OBJECTIVE: This study is proposed to examine the relationship between bone loss after hormone replacement therapy for one year and initial bone markers. METHODS: One hundred postmenopausal women were studied for one year. At first visit, measurements were made of bone mineral density(BMD) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, and of serum osteocalcin and urine deoxypyridinoline. After hormone replacement therapy was done for one year, BMD was rechecked. RESULTS: Serum osteocalcin was correlated with the rate of bone change(r=0.150, 0.262) and urine deoxypyridinoline was weakly correlated(r=-0.003, 0.038). The changes of femoral BMD in women with higher concentration of osteocalcin and deoxypyridinoline were significant different from those in women with normal concentration. At the lumbar spine, no significant differences were showed. In women with higher concentration of osteocalcin, the incidence of subjects with increased spine BMD was increased up to around 71.1%, which showed not significant increase compared with normal concentration of osteocalcin. And the incidence of increased spine BMD in women with higher concentration of osteocalcin was marked increased compared with the incidence of normal concentration. The level of the osteocalcin with increased spine BMD was 11.5+/-6.6 ng/ml, and the level with decreased spine BMD was 9.2+/-4.7 ng/ml, respectively. And the level of the deoxypyridinoline was 7.2+/-4.2 pmol/ mol cr in women with increased spine BMD and 7.2+/-2.7 pmol/ mol cr in women with decreased spine BMD, which was not statistically different. The concentration of deoxypyridinoline with increased and decreased in BMD in spine and femur was not statistically different. but the concentration of osteocalcin was 12.2 +/-5.5 ng/ml in significantly increased in BMD and 8.5 +/-4.5ng/ml in significantly decreased in BMD, which was showed significant different. CONCLUSION: Present study indicates that the serum osteocalcin more reflcets bone turnover changes at the menopause than deoxypyridinoline, however, the clinical utility of measurements of osteocalcin only to response to therapy is uncertain.
Bone Density* ; Female ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Hormone Replacement Therapy* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Menopause ; Osteocalcin ; Spine

Severe irradiation on head may result functional alterations of central nervous system. In this study, the irradiation effect on the cerebellar cortex following heavy X-irradiation on head was studied ultrastructurally. Radiation was produced with the linear accelerator ML-4MV[Mitshubishi Co.], and rats weighing about 200gm each were exposed their heads within the radiation areas of 30cm x 30cm, under the radiation distance of 80cm, and with the radiation depth of 1.2 cm. Radiation doses were 3,000rads or 6,000rads, respectively. Animals were sacrificed on 6 hours, 2 days or 6 days following the radiation. Under anesthesia, animals were perfused with 1% glutaraldehyde-1% paraformaldehyde solution. Two hours after the perfusion, brain were taken out and refixed over night in the perfusion fixative. Small blocks of cerebellar hemispheric cortices were refixed 2 hours in 2% osmium tetroxide solution. Fixed tissues were dehydrated in alcohol, embedded in araldite mixture, and cut with ultratome. Ultrathin sections were contrasted with uranyl acetate and lead citrate solutions, and observed with electron microscope. The results obstained were as follow : 1. On 6th hour following X-irradiations, many cerebellar cortical neurons showed increased electron densities, more complicated nuclear infoldings, depletion of synaptic vesicles, expansion of astroglial territories, etc. 2. On 2nd day following X-irradiations, many organelle-rich cells such as Purkinje cells and Golgi cells were darkly degenerated. Numerous myelin figures formed by the cisternal fusions of Golgi apparatus or granular endoplasmic reticula were observed. Cytoplasmic processes of activated astroglial cells were expanded around capillaries and between granule cells. 3. On 6th day following X-irradiations, morphology of neuropil and neurones in the cerebellar cortex was generally restored, except the expanded territories of astroglial cells. From the above results, it was concluded that the release ofneurotransmitters and transcapillary leakage of blood substance were occurred on 6 hours after heavy X-irradiations. And severe alterations were produced on 2 day after X-irradiation, but the condition was generally restored on 6th day following X-irradiation.
Anesthesia ; Animals ; Brain ; Capillaries ; Central Nervous System ; Cerebellar Cortex* ; Citric Acid ; Cytoplasm ; Golgi Apparatus ; Head ; Myelin Sheath ; Neurons ; Neuropil ; Osmium Tetroxide ; Particle Accelerators ; Perfusion ; Purkinje Cells ; Radiation Effects* ; Rats* ; Synaptic Vesicles

