This study was performed to investigate the heavy metal contents of freshwater fishes. The samples of 24 species were collected at 7 areas located on the Mankyung River during September in 1987. And then the contents of lead, cadmium, copper and zine were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results were summarized as follows ; 1. The mean value of lead, cadmium, and copper contents of fishes collected in the downstream were significantly higher than those of upstream. 2. The mean lead content of C. auratus was the highest 1.50+/-0.98 microgram/g in viscera and statistically significant difference from muscle content. 3. The mean cadmium content of C. auratus was the highest 0.087+/-0.054 microgram/g and significantly higher than that of muscle, skeleton and gill. 4. In the copper contents, the viscera of C. auratus was the highest 5.25+/-0.94 microgram/g and significantly higher than that of muscle, skeleton and gill. 5. The mean value of zinc content of C. auratus was shown the order of gill, skeleton, viscera and muscle.
Absorption ; Animals ; Cadmium ; Copper ; Fishes* ; Fresh Water* ; Gills ; Rivers* ; Skeleton ; Viscera ; Zinc

PURPOSE:Obesity is associated with complications such as unfavorable lipid profiles, hyperinsulinemia, and hypertension. We investigated the degree of obesity, especially defined as BMI and the percentage of overweight for the standard weight (%Wt) on plasma lipid levels and insulin resistance in the pediatric age group. METHODS:In this cross sectional study, 64 children and adolescents were included. Anthropometric data including body weight, height, BMI, %Wt, fat percentage of body weight (Fat%), and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were collected. For metabolic data, 14 hour fasting serum glucose, insulin and lipid profiles were measured and index for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, FGIR) were calculated. We analyzed if there exist relationship between each anthropometric data and metabolic data. Gender differences were also assessed. RESULTS:Hyperinsulinemia showed high prevalence in obese children (total=21.9%, male=22.5%, female= 20.8%). HOMA-IR correlated with BMI and %Wt (BMI:r=0.308, P<0.05; %Wt:r=0.414, P<0.05). FGIR also correlated with BMI and %Wt (BMI:r=-0.406, P<0.05; %Wt:r=-0.437, P<0.05). Fasting serum triglyceride levels showed statistically significant correlation with BMI and %Wt [Boys (BMI:r=0.334, P<0.05; %Wt: r=0.487, P<0.05), Girls (BMI:r=0.482, P<0.05; %Wt:0.406, P<0.05)]. CONCLUSION: BMI and %Wt were valuable for predicting insulin resistance and triglyceride level. Sexual dimorphism related to insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in obese children was not certain in this study.
Adolescent ; Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Child* ; Dyslipidemias ; Fasting ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperinsulinism ; Hypertension ; Insulin Resistance* ; Insulin* ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Plasma ; Prevalence ; Triglycerides ; Waist-Hip Ratio

We reviewed twelve cases of congenital dislocation of the knee(CDK) which treated at Keimyung University from January 1992 to January 1997. All case were type II dislocation according to classification suggested by Ferris and reduced with minimal treatment. Dislocation were reduced within 4 days in minimum after treatment and 3 weeks in maximum. The period of follow up ranged from 6 months to 5 years. Clinical results were good. Early diagnosis followed by conservative treatment is important and enough to treatment of the type II congenital dislocation of the knee.
Classification ; Dislocations* ; Early Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Knee*

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies demonstrated that genistein induced the decrease of proliferation and apoptosis in a variety of cells. However, there is no report about the effect of genistein on proliferation and demise of mast cells. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate genistein-induced aoptosis of mast cells as it pertains to both its basic drug mechanism and the potential therapeutics of the pathologic conditions accompanying mast cell proliferation. METHODS: p815 murine mastcytoma cell line was used to assess the effects of genistein treatment including viability and proliferation, morphlolgic study, DNA electrophoresis, the effect of caspase inhibitor, western blotting, and mitochondrial event. RESULTS: Genistein indeced many apoptotic manifestations as evidenced by changes in cell morphology, generation of DNA fragmentation, activation of caspase 3, and DNA hypoploidy. The reduction of mitochondrial membrae potential and the release of cytochrome c to cytosol were also demonstrated. However, reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release were not prevented by caspase inhibitors zVAD-fmk and BocD.fmk, or PTP(permeability transition pore) blockers such as bongkrekic acid and cyclosporin A. CONCLUSIONS: This in vitro study suggests that pathologic increases in mast cell number possibly be regulated in vivo by therapeutic strategy enhancing apoptosis by treatment of genistein.
Apoptosis* ; Blotting, Western ; Bongkrekic Acid ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase Inhibitors ; Cell Line ; Cyclosporine ; Cytochromes c ; Cytosol ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Electrophoresis ; Genistein ; Mast Cells ; Mastocytoma* ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial

No abstract available.

