No Abstract Available.
Animals ; Armoracia* ; Cats* ; Horseradish Peroxidase* ; Muscles*

PURPOSE: To analyse Doppler findings in patients with chronic venous insufficiency, and evaluate the usefulness of color Doppler ultrasonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven limbs in 29 patients were evaluated with color Doppler ultrasound for suspected chronic venous insufficiency. To determine luminal patency and valvular competence, the venous system was examined; more than 1 sec of reflux flow during Valsalva maneuver and after release of distal compression in the popliteal vein indicated incompetence. RESULTS: Venous insufficiency was seen in 30 cases (81%), and was Superficial in 14 (38%), deep in eight (21.5%), and combined in eight (21.5%). In seven limbs (19%), veins were normal. Six cases of insufficiency, four of which were deep, were combined with deep venous thrombosis. CONCLUSION: In cases of chronic venous insufficiency, color Doppler ultrasound is useful for defining the exact site of venous incompetence and evaluating venous luminal patency.
Extremities ; Humans ; Mental Competency ; Phenobarbital ; Popliteal Vein ; Ultrasonography* ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Valsalva Maneuver ; Veins ; Venous Insufficiency* ; Venous Thrombosis

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major and growing public health problem and it calls for life-long management. The antihypertensive agents are still playing major roles in the management of hypertension. We studied the effect of the long-term therapy with a new calcium channel blocker, felodipine in patients with essential hypertension. METHODS: We recruited 31 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertention and gave them 5mg (1 tablet) of felodipine(Munobal(R)) once daily for 12 months. We measured the blood pressure and the heart rate every month and tried to detect any untoward symptoms and signs during the whole observation period. Baseline work-up for the hypertensive patients were done as usual before and after the study. RESULTS: The average systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 162.7+/-9.7/99.6+/-7.4mmHg respectively before the administration and they came down to the level of 139.7+/-15.0/87.3+/-8.6mmHg respectively at the end of the 1st month (p<0.05). This trend was maintained during the whole observation period, so they were 141.2+/-11.0/85.6+/-8.2mmHg respectively at the end of the study (p<0.05). Untoward drug reactions such as gastrointestinal troubles, facial edema, leg edema, chest pain and headache were present in 11 patients (35%) but they were not serious. There was no case in which the drug was withdrawn. There was one case in which the level of the serum triglyceride increased after the administration of the drug. CONCLUSION: Felodipine has good and persistent hypotensive effect and it is safe and easy to use.
Antihypertensive Agents ; Blood Pressure ; Calcium Channels ; Chest Pain ; Edema ; Felodipine ; Headache ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Leg ; Public Health ; Triglycerides

To investigate the imbalance of the cytokine production profile of T cells from atopic asthmatics, we measured concentrations of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-y by ELISA method in the culture supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) and Derrnato-phagoides pteronyssinus(Der p) J-stimulated PBMCs from Der p-sensitized atopic asthmatics, Der p-sensitized healthy atopits, non-atopic asthmatics and healthy non-atopics. The suppressive effect of IFN-y on cytokine production of Der p J-stimulated PBMCs was also examined. The PBMCs from atopics showed higher IL-4 and IL-5 production in response to PHA +TPA and higher IFN-gamma production in response to Der p Jq compared with non-atopits. The Der p J-stimulated PBMCs from atopics showed a tendency of increased IL-5 production in response to Der p J and higher IL-4 and IL-5 production in response to PHA+TPA compared with non-atopics. IL-5 production of Der p J-stimulated PBMCs from atopics was suppressed by IFN It is suggested that an imbalance in IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-y production is a feature of the atopic state. The TH2 characteristics of allergen-stimulated PBMCs could be regulated by IFN-y.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-5 ; T-Lymphocytes

Pigmented photoallergic contact dermatitis is a disease usually resulting from recurrent cutaneous exposure to cosmetic photoallergens which produce bizarre dark brown hyperpigmentation. Histologicnl examination of this condition reveals liquefaction of the basal cells of the epidmis and melanophages in the upper dermis. A 50-year-female developed dark brownish mottled hyperpigmented patches on her face after using a soap named O.E. and taking a nap every afternoon for 4 years. The histological fmding on the lesion site was consistent with pigmented photoallergic contact dermatitis. The cosmetic photopatch test with, O.E. soap, and the Scandinavian scries resulted in a positive reaction only on one side where 5 J/cm2 lights were applied by using Waldman 800UV machine. The other side howed a negative finding. We fmally diagnosed pigmented photoallergic contact dermatitis based on the patients histoty of using the soap containing musk ambrette, a histological examination of a biopsy and the results of photopatch tests. We report rare case of pigmented photoallergic contact dermatitis.
Biopsy ; Dermatitis, Photoallergic* ; Dermis ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Soaps

