This article reviewed the initial experiences of 73 cases of the magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to evaluate its usefulness and limitaions as a screening examination. Among them 31 patients underwent correlative contrast angography (CA). MRA examinations were performed with 3-dimensional time of flight (TOF)acquisitions(carotid, intracranial vessels, abdomen & pelvis), 2-dimensional TOF (abdomen & pelvis), and 3-dimensional phase contrast (PC) method(intracranial vessels, lower extremity). In head and neck area, the success rates of MRA in visualization of normal vessels were 91% in the carotid artery and 89% in intracranial vessels. In comparison with correlative CA of 45 lesions in 23 patients, MRA show successful detection of abnormalities in 43 lesions. There was only one false positive case and one false negative case in differentiation of normal and abnormal cases. Among 43 lesions detected on MRA, 25 lesions were well correlated with CA but 18 lesions showed mild differences in degree of disease. In other areas, even thought for a limited number of cases, the abdominal aorta and proximal parts of its major branches were well visualized on MRA. In three cases of renal artery stenosis, MRA showed no visible renal artery in disease side. So the abnormality in renal artery could be suspected, but accurate stenotic site could not be detected. In three cases of arterial occlusion in pelvis and lower extremity, MRA were well correlated with CA. In conclusion, MRA can be used as an ideal safe screening examination method with high success rate and abnormality detection rate, especially in carotid artery, circle of Willis, main intracranial vessels, abdominal aorta and proximal portions of its major branches.
Abdomen ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Carotid Arteries ; Circle of Willis ; Head ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography* ; Mass Screening* ; Methods ; Neck ; Pelvis ; Renal Artery ; Renal Artery Obstruction

No abstract available.

Serum immunoglobulins from carp Cyprinus carpio were purified using affinity chromatography methods. Fish were immunized with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the specific fish antibodies purified from the immune serum on a BSA-irnmobilized Sepharose 4B gel. The analysis of the immunoglobulins by reducing SDS-PAGE showed them to be composed of a single p,-like heavy chain of 76 kd and light chain of 28 kd. Polyclonal rabbit antibodies against the fish IgM were produced to further analyze IgM' B-like cells from carp. Irrespective of a BSA immunization, the distribution rates of IgM' B-like cells in the head kidney and spleen were about 49% and 24%, respectively. The IgM' cells were magnetically purified by using Mini-Macs column. To study whether the purified IgM' cells are B-like lymphocytes, those cells were cultured with hrIL-4 (50 U/ml) for 48 hr at 25C in 5% CO, incubator. And the titer of antibodies secreted from IgM' and IgM cells was analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found the IgM' cells produced a greater amount of antibodies to BSA than both IgM cells and negative control. Unexpectedly, however, moderate amount of antibodies were also detected in the supernatant of IgM cell population, indicating the difference of humoral immune responses between a fish and mammalian.
Antibodies ; Carps ; Chromatography, Affinity ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Head Kidney ; Immunity, Humoral ; Immunization ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunoglobulins ; Incubators ; Lymphocytes ; Sepharose ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; Spleen

OBJETIVE: This study was performed to investigate the effect of metformin therapy on ovulation induction & pregnancy rate in clomiphene citrate-resistant PCOS women. METHOD: This study used a randomized, single-blinded, case-controlled methods. Total study group consisted of 21 women who showed clomiphene citrate-resistant parttern on previous ovulation induction cycles. Patients of metformin group received metformin 500 mg three times daily, for 7 weeks. Control group received none. Metformin group was consisted of 10 women and control group was consisted of 11 women. Then clomiphene was administrated at daily 50 mg for 5 days to both groups. Clomiphene dosage was increased to daily 150 mg until ovulation was occurred. Before and After metformin treatment, blood samples for measurement of insulin, glucose, steroids were obtained. RESULTS: In the metformin and control groups, 6 of 10 women (60%) and 2 of 11 women (18%) ovulated. And 4 of 10 women (40%) and 0 of 11 women (0%) conceived. Comparisons between the groups were significant. CONCLUSION: In PCOS women who are resistant to CC, metformin use increased the ovulation rate and pregnancy rate from CC treatment, significantly.
Case-Control Studies ; Clomiphene* ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Metformin* ; Ovulation ; Ovulation Induction ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* ; Pregnancy Rate ; Steroids

