Objective To investigate the changes of plasma somatostatin(SS) and its correlation with cellular immune function in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE).Methods Fifty cases of HIE were collected to detect the SS and T lymphocyte subsets,IL-2,sIL-2R as well as IL-6 levels by radioimmunoassay,APAAP and doule antibody sandwith ELISA methods.Results The SS and sIL-2R levels in patients with HIE were significantly higher(P

AIMTo study the four diastereomers of leucogen and structure of the related substances.

METHODSLC-DAD, LC-MS/MS and LC- 1H NMR were used. LC was carried out with a Phenomnex Luna C18 (250 mm x 4.60 mm ID, 5 microm) column and a mobile phase of water-acetonitrile-glacial acetic acid (58:42: 0.3).

RESULTSThe structures of leucogen and its related substances were identified. Leucogen and the related substances were found to have four diastereomers in solution state separately. The stability and transformation of the four diastereomers were analyzed and 3R4S5R was found to be more stable than the others according to quantum calculations.

CONCLUSIONLeucogen have four diastereomers in solution state and it can transform from one diastereomer to the others, and the 3R4S5R is more stable than the others.

Chromatography, Liquid ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Quantum Theory ; Solutions ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Stereoisomerism ; Thiazolidines ; analysis ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the associations between periodontal diseases, presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), serum levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and preterm low birth weight (PLBW).

METHODS60 women (30 PLBW and 30 healthy women), were recruited after postpartum within 3 days in this case-control study. Periodontal measurements including plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI), probing pocket depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were assessed. The subgingival plaque was collected before periodontal examination and analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of the 16S rRNA gene specific to P. gingivalis, while the venous and umbilical cord blood specimens collected were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe PLBW cases had a poorer oral conditions and the presence of P. gingivalis was found in a higher proportion in the PLBW than the healthy pregnant (56.7% vs. 30.0%, P < 0.05). Both of the presence of periodontitis and P. gingivalis have been found to be associated weakly with a shorter gestational age and a lower birth weight (P < 0.05). The levels of IL-1beta, IL-6 and prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) in both of the blood samples showed higer levels between the PLBW and normal groups (P < 0.01). The IL-1beta and PGE2 levels in maternal serum were higher with a severe periodontal disease in the PLBW group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThere may be a possible link between periodontal diseases and PLBW.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Dental Plaque ; Dental Plaque Index ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Interleukin-6 ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontitis ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S

> BACKGROUND: The accuracy of flow-related changes in aortic valve area (AVA) determined by the Gorlin formula or the continuity equation remains disputable. However, anatomic AVA can be determined by using by direct planimetry of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of changes in flow on AVA determined by TEE using direct planimetry. METHOD: Determination of AVA by TEE using direct planimetey was performed intraoperatively under three different hemodynamic conditions - pre-dobutamine (baseline) period, post-dobutamine period, post-CABG period - in 17 CABG patients and cardiac output (CO) with left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) were also determined by TEE simutaneously. The changes in aortic flow were induced by dobutamine infusion. RESULTS: AVA at pre-dobumaine period, post-dobutamine period, and post-CABG period were 2.99+/-0.80 cm2, 3.01+/-0.79 cm2, and 3.01+/-0.80 cm2, respectively. Before dobutamin infusion, CO and EF were 2.01+/-0.64 L/min and 47+/-10%. After dobutamine infusion, CO and EF were 3.03+/-1.05 L/min, 54+/-9% respectively and significantly increased by 54%, 18% than those measured before dobutamine infusion (p<0.01, p<0.01), respectively. After CABG, CO and EF were 3.86+/-1.86 L/min and 58+/-11% and also significantly increased by 98%, 26% than those measured before dobutamine infusion (p<0.01, p<0.01), respectively. However, despite of these significant hemodynamic changes, there were no significant changes in AVA and no significant correlations between these hemodynamic and AVA changes, neither at post-dobutamine period nor post-CABG period. CONCLUSION: The acute changes in CO and EF do not result in significant alterations in the anatomic AVA determined by TEE using direct planimetry. Thus, TEE using direct planimetry could be accurate and useful in the determination of AVA in hemodynamically unstable patient.
Aortic Valve* ; Cardiac Output* ; Dobutamine ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Stroke Volume*

