BACKGROUND: No-reflow is a specific type of vascular damage occuring when removal of coronary occlusion dose not lead to restoration of coronary flow. There are three major explanations for the no-reflow phenomenon such as endothelial cell edema, microvascular plugging by platelets or thrombi and coronary occlusion by ischemic contracture of the myocardium. But detailed mechanisms of no-reflow phenomenon are not known. The objects of this study are to elucidate the possibility whether elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration during ischemic cardioplegic period is mechanism of no-reflow phenomenon or not. METHODS: Changes in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration were measured under varying experimental condition. Free [Ca2+] in the cytosole [Ca2+]i of single rabbit coronary artery cells was measured with fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, Fura-2. RESULTS: Resting [Ca2+]i was 134.2+/-34 nM (n=43). When single cells were perfused with cardioplegic or ischemic cardioplegic solution, [Ca2+]i was significantly increased and degree of [Ca2+]i elevation was further augmented by ischemic cardioplegic solution. Pretreatment of sarcoplasmic reticulum emptying agent (20mM caffeine) had no effect on cardioplegia-induced [Ca2+]i change, but application of Ca2+ channel blocker (5x10-7M nifedipine) or an antagonist of Na+/Ca2+ exchange (5mM Ni2+ ) partially (nifedipine) or completely (nickel) inhibited the [Ca2+]i elevation. Pretreament of caffeine had no effect on ischemic cardioplegia-induced [Ca2+]i change, but application of nifedipine or nickel partially inhibited the [Ca2+]i elevation. Magnitude of ischemic cardioplegia-induced [Ca2+]i elevation was dependent on the Ca2+ concentration of perfusate from 0 to 2.5mM. When Ni2+ was added to reperfusion solution, recovery of ischemic cardioplegia-induced [Ca2+]i elevation was very rapid compared with control. CONCLUSIONS: From the above results, it may be speculated that ischemic cardioplegia-induced [Ca2+]i elevation may act as one of the mechanism of no-reflow phenomenon in rabbit coronary artery.
Caffeine ; Cardioplegic Solutions ; Coronary Occlusion ; Coronary Vessels* ; Cytosol* ; Edema ; Endothelial Cells ; Fura-2 ; Ischemic Contracture ; Muscle, Smooth* ; Myocardium ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle* ; Nickel ; Nifedipine ; No-Reflow Phenomenon ; Reperfusion ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of Jebsen hand function test in rheumatoid arthritis patients. METHOD: The experimental subjects were divided into 3 groups (Group 1 : 17 persons; control, Group 2 : 21 persons; RA without hand deformity, Group 3 : 16 persons; RA with hand deformity). They were assessed by Jebsen hand function test. Further included assessments were grip and pinch strength, joint deformity counts, and visual analogue scales. RESULTS: Jebsen hand function test scores were significantly decreased in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared with control. Jebsen hand function test scores were well correlated with visual analogue scales in group 2 and correlated with joint deformity counts in group 3. CONCLUSIONS: Jebsen hand function test would be useful tool for the evaluation of hand function in the rheumatoid arthritis patients with hand deformity.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Hand Deformities ; Hand Strength ; Hand* ; Humans ; Joints ; Pinch Strength ; Weights and Measures

Mycotic aneurysms of the intracavernous segment of the internal carotid artery secondary to cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis are exceedingly rare. The authors report a case with mycotic pseudoaneurysm in the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery with clinical and angiographic evidence cavernous sinus thrombosis. The strikingly development of the pseudoaneurysms was demonstrated by digital subtraction angiography.
Aneurysm, False* ; Aneurysm, Infected ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Carotid Artery, Internal* ; Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis* ; Cavernous Sinus*

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the effect of calcitonin injection relieving pain in ovariectomized rats. METHOD: Thirty five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups (high dose calcitonin group (112 U/ Kg), low dose calcitonin group (56 U/Kg), free calcitonin group, ovariectomy group, control group). To assess the pain in ovariectomized rats, the tail of rats were dived in waters of 50+/-1degrees C. Then the tail withdrawal time was measured (tail withdrawal test). The tail withdrawal test was performed in once a week for eight weeks. RESULTS: 1. At seven and eight weeks after injection, the tail withdrawal time of high and low dose calcitonin group compared with that of ovariectomy group were significantly prolonged (p<0.05). 2. At eight weeks after injection, the tail withdrawal time of free calcitonin group compared with that of ovariectomy group was significantly prolonged (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The effect of calcitonin injection relieving pain in ovariectomized rats was found.
Animals ; Calcitonin* ; Control Groups ; Female ; Ovariectomy ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tail ; Water