No abstract available.
Female ; Mammaplasty*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of postoperative radiotherapy for the treatment of keloid scars administered immediately after Cesarean section. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 26 postpartum patients with confirmed keloids resulting from previous Cesarean sections received either 12 or 15 Gy radiotherapy. The radiotherapy was divided into three 6 MeV electron beam fractions administered during the postpartum period immediately following the final Cesarean section. To evaluate ovarian safety, designated doses of radiation were estimated at the calculated depth of the ovaries using a solid plate phantom and an ionization chamber with the same lead cutout as was used for the treatment of Cesarean section operative scars and a tissue equivalent bolus. RESULTS: In total, the control rate was 77% (20 patients), while six (23%) developed focally elevated keloids (ranging from 0.5 to 2 cm in length) in the middle of the primary abdominal scar. Five patients experienced mild hyperpigmentation. Nonetheless, most patients (96%) were satisfied with the treatment results. The estimated percentage of the applied radiation doses that reached the calculated depth of the ovaries ranged from 0.0033% to 0.0062%. CONCLUSION: When administered during the immediate postpartum period, postoperative electron beam radiotherapy for repeated Cesarean section scars is generally safe and produces good cosmetic results with minimal toxicity.
Cesarean Section ; Cicatrix ; Cosmetics ; Electrons ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Keloid ; Ovary ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy

No abstract available.
Abdominal Pain* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Abdominal Pain* ; Humans

A case of pathological hip dislocation in a child, aged 2 years 6 months, who had surgical treatment, is reported. The boy has history of osteomyelitis of right ilium at age of 10 month, which ended up with the right hip dislocation. Postoperatively cephalocotyloid relation of the right hip was very well reestablished during five years of postoperative observation. Through this case, it is reconfirmed that a child hip has a natural remodelling power even in case of hip joint destruction.
Child ; Dislocations ; Hip Dislocation ; Hip Joint ; Hip ; Humans ; Ilium ; Male ; Osteomyelitis

The palatal fracture results in deformity of the midface, as well as change in occlusion. However, no report was found on the incidence, treatment and results of palatal fracture in Korea. A retrospective review was done over 6 years and 11 patients(6.5%) with palatal fracture were determind out of 168 patients who had midfacial bone fractures without nasal bone fracture. According to the Hendrickson's classification, the number of patients with specific types of palatal fracture was described as follows; sagittal (2 cases), parasagittal (2 cases), para-alveolar (3 cases), transverse(3 cases) and complex(1 case). Le Fort I (6 cases), Le Fort II (7 cases) and mandible (6 cases) fractures were also associated. Open reduction and internal fixation was applied to all patients. Internal fixation consisted of pyriform or alveolar ridge stabilization and maxillary buttress stabilization. The rigid palatal vault stabilization was applied in one patient with midline split of the palate. The duration of intermaxillary fixation was shortened to less than 3 weeks from 4 to 6 weeks with rigid fixation. The palatal splint was used temporarily before internal fixation. All the patients showed good bony union and satisfactoryocclusion postoperatively. Open reduction and internal fixation showed satisfactory results from the aspects of stability, occlusion, patient convenience and final aesthetics. The following treatment model for palatal fracture according to the fracture type is proposed; 1) Alveolar type - close reduction or open reduction and selective alveolar ridge fixation and selective application of palatal splint, 2) Sagittal type - open reduction and internal fixation of the alveolar ridge, maxillary buttress and palatal vault. 3) Parasagittal type - open reduction and internal fixation of the pyriform aperture and maxillary buttress, as well as selective fixation of the palatal vault. 4) Para-alveolar type - open reduction and internal fixation of the alveolar ridge and maxillary buttress. 5) Complex type - open reduction and internal fixation of the alveolar ridge, maxillary buttress, pyriform aperture and continuous use of a palatal splint to bony union. 6) Transverse type - open reduction and internal fixation of the alveolar ridge and maxillary buttress.
Alveolar Process ; Classification ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Esthetics ; Fractures, Bone ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Mandible ; Nasal Bone ; Palate ; Retrospective Studies ; Splints