The serodiagnostic test of syphilis employed with the greatest freguency in this country is the VDRL procedure which is one of the flocculation test utilizing cardiolipin-lecithin as an antigen. As well known, the immunologically nonspecific nature of this test relegates it only to screening test, so that all the sera displaying weakly reactive or reactive VDRL in the absence of definite evidence of present or past syphilis should be confirmed by using the specific treponemal antigen tests. However, there are only lirnited numbers of institutions at which the specific treponemal antigen tests are carried out, because the tests usually need quite coaiplicatnl technology and specifically trained personnel. The Treponema. pallidum hema.gglutination assay (TPHA) which was first described by Rathlev in 1965 and established as more improved and standardized procedure in serodia,gnosis of syphilis by Tornizaxva and Kasamatsu (1966) has been found to h as sensitive and specific as the technically more complicated Fluorescent treponemaI antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) or Treponema pallidum immobilization (TPI) po cedure by rnany investigators from different parts of the world during these 10 years. The TPHA has also been found to have definite advantage over the other tests because it is easy to perform and economic. The present authors felt. that the TPHA meight be the most reasonable method to be used in this country and decided to evaluate it in the serodiagnosis of problem cases. Sera from 516 presumed normal persons, 686 pregnant women ancl 1345 patients with various diseases other than syphilis were screened with the standard VDRL procedure as described and recommanded by USPHS. Out of these, 475 of t.he presumed normal persons, 646 of the pregnant women and 1243 of the patient group wit;h various diseases other than syphilis v;ere serologically nonreactive and 10, 12 and Rl sera from each of the above groups, respectively, were found to be true syphilitc with definite evidence of clinical signs or history of syphilis. Thirty-one out of the presumed normal persons, 28 out of the pregnant women and 71 out of the patient group with various diseases other than syphilis showed either weakly reactive or reactive VDRI, in undiluted sera without definite evidence of syphilis and these 130 sera from 130 persons were the subject of the present study. The TPHA was carried out on these 130 sera. according to the ma.nual MEA-TP instructed by National Institute of Health, Japan. The reagents used in this study rvere rnanufactured and supplied hy the Fujizoki Pharmaceutical Co. Ten (32.3%) out of the R1 sera from preaumed normal persons, 11 (39.4%) out of the 28 sera from pregna.nt women a.nd 28 (69.4%) out of the patient group with various disea ses other then syphilis showed reactive TPHA. Eighty-seven of the total 130 sera showed weakly reactive VDRL so called rough result and 19 (21.8%) Of these 87 sera showed reactive TPHA, while 30(69.8%) of the 43 sera which showed reactive VDRL were found to be TPHA reactive. These results arc in general agreement with those of other investigators confirmed by the more complicated FTA-ABS or TPI. The overall incidence of syphilis was 3.87%, 3.35% and 4.38% in presumed normal persons, in pregnant women and in patient group with various diseases other than syphilis respectively. Considering the relative lack of study concerning to the false positive reactions in this country, these results may be helpful to the clinician to rnake a cert.ain diagnostic decision when they meet such a patient whose VDRL is weakly reactive or reactive in the absence of definite evidence of syphilis. The authors concluded that: the MHA-TP technique is easy in performance, economic and highly specific in serodiagnosis and that this technique is highly recommanded in this country. * The authors thank Fujizoki Pharrnaceutical Company, Tokyo, Japan which provided the TPHA reagents used in this study.
Absorption ; Bezafibrate ; False Positive Reactions ; Female ; Flocculation Tests ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Incidence ; Indicators and Reagents ; Japan ; Mass Screening ; Pregnant Women ; Research Personnel ; Serologic Tests* ; Syphilis* ; Treponema ; Treponema pallidum ; United States Public Health Service

