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Biomedical subjects

N H Kim

Publications and source records attributed to N H Kim.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Mid-sagittal canal diameter and vertebral body/canal ratio of the cervical spine in Koreans.

In order to ascertain the normal values of the mid-sagittal canal diameter and the canal/body ratio of the cervical spine in Korean adults, ninety sets of cervical vertebral columns were examined. The average mid-sagittal canal diameters from C3 through C7 in the normal Korean are 13.2 +/- 1.3 millimeters in male and 13.1 +/- 2.6 millimeters in female. The normal average canal/body ratio of the cervical spine is 0.93 +/- 0.10 in male and 1.02 +/- 0.09 in female. The mid-sagittal canal diameter is largest in the White population and smallest in Asian, but there is no racial differences in the canal/body ratio, and the lower limit of normal canal/body ratio is 0.8 in Korean. The authors conclude that measurement of the canal/body ratio is more reliable than direct measuring of the mid-sagittal diameter of the cervical spinal canal in the diagnosis of cervical spinal stenosis or predicting the prognosis of cervical spinal cord injury.

Adult↗

An investigation of bone necrosis and healing after cryosurgery, phenol cautery or packing with bone cement of defects in the dog femur.

A corticocancellous core was removed from the lateral condyle of both femurs in 26 skeletally mature dogs. The cavity was treated with cryosurgery, phenol cautery or packing with bone cement. The animals were killed after 1, 4, and 12 weeks in the phenol and cement groups, and also after 24 weeks in the cryosurgery group. The extent of the bone necrosis and healing was assessed in each group. After cryosurgery the extent of necrosis was profound in that the area of damage was 365% compared to the area of the cavity; the depth of necrosis extended between 2.5 and 14 mm, beyond the cavity wall. The effect of phenol was negligible in that only microscopic areas of superficial focal necrosis were found around the cavity wall. Bone cement produced an area of necrosis of 153% compared with the cavity, with a depth of between 1.3 and 2.8 mm. Regeneration in the region of necrosis after cryosurgery was only scanty by 4 weeks, but by 12 weeks considerable areas of regeneration were identified and complete healing was observed by 24 weeks. Regeneration of the necrotized bone produced by bone cement packing was rapid and similar to that of the control specimens. These findings suggest that cryosurgery could play a significant role as a surgical adjunct to curettage in locally aggressive benign bone tumours and in some malignancies. Phenol cautery is not regarded as an adequate treatment after curettage of bone tumours. Although the extent of necrosis was relatively small, packing with bone cement is thought to be a useful choice in benign cases.

Animals↗

Chronic caffeine ingestion exacerbates 2-kidney, 1-clip hypertension and ameliorates deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertension in rats.

The present study was aimed to determine the effect of caffeine on the development of renal hypertension. Two-kidney, 1-clip (2K1C) hypertension and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA, 200 mg/kg, subcutaneous implantation)-salt (0.9% NaCl drinking) hypertension were instituted in Sprague-Dawley rats. They were then grouped into two groups each: one was supplemented with caffeine (0.1%) in their drinking solution and the other was not. Systolic blood pressure was measured up to 24 days. Caffeine exacerbated the development of 2K1C hypertension in association with a higher plasma renin concentration (PRC). Caffeine ingestion, however, did not exacerbate but ameliorated DOCA-salt hypertension in which PRC was comparable between the caffeine-ingested and control groups. Concentrations of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (pANP) were significantly different between the caffeine-ingested and control groups neither in 2K1C nor in DOCA-salt rats, suggesting that ANP was not responsible for the modified blood pressure. Acute caffeine infusion (350 micrograms/min, 30 min) in anesthetized normotensive rats caused increases in urinary excretion (volume and sodium) and in PRC without significantly affecting the blood pressure and pANP. These results suggest that caffeine specifically exacerbates 2K1C hypertension through increasing renin release whereas it ameliorates DOCA-salt hypertension possibly through increasing renal excretion.

