No abstract available.
Pneumoconiosis*

The pinching motion is thought to be one of fundamental hand functions, the power of which has been quantified by measuring it isometrically with variously devised pinch-meters. The present authors describe the investigations on the pinching power of 350 healthy persons, 200 male and 150 female Koreans, by the use of Preston Pinch Gauge. Six kinds of pinch were chosen: (1) thumb index finger tip pinch (1-2TP), (2) thumb-middle finger tip pinch (1-3TP), (3) thumb-index finger pulp pinch (1-2PP), (4) thumb-middle finger pulp pinch (1-3PP), (5) thumb-index-middle finger pulp pinch (3PP), (6) key pinch (KP), which were classified again into 19 kinds according to the shape of thumb, index, middle, or other fingers during each pinch. We describe those as principal type, hyperextension-flexion type, hyperextension type and other type into four. It should be justified to calculate the mean normal value of principal type pinching power in Korean. Principal type of pinch involves 1-2TP, 1-3TP, 1-2PP, 1-3PP, 3PP and KP, as to Hyperextension type of 1-2PP, 1-3PP, 3PP and KP. Other type of pinch involving 1-2TP, 1-3TP, 1-2PP, 1-3PP, 3PP and KP is different from Principal type simply because of the shape of nonjoining fingers during pinch. Generally, the pinching power of Principal type was clearly highest among the four types except for pulp pinches.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Fingers ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Reference Values ; Thumb

No abstract available.
Macrophages* ; Methylcellulose*

PURPOSE: To determine the long-term follow-up CT findings of paraquat-induced lung injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients who ingested paraquat underwent sequential follow-up CT scanning during a period of at least six months, and the results were analysed. Scans were obtained 1-6 (mean, 3.3) time during a 7-84 (mean, 25.7) months period, and the findings at 1-2 months, 3-12 months, 1-2 years, 2-3 years, and more than above 7 years after poisoning were analyzed. RESULTS: We observed irregular-shaped areas of consolidation with traction bronchiectasis at 1-2 months (5/5), irregular-shaped consolidation and ground-glass opacity (5/5) at 3-12 months, and irregular-shaped consolidations/ ground-glass opacity (4/5) and focal honeycombing (1/5) one year later. In the same patients, follow-up CT scans showed that some areas of focal consolidation could not be visualized and the radio-opacity of the lesions had decreased. CONCLUSION: The HRCT findings of paraquat-induced lung injury were irregular shaped areas of consolidation 1-2 months after ingestion, and irregular-shaped consolidation and ground-glass opacity or focal honeycombing 3-12 months later. At this thim slight improvement was observed.
Bronchiectasis ; Eating ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Lung Injury* ; Lung* ; Paraquat* ; Poisoning ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Traction

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCC syndrome) is a very rare autosomal dominant dermatopathy characterized by a primary triad with variable secondary anomalies. The chief features include nevoid basal cell carcinomas, one or more skeletal anomalies, and multiple odontogenic keratocysts of the jaw. We report a case of NBCC syndrome in a 43-year old male who had multiple nevoid basal cell carcinomas on the retroauricular area, face, chest wall, and back, which have been present since childhood. Skull x-rays revealed relatively well-circumscribed cystic, radiolucent lesions on bilateral rami of both upper and lower jaws, calcification of the falx cerebri, agenesis of the right coronoid process, and a bifid chin. The cystic lesions were histologically confirmed as keratocysts.
Child ; Male ; Female ; Humans

No abstract available.
Axilla* ; Female* ; Humans ; Neck*

No abstract available.
Bronchiectasis* ; Bronchography*

BACKGROUND: Recent evidences suggest that anesthetic action within the spinal cord is important in suppressing somatic responses to painful stimuli. Intrathecal endothelin-1 (ET-1) is known to have antinociceptive effect. The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether intrathecal ET-1 may influence the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane in rats and access the role of the spinal cord as the sites of anesthetic action in blocking somatic responsiveness. METHODS: In Sprague-Dawley rats fitted with an indwelling intrathecal catheter, we determined the MAC of isoflurane using a tail-clamp technique as a painful stimulus, combined with end-tidal anesthetic sampling. In experiment 1, the control MAC was determined and changes of control MAC were observed after intrathecal ET-1 (4x10-2 nmol, 4x10-3 nmol) administration. In experiment 2, we observed the effects of L or N type Ca++ channel blocker such as verapamil (50 g) or W-conotoxin (0.5 g) on the MAC after measurement of the control MAC. In experiment 3, after measurement of the control MAC, ET-1 (10-2 nmol) was administered intrathecally and the MAC was determined again. Next, intrathecal verapamil (50 g) or W-conotoxin (0.5 g) was injected. After that, the MAC was determined again. RESULTS: In experiment 1, ET-1 decreased the MAC of isoflurane and its effect was sustained over 2 hours. In experiment 2, the MAC, determined following administration of verapamil or W-conotoxin, was not different from that of the control. In experiment 3, the MAC was decreased after ET-1 administration and then increased following injection of verapamil or W-conotoxin. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that ET-1, in relation to calcium, might play an important role in determining the MAC of isoflurane in the spinal cord.
Animals ; Calcium ; Catheters ; Endothelin-1* ; Isoflurane* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; Verapamil

No abstract available.
Colonoscopy*

The author examined the number of AgNORs and PCNA labeling indices by histochemical and immunohistochemical studies in 20 cases of renal cell carcinoma, composed of 5 cases according to the nuclear grades. The results obtained are summarized as follows; 1) Mean number of AgNORs according to the nuclear grades of renal cell carcinoma were 1.38+/-0.40 (mean+/-standard deviation) for Grade I, 2.53+/-0.33 for Grade II, 5.43+/-0.66 for Grade III, and 7.88+/-0.72 for Grade IV. The mean numbers of AgNORs according to the nuclear grades were significantly increased(p=0.0005). 2) PCNA labeling indices (positive nuclear ratio) according to the nuclear grades of renal cell carcinoma were 5.90+/-2.36 for Grade I, 19.30+/-6.71 for Grade II, 45.73+/-8.62 for Grade III, and 61.83+/-6.34 for Grade IV. Also, the PCNA labeling indices according to the nuclear grades were significantly increased(p=0.0008). 3) The mean numbers of AgNORs directly correlated with the PCNA labeling indices (r=0.9861, p<0.001). On the basis of the above results, it was considered that the numbers of AgNORs and PCNA labeling indices as markers of proliferative activity of tumor cells correlate well with the nuclear grades of renal cell carcinoma.