> BACKGROUND: The accuracy of flow-related changes in aortic valve area (AVA) determined by the Gorlin formula or the continuity equation remains disputable. However, anatomic AVA can be determined by using by direct planimetry of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of changes in flow on AVA determined by TEE using direct planimetry. METHOD: Determination of AVA by TEE using direct planimetey was performed intraoperatively under three different hemodynamic conditions - pre-dobutamine (baseline) period, post-dobutamine period, post-CABG period - in 17 CABG patients and cardiac output (CO) with left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) were also determined by TEE simutaneously. The changes in aortic flow were induced by dobutamine infusion. RESULTS: AVA at pre-dobumaine period, post-dobutamine period, and post-CABG period were 2.99+/-0.80 cm2, 3.01+/-0.79 cm2, and 3.01+/-0.80 cm2, respectively. Before dobutamin infusion, CO and EF were 2.01+/-0.64 L/min and 47+/-10%. After dobutamine infusion, CO and EF were 3.03+/-1.05 L/min, 54+/-9% respectively and significantly increased by 54%, 18% than those measured before dobutamine infusion (p<0.01, p<0.01), respectively. After CABG, CO and EF were 3.86+/-1.86 L/min and 58+/-11% and also significantly increased by 98%, 26% than those measured before dobutamine infusion (p<0.01, p<0.01), respectively. However, despite of these significant hemodynamic changes, there were no significant changes in AVA and no significant correlations between these hemodynamic and AVA changes, neither at post-dobutamine period nor post-CABG period. CONCLUSION: The acute changes in CO and EF do not result in significant alterations in the anatomic AVA determined by TEE using direct planimetry. Thus, TEE using direct planimetry could be accurate and useful in the determination of AVA in hemodynamically unstable patient.
Aortic Valve* ; Cardiac Output* ; Dobutamine ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Stroke Volume*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to show the correlation between Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) score and injury severity score (ISS) in patients with injury in emergency department. METHODS: Between November 1, 2003, and March 2, 2004, 234 eligible injury patients who had visited our emergency center were enrolled in the study. HRQOL was assessed in 10 days after injury by Korean Short Form Health Survey- 36(KSF-36), Korean EuroQol 5 dimensions (KEQ-5D), and Korean Human Utility Index-3(KHUI-3). The severity of injury was measured by using the ISS. RESULTS: Of the 234 subjects, 149(63.7%) were men and 85(36.3%) were women, with mean(+/-SD) age of 46.1(+/-15.3) and mean ISS(+/-SD) of 4.54(+/-3.98). The KEQ-5D and KHUI-3 scores adjusted by ISS in patients with medical operation or hospitalization were significantly lower than those in patients without medical operation or hospitalization. All HRQOL scores except KSF-36 physical component summary (PCS) and general health (GH) score were significantly lower in patients group with high ISS than in patients group with low ISS. KEQ-5D and KHUI-3 had significant negative correlation with ISS (r=-0.58,-0.52). But there were no significant correlation between KSF-36 score and ISS. CONCLUSION: In this study, we observed that KEQ-5D and KHUI-3 scores in patients with injury were significantly correlated with ISS. However, to define the more definite feature of HRQOL in patients with injury, the study with more and large epidemiologic controlled injury group and detailed variable adjustment should be done.
Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score* ; Male ; Quality of Life* ; Wounds and Injuries

