No abstract available.
Niemann-Pick Disease, Type A*

BACKGROUND: Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure(ABP) monitoring has become increasingly popular for diagnosing and treating hypertension. Therefore the reference value of normotensive subjects was necessary for interpretation of hypertensive subjects. Several studies were reported on reference values in normotensive subjects. The purpose of this study was to determine 24-hour ABP in normotensive Korean adults stratified for sex and five age groups. This study also assessed ABP in relation to a family history of hypertension, smoking and body mass index(BMI). METHODS: ABP monitoring was performed in 200 healthy normotensive volunteers(ranged in age from 20 to 69 years, five decades, 20 men and 20 women per each decade), over 24 hours, taking measurement at 30-min intervals. The 24-hour interval was divided into day-time(6am-10pm) and night-time(100pm-6am) periods. Mean ABP and pressure loads(percentage of systolic readings>140mmHg, diastolic readings>90mmHg) were obtained. RESULTS: The mean ABP in 200 subjects was 113+/-8.6/72+/-6.9mmHg over 24 hours, 117+/-9.7/75+/-7.0mmHg during day-time, and 106+/-9.8/67+/-8.3mmHg at night-time, and pressure loadd averaged 5.1+/-7.4/7.9+/-8.9% over 24 hours. The +2 standard deviation(SD) as the upper limit of normal was 130/86mmHg over 24 hours in 200 subjects. The mean ABP and pressure load were 116+/-7.6/74+/-7.6mmHg and 6.4+/-8.3/10.1+/-10.2% in 100 subjects of men, and 110+/-8.3+/-70+/-6.6mmHg, 3.7+/-6.0/5.7+/-6.8% in women. Mean ABP and pressure load showed significant difference in relation to age group and sex, however, no significant difference in relation to a family history of hypertension or smoking. In relation to BMI group, diastolic blood pressure and diastolic pressure load were significantly different.
Adult* ; Blood Pressure* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Reference Values ; Smoke ; Smoking

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall characterized by progressive accumulation of lipids,cells,and extracellular matrix.Matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs)and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases(TIMPs)contribute to vascular matrix remodeling in atherosclerosis,and some cytokines may play role in the synthesis or activation of MMPs or TIMPs. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We produced experimental atherosclerotic plaques in 9 rabbits by atherogenic hypercholesterol diet for 12 weeks,and 10 other rabbits were used as control group with standard laboratory chow.At that time,19 rabbits were sacrificed and aorta,coronary arteries and blood specimens were prepared.The expressions of MMP-9,TIMP-2 and interleukin(IL)-18,and the bioactivity of IL-6 were investigated with H&E stain,immunohistochemical stain,immunoblotting(Western blot analysis),and bioassay. RESULT: Serum cholesterol in the experimental group increased up to 1258 +/-262 mg/dL(control group:41 +/-7 mg/dL).All experimental group showed well developed atherosclerotic plaques in aorta and coronary artery.The expression of MMP-9 in aorta and coronary artery of the experimental group showed significant increase than that of the control group by immunohistochemistry.Among the experimental group, complicated lesions with intimal rupture or complete luminal occlusion,demonstrated stronger expression of MMP-9.Interestingly,there was no difference in expression of TIMP-2 between the experimental and the control group.These findings were confirmed by Western blot analysis.The bioassay revealed significant up-regulation of serum bioactivity of IL-6 in the experimental group(4819.60 +/-2021.25 IU/ml)compared to that of IL-6 in the control group(27.20 +/-12.19 IU/ml).IL-18 was expressed in all atherosclerotic plaques, whereas little or no expression was detected in the control group. CONCLUSION: The increased MMP-9 expression along with the unchanged TIMP-2 expression seem to be contributory factors in extracellular matrix degradation in atherosclerosis.Focal overexpression of MMP-9 may promote plaque destabilization and cause complications of atherosclerotic plaques such as thrombosis with/without acute coronary syndrome.Elevation of IL-6 and IL-18 may be more than just markers of atherosclerosis but actual participants in lesion development.Identification of critical regulatory pathway is important to improve the understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of atherosclerosis and may open the way for novel therapeutic strategies.
Aorta ; Arteries ; Atherosclerosis ; Biological Assay ; Blotting, Western ; Cholesterol ; Coronary Vessels ; Cytokines ; Diet ; Extracellular Matrix ; Interleukin-18* ; Interleukin-6* ; Interleukins ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9* ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Phenobarbital ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Rabbits* ; Rupture ; Thrombosis ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2* ; Up-Regulation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although it is well known that mitral valve repair provides a better postoperative outcome than valve replacement for mitral valve prolapse with mitral regurgitation, there haven't been much studied the nature of remnant regurgitation and the change of heart function and structure by remnant regurgitation after mitral valve repair surgery. We tried to research for it. METHODS AND RESULTS: Retrospective analysis of echocardiographic data and medical records was done in patients who underwent repair surgery for mitral valve prolapse with significant mitral regurgitation at the Keimyung University Dong-san Medical Center from February 1996 to February 2000. Patients who underwent echocardiography before and after the surgery were selected for the analysis. Of patients who underwent mitral valve repair surgery for mitral valve prolapse with mitral regurgitation during that period, 30 patients (male 15, female 15) were included in this study. The average age of them was 44.30+/-14.30 year old. After surgery, heart chamber size was decreased significantly in all patients (e. g. LVDd 6.25+/-1.06 cm vs. 5.14+/-0.62 cm, LV mass 272.46+/-107.36 gm vs. 197.30+/-75.16 gm). Remnant mitral regurgitation after repair surgery was found in 22 patients (73.3%). Remnant mitral regurgitation above trivial flow was found in 10 patients. Such case as involving ant. leaflet was found in 5 patients (16.7%), as involving post. leaflet, in 2 patients (6.7%), as involving both leaflet, in 3 patients (10%) among 10 ones. Eccentric flow among remnant regurgitation, was observed in 2 patients who underwent repair surgery for ant. leaflet, 1 patient who underwent repair surgery for both leaflet. CONCLUSION: Mitral valve repair surgery reduce the left ventricular chamber size and left ventricular mass. Postoperatively, patients who involve ant. leaflet were much remnant regurgitation above trivial flow more than others.
Ants ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency* ; Mitral Valve Prolapse* ; Mitral Valve* ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracic Surgery

