Thermography is a sensitive and reliable method for diagnosis of radiculopathy. Skin temperature alterations of the involved dermatome named thermatone are diagnostic for sensory root involvement in radiculopathy which can be demonstrated by thermography. Digital infrared thermographic imaging system using computer is development and could measure thermal difference more exactly without hazards or discomforts to patient. Authors present 186 cases of thermographic evaluation in herniated lumbar disc disease by digital infrared thermographic imging system and the results are evaluated with literature review.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Radiculopathy ; Skin Temperature ; Thermography

No abstract available.
Osteochondroma*

The purpose of this randomized, prospective study was to compare the intubation time, hemodynamic effect and complication rates of orotracheal intubation performed by direct laryngoscopic or lighted stylet (lightwand) methods in the controlled settings of the operating room. After approval of clinical investigation committee and informed consent from patients, healthy ASA class 1 and 2 elective surgical patients were studied. On arrival to operating room, EKG, radial arterial cannulation to monitor blood pressure continously and neuromuscular monitoring device were applied to patients. Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl 3 ug/kg, thiopental 4 mg/kg and vecuronium 0.15 mg/kg to facilliate relaxation. Ventilation was controlled for 5 min by facemask with oxygen-isoflurane (1.2 vol%) or enflurane(1.7 vol%) before intubation. The patients were intubated randomly using either direct curved laryngoscope (DL, 37 patients) or lightwand (LW, 36 patients). The time to intubation (TTI) was recorded. The mean arterial pressure(MAP) and heart rate(HR) were recoreded every 30 sec after intubation for 5 min. The changes of MAP and HR after intubation were compared with pre-intubation value. After extubation, complications such as mucosal trauma and postoperative sore throat were recorded. The data were analyzed using either unpaired t-test or Chi-square analysis, where appropriate. There were no failed intuhation in either groups. There was no significant differences between the groups with respect to sex, age, weight, height, existence of nasogastric tube. The TTI was similar between groups(14.5+/-8.1 sec for LW, 16.8+/-9.5 sec for DL). There was no differences in incidence of trauma(19.4% for LW, 16.2% for DL) between groups. There were no statistically significant difference in the maximal increase in MAP(44% for LW, 55% for DL at 30 sec) and HR(25.6% for LW, 24.1% for DL at 30 sec) and during 5 min following intubation. In canclusion, even though the hemadynamic effect after intubation was not influenced by using LW, the results of this study indicate that the use of the LW is as useful, effective and safe method as using DL for oro-endotracheal intubation. Further study may prove that using the LW to be an effective alternative technique of intubation in patients with difficult airway.
Anesthesia ; Blood Pressure ; Catheterization ; Electrocardiography ; Fentanyl ; Heart ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Informed Consent ; Intubation* ; Laryngoscopes ; Neuromuscular Monitoring ; Operating Rooms ; Pharyngitis ; Prospective Studies ; Relaxation ; Thiopental ; Vecuronium Bromide ; Ventilation

Objective: To investigate imaging biomarkers of microperfusion in contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) using contrastenhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Materials and Methods: The CIN model was fabricated by administering indomethacin (10 mg/kg), L-NAME (15 mg/kg), and iopamidol (10 mL/kg) to Sprague-Dawley rats. After 24 hours, CEUS was performed on CIN (n = 6) and control (n = 6) rats with sulphur hexafluoride microbubbles (SonoVue). From time-intensity curves obtained from the kidney arriving time (AT), acceleration time (AC), time to peak (TTP), and peak enhancement (PE) were measured and compared between the groups. After CEUS, the rats were sacrificed, and cell apoptosis markers were evaluated to confirm the development of CIN. Results: Among CEUS parameters, AT (7.8 ± 1.6 vs. 4.2 ± 0.5 s, p = 0.002), AC (4.7 ± 1.4 vs. 2.0 ± 0.4 s, p = 0.002), and TTP (12.5 ± 2.9 vs. 6.2 ± 0.6 s, p = 0.002) were significantly prolonged in the CIN group compared to controls. PE was significantly higher in the control group than in the CIN group (17.1 ± 1.9 vs. 12.2 ± 2.0 dB, p = 0.004). In kidney tissue, mRNA and protein levels of the apoptotic makers were significantly higher in the CIN group than in the control group (p = 0.003 and p = 0.002). Conclusion CEUS parameters can be used as imaging biomarkers for microperfusion in CIN. In rats with CIN, AT, AC, and TTP were significantly prolonged, while PE was significantly lower compared to controls.

