No abstract available.

A oral inotropic agent, denopamine(TA-064, (-)-alpha-(3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl aminomethyl)-4-hydroxybenzylalcohol), was shown to have strong positive inotropic effect in experimental animals. To determine effects of denopamine on the left ventricular9LV) function and clinical features in patients with severe chronic heart failure who were treated with conventional regimens, denopamine(5mg 3 times per day for 4 weeks) was administered orally to 28 patients with chronic heart failure(22 dilated cariomyopathy, 6 ischemic heart disease) and systolic time interval, 2-D and Doppler echocardiognaphy were performed to evaluate LV function. Denopamine had no effect on LV dimension, volume and fractional shortening, and produced modest increase of ejection fraction and cardiac index, and modest decrease of PEP/LVET and cardiothoracic ratio in the cheat X-ray(PA view). The stroke volume was significantly increased (32.8+/-10.0 to 36.4+/-11.1 ml, p<0.05). Systolic BP was decreased (131.3+/-32.7 to 123.2+/-20.8 mmHg, p<0.05) with little change in diastolic BP and heart rate. Subjective symptoms and NYHA functional class were improved (71.4%, 67.9%, respectively). No adverse effect and ECG abnormality were noted. In conclusion, the addition of denopamine to conventional therapy improved clinical symptoms and caused modest increase of LV contractile function in patients with severe chronic heart failure without significant untoward effects. Therefore, the addinion of denopamine to conventional therapy may be an effective and safe method for the treatment of chronic congestive heart failure.
Animals ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Failure* ; Heart Rate ; Heart* ; Humans ; Stroke Volume ; Systole ; Ventricular Function, Left*

This study was done to evaluate whether there were any differences in microleakage of class V composite restorations according to restoration site and cavity size. Total sixty-four restorations were made in molar teeth using Esthet-X. Small (2 x 2 x 1.5 mm) and large (4 x 2 x 1.5 mm) restorations were made at the buccal/lingual surface and the proximal surface each. After 1,000 times of thermocycling (5degrees C - 55degrees C), resin replica was made and the percentage of marginal gap to the whole periphery of the restoration was estimated from SEM evaluation. Thermocycled tooth was dye penetrated with 50% silver nitrate solution. After imbedding in an auto-curing resin, it was serially ground with a thickness of 0.25 mm. Volumetric microleakage was estimated after reconstructing three dimensionally. Two-way ANOVA and independent T-test for dye volume, Mann-Whitney U test for the percentage of marginal gap, Spearman's rho test for the relationship between two techniques were used. The results were as follows: 1. The site and size of the restoration affected on the microleakage of restoration. Namely, much more leakage was seen in the proximal and the large restorations rather than the buccal/lingual and the small restorations. 2. Close relationship was found between two techniques (Correlation coefficient = 0.614 / P = 0.000). Within the limits of this study, it was noted that proximal and the large restorations leaked more than buccal/lingual and the small restorations. Therefore, it should be strictly recommended large exposure of margins should be avoided by reducing unnecessary tooth reduction.
Molar ; Silver Nitrate ; Tooth

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To examine the radiologic and clinical results of patients classified as excessive translation and excessive angulation, treated by posterolateral fusion only, or posterolateral fusion with posterior lumbar interbody fusion in isthmic spondylolisthesis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Isthmic spondylolisthesis is usually treated by PLF only or PLF with PLIF. But it is not reported the clinical and radiologic results classified by translation type. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who had received surgery for spondylolisthesis between January 2005 to January 2010, there were 56 for whom follow-up observations were possible for 2 years. According to the fusion methods and preoperative flexion-extension simple radiograph, we classified as excessive translation and excessive angulation by segmental instability and as PLF and PLIF by surgical methods. We examine the clinical results(Visual Analogue Scale, Oswestry Distability Index, operation time, blood loss, complication rate) and the radiologic results(reduction rate of slippage, change of segmental angle, reduction ratio of disc height, bone union). RESULTS: In radiologic results, excessive angulation(group II) did not show significant difference from excessive translation(group I) in terms of reduction rate of slippage, change of segmental angle, reduction ratio of disc height, bone union. But we found excessive translation-PLIF(group I-B) was better than excessive translation-PLF(group I-A) and excessive angulation-PLIF(group II-B) was better than excessive angulation-PLF(II-A) in terms of reduction ratio of disc height(P<0.05). In clinical results, both sides group did not show significant difference in operation time, blood loss, complication rate. CONCLUSIONS: In spondylolisthesis patients, excessive translation group(I) and excessive angulation group(II) did not show significant difference in radiologic results and clinical results. But both sides group showed the PLF with PLIF was better than the PLF only in terms of reduction ratio of disc height.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Spondylolisthesis

No abstract available.
Stents

Objectives: . To determine the appropriate anatomical borders of implantation on the temporal bone in a cadaver study, and to develop a simplified surgical technique for Baha Attract implantation through a small incision along the hairline using anatomical evidence and a navigation system. Methods: . In a cadaver study, 20 human adult dry skulls were used to find flat areas of the temporal bone for Baha Attract magnet implantation. Four borders of the “optimal surgical site” were defined: Asterion line, occipitomastoid suture line, sigmoid sinus line, and digastric groove line. In three patients, we implanted the Baha Attract according to the newly developed surgical procedure and validated the feasibility of this technique with a navigation system. Results: . We identified the appropriate position of the implant on the temporal bone, suggesting a simplified surgical technique for Baha Attract with a small incision. We determined the spot of implantation, and the implants were inserted through a small surgical incision (<2.5 cm) under local anesthesia; the procedure lasted approximately 30 minutes. Conclusion . The optimal surgical site of the temporal bone is a safe and easily accessible location for implantation of the Baha Attract.