Administration, Oral↗

Pulmonary vein thrombosis.

Pulmonary vein thrombosis is difficult to diagnose clinically and requires a combination of conventional diagnostic modalities. Transesophageal echocardiography was used in the present case to readily diagnose this entity and follow thrombus regression on anticoagulant therapy. This limited experience suggests that transesophageal echocardiography may be the initial diagnostic study of choice for pulmonary vein thrombosis.

Aged↗

Prevalence of head louse infestation in primary school children in Kangwon-do, Korea.

We tried to reveal the prevalence rates of the head louse infestation in school children in Kangwon-do, Korea in December 1990. A total of 912 children in four primary schools was examined. The positive rate for adults and/or nits of Pediculus humanus capitis was 37.2%. One school was followed-up without specific intervention. There was no significant change of the prevalence rate 6 months after the first examination from 66.0% to 57.3%. We could see the persistent infestation rate if there was no intervention. We are emphasizing the significance of worm positive rate because it represents the potentiality of active transmission.

Age Factors↗

Cimetidine improves the accuracy of creatinine clearance as an indicator for glomerular filtration rate.

BACKGROUND: Although endogenous creatinine clearance is often used as an indicator for the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), it may result in an overestimation due to its tubular secretion. Since cimetidine is known to inhibit tubular secretion of creatinine, it may improve the accuracy of the creatinine clearance in measuring GFR. METHODS: Creatinine clearance (Ccr) was compared with iothalamate clearance (C1oth) during oral administration of either placebo or cimetidine in 25 patients with varying degrees of renal dysfunction. RESULTS: Cimetidine itself had no effect on C1oth but decreased Ccr, improving its validity, as measured by a significant decrease of Ccr/C1oth from 1.72 during placebo to 1.17 during cimetidine administration. The degree of overestimation measured by the Ccr was more pronounced in those with more severe renal dysfunction. A significant inverse correlation was noted between Ccr/C1oth and GFR. No apparent side effect due to cimetidine was noted. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that cimetidine improves the accuracy of Ccr as an indicator for GFR in patients with varying degrees of renal dysfunction.

Adolescent↗

A computed tomographic analysis of changes in the spinal canal after anterior lumbar interbody fusion.

Thirteen patients with spondylolisthesis (six isthmic type and seven degenerative type) and ten patients with intervertebral disk herniation were treated by anterior lumbar interbody fusion. Preoperative and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were performed for each patient, and changes in anteroposterior (AP) diameter and lateral diameter of the dural sac, the area of the dural sac, and the amount of disk bulging were measured. The periodic tomogram was done in all patients postoperatively, and one- and two-year fusion rates were calculated. The calculations were compared with the early and late clinical results. The early clinical results after operation were excellent in 26.1%, good in 56.5%, and fair in 17.4%. The late clinical results were similar to early results. The early clinical results correlated with the changes in the spinal canal, such as an increase in AP diameter of the dural sac and a decrease in amount of disk bulging after anterior interbody fusion. There was statistical correlation between the early clinical results and the change in AP diameter of the dural sac. But the late clinical results were influenced by multiple factors including solid bony fusion.

Adult↗

On detecting the presence of fetal R-wave using the moving averaged magnitude difference algorithm.

An efficient algorithm detecting the presence of a fetal QRS complex is presented. The proposed fetal QRS detection method computes the averaged magnitude of the difference between the fetal ECG signal and the reference signal to detect the fetal QRS event. The detected fetal QRS complexes are exponentially averaged to generate the template signal which can track the slowly varying shape of the fetal ECG signal. As an effort to obtain improved detection performances, two approaches of normalizing the fetal ECG signal and the template are considered.

Algorithms↗

Effect of porcine bone morphogenetic protein on healing of bone defect in the rabbit radius.

