This study was performed in order to evaluate the sero-epidemiological status of toxoplasmosis in pregnant Korean women. Among 5, 175 sera and 750 amniotic fluid samples obtained from pregnant women, 41 serum samples (0.79%) and 10 (1.33%) amniotic fluid samples tested positive for IgG antibodies by ELISA. Fifty one cases showing a score more than 0.25 on ELISA were tested for PCR reaction against the SAG1 gene. Only one case of the 51 ELISA positive cases exhibited a positive reaction on all tests. This case had a history of acute nephropyelitis during early pregnancy, but fortunately, had delivered a phenotypically healthy baby. In this study, the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women was found to be comparatively low, consistent with previous reports from Korea. However our trials, performed with a variety of diagnostic tools, were considered to be useful for the precise diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis.
Adult ; Animals ; Antibodies, Protozoan/*blood ; Female ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications/diet therapy/*epidemiology ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Toxoplasma/*immunology ; Toxoplasmosis/*epidemiology

The metastatic malignant tumor of the hand is rare condition, and has difficulty in diagnosis at presentation due to simulating other diseases such as osteomyelitis, felon, paronychia, rheumatoid arthritis, and so forth. The treatment of them is very limited and the prognosis is poor. We experienced and going to report two cases of metastaic tumor of the hand, one was from rectal cancer which associated with rheumatoid arthritis and another was from brochogenic carcinoma.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Diagnosis ; Hand* ; Osteomyelitis ; Paronychia ; Prognosis ; Rectal Neoplasms

No abstract available.
Fetal Blood* ; Growth Hormone* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I* ; Somatomedins* ; Umbilical Cord*

An appreciation of the radiation changes in the brain adjacent to radiated glioma is of considerable importance from both clinical and pathological standpoint because the alteration in the brain parenchyma may result in a picture that mimics recurrence of the neoplasm. A 35 years old woman was admitted because of deterioration of consciousness which has started about 20 days ago. Past history revealed removal of left frontal brain tumor 4 years earlier and the diagnosis was grade II astroma. Postoperative radiation was done at that time. Sine then, she has been doing well. Computerized tomogram showed an ill defined huge low density mass at right frontal and left posterior parietal areas, which was irregularly enhanced in postcontrast study. Unlikely to the usual brain tumors, there was no mass effect on adjacent structures. Histologically acellular necrotic zone was alternating with hypercellular zone and most striking changes were vascular and glial reaction. Most of the vessels showed acellular hyliane thickening of their wall and some vessels were almost completely occluded. There was marked glial proliferation with considerable cellular and nuclear irregularities. Gemistocytic astrocytes were frequently seen and some were multinucleated.
Female ; Humans

The authors have reviewed 11 cases of prosthetic replacement for severe proximal humeral fractures which were treated from March 1989 to December 1993, paying particular attention to the range of motion attained after surgery and the factors which influence the limitation of shoulder motion. The results of this study were as follows: l. Among the 11 cases, 10 cases showed sttisfactory pain relief. 2. Active motion of the shoulder averaged 91° of forward flexion, 72.8° of abduction and 35° of external rotation. 3. The humeral offset averaged 30.9mm in normal shoulder and 18.9mm in affected shoulder. 4. In 6 cases which the humeral offset measured over 20mm, active motion averaged 104° of forward flexion and 83° of abduction and 5 cases showed satisfactory results. 5. In 5 cases which the humeral offset measured under 20mm, active motion averaged 104° of forward flexion and 83 of abduction and 5 cases showed unsatisfactory results. 6. Prosthetic replacements were performed within 1 week after injury in 7 cases and among these 5 cases showed satisfactory results. The range of motion after prosthetic replacement for severe proximal humeral fracture was disappointing. We concluded that limited range of motion is mainly due to reduced humeral offset and restoration of humeral offset by appropriate reattachment of greater tuberosity will allow better clinical result.
Range of Motion, Articular ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Fractures

The Sjogren-Larsson syndrome is genetically determined syndrome with autosomal recessive inheritence and characterized by the three cardinal signs: congenital ichthyosis, spastic di/tetraplegia, and mental retardation. Ocular signs include ectropion, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, and macular glistening spot. The authors have experienced a case of Sjogren-Larsson syndrome that showed classical triad and macular glistening spot in a 16 month old boy.
Blepharitis ; Conjunctivitis ; Ectropion ; Humans ; Ichthyosis ; Infant ; Intellectual Disability ; Keratitis ; Male ; Muscle Spasticity ; Sjogren-Larsson Syndrome*

