The purpose of this study was to evaluate the substantivity of experimentally developed gel type tetracycline HCl and a mixture of tetracycline-citric acid gel, and compare to those of solution type tetracycline HCl. 11 extracted anterior teeth were subjected to this study. After scaling and root planing teeth were randomly divided into 3 treatments groups : group 1; 3 teeth were irrigated with tetracycline HCl(50mg/ml) solution , group 2; tetracycline gel (5%) was inserted in the periodontal pockets of 3 teeth, group 3; a mixture of tetracycline and citric acid gel was inserted in the pockets of 3 teeth. And 2 teeth treated in 0.9 % sterile saline served as controls. After 5-minute exposure, each tooth immediately extracted and incubated at room temperature for 22 days in tris-buffered saline as a desorption media. The total volume of TBS was removed and replaced with fresh TBS, at 24-h intervals. Removed desorption media transferred to a sterile vial and stored at -70 oC. This procedure was repeated every 24 h throughout the 22-day desorption period. Using Porphyromonas gingivalis as an indicator organism, a microtiter assay was used to evaluate antimicrobial activity desorbed from the teeth. 1. 50mg/ml tetracycline HCl solution exhibited the longest antimicrobial activity. Compared to saline treated group, it showed significant difference on the day 1 and day 2 desorption period. 2. The ODs of 5% tetracycline gel and a mixture of tetracycline-citric acid gel were significantly different during the first 24 hour only. 3. There was no statistically significant difference after the day 3 between the groups.(p<0.05). Despite our expectation a mixture of tetracycline-citric acid gel did not show longer antimicrobial activities than those of tetracycline gel, and the solution type exhibited the longest activities. Because the gel type agents may stay in the subgingival environment longer than the solution, if the teeth were not extracted immediately after the delivery of the agent, the result could be different. hus this result suggests the possibilities of practical use of these kind of gel type agents.
Citric Acid ; Periodontal Pocket ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; Root Planing ; Tetracycline* ; Tooth

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and the short- and mid-term follow-up outcomes of endovascular stent-graft implantation in patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection were evaluated. An aortogram was performed immediately after the procedure and a follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan was performed within one week, between 3 and 6 months, and annually thereafter. Clinical status was also evaluated at the same time. RESULTS: Endovascular stent-graft implantation at the target site was successful in 27 patients (96.4%). There were primary endoleaks in 6 patients and one case of procedure failure owing to migration of the stent-graft; and no procedure-related mortality. The number of patients with early complications requiring treatment was 2 (2/27, 4%). Fourteen patients experienced postimplantation syndrome (14/27, 52%). The average follow-up period was 22.1+/-17.5 months. Complete resolution or thrombosis of the false lumen was achieved in 14 patients and partial thrombosis was achieved in 10 patients. Operative treatments were required in three patients due to a progressing dissection or new dissection. There were no deaths and no instances of aneurysm or aortic rupture during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Endovascular stent-graft implantation for Stanford type B aortic dissection is a feasible, safe, and effective treatment modality. All patients who underwent surgery had a persisting leak. Therefore, regular evaluation of the aortic dissection and management of endoleaks were crucial for a favorable outcome in endovascular stent-graft implantation for a Stanford type B aortic dissection.
Aneurysm ; Aortic Rupture ; Endoleak ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mortality ; Thrombosis

A 58-year-old male patient with situs inversus totalis, a rare congenital malformation characterized by all asymmetric organs being formed as the mirror images of their normal morphologies, underwent mitral valve repair due to mitral valve prolapse. This case was reported to suggest that anesthesiologists should thoroughly understand the anatomy of these types of patients before providing cardiac anesthesia that often requires advanced monitoring and rely on their accurate interpretation. Accordingly, a few key points will be discussed with emphasis on reversing lead placement during electrocardiogram monitoring, using the left internal jugular vein for pulmonary artery catheterization, and firmly comprehending mirror image heart morphology to better conduct transesophageal echocardiography.
Anesthesia ; Catheterization, Swan-Ganz ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Electrocardiography ; Heart ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Prolapse ; Situs Inversus ; Thoracic Surgery