Segmental long bone defects due to infection or trauma is a difficult problem to manage in patients. We studied the effect of porcine bone morphogenetic protein (pBMP) on healing of defects in the rabbit radius. Porcine BMP was separated and purified from the tibia and femur of pigs by repeated solubilization and precipitation of the protein with different concentrations of urea and GuHCl. The osteoinductive activity of pBMP was confirmed by bioassay using No. 615 mice. In rabbits, about a 15 mm length of radii were removed and 20 mg of pBMP was implanted in the defected area with fibrin sealant (FS), while only FS was implanted in controls. Union of the affected area was observed in 6 weeks in the experimental side. There was no definite evidence of bone bridging across the affected area in the controls. This suggests that pBMP has a bone forming activity in other species and the clinical use of pBMP in treating patients with segmental bone defects is promising.

Animals↗

An experimental intraarticular implantation of woven carbon fiber pad into osteochondral defect of the femoral condyle in rabbit.

The defects of the articular cartilage structure are not replaced unless the subchondral plate has been breached. However, following the creation of a defect in the subchondral plate, the area is filled in with a fibrous tissue which gradually transforms to hyaline cartilage. The porous nontoxic materials of both biologic and synthetic origin have reportedly been used as matrices for repairing bone and cartilage. Following implantation, carbon fibre, chemically inert and well-tolerated by the body, induces a proliferation of ordered fibrous tissue. We implanted carbon fiber pads in osteochondral defects in rabbits. Those repairs were compared to control holes with no implants. The pads appeared to induce the gross appearance of a restored joint surface, mechanically strong to loading for periods from 2 to 6 weeks. Also, carbon fiber pads promoted the healing of the osteochondral defects in the rabbit femoral condyle, supplying well-organized cartilagenous tissue over repaired subchondral bone. The use of carbon fiber pads as implant material is suggested for the restoration of articular surface in osteoarthritis and osteochondritis dissecans.

Animals↗

Effect of sodium hyaluronate on prevention of osteoarthritis.

The changes in the surface of articular cartilage of femoral condyle from rabbits were evaluated after degenerative changes were made by the technique advocated by Hulth. The medial collateral and both cruciate ligaments were excised, and a medial menisectomy was done. Then the right knee joint was injected with 1 ml of Na-hyaluronate gel every two weeks. The animals were sacrificed at two, four, six, eight, or sixteen weeks postoperatively. After sacrifice, the medial femoral condyle was excised and prepared for the light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic study. At eight to sixteen weeks, there were chondrocyte clones with clefts to the radial zone and increased loss of the height of articular cartilage on the control side; but, on the experimental side there was a significant delay and lessening of the arthritic response. The biocompatibility and the protective effect of joint degeneration of this device make this material a valuable adjuvant in the treatment of osteoarthritis and the traumatized joints.

Animals↗

Anterior interbody fusion for spondylolisthesis.

We evaluated the clinical and radiologic results and the immobilizing effect of the Knight-Kim brace for bony union in 75 consecutive cases of spondylolisthesis treated by anterior interbody fusion. The fifth lumbar vertebra was the most common site involved (55%). The patients were followed for a minimum of 2 1/2 years (range: 2 1/2 to 14; average: 4.5). All cases were approached retroperitoneally, and autogenous bone graft was obtained from the iliac crest. The donor site was reconstructed by polymethylmethacrylate bone cement. Among the 75 cases of grade I, II, and III slippage according to Meyerding's grading system, 58 cases (77%) showed complete bony union after 1 year follow up. Excellent and good clinical results were obtained in 65 cases (87%) at 1 year postoperatively. The state of bony union did not always correlate with the clinical symptoms. We conclude that the simple Knight-Kim back brace was valuable for postoperative immobilization.

Adult↗

Deltoid sensory flap.

Eight patients were treated using the deltoid sensory flap for soft-tissue injury of the extremities. The results were one-stage reconstructions of soft tissue extremity injuries. Protective sensibility was provided to the reconstructed area; there was no limitation of motion of the shoulder after the procedure; and primary closure of the donor site was feasible. The advantages of the deltoid sensory flap exceed those of other reconstructive procedures that are used in areas where sensibility is essential.

