The authors analysed 196 cases of convulsive disorder in children who were admitted to the pediatric department of Kyunghee Hospital from June 1993. Blood samples were drawn immediately following seizures on arrival. Serum prolactin values were measured by radioimmunoassay. The results obtained were as follows: 1) Mean serum prolactin value was 55.4+/-20.8ng/ml in generalized seizures within 1 hr following seizures, 22.5+/-3.9ng/ml in partial seizures. There was a significant difference between generalized scizures and partial scizures (p<0.05). 2) Mean serum prolactin value was 23.5+/-9.7ng/ml in generalized seizures within 1~3 hrs following seizures, 10.4+/-4.9ng/ml in partial seizures. There was a significant difference between generalized seizures and partial seizures (p<0.05). 3) Mean serum prolactin value was 9.5+/-4.4ng/ml in generalized seizures 3 hrs following seizures, 9.8+/-4.8ng/ml in partial seizures. There was no significant difference between generalized seizures and partial seizures (p>0.05). We found transient hyperprolactinemia following generalized seizures but a little change following gartial seizures. Postictal elevation of serum prolactin may represent a biochemical marker of generalized and partial seizures.
Biomarkers ; Child ; Humans ; Hyperprolactinemia ; Prolactin* ; Radioimmunoassay ; Seizures

No abstract available.
Rabbits*

This study was carried out in order to estimate the residual amount of mercury in soy-bean sprouts in each steps of cooking. Samples were taken at markets and also cultured at home without applying the mercury containing pesticides as control. Mercury was determined by dithizone method. It was disclosed that soy-bean sprouts purchased at markets contained 1.32+/-0.274 ppm, 13 times as high as the maximal allowable concentration of mercury in food recommended by Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. Mercury contents, however, dropped off steadily by steps of cooking: rinsed with distilled water and boiled in distilled water showing concentrations of 0.11+/-0.025 ppm in boiled sprouts and 0.03+/-0.022 ppm in sprout-soup. These values were not statistically different from those in control samples, and not exceeded the maximal allowabled levels of mercury in food. It can be concluded that the use of mercury containing pesticides in the cultivation of soy-bean sprouts is not so serious problem as it has been suspected in respect of food contamination, but careful attention must be paid to indiscriminate use of mercury containing pesticides as they may contaminate air, water and soil and secondarily bring harm to human health through food chains.
Cooking* ; Dithizone ; Food Chain ; Food Contamination ; Humans ; Pesticides ; Soil ; Water

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of lengthening in long bones on the articular carilage by observing the changes in articular cartilage, Fifty-seven rabbits of growing period were divided into four lengthening groups; 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. Lengthening by callotasis that was done on the left tibiae and right tibiae were used as control. After lengthening histopathological, histochemical and autoradiographic studies were done on the proximal and distal tibial articular cartilages. That following observations were made. 1. As compared with controls, statistically significant degenerative changes were noted in proximal and distal articular cartilages when the tibiae were lengthened 10% or more. 2. In the proximal joints, the changes were significant between 10% and 20% lenghtening groups, but not between the 20% and 30% lengthening groups. 3. In the distal joints, the changes were significant. Not only were there between 10% and 20% lengtening groups but also there were between 20% and 30% lengtening groups. 4.Degenerative changes were frequently found in the intermediate zone between the periphery and the center, where most of the weight is borne.5. Decrease in matrix content of degenerated articular cartilage was noted by histochemical studies using safranin-0 and Alcian-blue.6. Autoradiography with S04 was done to quantitate matrix content of articular cartilage, and the mean uptake ratio of the articular cartilage was slightly higher than others in the 30% lengthening group. This esuggest decreased matrix synthesis, but no statistical significance was found. Following conclusion were drawn from above observations. 1. In rabbits, tibial lengthening tended to cause microscopic degenerative changes, and the changes begun to appear when the tibiae were lengthened 10% or more. 2. When lengthened over 20%, the changes became more pronounced in the distal joint than in the proximal joint.
Autoradiography ; Bone Lengthening ; Cartilage, Articular ; Joints ; Leg ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Rabbits ; Tibia

