BACKGROUND: Mechanisms of secondary injury (post-ischemic injury) in the central nervous system have cently reported in a vast of amount of experiments. Among many factors which give rise to post-ischemic neuronal damage, glial deterioration probably mediated by calcium paradox, could be another of the aggravating deleterious factars to the already ischemic neurophil. METHODS: Here we have designed experiment to investigate calcium paradox in astroglial cell line, humsn asttocytoma U1242MG. Intracellular calcium alterations in experimental cells were monitored by using calcium indicating dye fura-2 and epifluorescent photometry system. RESULTS: Intracellular free calcium changes during reperfusion phase after exposure to low calcium led to a prampt increase in intracellular calcium level after 10 and 30 minutes. The way of calcium entry during the reperfusion phase was mediated by the revase mode of Na+/Ca(2+) exchanger. Cells that had a reduction of reperfusate calcium to 10 uM increased cell viability. Also we observed an inverse relationship between major enzymatic activity in the astrocytoma cells (i.e., glutamine synthetase activity) and the duration of reperfusion in the the same protocols. CONCLUSIONS: A relatively small amount of intracellular calcium increase by the reverse mode of Na+/Ca(2+) exchanger during the reperfusion period is related to a limitation of enzyme activity and viability 24 hours later.
Anesthesia* ; Astrocytoma ; Brain ; Calcium ; Capnography* ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; Central Nervous System ; Fura-2 ; Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase ; Ions ; Neuroglia ; Neurons ; Photometry ; Reperfusion

Although some employees working for Seoul Metropolitan Subway Cooperation are working at the noisy workplaces, they has been excluded from Special Periodic Health Examination Program. And some workers complained of hearing loss or tinnitus. So, this study was carried out to investigate the prevalence rate of Noise Induced Hearing Loss of employees(10,792) working for Seoul Metropolitan Subway Cooperation. The number of subjects were total 10,792 with 10,355 men and 437 women. A questionnaire survey, otological examination, Rinne test, pure tone audiometric tests were performed and through the first and second screening audiometric examination, 605 workers were selected after excluding employees with past otologic problems, recent exposure to high level noise, and under medications. and the results were as follow; 1. Among 10,792 workers, 4 workers(0.037%) diagnosed as NIHL and 601 workers(5.56%) as early NIHL. As workers grew older, the prevalence rate of NIHL and early NIHL became more rising. 2. The prevalence rate of NIHL and early NIHL was different between work site. After age adjustment, The prevalence rate of NIHL and early NIHL was 23.74% in Train repairmen{80dB(A)}, 3.1% in Station staffs{below 70dB(A)}, 2.53% in Train crew{below 70dB(A)}, 2.1% in Office workers. 3. The perception rate of necessities of ear plug in NIHL and early NIHL was below 55% and wearing rate of ear plug in NIHL and early NIHL was 1.1% In conclusion, some employees who was under working environment in Seoul Metropolitan Subway Cooperation should be monitored to prevent hearing impairment and would be needed health education.
Ear ; Female ; Health Education ; Hearing Loss* ; Hearing* ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Noise* ; Prevalence ; Railroads* ; Seoul* ; Tinnitus ; Workplace ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Compartment syndrome of the thigh is a rare condition and usually occurs in the anterior compartment. It is frequently caused by muscle injury, femur fracture, muscle overuse and vessel injury, but there have been few reports about posterior thigh compartment syndrome caused by pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery after fixation of distal femoral fracture with the retrograde intramedullary nail. We report a case of posterior thigh compartment syndrome caused by pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery, and report the clinical progression and result of our case.
Aneurysm, False* ; Compartment Syndromes* ; Femoral Fractures* ; Femur ; Popliteal Artery* ; Thigh*

PURPOSE: This study was to search the optimal slice thickness of computed tomography (CT) in an intensity modulated radiation therapy plan through changing the slice thickness and comparing the change of the calculated absorbed dose with measured absorbed dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An intensity modulated radiation therapy plan for a head and neck cancer patient was done, first of all. Then CT with various ranges of slice thickness (0.125~1.0 cm) for a head and neck anthropomorphic phantom was done and the images were reconstructed. The plan parameters obtained from the plan of the head and neck cancer patient was applied into the reconstructed images of the phantom and then absorbed doses were calculated. Films were inserted into the phantom, and irradiated with 6 MV X-ray with the same beam data obtained from the head and neck cancer patient. Films were then scanned and isodoses were measured with the use of film measurement software and were compared with the calculated isodeses. RESULTS: As the slice thickness of CT decreased, the volume of the phantom and the maximum absorbed dose increased. As the slice thickness of CT changed from 0.125 to 1.0 cm, the maximum absorbed dose changed ~5%. The difference between the measured and calculated volume of the phantom was small (3.7~3.8%) when the slice thickness of CT was 0.25 cm or less. The difference between the measured and calculated dose was small (0.35~1.40%) when the slice thickness of CT was 0.25 cm or less. CONCLUSION: Because the difference between the measured and calculated dose in a head and neck phantom was small and the difference between the measured and calculated volume was small when the slice thickness of CT was 0.25 cm or less, we suggest that the slice thickness of CT should be 0.25 cm or less for an optimal intensity modulated radiation therapy plan.
Head ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Humans ; Neck