While paleoparasitologists in Korea reported scientific evidences for the infection patterns of various parasite species among the pre-modern Joseon people, historical study is also needed for understanding the socio-cultural aspects of parasitic infections of the past. In this study on the historical documents, we revealed the socio-cultural environment of Joseon society by which people were easily infected by trematode parasites. The historical records showed that Joseon people enjoyed raw fish cuisines, that might have caused Clonorchis sinensis and Metagonimus yokogawai infection, much more frequently than originally expected. It is also proven that Joseon people ate raw crab and crayfish, the intermediate host of Paragonimus westermani, as the seasonal delicacy or miracle cure drug for incurable diseases. We also found many Joseon records on raw-oyster dishes, possibly having caused Gymnophalloides seoi infection among the people. By this study, we could get the historical clues on how Joseon people could have been infected by various trematode parasites.
Astacoidea ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Heterophyidae ; Korea ; Paragonimus westermani ; Parasites* ; Seasons

BACKGROUND: The two most commonly used drugs as a stressor during wtress echocardiography are dipyridamole and dobutamine. The purpose of this study was to compare diagnostic accuracies of dipyridamole and dobutamine stress echocardiography for fixed coronary artery disease and evaluate complications related to the two agents in the same patients. METHODS: 30(M : 5=19 : 11, age=56+/-8.8yr) consecutive patients without history of previous myocardial infarction underwent coronary angiography, dipyridamole and dobutamine stress echocardiography in random order. Dipyridamole was infused up to 0.84mg/Kg for 10 minutes during clinical, ECG and echocardiographic montioring. Dobutamine was infused in dose increments from 5 to 40microg/Kg/min under the same condition. Positive criteria for myocardial ischemia by echocardiography was now regional wall mation abnormatity or worsening of regional wall motion after stress. Significant coronary disease was defined as more than 70% stenosis by coronary angiography. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of both stress echocardiography were same, 82% and 92% respectively. In a single vessel disease the sensitivity of dipyridamole echocardiography was 75% and dobutamine echocardiography was 83% without statistical difference. The correlation of ischemic free time during both stress test was 0.375. During dipyridamole infusion no test was prematurely terminated because of side effects, but 3 patients(10%) developed severe hypertension and ventricular arrytricular arrythmia during dobutamine infusion and test was terminated. CONCLUSION: Thus, by this prospective direct comparison of both stress test, dipyridamole and dobutamine stress echocardiography have similar diagnostic accuracies for the detection of coronary artery disease. But during dobutamine infusion, careful monitoring for hemodynamic changes arrythmia is required for possible serious complications.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Disease ; Dipyridamole* ; Dobutamine* ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Stress* ; Electrocardiography ; Exercise Test ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Prospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the basal serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in the presence of normal serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are useful as a prognostic indicator of ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). METHODS: From January 1997 to January 1999, 91 infertile women with tubal factor who had undergone in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were enrolled in the present study. COH was performed using long protocol of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. All patients included in this study had blood samples drawn on cycle day 2 or 3 prior to COH for measurement of basal FSH and LH. Women who had other infertility factors or high basal FSH levels (> or = 8.5 mIU/ml) were excluded from this study. The results of COH and IVF-ET were compared between two groups according to the level of basal LH (low LH group [< 3mIU/ml] vs. control group [> or = 3mIU/ml]). RESULTS: Patient's characteristics were comparable in both groups except basal LH level. The number of ampules and duration of exogenous gonadotropins required were significantly higher in the low LH group than those in the control group (p<0.001; p<0.005, respectively). The number of follicles > or = 14mm diameter on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection was significantly less in the low LH group than that in the control group (p<0.001). The serum estradiol level on the day of hCG injection was also significantly lower in the low LH group, with 1115.5 +/- 380.9 pg/ml compared with 1340.6 +/- 403.0 pg/ml in the control group (p<0.005). There were significantly lower numbers in oocytes retrieved, oocytes fertilized and embryos frozen in the low LH group than those in the control group (< 0.001; < 0.001; <0.005, respectively). However, there was no difference in the fertilization rate between the two groups. The clinical pregnancy rate per cycle seemed to be lower in the low LH group, but the difference did not achieve significance (26.2% vs 39.7%). There were no differences in the miscarriage rate and multiple pregnancy rate between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the low basal LH levels ( < 3 mIU/ml) could be predictive of low ovarian response to COH and poor IVF results.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Structures ; Estradiol ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Gonadotropins ; Humans ; Infertility ; Lutein* ; Luteinizing Hormone* ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Pregnancy, Multiple

No abstract available.
Melanoma*