PURPOSE: The authors carried out this study to determine the relationship between vigabatrin (VGB) and visual field defect. METHODS: Seventy eight patients older than 8 years who had epilepsy which had developed and been diagnosed, and were receiving add-on therapy, were the subjects of this study. If suspicious results were obtained from the initial test with the Humphrey automatic perimeter, the patient was tested again with the Goldman perimeter. Follow-up examinations were performed on these patients after 6 months. RESULTS: In this study, five of the 78 patients had suspicious primary test results, but upon the second examination they were all found to be normal. Thus there were no patients with visual field defects. CONCLUSIONS: VGB is a drug which may cause visual field defects, but in this study no patients presented with this symptom. Instead of limiting the use of VGB due to the adverse effect of visual field defect in the initial treatment of partial seizure and infantile spasm untreatable with other medication, if used with care it may not cause serious problems. Screening for visual defect is recommended, and in patients taking VGB regular examination is necessary.
Child* ; Epilepsy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Mass Screening ; Seizures ; Spasms, Infantile ; Vigabatrin* ; Visual Fields*

PURPOSE: We evaluated oncologic outcomes of chondrosarcomas and analyzed the disease-free survival rate of chondrosarcomas according to the various factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study for the disease-free survival rate of 48 chondrosarcomas, 44 of which underwent surgical treatment and followed up more than 18 months since 1993, and in the remaining 4 cases, the patients died before 18 months after surgery. The vsariables were location, tumor volume, histologic grade, stage, age at presentation and treatment performed. The mean follow up period was 43.8 months (1-196 months). RESULTS: The overall disease-free survival rate was 77.1% at mean 43.8 month follow up. The 5 year- and 10 year disease-free survival rates were 64% and 58% respectively. The histologic grade, stage, age at presentation revealed statistical significance on disease-free survival. All 9 patients treated with extended curettage for grade 1 central chondrosarcomas revealed disease-free survival with excellent functional outcome. CONCLUSION: The disease-free survival rate of chondrosarcomas mainly depended on histologic grade, stage and age at presentation. Local recurrence and distant metastasis also revealed statistically significant differences of disease-free survival rate. Comparing to wide resection, extended curettage for low-grade central chondrosarcomas in extremities were efficient methods with similar survival rate and less functional losses and complications.
Chondrosarcoma ; Curettage ; Disease-Free Survival ; Extremities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Burden

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition measured by the Osteosys Primus® and the GE Lunar Prodigy® and to calculate the conversion rate between the 2 devices. Methods: The 40 subjects were men and women in aged 20 to 29 years old. All participants were scanned twice on both the Osteosys Primus (OsteoSys) and the GE Lunar Prodigy (GE Healthcare) DXA systems using the manufacturers’ standard scanning and positioning protocols. Results: Compared to the GE Lunar device, the mean Osteosys fat mass was overestimated to be 12.1% (1,776.9 g) in the whole body, 5.1% (163.9 g) in gynoid, and 6.7% (87.2 g) in android. Compared with the GE Lunar device, the mean BMDs of the Osteosys Primus were underestimated to be 2.3% (0.023 g/cm2) in the whole body and 3.1% (0.035 g/cm2) in L1-4. Compared with the GE Lunar device, the mean lean mass derived by the Osteosys Primus were underestimated to 2.3% (1,045.3 g) in the total body, 3.8% (179.4 g) in arms, and 7.7% (1,104.8 g) in legs, respectively. There were a strong correlation of BMD and body composition between both groups. Conclusions Linear correction equations were developed to ensure comparability of BMD and muscle mass between the Osteosys Primus and the GE Lunar Prodigy. Importantly, use of equations from previous studies would have increased the discrepancy between the Osteosys Primus and the GE Lunar Prodigy.

