PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical results and advantage of interposition and shortening technique for the treatment of the humeral nonunion with bone defect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients with the humeral nonunion with bone defect underwent interposition of fragments and shortening had been followed-up for more than one year (mean 70 months, 16~156). There were 4 men and 4 women with a mean age of 60.5 years (range, 48 to 75 years). There included 3 proximal, 3 diaphysis and 2 distal metaphysis according to the site, mean size of the bone defect was 3.3 cm (2~5). The time to union, discrepancy of upper extremity, functional results, cosmetic satisfaction and postoperative complications were assessed. RESULTS: All patients achieved to bone union, average union time was 10.2 weeks (range 8~14). Average limb discrepancy was 2.3 cm. All had improvement in shoulder and elbow motion after operation. Seven patients were satisfied with the cosmetic result and none had functional deficit due to limb discrepancy. CONCLUSION: Treatment by Interposition of fragments and shortening in the intractable nonunion of humerus with a bony defect can achieve not only good functional result, shortened bone union time and improved in shoulder and elbow motion.
Cosmetics ; Diaphyses ; Elbow ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Humerus ; Imidazoles ; Male ; Nitro Compounds ; Postoperative Complications ; Shoulder ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefullness of the percutaneous reduction technique with K-wire that could reduce the displaced posterolateral fracture fragment which persisted even after an anatomical reduction of the lateral malleolar fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2004 to December 2006, we reviewed 72 patients who underwent surgical treatment for their trimalleolar fractures. We estimated the clinical and radiological results of 5 cases treated by percutaneous reduction technique with K-wire when more than the distal tibial articular step-off was left after reduction of the lateral malleolar fracture. The method of reduction starts with temporary fixation of lateral malleolar fracture followed by checking ankle radiographic image to confirm the accuracy of reduction. In case of incomplete reduction of the posterior fragment, a K-wire is inserted into the posterior fragment and pushed downward to the ankle joint level, and then lag screws were inserted. RESULTS: The average articular involvement by the posterolateral fracture fragment was 30.2%. The average step-off after reduction of the lateral malleolar fracture was 3.7 mm. At the final follow up, step-off was less than 2 mm in all cases. In clinical results by Baird and Jackson score, 3 out of 5 cases were excellent, other 2 were good. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous reduction technique for posterolateral fragment using the K-wire is relatively easy. This technique may be useful when the posterolateral fragment is large (more the 25% of articular surface) and not severely comminuted.
Animals ; Ankle ; Ankle Joint ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans

Renal involvement is one of the extra-articular manifestations found in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Membranous glomerulonephopathy, membranoproliferative glomeruonophritis, secondary amyloidosis, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis are reported as pathologic diagnoses of renal involvement. However, reports of renal involvement in patients with RA and antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated pauci-immune glomerulonephritis are rare. Recently, we experienced two patients with RA who developed azotemia and were finally diagnosed with ANCA-associated pauci-immune glomerulonephritis. Because of the rarity of these cases, we report two cases in patients with RA with a literature review.
Amyloidosis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Azotemia ; Cytoplasm ; Glomerulonephritis ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: Heart rate variability(HRV) is helpful to diagnosis autonomic disturbance and sympathetic-parasympathetic imbalance in patients with myocardial infarction and diabetes mellitus. Patients with liver cirrhosis demonstrate reduced blood pressure despite increased heart rate and increased cardiac output, indicating a fall in peripheral vascular resistance. Autonomic disturbance may contribute to this phenomenon. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the degree of autonomic disturbance and the circadian rhythm of autonomic nervous system by estimating HRV with 24 hour-Holter recorder, METHODS: 24 hour-HRV with Del Mar Avionics 563 Holter recorder and cardiovascular reflex tests were carried out on 32 patients with liver cirrhosis and 20 control subjects. We evaluated the presence of autonomic disturbance, and assessed quantitatively the autonomic disturbance. RESULTS: 1) Among cardiovascular reflex tests, Valsalva test, standing test and deep breathing test were showed a significantly decreased response in liver cirrhosis compared with control groups. 2) The standard deviation of 24hours average R-R intervals were showed a significantly decrease in liver cirrhosis than control groups(P<0.0001). The HRV of low frequency(LF. P<.D.001), high frequency(HF, P<0.0001) and total power spectral density (P<0.0001) in liver cirrhosis were statistically lower than control. 3) The LF/HF ratio of patients with liver cirrhosis was showed higher than control at night CONCLUSION: Non-invasive assessment of 24 hour-HRV has a few advantages in the diagnosis and degree of autonomic disturbance, evaluation of diurnal variation of autonomic tone.
Autonomic Nervous System ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiac Output ; Circadian Rhythm ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Myocardial Infarction ; Reflex ; Respiration ; Vascular Resistance

