Alzheimer's disease(AD) is associated with a characteristic neuropathology. The major hallmarks of AD are senile plaques(SPs) and neurofibrillary tangles(NFTs). beta-amyloid protein(Abeta) is derived from the proteolysis of amyloid precursor protein(APP) and then converted to SPs. Mature SPs produce cytotoxicity through direct toxic effects and activation of microglia and complement. NFTs are composed of paired helical filaments(PHFs) including abnormally phosphorylated form of the microtubule-associated protein(MAP) tau and increased tau level in cerebrospinal fluid may be observed in most AD. The aggregation of Abeta and tau formation are thought to be a final common pathway of AD. Acetycholine, dopamine, serotonin, GABA and their receptors are associated with AD. Especially, decreased nicotinic acetylcholine receptors(nAChRs) in AD are reported. Genetic lesions associated with AD are mutations in the structural genes for the APP located on chromosome 21, presenilin(PSN)1 located on chromosome 14 and PSN2 located on chromosome 1. Also, trisomy 21, Apo-E gene located on chromosome 19, PMF locus, low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein and alpha-macroglobulin increase risk of AD. In this article, we will review about the neurobioloby of AD and some newly developed research areas.
Acetylcholine ; Alzheimer Disease* ; Amyloid ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; Apolipoproteins E ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 ; Complement System Proteins ; Dopamine ; Down Syndrome ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Genetics ; Lipoproteins ; Microglia ; Neurobiology* ; Proteolysis ; Serotonin

Herpes zoster is generally believed to be caused by the activation of varicella-zoster virus present in the body since an original infection with varicella. According to the thesis, the virus remairis in a latent state in the cells of the sensory ganglia until immunity has waned sufficiently to pezmit multiplication of the virus and clinical infection. There are a number of reports that in patient with malignant disease, especially Jymphoma, a frequenry af association of zoster is greater and severity of its symptom is increased to be marked contrast to the benign uneventful course of zoster seen in healthy person. The author observed one case of zoster seen in patient with malignant disorder, and frequency of association of zoster in malignant disease and its etiological factors are reviewed in the literature.
Chickenpox ; Ganglia, Sensory ; Herpes Zoster* ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin*

A seroepidemiologic observation of anti-Spirometra erinacei plerocerciod (sparganum) antibody (IgG) in serum was made in normal adult and epileptic patients in Korea from February 1987 to September 1990. Sera were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-spaganum antibody together with anti-Taenia solium metacestode, and anti-Paragonimus westermani antibodies. Sera reacted positively to sparganum antigen only were considered. Positive rate for anti-sparganum antibody in 850 normal adults was 1.9% (standardized rate by provincial population was 1.7%). In 2,667 randomly selected patients of epilepsy at 28 local centers of the Changmi Club, positive rate was 2.5%(standardized rate: 2.3%). In both normal adult and patient groups, the higher antibody rates were observed in Kangwon and Chonnam province. Positive rates were 10 times higher in male than in female in normal adults and 4.5 times in male epileptic patients. The rates were elevated especially with age over 30-year. Odd ratio of the antibody was 1.32 which indicated an ambiguous etiologic factor for epilepsy.
parasitology-helminth-cestoda

In order to discover difference that may exist in quantity of medical care services, length of stay and hospital changes between insured and non-insured patients, records for primary Cesarean section patients discharged between July 1978 and June 1980 from a university hospital were examined. In addition, Cesarean section rates among the total deliveries for a two-year period between the groups were studied. The results showed that volume of services was greater and length of stay was longer among the insured, however, charges were higher among the non-insured. Cesarean section rates were statistically significantly different between insured and non-insured patients for every age group except the group of 35 or more.
Cesarean Section* ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Pregnancy

To assess the proportion of spectacles-wearing and an aspect of familial aggregation of myoptic spectacles-wearing and to observe the birth cohort for myoptic spectacles-wearing, a nationwide self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted from March 11 to September 19, 1985. A probability sample of 13,346 persons was taken from 180 enumerated districts designated by the fifth nationwide tuberculosis prevalence survey from Korean Institute of Tuberculosis. The major findings of this survey are as follows: 1) Total of 62.5% of the study population lived in urban area whereas 37.5% lived in Eup-Myun area. There was statistically significant difference in age and sex distribution between two residential area. 2) The percentage of spectacles-wearing was 8.3% and among these, myoptic and hyperoptic spectacles were 6.0%, 2.3%, respectively. A total of 8.8% of the male study population wore spectacles and this was slightly higher than the female (8.0%). 3) Among the occupational groups, students were the highest myoptic spectacles-wearing group whereas professionals were the highest hyperoptic spectacles-wearing group. 4) The proportion of myoptic spectacles-wearing was higher in female students than in male students respectively 11.6%, 8.7%. There was an increasing tendency of spectacles-wearing as age increased. 5) The age-sex adjusted prevalence rate of myoptic spectacles-wearing by residential areas was 2 times higher in urban area than Eup-Myun area. 6) A wearing of the myoptic spectacles in early age was observed in recent birth cohort than remote birth cohort. 7) There was a tendency of familial aggregation for myoptic spectacles-wearing. The proportion of myoptic spectacles-wearing was 6 times higher for those who had parents wearing spectacles. 8) 60.9% of the total myoptic spectacles-wearing persons received the eye-specialist's order and 44.9% for the hyperoptic spectacles wearing.
Cohort Studies ; Eyeglasses ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Occupational Groups ; Parents ; Parturition ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sampling Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Tuberculosis

