No abstract available.
Ambulatory Care* ; Osteoarthritis*

Two typical cases of epithelioid sarcoma were examined by immunohistochemical stain using antibodies to epithelial membrane antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen, vimentin and cytokeratin. Both cases showed positive reactivity for the four kinds of antibodies. These results point to the fact that epithelioid sarcoma simultaneously expresses epithelial markers and characteristic mesenchymal phenotypes. Epithelioid sarcoma appears to be a tumor derived from a multipotential mesenchymal cell with multidirectional differentiation.
Antibodies ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Keratins ; Mucin-1 ; Phenotype ; Sarcoma* ; Vimentin

One of the commonest and most serious problems of the injured hand is flexion contractures of the fingers. Such deformities not only functionally impair the digit, but also reduce or restrict the functional capability of the entire hand. We reviewed 150 digits of 73 patients with flexion contractures of the fingers which had been treated at National Medical Center from Jan. 1976 to Dec. 1985. The results were as follows: 1. The duration of flexion contractures which were scattered from 4 months to 17 years and average duration of contracture was 20.6 months. 2. The methods of treatment were Z-plasty, adhesiolysis, capsulotomy, excision of both collateral ligaments, stripping of extensor mechanism and volar plate and release of flexor tendon sheath according to injury mechanism and duration of contracture. 3. The postoperative results showed up 32 (21.3%) excellent, 78 (52%) good, 24 (16%) fair and 16 (10.7%) poor. 4. The postoperative results of burned injury which showed up-8 excellent, 11 good out of 20 cases they are supposed to have satisfactory results. 5. Crushing injury which had intraarticular fracture or comminution show up unsatisfactory results. 6. It seems obvious that the early active motion of interphalangeal joint is important to improve joint function. 7. The arc of motion was retained in a more functional position postoperatively than preoperatively.
Burns ; Clinical Study ; Collateral Ligaments ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Contracture ; Fingers ; Hand ; Humans ; Intra-Articular Fractures ; Joints ; Tendons

To test the hypothesis that hyperinsulinemia and/or abnormalities of red cell membrane Na^+ transport are concerned in the pathogenesis of hypertension, we investigated the relationship between blood pressure, insulin level and red cell membrane Na^+ transport in patients with acromegaly which is frequently associated with hypertension, hyperinsulinemia and abnormalities of red cell membrane Na^+ transport.The results were as follows;1) BMI and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in patients with acromegaly than in control subjects.2) Fasting glucose and insulin levels were higher, and both serum glucose and insulin responses after a 75g glucose load were significantly increased in patients with acromegaly as compared with control subjects.3) Vmax of Na^+-Li^+ countertransport were significantly higher in patients with acromegaly than in control subjects while red cell Na^+ concentration and Vmax of Na^+, K^+ ATPase were similar in the two groups.4) In multiple stepwise regression analysis, age was directly correlated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in acromegaly. On the other hand both insulin level and red cell membrane Na^+ transport showed little correlation with either systolic or diastolic pressure. 5) Prevalence of hypertension in acromegaly was 39%(9 out of 23) and only age except for blood pressure was significantly higher in hypertensive acromegalic patients than in normotensive acromegalic patients while GH level, insulin levels and red cell membrane Na^+ transport were similar in the two groupsThese results suggest that hyperinsulinemia or abnormalities of red cell membrane Na^+ transport are not causally related to hypertension in patients with acromegaly.
Acromegaly ; Adenosine Triphosphatases ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Cell Membrane ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Hand ; Humans ; Hyperinsulinism ; Hypertension ; Insulin ; Prevalence

