Higenamine was isolated originally from Aconiti tuber from Aconitum species and recently Higenamine was synthesized. The purpose of this study is to investigate the adrenergic effect of Higenamine on rabbit cardiovascular system. Blood pressure, cardic output, systemic vascular resistance and heart rate were measured after intravenous injection of Higenamine(2-100microg/kg/min). The effects of Higenamine were compared with those of other sympathomimetic drugs. The changes in the cardiovascular systems after pretreatment with Propranolol, Atenolol and Hexamethonium were also studied. The following results were obtained. 1) Higenamine increased the cardic output and the heart rate and decreased the blood pressure and the systemic vascular resistance. Those changes were dose-dependent. The duration of action of Higenamine was 5 to 8 minutes. 2) The effects of Higenamine were similar to those of Isoproterenol. The amount of Higenamine was more than 100 times the required amount of Isoproterenol in order to obtain the same casdiovascular effects. 3) The effects of Higenamine were blocked by Propranolol, The increase of cardic output and heart rate were blocked by Hexamethonium. Higenamine has stimulating action on beta1 and beta2 receptors. But Higenamine is much less potent than Isoproterenol.
Aconitum ; Adrenergic Agents* ; Atenolol ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular System* ; Heart Rate ; Hexamethonium ; Injections, Intravenous ; Isoproterenol ; Propranolol ; Sympathomimetics ; Vascular Resistance

PURPOSE: To present the clinical outcomes of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) including visual quality analysis in Korean patients with myopia METHODS: The medical records of 228 eyes of 116 patients who underwent SMILE in HanGil Eye Hospital LASIK Center from May 2014 to Feb 2015 and were followed-up for at least 3 months was analyzed retrospectively. The patients were followed up at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the operation. Refractive value, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and visual quality were measured at each visit RESULTS: Preoperatively, uncorrected distant visual acuity was 0.01 ± 0.02 in log MAR, spherical equivalent was -5.03 ± 1.72 diopters, intraocular pressure was 15.85 ± 2.85 mm Hg, and the objective scattering index (OSI) value was 0.68 ± 0.49. The postoperative uncorrected distant visual acuity was 0.13 ± 0.10, 0.05 ± 0.08, 0.04 ± 0.09, and 0.02 ± 0.04 and OSI was 2.16 ± 1.89, 1.25 ± 0.64, 1.14 ± 0.69, and 0.81 ± 0.36 at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the operation, respectively. The postoperative intraocular pressure was 12.55 ± 3.74 mm Hg, 13.03 ± 4.35 mm Hg, 11.65 ± 2.49 mm Hg at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the operation. The efficacy of refractive surgery 3 months after the operation was 0.97 ± 0.11, the safety was 0.99 ± 0.10, and predictability was 99.56% and 100.00% at the range of ±0.5 diopters and ± 1.0 diopter, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The SMILE operation showed comparable clinical outcomes with conventional refractive surgery in terms of efficacy, safety, and predictability. Intraocular pressure and visual quality normalized gradually throughout the 3-month postoperative period.
Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; Medical Records ; Myopia ; Postoperative Period ; Refractive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To present the clinical outcomes of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) including visual quality analysis in Korean patients with myopia METHODS: The medical records of 228 eyes of 116 patients who underwent SMILE in HanGil Eye Hospital LASIK Center from May 2014 to Feb 2015 and were followed-up for at least 3 months was analyzed retrospectively. The patients were followed up at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the operation. Refractive value, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and visual quality were measured at each visit RESULTS: Preoperatively, uncorrected distant visual acuity was 0.01 ± 0.02 in log MAR, spherical equivalent was -5.03 ± 1.72 diopters, intraocular pressure was 15.85 ± 2.85 mm Hg, and the objective scattering index (OSI) value was 0.68 ± 0.49. The postoperative uncorrected distant visual acuity was 0.13 ± 0.10, 0.05 ± 0.08, 0.04 ± 0.09, and 0.02 ± 0.04 and OSI was 2.16 ± 1.89, 1.25 ± 0.64, 1.14 ± 0.69, and 0.81 ± 0.36 at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the operation, respectively. The postoperative intraocular pressure was 12.55 ± 3.74 mm Hg, 13.03 ± 4.35 mm Hg, 11.65 ± 2.49 mm Hg at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the operation. The efficacy of refractive surgery 3 months after the operation was 0.97 ± 0.11, the safety was 0.99 ± 0.10, and predictability was 99.56% and 100.00% at the range of ±0.5 diopters and ± 1.0 diopter, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The SMILE operation showed comparable clinical outcomes with conventional refractive surgery in terms of efficacy, safety, and predictability. Intraocular pressure and visual quality normalized gradually throughout the 3-month postoperative period.
Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; Medical Records ; Myopia ; Postoperative Period ; Refractive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity

The hemostatic effect of endoscopic microwave coagulation method for upper gastrointestinal bleeding was evaluated clinically. Hemostasis over 72 hours was achieved in 18 of 20 cases (90%) with upper gastrointestinal bleeding by the endoscopic microwave coagulation method. It is noteworthy that this method was effective in all 4 cases of pulsatile bleeding from exposed vessels. We conclude that this method is useful for emergency endoscopic hemostasis on upper gastrointestinal bleeding, especially bleeding from exposed vessels.
Emergencies ; Hemorrhage* ; Hemostasis ; Hemostasis, Endoscopic ; Microwaves*

Introduction: The accurate measurement of the height of bedridden patients is difficult. Height assessment is required for the calculation of body mass index, which is crucial for determining the nutrition status of a patient. This study aimed to validate recumbent length measurement against the standing height measurement using soft and firm mattresses and to derive predictive equations to calculate the actual height of bedridden patients on mattresses with different firmness. Methods: Ninety-nine hospitalised participants (mean age 48.9±13.9 years; range 21–80 years) (49 men, 50 women) and 100 healthy participants (mean age 36.8±13.6 years; range 21–77 years) (50 men, 50 women) were recruited. Standing height was measured using a stadiometer. Recumbent length was measured using a 2 metre long measuring tape. Hospitalised participants lay on soft mattress and healthy participants on firm mattress. Results: Using Bland–Altman plot, 96% of hospitalised participants using soft mattress were within 2.5±2.7 cm (mean±2SD) whereas 97% of healthy participants using firm mattress were within 2.1±2.1 cm. The regression equation developed using firm mattress was Standing height (cm) = 0.993 x Recumbent length – 0.943; (r2=0.982). The regression equation developed using soft mattress was Standing height (cm) = 1.012 x Recumbent length – 4.477; (r2=0.981). Conclusion: We concluded that recumbent length is a valid clinical tool to estimate standing height. Standing height can be estimated from the predictive equations developed for patients lying on soft or firm mattresses.

No abstract available.
Amikacin* ; Cefuroxime* ; Hysterectomy* ; Sodium*

INTRODUCTIONMalnutrition is common among hospitalised patients, with poor follow up of nutrition support post-discharge. Published studies on the efficacy of ambulatory nutrition support (ANS) for malnourished patients post-discharge are scarce. The aims of this study were to evaluate the rate of dietetics follow-up of malnourished patients postdischarge, before (2008) and after (2010) implementation of a new ANS service, and to evaluate nutritional outcomes post-implementation.

MATERIALS AND METHODSConsecutive samples of 261 (2008) and 163 (2010) adult inpatients referred to dietetics and assessed as malnourished using Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) were enrolled. All subjects received inpatient nutrition intervention and dietetic outpatient clinic follow-up appointments. For the 2010 cohort, ANS was initiated to provide telephone follow-up and home visits for patients who failed to attend the outpatient clinic. Subjective Global Assessment, body weight, quality of life (EQ-5D VAS) and handgrip strength were measured at baseline and five months post-discharge. Paired t-test was used to compare pre- and post-intervention results.

RESULTSIn 2008, only 15% of patients returned for follow-up with a dietitian within four months post-discharge. After implementation of ANS in 2010, the follow-up rate was 100%. Mean weight improved from 44.0 ± 8.5 kg to 46.3 ± 9.6 kg, EQ-5D VAS from 61.2 ± 19.8 to 71.6 ± 17.4 and handgrip strength from 15.1 ± 7.1 kg force to 17.5 ± 8.5 kg force; P <0.001 for all. Seventy-four percent of patients improved in SGA score.