No abstract available.
Muscle, Smooth* ; Renin* ; Renin-Angiotensin System*

For prevention of limitation of range of motion due to arthrofibrosis of the knee joint after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, it is accepted in general that the operation should be delayed for about three weeks after injury. We studied the duration form operation to time of full range of motion, and analized the results in forty-eight patients who had undergone arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament recostruction using the autologous bone-patella tendon-bone graft and early CPM, range of motion exercise during Feb. 1991 and June 1994. The results were as follows: 1. The average interval from injury to operation were 1.3 weeks in acute injury group, 6 weeks in subacute injury group and 20.7 months in chronic group. The average interval from operation to full range of motion were 7.1 weeks in acute injury group, 5.7 weeks in subacute injury group and 3.0 weeks in chronic group. 2. In acute injury group, 14(93.3%) of 15 cases showed full extesion and only 1 case(6.7%) showed the limitation of extension less than 5 degrees. In subacute injury group, 6(85.7%) of 7 cases showed full extension but1 case(14.3%) showed the limitation of extension less than 5 degrees. On the other hand in the chronic injury group, all the 26 cases(100%) of the patients showed full extension. 3. In acute injury group, 14(93.3%) of 15 cases showed full flexion and only 1 cases(6.7%) showed the limitatin of flexion less than 5 degrees. In subacute injury group, 6(85.7%) of 7 cases showed full flexion but 1 case(14.3%) showed the limitation of flexion less than 5 degrees. On the other hand in the chronic injury group, 23(88.5%) of 26 cases could flex to full range of flexion, and 3 cases(11.5%) revealed limitation of flexion less than 5 degrees. 4. The limitation of ROM mainly due to arthrofibrosis can be prevented by early range of motion execise and active rehabilitation in the acute or chronic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the autograft bone-patella-bone graft. Although in acute patients the interval from operation to full ROM can be prolonged, the full ROM can be achieved after all.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Autografts ; Hand ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Patella ; Patellar Ligament ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Alcoholics* ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis(OA) has become one of the most important medical problem among the old age because it causes severe functional disability, but, up to date, the therapeutic methods for OA have not been so satisfactory to the patients with OA. Authors have investigated the effectiveness of intramuscular stimulation(IMS) therapy as an substitutive therapy for the relief of pain and dysfunction in patients with OA of the knee. METHODS: Eighteen patients who had visited the department of family medicine, Korea university anam hospital, with symptomatic OA of the knee during the period from March 1 to May 31. 2001 were included in this study and treated with IMS therapy on the quadriceps and hamstring muscles four times during two weeks. Patients self-scored Korean Western Ontario and McMaster universities Osteoarthritis Index (KWOMAC) at baseline and after the last therapy. The result was analysed by paired t-test and ANOVA. RESULT: Patients improved on KWOMAC scales for pain, stiffness, function and total scores after IMS therapy(p<0.05). The demographic characteristics such as body mass index (BML), duration of disease, affected site, radiologic finding did not have influence on the result of this study. No adverse effects of IMS therapy were reported. CONCLUSION: In this study, the improvement of pain, stiffness, and function of knee joint after treatment was reported. This study suggest that IMS is an effective and safe substitutive therapy for patients with OA of Knee.
Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Knee Joint* ; Knee* ; Korea ; Muscles ; Ontario ; Osteoarthritis* ; Weights and Measures

Anomalous origin of coronary artery is a relatively rare disordes which is often associated with hypertension and valvular geart desease and in some instances lead to sudden death.Among 1,100 patients who underwent diagnosis coronary angiography at Yonsei Uiversity Medical Center, severance hospital, we found 2 patients with anomalous aortic origin of coronary arteries.In one patient, single coronary artery originated from ascending aorta 1.5cm above the left aortic sinus and in another patient, the origin of the orifice of the right coronary artery separately from the left aortic sinus.
Aorta ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Sinus of Valsalva