BACKGROUND: Scoring of atopic dermatitis has been a rather controversial issue in recent years, with scoring systems of varying complexity being advocated by different investigators. OBJECTIVE: It was the aim of this study to compare two of the most commonly used scoring methods in a clinical setting. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients diagnosed as having atopic dermatitis were evaluated using the Rajka & Langeland grade and the SCORAD, and the two scoring systems were compared with respect to the presence or absence of clinical and laboratory parameters of atopic dermatitis. RESULTS: The patients were composed of 22 males and 36 females, with an average age of 7.1 years. The average Rajka & Langeland grade was 6.1 (maximum, 9) and the SCORAD, 42.6 (maximum, 103). In both systems, the majority of the patients belonged to the moderate group; however, there was a relatively poor agreement between the two scoring systems in the assessment of overall severity of atopic dermatitis (kappa = 0.267). The SCORAD was better cor- related with the clinical and laboratory parameters, such as associated diseases, family history, smoking of the mother, contact with animal and high IgE level. CONCLUSION: The two scoring systems cannot be used interchangeably. The Rajka & Langeland grade is more ideal for quick, large surveys, and the SCORAD, for drug-effect studies or follow-up of progression of the disease. The SCORAD is the more useful system in relation to other clinical and laboratory aspects of atopic dermatitis.
Animals ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Male ; Mothers ; Research Design* ; Research Personnel ; Smoke ; Smoking

No abstract available.
Pregnancy*

We report a case of vulvar syringoma suggesting milia. A 20-year-old pregnant woman visited the obstetrical department of our hospital for labor pain. On physical examination, the skin lesions were revealed accidently and showed symmetrically distributed, numerous, 2-4mm sized, yellow to skin colored papules on the vulva. The lesions developed in the fifth gestational month and were aggravated thereafter. After delivery, we performed a skin biopsy of the lesion. Histopathologic findings of the biopsy specimen showed the typical findings of syringoma and milia.
Biopsy ; Female ; Humans ; Labor Pain ; Physical Examination ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women* ; Skin ; Skin Pigmentation ; Syringoma ; Vulva* ; Young Adult

In order to evaluate the confounding factors of neurobehavioral tests and the neurobehavioral effects in the workers exposed to organic solvents, NCTB was carried out on 100 workers. 46 workers had never been exposed to neurotoxic substances, and the others were being exposed to the solvents, mainly toluene. Simple reaction time, digit symbol, Santa Ana dexterity test and persuit aiming were different with age in non exposure group. Simple reaction time was carried out well in males, and digit symbol and persuit aiming were in females. There was no difference at educational level when the subject was educated over 12 years. Santa Ana dexterity and Benton visual test differed according to exposure level to toluene, however simple reaction time didn't. The acute neurotoxic effect was not excluded in this study. But, NCTB could be used to evaluate and prevent neurobehavioral changes in workers exposed to neurotoxic solvents in Korea.
Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Reaction Time ; Solvents* ; Toluene

In order to evaluate the effects of trichloroethylene (TCE) on the central and autonomic nervous system, the brain stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) and the electrocardiographic R-R interval variability (CV(rr)) were measured in three groups of workers (11) working in TCE degreasing process, workers (4) exposed to lead and two groups of workers (12) not exposed to any kinds of neurotoxicants. Two components of the CVrr reflecting parasympathetic activity (C-CV(rsa)) and sympathetic and parasympathetic activities (CCV(mwsa)) were examined. The TCE workers were exposed to TCE at the level of less than 1 hour per week while the degreasing material was changed. There were no differences in the latencies of BAEPS and CV(rr) and the components of the CV(rr) between control and TCE and lead groups. However, two lead workers had the blood lead level of less than 60 g/dl recommended as present biological guideline by the Ministry of Labor, showed the delayed latencies of V5 and I-V in BAEP. This results suggested that intermittent TCE erposure didn't affect the auditory nervous pathway and the autonomic nervous system, however, lead exposure might affect the central nervous system at the level of less than 60 g/dl in blood lead.
Autonomic Nervous System ; Brain Stem* ; Brain* ; Central Nervous System ; Electrocardiography ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem* ; Trichloroethylene*

No abstract available.
Glomerulonephritis, IGA* ; Immunoglobulin A*