CONCLUSIONAmbulatory nutrition support resulted in significant improvements in followup rate, nutritional status and quality of life of malnourished patients post-discharge.

Objective: . Although gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, data on gout prevalence and management are sparse, especially in Korean populations. This study reevaluated the most recent prevalence and incidence of gout values in Korean people to update the findings from our previous study in 2011. Methods: . We used the National Health Insurance Service-National Health Information Database (NHIS-NHID) to identify patients diagnosed with gout in South Korea during 2002∼2015. We selected patients with gout as principal diagnosis or 1st∼4th additional diagnosis. Results: . The prevalence of gout increased 5.17-fold, from 0.39% in 2002 to 2.01% in 2015. This increase occurred in all age groups, but was stronger in those aged 80 years or older, with a 13.1-fold increase from 2002 to 2015. The prevalence of gout increased in all regions of South Korea. The prevalence of the disease was also related to income levels: in 2015, medical insurance subscribers with the highest income were twice more likely to have gout than those in the lowest income bracket. By contrast, the prevalence of gout in medical benefit recipients was 5.58- and 5.25-times higher than that of the general population and of those in the highest income bracket, respectively. Conclusion . The prevalence of gout has increased rapidly, although the degree of increase varied according to sex, age, region, and income group. This study sheds some light on the current prevalence of gout among national insurance subscribers in Korea, and will help educate patients and medical staff on the management of gout.

PURPOSE: The most accepted method for the reanimation of a paralyzed face is the two-stage method that combines cross-face nerve grafting with free-muscle transfer. Although the results of reconstruction with this method are satisfactory, there is an excessive delay between the stages, which prolongs the period of rehabilitation. In order to overcome this drawback, a one- stage, neurovascular free-flap reconstruction method using free neurovascular muscle flaps is introduced. METHODS: From 1994 to 2004, 35 patients with longstanding facial palsy were treated. Fifteen patients underwent the single-stage reconstruction with the latissimus dorsi muscle, and 20 patients underwent the two-stage reconstruction method with the gracilis muscle. We compared the long-term results of the two methods of reconstruction. The mean follow-up period was 28.7 months for one-stage reconstruction, and 35.2 months for the two-stage, respectively. RESULTS: In the patient group of the single stage reconstruction, both mouth corner excursion and animation grade were markedly improved at the final postoperative visit. Moreover, the first muscle contraction occurred earlier in this group, than in the two-stage reconstruction group. However, four patients in the single stage group never achieved a first muscle contraction or mouth corner excursion. CONCLUSION: Facial palsy is a very challenging condition for cosmetic surgeons to deal with. Traditional methods for treatment of chronic facial palsy use a two- stage muscle flap which is time-consuming and burdensome to patients, many of whom are averse to waiting 8 to 12 months to complete the two stages. The one- stage reconstruction method described herein uses a atissimus dorsi free-flap and has demonstrated consistent positive outcomes in clinical assessments.
Facial Paralysis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mouth ; Muscle Contraction ; Rehabilitation ; Superficial Back Muscles* ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the outcomes of debridement arthroplasty for stiff elbows, as well as the factors affecting clinical outcomes after surgical treatment. METHODS: Eighteen patients with post-traumatic stiff elbows were treated with debridement arthroplasty using a posterior approach. The mean patient age was 33 years (range, 16 to 59 years), and the average follow-up period was 59 months (range, 24 to 141 months). The patient's ability to perform activities of daily living, including combing their hair, feeding themselves, performing hygiene, and putting on shirt and shoes, were evaluated using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, 16 elbows had painless motion. Two patients continued to complain of mild intermittent pain. The flexion and extension improved to 121degrees and 10degrees after surgery, respectively, indicating an average 34degrees increase in elbow flexion range and an average 25degrees increase in elbow extension range (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). The Mayo Elbow Performance Score at the last follow-up was excellent in nine elbows (50%) and good in nine elbows (50%). CONCLUSIONS: Debridement arthroplasty is a predictable procedure for the treatment of intractable stiff elbow, provided that the elbow is stable and congruous.
Activities of Daily Living ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Arthroplasty/*methods ; Debridement/methods ; Elbow Joint/*injuries/physiopathology/*surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Recovery of Function ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult