A seroepidemiologic observation of anti-Spirometra erinacei plerocerciod (sparganum) antibody (IgG) in serum was made in normal adult and epileptic patients in Korea from February 1987 to September 1990. Sera were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-spaganum antibody together with anti-Taenia solium metacestode, and anti-Paragonimus westermani antibodies. Sera reacted positively to sparganum antigen only were considered. Positive rate for anti-sparganum antibody in 850 normal adults was 1.9% (standardized rate by provincial population was 1.7%). In 2,667 randomly selected patients of epilepsy at 28 local centers of the Changmi Club, positive rate was 2.5%(standardized rate: 2.3%). In both normal adult and patient groups, the higher antibody rates were observed in Kangwon and Chonnam province. Positive rates were 10 times higher in male than in female in normal adults and 4.5 times in male epileptic patients. The rates were elevated especially with age over 30-year. Odd ratio of the antibody was 1.32 which indicated an ambiguous etiologic factor for epilepsy.
parasitology-helminth-cestoda

The Graf stabilization has been introduced in treating lumbar spinal disorder associated with posterior instability. This study reviewed some problems of the Graf instrumentation as a soft stabilizer. The purpose of this study is to analyse the problems of the soft stabilization in spinal instability. We reviewed 145 cases which were operative treatment using the Graf instrument for lumbar spinal disorder associated with posterior instability at our department from May, 1991 to Dec, 1995. The mean follow up periods was 29 months ranging from 24 months to 6 years 8 months. Of the 145 cases, 22 cases were showed the problem. The diagnostic method were simple x-ray, flexion-extension lateral stress view and CT scan. Results were as follows : Adjacent segmental instability was 10 cases(6.9%), disc space narrowing was 8 cases(5.5%), screw loosening was 3 cases(2.1%) and breakage of the Graf band was 1 case(0.6%). The problems of the soft stabilization were adjacent segmental instability, disc space narrowing, screw loosening, and breakage of the Graf band. But the rate of adjacent segmental instability and disc space narrowing was lower than other lumbar spinal instrumentation.
Follow-Up Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The objective of this paper is to introduce the schematic protocol of radiofrequency (RF) ablation for the treatment of varicose veins. Indication: anatomic or pathophysiologic indication includes venous diameter within 2-20 mm, reflux time > or =0.5 seconds and distance from the skin > or =5 mm or subfascial location. Access: it is recommended to access at or above the knee joint for great saphenous vein and above the mid-calf for small saphenous vein. Catheter placement: the catheter tip should be placed 2.0 cm inferior to the saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal junction. Endovenous heat-induced thrombosis > or =class III should be treated with low-molecular weight heparin. Tumescent solution: the composition of solution can be variable (e.g., 2% lidocaine 20 mL+500 mL normal saline+bicarbonate 2.5 mL with/without epinephrine). Infiltration can be done from each direction. Ablation: two cycles' ablation for the first proximal segment of saphenous vein and the segment with the incompetent perforators is recommended. The other segments should be ablated one time. During RF energy delivery, it is recommended to apply external compression. Concomitant procedure: It is recommended to do simultaneously ambulatory phlebectomy. For sclerotherapy, it is recommended to defer at least 2 weeks. Post-procedural management: post-procedural ambulation is encouraged to reduce the thrombotic complications. Compression stocking should be applied for at least 7 days. Minor daily activity is not limited, but strenuous activities should be avoided for 2 weeks. It is suggested to take showers after 24 hours and tub baths, swimming, or soaking in water after 2 weeks.
Baths ; Catheter Ablation* ; Catheters ; Consensus* ; Heparin ; Knee Joint ; Lidocaine ; Saphenous Vein ; Sclerotherapy ; Skin ; Stockings, Compression ; Swimming ; Thrombosis ; Varicose Veins* ; Walking

No abstract available.
Baculoviridae* ; Bombyx* ; Coinfection*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Oriental herbal materials known as aconitine have long been used in oriental traditional medicine for their analgesic and antiinflammatory effects. Aconitine and its related alkaloids are known cardiotoxins with no therapeutic role in modern western medicine. We have studied the cardiovascular side effects of intoxication that took place in otherwise healthy individuals after ingestion of herbal decoctions containing aconite alkaloids. MATERIALS AND METHOD: During a six-year interval from 1990 to 1996, 9 cases of accidental herb-induced aconitine intoxication were managed in Kyung Hee university medical center. Hospital records were reviewed in detail. RESULTS: All patients developed symptoms of aconitine toxicity within 4 hours of herb ingestion. The frequency of the order in cardinal symptoms of acute aconitine poisoning was nausea or vomiting, irritability, chest discomfort, dizziness, etc. Nine patients developed arrhythmias, including multifocal APC with aberrancy, multifocal VPC, ventricular tachycardia, etc. Administration of isotonic saline, dopamine, atropine and lidocaine with supportive cares brought clinical recovery and disappearance of arrhythmias in most cases within several hours. However, one case of acute aconitine poisoning had been dead of cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation. CONCLUSION: Aconitine and its related alkaloids can cause toxic effects and even fatal poisoning. These cases point to the need for strict surveillance of herbal substances with low safety margins.
Academic Medical Centers ; Aconitine* ; Aconitum ; Alkaloids ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atropine ; Cardiotoxins ; Dizziness ; Dopamine ; Eating ; Heart Arrest ; Hospital Records ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; Nausea ; Poisoning* ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Thorax ; Ventricular Fibrillation ; Vomiting

No abstract available.
46, XY Disorders of Sex Development* ; Humans ; Male*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Insulin Resistance* ; Insulin*

No abstract available.
Scrub Typhus* ; Seoul*

An university student passed away by an unidentified bullet in a reserve force exercise. An X-ray could not find any bullet from the thorax. The post-mortem examination revealed that the victim had been killed by a 5.56 mm (diameter) bullet. The striation mark of the fatal bullet was coincided with a test fired bullet of a suspect's machine gun. However only blank cartridges had been fired according to the firing range records. Also, the examiner found that the mouth diameter of the fatal blank cartridge case is narrower than the others. In order to explain the strange happening, various situation of blank cartridge firing was considered. The examiner group noticed that the diameter of a blank cartridge mouth fired from an unexpelled bullet including gun may change. The authors test fired a blank cartridge case with a gun including an unexpelled bullet, and compared the shape of the mouth with the fatal blank cartridge case. The mouth shapes of two blank cartridges were coincided. The authors could conclude that the an unidentified suspect charged a bullet in the muzzle of the suspect's gun, and the bullet expelled by the gas pressure of the fatal blank cartridge case.
Autopsy ; Fires* ; Humans ; Mouth ; Thorax

No abstract available.
Pancytopenia*