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influences of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) on the healing of periodontal ligament and alveolar bone after replantation of tooth, and to examine the possibility of its clinical application. 45 Sprague Dawley rats weighted about 100 gram were divided into 3 experimental groups by different dose of BMP. All the upper right and left 1st molar were extracted after 5 days feeding of 0.4% beta-aminopropionitrile, and right molar were used as experimental group and left molar were used as control group. The root surface of experimental molar were treated with 25, 50 and 100ng/ml of human recombinant Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (rh-BMP-4) with micropipet, and 1M Sodium hypochloride were used on control root surface. All the experimental animals were sacrificed as 1, 2, 4, 7 and 14 days after autoreplantation of upper 1st molar into their own position. The maxilla were disected included both side of 1st molar. The collected tissue were processed from demineralization to paraffin embeding as usual procedure, and the specimens were prepared with Hematoxylin-Eosin stain for the light microscopic evaluation. The results of this study were as follows : 1. There was no significant differences between control and experimental site on 1 and 2 days after replantation of tooth. In the case of 4th days, the evidence of tissue regeneration were observed on experimental site to compare the controls. New osteoid were revealed on high concentration of BMP at 7 days after replantation, and it became more obvious at 14 days. 2. The effect of the rh-BMP-4 coated on root surface was revealed slight influences for the prolifertion of cells of periodontium and tissue regeneration as dose-dependent pattern. 3. Bony ankylosis was observed between alveolar bone and root surface due to the remarkable amount of osteoid formation on the 14 days after replantation of root. In the conclusion, it was suggested that topical application of the rhBMP-4 on the root surface has influence on the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. The application method of BMP on the root should be designed with calculation of proper concentration.
Aminopropionitrile ; Animals ; Ankylosis ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins* ; Humans ; Maxilla ; Molar ; Paraffin ; Periodontal Ligament ; Periodontium* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Regeneration ; Replantation ; Sodium ; Tooth Replantation* ; Tooth*

