There are much evidences to indicate that muscles and its tendon are inserted during the reperfusion phase of ischemia-reperfusion insults. However, until now the alterations of neurotransmitter induced by ischemia- reperfusion have not been examined in peripheral nervous system. This study reports the alterations of calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) and substance P(SP) in the hindlimb ischemic model by immunohistochemical methods. In the control group, the CGRP and SP immunoreactivity was observed in nerve terminals of gastrocnemius muscle and its tendon. In the dorsal root ganglia, CGRP immunoreactivity was shown in the large A cell and small B cell. On the other hand, SP immunoreactvity was predominantly detected in small B cells. The CGRP immunoreactivity in the gastrocnemius muscle increased significantly in 2 hour ischemic group, but decreased in its tendon. The SP immunoreactivity, however, was declined in the gastrocnemius muscle as well as its tendon in 2 hour ischemic group. The CGRP immunoreactivity in the dorsal root ganglia was significantly decreased, particularly in large A cell, compared to the control group. The SP immunoreactivity in the dorsal root ganglia, on the other hand, was markedly increased. In conclusion, these results suggest that the ischemia may evoke the alteration of neurotransmitter expressions as well as the muscle degeneration, and that the changes of neuropeptide distribution induced by ischemia show the difference from the kind of neuropeptides.
Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; Calcitonin ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; Ganglia, Spinal* ; Hand ; Hindlimb ; Ischemia* ; Muscle, Skeletal* ; Muscles ; Neuropeptides* ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Peripheral Nervous System ; Rats* ; Reperfusion ; Spinal Nerve Roots* ; Substance P ; Tendons

The most common causes of acute viral diarrhea in infants and toddlers are rotavirus, astrovirus and norovirus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate epidemiological data of pathogens obtained from stool exams and compare them with the clinical course in pediatric patients with symptoms of viral acute diarrhea and to investigate the clinical efficacy of Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) for acute diarrhea caused by rotavirus. Clinical data for three types of viral acute diarrhea were compared with the viral detection results by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Viruses were detected in 65.8% of subjects, with rotavirus being the most commonly reported in 63.3% of subjects. To examine the characteristics of each virus, a clinical epidemiological study was performed for 482 cases. Noroviral infection symptoms included vomiting and diarrhea in patients of all age groups. Dehydration in noroviral acute diarrheal patients was less common than in rotaviral acute diarrheal patients. The clinical efficacy of orally administered L. acidophilus in the treatment of acute viral diarrhea in infants and toddlers was also evaluated. L. acidophilus was a probiotic adjuvant in viral acute diarrhea in infants and toddlers.
Dehydration ; Diarrhea* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Humans ; Infant* ; Lactobacillus acidophilus* ; Lactobacillus* ; Norovirus ; Probiotics ; Rotavirus ; Treatment Outcome ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND: Heparin salts induce negative proportional bias according to anticoagulant concentration for analysis of ionized calcium (iCa) However, D-phenylalanyl -L-prolyl- L-arginine chloromethyl ketone (PPACK), a selective thrombin inhibitor, do not bind to ionized calcium. Therefore, we evaluated PPACK as an alternative anticoagulant to lithium heparin (Li-Hep) for analysis of ira, blood gases and electrolytes. METHODS: The concentration of iCa in whole blood anticoagulated with heparin was compared with that in serum of patients admitted to Chungbuk National University Hospital (n=27). The blood gases, electrolytes and iCa according to each anticoagulant concentration (Ll-Hep or PFACK) were analyzed. The concentrations of anticoagulated whole blood (Li-Hep; 50 kIU/L, PPACK ; 75 mumol/L) were compared with those of nonanticoagulated whole blood for blood gases, electrolytes and iCa (n=17), RESULTS: The results were as follows; whole blood anticoagulated with Li-Hep demonstrated -0.28+/-0.15 mmol/L (26.6%) bias for ira compared with serum. No bias according to each anticoagulated concentrations were observed in analysis of blood gases, potassium and chloride. Negative proportional bias for iCa and sodium in serum anticoagulated with Li-HeP was observed. In comparison, no bias for ira and sodium was observed with PPACK. No bias was observed in analysis of blood gas or electrolytes with each anticoagulated whole blood except for sodium and chloride that had clinically nonsignificant bias. Whole blood anticoagulated with Li-Hep demonstrated a consistent -0.08+/-0.02 mmol/L (6.3%) bias for ira compared with nonanticoagulated whole blood. In comparison, no bias was observed with PPACK-anticoagulated whole blood for iCa. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that PPACK is an ideal anticoagulant without bias for analysis of iCa, blood gases and electrolytes.
Arginine ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Calcium* ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Electrolytes* ; Gases ; Heparin* ; Humans ; Lithium ; Potassium ; Salts* ; Sodium ; Thrombin