This study was conducted to invetigate the effect of high-dose steroid administration on adipogenesis and secretion of PAI-1 in rat. Sixty healthy Wistar rats were divided into three groups. Group A consisted of 20 control animals received 5 ml/kg isotonic saline for 1 weeks. Group B consisted of 20 animals received 10 ml/kg of methylprednisolone intraperitoeally for 1 week. Group C comprized 20 animals received 10 ml/kg of methylprednisolone intraperitoneally for 1 week. After the completionof treatment, blood sampling was performed for measurenement of PAI-1 and the animale were sacrificed for histopathologic examination and immunohistochemical study. The PAI-1 protein expressin of femoral heads were evaluated with Western-blotting. Blood level of PAI-1 increased significantly in high-dose steroid treated group(Group B and C) compared to control group. In histopathologic examination, significant fat morrow conversion, fat cell hypertrophy and fat cyst formation were observed in high-dose steroid treated group. Immunohistochemically, PAi-1 expression was sprominent in the fat cells. Protein expression of PAI-1 of femoral heads increased significantly in highdose steroid treated group compared to control group. In lights of above results, it is postulated that increased secretion of PAI-1 from fat cells could play a major role in the pathogenesis of osteonecrosis of the femoral head in rats treated with high-dose steroid.
Adipocytes ; Adipogenesis* ; Animals ; Head ; Hypertrophy ; Methylprednisolone ; Osteonecrosis ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1* ; Rats* ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUND: It is now well known that oxygen free radicals act as mediators of cellular injury in many cardiovascular diseases. Although some evidences have been presented for an altered number of adrenergic receptors in heart disease, a detailed examination of the interaction of free radicals with cardiac adrenergic receptors has little been carried out. METHODS: This study is therefore undertaken to examine the influences of adrenergic blocking agents(propranolol, prazosin) and cyclooxygenase inhibitor(aspirin) on the cardiac damage by oxygen free radicals. Ischemic condition of the isolated rat heart was made by Langendorff preparation, and then measured superoxide dismutase(SOD), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) released in the perfusate, and malondialdhyde(MDA) concentration in the cardiac tissue. RESULTS: We obtained the results that increased SOD activity and tendency of decreased LDH activity by the pretreatment of propranolol, prazosin, and aspirin in cardiac ischemic-reperfusion injury. Those effects were more predominant in adriamycin treated group comparing with not treated group. CONCLUSION: Adrenergic blocking agent, propranolol, prazosin, and aspirin seem to have some protective effect on the reperfusion injury of the heart.
Adrenergic Agents* ; Animals ; Aspirin ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Doxorubicin ; Free Radicals* ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Lactic Acid ; Oxygen* ; Prazosin ; Propranolol ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Rats ; Receptors, Adrenergic ; Reperfusion Injury ; Superoxides

BACKGROUND: The population is aging and life expectancy is increasing. It is important to evaluate the functional ability of elderly for optimal care for elderly. This study was conducted to assess functional disability of elderly and to find out the factors having an effect on the disability. METHODS: It surveyed 1,541 individuals aged 65 years and older in Cluing-Yang province. Six ADL categories (bathing, dressing, feeding, transferring, toileting, and walking) were assessed and related factors were analyzed. RESULTS: ADL was independent in 85.2% of elderly and dependent in 14.8% of elderly. 55.1% of dependent elders were living without family. Bathing was the most common disable AI)L category. The factors having an effect on the disability of ADL were brain disease, self-rated health status, dyspnea, constipation, heart disease, diabetic mellitus, and living status. CONCLUSION: In a rural area, special prevention programs for brain disease, heart disease, and diabetic mellitus and a rehabilitation health service may improve ADL status of elders.
Activities of Daily Living* ; Aged* ; Aging ; Bandages ; Baths ; Brain Diseases ; Constipation ; Dyspnea ; Health Services ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Life Expectancy ; Rehabilitation

No abstract available.
Microdialysis* ; Myocardium*

No abstract available.
Hemorrhoids*