No Abstract Available.
Blepharoplasty*

There remains many difficult problems for plastic surgeons when they try to reconstruct soft tissue defect, especially defect on lower extremity with poor vascularity. We experienced two kinds of artificial dermis, Alloderm (LifeCell Corporation, USA) and Terudermis(Terumo, Japan). We applied them for 12 patients from October 1998 to May 1999. Their wounds had various causes. The authors debrided the necrotic tissue and got the artificial dermis soaked enough in saline. After fixing the artificial dermis with suture fixation, thin STSG was harvested. Applying the thin STSG on artificial dermis and Tie-over dressing were done to prevent mobilization. From our experience we had several suggestions to keep in mind. Preoperatively, you have to decrease the discharge with frequent dressing change. Intraoperativeiy, in order to avoid the mobilizaion between the artificial dermis and STSG, you have to fix them well with suture fixation. Postoperatively, the larger is the exposed bone or tendon, the longer the splint applying time is required. Nine patients out of 12 patients(75%) had no problem. Three patients underwent partial loss. Two patients suffered from infection or rough dressing. One patient failed due to careless mobilization before the artificial dermis is completely settled. The authors recommend to appky the artificial dermis rather than more aggressive procedures when the wound size is smaller than 2 x 4 cm with bone or tendon exposure. The authors think that the artificial dermis is also very useful to prevent postoperative scar contracture.
Bandages ; Cicatrix ; Contracture ; Dermis* ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Splints ; Sutures ; Tendons ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.
HLA-DR Antigens* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Polyamines*

A pulmonary arteriovenous fistula is an uncommon malformation. In pregnancy altered hemodynamics and hormones cause changes in a PAVM(pulmonary arteriovenous malformation) that predispose them to deterioration. Therefore, a PAVM can cause serious and life-threatening complications in pregnancy. Death ofter results from a cerebral abscess and a rupture of the malformation with a massive hemorrhage. Recently, we experienced a case of a multiple PAVM in pregnang 38 year old woman, which could not be obseved in the old chest PA, 1 year age. The PAVM was confirmed by CT and was angiography and treated by percutaneous embolization. The patient is suspected to have HHT (Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia)
Adult ; Angiography ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Arteriovenous Malformations* ; Brain Abscess ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Pregnancy* ; Rupture ; Thorax