BACKGROUND: Cytoskeletons, the complex set of protein fibers found in the cytoplasm, have important roles in the movement of cells and subcellular structures and the generation of shapes. Melanocytes have numerous dendritic processes which are in direct contact with many keratinocytes and transfer the melanosomes into the neighboring keratinocytes. Little information is available on the structure and function of cytoskeletons, and the effects of ultraviolet light on the cytoskeletons of the melanocytes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the general cytoskeletal system of cultured melanocytes and to find out the effects of the cytoskeletal antagonists and UVB on the cytoskeletal system of the cultured melanocytes. METHODS: Melanocytes were cultured from adult foreskin and then exposed to various cytoskeletal antagonists and UVB radiation. The changes of the cultured melanocytes were evaluated by using phase contrast microscopy, immunofluorescence staining methods and electron microscopic examinations. RESULTS: Colchicine produced shortening of dendrites, stellate cellular contour and granular fluorescence of the tubulin. Cytochalasin D produced round cellular contour and granular fluorescence of the actin. Acrylamide produced disorganization of cytoplasmic constituents, but no specific fluorescent change was observed. Colchicine also had inhibitory effects on the vimentin. Cellular responses induced by these agents were reversible. UVB caused morphological changes of the melanocytes, but their effects on the organization of the cytoskeletal system could not be detected in this method. CONCLUSION: Microtubules are related to the dendritic movement of the melanocytes. Vimentin may be involved in the transfer of cellular organelles, probably including the melanosomes. Cytoskeletal antagonists produce their characteristic morphological changes to cultured melanocytes.
Acrylamide ; Actins ; Adult ; Colchicine ; Cytochalasin D ; Cytoplasm ; Cytoskeleton* ; Dendrites ; Fluorescence ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Foreskin ; Humans* ; Keratinocytes ; Melanocytes* ; Melanosomes ; Methods ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; Microtubules ; Organelles ; Tubulin ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Vimentin

Embolization of the closure device is a rare but potentially fatal complication of percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. We report a case of 45-year-old woman who underwent ASD device closure with 32 mm Amplatzer device, which was embolized to the pulmonary artery without symptom one day after successful device implantation.
Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Humans ; Pulmonary Artery ; Septal Occluder Device

PURPOSE: There were many studies on the distributions of the retinal ganglion cells(RGC) in the experimental model of the retinal ischemia. RGC was known to be more sensitive to the ischemic injury than the other types of the retinal cells. So, we would identify the changes of the retinal ganglion cell morphologies and distribution after the iatrogenic retinal ischemia induced by intraocular pressure(IOP) elevation. METHODS: Eight pigmented and six white rabbits were used and retinal ischemia was induced by increasing IOP higher than 120 mmHg for 60 minutes. Electroretinogram were recorded at 6 days or 13 days, and histologic findings were observed at 7 or 14 days. RESULTS: After 7 days, RGC densities decreased, cytoplasmic staining disappeared, and the intranuclear hyperpigmentation was noted. RGC densities decreased significantly at 14 days. In the vertical retinal section, some flattening of retinal ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer was observed. Changes in the cellular morphologies were prominent. CONCLUSIONS: It may be more appropriate to examine both the retinal whole-mount and the vertical tissue section for the estimatation of the changes of retinal ganglion cell layer in the pressure-induced retinal ischemia.
Cytoplasm ; Ganglion Cysts* ; Hyperpigmentation ; Ischemia ; Models, Theoretical ; Rabbits ; Retina* ; Retinal Ganglion Cells ; Retinaldehyde*

Obesity has been implicated as a significant risk factor for multiple medical condition including hypertention, glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia and fatty liver. Furthermore, obesity in childhood is believed to be a reliable predictor of a similar condition in adulthood. During the recent years, there has been a rapid rise in the incidence of childhood obesity in Korea due to increased dietary intake rich in caloric content. This study was undertaken to investigate the epidemiology and potential health complications of obesity observed in elmentary school students. A total of 3,103 children (1630 boys and 1,473 girls), ages ranging from 6 to 12, were studied with personal interview, physical examination, and laboratory evaluation. The results were as follows: 1) The prevalence of obesity was 13.44% with approximately equal distribution among boys (14.42%) and girls (12.36%). 2) The prevalence of childhood obesity in Seoul was significantly higher (18.62%) than that in Suwon (7.85%) and in Hongchon (6.02%). 3) A higher incidence of hypertension was dectected in obese subjects and this was more obvious in girls. 4) Hyperlipidemia and elevated Atherogenic Index were more frequently observed in obese group. 5) although fasting blood glucose levels were similar in both groups. AST and ALT abnormalities were much more prevalent in obese group. It is concluded that hypertension and other metabolic abnormalities are much more frequently observed in obese children and that our effects should be focused on the earliest dection, prevention and management of childhood obesity.
Blood Glucose ; Child* ; Epidemiology ; Fasting ; Fatty Liver ; Female ; Glucose Intolerance ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Hyperinsulinism ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Korea ; Obesity* ; Pediatric Obesity ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Seoul

