PURPOSE: Kawasaki disease is notorious for coronary arterial complication which is usually developed as a febrile disease in early childhood. Increased polymorphonucleus(PMN) cell levels in acute phases may be associated with the pathophysiology of Kawasaki disease. We studied the relationship between coronary arterial dilatation and elastase activity which was excreted from PMN cell and roles as an important factor for vasculitis. METHODS: Ten patients diagnosed with Kawasaki disease in Yonsei University Medical Center were examined between November, 2001 and January, 2002. In addition, 15 patients with other febrile diseases were also examined. Echocardiography was done in patients with Kawasaki disease on the first day of admission and four weeks after the onset of the disease. At each time, venous samples were drawn and separated into plasma and leukocytes. In patients with other febrile disease, samples were drawn on admission. Elastase activities in plasma and neutrophil extracts were measured. RESULTS: The significant increased plasma elastase activity, 6.19+/-0.74 U/mL, found in Kawasaki disease patients compared with the other febrile disease patients, 4.86+/-1.17 U/mL(P<0.05). And there was no significance between the above two diseases in terms of the elastase activity in neutrophil extracts. The relationship between initial elastase activity and the coronary arterial complication which was shown in subacute phase wasn't significant. CONCLUSION: Plasma elastase activity was increased in Kawasaki disease significantly, but the initial plasma elastase activity in the acute phase could not reflect the range of coronary arterial complication.
Academic Medical Centers ; Dilatation* ; Echocardiography ; Humans* ; Leukocyte Elastase* ; Leukocytes ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Neutrophils* ; Pancreatic Elastase ; Plasma ; Vasculitis

STUDY DESIGN: We classified adult isthmic spondylolisthesis based on the findings of postmyelographic CT scanning. OBJECTIVES: To propose a new classification that could be used as a useful guideline when evaluating the patient with adult isthmic spondylolisthesis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Morphologic changes of the spinal canal and its neural contents in the adult patient with isthmic spondylolisthesis and their relations to radiological variables have not been well described in literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 32 adult patients with one level isthmic spondylolisthesis underwent myelography followed by CT scanning. Based on these findings, we classified each patient with four morphologic criteria; 1. dural station I or ll by the location of dural sac, 2. non-compression or compression type by the existence of lateral compression of dural sac. 3. root station I or ll by the location of nerve root, 4. hook or smooth type by the shape of spinal canal. Subsequent statistical analyses to assess the relationships between our newly developed classification and clinical variables were tested by SPSS software. RESULTS: Dural station correlated positively with percent slip(rpb=0.39; p=0.026). Patient age was closely related to the lateral compression(rpb=0.54, p<0.01) which consequently decreased transverse diameter of dural sac(rpb=-0.68, p<0.01). Both dural station and lateral compression were important in the prediction of the extent of the dural involvement. Root station of the smooth type correlated positively with percent slip(reb=0.47: p=0.038), while that of the hook type did not. Consequently, nerve root of the hook type entered neural foramen under the pedicle, whereas that of the smooth type entered at various locations depending on the degrees of percent slip. Depth of lateral recess was significantly less in the hook type than in the smooth type(p<0.01). Stretching of the nerve root, produced by posterior migration of the nerve root, was observed only in the smooth type. CONCLUSIONS: We strongly recommend the use of our classification because it is easy to apply and has a high correlation with radiological variables.
Adult* ; Classification* ; Humans ; Myelography* ; Spinal Canal* ; Spondylolisthesis* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

No abstract available.
Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Humans* ; Oncogenes* ; Point Mutation* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction*

Aneurysms of the coronary arteries are rare. They may be due to atheroselerosis, mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, mycotic emboli, syphilis or trauma and occasionally they are congenital. The prognosis appears to be poor and death can occur suddenly from rupture of the aneurysm, peripheral coronary embolism or bacterial endocarditis. Recently surgical treatment has been successful. In a 5 year old patient with ventricular septal defect, two aneurysmal sacs located at the cardiac crux and just posterior to it was proved by coronary angiography and MRI, and successfully excised at operation.
Aneurysm* ; Child, Preschool ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels* ; Embolism ; Endocarditis, Bacterial ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Prognosis ; Rupture ; Syphilis

