This study was carried out to investigate the direct neurotoxicity of alcohol on CNS and the effects of piracetam or vitamins on ultrastructural changes of the rat cerebellar and hippocampal neurons during long-term alcohol treatment. To evaluate the results, quantitative analysis were done for light and electronic microscopic findings. On the light microscopy, red degeneration of pyramidal cells and Purkinje cells was found more apparently in the alcohol only treated group than in the control group. On the electron microscopy, increased lipofuscin pigments wee found in cerebellum and hippocampus. In quantitative analysis, vitamins significantly reduced red degeneration in both hippocampus and cerebellum. However, piracetam significantly reduced red degeneration in cerebellum but not in hippocampus. Lipofuscin pigments in Purkinje cells and pyramidal cells were significantly reduced in the alcohol with piracetam treated group than the alcohol only treated group. However, vitamin had no significant reducing effect of lipofuscin pigments in Purkinje cells and pyramidal cells. According to the results, it is concluded that vitamins deficiency might cause red degeneration of pyramidal cell after long-term alcohol treatment, but increment of lipofuscin pigments in pyramidal and Purkinje cell may be caused by alcohol itself or its metabolite rather than vitamins deficiency. Piracetam seems to improve cognitive function impairment caused by alcohol consumption.
Alcohol Drinking ; Animals ; Cerebellum ; Hippocampus ; Lipofuscin ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron ; Neurons* ; Piracetam* ; Purkinje Cells ; Pyramidal Cells ; Rats* ; Vitamins*

Phakomatosis pigmentova.scularis is a disease complex with dermal melanocyto sis such as nevus of Ota, nevus of Ito, or Mongolian spots and extensive hemangiomatous change such as nevus flammeus, which are associated with systemic organ involvement. We report a 23-year-old female, who showed bilateral nevus of Ota and nevus of Ito with widespread nevus flammeus and Mongolian spots since birth. She was also associated with megalocornea due to congenitol glaucoma and cataract.
Cataract ; Female ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Mongolian Spot ; Neurocutaneous Syndromes* ; Nevus ; Nevus of Ota ; Parturition ; Port-Wine Stain ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
B-Lymphocytes* ; Immunoglobulin G*

The tibial plateau fracture is a fracture of the proximal end of the tibia, involving the weight bearing articular surface. This fracture often presents some problems in treatment and prognosis, because it is frequently accompanied by soft tissue injuries such as collateral ligament, cruciate ligament and menisci. During a period of 3 1/2 years, from Febuary 1980 to July 1983, We observed 78 cases of tibial plateau fractures at Gang Nam Sacred Heart Hospital. Of the above cases, 40 could be followed for a period of anywhere from 3 months to 3 years. They have been analysed according to the cause, classification, method of treatment and final result of treatment. Among these 21(52.5%) were treated by cast immobilization, 3(7.5%) by skeletal traction, 16 (40%) by open reduction and internal fixation. Thirty two cases (80% ) out of 40 indicated the result of the Acceptable group according to Hohl and Lucks criteria.
Classification ; Clinical Study ; Collateral Ligaments ; Heart ; Immobilization ; Ligaments ; Methods ; Prognosis ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Tibia ; Traction ; Weight-Bearing

