In order to assess the biocompatibility of domestic dynamic compression plates and screws manufactured at KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technclogy), hematological, serological, histological, and metallurgical studies were carried out on sixty rabbits through thirty-two weeks. The rabbits were divided into two groups, group I: thirty rabbits for KAIST plates and screws, group II: thirty rabbits for Osteo plates and screws. The plate and screws were fixed on the fixed tibial shaft. All the resulg of hematological, serological, histological, and metallurgical study revealed that there were no meaningful differences between the two groups. This, in fact, enco.urages us to use domestic KAIST plates and screws clinically and to develop more complicated designs including total joint replacement system.
Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Joints ; Rabbits ; Stainless Steel

No abstract available.
Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis*

No abstract available.
Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis*

No abstract available.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Brain ; Child ; Deception ; Dermis ; Facial Bones ; Female ; Hair ; Humans ; Melanins ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Scalp ; Skin ; Temporal Muscle ; Zygoma

Fiber-reinforced composite(FRC) was developed as a structural component for dental appliances such as prosthodontic framework. FRC provides the potential for fabrication of a metal-free, excellent esthetic prostheses. It has demonstrated success as a result of its simple fabrication, natural colour, and marginal integrity, and fracture resistance of veneering composite resin and the FRC material. Although it has lots of merits, clinical and objective data are insufficient. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fracture strength and marginal fitness of fiber-reinforced composite bridge in the posterior region for clinical application. Sixteen bridges of each group, Targis/Vectris(R), Sculpture-fibrekor(R)and In-Ceram, were fabricated. All specimens were cemented with Panavia 21 to the master dies. Strength evaluation was accomplished by a universal testing machine (Instron). The marginal fitness was measured by using the stereoscope (X50). The results were as follows. : 1.The fracture strength according to the materials was significantly decreaed in order In-Ceram(238.81+/-82). Targis Vectris(176.25+/-18.93), Sculpture-Fibrekor(120.35 +/-20.08) bridges. 2.FRC resin bridges were not completely fractured, while In-Ceram bridges were completely fractured in the pontic joint. 3.The marginal accuracy was significantly decreased in order Targis/Vectris (60.71micrometer), Sculpture-Fibrekor(73.10micrometer). In-Cream Bridge(83.81micrometer). 4.The fitness of occlusal sites had a lower value than the marginal sites(P<0.001), and the marginal gaps of inner site of the pontic were greater than that of outer sites of the pontic. Fiber reinforced composite bridges are new, esthetic prosthesis and can be clinically used in anterior regions and short span bridges. However, caution must be exercised when extrapolating laboratory data to the clinical situation because there are no long term clinical data regarding the overall success of the FRC.
Denture, Partial, Fixed ; Joints ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthodontics

BACKGROUND: Pruritus, which is a frequent accompanying symptom of dermatological diseases, is also common during pregnancy, either localized or generalized. It may be related to specific dermatoses of pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: A clinical study was performed to know the exact nature of pruritus in pregnancy. METHODS: Subjects with systemic diseases, or laboratory abnormalities were excluded. People who have had pruritic dermatologic diseases before pregnancy were also excluded. One hundred and fifty five pregnant women were interviewed with physical examinations and followed up to the date of delivery. Pruritus was graded. RESULTS: Pruritus was present in 31.6%. Most affected subjects had mild or moderate severity. The abdomen was the most common site. There was a tendency for the duration of itching to increase with the duration of pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Conclusion: These findings may provide basic and useful data on pruritus during pregnancy.
Abdomen ; Clinical Study* ; Female ; Humans ; Physical Examination ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Pruritus* ; Skin Diseases

Pterygium, a disease of unknown origin and pathogennesis, is a chronic condition characterized by the encroachment of triangular portion of the bulbar conjunctiva onto the cornea. We have studied the expression of extracellular matrix genes and oncogenes in cultured pterygium using Northernm dot, and slot blot hybridizations. Northern hybridization with total RNA isolated from passaged (4-8 passages) cultures demonstrated expression of genes for alpha1(I) and alpha1(III) procollagen, fibronectin, and c-Ha-ras, but no expression of gene for c-myc was observed. The pterygium exhibited significantly increased expression of alpha1(I) and alphal(III) procollagen genes when compared with normal control cells(p<0.01). And We observed there were no differences between pterygium and normal control cells in the expression of genes for fibronectin and c-Ha-ras. According to these results we thought that the causes of pterygium may be related to the increased expression of alpha1(I) and alphal(III) procollagen genes but may not be related to c-Ha-ras, c-myc, and fibronectin genes.
Conjunctiva ; Cornea ; Extracellular Matrix* ; Fibroblasts* ; Fibronectins ; Genes, myc* ; Oncogenes ; Procollagen ; Pterygium ; RNA

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lamivudine, an oral nucleoside analogue, effectively inhibits hepatitis B virus replication and reduces hepatic necroinflammation in patients with chronic hepatitis B. This study investigated the effect and safety of 12 week lamivudine therapy in Korean patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: In an open clinical trial, 113 patients with CHB were enrolled. They received 100 mg of lamivudine orally once daily for 12 weeks, and they were followed until 2 weeks after cessation of lamivudine. HBV DNA (by bDNA assay), liver enzymes, creatine phosphokinase, creatinine and CBC were checked at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 14 weeks. Compliance and side effects were evaluated at the same time. RESULTS: After receiving lamivudine 100 mg, serum HBV DNA levels fell rapidly, remaining in 94.3% below baseline values at 2 weeks and 99.8% below baseline values at 12 weeks. Serum HBV DNA was cleared in 75.2% and alanine aminotransferase level (ALT) was normalized in 64.8% at 12 weeks. Cumulative percentage of HBeAg clearance (defined by clearance of serum HBV DNA and HBeAg) was 14.4%. Clearance of HBV DNA was more frequent in patients with lower pretreatment serum HBV DNA and higher ALT. During the treatment periods, adverse effects were negligible and transient. Two weeks after cessation of lamivudine, serum HBV DNA reappeared in 70.6% of responders. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that lamivudine is effective and safe in the treatment of CHB in Korean patients, but further study for adequate duration of treatment is needed because of high recurrence after 12 weeks therapy.
Alanine Transaminase ; Compliance ; Creatine Kinase ; Creatinine ; DNA ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Lamivudine* ; Liver ; Recurrence

No abstract available.
Barium* ; Diagnosis* ; Enema* ; Hirschsprung Disease*

Plasma col1 leukemia with motility-related morphological behavior is rarely studied. The plasma cells have variable degrees of cytoplasmic morphologies as dairy Projections, long extensions and pseudopods. These morphological evidences show the papa bility of wide spread and dissemination of disease itself. We present a case of a 38 year old woman who had back pain for 4 months and was diagnosed as a solitary plasmacytoma of the third lumbar vertebra. In spite of resection of the tumor and chemotherapy, the plasmacytoma was disseminated into both breasts and ovaries within less than a year. On her blood examination, we counted 34% of plasma cells in peripheral blood and 91.6% of plasma cells in bone marrow aspiration. Most of them resealed hairy projections and pseudopods of the cytoplasm.
Adult ; Back Pain ; Bone Marrow ; Breast ; Cytoplasm ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia ; Leukemia, Plasma Cell* ; Ovary ; Plasma Cells* ; Plasma* ; Plasmacytoma ; Spine