PURPOSE: This study was to examine the effectiveness of exercise for bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: Four investigators reviewed English articles from Pub Med and CINAHL, selecting randomized controlled trials on exercise programs for middle-aged and older women. Out of 25 studies identified, 14 that satisfied with the inclusion criteria were included in the meta-analysis. The quality of the studies was assessed using recognized methods and the effect size was calculated as a Hedges' g using Comprehensive Meta-analysis Version 2.0. Primary outcomes were changes in BMD at femoral neck, trochanter, and lumbar spine. Subgroup analysis included changes in BMD according to exercise style. RESULTS: Weight bearing exercise was effective (Q = 20.1, p > .05, ES = 0.32), and resistance exercise was effective in case of comparing to pre and post intervention (Q = 4.15, p = .98, ES = 0.14). At the femoral neck, 9 study groups were homogeneous and the experimental groups demonstrated a positive effect on BMD (Q = 19.5, p > .05, ES = 0.33). In contrast, marked heterogeneity (Q = 33.3, p < 0.01) was apparent in 7 study groups evaluating trochanter. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that weight bearing is effective for BMD of the femoral neck, and is relevant to the non-pharmacological treatment of bone loss for middle-aged and older women.
Bone Density* ; Female ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; Population Characteristics ; Research Personnel ; Spine ; Weight-Bearing

BACKGROUND: Familial aggregation of coronary risk factors is well known, which are hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. However inter-spouse relation of the risk factors has remained controversial. As spouses are not blood-related, any risk factor relation that exist probably may not reflect genetic factors, but the environmental factors to which the couple is exposed. Moreover, the effect of assortative marriage should be considered. This study is designed to identify inter-spouse relation of coronary risk factors and to document the effects of marriage duration to spouse concordance. METHODS: From May 1995 to March. 1999, we enrolled 1,859 couples who had visited the Health Promotion Center at Seoul National University Hospital. We analysed inter-spouse correlation of body mass index, blood pressure, glucose, serum lipid factors, uric acid, smoking, alcohol drinking, and stress known as coronary risk factors. The correlation coefficients were compared according to marriage duration. RESULTS: There was statistically significant spouse concordance for all risk factors with the exception of smoking. The correlation coefficients of blood pressure, total cholesterol, and triglyceride increased with marriage duration but troughed at 30-39 years of marriage. Those of body mass index and glucose peaked at early and late marriage duration. Those of HDL-cholesterol and uric acid was relatively fixed throughout marriage. CONCLUSION: The presence of significant inter-spouse correlation for most of the coronary risk factors reflect the influence of assortative marriage and environmental factors on spouse concordance. If a spouse has many cardiovascular risk factors, partner should be evaluated for risk factors.
Alcohol Drinking ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Family Characteristics ; Glucose ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Marriage* ; Obesity ; Risk Factors* ; Seoul ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spouses* ; Triglycerides ; Uric Acid

PURPOSE: This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of exercise programs in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. METHOD: Two investigators systematically searched and reviewed English articles from PUBMED from 1988 to 2004, selecting randomized controlled trials on structured exercise programs for DM patients. Out of 87 studies identified, a meta analysis was done for eleven studies which satisfied inclusion criteria and focused on glycemic indices, lipid indices, and cardiac function indices. RESULTS: The means and standard deviations were compared for experimental groups that received exercise-only or exercise and diet programs and control groups that received no intervention or only diet education. The groups were considered homogeneous as the p value of the Q score in each variable group was over 0.05. The experimental groups demonstrated a moderate positive effect on HbA1c and VO2max (d=0.55 & 0.5), and a small positive effect on fasting blood glucose and cholesterol (d=0.38 & 0.27) compared to the control groups. HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, however, showed a very low positive effect (d=0.11 & 0.12) in the experimental groups. Aerobic exercise was more beneficial than resistance exercise on HbA1c (d=0.59 vs 0.28) in the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Regular exercise has a positive effect on HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and VO2max in Type 2 diabetic patients.
Oxygen Consumption ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Lipids/*blood ; Humans ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/analysis ; Hemodynamic Processes ; Female ; *Exercise ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*metabolism/physiopathology/therapy ; Blood Glucose/*analysis

