BACKGROUND: The orthostatic hypotension in response to the assumption of an upright posture is regulated by activation of sympathetic nerves. Role of the vestibular system and neural pathway on orthostatic hypotension were investigated. METHODS: Changes of arterial blood pressure produced by head-up tilting, rotatory stimulation of the vestibular system, or electrical stimulation to the vestibular nerve, vestibular nuclei, and rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) were measured in Sprague-Dawley rats. Also, field potentials were recorded in the vestibular nuclei and RVLM and c-Fos expression was evaluated in the brain stem in order to investigate the vestibulosympathetic pathways. RESULTS: The three phasic blood pressure responses were elicited by head-up tilting: initial fall, early recovery, and late sustained pressure at near control levels, the magnitude of the pressure fall was parallel with the degree of head-up tilting in normal rats. Return position from head-up tilting recovered control level of blood pressure after a brief rapid elevation. However, bilateral labyrinthectomy resulted in exaggerated initial falling and devoid of early recovery phase during postural change. Sinusoidal rotation about off-vertical axis of the vestibular system elicited more elevation of blood pressure than rotation about earth vertical axis. Electrical stimulation of the vestibular nerve, vestibular nucleus, and RVLM produced elevation of blood pressure, which was the most prominent by stimulation of RVLM. Field potentials composed of P, N1, N2 waves in the vestibular nuclei were recorded by stimulation of the vestibular nerve, while weak potentials in RVLM were recorded by stimulation of the vestibular nuclei. An electrical stimulation of the vestibular nuclei expressed c-Fos immunoreactive cells in RVLM. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the otolith organ of the vestibular system plays a major role in control of orthostatic hypotension, and the pathway of vestibulosympathetic reflex in control of blood pressure involves the vestibular nuclei, RVLM, intermed-iolateral nuclei of the thoracic spinal cord.
Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Blood Pressure ; Brain Stem ; Electric Stimulation ; Hypotension, Orthostatic* ; Neural Pathways ; Otolithic Membrane ; Posture ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reflex* ; Spinal Cord ; Vestibular Nerve ; Vestibular Nuclei

The internal morphology of the right and left atria of rabbit, cat, pig, and human, particularly on the luminal structures of the auricle, were observed by stereomicroscope improving corrosion casting method using latex. Structures of the right auricular casts markedly differ from those of the left side, consisting of defined surface sturctures with distinct folds and branching patterns. The main atrial region consists of smooth surfaced single mass of the latex, and the auricular region is characterized by well developed branching patte and delicate small folds. The results of this study indicate that auricula have well organized duct-like luminal structures and many small pouches (out-pocketings) expanding the internal wall of the duct-like structures and small pouches. The endocardial nuclear imprints on the surface of the folds in the auricular region appeared larger and deeper than those on the atrium proper region of the atrial cast. These morphological observation will be aid in understanding structures of auricular lumen, regional differences of the endocardium and their function to the secretory process of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) release.
Animals* ; Cats ; Corrosion Casting* ; Corrosion* ; Endocardium ; Humans ; Latex ; Methods* ; Phenobarbital* ; Secretory Pathway

The major role of treatment for impotence is played by vasoactive intracavernous pharmacotherapy or penile prosthesis during last decades. However, the former has a high risk of cavernosal fibrosis-and priapism, and the latter, also infection. We applied the Vacuum Constrictor Device to fifty of organic, 2 of old age, and 2 of unknown. Of 53 cases, 47 encountered the desirable erection were able to secure the vaginal penetration. Of 5 failed cases, 4 were because of maladjustment due to slim body and 1 was of pain on the pubic area due to previous old pelvic bone fracture. Of 17 cases with poor erection by vasoactive intracavernous pharmacotherapy 15 encountered good erection by means of Vacuum Constrictor Device and no significant complications were observed. Of 14 self-acquired Vacuum Constrictor Davicl which were used in which frequency of 10 to 17 times, 10 cases were shown to be satisfactory and the rest were not. Of 4 unsatisfactory cases, 2 were leakage of congested blood during intercourse, 1 was difficulty in intercourse due to pivot and the other one was of mild suprapubic pain due to previous pelvic bone fracture. Although Vacuum Temescence Enhancement Therapy is cumbersome in manipulation prior to sexual intercourse and has time limitation, it is easy to learn and has less complications than vasoactive intracavernous pharmacotherapy. Therefore Vacuum Tumescence Enhancement Therapy is thought to a preferable therapeutic alternative prior to vasoactive intracavernous pharmacotherapy and surgical treatment in impotence in spite of these disadvantages.
Coitus ; Drug Therapy ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Male ; Pelvic Bones ; Penile Prosthesis ; Priapism ; Vacuum*