BACKGROUND: There is pressure difference depending on the height of hand position when blood pressure is taken, applying the oscillometric electronic digital BP(blood pressure) monitor. Authors have calculated the degree of BP differences, and evaluated the accuracy and effectiveness of the digital BP monitor comparing with the conventional Mercury Sphygmomanometer. METHOD: Randomized sixty cases consisting of in-patients and hospital workers were subjected for this study. BPs were taken at three different levels-nose level, heart level and knee level-on conventional sitting position applying OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor and conventional Mercury Sphygmomanometer, and statistical analysis was made. RESULTS: At the nose level, systolic BP and diastolic BP were lower with 23.5mmHg and 18.9mmHg respectively, than at the heart level, while at the knee level, they were higher with 21mmHg and 17.5mmHg respectively, than at the heart level. No actual statistical difference of systolic and diastolic values between OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitoring method at the heart level and conventional Mercury Sphygmomanometeric method. CONCLUSION: Present study demonstrated significant discrepancy of BP values, in systolic and diastolic values, depending on the height of measured finger, when OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor is applied in taking BP on conventional sitting position. However, no actual discrepancy of BP values was noted between two methods when BP is taken at heart level by OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor and on brachial artery BP by conventional Mercury Sphygmomanometer. Thus OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor could take the place of Mercury Sphygmomanometer in taking peripheral BP, which subsequently enable us to estimate central artery BP, which is believed to be better clinical index, through this much more handy electrical oscillometric device in the future.
Arteries ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Pressure Monitors ; Brachial Artery ; Electric Impedance ; Fingers ; Hand* ; Heart ; Hydrostatic Pressure ; Knee ; Nose ; Sphygmomanometers*

A 41-yr-old man was admitted with acute headache, neck stiffness, and febrile sensation. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed pleocytosis, an increased protein level and, a decreased glucose concentration. No organisms were observed on a culture study. An imaging study revealed pituitary macroadenoma with hemorrhage. On the 7th day of the attack, confusion, dysarthria, and right-sided facial paralysis and hemiparesis were noted. Cerebral infarction on the left basal ganglia was confirmed. Neurologic deficits gradually improved after removal of the tumor by endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach. It is likely that the pituitary apoplexy, aseptic chemical meningitis, and cerebral infarction are associated with each other. This rare case can serve as a prime example to clarify the chemical characteristics of pituitary apoplexy.
Adenoma/*complications ; Adult ; Cerebral Infarction/*etiology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Meningitis/*etiology ; Pituitary Apoplexy/*complications/etiology ; Pituitary Neoplasms/*complications ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The subjects of the study were the 120 mothers who had children hospitalized in 6 hospitals in P city during the period from Feb. 1. to May 30. 1996. The purpose of the study are (1) the problem encountered when they carried out Home Care after discharge and (2) the degrees of demand that they had against Home Care Services. In order to investigate the purpose above-mentioned the researchers used the 55 items of Home Care services belonging to 10 areas selected by Korea Home-Care Association in 1994. The items were modified and supplemented to 4-point scale. The selected data were analyzed by SPSS:PC+ and the following results were derived. 1. The subjects payed great attention to 5 items such as "pain control, OPD visits, diet-control problems" among the 15 sources of anxiety that they had against Home Care services after discharge. Especially, "OPD visits and knowledge deficit" would to be overcome by the nursing activities of the Home Care Nurses. 2. The acknowledge level of the subjects to the Home Care Project that governmental plans to carry out was surveyed and found as under : 50.0% responded they heard about Home Care Nursing System. 60.8% said that they thought the system was "very necessary" and "somewhat necessary". 65.0% said they would like to use the system. However, the acknowledge level of 50.0% is still low and is thought to need further national promotion and propagation. 3. The demand of the subjects against 55 Home Care Services was investigated and found as

. "Assessment, Lab, basic nursing technology, relay & transfer, training & education and curative nursing" showed comparatively high scores. However, the items belonging to pediatric Home Care Services such as "umbilical cord care, breast=feeding, infant care, and post-parum care & loan of breast-pump" showed relatively low scores.
Anxiety ; Child ; Child, Hospitalized* ; Education ; Home Care Services* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Care ; Korea ; Mothers ; Nursing ; Child Health