OBJECTIVEs: Cytogenetic investigations were carried out on 770 women with primary (n=560) and secondary amenorrhea (n=210) to determine the frequency of chromosomal or genetic causes of amenorrhea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 770 women with primary amenorrhea (n=560) and secondary amenorrhea (n=210), chromosomal analysis were performed. RESULTS: 1) The most prevalent age group is 16-20 years of age group with primary amenorrhea and 26-30 years of age group with secondary amenorrhea. 2) Out of 560 cases of primary amenorrhea, 343 cases (61.3%) had the normal chromosome constitution and 217 cases (38.7%) had the abnormal chromosome constitution including 46,XY. 3) In 217 cases of abnormal chromosome of primary amenorrhea, 57 cases (26.3%) had 45,X and 34 cases (15.8%) had the 46,XY, 24 cases (11.0%) had 45,X/46,X,i (Xq), 23 cases (10.6%) had 45,X/46,X,+mar and 14 cases (6.6%) had 45,X/46,XY. 4) Out of 210 cases of secondary amenorrhea, 181 cases (86.2%) had the normal chromosome constitution and 29 cases (13.8%) had 45,X/46,XX. CONCLUSION: High percentage of chromosomal abnormalities was diagnosed in primary amenorrhea and most of them were sex chromosome anomalies. In secondary amenorrhea, the prevalence was lower than primary amenorrhea, so a preselection of patients with secondary amenorrhea for cytogenetic investigations seems to be necessary.
Amenorrhea* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Constitution and Bylaws ; Cytogenetics* ; Female ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Sex Chromosomes

Since the pattern of the frequency distribution of a parasite within a host showed an overdispersed pattern, various statistical models such as Poisson, negative binomial and lognormal distributions have been applied on the population dynamics in host-parasite relations. The observed data on the number of metacercariae of Clonorchis sinensis in a suitable intermediate host, Pseudorasbora parva which were collected from an endemic area, Juk-Rim River, Kim-Hae Goon, South Kyong-Sang Do were applied on the statistical models. The results obtained are as follows: By the calculation of the raw data, 258(94.9 percent) out of 272 fish showed positive to the metacercarial infection of C. sinensis. The mean number of metacercaria in a fish was 335.1. The standard deviation was 250.6 and the mode was observed between 250 and 299. The frequency distribution pattern of metacercariae of C. sinensis within the fish host in surveyed area was fitted to the lognormal distribution (0.05 parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Clonorchis sinensis ; metacercaria ; Pseudorasbora parva ; frequency distribution ; host

To understand the mode of transmission in clonorchiasis, a survey was made in Kim-hae Goon, South Kyong-sang Do (=Province). The mathematical analysis of the age prevalence was done on the egg positive rates. And another analysis for the comparison was also made to the cited data from two areas, North Kyong-sang Do and Ko-yang Goon, Kyong-gi Do. Some catalytic models of H. Muench (1959) were applied to the observed age prevalence. Because the both parameters, such as force of infection(a) and loss of positivity(b) were considered to be constant for a long period in the surveyed area, the two stage catalytic model by Muench was chosen to the analysis. In the surveyed area, Kim-hae Goon where the egg positive rates were 56.2 percent and 61.2 percent (by Kim, 1974), the constant values of 'a' were found to be 0.051 and 0.089 respectively. In other words, the force of infection was 51, 89 per 1,000 susceptibles. The values of 'b' were found to be 0.006 and 0.005. This means that the rates of disappearance from egg positive cases to negative were 6 and 5 per annum per l,000 positive cases in above area. Therefore, the two catalytic curves were expressed by the following equations, y = 1.133 {e(-0.006t) - e(-0.051t)} and y = 1.047 {e(-0.005t) - e(-0.089t)} respectively. In the cases of North Kyong-sang Do and Ko-yang Goon, Kyong-gi Do where the egg positive rates of clonorchis shown as 27.7 percent and 15.2 percent by Shin (1964) and Kim (l974), the curves were expressed by y = 1.769 {e(-0.010t) - e(-0.034t)} and y = 2.857 {e(-0.020t) - e(-0.027t)} respectively. From the above mathematical analyses by age prevalence in clonorchiasis, it was considered that the mode of transmission of clonorchiasis in the surveyed area, Kim-hae Goon presented more rapid pattern than those of North Kyong-sang Do and Ko-yang Goon, Kyong-gi Do.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; clonorchiasis-Clnorchis sinensis ; epidemiology ; transmission

