Congenital fibrosarcoma of neonate is a very rare malignant tumor prone to behave aggressively with a tendency to local recurrence without metastasis. It is characteristically composed of collagenous fibroblasts and herringbone pattern in histology. We experienced a case of congenital fibrosarcoma on the left thigh and report this case with some review in literature with 1½ year follow up.
Collagen ; Fibroblasts ; Fibrosarcoma ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Thigh

The severe form of chronic periodontitis(CP) has been reported to be strongly associated with the presence of allele 2 of composite IL-1B(+3954) and IL-1A(+4845) genetic polymor- phisms(genotype positive). However, other studies have reported conflicting findings. These might have resulted from differences in ethnic background and disease entities. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of IL-1A(+4845), IL-1B(+3954), IL-1B(-511), and IL-1 RN(VNTR) genetic polymorphisms in children as a future Korean population. The study population consisted of 92 children from the Dept. of Pediatric Den- tistry, Chonnam National University Hospital. Genomic DNA was obtained from buccal swab. The IL-1A(+4845), IL-1B(+3954), and IL-1B(-511) genes were genotyped by amplifying the polymorphic region using multiplex polymerase chain reaction(PCR), followed by restriction enzyme digestion and gel electrophoresis. IL-1 RN(VNTR) polymorphism were then evaluat- ed by PCR amplification and fragment size analysis in agarose gel. The allele 2 frequency was 41.3%, 4.3%, 47.8%, and 9.9% for IL-1A(+4845), IL-1B(+3954), IL-1B(-511), and IL-1 RN respectively. The frequency of genotype with allele 2 carriage for IL-1A(+4845), IL-1B(+3954), IL-1B(-511), and IL-1 RN was 77.1%, 7.6%, 63.0%, and 15.2% respectively. The allele 2 frequency in IL-1B(+3954) was significantly higher in female than in male population(p<0.05). The negative association was shown between the presence of allele 2 in IL-1B(-511) and in IL-1B(+3954), and the carriage rate of IL-1B(+3954) allele 2 tended to lower in IL-1B(-511) allele 2(P=0.056). Only 7.3% of children carried the composite genotype of IL-1A(+4845) and IL-1B(+3954). These results suggest that the polymorphism of IL-1B(+3954) and the positive composite genotype was relatively rare in Korean population.
Alleles ; Child* ; Digestion ; DNA ; Electrophoresis ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interleukin-1* ; Jeollanam-do ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Sepharose

Transient synovitis of the hip is non-specific inflammation and self limited condition, which is most common cause of painful limping in children under 10 years of age. Ultrasonography presents some merits, simple, rapid, non-invasive, low cost, repetitive to assess soft structures in and around the hip joint compared to other diagnostic methods. We prospectively studied 32 cases of unilateral transient synovitis at OPD from Jan. 1988 to Oct. 1989 using 5-7.5 MH, probe ultrasonography. 2-times serial check up in symptomatic and asymptomatic stage about capsule thickness and bone-capsule distance in 3 different positions of the both hips were performed for comparision. The following results were obtained; 1. Boys were 25 cases (78%) and 26 cases (83%) were between 3 and 7 years old of age. 2. Bone-capsule distance in ultrasonography revealed abnormal increase in 72%. 3. External rotation position showed wider bone-capsule distance than other position. 4. Capsule thickness was 3.3mm in diseased and 3.0mm in sound, 0.3mm decrease after treatment. 5. Bone-capsule distance was 4.5mm in symptomatic stage, 2.7mm in asymptomatic stage, 1.8mm decrease after treatment in averge.
Child ; Hip Joint ; Hip ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Prospective Studies ; Synovitis ; Ultrasonography