No abstract available.
Pregnancy* ; Statistics as Topic*

PURPOSE: When medial protrusion in the base of proximal phalanx is severe from removing metatarsal bunion during the hallux valgus surgery, it could lead to skin irritation and medial pain after the surgery. The purpose of this paper was to report our clinical and radiographic results with transarticular fixation of Akin osteotomy for the treatment of patients with hallux valgus after resection of the medial protrusion of base of the proximal phalanx. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study is subject to 34 cases of 30 patients who went through proximal phalanx medial corticectomy among patients undergone both hallux valgus surgery and Akin osteotomy at our institution from March 2006 to March 2012. In all cases, we used absorbable suture material through the articular surface for Akin osteotomy after resection of the medial protrusion in proximal phalanx. Radiographs were reviewed to assess the union and displacement of osteotomy site at the time of postoperative 6 months. The clinical results were assessed by using AOFAS score and complication such as skin irritation and pain. RESULTS: AOFAS score was improved from average 44 points(36-58), before operation and average 87 points(74-96), 12 months after operation. In two cases, partial union was suspected in radiological perspective, however, complete union on the osteotomy site was observed in all cases, 12 months after the operation. No patients was dissatisfied with pain, joint discomfort, skin irritation and inflammation from the knot. CONCLUSION: When medial protrusion in the base of proximal phalanx is severe from removing metatarsal bunion during the hallux valgus surgery, We have good results by transarticular fixation of Akin osteotomy using absorbable suture material.
Arthralgia ; Displacement (Psychology) ; Hallux ; Hallux Valgus ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Metatarsal Bones ; Osteotomy ; Skin ; Sutures

PURPOSE: Painful plantar callosities under the second, third or fourth metatarsal head have been controverted about its treatment mordalities. We performed the vertical chevron osteotomy in patients with painful callosities on the second and third metatarsal head, and evaluated the outcome clinically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen cases from 10 patients who had plantar keratosis were operated by vertical chevron osteotomy from March 2005 to October 2008. We used K-wire fixation for all cases. We evaluated the clinical results by the patients' satisfaction and disappearance of plantar lesion. RESULTS: The plantar keratosis was completely disappeared in 8 cases and partially in 5 cases. In 2 cases, patients expresses their pain caused by constant metatarsalgia that was suspected to be dorsal incisional pain and joint capsulitis. Transmetatarsalgia was not appeared. CONCLUSION: We consider vertical chevron osteotomy as a good surgical method for treatment of plantar keratosis.
Callosities ; Head ; Humans ; Joints ; Keratosis ; Metatarsal Bones ; Metatarsalgia ; Osteotomy

PURPOSE: Painful plantar callosities under the second, third or fourth metatarsal head have been controverted about its treatment mordalities. We performed the vertical chevron osteotomy in patients with painful callosities on the second and third metatarsal head, and evaluated the outcome clinically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen cases from 10 patients who had plantar keratosis were operated by vertical chevron osteotomy from March 2005 to October 2008. We used K-wire fixation for all cases. We evaluated the clinical results by the patients' satisfaction and disappearance of plantar lesion. RESULTS: The plantar keratosis was completely disappeared in 8 cases and partially in 5 cases. In 2 cases, patients expresses their pain caused by constant metatarsalgia that was suspected to be dorsal incisional pain and joint capsulitis. Transmetatarsalgia was not appeared. CONCLUSION: We consider vertical chevron osteotomy as a good surgical method for treatment of plantar keratosis.
Callosities ; Head ; Humans ; Joints ; Keratosis ; Metatarsal Bones ; Metatarsalgia ; Osteotomy