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of nifedipine gastrointestinal system push-pull osmotic pump formulation in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. METHODS: After 2 weeks placebo run-in period, nifedipine 60 mg was administered once daily for 8 weeks in thirty-two patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. RESULTS: At the end point of treatment, sitting blood pressure decreased as much as 33/16mmHg in average and rewarded 88% of efficacy and 69% of normalization. The ambulatoy blood pressure monitoring in 10 patients also revealed 11% decrease in 24 hr mean diastolic blood pressure and 32% decrease in % elevated blood pressure. The most frequent side reactions were constipation in 7 patients and polyuria in 6 patients which were tolerated during entire trial period. There were no significant changes in biochemical parameters and hematologic data, thus making the rate of safety 91% and overall rating of usefulness was 84%. CONCLUSION: Nifedipine GITS 60 mg once daily regimen is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension.
Blood Pressure ; Blood Pressure Monitors ; Constipation ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Nifedipine* ; Polyuria ; Reward

It is well-known that the infection of bone and joints could produce the shortening by destroying the articuiar cartilage and growth plate, or the lengthening hy increased hlood circulation to the epiphyseal and metaphyseal regions of long bone. Since 1985, we have treated total l7 cases of children s pyogenic or tuberculous children s knee with early arthrotomy and continuous irrigation etc. and followed their long hone growth for average 53 months after surgical intervention. Five patients (group I ) were early treated within 2 weeks and twelve patients(group 3 ) were delayed to treat their knees for more than 2 weeks of symptom development. Total 11 patients out of 17 cases(64.7%) (2 cases of group 1 pyogenic arthritis, and 1 case of group l and 8 cases of group II tuberculous arthritis) revealed growth acceleration. Femoral lengthening was much more greater than that of tibial growth, and the size of patella, distal femoral and proximal tibial epiphysis which were measured by computerized digitizer were also significantly larger than that of opposite knee. The total limb length was increased hy average 7mm in 6 months, l4mm in 1 year and 3mm in 2 years after operation. These results suggest the pyogenic and tuberculous arthritis in children s knee should he treated as early as possible after symptoms developed, and followed them to trace their limh inequality for at least 2 years after surgery. That means the early arthrotomy for tuberculous knee or even in pyogenic arthritis can preserve normal articular cartilage and can also prevent the early epiphyseal closure hy infection. and can get the limh lengthening by increased blood circulation around the knee joint.
Acceleration ; Arthritis ; Blood Circulation ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Child* ; Epiphyses ; Extremities ; Growth Plate ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee Joint* ; Knee* ; Lower Extremity* ; Patella ; Socioeconomic Factors

Fifty patients with mild essential hypertension were studied to evaluate the efficacy of once-daily regimen of nitrendipine, 10~20mg daily for 12 weeks. 1) Thirty-Seven patients completed the study and showed -9% change in mean arterial headache etc. 2) Eight patients were dropped out because of side reaction, namely flushing, palpitation, headache etc. 3) Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring before and after treatment in 3 patients confirmed the drug efficacy revealing 9% decrement in mean blood pressure and 46% decrease in % elevated BP. 4) Twenty patients who were controlled with other hypotensive drugs were well controlled & maintained the blood pressure in normal range after switching to nitrendpine 10~20mg daily. In conclusion, citrendipine is a safe and good antihypertensive calcium antagonist in the treatment of mild hypertensives with 10~20mg of once-daily dosage.
Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Blood Pressure* ; Calcium ; Flushing ; Headache ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Nitrendipine* ; Reference Values