Adolescent↗

3-D model of vascular network in rat skin obtained by stereo vision techniques.

The quantitative analysis of the depth of injury, penetration of therapeutic agents in tissues, and the regeneration of vascular patency after a graded degree of thermal injury requires a knowledge of the shape and spatial configuration of the vascular networks in the tissue. We have applied computational stereo vision techniques to describe the 3-D configuration of microvessels in full thickness rat skin vascular casts produced by perfusion of Yellow Microfil latex solution through the aorta. The principal concern is to describe the 3-D structure of vascular networks using a set of 3-D space curves. This representation is computed by integrating monocular and binocular processing; the 2-D curve representation of blood vessels computed through monocular analysis is integrated with disparity data to yield a space curve representation for each vessel. A connection diagram is also computed to indicate the connections existing among the computed space curve representations.

Algorithms↗

Treatment of bone tumors around the shoulder joint by the Tikhoff-Linberg procedure.

The Tikhoff-Linberg procedure is a limb-sparing surgical option to be considered for bony and soft tissue tumors in and around the proximal humerus and shoulder girdle. The authors reported 6 cases of the Tikhoff-Linberg procedure for tumors around the shoulder joint at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery of Severance Hospital from March 1988 to May 1989. The results of the study are as follows: The 6 cases were composed of: osteogenic sarcoma 2 cases, chondrosarcoma 2 cases, chondroblastoma 1 case, and giant cell tumor 1 case. The tumors were completely removed by the Tikhoff-Linberg procedure without amputation or disarticulation of the upper extremity. The distal clavicle, upper humerus and part of all of the scapula were resected. The Tikhoff-Linberg procedure was performed for patients whose tumors did not involve the neurovascular bundle in the axilla. The function of the hand and forearm after the Tikhoff-Linberg procedure was nearly normal in all cases. The Tikhoff-Linberg procedure would be recommended as a limb-sparing operation for tumors around the shoulder joint that require wide resection without disarticulation or forequarter amputation of the upper extremities.

Adolescent↗

Congenital dislocation of the hip--a long-term follow-up in Korea.

The results of fifty-eight congenitally dislocated hips in fifty-four children, who were between two months and eleven years old when treatment was begun, have been reviewed. Thirteen hips were treated by closed reduction, seventeen hips by open reduction, seventeen hips by Salter's innominate osteotomy, five hips by Klisic operation, and six hips by other operations. At an average 5.1 year follow-up (range, three to twelve years), a 91% satisfactory result was obtained when treatment was started under two years of age. With preoperative traction, in the cases when the femoral head was pulled down below to the zero station, the clinical result was satisfactory in 83%. We think that the treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip should be started before two years of age and that the femoral head should be pulled down below to the zero station to prevent avascular necrosis, and to obtain a satisfactory result.

Age Factors↗

Autolysed antigen-extracted allogeneic bone for repair of diaphyseal bone defects in rabbits.

Autolysed antigen-extracted allogeneic bone (AAA bone) was used to bridge a large osteoperiosteal gap in the diaphysis of the radius of 50 rabbits. Periodic observations of the graft were made clinically, radiologically and histologically every week up to fourteen weeks. The continuity of the radius was evaluated macroscopically and histologically. The AAA bones were progressively resorbed and replaced by the new bone. The bone remodelled to the mature tubular bone and did not undergo absorption during the experimental period. The AAA bone proceeded to be an osteoinductive and osteoconductive material. There were no appreciable histologic signs of immune or foreign body reaction.

Animals↗

Spinal cord injury caused by a stab wound--a case report.

The authors present a case of incomplete spinal cord injury (Brown Sequard syndrome) after a stab wound. A direct history and examination revealed that the patient was stabbed in the back while fighting with his friends. He immediately lost motor and sensory function in the lower extremities and collapsed to the ground. The patient was given primary closure after wound toilet and was treated with antibiotics. With rehabilitation he became ambulatory with a cane and long leg brace two months after the stabbing.

Adult↗