No abstract available.
Hypothyroidism*

BACKGROUND: We have found abnormal expression of ICAM-1 in thyroid follicular cells from patients with Graves disease and Hashimoto disease. In this report, we present the hormonal regulation of ICAM-1 mRNA expression and the primary structure of 5-regulatory region which is important for transcriptional regulation of ICAM-1 gene. A I.S kb fragment of the 5-regulatory sequences are identified and linked to luciferase as a reporter. METHOD: Those reporter constructs were used to evaluate the expression in response to cytokines and hormones. Deletion analysis of 1.8 kb fragment of ICAM-1 promoter in FRTL-5 cells provide the evidence for the existence of several regulatory elements of enhancer and silencer in ICAM-1 gene transcription in thyroid cells. RESULTS: ICAM-1 mRNA is easily detected by Northern analysis using total RNA from FRTL-5 cells regardless of culture conditions. The transcripts of rat ICAM-1 showed single band of 2.6 kb in length. The FRT cells which was come from early FRTL cell culture did not show ICAM-1 mRNA with usual Northern analysis, We found differential regulation of ICAM-1 RNA level in different culture condition in FRTL-5 cells, The cells maintained at 3H (no hydrocortisone, no insulin, no TSH) condition showed the highest expression level compared to 4H, 5H, or 6H medium. Hydrocortisone markedly decreased the ICAM-1 RNA and insulin partially recovered the hydrocortisone induced repression. TSH which is important in growth and function of FRTL-5 cells could independently downregulate the ICAM-1 RNA levels. Forskolin (10 mM) could mimic the action of TSH on ICAM-1 mRNA. TNF-a and interferon-y increase ICAM-1 expression in FRTL-5 thyroid cells. TSH/forskolin inhibited maximal expression of ICAM-1 by TNF-a and interferon-r. Promoter activity of the ICAM-1 gene was positively regulated by cytokines, TNF-a and IFN-r and negatively regulated by thyroid stimulating hormone. The addition of TSH and FSK caused a 50% decrease in ICAM-1 promoter activity within 24 hour. The TSH and FSK action was mapped at 175 bp and 97 bp of the start of translation. The mutant construct pCAM-175 delGAS which has no GAS sequence showed no TSH mediated suppression of promoter activity. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that hormones and cytokines differentially regulated the ICAM-1 gene expression and TSH downregulated ICAM-1 gene transcription by inhibiting the activation of IFN-r induced transcription factors which can bind the GAS of ICAM-1 promoter.
Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Clone Cells* ; Cloning, Organism* ; Colforsin ; Cytokines ; Gene Expression ; Graves Disease ; Hashimoto Disease ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Insulin ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1* ; Luciferases ; Rats* ; Repression, Psychology ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyrotropin ; Transcription Factors

OBJECTIVE: Spinal instrumentation without fusion often fails due to biological failure of intervertebral joints (spontaneous fusion, degeneration, etc). The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of fixation rigidity on viability of intervertebral joints. METHODS: Twenty pigs in growing period were subjected to posterior segmental fixation. Twelve were fixed with a rigid fixation system(RF) while eight were fixed with a flexible unconstrained implant(FF). At the time of the surgery, a scoliosis was created to monitor fixation adequacy. The pigs were subjected to periodic radiological examinations and 12pigs (six in RF, six in FF) were euthanized at 12-18months postoperatively for analysis. RESULTS: The initial scoliotic curve was reduced from 31+/-5degrees to 27+/-8degrees in RF group (p=0.37) and from 19+/-4degrees to 17+/-5degrees in FF group (p=0.21). Although severe disc degeneration and spontaneous fusion of facet joints were observed in RF group, disc heights of FF group were well maintained without major signs of degeneration. CONCLUSION: The viability of the intervertebral joints depends on motion spinal fixation. Systems allowing intervertebral micromotion may preserve the viability of intervertebral discs and the facet joint articular cartilages while maintaining a reasonably stable fixation.
Cartilage, Articular ; Intervertebral Disc ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Joints* ; Scoliosis ; Swine ; Zygapophyseal Joint

BACKGROUND: Propofol and ketamine had been used for anesthesia induction and for total intravenous anesthesia. The nature of any hypnotic interactions occurring between propofol and ketamine are unknown. A comparison of maternal and neonatal effects among propofol-ketamine combination, ketamine and propofol were studied when used for anesthesia induction in Cesarean section. METHODS: Forty five patients in ASA class I or II scheduled for Cesarean section randomly assigned to either propofol 2 mg/kg (n=15), ketamine 1 mg/kg (n=15) or propofol 1 mg/kg - ketamine 0.5 mg/kg combination group (n=15) as an induction agent. Maternal systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, Apgar score and umbilical blood gas analysis were measured. RESULTS: Before intubation, systolic and diastolic pressure were decreased in propofol group but increased in ketamine and propofol-ketamine combination group. Heart rate were increased in all three groups. But there were no significant differences among three groups (p<0.05). After intubation, there were significant increase in systolic, diastolic pressure and heart rate in three groups but no significant differences among three groups (p<0.05). And there was no significant neonatal depression as assessed by Apgar scores and blood gas analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol-ketamine combination was found to be similar to propofol or ketamine only in the effects on the mother and neonate. But propofol-ketamine gained more stable hemodynamic change than propofol or ketamine before intubation. Therefore propofol-ketamine appears to be a suitable alternatives to propofol or ketamine as an induction agent for anesthesia in Cesarean section.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Intravenous ; Apgar Score ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Cesarean Section* ; Depression ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intubation ; Ketamine* ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Propofol*