Prior to the introduction of CT, the clinical and radiological diagnosis of the intraventicular hemorrhage inliving patients was difficult. C.T. scanning is an invaluable investigation provding the rapid and noninvasivediagnosis of intracerebral and intraventricular hemorrhage. It reliably demonstrated the presence and distributionof fresh blood within the ventricular system. CT is also useful as a surgical guidance and in the evaluation offate of the hematoma by easily performable follow-up studies. We reviewed 3 cases of intraventricular hemorrhagein CT in the departement of radiology of Ewha Womans University hospital during the period from August, 1982 toAugust, 1983. The results were as follows: 1. The most patients were encountered in the 5th decade and the male tofemale ratio was 1.2:1. 2. Hypertension was the main cause of the intraventricular hemorrhage; 18 out of 31patients. Remaning 13 patients were caused by hypoxia, aneurysm, Moya Moya disease, coagulation defect, trauma andundetermined etiology. 3. 18 out of 31 patients showed hemorrhage in the lateral ventricles only and allventricles in 10 patients. 4. 28 out of 31 patients showed associated with intracranial hematoma: Those wereintracerebral hematomas in 16 patients, intracerebral hematoma with subarachnoid hemorrhage in 4 patients andextracerebral hematoma in 2 patients. 5. Outcome was assessed using the Glasgow scale. According to them the totalmortality rate was 54.8%, however, 32.2% of patients retured to normal or minor disablity. Patients, who hadhypertension and markded degree of hemorrhage in the ventricular systems had a poor outcome. Patients with onlyventricular hemorrhage had better outcome than associated intracranial hematoma. 6. 16 out of 31 patients weretreated by surgical methods and 15 out of 31 patients by conservative methods. 75% of patients were died inconservative treatment. 7. Conclusively, causes, degree of intraventricular hemorrhage and associatedintraventricular hematoma play an important role in outcome. And surgical treatment was beneficial in only a smallselective number of cases in intraventricular hemorrhage.
Aneurysm ; Anoxia ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Lateral Ventricles ; Male ; Moyamoya Disease ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

The ankle is a modified hinge joint consisting of tibial plafond, medial and lateral malleolus, talus and many soft tissue structures, which plays important role in weight bearing and walking. Hence, the ankle injuries include not only fractures of bone but often also the rupture of ligaments and soft tissues, so if the structures were not accurately repaired, many complications may develop. The authers analysed 98 cases (96 patients) of the ankle fractures which were admitted and treated in Orthopaedic Department, Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital from January 1979 to August 1983. The results obtained are as follows: 1. Of the 98 cases, male was 70 cases(71.9%), female was 28 cases and the average age of the patient was 31,1 years. 2. The most common cause of the fracture was traffic accident and the other causes were slip down, sports injury, fall down and industrial injuries in order. 3. 83 cases(84.7%) out of the 98 cases of ankle fractures were closed fracture and the rest was open fracture. 4. The most common type of the ankle fracture, according to the classification of Lauge-Hansen, was supination external rotation type. 5. 68 cases were treated with open reduction and internal fixation and 30 cases were treated with closed reduction, among the cases of closed reduction, the 14 cases were indicated to open redu- ction but it was impossible due to improper skin condition, severe comminution and anesthetic problem. 6. The average duration of the cast immobilization in closed treatment was 10.1 weeks and in operative treatment was 6.3 weeks. 7. The results of the treatment was better in those cases of the open reduction, the early reduction and the mildly displaced cases than the results of closed reduction, delayed reduction and severely displaced cases. 8. The incidence of complication, such as traumatic arthritis and nonunion occured higher in the cases treated with closed method.
Accidents, Traffic ; Ankle Fractures ; Ankle Injuries ; Ankle ; Arthritis ; Athletic Injuries ; Classification ; Clinical Study ; Female ; Fractures, Closed ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Incidence ; Joints ; Ligaments ; Male ; Methods ; Rupture ; Skin ; Supination ; Talus ; Walking ; Weight-Bearing