PURPOSE: There is increasing awareness of the clinical importance of early detection and treatment of posterior cruciate ligament(PCL) injury. We evaluate the usefulness of Magnetic resonance(MR) imaging in the diagnosis of PCL injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the MR images of 140 cases with clinically suspected knee injury. Arthroscopic or surgical correlation was available in 63 cases. We observed the finding and extent of PCL injury and other associated abnormalities. The frequency of anterior and posterior meniscofemoral ligament was evaluated. RESULTS: Eleven PCL injuries were observed, six midsubstance tears, two tibial attachment tears, two fernoral attachment tear, one laxity. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MR imaging diagnosis are 100%, 98.1%, 98.4%. MR findings of PCL injury are discontinuity and focal mass formation, irregular increased signal intensity, detachment or redundancy of the ligament with avulsed bony fragment. In all cases of injured PCL, other associated abnormalities of adjacent structures were observed. Accessory anterior and posterior meniscofemoral ligaments were observed in 67.4%(87/129). CONCLUSION: MR imaging is useful in evaluation of presence or absence of PCL injury, accurate extent of PCL injury and other important associated abnormalities of adjacent structures.
Diagnosis ; Knee Injuries ; Ligaments ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of drug use & the health-related habits(alcohol drinking, smoking and exercise) on the nutritional status of elderly. subjects were 362 free-living elderly aged over 65(male 131, female 231) in Chungbuk area. Interviews with questionaire on drug use, health-related habits, and nutrient intakes, anthropometric measurement and biochemical blood test were carried out from August to October in 1996. Energy intakes of the males who used drug were lower than those of males who did not use any drug, while energy intakes of the females who used drug were higher than those of females who did not. In biochemical indices, LDL-cholesterol level of the males who used drug was higher than that of males who did not have drug. serum triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol and obesity degree(BMI & TS) of the females who used drug were higher than those of females who did not have drug. Alcohol drinking, smoking and exercise habits of the elderly who used drug had little effects on the nutrient intakes while those habits had considerable effects on biochemical indices and obesity degree. Among drug users, male drinkers showed higher triglycerides & HDL-cholesterol level, and female drinkers showed higher triglycerides and lower total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol level, compared to non drinkers. Among female drug users, smokers showed lower body mass index(BMI) compared to non smokers. Males and females who had both drinking and smoking habits showed higher serum triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol level. Especially females who had both drinking and smoking habits showed lower BMI & Tricep skinfold thickness compared to those who had netiher drinking nor smoking habits.
Aged* ; Alcohol Drinking ; Cholesterol ; Chungcheongbuk-do* ; Drinking* ; Drug Users ; Female ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Male ; Nutritional Status* ; Obesity ; Skinfold Thickness ; Smoke ; Smoking* ; Tobacco Products* ; Triglycerides

The nature of hepatitis B virus (HBV) particle associated DNA polymerase was studied in relation to various enzyme inhibitors including antiviral agents. HBV DNA polymerase required high concentration of MgCl2(> 30 mM) and neutral pH for its full activity. p-chloromercuribenzoate was a strong inhibitor (85% inhibition at 1 mM) but N-ethylmaleimide had much less inhibitory effect (20% inhibition at 10 mM). Phosphonoformic acid showed the greatest inhibitory effect on HBV-DNA polymerase (almost complete inhibition at 100 microM) among phosphocompounds tested. Adenine arabinoside triphosphate (ara-ATP) and cytosine arabinoside triphosphate (ara-CTP) were competitive inhibitors with respect to their respective deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dATP and dCTP). Ara-CPT was a stronger inhibitor of HBV-DNA polymerase compared to ara-ATP. Ki values for ara-ATP and ara-CTP were 15.0 microM and 11.7 microM , respectively. HBV-DNA polymerase is characteristic in its ionic requirements and susceptibilities to certain inhibitors.
DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase/antagonists & inhibitors ; DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase/metabolism* ; Hepatitis B Virus/enzymology* ; Human

The nutritional status of 362 elderly men and women in Chung-bud area was evaluated in terms of their nutrient intakes, biochemical and anthrophometric measurements by interviews with questionnaires from August to October 1996. Mean intake of all nutrients except ascorbic acid did not meet the RDA for this sample. Protein, vit A, reboflavin, calcium were the most likely to be deficient on the basis of propotions of elderly consuming less than 75% of the RDA. The subjects nutrient intake was significantly affected by gender, marital status, number of family, family composition, educational level, pocket money, and region. Men in rural areas and women over 75 in urban areas were the most vulnerable groups with nutritional deficiency. According to serum biochemical indices, mean level of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, total protein, albumin and iron belonged to normal range but mean level of HDL showed below the normal range. More elderly men and women in urban areas showed a higher percentage of abormal level of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL than those in rural areas. More elderly men and women in rural areas had abnormal levels of RBC, Hematocrit and hemoglobin compared to those in urban areas. Mean height and weight of elderly men was 161.4cm and 56.2Kg, respectively and 149.1cm and 50.5kg for women. The elderly in rural areas were taller than those in urban areas but had less weight, MAC, TSF, MAMC. Mean BMI of this sample belonged to normal range. However, the elderly in rural areas had a higher rate of underweight and lower for overweight than those in urban areas. The elderly in urban areas had higher blood pressure than those in rural areas.
Aged* ; Ascorbic Acid ; Blood Pressure ; Calcium ; Cholesterol ; Female ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Iron ; Male ; Malnutrition ; Marital Status ; Nutritional Status* ; Overweight ; Reference Values ; Thinness ; Triglycerides ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Three hundred sixty-two(male 131, female 231) elderly aged over 65 in Chungbuk area were interviewed to determine the disease states and drug usage patterns. The prebalence of disease was 78% and women reported more chronic diseases(83%) than men(71%). Elderly who live with spouse and have an occupation have a lower rate of disease. Average number of diseases of the elderly was 1.8+/-1.1, and women(2.1+/-1.3) have significantly higher average number of diseases than that of men(1.4+/-0.7). Also the elderly in urban areas(2.1+/-1.4) have significantly higher number of diseases than that of the elderly in rural areas(1.6+/-0.9). Arthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular and gastric diseases were the most frequently listed chronic diseases in order for both men and women. Anemia and fracture of bone were relatively higher in women than in men. Particularly, the arthritis of the urban elderly have a rate of 1.5 times higher than that of the rural elderly. Fifty-two percent of the elderly were currently using drugs ; among drug users 71.2% used prescription drugs and 20.5% used nonprescription drugs. The average number taken per person was 2.1+/-1.4 and there was no sex or age difference. However, the elderly in rural areas (2.7+/-1.7) consumed a significantly higher number of drugs than those in urban areas(1.7+/-0.7). The average number of prescription drugs taken was 2.0+/-1.4 while the average of nonprescription drugs taken was 1.3+/-0.6. Analgesics and antihypertensive drugs were most commonly used. Vitamin and analgesics were the most frequently used self-prescribed drugs. It was noted that potential adverse drug interaction by concominant drug consumption for arthritis and antihypensive drug, abuse of digestants and antiacid without treatment of the underlying disease, and misuse of quick-acting bowel medications were problematic for the elderly. In addition drugs used for the elderly have some adverse effect on the digestive system. The types and composition of drugs used by the elderly were identified and presented. Medication compliance was poor and 13.5% reported adverse reactions such as edema, heartburn, nausea, and difficulty with eating. Seventeen percent of the elderly obtained drugs arranged by those other than medical staff. Also, even among those elderly who obtained drugs prescribed by a doctor, 69.1% of subjects had not receive instruction about potential adverse reactions. These results suggest that nutritional problems related to drug usage might exist and so dietitians, either individually or as members of health teams, need to have a better understanding of drug-nutrient interaction and closer supervision, and drug information/education service should therefore be provided to prevent or minimize adverse drug reaction in elderly users of medication.