OBJECTIVE: We compared the clinical and radiographic outcomes of stand-alone polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage and Zero-Profile anchored spacer (Zero-P) for single level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 121 patients who underwent single level ACDF within 2 years (Jan 2011-Jan 2013) in a single institute. Total 50 patients were included for the analysis who were evaluated more than 2-year follow-up. Twenty-nine patients were allocated to the cage group (m : f=19 : 10) and 21 for Zero-P group (m : f=12 : 9). Clinical (neck disability index, visual analogue scale arm and neck) and radiographic (Cobb angle-segmental and global cervical, disc height, vertebral height) assessments were followed at pre-operative, immediate post-operative, post-3, 6, 12, and 24 month periods. RESULTS: Demographic features and the clinical outcome showed no difference between two groups. The change between final follow-up (24 months) and immediate post-op of Cobb-segmental angle (p=0.027), disc height (p=0.002), vertebral body height (p=0.033) showed statistically better outcome for the Zero-P group than the cage group, respectively. CONCLUSION: The Zero-Profile anchored spacer has some advantage after cage for maintaining segmental lordosis and lowering subsidence rate after single level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.
Animals ; Arm ; Body Height ; Diskectomy* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Lordosis ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess healthrelated quality of life (HRQOL), to compare HRQOL of 3 months after injury with 10 days after injury, and to offer the result of this study to basic data of HRQOL in Korean patients with injury. METHODS: Between November 1, 2003, and March 2, 2004, 100 eligible injury patients who had visited emergency center were enrolled in the study. HRQOL was measured by Korean EuroQol 5 dimensions (KEQ-5D), and assessed in 10 days and 3 months after injury. The severity of injury was measured by Injury Severity Score (ISS). RESULTS: Of the 100 subjects, 54 (54%) were men and 46 (46%) were women, with mean (+/-SD) age of 43.7 (+/-15.2) and mean ISS (+/-SD) of 4.45 (+/-4.38). The KEQ-5D utility index and 5 subdimensional scores of 3 months after injury were significantly higher than those of 10 days after injury. The KEQ-5D utility indexes of 3 months after injury of each group by the ISS, age, sex, educational status and marrital status had significant higher than those of 10 days after injury. CONCLUSION: In this study, we observed that HRLOQ in patients with 3 months after injury was higher than those with 10 days after injury. However, to define the more definite feature of HRLOQ in patients with injury, the study with more and large epidemiologic controlled injury group and detailed variable adjustment should be done.
Educational Status ; Emergencies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Male ; Quality of Life*

The sacral spinal epidural space is an uncommon site for primary malignant lymphomas, presenting with symptoms associated with cauda equina compression. Especially, lumbo-sacral epidural lymphoma has been reported to be very rare. We present a rare case of 29-year-old male with sacral spinal epidural malignant lymphoma. The patient complained of tingling sensation in his buttocks that was radiating to his calf. The neurological examination was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast showed a well-defined extradural mass lesion at the mid L5 to mid S2 level. The lesion was iso- to hypointense on T1 and T2 weighted images and showed homogenous enhancement and a focal enhancement in the L5 vertebral body on post-contrast images. The patient underwent a L5-S2 laminectomy and subtotal excision of the lesion. Intra-operatively, the lesion was extradural and not densely adherent to the dura; the lesion was friable, not firm, fleshy, brownish and hypervascular. The histologic diagnosis was grade 2 non-Hodgkin's follicular lymphoma. Even though the primary spinal epidural non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a very rare disease, clinicians should take it into consideration in the differential diagnosis of patients with spinal epidural tumor.
Adult ; Buttocks ; Cauda Equina ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epidural Neoplasms ; Epidural Space* ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, Follicular ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neurologic Examination ; Rare Diseases ; Sensation

OBJECTIVES: QT dispersion(QTd) is defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum average QT interval in any of the 12 leads of the surface ECG. QTd has been shown to reflect regional variations in ventricular repolarization. It was reported previously that QTd was dependent on the degree of reperfusion in myocardial infarction. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty(PTCA) on QTd. METHODS: We studied in 21 patients(15 men and 6 women: mean age, 53 +/- 7.5 years: 14 acute myocardial infaction, 4 angina pectoris and 3 unstable angina). All standard 12-lead ECGs were recorded at a paper speed of 25mm/sec and examined retrospectively by single observer. QT interval was measured from 11.3 +/- 1.1 leads using a computerized program interfaced with digitizer. QTd corrected for heart rate(QTcd) was calculated by Bazett`s formula. Each cases were divided to 2 stages, before and after PTCA(mean obsevation duration, 16.8 +/- 9.7 days vs. 22.5 +/- 21.9 hours). The difference of QT dispersions was assessed by comparing by paired t-test. RESULTS: There were significant difference in QTd (mean 110.2 +/- 37.4 vs. 90.4 +/- 37.6 msec, p<0.05). Results did not change when Bazett`s QTc was substituted for QT(QTcd: mean 125.5 +/- 38.3 vs. 97.9 +/- 29.8 msec, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Successful PTCA is associated with less QTd after PTGA. The results are equally significant when either QT or QTc is used for analysis. In our limited study, measurement of QT dispersion, an easily accessible, resonably accurate, noninvasive method, may be a valuable tool in assessment of patients before and after PTCA. However, this study must be confirmed in prospective trial.
Angina Pectoris ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; Reperfusion ; Retrospective Studies