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by several species of Fusarium that are found in cereals and agricultural products. ZEN has been implicated in mycotoxicosis in farm animals and in humans. The toxic effects of ZEN are well known, but the ability of an alkaline Comet assay to assess ZEN-induced oxidative DNA damage in Chang liver cells has not been established. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the Comet assay for the determination of cytotoxicity and extent of DNA damage induced by ZEN toxin, and the second aim was to investigate the ability of N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) to protect cells from ZEN-induced toxicity. In the Comet assay, DNA damage was assessed by quantifying the tail extent moment (TEM; arbitrary unit) and tail length (TL; arbitrary unit), which are used as indicators of DNA strand breaks in SCGE. The cytotoxic effects of ZEN in Chang liver cells were mediated by inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of oxidative DNA damage. Increasing the concentration of ZEN increased the extent of DNA damage. The extent of DNA migration, and percentage of cells with tails were significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner following treatment with ZEN toxin (p < 0.05). Treatment with a low concentration of ZEN toxin (25 microM) induced a relatively low level of DNA damage, compared to treatment of cells with a high concentration of ZEN toxin (250 microM). Oxidative DNA damage appeared to be a key determinant of ZEN-induced toxicity in Chang liver cells. Significant reductions in cytolethality and oxidative DNA damage were observed when cells were pretreated with NACA prior to exposure to any concentration of ZEN. Our data suggest that ZEN induces DNA damage in Chang liver cells, and that the antioxidant activity of NACA may contribute to the reduction of ZEN-induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity via elimination of oxidative stress.
Acetylcysteine ; Animals, Domestic ; Cell Proliferation ; Edible Grain ; Comet Assay ; DNA ; DNA Damage ; Electrophoresis ; Estrogens ; Fusarium ; Humans ; Liver ; Mycotoxicosis ; Oxidative Stress ; Zearalenone

A 63-year-old female was presented to emergency room with an abdominal pain. The patient had moderate mitral valve stenosis and atrial fibrillation. Abdominal computed tomography revealed right renal infarction. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a large mobile mass in the left atrium. Transesophageal two-and three-dimensional echocardiography showed a large mobile ovoid mass with a narrow stalk attached to the left atrial septum. It was thought to be a myxoma rather than thrombus. Anticoagulation with heparin was continued. When the operation was performed, there was no mass in the left atrium. It must be a thrombus and melt away.
Abdominal Pain ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Atrial Septum ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional ; Emergencies ; Female ; Heart Atria ; Heparin ; Humans ; Infarction ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Myxoma ; Thrombosis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the clinical characteristics of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) sustaining high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) despite clinical remission. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 91 patients, who visited a tertiary medical center. Patients underwent laboratory tests and a physical examination by a rheumatologist. The disease activity score (DAS) was calculated and patients who were in remission (defined as DAS28-CRP <2.6) were selected. Patients were divided into two groups: those with high and low ESRs (> or =40 and <40 mm/hr, respectively). RESULTS: DAS 28-CRP scores revealed that 61 of the 91 patients were in remission. Of these 61 patients, 15 and 46 were allocated to the high and low ESR groups, respectively. Compared to the low ESR group, the high ESR group had a longer disease duration (99.2+/-60.2 vs. 59.1+/-48.9 months), significantly higher white blood cell counts, and CRP levels, total modified Sharp radiographic joint scores, and erosion scores, as well as significantly lower hemoglobin, albumin and alanine aminotransferase levels. CONCLUSION: Patients who have high ESRs despite their remission status may show progressive radiographic change. In such patients, additional treatments that decreases the inflammation and prevents radiological progression should be considered.
Alanine Transaminase ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Blood Sedimentation* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Erythrocytes* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Joints ; Leukocyte Count ; Physical Examination