PURPOSE: Computed tomographic(CT), ultrasonographic(US) findings of solid and papillary epithelial neoplasm of the pancreas were correlated with pathologic findings for the better understanding of this disease entity. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective review of CT and US of 14 cases of solid and papillary epithelial neoplasm of the pancreas was carried out in terms of the margin, internal architecture, caicification and septation, and this was correlated with gross pathologic findings. RESULTS: CT and US findings were well defined round masses consisting of both solid and cystic components. Five cases were cystic, four cases were solid and five cases were mixed. Cystic portion of the tumor represented variable degree of hemorrhagic necrosis. Six cases contained foci of calcification, which were linear, marginal and amorphous. Marginal calcification interfered US examination of the mass in three cases. Internal septurn was demonstrated in four cases on CT, one case on US and three cases on gross specimen. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that calcification and internal septurn were considered as a part of radiologic findings in solid and papillary epithelial neoplasm of the pancreas.
Necrosis ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial* ; Pancreas* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate the significance of T2-weighted MR imaging(T2WI) in the diagnosis of pituitarymicroadenoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the MR imaging findings of 30 cases of pituitarymicroadenoma. Diagnosis was made on the basis of surgery, serum hormonal level, and the presence of mass lesion onMR (T1WI and T2WI), and conventional as well as dynamic contrast enhanced T1WI images were obtained. In each MRsequence, signal intensity and detectability of the tumor were evaluated. We also determined whether diagnosis waspossible on both T1WI and T2WI. In eight cases, histopathologic findings (cellularity, fibrosis, and cysticchange) were correlated with T2 signal intensity of the tumor. RESULTS: T2WI, T1WI, and dynamic and conventionalenhanced T1WI detected the tumor in 21 cases (70%), 21 cases (70%), 28 cases (93.3%), and 22 cases (73.3%),respectively. On T2WI, pituitary microadenomas showed a high signal in 18 cases (60%), an iso-signal in nine(30%), and a low signal in three (10%) compared with normal pituitary gland. In 20 cases (66.7%), diagnosis ofpituitary microadenoma was possible on both T1WI and T2WI, but in one case, the tumor was detected only on T2WI.Three cases with fibrosis, as seen on histopathologic examination showed an iso or low signal on T2WI. CONCLUSION: T2WI is useful in the diagnosis of pituitary microadenoma Decreased signal intensity on T2WI may suggestfibrosis.
Diagnosis* ; Fibrosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pituitary Gland ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Soluble adhesion molecules including soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) are released during an infalmmatory process such as artherosclerosis. Elevated sVCAM-1 also has been reported in diabetic nephropathy. But, the clinical significance of elevated of sVCAM-1 is not certain. We measured serum sVCAM-1 for the purpose to validate the clinical usefulness in diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: In this study, we measured serum sVCAM-1 in 12 normal subjects and 64 type 2 diabetic patients with proteinuria over 300 mg/day [median 24-h urine protein (range): 2.2 (0.3-18.7) g/day]. We evaluated the relationship of serum sVCAM-1 with lipoproteins including total cholesterol, LDL, oxidized LDL (oxLDL), HDL, and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), with markers of inflammation including high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), serum albumin and fibrinogen, and with renal parameters including 24-h urine protein, serum creatinine and homocysteine. RESULTS: In patients with diabetic nephropathy, median sVCAM-1 was 561 ng/mL (range 183-1304), which was significantly higher than that of normal subjects (324 ng/mL; 213-760, p< 0.05). In the diabetic nephropathy patients, sVCAM-1 was positively correlated with serum creatinine (r=0.34, p< 0.01), serum Lp(a) (r=0.27, p< 0.05) and 24-h urine protein (r=0.26, p< 0.05). In a multiple linear regression analysis, 24-h urine protein and serum Lp(a) were associated with an increased level of sVCAM-1 (r2=0.22, p=0.003). CONCLUSION: In summary, a positive correlation of sVCAM-1 with 24-h urine protein suggests that high sVCAM-1 may reflect increased production of sVCAM-1 due to more advanced renal injury. A positive association of sVCAM-1 and serum Lp(a) also suggests increased release of sVCAM-1 from associated atherosclerotic lesions in these patients. These results suggest that sVCAM-1 may be closely related with the renal function in patients with overt diabetic nephropathy.
Cholesterol, LDL ; Creatinine ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Fibrinogen ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Linear Models ; Lipoprotein(a) ; Lipoproteins ; Proteinuria ; Serum Albumin ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1*