Clinical analysis of 170 patients with childhood leukemia was made, who were admitted to the department of Pediatrics, Pusan Paik Hospital, Inje University, College of Medicine during 10 years from 1981 to 1990. The results were as follows: 1) The annual number of the patients with childhood leukemia was in the range of 6~25 cases. And the annual rate of the number of the patients in the department of the Pediatrics was 0.37~1.60% with the average of 1.06%. 2) Of the 170 patients, 72 cases(42.3%) were in the range of 0~5 years of age, which was the largest age group. In male, of the 97 patients, the largest age group was the age group of 0~5 years, which included 45 cases (46.4%), while in female, the largest was that of 6~10 years, which included 29 cases of 73 patients (39.8%). 3) Of the 170 patients, sex ratio was 1.33:1 with male dominance in all age groups except 1:1.6 with female dominance in the age group of 6~10 years. 4) Of the 170 patients, 113 cases were ALL (66.5%), 50 cases AML (29.4%), and 7 cases CML (4.1%). 5) In ALL, 51 cases of the 113 patients (45.1%), were in the age group of 0~5 years, 35 cases (31%) in the age group of 6~10 years, and 27 cases (23.9%) in the age group of 11~15 years. In AML, 19 cases of the 50 patients (38.0%) were in the age group of 0~5 years, 17 cases (34%) in the age group of 6~10 years, and 14 cases (28%) in the age group of 11~15 years. 6) In ALL, the sex ratio of male: female was 1.21:1, 1,50:1 in AML, and 2.5:1 in CML. 7) According to the FAB classification in ALL, of the 113 patients, 72 cases (63,7%) were in L1 type, 34 cases (30.0%) in L2 type, and only 3 cases in L3 type. In AML, of the 50 patients, 19 cases (38%) were in M2 type, 16 cases (32%) in M1 type, and 6 cases (12%) in M4 type, in order. 8) In CML, of the 7 patients, 4 cases were juvenile type, who were all under 10 years old, while 3 cases were adult type, who were all male above 11 years old. 9) Of the 170 patients, clinical symptoms on admission were pallor in 112 cases (65.9%), fever in 84 cases (49.4%), hemorrhage in 78 cases (45.9%), weakness in 40 cases (25.3%), bone pain in 32 cases (18.8%) in order. 10) Of the 170 patients, physical findings on admission were hepatomegaly in 113 cases (66.5%), lymphnode swelling in 84 cases (49.4%), splenomegaly in 78 cases (45,9%)in order. 11) Of the 170 patients, the hemoglobin level on admission were 4~7gm/dl in 95 cases (55.9%), 8~10gm/dl in 42 cases (24.7%), and 0~3gm/dl in 22 cases (12.9%) in order. 12) Of the 170 patients, the WBC count on admission were 10,000~50,000/mm3 in 58 cases (34.1%), below, 5,000/mm3 in 49 cases (28.8%), and 5,5000~100,000/mm3 in 24 cases (14.1%) in order. 13) Of the 170 patients, the platelet count on admission were below 50,000/mm3 in 93 cases (54,7%), above 100,000/mm3 in 48 cases (28.2%), 20,000~50,000/mm3 in 43 (25,3%), 43 cases (25,3%), and 50,000~100,000/mm3 in 29 cases (17.1%) in order.
Adult ; Busan ; Child ; Classification ; Female ; Fever ; Hemorrhage ; Hepatomegaly ; Humans ; Leukemia* ; Male ; Pallor ; Pediatrics ; Platelet Count ; Sex Ratio ; Splenomegaly