Aged* ; Analgesics ; Anemia ; Antihypertensive Agents ; Arthritis ; Chronic Disease ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Digestive System ; Drug Interactions ; Drug Users ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Eating ; Edema ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Agents ; Heartburn ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Medical Staff ; Medication Adherence ; Nausea ; Nonprescription Drugs ; Nutritional Status* ; Nutritionists ; Occupations ; Organization and Administration ; Prescription Drugs ; Spouses ; Stomach Diseases ; Vitamins

PURPOSE: To evaluate anatomic variations and pitfalls of the labral-capsular-ligamentous complex in the shoulder joint for the proper interpretation of magnetic reasonance arthrographic images. MATERIALS AND METHODS:To determine the presence of sublabral sulci, undercutting of the base of the glenoid labrum by the articular cartilage, and the proximity of the middle glenohumeral ligament to the anterior glenoid labrum, 56 MR arthrograms of 41 asymptomatic volunteers were prospectively evalvated for labral shape and capsular insertion. We also evaluated the axillary fold, which was often confused with a loose body. RESULTS: The anterior and posterior parts of the labra, varied but their shape showed several dominant features; triangular(72%, 36%, respectively), rounded(13%, 35%), cleaved(8%, 1%), notched(2%, 0%), flat(5%, 24%), and absent(0%, 4%). Anterior capsular insertion was type 1 in 82% of cases, type 2 in 13% and type 3 in 5%, whereas posterior insertion was type 1 in 62%, type 2 in 36% and type 3 in 2%. We could also detect many pitfalls, such as undercutting of the base of theglenoid labrum by the articular cartilage(29%), sublabral sulci(25%), a prominent axillary fold(38%), and the middle glenohumeral ligament in proximity to the anterior labrum(5%). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed wide variability in the MR arthrographic appearance of the labral-capsular-ligamentous complex in asymptomatic shoulders. A good understanding of normal variation and pitfalls of the normal shoulder may be helpful pathologic condition in case of glenouhumeral instability.
Arthrography* ; Cartilage, Articular ; Ligaments ; Prospective Studies ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Joint ; Volunteers

The influences of depression and health anxieth on the elderly's drug use and nutritional status were evaluated by interviews with questionaire from August to October in 1996. One hundred and thirty-one male and 231 female elderly in Chung-buk area were the sample for this study. Men's depression score was 22.3 and 25.2 for women, respectively out of 27. Women showed a significantly higher score for depression and health anxiety than men. Gender, age, marital status, number of family, education, income, medical insurance, and mobility and region significantly affected the health anxiety score. The higher depression score the elderly had, the more frequently they took drugs. Conversely. the higher depression score the elderly had, the less frequently they took nutritional supplements. For women, the higher depression score the elderly had, the more they smoked. More depressed elderly showed a significantly smaller BMI compared to the less depressed ones. A negative correlationship existed between the depression score and the elderly's nutrient intakes, especially energy intake which showed a significant negative correlation. There were no significant differences between health anxiety score and nutrient intakes of men. Women who had a higher health anxiety score consumed more energy significantly. The depression score did not affect the elderly's blood biochemical indices. Women who had a low health anxiety score showed a significantly higher HDL-C level.