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of fascial sling operation conducted at multicenters in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 564 patients, who underwent fascial sling operation for stress urinary incontinence, between December 1996 and May 2001, at 10 institutions in Korea, were included in this study. They were all followed up for a period of at least 2 years. History taking, a physical examination, and urodynamic studies, including Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP), were conducted before the operation. Postoperative symptoms and satisfaction were assessed using a questionnaire. The 269 (47.7%), 266 (47.2%) and 29 (5.1%) patients underwent operations with autologous rectus fascia, cadaveric allograft fascia and autologous fascia lata, respectively. RESULTS: The mean follow up period was 43.6 months, ranging from 24 to 77 months. Stress urinary incontinence was cured in 485 (86.0%) patients and improved in 31 (5.5%). In autologous fascia group, 252 (84.6%) patients were cured and 18 (6.0%) improved; whereas, in allograft fascia group 233 (87.6%) patients were cured and 13 (4.9%) improved. 253 (84.9%) patients with autologous fascia and 228 (85.7%) patients with allograft fascia were satisfied, making a total of 481 patients (85.3%) that were satisfied with the operation. According to the fascia length and preoperative VLPP value, there were no differences in the success and patient satisfaction rates. There were 197 (34.9%) patients with preoperative urge urinary incontinence, and 92 (46.7%) of these were either cured or improved postoperatively. However, de novo urge urinary incontinence was noted in 8 patients (1.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the long-term outcome of fascial sling operation for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence was satisfactory.
Allografts ; Cadaver ; Fascia ; Fascia Lata ; Female* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea* ; Patient Satisfaction ; Physical Examination ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urinary Incontinence* ; Urodynamics

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the cellular immune response to interferon(IFN)-alpha and ribavirin combination therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C, we monitored serum levels of soluble IL-2 receptor(sIL2R) before and after the therapy. METHODS: Serum sIL2R levels before and after the combination therapy were measured in 19 patients with chronic hepatitis C. IFN(3 MU/day, 3 times/week) and ribavirin 1000 mg/day were administered for 24 weeks to all patients. RESULTS: After the therapy, sIL2R levels were increased (before, 3.13 0.67 ng/m L, and after 4.08 2.13 ng/mL, p=0.059) but statistically insignificant(p>0.05). The patients were divided into two groups : the responder group who were negative for serum hepatitis C virus(HCV)-RNA after the therapy, and the non-responder group who were still positive for HCV-RNA after the therapy. Between these two groups, sIL2R levels before and after the therapy were not significantly different. The ratio of sIL2R levels before and after the therapy was calculated, although the ratio was higher in responder group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups(sIL2R after the therapy)/(sIL2R before the therapy) : 1.43 0.70 in the responder group and 1.04 0.28 in the nonresponder group, p=0.096). CONCLUSION: Although these results failed to demonstrate that sIL2R level was increased during the combination therapy in patients with hepatitis C, this study suggested that cytokines which mediate immune response may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic heaptitis C virus infection.
Cytokines ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis C ; Hepatitis C, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Interferon-alpha ; Interferons* ; Interleukin-2* ; Receptors, Interleukin-2* ; Ribavirin*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcome of uveitis in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) during tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-inhibiting therapy and to compare the incidence rate of uveitis in infliximab, adalimumab, and etanercept. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was performed in AS patients who had started TNF-inhibiting therapy from June 2003 to June 2011. The clinical characteristics of patients with documented uveitis were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 316 patients treated with TNF inhibitor, 26 patients (8%) had experienced uveitis during TNF-inhibiting therapy. Among them, 15 patients were treated with etanercept, eight with adalimumab, and three with infliximab. The overall incidence rate of uveitis flare during therapy with TNF inhibitor was 46 per 1,000 person-years (pys) (95% confidence interval [CI], 32 to 64). The incidence rate did not differ between TNF inhibitors, with 54/1,000 pys (95% CI, 34 to 81) for etanercept, 46/1,000 pys (95% CI, 21 to 87) for adalimumab, and 22/1,000 pys (95% CI, 5 to 64) for infliximab. Fourteen patients experienced a first episode of uveitis. The overall incidence rate of new onset-uveitis after therapy with TNF inhibitor was 19 per 1,000 pys (95% CI, 10 to 31). The incidence rate for etanercept was 24/1,000 pys (95% CI, 12 to 45); adalimumab, 15/1,000 pys (95% CI, 3 to 45); and infliximab, 7/1,000 pys (95% CI, 0 to 40). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of uveitis flare or the cumulative uveitis-free rate among the three TNF inhibitors. CONCLUSION: The relative rate of uveitis, including the first episode, was determined using the TNF inhibitor. However, there was no difference in the incidence rate of uveitis among the three TNF inhibitors.
Humans ; Incidence* ; Korea* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha* ; Uveitis* ; Adalimumab ; Infliximab ; Etanercept