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of foot breadth and ball girth according to the height of shoes heel in the people without foot problems. METHOD: 480 subjects were evaluated with clinical examination, foot length, foot breadth and ball girth of right foot with and without shoes heel. The examination without shoes heel was performed without weight bearing. The examination with shoes heel was performed with weight bearing. 20 mm, 25 mm and 30 mm shoes heel were used for men, respectively. 30 mm, 40 mm and 60 mm shoes heel were used for women, respectively. RESULTS: There was significant increment in foot breadth and ball girth in the case with weight bearing, and significant increment in foot breadth and ball girth in the case of using higher shoes heel. But in women, foot breadth and ball girth using 60 mm shoes was shorter than that using 40 mm shoes. CONCLUSION: The breadth and the ball girth of the shoes according to the height of shoes heel should be considered to make more practical shoes.
Female ; Foot* ; Heel* ; Humans ; Male ; Shoes* ; Weight-Bearing

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) of some music college freshmen majoring in string instruments. METHODS: The study subjects were 199 freshmen majoring in strings at three colleges in Seoul and surrounds. The symptom prevalence and related factors of PRMDs were surveyed with a self-administered questionnaire. The Southampton Protocol was used to diagnose PRMDs. RESULTS: The freshmen had played for 9 years and 7 months on average. The symptom prevalence of PRMDs according to the modified-NIOSH surveillance criteria was 73.4%. The shoulder was the most prevalent symptom complaint site. The prevalence of PRMDs by the Southampton Protocol was 54.3% and myofascial pain syndrome was the most common. The instrument (violin or viola vs. cello or bass), regular breaks, self perceived evaluation of playing posture and regular computer use had a significant association with the symptom prevalence of PRMDs in univariate logistic regression analysis (p<0.05). The instrument, regular breaks and regular computer use were significant variables affecting the symptom prevalence of PRMDs in multivariate logistic regression analysis (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that music college freshmen playing strings are a high risk group for musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, the prevention of PRMDs requires the establishment of an ergonomic playing-environment, and the education of comfortable posture and stretching program such as musical warming up and physical stretching. It is especially important to form an effective treatment and rehabilitation system based on earlier diagnosis for musicians who are suffering from the PRMDs.
Diagnosis ; Education ; Logistic Models ; Music* ; Myofascial Pain Syndromes ; Posture ; Prevalence* ; Questionnaires ; Rehabilitation ; Seoul ; Shoulder ; Viola

ression and quality of life of family caregivers of patients with Parkinson's disease(PD). METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in one neurology outpatient clinic in Seoul, Korea from March to June, 2006. Sixty eight family caregivers of PD patients were participated to the study, using CES-D and SF-36. RESULTS: Mean scores of depression were 16.18+/-8.39 (range: 0-48) and it was a little lower than caregiver's who took care of Dementia patients and were higher than primary caregivers of the patients with Stroke. Time for caregiving, perceived severity, duration of PD were significantly related with depression respectively. Higher ADL scores which mean greater motor disabilities were related to higher caregiver depression. Lower income and greater medical expenditure were closely related with the depression of family caregivers respectively. The mean scores of total QOL were 435.5+/-96.5 and the mean scores of PF, SF, RE and MH were lower than general population. Time for caregiving, depression, patients' ADL scores were significantly associated with QOL respectively. People who were older and had lower educational background showed lower QOL scores respectively. CONCLUSION: Healthcare professionals should pay more attention to emotional aspects of caregivers who take care of PD patients, and develop comprehensive management strategies both for patients and their caregivers.
Activities of Daily Living ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Caregivers* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Dementia ; Depression* ; Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Korea* ; Neurology ; Parkinson Disease* ; Quality of Life* ; Seoul ; Stroke