No abstract available.
Animals ; Embryonic Structures* ; Freezing* ; Mice*

No abstract available.
Knee* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging*

Neutrophils are important effector cells against protozoan extracellular parasite Entamoeba histolytica, which causes amoebic colitis and liver abscess in human beings. Apoptotic cell death of neutrophils is an important event in the resolution of inflammation and parasite's survival in vivo. This study was undertaken to investigate the ultrastructural aspects of apoptotic cells during neutrophil death triggered by Entamoeba histolytica. Isolated human neutrophils from the peripheral blood were incubated with or without live trophozoites of E. histolytica and examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Neutrophils incubated with E. histolytica were observed to show apoptotic characteristics, such as compaction of the nuclear chromatin and swelling of the nuclear envelop. In contrast, neutrophils incubated in the absence of the amoeba had many protrusions of irregular cell surfaces and heterogenous nuclear chromatin. Therefore, it is suggested that Entamoeba-induced neutrophil apoptosis contribute to prevent unwanted tissue inflammation and damage in the amoeba-invaded lesions in vivo.
Animals ; Apoptosis/*physiology ; Entamoeba histolytica/*physiology ; Host-Parasite Relations/physiology ; Humans ; In Vitro ; Neutrophils/physiology/*ultrastructure ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation is to determine the frequency of chromosomal or genetic causes of recurrent spontaneous abortion. METHODS : A cytogenetic study was made in of 921 couples for 13 years from January 1984 to December 1997 in which the woman was ascertained to have had two or more spontaneous abortions at our Cytogenetic Laboratory, Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Population, Seoul National University. RESULTS : The overall incidence of chromosome anomaly was 80 out of 921 (8.7%). There were 34 cases (3.69%) of reciprocal balanced translocation and 13 cases (1.41%) of Robertsonian translocation. Also 17 cases (1.85%) of inversion and 5 cases (0.54%) of X chromosome mosiacism was observed. In the case of reciprocal balanced translocation, chromosome 8,6,7,13 were preferentially involved over others. And in the case of Robertsonian translocation, chromosome 13 was preferentially involved. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that cytogenetic analysis is indicated in couples with 2 or more spontaneous abortion and about half of these disorders are reciprocal balanced or Robertsonian translocations.
Abortion, Spontaneous* ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 13 ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Cytogenetics* ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Pregnancy ; Reproductive Medicine ; Seoul ; X Chromosome

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate whether a self-efficacy information resources program based on the self-efficacy theory of Bandura (1986) would increase self-efficacy and self-care in patients with CAD. METHOD: The study was a one group, pretest- posttest pre-experimental design research. The Self-Efficacy Information Resources Program was composed of a video tape program and a telephone coaching program and based on vicarious experiences and verbal persuation. The Program was used as an experimental treatment from February 27. to May 27, 1999. Twenty patients participated from a university hospital located in Seoul. Three days later after a pretest the telephone coaching program was given. It was repeated weekly during a 3 week period. At the end of this period post-test data were collected by mail. Data were analyzed with a random permutation test using SAS program. RESULT: 1) Scores on self-efficacy after the Self-Efficacy Information Resources Program were significantly higher than before the program (p=0.06). 2) Scores on self-care after the Program were significantly higher (subjective self-care, p=0.0005; objective self-care, p= 0.0002) than before the program. CONCLUSION: The Program was found to be an effective nursing intervention for increasing self-efficacy and self-care. When nurses who care for CAD patients plan to increase their patients' self care ability, they should always consider the concept of self-efficacy.
Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Humans ; Nursing ; Postal Service ; Self Care* ; Seoul ; Telephone

Choroideremia is characterized by progressive atrophy of choroid and pigment epithelium of retina leading to night blindness and gross loss of field. and is inherited as X chromosome linked intermediate. Authors experienced 2 cases among a family of choroideremia. The clinical finding and brief reviews of literatures are reported as followings.
Atrophy ; Choroid ; Choroideremia* ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Night Blindness ; Retina ; X Chromosome