PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of magnetization transfer contrast(MTC) andfat-suppression(FS) in variable spin-echo and gradient-echo sequences for articular cartilage imaging and todetermine the optimal pulse sequences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using variable 7-pulse sequences, the knees of 15pigs were imaged Axial images were obtained using proton density and T2-weighted spin-echo (PDWSE and T2WSE),turbo spin-echo (TSE), multiplanar gradient-echo (MPGR), and 3D steady-state gradient-echo (3DGRE) sequences, andthe same pulse sequences were then repeated using MTC. Also T1-weighted spin-echo(T1WSE) and 3D spoiledgradient-echo(3DSPGR) images of knees were also acquired, and the procedure was repeated using FS. For each knee,a total of 14 axial images were acquired, and using a 6-band scoring system, the visibility of and thevisibilities of the the articular cartilage was analyzed. The visual effect of MTC and FS was scored using a4-band scale. For each image, the signal intensities of articular cartilage, subchondral bone, muscles, and salinewere measured, and signal-to-noise ratios(SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratios(CNR) were also calculated. RESULTS: Visibility of the cartilage was best when 3DSPGR and T1WSE sequences were used. MTC imaging increased the negativecontrast between cartilage and saline, but FS imaging provided more positive contrast. CNR between cartilage andsaline was highest when using TSE with FS(-3 5 1 . 1 +/-15.3), though CNR between cartilage and bone then fell to-1 4 . 7 +/-10.8. In MTC imaging using MPGR showed the greatest increase of negative contrast between cartilage andsaline(CNR change=-74.7); the next highest was when 3DGRE was used(CNR change=-34.3). CNR between cartilage andbone was highest with MPGR(161.9 +/-17.7), but with MTC, the greatest CNR decrease(-81.8) was observed. Thegreatest CNR increase between cartilage and bone was noted in T1WSE with FS. In all scans, FS provided acartilage-only positive contrast image, though the absolute value of CNR was lower than that of MTC imaging. CONCLUSION: The most prominent effects of MTC and FS were seen in MPGR and T1WSE, respectively, though forcartilage, optimal high signal intensity and contrast can be achieved using 3DGRE with MTC, and 3DSPGR with FS.
Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular* ; Knee ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Muscles ; Protons

Livedo reticularis with summer ulceration was first reported by Feldaker et al in 1955, that is characterized by livedo reticularis and ulcerations of the legs or feet beginning primarily the summer or warmer months of the year, and healing the winter months. A 32-year old rnan has suffered from periodic painful ulcerations, which were occurred during the summer, on the both ankles and brown to bluish colored reticulated discoloration on the lower legs for about 10 years. Histopathological findings showed endothelial proliferation and partial occlusion of the dermal capillaries, fibrinoid material on the superficial blood vessels, and partial epidermal necrolysis. This patient. was treated with antiplatelet aggregating medications and antihypertensive drug.
Adult ; Ankle ; Blood Vessels ; Capillaries ; Foot ; Humans ; Leg ; Livedo Reticularis* ; Ulcer*

Current evidences have expended the concept that chronic inflammation might play a crucial role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer. For instance, chronic ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with a 10- to 40-fold increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to the general population. However, the specific mechanistic link between chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis in colon has not been integrated into molecular understanding. In this current review, we will provide an update on the molecular pathogenesis of colitis-associated colorectal cancer, focused on 1) the differences of molecular mechanism between the colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) and the sporadic colorectal cancer (SCC), 2) the plausible and contributive role of chronic inflammation in colon carcinogenesis, and 3) lessons learned from colitis-associated animal model. Understanding of molecular pathogenic mechanism underlying the colitis-associated colorectal cancer will facilitate the development of novel treatment strategies for prevention of colitis-associated colorectal cancer.
Carcinogenesis* ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Colon* ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Inflammation* ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Models, Animal

We studied skin thickness of the twelve body sites in 25 post-mortem subjects. The most thinnest and thickest sites of the skin layers are as follows(unit: um) l. In the horny layer, eyelid(13.16+/-5.44) and sole(420.83+182. 25), respectively 2. In the granular, eyelid, posterior ear, abdomen, back, thigh, forearrn(1 layer)and sole(3.4+/-0.59 layers), respectively 3. In the prickle cell layer(to rete ridge), forearm(50. 21+/-15. 36) and sole (174.72+/-84.41), respectively 4. In the prickle cell layer(to papillary dermis), abdomen (33. 05+/-10. 28) and sole (106.13+/-73.62), respectively 5. In the epidermis, eyelid (61.60+/-16.53) and sole (972.00+/-228. 16), rpspectively 6. In the dermis, eyelid(878.08+283. 56) and back(3596.05+/-1306.80), respectively.
Abdomen ; Dermis ; Ear ; Epidermis ; Eyelids ; Skin* ; Thigh

