1) at each time and also added an item in the second questionnaire which compared the difference between 2 visits, subsequently scoring +5 for the most improved state, -5 for the most aggravated state and 0 for the stationary state. RESULTS: In this study, may higher scores in the second visit suggested successful management of asthma may contribute to the improvement in the caregiver's quality of life. Particularly, items such as "Frustration", "Embarrassment", "Worry about daily works" and "Concern about side effect of medicine" have been improved in the emotion domain, and "sleepless", "Night awakening", and "Disturbance of housework" in the activity domain. Between 1999 and 2007, "Concerning", and "Concern about ordinary works" has been improved in the first visit, and "Disturbance of houseworks", "Worry about daily works" and "Concern about side effects of medicine" in the second visit. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that there may be no significant different items regarding the quality of life between the stable and changed groups, suggesting that our questionnaire can be applicable to clinical practice.
Asthma ; Caregivers ; Child ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Organization and Administration ; Pediatrics ; Pilot Projects ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Respiratory System

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tianeptine is a tricyclic antidepressant that has a novel pharmacological property: it increases the reuptake of 5-hydroxytryptamine. Recent studies have reported that the prevalence of depression is greater in patients with tinnitus than in control subjects who do not have tinnitus. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of tianeptine for the relief of tinnitus, especially in patients with depressive mood. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Among a total of 52 tinnitus patients, 15 had depressive mood. The depressed tinnitus patients were prescribed Stablon® 12.5 mg once daily for 1 month without any other drug. We assessed the severity of tinnitus, level of depression, and the quality of sleep in these patients by using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Hearing impairment and severity of tinnitus were measured with pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and tinnitograms. These evaluations were conducted before and after medication treatment. RESULTS: For the 15 depressed tinnitus patients, THI scores significantly correlated with BDI and PSQI scores prior to medication treatment. These results showed that the discomfort of tinnitus was closely related to depression and sleep disorder. After medication treatment, THI and BDI scores significantly decreased, indicating that tinnitus and depression improved. However, no significant alteration in PSQI score was observed, indicating that there was no improvement in sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of depressed tinnitus patients, tianeptine might be an efficient drug to treat both tinnitus and depression. However, tianeptine is unlikely to improve the quality of sleep in these patients.
Audiometry ; Audiometry, Speech ; Depression ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Serotonin ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; Tinnitus*

The reamer crack, followed by breakage at its distal part occurred during intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fracture. The broken reamer was trapped in the intramedullary canal, making it very difficult to pull out. We successfully extracted the broken reamer by retrograde impaction through the fracture site and completed intramedullary nailing procedure. Thus, we present this case with a review of the literature.
Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Tibia*

PURPOSE: Open reduction and internal fixation of calcaneal fracture using plate has been used. While numerous plates have been manufactured, most of the conventional plates are designed for westerners, realistically the size is larger for Korean. The domestic products, on the other hand, often have the undesirable screw holes and path. Therefore, we measured the radiologic parameter of Korean calcaneus for providing the plate and screw hole placements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured the outer lines and angles with over the 20 years old 291 females and 322 males. A: Length of inferior plane of calcaneus, B: Length of anterior plane of calcaneus, C: Length from line A to sinus tarsi, D: Length from line A to posterior point of posterior facet, E: Length from line A to calcaneal tuberosity, F: Length of posterior facet, G: Length from anterior point of line A to C, H: Length from line C to line D, a: Angle between A and B, b: Gissane angle, c: Bohler angle, d: Calcaneal pitch angle using Marosis m-view(R). RESULTS: Mean A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H were 63.6, 26.4, 23.2, 43.7, 40.5, 26.9, 12.8, 18.1 mm. Mean a, b, c, d angle were 105.8, 122.4, 32.4, 20.5degrees. Male's calcaneus is significantly bigger than female's (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: AP calcaneus length 63.6 mm, maximal height 43.7 mm is considered to be helpful in making the Korean calcaneal plate.
Calcaneus ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Male

Recent studies have implicated that seizure occurrence was infrequent in the patients with chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH): However, the exact incidence of seizure occurrence in the patients with CSDH is unclear and the efficacy of prophylactic treatment with anticonvulsants(AC) has not been fully determined. We have analyzed a series of 186 adult patients with CSDH who have been operated at our institute from January 1990 to December 1994 to eneasure the incidence of seizure occurrence and to assess the efficacy of prophylactic treatment with AC. The patients who had past history of seizure disorder or alcoholism were excluded in this study. The results were as follows: 1) Post-operative seizure occurred in only 6 patients(3.2%) and all of the presented seizures were generalized type. 2) Among six patients who presented post-operative seizure, two patients showed additional brain CT findings such as intracerebral hemorrhage or cerebral infarction other than chronic subdural hematoma. 3) Operative method did not show a significant influence on the incidence of seizure occurrence. 4) Prophylactic AC were used in 177 patients and the incidence of seizure occurrence in this group was 3.4% which showed no significant statistical difference with the incidence of seizure occurrence of 0% in 9 patients who were not treated with AC. Above results suggest that prophylactic treatment with AC in the patients with CSDH should be considered cautiously except for the patients with the additional brain parenchymal lesions or past history of seizure disorder.
Adult ; Alcoholism ; Anticonvulsants ; Brain ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Cerebral Infarction ; Epilepsy ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Seizures*