BACKGROUND: In anesthesia for cesarean section, there is an increased incidence of maternal awareness because a light plane of general anesthesia is chosen for fetal safety and rapid recovery. Propofol may be the choice if smooth induction and rapid maternal recovery are desired. Authors tried to know that propofol has properties which suggest that it might be useful alternative to thiopental and enflurane. METHODS: Forty patients in ASA class I or II scheduled for cesarean section were allocated randomly to either propofol (n=20) (P) or thiopental-enflurane (n=20) (T-E) group. Anesthesia was induced with propofol 2 mg/kg IV and maintained by continuous infusion of propofol 8 mg/kg/hr in P group and was induced with thiopental 4 mg/kg IV and maintained by inhalation of 1 vol% enflurane in T-E group. All patients received vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg and 50% N2O-O2. Blood pressure, heart rate, Apgar score, umbilical arterial blood gas analysis and the incidence of maternal awareness using the isolated forearm technique (IFT) were evaluated. RESULTS: Diastolic pressure was decreased in P group than T-E group at 10 min after delivery. Heart rate was increased in P group than T-E group at immediate after extubation (p<0.05). For apgar score, umbilical artery gas analysis and maternal awareness there were not significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with thiopental-enflurane, propofol infusion (8 mg/kg/hr) coupled with N2O was proved to be clinically satisfactory anesthesia for cesarean section with no adverse effects on both mother and neonate.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, General ; Apgar Score ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Cesarean Section* ; Enflurane ; Female ; Forearm ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn* ; Inhalation ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Propofol ; Thiopental ; Umbilical Arteries ; Vecuronium Bromide

Osteocalcin (OC) is the most abundant noncollagenous protein of extracellular matrix in the bone. In an OC deficient mouse, bone formation rates are increased in cancellous and cortical bones. OC is known as a negative regulator of mineral apposition. OC is also expressed in the tooth of the rat, bovine, and human. However, little is known about OC during tooth development in Xenopus. The purpose of this study is to compare the expression of OC with mineralization in the developing tooth of Xenopus, by using von Kossa staining and in situ hybridization. At stage 56, the developmental stage of tooth germ corresponds to the cap stage, and an acellular zone was apparent between the dental papilla and the enamel organ. From stage 57, calcium deposition was revealed by von Kossa staining prior to OC expression, and the differentiated odontoblasts forming predentin were located at adjoining predentin. At stage 58, OC transcripts were detected in the differentiated odontoblasts. At stage 66, OC mRNA was expressed in the odontoblasts, which was aligned in a single layer at the periphery of the pulp. These findings suggest that OC may play a role in mineralization and odontogenesis of tooth development in Xenopus.
Animals ; Calcium ; Dental Papilla ; Enamel Organ ; Extracellular Matrix ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Mice ; Odontoblasts ; Odontogenesis ; Osteocalcin* ; Osteogenesis ; Rats ; RNA, Messenger ; Tooth Germ ; Tooth* ; Xenopus ; Xenopus laevis*

The efficacy of air-polishing on subgingival debridement, as compared to scaling and root planning (SRP), was evaluated clinically and microbiologically. Fifteen patients diagnosed as chronic periodontitis, and having single-root tooth over 5 mm of pocket depth symmetrically in the left and right quadrant, were investigated. Subgingival debridement was performed by SRP and air-polishing. The results were evaluated and compared clinically and microbiologically. Probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP), relative attachment level (RAL) and change of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were assessed before treatment, and at 14 and 60 days after treatment. Microbial analysis was done pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 14 and 60 days after treatment. Results of air polishing showed that post treatment, the PPD and BOP decreased, and attachment gain was observed. There was no clinical difference when compared to SRP. The volume of GCF decreased at 14 days, and increased again at 60 days. Compared to SRP, there was a statistical significance of the volume of GCF at 60 days in air-polishing. In the microbial analysis, high-risk bacteria that cause periodontal disease were remarkably reduced. They decreased immediately after treatment, but increased again with the passage of time. Thus, our results show that subgingival debridement by air-polishing was effective for decrease of pocket depth, attachment gain, decrease of GCF and inhibition of pathogens. Further studies are required to compare air-polishing and SRP, considering factors such as degree of pocket depth and calculus existence.
Bacteria ; Calculi ; Chronic Periodontitis ; Debridement ; Gingival Crevicular Fluid ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Periodontal Debridement ; Periodontal Diseases ; Root Planing ; Tooth