BACKGROUND: It has been well known that patients with diabetes mellitus are prone to cutaneous infections, but whether superficial mycoses are truly more prevalent in diabetic patients is still controversial. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the true prevalence of superficial mycoses in diabetic patients as comparing with non-diabetic, non-immunocompromised individuals. METHODS: We examined for evidence of superficial fungal disease in 137 diabetic patients and compared it with 146 non-diabetic non-immunocompromised ones. Potassium hydroxide preparations and fungus cultures were performed from all suspected lesions. RESULTS: Superficial mycoses were more common in diabetic patients(50%) than controls(31%) (p=0.0004), especially in the age group of 4th and 5th decades9p=0.011). The duration of diabetes mallitus or blood sugar levels were not significantly correlated with the prevalence of superficial mycoses.The organism most commonly isolated was Trichophyton rubrum in both groups(53% vs 79%) and Candida albicans was more prevalent in diabetic patients(34% vs 7%). More than 2 kinds of superficial mycoses were mose common in diabetic patients than controls(38% vs 16%). CONCLUSION: This study shows that the prevalence rate of superficial mycoses in diabetic patients is higher than that in controls and the in controls and the duration of diabetes mellitus or blood sugar levels were not significantly correlated with it.
Blood Glucose ; Candida albicans ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Fungi ; Humans ; Mycoses* ; Potassium ; Prevalence ; Trichophyton

No abstract available.
Cholesteatoma* ; Semicircular Canals* ; Temporal Bone* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Between May, 1984 and October, 1986, twenty patients were treated at Han-Ra Hospital of JejuCity and Chung-Ang University Hospital of Seoul with immediate internal fixation with or without bone graft of open fractures of the long bones within three days. Fractured bones were ten tibiae, six femurs, three humeri and one radius and ulna. The injuries were classified on the basis of extent of soft tissue injury as defined by Gustilo and Anderson and consisted of four TypeI injuries, five Type II injuries and eleven Type III injuries. All wounds were closed primarily and radiological follow up was qhecked every month till union occurred. The complications included two deep infections, one non-union and one amputation. This study demonstrates that immediate internal fixation with bone graft when necessary is a beneficial method of treatment of open fractures of the long bones if copious irrigation, adequate debridement and skillful internal fixation technique are given golden period after injury. The results were related to the severity of the initial soft tissue injury and surgical technique and the period of union was not related to the individual bone. Autogenous bone grafting at the time of immediate internal fixation in comminuted or segmental fractures in which interfragmental compression cannot be obtained is recommended.
Amputation ; Bone Transplantation ; Debridement ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Methods ; Radius ; Seoul ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Tibia ; Transplants ; Ulna ; Wounds and Injuries

OBJECTIVES: REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) has received little attention in epidemiologic studies. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of probable REM sleep behavior disorder (pRBD) in the elderly population and its clinical features. METHODS: A random sample of 1,588 was selected from a roster of 14,050 elderly population living in Osan city. The subjects were asked to fill out the REM sleep behavior disorder screening questionnaire (RBDSQ). Subjects whose score were 5 or higher on RBDSQ underwent a diagnostic phase of person-to-person assessment by experts in RBD. RESULTS: Among 1,588 subjects, 886 elderly subjects participated in the screening phase and 123 subjects were assessed in the diagnostic phase. Eleven subjects were diagnosed as having pRBD, so prevalence was 1.5% (95% CI=0.70-2.30%). The frequency of depression and cognitive decline was significantly increased in patients with pRBD compared to subjects without pRBD, and there was no difference in sleep disturbances between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Probable REM sleep behavior disorder is not rare in the elderly but frequently under-recognized. More attention should be paid to evaluation and treatment of RBD.
Aged ; Depression ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; REM Sleep Behavior Disorder ; Sleep, REM

Background: This study examined the effects of gabexate mesilate on spinal nerve ligation (SNL)-induced neuropathic pain. To confirm the involvement of gabexate mesilate on neuroinflammation, we focused on the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and consequent the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the study. After randomization into three groups: the sham-operation group, vehicle-treated group (administered normal saline as a control), and the gabexate group (administered gabexate mesilate 20 mg/kg), SNL was performed. At the 3rd day, mechanical allodynia was confirmed using von Frey filaments, and drugs were administered intraperitoneally daily according to the group. The paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) was examined on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th day. The expressions of p65 subunit of NF-κB, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and iNOS were evaluated on the 7th and 14th day following SNL. Results: The PWT was significantly higher in the gabexate group compared with the vehicle-treated group (p < 0.05). The expressions of p65, proinflammatory cyto kines, and iNOS significantly decreased in the gabexate group compared with the vehicle-treated group (p < 0.05) on the 7th day. On the 14th day, the expressions of p65 and iNOS showed lower levels, but those of the proinflammatory cytokines showed no significant differences. Conclusions Gabexate mesilate increased PWT after SNL and attenuate the pro gress of mechanical allodynia. These results seem to be involved with the antiinflammatory effect of gabexate mesilate via inhibition of NF-κB, proinflammatory cytokines, and nitric oxide.

No abstract available.
Fontan Procedure* ; Heart Ventricles*