OBJECTIVES: Significant progress has been made in understanding psychosocial, psychological, and environmental factors associated with suicide. However it is only recently that attention has been paid to the understanding of the neurobiology of suicide. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between platelet serotonin level and suicidal behavior and psychological features of the suicidal attempters. METHODS: After a suicidal attempt platelet serotonin level was measured from 21 patients and compared it with those from depression patients and normal controls. Also MMPI, HAM-D, Barratt impulsiveness scale(BIS) were done to evaluate their psychological features. RESULTS: 1) There was no significant difference in sex ratio of the suicidal attempters. 2) There was no significant difference in platelet serotonin levels among three groups. 3) The analysis of MMPI revealed that the scores of D, Hs, Pt in clinical scales were significantly higher in suicide patients and scores of D, Pa, Si were in depression patients. 4)The HAM-D score was significantly higher in depression and suicide patients, especially in depression patients. 5) The analysis of Barratt impulsiveness scale revealed that the scores of nonplanning, motor and cognitive impulsiveness scale were significantly higher in suicide patients. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in platelet serotonin levels among three groups. However the analysis of psychological features revealed significant differences. Therefore we concluded that psychological examinations are benefit to evaluate the suicidal tendency.
Blood Platelets* ; Depression ; Humans ; MMPI ; Neurobiology ; Serotonin* ; Sex Ratio ; Suicide ; Weights and Measures

Retinoic acid has been used as a trial of chemotherapeutic agent in the field of cancer therapy and resulted some success in leukemia and breast cancer. Recently, it is being tried on the malignant astrocytoma. We evaluated the effect of all-trans and 13 cis-retinoic acid on C6 cell line cultures(14 day incubation) using MTT assay and counting of cell numbers for establishing the basis of clinical trial. The cell number counting showed 51.6% and 43.1% of control in the cell number at 10 -6M concentration of all-trans and 13 cis-retinoic acid. MTT assay showed 56.4% and 46.1% of control in the optical absorbance at 10 -6M concentration of all-trans and 13 cis-retinoic acid. These results indicate the possiblity of both drug as effective chemotherapeutic agents for glial cell tumors but in-vivo study will be needed for clinical trial.
Astrocytoma ; Brain Neoplasms ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cell Count ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line* ; Glioma ; Leukemia ; Tretinoin*

Until the recent development of the Q-switched lasers, it was not possible to remove tattoos without permanent scarring and pigmentary changes. Among the Q-switched lasers which was introduced under the concept of selective photothermolysis, Q-switched Nd-YAG laser has a longer wave(1064nm), deeper penetration, and lesser pigmentary change of skin than other type Q-switched laser. So, proved effectivity in removing pigmented lesion and tattoos without scarring and pigmentary changes. But repeated treatment is essential for a good result and than there is no agreement on the treatment interval in using Q-switched Nd-YAG laser. In this experiment, the author tattooed on the back skin of rabbits and treated them twice using Q-switched Nd-YAG laser in 5 groups of different treatment interval(1,2,4,6,8 weeks). The authors analysed the histology and final therapeutic results of the 5 groups to find a reasonable and shorter treatment interval by which we can obtain an effective therapeutic result without causing permanent tissue injury and change of the skin texture. The result shows that the 4 week treatment interval of Q-switched Nd-YAG laser for the tattoo removal in rabbits is the shortest term by which we can get effective therapeutic results without permanent scar and pigmentary changes.
Cicatrix ; Lasers, Solid-State* ; Rabbits* ; Skin

Until the recent development of the Q-switched lasers, it was not possible to remove tattoos without permanent scarring and pigmentary changes. Among the Q-switched lasers which was introduced under the concept of selective photothermolysis, Q-switched Nd-YAG laser has a longer wave(1064nm), deeper penetration, and lesser pigmentary change of skin than other type Q-switched laser. So, proved effectivity in removing pigmented lesion and tattoos without scarring and pigmentary changes. But repeated treatment is essential for a good result and than there is no agreement on the treatment interval in using Q-switched Nd-YAG laser. In this experiment, the author tattooed on the back skin of rabbits and treated them twice using Q-switched Nd-YAG laser in 5 groups of different treatment interval(1,2,4,6,8 weeks). The authors analysed the histology and final therapeutic results of the 5 groups to find a reasonable and shorter treatment interval by which we can obtain an effective therapeutic result without causing permanent tissue injury and change of the skin texture. The result shows that the 4 week treatment interval of Q-switched Nd-YAG laser for the tattoo removal in rabbits is the shortest term by which we can get effective therapeutic results without permanent scar and pigmentary changes.
Cicatrix ; Lasers, Solid-State* ; Rabbits* ; Skin