BACKGROUND: It has long been suggested that neutrophils and their products are implicated as the central mediators of the acute lung injuries. Contrary to the dominant role of neutrophils in ARDS, many cases of ARDS has occurred in the setting of severe neutropenia without pufrnonary neutrophil infiltration. Therefore it is certain that effector cell(s) other than neutrophil play an important role in the pathogenesis of ARDS. This experiment was performed to define the mechanism of ARDS in the setting of neutiopenia, 1) by comparing the severity of endotoxin-induced lung injury, 2) by measurement of hydrogen peroxide production and cytokine concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage cells and fluids obtained from different rats with and without cyclophosphamide-pretreatment. METHOD: The male Sprague-Dawleys were divided into the normal control (NC)-, endotoxin (ETX)-, and cyclophosphamide (CPA)-group in which neutropenia was induced by injecting cyclophosphamide intraperitoneally. Acute lung injury was evoked by injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into a tail vein. The bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed at 3 and 6 hour after administration of LPS to measure the change of cell counts and concentrations of protein and cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Hydrogen peroxide (HPO) production from BAL cel]s was measured at 6 hour after LPS administration by phenol red microassay with and without zymosan stimulation. RESULTS: The results were as follows. A change of leukocyte counts in the peripheral blood after treatment with CPA More than 95% of total leukocytes and neutrophils were reduced after CPA administration, resulting in severe neutropenia. A change of BAL cells In the ETX-group, the number of total cells (p<0.01) and of macrophage and neutrophll (p<0.05) were increased at 3 and 6 hour after LPS administration compared to those of NC- group. In the CPA-group, the number of total leukocyte and macrophage were not changed after LPS administration, but neutrophil counts were significantly reduced and jt took part in less than 0.1% of total BAL cells (p<0.01 vs NC-group). BAL cells in this group were almost all macrophages (99.7%). A change of protein concentration in the BALF In the ETX-group, protein concentration was increased at 3 hour and was more increased at 6 hour after LPS administration (p<0.05 and <0.01 vs NC-group, respectively). In the CPA-group, it was also significantly elevated at 3 hour after LPS administration (p<0.05 vs NC-group) , but the value was statistically not different from that of ETh-group. The value measured at 6 hour after LPS administration in the CPA-group became lower than that of ETX-group (p<0.05), but showed still a higher value compared to that of NC-group (p<0.05). A change of cytokine concentration in the BALF TNF-alpha and IL-6 were elevated in the ETX- and CPA-group compared to those of NC-group at both time intervals. There was no statistical difference in the values of both cytokines between the ETX- and CPA-groups. Measurement of hydrogen peroxide production from BAL cells There was no intergroup difference of HPO production from resting cells. HPO production after incubation with opsonized zymosan was significantly elevated in all groups. The percent increment of HPO production was highest in the ETX-group (89.0%, p<0.0008 vs NC-group ), and was 42.85 in the CPA-group (p = 0.003 vs NC-group ). Conclusion Acute lung injury in the setting of neutropenia might be caused by functional activation of resident alveola r macrophages.
Acute Lung Injury* ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Cell Count ; Cyclophosphamide ; Cytokines ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Interleukin-6 ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes ; Lung Injury ; Macrophages* ; Male ; Neutropenia ; Neutrophil Infiltration ; Neutrophils ; Phenolsulfonphthalein ; Rats* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Veins ; Zymosan