Deterioration of long-term dentin adhesion durability is thought to occur by hydrolytic degradation within hydrophilic domains of the adhesive and hybrid layers. This study investigated the hypothesis that priming the collagen network with an organic solvent displace water without collapse and thereby obtain good bond strength with an adhesive made of hydrophobic monomers and organic solvents. Three experimental adhesives were prepared by dissolving two hydrophobic monomers, bisphenol-A-glycidylmethacrylate (Bis-GMA) and triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), into acetone, ethanol or methanol. After an etching and rinsing procedure, the adhesives were applied onto either wet dentin surfaces (wet bonding) or dentin surfaces primed with the same solvent (solvent-primed bonding). Microtensile bond strength (MTBS) was measured at 48 hrs, 1 month and after 10,000 times of thermocycles. The bonded interfaces were evaluated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Regardless of bonding protocols, well-developed hybrid layers were observed at the bonded interface in most specimens. The highest mean MTBS was observed in the adhesive containing ethanol at 48 hrs. With solvent-primed bonding, increased MTBS tendencies were seen with thermocycling in the adhesives containing ethanol or methanol. However, in the case of wet bonding, no increase in MTBS was observed with aging.
Acetone ; Adhesives ; Aging ; Chimera ; Collagen ; Dentin ; Electrons ; Ethanol ; Methanol ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Polymethacrylic Acids ; Solvents ; Water

PURPOSE: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor disabilities and increasing dependence on others for daily life activities with consequent impact on patients' and caregivers' quality of life. The aim of this study was to elucidate the burden on primary caregivers of patients with PD, and identify related factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study. Seventy-six primary caregivers of PD patients in a neurology outpatient clinic, Seoul, Korea completed structured questionnaires, of which 68 were analyzed. The structured self-report questionnaire included (1) demographic information on the caregivers, (2) information regarding the disease characteristics of the patients, and (3) the subjective and objective caregiver burdens as assessed on Montgomery, Gonyea, & Hooyman's scale. RESULTS: The mean age of the caregivers was 54.56 years, and spouses represented the largest proportion(47.0%). Caregivers of PD patients experienced high levels of burden (mean scores on the subjective and objective burdens were 45.22 and 34.90, respectively), which were comparable to the caregiver burdens in stroke, and higher than the caregiver burdens in general chronic disease. Older caregivers and spousal caregivers experienced significantly higher burdens (p=.004 and p=.019, respectively). A greater motor disability and higher modified Hoehn and Yahr grade were related to higher caregiver burden (p=.001 and p=.018, respectively). CONCLUSION: Caring for PD patients is associated with a high level of caregiver burden. Therefore, healthcare professionals should identify the burden of caregivers who look after PD patients and develop comprehensive management strategies both for patients and their caregivers.
Adult ; Aged ; *Caregivers/psychology ; *Cost of Illness ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Parkinson Disease ; *Quality of Life

OBJECTIVES: Aims were to evaluate foot deformity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis for its types, prevalence, and relation with duration of the disease. METHODS: Inspection, measuring of hallux valgus and calcaneal angle and footprint were done on 256 feet of 128 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Transverse (metatarsal) arch and longitudinal arch were evaluated by foot printings. RESULTS: 1) The most common type of foot deformities was hallux valgus in 175 of 256 feet(68.4%). Depressed transverse arches were in 169(66.0%), toe deformities including claw toe, hammer toe, curl toe and mallet toe in 125(48.9%), calcaneal valgus in 87(34.0%), callus in 67(26.2%), pes planus in 37(14.5%), and bunion in 25 (9.8%) of 256 feet. 2) Foot involvements as the initial manifestation were seen in 41 (32.0%) of 128 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A duration of rheumatoid arthritis over 10 years were seen in 37 of 128 patients. In this patients mean number of involved toes per foot was 2.78 which was not statistically significant increase compared to that of all patients, 2.23 (p-value>0.05). Even with absence of foot symptoms in 28 of 128 patient with rheumatoid arthritis, toe deformities were seen in 1.55 toes per foot. And prevalence of hallux valgus, pes planus, depressed transverse arch and calcaneal valgus were 58.9%, 10.7%, 51.8% and 39.3% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Foot deformities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis were usually inevitable complication. Even in the patients who had no foot symptom, there were foot deformities. So, we think that physicians should pay attention to the foot in all rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Bony Callus ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Flatfoot ; Foot Deformities ; Foot* ; Hallux Valgus ; Hammer Toe Syndrome ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Toes