From January 1988 to December 1991, 39 fractures of the lateral condyle of humerus in children were treated at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sung-Ac General Hospital. It was possible to follow up from one year to four years and eleven months. The authors have analyzed the method of treatment on the basis of the degree of displacement in the change of Carrying angle and Baumann's angle. The results were as follows; 1. Of the 39 cases, the age incidence was confined to 2 to 12 years of age and the average age of the patients were 5 years. 2. Most fractures were Milch type II (29 cases) in contrast to Milch type I (10 cases). 3. According to the initial displacement of the fracture, 8 cases were Jokob's stage I, 21 cases of stage II & 10 cases of stage III. 4. There were no significant difference in the range of change of Carrying angle and Baumann's angle according to initial displacement of fracture site. However, significant difference in outcome were noticed from open reduction and internal fixation in comparison to closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. 5. In all 39 cases, lateral condylar overgrowth (10 cases), cubitus varus (1 cases) and cubitus valgus (3 cases) were noticed as complications but clinical significance was not noted. 6. The above results suggest that internal fixation is recommended for firm fixation although displacement is not severe. In case of Jakob's stage III, anatomical reduction is required in order to reduce additional damage on articular surface and epiphyseal plate caused by excessive manipulation.
Child ; Clinical Study ; Follow-Up Studies ; Growth Plate ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Humerus ; Incidence ; Methods

No abstract available.
POEMS Syndrome*

Although metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and the development of atherosclerosis, consensus is still lacking on the status of cardiovascular function and geometry in MetS patients. We investigated the relation between MetS and left ventricle (LV) geometry and function, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and arterial stiffness in a community-based cohort of 702 adult subjects. Subjects were categorized into three groups according to the number of MetS components present, as defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines: 1) Absent (0 criteria), 2) Pre-MetS (1-2 criteria) or 3) MetS (> or =3 criteria). In female subjects, LV mass, LV mass/height(2.7), deceleration time, and aortic pulse wave velocity increased, and E/A ration decreased in a stepwise manner across the three groups. These changes were not observed in male subjects. The mean carotid IMT was higher in the MetS group than in the other two groups. The degree of MetS clustering is found to be strongly correlated with geometric eccentricity of LV hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction and arterial changes irrespective of age and blood pressure status, particularly in females. Waist circumference is found to have the most powerful effect on cardiovascular parameters.
Adult ; Aged ; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology/*physiopathology ; Cardiovascular System/pathology/*physiopathology ; Carotid Arteries/anatomy & histology/physiology ; *Cohort Studies ; Female ; Heart Ventricles/anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/complications/*physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; *Rural Population ; Ventricular Function, Left/physiology

