No abstract available.
Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract*

In the light of experimental results, two case-control studies and one cohort study in a population of ginseng cultivation area were conducted to confirm whether ginseng has any anticarcinogenic effect on human cancers. All participants were interviewed using a standardised questionnaire to obtain the information on demographics, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and ginseng intake. In 905 pairs case-control study, 62% had a history of ginseng intake compared to 75% of the controls, a statistically significant difference (p<0.01). The odds ratio (OR) for cancer in relation to ginseng intake was 0.56. In extended case-control study with 1987 pairs, the ORs for cancer were 0.37 in fresh ginseng extract users, 0.57 in white ginseng extract users, 0.30 in white ginseng extract users, 0.30 in white ginseng powder users, and 0.20 in red ginseng users. Those who took fresh ginseng slices, fresh ginseng juice, and white ginseng tea, however, did not show decrease in the risk. Overall, the risk decreased as the frequency and duration of ginseng intake increased. With respect to the site of cancer, the ORs for cancers of the lip, oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, colorectum, liver, pancreas, larynx, lung and ovary were significantly reduced by ginseng intake. Smokers with ginseng intake showed lower ORs for cancers of lung, lip, oral cavity and pharynx and liver than those without ginseng intake. In 5 yr follow- up cohort study conducted in the ginseng cultivation area, Kangwha-eup, ginseng intakers had significantly lower risk than non-intakers. As for the type of ginseng, cancer risk significantly decreased among intakers of fresh ginseng extract, alone or together with other ginseng preparations. Among 24 red ginseng intakers, no cancer death occurred during the follow-up period. The risk for stomach and lung cancers was significantly reduced by ginseng intake, showing a statistically significant dose-response relationship in each follow-up year. In conclusion, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer has been established as non-organ specific cancer preventive, having dose response relationship. These results warrant that ginseng extracts and its synthetic derivatives should be examined for their preventive effect on various types of human cancers.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/*therapeutic use ; Case-Control Studies ; Cohort Studies ; Human ; Korea/epidemiology ; Neoplasms/epidemiology/*prevention & control ; *Panax ; Plant Roots ; Population Surveillance

Ever since Fujidani made his report in 1905, many workers have studied the chemical components of Panax Ginseng and their effects on depression of blood pressure. Ri1ey (1952) and other workers have demonstrated the degranulation of mast cells in experimental animaIs treated with some histamine liberators, and the existence of a histamine liberator in the water extract of ginseng has been demonstrated by pharmacological assay by Lee et aI (1960). This present study was intended observe the disruption and degranulation of mesenteric mast cells of rats administered the water extract of ginseng, which might contain the histamine liberator. Variab1e doses of the water extract were injected intraperitoneally, and the degranulation of mesenteric mast cells was histologically demonstrated by means of toluidin blue, Giemsa, May-Gr nwa1d and Wright's stains. Degranulation began in the experimental group given 4ml of the extract mixed with 16cc. of Tyrode solution; the severity of degranulation increased probably with the dose of the extract, and extreme degranulation took place in the groups injected with dose of 6 or 8ml of the extract.
Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Coloring Agents ; Depression ; Histamine ; Mast Cells* ; Panax* ; Rats* ; Water*

A Clinical observation was made on five patients with ruptured aortic sinus of Valsalva who visited Seoul National university hospital during the period of May, 1975~Jan., 1980. 1. Age distribution was from 19 to 32 years and four patients were male and the rest one case was female. 2. Chief complaints on admission were dyspnea in 3 cases and chest pain in 2 cases. Onset of symptoms was abrupt in 4 cases. 3. Continuous murmur was heard at third and fourth intercostal space along left sternal border with thrill in all cases. 4. Cardiac catheterization and aortography showed regurgitant flow from aorta to right ventricle in all cases. 5. Operation was done successfully in 3 cases, of which aortic insufficiency was persistent in one case.
Age Distribution ; Aorta ; Aortography ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Chest Pain ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Male ; Seoul ; Sinus of Valsalva*

The effects of cortisone administration and whole body irradiation by X-ray upon mesenteric mast cells of intact and adrenalectomized albino rats were studied. In intact rats, the administration of cortisone (50mg./kg) and whole body irradiation by X-ray (800r) caused severe degranulation and disruption of mesenteric mast cells within 24 hours. However their degranulation and disrupting effects upon mesenteric mast cells were markedly inhibited after the removal of the adrenal gland. Although the adrenalectomy alone hardly caused these morphological changes of mesenteric mast cells of the albino rats. According to this experiment it is fairly clear that the effects of cortisone and whole body X-ray irradiation inducing degranulation and disruption of mesenteric mast cells of the albino rats, were not direct phenomena but they indirectly affected the mesenteric mast cells through some special mechanism mediated by the adrenal gland.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the early clinical results of lumbar microdiscectomy using minimally invasive tubular retractor (METRx-MD system, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, TN), and to validate the merits of minimally invasive spinal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April, 2003 to April 2004 we retrospectively studied a consecutive series of 45 patients who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy using minimally invasive tubular retractor. In all cases, minimally invasive approach using the tubular retractor were performed with a 2 cm sized paramedian incision. The following data were collected: clinical outcomes, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, need for blood replacement, time needed before ambulation, length of hospital stay, and complications. The clinical outcomes were assessed by the modified MacNab criteria. RESULTS: Minimally invasive tubular microdiscectomy was performed in 45 patients over a 12-month period with an average follow-up of approximately 8 months. The clinical outcomes assessed by MacNab criteria were excellent in 33 patients (73%), good in 10 patients (22%). The average operative time was 63 minutes (range, 35 to 95 minutes). The average blood loss was 62 mL (range, 50 to 110 mL). None of the patients needed blood replacement. With the exception of 2 patients, all patients could walk at the day of surgery. The average hospital stay was 2.3 days. None of the patients had dural tear, wound problem, or other complications. CONCLUSION: Lumbar microdiscectomy using tubular retractor can offer a useful modality for the treatment of lumbar herniated disc with the merits of minimally invasive spinal surgery. Further long-term, randomized, prospective investigations are needed to fully evaluate the impact of this technique.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Several echocardiographic methods, such as ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and Doppler tissue imaging (DTI), have been developed to quantify systolic function but all had several important limitations. The purpose of this study was to quantify the regional wall motion abnormality, using strain, in an acute myocardial infarction, compared with a visual estimation. SUBJECTS AND MEHTODS: Forty-five patients, with acute anterior (n=28) and inferior myocardial (n=17) infarctions, who underwent color DTI, were examined using longitudinal strain and standard echocardiography, and the results were compared with 54 normal controls. A total of 594 segments [3 segments (apical, mid and basal portion) of septum and inferior wallx99 patients] were evaluated. RESULTS: In the normal control group, the strain was uniformly distributed in all segments (-20%~-23%). In the infarction groups, the strain was negatively related with the wall motion score. The strain of the apical segments and mid-septum was decreased in the anterior wall infarctions, and the strain of basal septum and mid to basal inferior wall was decreased in the inferior wall infarctions. The dyskinetic segments showed positive strain. CONCLUSION: This study validates strain as a superior method for the quantification of the regional wall motion abnormality in an acute myocardial infarction than visual estimation.
Echocardiography ; Humans ; Infarction ; Myocardial Infarction*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of distraction osteogenesis for fourth brachymetatarsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients (10 cases) who were treated by distraction osteogenesis for fourth brachymetatarsia from March 2000 to December 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The average length gain of fourth metatarsus was 16.6 mm (37%) and the average healing index was 50 days/cm. The final results according to AOFAS functional scale were excellent in 8 cases and good in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Distraction osteogenesis is an effective treatment for fourth brachymetatarsia in spite of some minor complications.
Humans ; Metatarsus ; Osteogenesis, Distraction* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of distraction osteogenesis for fourth brachymetatarsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients (10 cases) who were treated by distraction osteogenesis for fourth brachymetatarsia from March 2000 to December 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The average length gain of fourth metatarsus was 16.6 mm (37%) and the average healing index was 50 days/cm. The final results according to AOFAS functional scale were excellent in 8 cases and good in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Distraction osteogenesis is an effective treatment for fourth brachymetatarsia in spite of some minor complications.
Humans ; Metatarsus ; Osteogenesis, Distraction* ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Epidural narcotics are now widely used for postoperative pain relief, but their side effects are problematic. Thus, this study was undertaken to evaluate the analgesic effects and to minimize the side effects of the combination of epidural morphine and ketamine versus epidural morphine alone in pateints with postoperative pain. METHODS: The value of using a combined infusion of morphine with a variable dose of ketamine for postoperative analgesia following subtotal gastrectomy was assessed in a double-blind randomised study of 30 patients. Three groups of 10 patients received an infusion of morphine at 2 mg/day, either alone, or combined with ketamine at a rate of 0.4 or 0.6 mg/kg/day. RESULTS: Postoperative anlagesia, sedation, and side effects were not statistically significantly different between groups I and II. Postoperative sedation, and side effects were not statistically significantly different between groups I and III. VAS of group III at 1-2 h was lower than in group I. CONCLUSION: The addition of ketamine to a continuous infusion of morphine dose not significantly improve postoperative analgesia. In addition, increasing the dose of ketamine does not significantly improve postoperative analgesia, Nor does it increase sedation, or side effects.
Analgesia ; Gastrectomy* ; Humans ; Ketamine ; Morphine* ; Narcotics ; Pain, Postoperative*