No abstract available.
Animals ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Gene Expression* ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide* ; Rats*

LPS and IFN-r induce nitric oxide synthase in macrophages and the resultant NO causes apoptotic cell death in the activated macrophages. NO production and apoptosis were inhibited by N-monomethyl L-arginine (NMMA), a competitive inhibitor of NO synthase. To study the role of BCL-X proteins, RAW 264.7 cells were transfected with the expression vectors with human bcl-Xl or bcl-Xs cDNAs, respectively. Stable transfectants were selected and confirmed by RT-PCR. NO production in response to LPS and IFN-r caused apoptosis in RAW 264.7 cells and vector transfected control cells within 24 hr. Both NO production and apoptosis were inhibited by N(G)-monomethyl L-arginine (NMMA). In contrast, bcl-Xs transfectant appeared slightly susceptible and bcl-X(L)< transfectant appeared slightly resistant, although NO production was similar to control cells. These results suggest that bcl-X proteins play roles in both positive and negative regulation of apoptosis induced by NO.
Apoptosis* ; Arginine ; bcl-X Protein* ; Cell Death ; DNA, Complementary ; Humans ; Macrophages* ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase

No abstract available.

OBJECTIVE: Geriatric depression is a disease, that possibly can cause serious problems, in case it is not detected and treated. As the mean age of patients on Sorok Island increases, possibility of depression along with dementia rises, but up to date prevalence of this disease in this population has not been studied. This study identifies dementia and depression in patients on Sorok Island via a questionnaire survey, to incorporate the results in future treatment. METHOD: Two hundred thirty-six Sorok Island residents (142 male, 94 female) were enrolled in this survey including Geriatric depression scale (GDS), Korean modified Mini Mental Status Exam (k-mMMSE), and Global Deterioration Scale (GDS). RESULTS: Suspicious group of depression was found in 25% and Certain group of depression in 17%, which adds up to a high overall prevalence of 42%. There was no gender difference in Suspicious group of depression, but Certain group of depression was significantly more prevalent in women compared to men. Suspicious group of depression detected with k-mMMSE and GDS showed a prevalence of 30% and 35%, respectively, and prevalence was higher in women. Comparing depression group to non-depression group, a significantly higher prevalence of depression group was detected in patients with symptoms of dementia. CONCLUSION: The results, compared to prevalence studies in other populations, showed a higher prevalence of depression and dementia in patients on Sorok Island. This may be due to the relatively higher mean age or due to a realtively lower functional level of the patients. Possiblity of dementia accompanied by depression is high, and in geriatric patients, the denial of depression or misinterpretation of it as somatic disorders is common. Thus, implication of these results in treatment may yield an improvement of future outcome.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dementia ; Denial (Psychology) ; Depression ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Leprosy ; Male ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.
Hematoma*

No abstract available.
Ascorbic Acid* ; Lymphocytes* ; Macrophages, Peritoneal* ; Phagocytosis*

The ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine(OPLL) is newly recongnized clinical entity,although compression of the spinal cord by an OPLL was reported by key as early as in 1839 in Guy's HospitalReport. OPLL was noticeable in lateral tomography as an abnormal dense radiopacity along the posterior margins ofthe vertebral body. Authors retrospectively analysed the diagnostic values and findings of lateral tomography ofthe cervical spine in 11 cases at Kang Nam General Hospital Public Corporation during 1 yr from July 1984 to June1985. The results were as follows; 1. Among suspected 11 cases of OPLL, 9 cases were confiremd as OPLL on lateraltomogram. 2. Age range was 25 years old to 55 years old and more prevalent age was over 5th decades & male wasmore involved than female. 3. Frequent involvement was C2-C5 level and number of vertebral bodies involved was 3.6in average. 4. This ossification developed 4 modes, a continuous type 11%, segmental 33%, mixed type 33%,circumscribed type in 22%. 5. OPLL thickness were from 2mm to 4.5mm and spnal canal narrowing ratio were form 25%to 44% and there were norational relationships between clinical symptom and thicknness of OPLL. 6. On diagnosis ofOPLL, lateral tomography is accurate and recommendable screening study due to easy, noninvasive, indisipensable and less harmful technique, compared to those of myelography or computed tomography.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Myelography ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord ; Spine