No abstract available.
Pseudohypoparathyroidism*

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Abdominal distension from the insufflation of air can create more troublesome discomfort after colonoscopy (CFS) than after upper endoscopy. Many patients report difficulty in expelling insufflated air after CFS. One previous study demonstrated that insertion of rectal tube at the conclusion of CFS significantly improves patient satisfaction with the procedure. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of rectal tube placement for abdominal decompression after CFS in an effort to limit patient discomfort by carefully applying air suction during CFS. METHODS: We conducted a prospective trial in 103 consecutive patients undergoing elective CFS. Patients were randomized to receive rectal tube placement at the end of the procedure or simple air suction during the procedure. Patients were evaluated by clinical symptoms and signs 10 minutes after completion of CFS. RESULTS: All 103 patients had a complete examination of the colon to the cecum. No specific complications occurred during and a day after examination. The two groups were well matched with respect to age, sex, height, weight, chief complaints. There were no significant differences between the two groups for bowel preparation, duration of examination, abdominal pain during procedure, abdominal disten-sion 10 minutes after CFS, and abdominal pain 10 minutes after CFS (p >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Meticulous air suction during CFS reduces abdominal discomfort and distension after CFS and is as effectively as the placement of a rectal tube at the con-clusion of CFS.
Abdominal Pain ; Cecum ; Colon ; Colonoscopy* ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Insufflation ; Lower Body Negative Pressure ; Patient Satisfaction ; Prospective Studies ; Suction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) levels may serve as a useful marker of cardiovascular risk for screening of the general population. We evaluated reference levels and distribution of NT-proBNP in the Korean general population based on a large cohort study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We included 1,518 adult subjects (ages 40-69) of a community-based cohort from the Korea Rural Genomic Cohort (KRGC) Study. Thorough biochemical and clinical data were recorded for all subjects. Levels of NT-proBNP from all participants were determined. In order to determine normal reference levels, subjects with factors known to influence NT-proBNP levels were excluded. RESULTS: The characteristics of the cohort are described below; subjects were 41.2% male, and the mean age was 54.8+/-8.4 years. The distribution of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the cohort included hypertension (25%), left ventricular hypertrophy by electrocardiography (ECG-LVH) (15%), hypercholestolemia (4.5%), smoking (32%), diabetes (10.9%), history of coronary heart disease (4.9%), history of heart failure (0.9%), symptoms of heart failure (6.1%), elevated serum creatinine (> or =1.5, 3.7%), and severe obesity (body mass index >30 kg/m2, 4.6%). The levels of NT-proBNP of all subjects are shown below; the mean was 60.1+/-42.1, and the median was 36.5 pg/mL. In addition, the levels of NT-proBNP of normal subjects (which did not have any risk factors, n=224) are shown below; the mean was 40.8, and the median was 32.1 pg/mL. In normal subjects, the NT-proBNP level was slightly higher in females (25.7+/-24.8 vs. 46.9+/-35.4, p<0.001). NT-proBNP level increased with age in both the normal population and the total population. There were no significant differences in NT-proBNP levels in subjects who smoked, or had diabetes mellitus, hypertension or ECG-LVH. However, in subjects with a history of congestive heart failure (CHF) (58.5+/-103.29 vs. 213.8+/-258.8, p<0.005), elevated serum creatinine levels (> or =1.5 mg/dL, 146.2+/-98.2 vs. 54.3+/-38.1, p<0.001), or who were older (> or =60, 48.4 vs. 84.2+/-139.5 pg/mL, p<0.05), the BNP level was higher. In addition, patients with more than 3 risk factors for CHF had higher BNP levels (risk 0: 40.8+/-34.0, 1-2: 57.4+/-93.2, > or =3: 85.0+/-152.9 pg/mL). NT-proBNP levels were also related with age, sex, urine albumin, serum Cr, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We determined the reference value and distribution of NT-proBNP in the Korean adult general population. We also found that adjustments for the independent effects of age, sex and renal function appear necessary when determining cardiac risk based on proBNP levels.
Adult ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cohort Studies ; Coronary Disease ; Creatinine ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Korea ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Natriuretic Peptides ; Obesity ; Peptide Fragments ; Population Surveillance ; Reference Values ; Risk Factors ; Serum Albumin ; Smoke ; Smoking

PURPOSE: Growing evidence suggests that hypoadiponectinemia may play a significant role in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Therefore, the relationships between serum adiponectin with MetS and components of MetS were investigated in non-diabetic samples of drawn from the Koreans general population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study in samples of older Koreans (age > 40 years) including 2,471 men and 3,463 women. MetS was defined according to the Asian modified criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III report. Serum adiponectin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The median adiponectin level in MetS was significantly lower than that in non-MetS subjects in men (6.00 vs. 8.00 microg/mL, p < 0.001) and women (10.12 vs. 11.74 microg/mL, p < 0.001). Adiponectin concentration was negatively correlated with waist circumference and levels of triglyceride, C-reactive protein (CRP), fasting glucose, and insulin, and positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein and age in both genders (p < 0.001). In a multivariate regression model after adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking, CRP, and lipid profiles, the odds ratio of MetS comparing extreme quartiles of adiponectin distribution was 0.32 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.20 to 0.50] in men and 0.57 (95% CI, 0.43 to 0.76) in women. CONCLUSION: Adiponectin levels are independently associated with the phenotype of MetS, as well as components of MetS in the non-diabetic Korean general population.
Adiponectin/*blood/physiology ; Blood Glucose/analysis ; Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin/blood ; Lipoproteins, HDL/blood ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/*blood/physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Republic of Korea ; Sex Ratio ; Triglycerides/blood ; Waist Circumference/physiology