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of estrogen on the periodontium and alveolar bone tissue response during experimental tooth movement in ovariectomized rats. Eighty female rats, 250gm in body weight, were classified into four groups ; sham operated group(NN), ovariectomized group(ON), ovariectomized & estrogen injected group(OE), sham operated & estrogen injected injected group(NE), Rats were ovariectomized before 3 weeks to begin the experiment, which resulted in estrogen-deficient osteoporosis. In OE group & NE group, estrogen was injected 50microgramg/kg B.W. every other days. The left maxillary 1st molar was moved mesially with 60g force. Each four rats were sacrificed after 1, 3, 7, 15 days from application of orthodontic appliance and after additional 7 days from removal of orthodontic appliance. Histological findings on mesial roots of upper 1st molar in pressure and tension side are observed. The results were summarized as follows ; 1. In pressure side of alveolar bone, the number of osteoclasts and Howship's lacuna of ON group was significantly more than that of NN group from 1 day to 15 days(P<0.05). Especially the number of Howship's lacuna of ON group was significantly more than that of OE group during all experimental period(P<0.05). 2. In tension side of alveolar bone, the number of osteoclasts of ON group was significantly increased from 1 day to 3 days and decreased after 7 days. But the number of osteoclast of ON group was significantly more than that of NN group during all experimental period(P<0.05). Also the number of Howship's lacuna of all group was abruptly increased at 1 day, but slowly decreased till experimental 15 days. And the number of Howship's lacuna of ON group was significantly more than that of NN group from 0 hr to 7 days(P<0.05). 3. The speed of tooth movement of OE group & NE group was similar to that of NN group(P>0.05). The amount of tooth movement of ON group between 7 days and 15 days was significantly greater than those of other groups(P<0.05). 4. The degree of relapse of ON group after 7 days from removal of orthodontic appliance was similar to those of other group(P>0.05).
Animals ; Body Weight ; Bone and Bones ; Estrogens* ; Female ; Humans ; Molar ; Orthodontic Appliances ; Osteoclasts ; Osteoporosis ; Ovariectomy ; Periodontium ; Rats* ; Recurrence ; Tooth Movement* ; Tooth*

Recent reports indicate that the number of children presenting to the emergency department after ingesting magnets has increased over the last decade. Since neodymium magnets became commercially available, reports of complications caused by their ingestion have accrued in Korea. Neodymium magnets are tens of times stronger than ordinary magnets; hence, complications associated with their ingestion are severe. These “super magnets” can be purchased without any restriction. We report the case of a healthy 4-year-old girl who ingested multiple neodymium magnets. The magnets were attached to each other, with the lower esophageal sphincter trapped between them. Endoscopic removal failed, and surgical intervention was required. Unlike ordinary magnets, endoscopic removal of neodymium magnets is difficult due to their strong attraction to each other. In order to prevent potentially tragic accidents and their subsequent surgery, a cautionary warning is essential on toys containing neodymium magnets, to inform the public of the increasingly evident dangers of these “super magnets.”

Purpose: To evaluate clinical-functional and radiologic outcomes of elderly patients with an unstable intertrochanteric femur fracture treated with a wedge wing in the lag screw. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight patients treated with the Dyna Locking Trochanteric nail (DLT nail) to resolve an unstable intertrochanteric femur fracture were reviewed retrospectively. Based on AO/OTA classification, Fracture 31-A2 (34 cases) and 31-A3 (14 cases) were included in the analysis. We measured the femoral neck-shaft angle, tip-apex distance (TAD), Cleveland index, sliding distance of the lag screw, and time to the fracture union. The Harris Hip Score and Paker and Palmer’s mobility score for clinical evaluation were used. Results: The mean follow-up period was 21.4 months (range, 12-34 months). The postoperative state of reduction was good in 28 cases and acceptable in 20 cases. The mean TAD was 20.5 mm. The position of the lag screw was center-center in 30 cases and center-inferior in 18 cases. The mean sliding distance of the lag screw was 3.4 mm at the last follow-up. The mean union time was 4.5 months. Two cases had complications which included a cut-out (1 case) and non-union (1 case). The mean Harris Hip Score was 86.5±8.3 (range, 76-90).Walking ability in 34 of the cases (70.8%) at last follow-up was similar to that prior to fracture. Conclusion Functional and radiological outcomes are satisfactory using the DLT nail in the treatment of elderly patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures; however, wedge wing in the lag screw does not prevent implant-related complications.