Neurothekeoma is a relatively uncommon tumor of nerve sheath origin. Most of these tumors are benign and malignant transformation was not reported. Usually, these tumors arise during childhood or early adulthood life with female preponderance. They have a predilection for the head, neck and shoulder region but any part of the body may be affected. Their usual size is between 0.5-3.0 cm. Rapid growth and ulceration are rare, and local recurrence tends to occur after incomplete excision. We report a case of neurothekeoma developed in the scalp of a 21-year-old woman. It was first noticed about 1year ago. This mass had been increasing in size slowly. On physical examination, 2 x 1.5 cm sized papule with localized alopecia was identified on the frontal scalp area. It was excised in 5.5 x 3.6 cm. The histologic finding of the lesion showed that lobules, fascicles or rests of spindle shaped or epitheloid cells in a myxoid of mucosubstance. The tumor cells were positive for S-100 and vimentin but showed negative for EMA, cytokeratin, desmin, actin and HMB45. After surgical excision of tumor, split-thickness skin graft was done. Three months after the operation, rectangular shape tissue expander (180 cc Sebbin(R)) was inserted on both sides of the previous wound. After removal of tissue expander, the wound closed with local flap. The patient did not have any evidence of recurrence for 6 months.
Actins ; Alopecia ; Desmin ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Keratins ; Neck ; Neurothekeoma* ; Physical Examination ; Recurrence ; Scalp* ; Shoulder ; Skin ; Tissue Expansion Devices ; Transplants ; Ulcer ; Vimentin ; Wounds and Injuries ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: P wave dispersion(PWD) is defined as the difference between the maximum and minimal P wave duration in any of the 12 leads of the surface ECG. The prolongation of atrial conduction time and the inhomogeneous propagation of sinus impulse are known electrophysiologic features in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(PAF). The purpose of this study was to determine the role of P wave dispersion for the prediction of PAF and to evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic antiarrhythmic therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population included 20 patients with a history of idiopathic PAF and 20 age and sex matched healthy control subjects. We measured the maximum P wave duration(P maximum) and P wave dispersion from 12 lead ECG. RESULTS: P maximum and P dispersion in idiopathic PAF were significantly higher than normal control group(97.2+/-12, 48.5+/-9msec vs, 76.5+/-11, 21+/-8msec, respectively p<0.001, <0.001). After 12-month follow up period P maximum and P dispersion were significantly reduced than those of initial state(77.2+/-13, 26.4+/-9msec vs. 97.2+/-12, 48.5+/-9msec, respectively p<0.001,<0.001). CONCLUSION: P dispersion and P maximum were significantly different between patients with idiopathic PAF and healthy control group. Those are easily accessible, non-invasive simple electrocadiographic markers that could be used for the prediction and prognostic factors of idiopathic PAF.
Atrial Fibrillation* ; Electrocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between obesity and psychopathology of inpatients with schizophrenia. METHODS: Eighty four inpatients with schizophrenia and 81 control subjects were recruited. Height and weight were measured for calculation of body mass index (BMI). Symptom severity scales [Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale] and Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF) were conducted in all patients. Comorbid medical conditions, years of education, smoking status, age of onset, duration of illness, and medication history were collected. RESULTS: Patients with schizophrenia had significantly higher BMI and ratio of obesity than control subjects. Among patients, obese patients scored lower on symptom severity scales and better on functional assessment than not obese patients. Multiple regression analysis revealed an association of late onset and being obese with lower PANSS total score and better GAF score in patients. Late onset and being female were inversely related with negative symptom score. The type and dose of antipsychotics showed no association with obesity. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that patients with schizophrenia are likely to be more obese. Some characteristics of patients with less severe psychopathology, such as late onset, being obese, were coincident with the result of previous studies. In addition, the result showing that the heavier the weight of patients, the lower severity of symptoms was repeatedly reported in previous studies. The type and dose of antipsychotics were not associated with obesity. These results prompt further investigation of the relationship among schizophrenia, antipsychotics, and weight gain.
Age of Onset ; Antipsychotic Agents ; Body Mass Index ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Inpatients* ; Obesity* ; Psychopathology* ; Schizophrenia* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Weight Gain ; Weights and Measures

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Genes, Retinoblastoma* ; Retinoblastoma*

Recombinant human-interferon-gamma (rH-IFN-gamma) and verapamil (VRP), either alone or in combination, were evaluated in MTT assay for their modification effects on adriamycin-induced cytotoxicity against MKN-45, human stomach adenocarcinoma cells. VRP as a single agent did not inhibit the survival of MKN-45 at doses of up to 5.0 micrograms/ml. The survival of MKN-45 was inhibited by rH-IFN-gamma dose-dependently and further inhibited by the addition of VRP. However, the maximum growth inhibition of MKN-45 in any combination treatment with rH-IFN-gamma and VRP was less than 50% except in the highest concentration combinations (% survival: 47.9% at 10(4) U/ml of rH-IFN-gamma and 3.0 micrograms/ml of VRP). Adriamycin caused a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity and its cytotoxicity was significantly enhanced by the addition of rH-IFN-gamma and further enhanced by the combined use of rH-IFN-gamma and VRP. The modification effects of rH-IFN-gamma and VRP on adriamycin-induced cytotoxicity were evaluated in terms of modification index (MI), demonstrating that rH-IFN-gamma significantly increased in adriamycin-induced cytotoxicity and that the combined use of rH-IFN-gamma and VRP enhanced the adriamycin-induced cytotoxicity to a greater extent than did rH-IFN-gamma alone: MI values at 10(2) U/ml and 10(3) U/ml of rH-IFN-gamma were 1.7 and 3.1, respectively; those at 1.5 micrograms/ml and 3.0 micrograms/ml of VRP in the presence of 10(3) U/ml of rH-IFN-gamma were 4.4 and 6.0, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adenocarcinoma/*drug therapy/pathology ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/pharmacology ; Cell Survival/drug effects ; Doxorubicin/*pharmacology ; Drug Interactions ; Drug Resistance ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma/*pharmacology ; Recombinant Proteins ; Stomach Neoplasms/*drug therapy/pathology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Verapamil/*pharmacology