Objective: To investigate imaging biomarkers of microperfusion in contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) using contrastenhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Materials and Methods: The CIN model was fabricated by administering indomethacin (10 mg/kg), L-NAME (15 mg/kg), and iopamidol (10 mL/kg) to Sprague-Dawley rats. After 24 hours, CEUS was performed on CIN (n = 6) and control (n = 6) rats with sulphur hexafluoride microbubbles (SonoVue). From time-intensity curves obtained from the kidney arriving time (AT), acceleration time (AC), time to peak (TTP), and peak enhancement (PE) were measured and compared between the groups. After CEUS, the rats were sacrificed, and cell apoptosis markers were evaluated to confirm the development of CIN. Results: Among CEUS parameters, AT (7.8 ± 1.6 vs. 4.2 ± 0.5 s, p = 0.002), AC (4.7 ± 1.4 vs. 2.0 ± 0.4 s, p = 0.002), and TTP (12.5 ± 2.9 vs. 6.2 ± 0.6 s, p = 0.002) were significantly prolonged in the CIN group compared to controls. PE was significantly higher in the control group than in the CIN group (17.1 ± 1.9 vs. 12.2 ± 2.0 dB, p = 0.004). In kidney tissue, mRNA and protein levels of the apoptotic makers were significantly higher in the CIN group than in the control group (p = 0.003 and p = 0.002). Conclusion CEUS parameters can be used as imaging biomarkers for microperfusion in CIN. In rats with CIN, AT, AC, and TTP were significantly prolonged, while PE was significantly lower compared to controls.

PURPOSE: To evaluate protective mechanism of melatonin against radiation damage and its relationship with apoptosis in mouse jejunum. MATERIALS AND METHODS:' 168 mice were divided into 28 groups according to radiation dose and melatonin treatment. To analysis crypt survival, microcolony survival assay was done according to Withers an (l Elkind's method. To analysis apoptosis, TUNEL assay was done according to Labet-Moleur's method. RESULTS: Radiation protection effect of melatonin was demonstrated by crypt survival assay and its effect was stronger in high radiation dose area. Apoptosis index with 8 Gy irradiation was 18.4% in control group and 16.5% in melatonin treated group. After 18 Gy, apoptosis index was 17.2% in control group and 15.4% in melatonin treated group. Apoptosis index did not show statistically significant difference between melatonin treated group and control group. CONCLUSION: Melatonin shows clear protective effect in mouse jejunum against radiation damage but it.', protective effect seems not to be related with apoptosis protection effect.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Cell Survival* ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Jejunum ; Melatonin* ; Mice* ; Radiation Protection

BACKGROUND: With the rapid growth of the elderly population, osteoporosis has become a major health problem worldwide. Although health knowledge and self-efficacy are important assets to facilitate healthy behaviors and disease prevention, such information as it relates to individuals and their bone health is limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of knowledge, self-efficacy, and health behaviors on promoting bone health in middle-aged Korean women. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey study. A convenience sampling of middle-aged women (> or =40 years) was done at a community health center in Korea. Bone mineral density was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry with the DEXXUM T. The level of knowledge was measured with the Knowledge of Osteoporosis Scale, and self-efficacy with the Osteoporosis Self-efficacy Scale. A questionnaire for bone health behaviors was developed for this study. Collected data were analyzed through descriptive methods, independent t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS: A total of 150 middle-aged women whose mean age was 59.8+/-11.5 years participated in the study. Most (74%) were menopausal. Less than one-quarter of participants (22.7%) had osteoporosis and less than half (42%) had osteopenia based on the T-score at the left femur neck site. Level of knowledge (mean score, 10.35) and self-efficacy (mean score, 47.67) ranged from low to moderate. Intake of calcium and vitamin D-rich foods was insufficient in our subjects. Bone health behaviors had significant positive relationships with knowledge (r=0.22, P=0.008) and self-efficacy (r=0.29, P<0.001) on promoting bone health. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that educational interventions are needed to enhance knowledge and confidence and to encourage middle-aged women to engage in bone health behaviors.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Aged ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Calcium ; Community Health Centers ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Korea ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; Self Efficacy ; Vitamins

No abstract available.
Animals ; Cricetinae* ; Mice*

Spinal fusion has performed for instability and anatomical reconstruction since 1985 by Barthe. Bone grafts and synthetic materials has been used for spinal fusion, but they have several limitations and complications. Recently a new synthetic polymer B.O.P.(Biocompatible Osteoconductive Polymer) was developed and it overcome the limitations of other materials. The B.O.P. showed no foreign body reaction and gave scaffolding for the osteoconduction and osteointegration. Authors operated 35 cases of spinal fusion with B.O.P. and the results and literature reviews were discussed.
Bone Regeneration ; Bone Substitutes ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; Polymers ; Spinal Fusion* ; Transplants

Anterior interbody fusion has used for instability and anatomical reconstruction in various cervical diseases since 1958 by cloward. Bone grafts such as autograft, allograft, xenograft and synthetic materials were utilized in fusion as a graft material. But conventional fusion materials have problems including postoperative morbidity, transmission of diseases, foreign body reaction, collapse, prolongation of operation time. A new synthetic material, Biocompatible Osteoconductive Polymer(B.O.P) is developed and it was useful for cervical anterior interbody fusion as a substitute for other fusion materials.
Allografts ; Autografts ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; Heterografts ; Transplants