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the improvement of dysphagia after balloon dilatation and balloon swallowing at the vallecular space with a Foley catheter in stroke patients. METHODS: This study was conducted between May 1, 2012 and December 31, 2015, and involved 30 stroke patients with complaints of difficulty in swallowing. All patients underwent videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) before and after vallecular ballooning. VFSS was performed with a 4 mL semisolid bolus. For vallecular ballooning, two trainings were performed for at least 10 minutes, including backward stretching of the epiglottis and swallowing of a balloon located in the vallecular space, by checking the movement of the Foley catheter tip in real time using VFSS. RESULTS: After examination of the dysphagia improvement pattern before and after vallecular ballooning, laryngeal elevation (x-axis: pre 2.62±1.51 mm and post 3.54±1.93 mm, p=0.038; y-axis: pre 17.11±4.24 mm and post 22.11±3.46 mm, p=0.036), pharyngeal transit time (pre 5.76±6.61 s and post 4.08±5.49 s, p=0.043), rotation of the epiglottis (pre 53.24°±26.77° and post 32.45°±24.60°, p<0.001), and post-swallow pharyngeal remnant (pre 41.31%±23.77% and post 32.45%±24.60%, p=0.002) showed statistically significant differences. No significant difference was observed in the penetration-aspiration scale score (pre 4.73±1.50 and post 4.46±1.78, p=0.391). CONCLUSION: For stroke patients with dysmotility of the epiglottis and post-swallowing residue, vallecular ballooning can be considered as an alternative method that can be applied without risk of aspiration in dysphagia treatment.
Catheters ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders* ; Dilatation ; Epiglottis ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Methods ; Stroke*

During the Period from 22th to November 26th , 1971, An Epidemiological Survey was performed on the Accident which was occurred by Leakage of Chloride Gases in A Chimical Industry, one of Wul San Industrial Areas. The obtained results were as follows ; 1. The largest damage was observed at Yeo Cheon Dong, 5.38 Km2 in Area and 8,192 in the Residents. 2. By the age distribution of Yeo Cheon Dong, The largest damaged area resulting from chloride accident, the age group of between 10 and 39 was highly occupied with 55.2% of all Yeo Cheon residents. 3. The number of patient was 436 totally, 198 in male and 238 in female. 4. By the age group distribution of the patient, in case of male, the largest group was under 20 age (96) and female, between 20 and 40 age group. 5. By the educational level of the patient, No-Education group was 116 (26.6%), and primary school, middle school and high school were respectively 168 (38.5%), 68(15.6%) and 12 (2.8%). 6. By the occupational distribution of the patient, No-Occupation group was 49.7%, students and agriculture were respectively 14.4% and 8.1%. 7. By the complaints of the patient, most of all were for respiratory tract, those are coughing (56.9%), chest tightness (35.6%), sore throat (24.8%), and so forth. 8. By the injured domestic animal, the Dog was most highly injured with 46.2%.
Age Distribution ; Agriculture ; Animals ; Animals, Domestic ; Cough ; Dogs ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Female ; Gases ; Humans ; Male ; Pharyngitis ; Respiratory System ; Thorax

From May lst to November 30th, 1971, a study was conducted by authors on the health status of industrial workers through applying the modified Cornell Medical Index forwards a total of 4,565 labourers working in Busan City. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The largest number of industries and labourers was in Busanjin Gu, 9 and 2,386 (52.2%), respectively. 2. Total numbers of labourers subjected to the survey were 2,355 (51.6% in male, 2,210(48.4%) in female. 3. By age and sex distribution, the largest was seen with the age group of 25-34, 1,260 in male, otherwise with under the age group of 24, 1,994 in female labourers. 4. The highest average number of complaints by section among all age groups and industries was as follows ; In case of male labourers, textile was the highest with numbering 8.7 (35-39 age group) in the section of physical complaints, in the section of mental and total complaints, food industry was the highest with numbering 8.2 and 16.4, respectively, both under 19 age group, otherwise in case of female labourers, food industry was the highest with numbering 12.3 (physical), 10.3(mental) and 22.7 (total complaints) with all in 20-24 age group. 5. The lowest average number of complaints by section among all age groups and industries was as follows; In case of male labourers, other industry was the lowest with numbering 0.4 (55and over) in the physical, 0.3 (19and under) in the mental and 0.7 (55and over) in the section of total complaints, otherwise incase of female labourers, basic metal was the lowest in the all sections with all in 50-54 age groups.
Busan ; Cornell Medical Index ; Female ; Food Industry ; Humans ; Male ; Sex Distribution ; Textiles