The aim of this study is to determine whether full-mouth disinfection therapy(FMT) in our clinical setting would show better improvement of clinical parameters than partial mouth disinfection therapy(PMT) in chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis patients. Among 12 patients, 6 were treated FMT and other 6 were treated PMT. Clinical parameters were calculated 3 months and 6 months after initial therapy. 1. There were no statistically significant differences between FMT and PMT in the reduction rate of bleeding on probing after 3 months, 6 months 2. Initial probing depth was 4-6mm, the mean probing depth after 3 months was 2.2mm vs 2.5mm(FMT vs PMT), after 6 months was 2.4mm vs 2.8mm. This was significantly lower in the FMT groups. 3. Initial probing depth was > or = 7mm, the reduction rate of mean probing depth during first 3 months was 4.8mm vs 4.1mm(FMT vs PMT), and 3 to 6 months was 0.5mm vs 0.3mm. This was significantly larger in the FMT groups. 4. Initial probing depth was 4-6mm, the mean clinical attachment level after 3 months was 2.3mm vs 2.7mm(FMT vs PMT), after 6 months was 2.7mm vs 3.0mm. This was significantly lower in the FMT groups. 5. Initial probing depth was > or = 7mm, the reduction rate of mean probing depth during first 3 months was 4.0mm vs 3.0mm(FMT vs PMT), and 3 to 6 months was 0mm vs -0.1mm. This was significantly larger in the FMT groups. Although the results provided us with succeccful clinical improvement in aggressive periodontitis, further research is needed to prove its additional benefit in the treatment of chronic periodontitis

The aim of this study is to determine whether full-mouth disinfection therapy(FMT) in our clinical setting would show better improvement of clinical parameters than partial mouth disinfection therapy(PMT) in chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis patients. Among 12 patients, 6 were treated FMT and other 6 were treated PMT. Clinical parameters were calculated 3 months and 6 months after initial therapy. 1. There were no statistically significant differences between FMT and PMT in the reduction rate of bleeding on probing after 3 months, 6 months 2. Initial probing depth was 4-6mm, the mean probing depth after 3 months was 2.2mm vs 2.5mm(FMT vs PMT), after 6 months was 2.4mm vs 2.8mm. This was significantly lower in the FMT groups. 3. Initial probing depth was > or = 7mm, the reduction rate of mean probing depth during first 3 months was 4.8mm vs 4.1mm(FMT vs PMT), and 3 to 6 months was 0.5mm vs 0.3mm. This was significantly larger in the FMT groups. 4. Initial probing depth was 4-6mm, the mean clinical attachment level after 3 months was 2.3mm vs 2.7mm(FMT vs PMT), after 6 months was 2.7mm vs 3.0mm. This was significantly lower in the FMT groups. 5. Initial probing depth was > or = 7mm, the reduction rate of mean probing depth during first 3 months was 4.0mm vs 3.0mm(FMT vs PMT), and 3 to 6 months was 0mm vs -0.1mm. This was significantly larger in the FMT groups. Although the results provided us with succeccful clinical improvement in aggressive periodontitis, further research is needed to prove its additional benefit in the treatment of chronic periodontitis

BACKGROUND: For the diagnosis of HIV infection, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) is commonly used as a screening test. Although these methods have a high sensitivity and low cost, their high false positive rate can cause confusion in the patients and clinicians until a more specific test is done. OraQuick Advance Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test (OraQuick) (OraSure Technologies, USA) is a rapid test that can detect HIV-1/2 antibodies in 20 minutes. It uses oral fluid, whole blood or serum sample. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of the OraQuick as a screening and point-of-care test for HIV infection. METHODS: From Jan 2007 to Dec 2008, 45,276 samples referred to our laboratory were tested by CLIA method using the ADVIA Centaur (Bayer Healthcare LTD., USA) for HIV-1/2 antibody detection. Among them, 74 positive and 50 negative samples were tested by the Western immunoblot assay (WIB) and OraQuick test as a case-control study. Also, oral fluids from 30 HIV patients and 48 healthy persons were tested by OraQuick test. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of OraQuick test (using serum samples) were 100% and 98.8% (95% confidence interval 96.9~100%), respectively. OraQuick tests (using oral fluid samples) were all positive for HIV patients but all negative for healthy persons. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that OraQuick can be used successfully as a rapid test for the early detection of HIV-1/2 antibody in patients visiting emergency departments and for the prevention of HIV infection in the health care providers.
Antibodies ; Blotting, Western ; Case-Control Studies ; Delivery of Health Care ; Emergencies ; HIV ; HIV Infections ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Infection Control ; Luminescence ; Mass Screening ; Sensitivity and Specificity