BACKGROUND: Traditional visual reading of patch-test reactions is a rather subjective method, lacking the sensitivity and reproducibility needed in experimental studies. Recently the laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI) has been used to measure objectively the increase in superficial blood flow which results in the appearance of erythema. OBJECTIVE: We designed this study to examine the relationship between the LDPI measurement and visual reading after patch test to several different irritants. METHODS: In this study, reading of erythema in experimentally-induced irritant contact dermatitis was performed visually and by laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI). In addition, we investigated whether the LDPI measurement was appropriate in the routine patch test clinic. RESULTS: A close correlation was shown between the 2 methods (r=0.9046, p<0.001) and the LDPI producing mean adjusted perfusion values (APVs) was able to discriminate between the different visual grades. CONCLUSION: LDPI is a valuable instrument to objectively assess intensity of irritant patch-test reaction, and is indeed one of the few methods which overcomes the inter-individual variations in visual reading, but this instrument is not appropriate to use routinely in patch test clinic because of unacceptably long measurement time.
Dermatitis, Contact ; Erythema ; Irritants ; Methods ; Patch Tests ; Perfusion Imaging* ; Perfusion*

An increase in the dose of chemotherapy enhances the response of many experimental and clinical cancers, but the extent of chemotherapy dose escalation and repeated use is often limited by myelosuppression. The side effects of chemotherapy including bleeding and infection due to myelosuppression have resulted in delayed therapy and a reduction in the therapeutic dose, therefore it is necessary to overcome myelosuppression especially leukopenia in patients with gynecologic malignancies who recieved chemotherapy. This study is undertaken to investigate the clinical effects of rhG-CSF(recombinant human Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) in 29 patients with gynecologic malignancy who recieved chemotherapy. It was given at a dose of 100 microgram bid/day subcutaneously until significantly increase of leukocyte count in leukopenic patient. The results showed, the rhG-CSF has significantly increased the number and function of leukocyte. The use of rhG-CSF was effective and useful to treat chemotherapy induced leukopenia and to accelerate the recovery from this complications.
Drug Therapy* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans* ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes ; Leukopenia*

Even though some authors have reported on the advantages of early total correction of complex heart disease, for low birth weight premature neonates, most surgeons prefer a multi-step approach to early total correction due to the many problems, such as the technical problems, the cardiopulmonary bypass management and etc. We report here on a successful case of early one-stage total repair of coarctation of the aorta and a ventricular septal defect in a 1,250 gram premature neonate.
Aortic Coarctation ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Thoracic Surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Allergic rhinitis (AR) and rhinitis medicamentosa (RM) have different mucosal color and pathophysiology. To investigate whether the mucosal color and nasal blood flow are different between the diseases in spite of same symptoms, we designed this study. Materials and Methods: 20 patients with allergic rhinitis and 21 patients with rhinitis medicamentosa were compared with 20 normal volunteers using mucosal color grading and Laser Doppler flowmetry. The Laser Doppler flowmetry was performed with a Periflux 4001 (Perimed, Jrtlla, Sweden) and perfusion unit (PU), velocity unit (VU), and concentration Unit (CU) were measured. The Laser Doppler flowmetry data in AR and RM were compared with those of the normal subjects, and between AR and RM. RESULTS: The perfusion score of AR and RM were lower than the control (p<0.05) and it was statistically significant that the mucosal color of AR were pale and of RM were reddish, comparing to the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The nasal blood flow was decreased with AR and RM compared to control but the mucosal color of AR and RM were different because of the difference of pathophysiology of diseases. When diagnosing RM, observation of mucosal color and measurement of nasal blood flow will be helpful besides the history of long-term use of nasal decongestant.
Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry* ; Perfusion ; Rhinitis*