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

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

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

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

PURPOSE: Overactive bladder (OAB) causes urinary urgency, usually accompanied by frequency and nocturia. Alpha 1-adrenergic receptor (α1-AR) antagonists are known to improve lower urinary tract symptoms associated with OAB. The α1-AR antagonists constitute a variety of drugs according to the receptor subtype affinity. This study investigated the efficacy of tamsulosin, naftopidil, and a combination of the two on OAB rats. METHODS: The OAB rat model was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide for 14 days. The experimental groups were divided into 5 groups: control group, OAB-induction group, OAB-induction and tamsulosin monotherapy group, OAB-induction and naftopidil monotherapy group, and OAB-induction and tamsulosin-naftopidil combination therapy group. For the drug-treated groups, each drug was administrated for 14 days after the OAB induction. Cystometry for urodynamic evaluation and immunohistochemical stain for c-Fos and nerve growth factor (NGF) expressions in the central micturition centers were performed. RESULTS: Increased contraction pressure and time with enhanced c-Fos and NGF expressions in the central micturition centers were found in the OAB rats. Tamsulosin suppressed contraction pressure and time while inhibiting c-Fos and NGF expressions. Naftopidil showed no significant effect and combination therapy showed less of an effect on contraction pressure and time. Naftopidil and combination therapy exerted no significant effect on the c-Fos and NGF expressions. CONCLUSIONS: Tamsulosin showed the most prominent efficacy for the treatment of OAB compared to the naftopidil and combination. The combination of tamsulosin with naftopidil showed no synergistic effects on OAB; however, further studies of addon therapy might provide opportunities to find a new modality.
Animals ; Cyclophosphamide ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Models, Animal ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Nocturia ; Rats* ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive* ; Urination ; Urodynamics

PURPOSE: Overactive bladder (OAB) causes urinary urgency, usually accompanied by frequency and nocturia. Alpha 1-adrenergic receptor (α1-AR) antagonists are known to improve lower urinary tract symptoms associated with OAB. The α1-AR antagonists constitute a variety of drugs according to the receptor subtype affinity. This study investigated the efficacy of tamsulosin, naftopidil, and a combination of the two on OAB rats. METHODS: The OAB rat model was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide for 14 days. The experimental groups were divided into 5 groups: control group, OAB-induction group, OAB-induction and tamsulosin monotherapy group, OAB-induction and naftopidil monotherapy group, and OAB-induction and tamsulosin-naftopidil combination therapy group. For the drug-treated groups, each drug was administrated for 14 days after the OAB induction. Cystometry for urodynamic evaluation and immunohistochemical stain for c-Fos and nerve growth factor (NGF) expressions in the central micturition centers were performed. RESULTS: Increased contraction pressure and time with enhanced c-Fos and NGF expressions in the central micturition centers were found in the OAB rats. Tamsulosin suppressed contraction pressure and time while inhibiting c-Fos and NGF expressions. Naftopidil showed no significant effect and combination therapy showed less of an effect on contraction pressure and time. Naftopidil and combination therapy exerted no significant effect on the c-Fos and NGF expressions. CONCLUSIONS: Tamsulosin showed the most prominent efficacy for the treatment of OAB compared to the naftopidil and combination. The combination of tamsulosin with naftopidil showed no synergistic effects on OAB; however, further studies of addon therapy might provide opportunities to find a new modality.
Animals ; Cyclophosphamide ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Models, Animal ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Nocturia ; Rats* ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive* ; Urination ; Urodynamics

> 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*

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 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