BACKGROUND: The changes of the composition in the T-lymphocyte are important as an immunological abnormality in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. Previously, the second type of TCR dimer(gamma delta T lymphocyte) that did not express CD4 or CD8 molecules was found. In other reports the presence of this type of lymphocytes was increased in the initial stage of tuberculous infections. METHOD: To determine whether there are some differences in the T-lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood or pleural effusion among the forty-nine patients were examined T-lymphocyte subset analysis(CD4+T-cell,CD8+ T-cell,gamma delta T-lymphocytes) with anti-Leu4, anti-Leu3a, anti-Leu2a, anti HLA-DR and anti-TCR-gammadelta-1(Becton & Dickinson Co.). RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 50 years old(17-81year). There were 33 males and 16 female patients. patiensts with tuberculosis are 30cases(tuberculous pleurisy 15), lung cancer 12cases(malignant effusion 9) and pneumonia 7cases(parapneumonic effusion 6cases) In T lymphocyte subsets of pleural effusion, helper T lymphocyte(54.6 + 13.8 %) of tuberculous pleurisy was higher than that(36.2 + 25.3 %) of non-tuberculous pleurisy(p= 0.04). The peripheral blood gammadelta T-lymphocytes in tuberculousis was insignificantly higher than non-tuberculous patients(p= 0.24). The peripheral blood gammadelta T-lymphocytes and pleural gammadelta T-lymphocytes in tuberculous pleurisy was insignificantly higher than in non-tuberculous pleurisy(p= 0.16, p= 0.12). CONCLUSION: The percentage of gammadelta T lymphocytes among the total T-lymphocytes is not significantly increased in the peripheral blood or pleural effusion of the pleural tuberculosis. gammadelta T lymphocytes is less useful as a diagnostic method of pleural tuberculosis.
Female ; HLA-DR Antigens ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lymphocytes ; Male ; Pleural Effusion ; Pleurisy ; Pneumonia ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; T-Lymphocytes* ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pleural*

Simple clavicle shaft fracture typically achieves satisfactory union after treatment and does not result in complication with conservative treatment. Non-union or malunion can occur in displaced clavicle fractures or comminuted shaft fractures. Treatment of displaced comminuted clavicle shaft fractures is performed by holding together the free fragments with interfragmentary screws or wires and fixing them to the clavicle with a plate. Therefore, we performed interfragmentary fixation using open reduction and internal fixation with bioresorbable screws (Mg-Ca alloy, Resomet Bioresorbable bone screw; U&I Corp.) and bioresorbable wires (Mg-Ca alloy, Resomet Bioresorbable K-wire and pin, U&I Corp.) for displaced comminuted clavicle fractures (Robinson type 2B) and additionally used a metal plate. We expected decreased irritation and infection due to absorption after surgery. We report four cases that were treated in this way.

BACKGROUND: A predominant accumulation of adipose tissue in abdominal region confers increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The best technology available for measurement of regional fat distribution is computed tomography. However, computed tomography is limited its use for clinical purposes by cost. The aim of this study is to identify the best simple anthropometric index of abdominal visceral fat accumulation. METHODS: To quantify the relationship between anthropometric indices of abdominal obesity(waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, waist to height ratio, body mass index, abdominal sagittal diameter) and abdominal(total, visceral, subcutaneous) fat areas measured by computed tomography, correlation and multiple regression analyses have been conducted. RESULTS: No significant difference for waist circumference, body mass index and sagittal diameter between men and women have been found. Mean value of waist to hip ratio is larger in women, but waist to height ratio is larger in men. The mean abdominal total fat area and mean subcutaneous fat area are higher in women. Interestingly, men, despite lower total fat area, have higher mean abdominal visceral area. Thus, the mean visceral fat to subcutaneous fat ratio is much higher in men. Abdominal sagittal diameter shows the highest correlation(men: 0.69, women: 0.76) with abdominal visceral fat area in both genders. Stepwise regression analyses have been performed to determine the best simple anthropometric index of abdominal visceral fat accumulation. In men, the significant indices are abdominal sagittal diameter, body mass index, and waist to height ratio. In women, abdominal sagittal diameter is the only significant index. CONCLUSION: Abdominal sagittal diameter, in comparison with the waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, waist to height ratio and body mass index, is the best predictor of the amount of abdominal visceral fat.
Adipose Tissue ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Female ; Hip ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat* ; Male ; Obesity ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Waist Circumference ; Waist-Hip Ratio

UG0712 is a new ginsenoside extract processed from ginseng leaves. A subchronic toxicity study of UG0712 was conducted in male and female SD rats. Rats were treated with UG0712 at doses of 100, 400 and 1,600 mg/kg/day for 13 weeks, and observed followed by 4-week recovery period at a highest dose. No-treatment-related effects were observed regarding the mortality, ophthalmic examination, urinalysis and histopathology. Although the changes in clinical sign, body weight, organ weight, hematology, and serum biochemistry were observed, they were temporal and pharmacological effects. Based on the present experiment conditions, the no observed adverse effect level was considered to be more than 1,600 mg/kg/day in both sexes of rats.
Animals ; Biochemistry ; Body Weight ; Female ; Hematology ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level ; Organ Size ; Panax* ; Rats* ; Urinalysis

Adventitial cystic disease of the popliteal artery is a rare disorder that causes localized stenosis or occlusion by compression of the vessel lumen. The disease produces lower extremity claudication, typically in young and middle-aged men. We report a case of the adventitial cystic disease of the popliteal artery in a 55-year-old man with symptom of left calf claudication. Diagnosis was done by ultrasound, angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was treated with resection of the diseased popliteal artery followed by interposition of saphenous vein graft. Postoperatively, the symptom and sign resolved completely.
Angiography ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Popliteal Artery* ; Saphenous Vein ; Transplants ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute non-traumatic chest pain are among the most challenging patients for care by emergency physicians, so the correct diagnosis and triage of patients with chest pain in the emergency department(ED) becomes important. To avoid discharging patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) without medical care, most emergency physicians attempt to admit almost all patients with acute chest pain and order many laboratory tests for the patients. But in practice, many patients with non-cardiac pain can be discharged with simple tests and treatment. These patients occupy expensive intensive care beds, substantially increasing financial cost and time of stay at ED for the diagnosis and treatment of myocardial ischemia and AMI. Despite vigorous efforts to identify patients with ischemic heart disease, approximately 2% to 5% of patients presented to the ED with AMI and chest pain are inadvertently discharged. If the cause for the chest pain is known, rapid and accurate diagnosis can be implemented, preventing wastes in time and money and inadvertent discharge. Methods and Results: The medical records of 488 patients from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 1997 were reviewed. There were 320(angina pectoris 140, AMI 128) cases of cardiac diseases, and 168(atypical chest pain 56, pneumothorax 47) cases of non-cardiac diseases. The number of associated symptoms were 1.1+/-0.9 in non-cardiac diseases, 1.4+/-1.1 in cardiac diseases and 1.7+/-1.1 in AMI(p<0.05). In laboratory finding the sensitivity of electrocardiography(EKG) was 96.1%, while the sensitivity of myoglobin test ranked 45.1%. Admission rate was 71.6% in for cardiac diseases and 50.6% for non-cardiac diseases(p<0.01). Mortality rate was 8.8% in all cases, 13.8% in cardiac diseases, 0.6% in non-cardiac diseases, and 28.1% especially in AMI. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, all emergency physicians should have thorough knowledge of the clinical characteristics of the diseases which cause non-traumatic chest pain, because a patient with any of these life-threatening diseases would require immediate treatment. Detailed history on the patient should be taken and physical examination performed. Then, the most simple diagnostic approach should be used to make an early diagnosis and to provide treatment.
Chest Pain* ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Critical Care ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Myoglobin ; Physical Examination ; Pneumothorax ; Thorax* ; Triage

Recently, laparoscopic techniques are being increasingly used for retroperitoneal surgery. These procedures are considered relatively safe and non-invasive, however, there exists a small but important risk of developing complications related to insufflation with carbon dioxide (CO2). A 51-year-old female patient was admitted for retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy under general anesthesia. About 60 minutes after carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum, the patient's oxygen saturation decreased. A chest x-ray was taken in the operating room, which showed pneumothorax in the right lung. We concluded that anesthesiologists should be aware of the occurrence of pneumothorax during the retroperitoneal laparoscopic procedure careful monitoring and appropriate management are needed.
Anesthesia, General ; Carbon Dioxide ; Female ; Humans ; Insufflation ; Laparoscopy ; Lung ; Middle Aged ; Nephrectomy* ; Operating Rooms ; Oxygen ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Pneumothorax* ; Thorax