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of urologic cancer in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 2002 the Korean Urologic Oncology Society (KUOS) decided to evaluate the incidence of Korean urologic cancer. The URO-DMS data obtained by 86 training hospital was analyzed. First, the disease code was simplified; for example, renal cell carcinoma (C64), and thereafter, evaluated for incidence and prevalence, etc. RESULTS: A total of 35,480 patients were newly diagnosed over this period. Bladder cancer was the most common (42.9%) urologic cancer, followed by prostate (26.4%), kidney (22.4%), ureter (3.7%), renal pelvis (3.0%), testis (2.8%), penile (0.2%), urethral (0.1%) and scrotal cancers (0.1%). Male patients outnumbered the females by a ratio of 4.4:1. The incidence rates per 100,000 males for prostate and testicular cancers were 7.73 and 0.81, respectively. The incidence rates per 100,000 persons for bladder, renal, ureter and renal pelvis cancers were 6.36, 3.30, 0.55 and 0.44, respectively. Cancers of the prostate and kidney increased rapidly, but the others increased steadily. CONCLUSIONS: It is hoped that these results would contribute to cancer research and control of cancers in Korea.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Female ; Hope ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney ; Kidney Pelvis ; Korea* ; Male ; Prevalence ; Prostate ; Testicular Neoplasms ; Testis ; Ureter ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urologic Neoplasms*

OBJECTIVES: This study is designed to evaluate the fusion rate of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using prefilled cage, and clinical features in patients with traumatic cervical injury. METHODS: Sixteen trauma patients at a single institute who underwent ACDF with prefilled cage and rigid plate fixation were evaluated for radiographic fusion status postoperatively every 1 month, 3 month, and 6 month after the surgery. ACDFs were done in 9 patients at one level, 3 patients at two levels, 3 patients at three levels, and 1 patient at four levels. Fourteen patients had fracture and instability, and 2 patients had traumatic herniated cervical discs without fracture and instability. Plain radiographs and CT scan were done for evaluation of bone fusion in all patients. RESULTS: Bone fusion was recognized in all patients. Intervertebral disc height was well maintained during follow-up period. There was no patient with graft failure and instability. Even though the patients with fracture and instability, there was no patient who needed posterior stabilization. There was one case of subsidence without clinical symptom which was needed additional surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of the patients with traumatic cervical diseases, prefilled cage is very effective to achieve cervical spinal stability after ACDF, and to maintain intervertebral disc height. We can achieve immediate postoperative stability and prevent graft displacement by reinforcement with cervical plate and screws.
Diskectomy ; Displacement (Psychology) ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Reinforcement (Psychology) ; Transplants