Autogenous costal cartilage graft has been commonly used for reconstruction of auricular deformity. However, the risk of complication and discomfort at the donor site, as well as distortion of the graft due to morphological change in the cartilage have been serious drawbacks to this procedure. Previous studies examining the chondrogenic potential of perichondrium have suggested that perichondrium may be used as graft for cartilage reconstruction. When a perichondrial flap or a free perichondrium was used as graft, new cartilage formed appositional to the grafted perichondrium. However, the neocartilage was often irregular in shape and varied considerably in quantity. In this study, the feasibility of controlling the shape and the mass of neocartilage was investigated using coral, a porous biomaterial, as a template. A coral a template was wrapped with perichondrial flap from the ears of New Zealand white rabbits and placed into a subcutaneous pocket in the rabbits and placed into a subcutaneous pocket in the rabbit's back by incision. A total of 12 animals were used. Formation of new cartilage was later evaluated by gross and histological examination of the perichondrial flap and the coral template. New cartilage was formed in 11 animals. Immature chondrocytes were visible by 3 weeks after the surgery, and by 8 weeks the immature chondrocytes had formed a cartilage. New cartilage was formed only on the surface of the coral template. These results indicated that the shape and the mass of new cartilage may be controlled by using coral template. Therefore, the desired shape of cartilage may be achieved using a coral template of corresponding shape, and this may help in correcting subtle auricular contour defect and in correcting other structural defects that also require new cartilage formation.
Animals ; Anthozoa* ; Cartilage ; Chondrocytes ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Ear ; Humans ; Rabbits ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

While a delayed intracerebral hemorrhage at the site of a ventricular catheter has occasionally been reported in literature, a delayed hemorrhage caused by venous infarction secondary to ventriculoperitoneal shunting has not been previously reported. In the present case, a 68-year-old woman underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunting through a frontal burr hole, and developed a hemorrhagic transformation of venous infarction on the second postoperative day. This massive venous infarction was caused by bipolar coagulation and occlusion of a large paramedian cortical vein in association with atresia of the rostral superior sagittal sinus. Thus, to eliminate the risk of postoperative venous infarction, technical precautions to avoid damaging surface vessels in a burr hole are required under loupe magnification in ventriculoperitoneal shunting.
Aged ; Catheters ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infarction ; Postoperative Complications ; Superior Sagittal Sinus ; Veins ; Venous Thrombosis ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

No abstract available.
Alprostadil* ; Ductus Arteriosus ; Heart Defects, Congenital* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn*

No abstract available.
Anemia* ; Child* ; Heart Defects, Congenital* ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans

Animal models for human chronic pain syndromes were developed and widely used for pain research. One of thsese neuropathic pain model by Kim and Chung[1992] has many advantages for operation and pain elicitation. We have examined the c-fos protein, substance P, CGRP immunoreactivity in dorsal root ganglia and dorsal horn in this neuropathic model. About 50 Sprague-Dawley rats were used for this study. L5 and L6 spinal nerve were ligated tightly to produce neuropathic pain model. After 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 hours and 1 week of surgery, rats were anesthesized and sacrificed by perfusion through the left ventricle with saline followed by 0.1M phosphate buffer[pH 7.4] containing 3% paraformaldehyde, 3% glutaraldehyde, and 0.1% picric acid. After confirmation of the roots transected by the surgery, the L5 and L6 dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord were removed and processed for immunohistochemistry. All tissue sections were immunohistochemically stained for substance P, CGRP and c-fos by using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase[PAP] method. Count the number of immunostained substance P and CGRP dorsal root ganglion cells and c-fos immunoreactive dorsal horn cells and analyzed statistically with Mann-Whitney U test. The results are as follows. 1. The number of c-fos protein immunoreactive neurons in the superficial layer of dorsal horn were increased markedly at 2 hours after operation, gradually decreased to normal level 1 week after operation. 2. The number of c-fos protein immunoreactive neurons in the deep layer of dorsal horn were gradually increased to the peak 24 hours after operation, decreased to normal level 1 week after operation. 3. The number of substance P and CGRP immunoreactive L5 and L6 dorsal root ganglion neurons were decreased markedly at 1 week after pain model operation. In conclusion, after neuropathic pain model operation, c-fos protein were immediately expressed in the superficial layer of spinal dorsal horn, thereafter c-fos protein in the deep layer of spinal dorsal horn were expressed. CGRP and substance P immunoreactive neurons were decreased markedly 1 week after neuropathic pain model operation.
Animals ; Chronic Pain ; Ganglia, Spinal* ; Glutaral ; Heart Ventricles ; Horns* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Models, Animal ; Neuralgia ; Neurons* ; Perfusion ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases* ; Posterior Horn Cells ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Nerve Roots* ; Spinal Nerves ; Substance P