Digital 2-Dimensional Photogrammetry Simplified by Using a Marker of a Known Size

BACKGROUND: A quantitative, rather than visual, assessment of the outcomes of facial surgery has recently become increasingly important, and this is best accomplished using anthropometry. However, most anthropometric methods have limited applicability in office settings. METHODS: We conducted preliminary studies on images of a 30-cm straight edge ruler with various camera-to-object distances (OD) and aperture sizes, and identified a convenient range of ODs and the most reliable aperture size of our camera for photogrammetry. Subsequently, we measured various lengths circumjacent to the center of the ruler in the images of different ODs with a graphics viewer program and calibrated the raw data using the central 20-mm length. We obtained a reliable circle in our camera's viewfinder from a chart of percentage differences between the calibrated data and coupled real ruler lengths. Following this, we replaced the concept of the central 20-mm length with a geometric sphere 20-mm in diameter, and applied it to clinical photogrammetry. RESULTS: The percentage differences were almost directly proportional to the real lengths. This value was below 0.48% in the central 160-mm of all images within an OD range of 50 to 125 cm. In clinical applications, the greatest difference compared to direct measurements was 0.97 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Using a graphics viewer program, we performed anthropometric measurements of images that included a sphere of known size, without printing the images; the difference between these and direct measurements was <1 mm. This method is simple enough for use in an office setting.

Gas Gangrene Caused by Streptococcus anginosus / 대한내과학회지

Gas gangrene, a subset of necrotizing myositis, is a bacterial infection that produces gas in tissues in gangrene. It is usually caused by Clostridium species, most commonly Clostridium perfringens. Streptococcus anginosus is a rare cause of gas gangrene, with very few cases reported. We report a rare case of traumatic gas gangrene caused by S. anginosus in a 57-year-old female with diabetes after being stabbed with scissors.

Direct Brow Lift Combined with Suspension of the Orbicularis Oculi Muscle

BACKGROUND: Although the conventional direct brow lift operation provides a simple means of managing lateral brow ptosis, the scars produced have been unacceptable. However, using the modifications proposed here, scarring showed remarkable improvement. This article reviews our experiences with the presented technique, mainly with respect to postoperative scarring. METHODS: Measured amounts of supra-eyebrow skin and subcutaneous fat were excised en bloc in the conventional manner under 'hyper-hydrated' local infiltration anesthesia. The lower flap and the edge of the upper flap were undermined above the muscular plane, and the orbicularis oculi muscle was directly suture-plicated and suspended upward to the distal frontalis muscle. Skin closure was performed in a basic plastic surgical manner. RESULTS: From April 2007 to April 2012, a consecutive series of 60 patients underwent surgery using the above method. The average width of the excised skin was 8 mm (range, 5-15 mm) at the apex of the eyebrow. Preoperative complaints were resolved without occurrence of significant complications. The surgical scars showed remarkable improvement and were negligible in the majority of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: The direct brow lift operation combined with plication/suspension of the superior and lateral portion of the orbicularis oculi muscle provides a simple, safe, and predictable means of correcting lateral brow ptosis. The scars were acceptable to all of the patients. For proper management of the frontalis tone, upper blepharoplasty and/or repair of eyelid levator function must be considered in addition to brow lift procedures.

Incidence and Epidemiological Characteristics of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Among School-Based Populations in Korea / 감염과화학요법

BACKGROUND: During the 2009 influenza pandemic in Korea, school-age children were mostly attacked by the novel influenza A virus (H1N1). Nevertheless, there is limited information on the cumulative incidence of the 2009 influenza pandemic among school populations. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of 2009 H1N1 influenza and influenza-like illness (ILI), and characterize the epidemiology among school-based populations in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study analyzed the data collected by the daily school influenza reporting system for laboratory-confirmed influenza (H1N1 2009 pdm) and ILI in elementary, middle and high schools in Korea during the period, July 1 to December 20, 2009. RESULTS: Between July 1 and December 20, 2009, a total of 525,668 cases of H1N1 2009 pdm were reported from the schools analyzed. The cumulative incidence of H1N1 2009 pdm was highest in elementary school children between 8 and 13 years of age (11,058 per 100,000 population), followed by middle school students between 14 and 16 years of age (10,080 per 100,000), and high school students between 17 and 19 years of age (8,886 per 100,000). With the alignment of the epidemic curves by the three levels of school education, the age group-specific differences in the timing of the infection became apparent. The infections peaked 1 week earlier in both middle and high school students (November 3, 2009) than in elementary school children (November 10, 2009). The infections occurred an average of 7.3 [95% confidence interval(CI): 7.2-7.4] and 3.4 (95% CI: 3.3-3.5) days earlier in the middle and high school students, respectively, than elementary school children (P<0.001). The overall trend of the epidemic waves from the school reporting system data was similar to that of the national surveillance date from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that during the 2009 pandemic, one student in every 10 was infected with H1N1 2009 pdm, which is double that estimated from the national surveillance data. In addition, middle and high school students were important drivers of H1N1 2009 pdm transmission in 2009. During the 2009 influenza pandemic, the daily school reporting system provided valuable information for estimating the incidence as well as the epidemiological characteristics in school-based populations.

Effect of Chronic exposure to Low-Levels of n-Hexane on Peripheral Nervous System / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The effect of chronic exposure to low levels of n-hexane on peripheral nervous system and the relationship between duration of employment and impairment of peripheral nervous system was studied. METHODS: In 21 workers at two shoe - maker factories and 21 unexposed controls, measurement of exposure of solvents, symptom Questionnaire, physical examination and electrophysiological study were conducted. RESULTS: Mean ages of study subjects in the exposed and the unexposed were 39.9 and 40.1 years old. Mean durations of employment were 15.1 and 10.0 years, respectively. Mean concentraions of urinary 2,5-HD were 2.23 mg/kg creatinine, 0.23 mg/kg creatinine, respectively. Mean concentration of solvents in air were 21.1 ppm of n-hexane, 72.2 rpm of toluene and 0.5 ppm of MEK. There were no differences in the prevalence of subjective symptoms and abnormal neurological signs between the exposed and the unexposed. But vibration extinction time(VAT) of the exposed(8.8 second) was shorter than that of the unexposed(11.9 second)(p < 0.05). Mean values of electrophysiological studies(EPS) of the two groups were within normal limit. However, mean conduction velocity of median motor nerve and median F wave(MMNCV and MFCV), mean amplitude of median sensory action potential(MSAP) were decreased in the exposed(p < 0.05). Moreover, the rate of abnormal finding more than one in sensory nerves wart increased in the exposed than those in the unexposed(p,0.05). Correlation coefficients between duration of employment and mean conduction velocity of median sensory nerve (MSNCV) and between duration of employment and MFCV were -0.57 -0.43, respectively(p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that chronic (mean 15 years) low level(mean 23 ppm) exposure to n-hexane cause subclinical impairment of peripheral nervous system. These results also suggest that the longer duration of employment, the shorter values of EPB and VAT.

Preoperative prediction of acute perforative and gangrenous appendicitis by clinical features of patients

No abstract available.

Chemiluminescence assay for the monitoring of phagocytic activity of HL-60 cells stimulated by retinoic acid / 대한암학회지

No abstract available.