This report was designed to investigate a rare case that brachialis tear and hematoma caused by acute elbow posterior dislocation. We studied a 20-year-old male patient with right elbow joint pain after outstretched injury. Physical examination showed instability of hright elbow joint and simple radiography indicated a posterolateral dislocation of right elbow joint. Computed tomography taken after closed reduction using Parvin technique revealed a few small bone fragment located on posterior humerus capitulum. Magnetic resonance imaging showed complete tear of brachialis and anterior articular capsule with hematoma. The patient was managed with long arm splint and hinge brace for an elbow dislocation with brachialis rupture and hematoma. The elbow joint range of motion was recovered to be in a normal range, and pain was diminished. There are few reported cases of acute elbow posterior dislocation combined with brachialis rupture and hematoma. The patient showed good clinical outcome after conservative treatment.
Arm ; Braces ; Dislocations* ; Elbow Joint ; Elbow* ; Hematoma* ; Humans ; Humerus ; Joint Capsule ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Radiography ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Reference Values ; Rupture ; Splints ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: This is retrospective study of clinical and radiological outcomes of anterior cervical fusion using Bongros-HA(TM) (BioAlpha, Seongnam, Korea) which is a type of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) spacer to evaluate the efficacy in its clinical application and usefulness as a reliable alternative to autograft bone. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients were enrolled in this study and 40 segments were involved. All patients were performed anterior cervical interbody fusion using HA spacer and plating system. Indications for surgery were radiculopathy caused by soft-disc herniation or spondylosis in 18 patients, spondylotic myelopathy in 1 patient, and spinal trauma in 10 patients. Cervical spine radiographs were obtained on postoperative 1day, 1week, and then at 1, 2, 6, and 12 months in all patients to evaluate intervertebral disc height, and the degrees of lordosis. Cervical computed tomography was done at postoperative 12 month in all patients to confirm the fusion status. The mean period of clinical follow-up was 17 months. RESULTS: Complete interbody fusion was achieved in 100% of patients. Preoperative kyphotic deformities were corrected in all cases after surgery. Intervertebral disc height was well maintained during follow up period. There were no cases of graft extrusion, graft deterioration and graft fracture. CONCLUSION: HA spacer is very efficient in achieving cervical fusion, maintaining intervertebral disc height, and restoring lordosis. When combined with the placement of a cervical plate, immediate stability can be achieved and graft related complication can be prevented.
Animals ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Durapatite ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Lordosis ; Radiculopathy ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spine ; Spondylosis ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome* ; Syncope

PURPOSE: It has been reported that retinoic acid, one of the most popular agents for chemoprevention could inhibit the proliferation of many cancer cells including neuroblastoma and glioblastoma. However, there is increasing demand reaccessing its in vitro inhibitory effect on the tumor proliferation because of the poor results from recent clinical trials of retinoic acid in the malignant brain tumor. Retinoicacid ptomoted the diffferentiation and apoptosis of tumor cell so that its effect might be obvious in the pediatric brain tumor. Therefore we are going to confirm the effectiveness of retinoic acid to inhibit the proliferation of the tumor cells; glioblastoma and medulloblastoma in childhood. METHODS: Medulloblastoma cells were derived from the primary culture of the patient's specimen, and glioblastoma cells were cell lines of 373-MG and 87-MG. We estimated growth inhibition rate of each tumor cells using MTT assay in the concentration from 10 M to 10((-5))M of all-trans and 13-cis retinoic acid. RESULTS: 13-cis retinoic acid in the concentration of 10 6M inhibited cell growth rate 10-22% on the 4th day of incubation, 10% on the 7th day, and 0-12% on the 14th day in the concentration from 10((-6))M to 10((-5))M. All-trans retinoic acid inhibited cell growth rate less than 5% in the concentration less than 10((-5))M though the whole incubation period, but 42% on the 4th day, 37% on the 7th day, and 0% on the 14th day in the concentration of 10((-5))M. 13-cis retinoic acid inhibited cell growth rate 30% on the 4th day, 20% on the 7th and 14th day in the concentration between 10((-6))M and 10((-5))M. Alltrans retinoic acid inhibited cell growth rate less than 5% on the 4th and 7th day. Medulloblastoma cells showed growth inhibition more than 25% by all-trans and 13-cis retinoic acid in the concentration less than 10((-6))M. 13-cis retinoic acid showed 25% growth inhibition in the concentration above 10((-6))M, but all-trans retinoic acid showed 40% growht inhibition in the same concentration. CONCLUSION: We could not find the effect of retinoic acid in the glioblastoma cells due to variable responses of the tumor cell growth inhibition in the concentration of maximum tolerable dose. However, there ia a significant inhibitory effect of medulloblastoma cell proliferation both in the 13-cis and all-trans retinoic acid.
Apoptosis ; Brain Neoplasms ; Cell Culture Techniques* ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Chemoprevention ; Glioblastoma* ; Isotretinoin* ; Medulloblastoma* ; Neuroblastoma ; Tretinoin