BACKGROUND: Buttock pain is common, and there are no fixed guidelines for its diagnosis and treatment. This study compared a selective nerve root block and a facet joint block for patients with degenerative spinal disease and buttock pain. METHODS: Patients with degenerative spinal disease who presented with buttock pain, received a selective nerve root block (group A) or a facet joint block (group B) from June 2017 to September 2017, and were able to be followed up for more than 3 months were prospectively enrolled. Clinical results were assessed using a visual analog scale for comparative analysis. RESULTS: One day after the procedure, an excellent response was found in 7% and 6% of groups A and B, respectively; a good response was found in 41% and 13% of groups A and B, respectively. Two weeks later, an excellent response was found in 11% and 4% of groups A and B, respectively; a good response was found in 41% and 20% of groups A and B, respectively. Six weeks later, an excellent response was found in 11% and 7% of groups A and B, respectively, and a good response was found in 41% and 20% of groups A and B, respectively. At the final follow-up, more than 47% and 46% of patients showed a good response in groups A and B, respectively. In group A, the visual analog scale score improved compared to the pre-procedure value of 5.01 to 2.74 on day 1, 2.51 at week 2, 2.38 at week 6, and 2.39 at week 12. In group B, the visual analog scale score improved compared to the preprocedure value of 5.24 to 3.94 on day 1, 3.99 at week 2, 3.24 at week 6, and 2.59 at week 12. On day 1 and at weeks 2 and 6, group A showed a significantly better outcome than group B (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The selective nerve root block showed superior results up to 6 weeks post-procedure. Considering that the selective nerve root block is effective for treating radiculopathy, the primary cause of buttock pain can be thought to be radiculopathy rather than degenerative changes of the facet joint.
Buttocks ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Nerve Block ; Pain, Referred ; Prospective Studies ; Radiculopathy ; Spinal Diseases ; Spinal Stenosis ; Visual Analog Scale ; Zygapophyseal Joint

BACKGROUND: Cyclosporin A(CsA) and tacrolimus(FK506) have been widely used as immunosuppressants. The effects of CsA, or FK506, on the IkappaB/NF-kappaB pathway have been shown to vary according to the cell type. However, their effects on the IkappaB/NF-kappaB pathway have not been reported in bronchial epithelial cells. In this study, the effects of CsA and FK506 on the IkappaB/NF-kappaB pathway in bronchial epithelial cells, monocytes, lymphocytes and alveolar macrophages were evaluated. The relationship between their effects on the IkappaB/NF-kappaB pathway and IkappaB kinase(IKK) activity was also investigated. METHODS: BEAS-2B and A549 cells, pulmonary alveolar macrophages, peripheral blood monocytes and lymphocytes were used. The cells were pre-treated with CsA, or FK506, for various time periods, followed by stimulation with TNF-alpha, LPS or IL-1beta. The I(kappa)B(alpha) expressions were assayed by Western blot analyses. The IKK activity was evaluated by an in vitro immune complex kinase assay, using GST-I(kappa)B(alpha) as the substrate. RESULTS: Neither CsA nor FK506 affected the level of I(kappa)B(alpha) expression in any of the cell types used in this study. CsA pre-treatment inhibited the TNFalpha-induced I(kappa)B(alpha) degradation in bronchial epithelial cells. In contrast, the TNFalpha-induced I(kappa)B(alpha) degradation was not affected by FK506 pre-treatment. However, FK506 suppressed the cytokine-induced I(kappa)B(alpha) degradation in the pulmonary alveolar macrophages, peripheral blood monocytes and lymphocytes. The inhibitory effect of CsA, or FK506, on I(kappa)B(alpha) degradation was not related to IKK. CONCLUSIONS: CsA and FK506 suppressed the I(kappa)B(alpha) degradation in bronchial epithelial cells, mono. cytes, lymphocytes and alveolar macrophages, so this may not be mediated through IKK.
Antigen-Antibody Complex ; Blotting, Western ; Cyclosporine* ; Epithelial Cells* ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Lymphocytes* ; Macrophages, Alveolar* ; Monocytes* ; NF-kappa B ; Phosphotransferases ; Tacrolimus* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Left ventricular rupture is a fatal complication of acute myocardial infarction, however accurate preoperative diagnosis is still difficult. We experienced a postinfarction left ventricular rupture patient whose symptoms and radiologic findings mimicked those of acute intramural hematoma of the aorta. Upon emergency operation, he was proven to have a postinfarction LV rupture and underwent successful surgery. We herein report the case with a brief review of the literature.
Aortic Diseases/*diagnosis ; Case Report ; Diagnostic Errors ; Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction/*diagnosis/surgery ; Hematoma/*diagnosis ; Human ; Male ; Middle Age

Recent studies in western countries have reported that the mechanism pf pain are concorded with gate control opiage receptor binding sites and the release of intrinsic morphine like substances, sodium glutamate and also with bradykinin, seroconin, histamine and prostaglandin E. Otherwise the mechanism of the stimulstion producing analgesia has been reported to involve a neurophysiologic and neurohumoral inhibitory effect at the level of spinal cord, brain stem, thalamus and cortex. This has been clarified but further study should improve the chance of understanding the mechanism of pain. From the standpoint of pain management, medications used to manage pain have some unfortunate side effects. nerve blocks cause anesthesia toxicity, major neurosurgical procedures have many complications. Subarachnoidal and epidural analgesics have unknown irritation pneumonia and drug toxicity, and plexus or pituitary gland block with phenol or alcohol has uneventful complication. From January 1980 to December 1982, electrical acupuncture stimulation has been used on 210 cases at HANYANG university hospital in the pain clinic. I found it useful in relieving pain which has not responded to various conventional methods which included medications, nerve blocks, neurosurgical intervantion and neuropolytics. The results are as follows: 1) There are two kinds of treated patients: One is consultation case-12 from internal medicine, 16 from orthopedic surgery, 10 from neurosurgical and 2 from psychiatry. Another 170 cases were patients who directly to the clinic. And the age distribution shows the highset number of patients in the 3rd decade(21%) and in the 4th decade(24.8%). 2) The region of pain was 21% lumbar, 13.8% shoulder, 10% lower leg and head or face with 9.5%. 3) The duration of the pain showed 10 days 25.7%, 1~2 month 18.6%, one year 11.4% and the longest up to 20 years. 4) Patients who were able to walk into the clinic were 19.5%, moderate cases who to be accompanied were 58.6% and bedridden cases were 21.9%. 5) Treatment was conducted mainly on low frequency stimulation with various waves that included the general dynamic activity point plus reactive electro permeable point (REPP) 81.9% and REER plus head in situ needle 18.1%. 6) In 16.7% only one treatment was administered, in 46.1% 2~5 treatments were given, in 28.6% 6~10 treatments were given and in 3 cases more than 100 treatments were administered. 7) Of the 210 cases, 43.3% showed marked improvement, 41.4% were improved, 13.8% showed translent improvement and there were 3 cases of no improvement. The total confidence was 84.7%. 8) There are no serious complications except hypertensive shock case, submucosal hemorrhagic petechia 7 cases and generalized fatigue 18 cases. In conclusion, electrical acupuncture stimulation of the peripheral nervous system can be used to relieve pain replacing such conventional means as medications, nerve blocks, major neurosurgical procedures, neuroytics and physiopsychic therapy which are generally less effective.
Acupuncture ; Age Distribution ; Analgesia ; Analgesics ; Anesthesia ; Binding Sites ; Bradykinin ; Brain Stem ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Electric Stimulation* ; Fatigue ; Head ; Histamine ; Humans ; Internal Medicine ; Leg ; Morphine ; Needles ; Nerve Block ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; Orthopedics ; Pain Clinics ; Pain Management ; Peripheral Nerves* ; Peripheral Nervous System ; Phenol ; Pituitary Gland ; Pneumonia ; Shock ; Shoulder ; Sodium Glutamate ; Spinal Cord ; Thalamus

Myasthenia gravis is a disease characterized by muscle weakness upon exertion of an involved muscle group and partial return of function eithe with rest or the administration of anticholinesterase. It is generally thought that myasthenia gravis is caused by an autoimmune response associated with the thymus gland and thymectomy is considered to be the treatment of choice for countering this autoimmune process. It is a well known fact that perioerative nticholinesterase therapy, muscle relaxant administration during operation and postoperative respiratory management are in dispute. We described a case of a 42 year old male myasthenic patient with mild symptoms who needed 4 days of artificial ventilatory support following thymectomy.
Adult ; Autoimmunity ; Dissent and Disputes ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle Weakness ; Myasthenia Gravis* ; Thymectomy ; Thymus Gland

BACKGROUND: Synthetic glucocorticoids are widely used in many chronic inflammatory diseases because of their excellent anti-inflammatory activity. Enhancing the transcription of IkappaB and preventing activated NF-kappaB from binding to kappaB sites are thought to be the underlying mechanisms. But these data are largely derived from in vitro studies using cell lines. In this study, after administrating a steroid to volunteers, we evaluated the effect on the NF-kappaB system. METHODS: Prednisolone(0.5mg/kg/d) was orally administered to 5 healthy volunteers for 7 days. Before and after the administration, we sampled their peripheral blood monocytes, and performed western blot analysis both with stimulation, using IL-1beta, LPS, TNF, and without stimulation(baseline). We also performed EMSA after stimulation with LPS. RESULTS: After ingestion of the steroid, baseline expressions of I(kappa)B(alpha) were increased in two of the subjects, while suppressed degradations of I(kappa)B(alpha) to stimulations were observed in all five. In addition, the binding capacity of NF-kappaB after the administration was decreased. CONCLUSION: Steroid plays such roles as enhancing the transcription of I(kappa)B(alpha), suppressing the DNA binding capacity of NF-kappaB, and suppressing the degradation of I(kappa)B(alpha).
Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; DNA ; Eating ; Glucocorticoids ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans* ; Monocytes* ; NF-kappa B ; Volunteers

BACKGROUND: Although lung involvement has been reported in 5 to 46% of dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM) patients, reports of the condition in Korea are rare. This study evaluated the clinical features of lung involvement in DM/PM patients. METHODS: The medical records, laboratory results and radiologic findings of 79 DM/PM patients, who attended the Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) between 1989 and 1999, were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total 79 patients of whom 24 patients(33%) showed lung involvement, were enrolled in this study. More patients with lung involvement were female(F:M=11:1), and older compared with those without lung involvement. Patients with lung involvement presented with dyspnea(79%), coughing(67%), an elevated ESR, and CK/LD. Anti-Jo 1 antibody test was positive in 30%, which is significantly higher in patients with lung involvement. A simple chest X-ray of the patients with lung involvement exhibited reticular opacity(50%), reticulonodular opacity(30%), patchy opacity(29%), nodular opacity(13%) and linear opacity(4%). HRCT(n=24) showed ground glass opacity(75%), linear or septal thickening(50%), patchy consolidation(42%), honey-combing(33%) and nodular opacity(17%). The pulmonary function test showed a restrictive ventilatory pattern(77%) and a lower diffusing capacity(62%). The patients were followed up during a mean duration of 30±28 months. They were treated with steroid only(50%) or a combination of steroids and cytotoxic agents(46%). Muscle symptoms were improved in 89% with treatment, but an improvement in the respiratory symptoms or in the pulmonary function test was rare. Patients with lung involvement had a higher mortality rate(21%) than those without lung involvement(10%) during the follow-up periods. CONCLUSION: DM/PM patients with lung involvement were mostly female, older and had a higher positive rate Anti-Jo 1 antibodies, but there was no significant difference in prognosis.
Antibodies ; Dermatomyositis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glass ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Lung* ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Polymyositis ; Prognosis ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Steroids ; Thorax