OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the protective effects of selenium against the methyl mercury chloride (MeHgCl) induced cell apoptosis. METHODS: The effect of selenium on the MeHgCl induced cell apoptosis was observed in mouse macrophage-derived RAW 264.7 cells, in vitro. The cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM). RESULTS: MeHgCl exerted a dose dependent cytotoxicity, as demonstrated by the MTT assay, an assay dependent, in part, on mitochondrial function. Concurrent exposure to selenium provided complete protective effects against the cytotoxicity induced by MeHgCl. Pretreatment with selenium increased the protective effects of subsquent administrations of selenium in conjunction with MeHgCl, but pretreatment of selenium alone did not provide protection against MeHgCl when given alone. Selenium administered after exposure to MeHgCl did not repair the existing MeHgCl induced cytotoxicity.Furthermore, the apoptosis induced by MeHgCl was revealed by the DNA fragmentation, using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase Biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, alterations to the nuclear morphology, by nuclei staining, and the plasma membrane lipid organization, as shown by cell flow cytometry. The apoptosis induced by MeHgCl was prevented by the concurrent exposure to selenium, or pretreatment with selenium, prior to the administration of selenium in conjunction with MeHgCl. However, no inhibittion of the MeHgCl induced apoptosis was observed with selenium pretreatment prior to exposure to MeHgCl alone, or with the administration of selenium after exposure to MeHgCl. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the coexistence of selenium and MeHgCl are essential for the protective effects of selenium against the MeHgCl-induced apoptosis, and the cytotoxicity, in RAW 264.7 cells, and may involve selenium-MeHgCl binding.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Cell Membrane ; DNA Fragmentation ; DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase ; Flow Cytometry ; Mice ; Selenium*

Distal radial fractures are recognized as very complex injuries with a variable prognosis that depends upon the fracture type and the treatment method. The purpose of this study is to compare radiological and clinical result between external fixation and external fixation with primary bone graft in intraarticular comminuted fracture of distal radius. From January 1993 to December 1995, 32 patients with comminuted intraarticular fractures of the distal radius were treated using a external fixation. 15 cases were treated with ligamentotaxis without bone graft and 17 cases were treated with additional primary bone graft. In last follow-up examination, the mean loss of radial length, radial inclination and volar tilt were less in with bone graft group than without bone graft group. According to Demerit point system Excellent to good results were obtained in 88.2% in cases of external fixation and bone graft group, 66.6% in cases of only extemal fixation group. External fixation combined with primary bone graft is more useful method for the reconstruction and treatment of comminuted intraarticular fractures of the distal radius than closed reduction and external fixation because cancellous bone graft not only provides early mechanical stability but also helps to reduce and supports the depressed intraarticular fragments. Furthermore, this method not only prevents late collapse of fracture but also enhance fracture healing.
External Fixators* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Humans ; Intra-Articular Fractures* ; Prognosis ; Radius* ; Transplants*

Various methods for the treatment of fracture of the femur neck including total hip arthroplasty have been developed and performed, but it is still called the ""unsolved fracture"" in certain situations. The role of bipolar hemiarthroplasty as primary treatment of fracture of the femur neck, however, continues to be controversial. The authors reviewed and analysed 38 cases of cementless bipolar hemiarthroplasty in patients between the ages of 51 and 69 at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chosun University, during the period from January, 1989 to December, 1994. The purposes of the study were to analyse the clinical and radiological results and to detect the motions of bipolar cup. At the average 38 months follow up, 31 (81.6%) of the patients were satisfied by Lunceford methods. But, 24 (63.2%) of the patients suffered from inguinal area pain and discomfort while they resumed their normal Korean life-styles. As time elapsed, the amount of the outer bearing motion was more than that of the inner bearing motion. the acetabular erosion were present in 2 patients.
Acetabulum ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; Femur Neck* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemiarthroplasty* ; Humans

The purpose of this paper is to compare the results, complications, advantages and disadvantages of treatment by flexible intramedullary nail with those by interlocked intramedullary nail in humeral shaft fractures. The authors analyzed 42 cases of humeral shaft fractures in patients who were treated by intramedullary nailing. Nineteen patients were treated with flexible I-M nail and twenty three patients were treated with interlocked I-M nail. Fourteen cases(74%) treated with flexible I-M nail were obtained primary bone union, and twenty one cases(91%) treated with interlocked I-M nail were obtained primary bone union. Five cases treated with flexible I-M nail and 2 cases treated with interlocked I-M nail failed union and the most common cause of nonunion was distraction. Flexible I-M nailing does not solve rotational deformity and could't obtain a high union rate due to distraction. Therefore, we recommend that adequate external support is considered to prevent distraction using the flexible I-M nail. Although we obtained a satisfactory union rate using by Seidel interlocked I-M nail, we must observe the distal spreading screw loosening during the follow up period. In bones with small diameter, sufficient reaming may be necessary, because the distal spreading screw can't spread well.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Humans

Since Klemm introduced the concept of antibiotic-containing bone cement for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis, a number of studies have demonstrated the positive results of this therapy. It has been proved that antibiotic-containing bone cement continuously releases high levels of atibiotics locally into the infected and avascular wound environment. Antibiotic-containing bone cement provides several distinct advantages over irrigation-suction drainage. The major objective of this study is to analyze the results of therapy using antibiotic-containing bone cement beads for chronic osteomyelitis. The authors analyzed 21 cases of chronic osteomyelitis in patients who had been treated by saucerization and antibiotic-containing bone cement beads at Chosun University Hospital, between February 1990 and January 1993. Each patient's case was followed for at least thirteen months after operation. The results are as follows: 1. The causes of osteomyelitis were postoperative complications(10 patients), open fracture(8 patients), and hematogenous osteomyelitis(3 patients). 2. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism causing osteomyelitis, followed by Pseudomonas. 3. The femur was the most common location of lesion(11 patients) followed by the tibia(7 patients), the humerus(2 patients) and the ulna (1 patients). 4. Pus drainage was stopped in 13 cases with one insertion of the beads, in 2 cases with two insertions and in 2 cases with three insertions. 5. Therapy using antibiotic-containing bone cement beads can be regraded as an effective method of increasing local antibacterial activity by releasing the antibiotic into surrounding tissue over a continuous period in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis. Antibiotic-containing bone cement beads are useful in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.
Drainage ; Femur ; Humans ; Methods ; Osteomyelitis ; Pseudomonas ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Suppuration ; Ulna ; Wounds and Injuries

Calcaneus was the most commonly involved bone among the tarsal bone fracture. Many different methods have been tried for the treatment of fractures of the calcaneus in order to search for better results. But there is no general agreement on the treatment of the fracture of the calcaneus, especially involving the subtalar joint. From Jan. 1986 to Jan. 1990, 25 feet in 20 patients of calcaneal fractures involving the subtalar joint were treated by closed reduction & percutaneous pinning at the Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery, Chosun University Hospital and the results were as follows; 1. Of these intra-articular fractures, 15 fractures were tongue type and 10 fractures were joint depression type by Essex-Lopresti classification. 2. According to the Salama unit system, the results of treatment were excellent or good in 11 cases of 15 tongue types and 6 cases of 10 joint depression types. 3. The results were excellent in which reduction is achieved near anatomical reduction. 4. Even if the joint depression type fracture which is not severely comminuted, the treatment with closed reduction & percutaneous pinning is thought to be good method.
Calcaneus ; Classification ; Depression ; Foot ; Humans ; Intra-Articular Fractures ; Joints ; Methods ; Orthopedics ; Subtalar Joint ; Tarsal Bones ; Tongue

Kirschner-wires and pins are used for the intenal fixation of the acromioclavicular joint. Many surgeons are aware of the tendency of these appliances to migrate, however, few reports of this complication have appeared in literature. This report concerns two instances of migration K-wires from the acromioclavicular joint into the neck, The potential for K-wires to migrate must be recogniged, and more frequent postoperative radiographic studies performed after the insertion of such pins to permit earlier detection of bony resorption and migration. Thereby permitting earlier removal. In cases of young adult, the wires must be removed as soon as the desired theurapeutic results have been obtained.
Acromioclavicular Joint ; Humans ; Neck ; Surgeons ; Young Adult

Cubitus varus deformity is the most common angular deformity resulted by supracondylar fractures in children. Although, this deformity rarely limit elbow function, the correction is frequently requested due to cosmetic problem. The normal carrying angle can be restored by supracondylar osteotomy. Previous reports controversy over the cause of the deformity, the necessity and timing of operative correction, the operative technique itself, and the attendant risks. We performed 18 lateral closing wedge osteotomies with French technique(10 cases), and Sherman plate fixation(8 cases) by posterolateral approach from January 1978 to December 1988 at Chosun University Hospital. The results were as follows: 1. The most common cause of cubitus varus was suprcondylar fracture of the humerus(88.9%). 2. The results of supracondylar osteotomies were excellent is 8 cases(44.8%), good in 7 cases (38.9%), poor in 3 cases(16.7%). 3. The varus and rotational deformities were corrected by modified French method and Sherman plate fixation after lateral closing osteotomy. 4. In case of plate fixation, good results were obtained even older cases because of reducing time of extermal immobilization and promotion early joint exercise.
Child ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Elbow ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Joints ; Methods ; Osteotomy

The authors estimated and analyzed the carpal angle, metacarpal sign and sesamoid index in the roentgenogram of both hands of healthy 180 male and 180 female Koreans. The results were as follows. 1. The mean value of carpal angle was 133.3°±5.8° in the right hand and 133.5°±5.1° in left hand. 2. The negative metacarpal sign were seen in 93.9 percent of normal subject. 3. The mean value of sesamoid index was 19.6±5.4 in male and 18.2±4.9 in female.
Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Male

A xanthoma is a localized collection of tissue histiocytes containing lipid and is usually associated with hyperlipidemia. Tendinous and tuberous xanthomatosis have been found in association with familial hypercholesterolemia, Type III hyperlipidemia, beta-sitosterolemia and cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis. Tendinous and tuberous xanthomatosis without hyperlipidemia have been reported very rarely. Especially tendinous xanthomatosis without hyperlipidemia have not been reported at all in korea. We are reporting a patient with tendinous and tuberous xanthomatosis accompanied by normal plasma lipids
Histiocytes ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II ; Korea ; Plasma ; Xanthomatosis ; Xanthomatosis, Cerebrotendinous