The accepted radiographic method to determine cervical spinal stenosis is the direct measurement of the sagittal diameter of the spinal canal on the routine lateral view of the cervical spine. The reported normal and abnormal values for this measurement are inconsistent because of various methods of obtaining the roentgenograms and different body types which affect the size of the X-ray image. According to Pavlow, the ratio method of determining crevical spinal stenosis, in which the sagittal diameter of the spinal canal is divided by the sagittal diameter of the corresponding vertebral body, is independent of technical factor variables and is a reliable method for determining cervical spinal stenosis. In order to determine the Pavlov's ratio of normal Koreans, and compare it with that of radiculopathic group, we measured the diameter of cervicl canal in 47 normal persons(28 male, 19 female), and 32 patients( 9 male, 23 female) who had transient tingling sensation and radiculopathic symtom from the second to fifth decades. The results were as follows :1) The average Pavlov's ratio from C3 to C7 in normal Korean men are 0.906(0.70–1.13), 0.899 (0.070–1.13),0.948(0.70–1.67) and 0.948(0.67–1.17), respectively, and those of normal Korean women are 0.977(0.83–1.15), 1.021(0.83–1.13), 1.014(0.84–1.33) and 1.055(0.88–1.18), respectively. 2) The average Pavlov's ratio from C3 to C7 in radiculopathic Korean men are 0.88(0.65–1.12), 0.90(0.68–1.12), 0.95(0.79–1.12) and 0.95(0.78–1.06), respectively, and those of radiculopathic Korean women are 0.902(0.70–1.27), 0.905(0.69–1.27), 0.939(0.70–1.33) and 0.931(0.70–1. 18), respectively. 3) There are not statistically differences of the Pavlov's ratio between the control group and the radiculopathic group. 4) We believe that the Pavlov's ratio is an effective method in detection of cervical stenosis and is able to eliminate technical factor such as body position, target and object-to-film distanc.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methods ; Sensation ; Somatotypes ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spine

No abstract available.

Inappropriate treatment of the injury of the lateral collateral ligaments of the ankle produce residual instability, which causes serious disability. There is considerable divergence of opinion as to whether fresh rupture of the lateral ligaments of the ankle are best treated by conservative or opreative method. We have conducted a trial to analyze thirty patients, who were treated by immediate open surgical rupair of rupture of the lateral ligaments of the ankle between April 1991 and February 1992. The results were as follows: 1. All patients were active, young men, Injuries to left ankle were three times more than right side. The most common cause of injury is occurred during sports, especially association football. 2. The decision to operate was based on 1)Talar tilt angle of the injured ankle measures 8-10 degrees more than that of the stress uninjured ankle. 2)A positive arthrogram showing contrast leakage into peroneal tendon she-aths & anterolateral aspect of the lateral malleolus. 3. Diagnostic accuracy rate of arthrography is 94.5%, stress radiography 61.1 %. Arthrography is more reliable than stress radiography in the diagnosis of acute injuries to the lateral ligament of the ankle. 4. At operation, isolated rupture of anterior talofibular ligament was in 5 cases, isolated rupture of middle calcaneofibular ligament in 3 cases, concomittant ruptures of anterior talofibular and middle calcaneofibular ligements in 22 cases. 5. Location of tears of anterior talofibular ligament was mostly mid-portion, middle calcaneofibular ligament in mid-portion or distal portion. 6. On radiologic results, average angle of talar tilt was 14.4° preoperatively, 5.2 preoperatively. There was correction of talar tilt angle of average 9.2°. 7. Clinical results of treatment were excellent in 9 patients, good in 6 patients, fair in 4 patients, poor in 2 patients by authors rating system. The satisfactory result was achieved in 15 patients(71.4%). 8. Postoperative complication was reduced mobility in 4 cases, functional instability 1 case, neuroma in operation scar in 2 cases, minor sensory loss in 4 cases. 9. Primary surgical repair gave good results in the aspect of radiologic & fun ctional instability, but clinical results were not satisfactory, due to high incidence of postoperative complication.
Ankle ; Arthrography ; Cicatrix ; Collateral Ligaments ; Diagnosis ; Football ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lateral Ligament, Ankle ; Ligaments ; Male ; Methods ; Neuroma ; Postoperative Complications ; Radiography ; Rupture ; Sports ; Tears ; Tendons