A 51 year-old male was admitted to our hospital complaining of right lower abdominal mass. Physical examination revealed nonpalpable right testicle in the scrotum. Echogram and CT scan of abdomen revealed a well defined round mass in the right lower abdomen. Exploration was performed under the suspicion of abdominal cryptorchid testicular tumor, and the mass was resected completely. The mass was 9X7X4cm in size and l90gm in weight, and cut surface of it showed yellowish-white spherical tumor nodules. Histological examination revealed seminoma. Postoperative right pelvic and retroperitoneal irradiation was performed under the diagnosis of seminoma of stage I. Here we report a case of seminoma developed in abdominal cryptorchid testis.
Abdomen ; Cryptorchidism ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Physical Examination ; Scrotum ; Seminoma* ; Testis* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Pneumatic retinopexy was introduced by Hilton in 1986, and this methed is a recently described procedure used for the treatment of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. A gas bubble is injected into the vitreous cavity so that the bubble closes the retinal break, permitting resorption of subretinal fluid. A chorioretinal adhesion formed around the break by cryotherapy or laser photocoagulation secures the retina in place. Indication of pneumatic retinopexy in A Two-step Outpatient Operation Without Conjuntival Incision described by Hilton in 1986 is retinal detachments secondary to one break or group of breaks no larger than 1 o'clock hour located within the superior 8 o'clock hours of the fundus. The ocular conditions of the 26 cases included in this study were proliferative vitreoretinopathy C1, C2, aphakia, multiple breaks in multiple quadrants, extensive retinal detachment more than 3 quadrants in size, pseudophakia. The overall success rate for primary pneumatic retinopexy was 73.1%(19 eyes). The greatest number of failure were due to delayed absorption of subretinal fluid (5 eyes). With subsequent procedure, 7 eyes that failed with primary pneumatic retinopexy were reattached.
Absorption ; Aphakia ; Cryotherapy ; Humans ; Light Coagulation ; Outpatients ; Pseudophakia ; Retina ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinal Perforations ; Subretinal Fluid ; Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative

The authors report a case of reactive arthritis that was caused by sexual contact as below example. A 36-year-old male visited our center due to sudden pain in wrist joint, the 3rd finger, knee joint, and achilles tendon. There were no specific abnormalities for the immunoserologic tests and magnetic resonance imaging; however, we found a positive test result for the polymerase chain reaction test of urine that identified Chlamydia trachomatis. Through considering the patient's medical history and various examinations, we considered the possibility of reactive arthritis, to the exclusion of alternate diagnosis. According to the our diagnosis, the patient was treated with antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and we found that the patient was getting better. Therefore the authors think that we have to contemplate the possibility of reactive arthritis and treat appropriately in patients with similar symptoms.
Achilles Tendon ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Arthritis, Reactive ; Chlamydia ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; Fingers ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Wrist Joint

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between the varus appearance and the axial alignment of the lower extremity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The axial alignments of the lower extremities of 46 normal male adults (volunteers) were measured from the radiographs and compared with the reports for Caucasians, and between the groups divided according to their subjective appearance. RESULTS: The femorotibial mechanical angle was 177.4+/-2.4degrees and the medial obliquity of the knee was 94.3+/-2.0degrees, which were the varus compared with the reported reference points. In the group containing those with the subjective varus appearance of the lower extremities, the femorotibial mechanical angle and the medial obliquity of the knee and ankle joint were the varus, and the metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle was greater than in the group containing those with the subjective straight appearance of the lower extremity (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The axial alignment of the lower extremities of young male adult Korean is the varus, and the subjective varus appearance of the lower extremity is related to the varus axial alignment.
Adult ; Ankle Joint ; Humans ; Knee ; Lower Extremity* ; Male

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to establish a measurement standard for the weight-bearing axial alignment of the lower extremities when performing a lower extremity reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 274 patients (147 males and 127 females) in their 20s to 30s without any physical disabilities, and who had undergone weight-bearing full leg standing radiographs, 188 patients (100 males and 88 females) were examined this study. The data was analyzed further according to their age and gender using the radiographic value on the coronal and sagittal alignment of the lower extremities. RESULTS: The weight bearing ratio was 38.47+/-10.52% on the coronal plane and 36.11+/-7.88% on the sagittal plane. Both the mechanical axis and the the weight bearing axis were not identical due to their 0.68+/-0.89degrees difference on average. The most adjacent point of the femoral condyles to the tibial plateau on the sagittal plane was assigned to the center of the knee joint. The difference between the mechanical axis and weight bearing axis was 0.04degrees, which was not significant. CONCLUSION: There is a difference between the mechanical axis, which consists of both a line from the center of the femoral head to the center of knee joint and a line from the center of the knee joint to the center of ankle joint, and the weight bearing axis, which is linked directly from the center of the femoral head to the center of the ankle joint. Furthermore, the weight bearing axis passes through the anteromedial part in the knee joint. The center of the knee joint is defined as the most adjacent point of both femoral condyle to the tibial plateau on the sagittal plane.
Adult ; Ankle Joint ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Head ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Leg ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Weight-Bearing

Cutaneous Müllerian cyst (CMC) is a rare benign cystic lesion that typically occurs on the lower extremity of young females shortly after puberty. They have been widely regarded as Müllerian heterotopias due to the morphological similarities of the cyst lining cells to the epithelium of the fallopian tubes. A 16-year-old female presented with a two-year history of a solitary, subcutaneous mass involving the left ankle. She had no specific symptoms associated with the skin lesion. However, the lesion had been growing in size. Histopathological findings revealed cystic structures lined by pseudostratified ciliated cuboidal to columnar cells, accompanying intraluminal papillary projection. The immunohistochemical staining profiles, including positive staining for estrogen and progesterone receptors, were characteristic of the fallopian tube epithelium. After being surgically removed, the lesion was cured without recurrence. Based on her typical presentation and histopathological findings, we present this patient as a case of CMC.