Conventional osseointegrated titanium implants have many limitations; large size, limited location for placement of the implant, severity of the surgery, discomfort of initial healing, difficulty of oral hygiene and uncontrollable force direction. Recently titanium miniscrew and miniplate have been used for an alternative to conventional dental implant. But in relation to miniplate, miniscrew has disadvantages in that more potential inflammation, light orthodontic force application and limited orthodontic application. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of miniplate by observing the reactions of peri-implant tissues to early orthodontic and orthopedic loading of titanium miniplate. In four adult beagle dogs 10 miniplates were inserted into the alveolar bone using 20 osseointegrated titanium screws. 4 miniplates were placed in two dogs(dogA, B) and 6 miniplates in two dogs(dogC, D). In dogA, B miniplates were loaded with 200gm of force immediately after placement for 15 weeks. In dogC, D, miniplates were loaded with 400gm of force immediately after placement for 8 weeks. Miniplates of dogA were removed, dogA was healed for 4 weeks, and the area which was removed of miniscrew was examined. Following an observation period, the miniplates including miniscrews and the surrounding bone of dogB and dogC, D were removed, respectively. Undecalcified section along the long axis of miniscrews were made and the degree of osseointegration was examined under the light microscope. The results were as follows. 1. In the histologic features there was direct contact between bone and miniscrew in all groups except one, dogC control group. The loaded miniscrew demonstrated only a slight increase of the osseous proximaty when compared with unloaded miniscrew 2. There was no significant difference of the osseointegration of peri-miniscrew surface between dogB and dogC, D. But dogB showed slightly more increased bone apposition than dogC, D 3. The gingiva overlapping the miniplate and miniscrew showed no inflammatory sign in clinical and histological aspects. 4. The impared hard and soft tissues at the area which was removed of miniscrews showed good healing without inflammatory reaction. 5. The mobility showed slight increase in un-loaded miniplate but that was insignificant. Based on the results of this study, miniplate(C-tube(R)) can be used as a firm osseous orthodontic and orthopedic anchorage unit immediately after insertion.
Adult ; Animals ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Dental Implants ; Dogs* ; Gingiva ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Oral Hygiene ; Orthopedics ; Osseointegration ; Titanium

PURPOSE: Internal fixation of distal humerus fracture is problematic. A modified lateral approach was assessed to determine its role in the surgical management of these injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1994 to 1998, we had operated 15 patients with distal humerus fracture. Eight patients who had intraarticular fracture were classified into group A, and seven patients who had transitional zone fracture were classified into group B. Both groups were operated by modified lateral approach. In group A, triceps muscle was elevated from medial and lateral intermuscular septum. Functional outcome was assessed with Broberg and Morrey's functional rating scale and anatomical measurement was also performed. RESULTS: All fractures united without complication. The results of functional rating scale were as follows; 3 exellent, 9 good and 3 fair. Anatomical measurement of the average proximal extent of the plate from the lateral epicondyle was 16 +/- 2.7 cm (range 12.3 to 19.8 cm) and in 3 patients, more than 70% of the entire length of the humerus. CONCLUSION: On the bases of these results, intraarticular fracture and transitional zone fracture of the distal humerus can be operated successfully with the modified lateral approach.
Humans ; Humerus* ; Intra-Articular Fractures

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition measured by the Osteosys Primus® and the GE Lunar Prodigy® and to calculate the conversion rate between the 2 devices. Methods: The 40 subjects were men and women in aged 20 to 29 years old. All participants were scanned twice on both the Osteosys Primus (OsteoSys) and the GE Lunar Prodigy (GE Healthcare) DXA systems using the manufacturers’ standard scanning and positioning protocols. Results: Compared to the GE Lunar device, the mean Osteosys fat mass was overestimated to be 12.1% (1,776.9 g) in the whole body, 5.1% (163.9 g) in gynoid, and 6.7% (87.2 g) in android. Compared with the GE Lunar device, the mean BMDs of the Osteosys Primus were underestimated to be 2.3% (0.023 g/cm2) in the whole body and 3.1% (0.035 g/cm2) in L1-4. Compared with the GE Lunar device, the mean lean mass derived by the Osteosys Primus were underestimated to 2.3% (1,045.3 g) in the total body, 3.8% (179.4 g) in arms, and 7.7% (1,104.8 g) in legs, respectively. There were a strong correlation of BMD and body composition between both groups. Conclusions Linear correction equations were developed to ensure comparability of BMD and muscle mass between the Osteosys Primus and the GE Lunar Prodigy. Importantly, use of equations from previous studies would have increased the discrepancy between the Osteosys Primus and the GE Lunar Prodigy.