GH concentration in plasma decline with age. GH and GH response to GHRH are influenced by sex hormones, thereby changing around the menopause. In several aspects, features of aging resemble those of a state of GH deficiency. It has been argued the declining GH function, along with other factors, might be a causal factor in osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate that postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomized rat could be prevented by rhGH. Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats(weight 140-200g) were devided 3 groups. Group 1(n=18) was sham operation; Group 2(n=18) was ovariectomized and received subcutaneous injection with 0.05 cc normal saline; Group 3(n=18) was ovariectomized and received subcutaneous injection with 0.2 IU rhGH. Group 2 and 3 were injected daily, 6 day per week. Each group was devided three subgroups(n=6) and were sacrificed at 6 week, 10 week, 14 week, respectively. Group 2 showed a significant increase in body weight, femur length, serum IGF-1 level, serum PICP and ICTP level at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks and a significant decrease in ash weight of tibia, width of bony spicules, at 14 weeks than Group 1. Group 3 demonstrated a significant increase in body weight, femur length, serum IGF-1, serum PICP and ITCP levels and a insignificant decrease in ash weight of tibia and width of bony spicules, at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks than Group 1. At 14 weeks, Group 3 showed a significant increase in serum IGF-1, Serum PTH, Serum PICP. From these data, we conclude that although rhGH administration leads to an activation of bone turnover and more stimulation of bone formation, it does not prevent a bone loss in ovariectomized rat.
Aging ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Female ; Femur ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Humans* ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Menopause ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis* ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; Ovariectomy ; Plasma ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tibia

The relaxed G-tolerances of 16 female cadets of ROKAF academy and 19 male privates were compared. The relaxed G-tolerance level was measured as visual endpoint (gray out or loss of peripheral light loss) during G-force raise steadily at 0.1 G/s. The G-stimulations were repeated twice with the interval of 30 s for 4 days (female cadets, 9 a.m.; male privates, 10 a.m.). The correlation between the relaxed G-tolerance level and their physical factor (height, sitting height, weight and lean body mass) and muscle strength (power of abdomen, back and thigh) was investigated. The average value of the relaxed G-tolerance levels of female cadets for 4 days was significantly higher than the one of male privates (4.23 +/-0.60, n=111; 4.04 +/-0.64, n=92; student 's t-test, P<0.05). However, the training effect of 4 days was not seen in either female cadet or male private group. The weight and lean body mass have significant positive correlation with the relaxed G-tolerance level. Also, the peak torque of thigh muscle have a strong positive correlation with it, but the endurance ratio does not.
Abdomen ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle Strength ; Thigh ; Torque

No abstract available.
Autonomic Pathways* ; Rectal Neoplasms* ; Urodynamics*

Unfortunately, we have poor knowledge of medical technology in North Korea. This study has thus attempted to identify the level and status of medical technology development through analyzing the contents of medical textbooks currently in use. This study has assumed that three factors are influencing the level and status of medical technology in a society ; the level of socio-economic development in general, the level of scientific technology revolution and health policy. Forty textbooks are collected for this purpose. The main findings are summarized as follows: 1) North Korea has strengths in that (1) its herb drugs, which are in a broad use, are cheaper, more safe and more attainable than bio-equivalent chemical ones, and (2) the development of its medical technology was carried out with emphasis on the practical and basic health needs. 2) North Korea has weaknesses in that (1) its medical diagnostic method largely depends on manual procedures, (2) the R & D investment in the development of chemical drugs, especially antibiotics, is very small, (3) the amount of medical equipments is in a absolute shortage, and (4) the medical technology is destitute of specialty, caused mainly by the overemphasis on Juche-Uihak or herb medicine. 3) Medical technology has two faces, positive and negative so that it cannot be successfully evaluated by one. It eventually acts a positive function for public health through developments of drug, equipment and new medical treatment method. But it is also true that it has negative effects such as the dehumanization of high cost medical technology, cost hike due to over-investments in expensive equipments, and the absence of wholistic care from overspecialization. 4) We have to consider economic status and the social needs of medical care in order to evaluate the medical technology of a society. It is also the ease with North Korea. A whole picture of the North Korean medical technology could be understood only if further comprehensive studies of medical technology are to be carried out for North Korea.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Dehumanization ; Democratic People's Republic of Korea* ; Health Policy ; Herbal Medicine ; Investments ; Public Health

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging*

No abstract available.
Spondylolisthesis*

No abstract available.
Fractures, Open*

Requirement of blood transfusion has been progressively increased and supplements by volunteer donor are not sufficient to their requirements. Moreover homologous blood transfusion are not supplied without risks, espcially the transmission of the serum hepatitis. Twenty procedures, including two total hip replacement arthroplasty, were carried out with acute hemodilutional autotransfusion. The results of this study show that autotransfusion is a safe method without difficulty of blood replacement in elective orthopedic procedures.
Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Blood Transfusion ; Blood Transfusion, Autologous ; Clinical Study ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Methods ; Orthopedic Procedures ; Orthopedics ; Tissue Donors ; Volunteers

Femoral Head fracture associated with posterior dislocation of the hip was once considered a rare industrial injury. However, the advant of high-speed travel has contributed to its increased incidence. Ten cases of fractured femoral head with posterior dislocation of the hip were treated at the Busan Paik Hospital between June 1979 and June 1982. During the same period, a total of 38 posterior hip dislocations were treated. The patients were followed for the average of 19.3 months, the range being 6 months to 3 years. There were 9 men and 1 woman the age ranged from 25 to 56 years. The fractures were classified according to Pipkin and the results were evaluated by Epsteins criteria. 1. The incidence of femoral head fracture was 26.3%, 10 cases of 38 posterior hip dislocations. 2. The better result was noted in open method than in closed method. 3. The absolute surgical indications were considered as followings. a. inadequate closed reduction of head fragment especially the large one. b. the involvement of weight bearing portion of femoral head. c. the hip joint pain caused by impingement of small fragment between joint space. 4. Arthrogram was helpful to find the concealed small fragment when the hip joint pain persisted with negative findings in ordinary x-ray.
Busan ; Dislocations ; Female ; Head ; Hip Dislocation ; Hip Joint ; Hip ; Humans ; Incidence ; Joints ; Male ; Methods ; Weight-Bearing

We have exprierienced 10 cases of pelvic bone fractures that were treated by Hoffmann's external fixation devices from June, 1979 to June, 1982. As a result, following advantages were noted; 1. Rapid recuction of pain, prevention of serious early complication, and easiness of nursing care were possible. 2. Late complications such as lumbosacral pain and gait disturbance could be preventable in majority of the patients, as well as shortening the duration of the hospitalization.
External Fixators ; Fracture Fixation ; Gait ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Nursing Care ; Pelvic Bones