Aged* ; Anxiety ; Depression ; Education ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Humans ; Insurance ; Male ; Marital Status ; Nutritional Status* ; Smoke

Purpose: In periprosthetic osteolysis, cytokines, which are secreted from macrophages by the stimulation of particles, up-regulate the signaling for osteoclast activation through RANKL (Receptor activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa-B Ligand). This study compared the reaction to the particles and RANKL in the macrophages by examining the changes in the pro-inflammatory signals. In addition, because erythromycin has an anti-inflammatory effect, the effect of erythromycin on the pro-inflammatory signals by particles and RANKL was also analyzed to clarify the mechanism for the anti-resorptive effect with particles. Materials and Methods: The Raw 264.7 cell line (murine macrophage cell line) was used for these experiments. The particles were made from PMMA (poly-methyl-meth-acrylate) and UHMWPE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) to enhance their stimulatory effects. Under the same culture conditions used for macrophages, the cells were treated with either particles or RANKL. The differences in the production of TNF-α, activities of MAP kinase, I-κB and reactive oxygen species (ROS) between the particle and RANKL treated macrophages were examined. The influence of erythromycin on these models was also observed. Results: Erythromycin inhibited ERK and p38 phosphorylation in both models, and suppressed the increase in H2O2 production in the particle-treated macrophages. However, erythromycin inhibited neither the production of TNF- in both models nor the production of H2O2 in the RANKL-treated macrophages. In addition, erythromycin reversed the suppression of I-κB by the particles. Conclusion: For the response of macrophages, erythromycin mainly suppresses the particle induced ROS and NF-κB activation compared with RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis signaling. Erythromycin might suppress particle-induced osteolysis through these anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, further studies on the downstream signals of osteoclastogenesis will be needed.
Cell Line ; Cytokines ; Erythromycin* ; Macrophages ; Molecular Weight ; Osteoclasts ; Osteolysis ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Reactive Oxygen Species

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate findings in MRI which maybe useful in differential diagnosis of cervical lymph node enlargement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the MRI findings of cervical lymph node enlargement in surgically proven 13 patients. We analyzed the location, size and shape, signal intensity, margin between node and surrounding structures degree and patterns of contrast enhancement RESULTS: No disease specificity in location and size of lymphadenopathy. was demonstrated in MRI. Most lymph nodes shows isointensity or slightly increased signal intensity to adjacent muscle on T1WI and high signal intensity on T2WI. Most of the cases showed contrast enhancement with metastatic lymph nodes showing ring-like and/or patchy enhancement. Tuberculous lymphadenopathy showed homogeneous or rather thick walled ring-like enhancement and one or multiple central nonenhancing portions of eccentrical location in the node. Relatively homogeneous enhancements were noted on reactive lymphold hyperplasia, Lymphoma and Castleman's disease. CONCLUSION: MR imaging was helpful in differentiation of cervical lymph node enlargements. Tuberculous lymphadenopathy showed characteristic findings of rather spherical shaped, thick walled ring enhancement and multiple eccentrically located central nonenhancing portions.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Giant Lymph Node Hyperplasia ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases* ; Lymphoma ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cholesteatoma is composed of hyperproliferative keratinizing epithelium in the middle ear cavity. Although the mechanism of bone destruction by cholesteatoma has not been fully elucidated, it has been reported that activation of several cytokines followed by osteoclast activation might have a major effect on bone resorption in cholesteatoma. Among the several cytokines, it has been suggested that the overexpression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the cholesteatomatous tissue is correlated with bone destruction, and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) are associated with osteoclast inhibitory activity. To determine the potential role of several cytokines in the pathogenesis of cholesteatoma and its bone destruction, we investigated mRNA expression of four cytokines in the cholesteatomatous tissue. MAERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated mRNA expression of cytokines in 20 cholesteatomatous tissues as well as in the normal postaural skins using RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction). RESULTS: 1) Out of 20 cholesteatomatous tissues, six were mRNA expressions of IL-1alpha, four of IL-6, ten of TGF-beta1 mRNA, but no expressions of IL-4. There was no gene expression except six cases for TGF-beta1 in the normal postaural skin. 2) Three cases that expressed IL-1alpha, IL-6, and TGF-beta1 showed severe bone destruction, whereas no bone destruction was noted in 5 cases that expressed only TGF-beta1. 3) There was no significant correlation between the duration of disease and the individual cytokine expression. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that IL-1alpha and IL-6 may play a major role in the proliferation and growth of cholesteatoma as well as the excitatory effect for bone destruction by cholesteatoma, and TGF-beta1 might have a protective effect for bone destruction.
Bone Resorption ; Cholesteatoma* ; Cytokines ; Ear, Middle ; Epithelium ; Gene Expression* ; Interleukin-1alpha ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-6 ; Osteoclasts ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha