PURPOSE: We evaluated the usefulness of quantitative spiral CT to predict postoperative lung function in patients undergoing pulmonary resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients in whom pneumonectomy or segmentectomy were performed underwent preoperative chest spiral CT and pulmonary function test(PFT). Six patients underwent postoperative follow-up PFT. Ten patients underwent preoperative radioisotope(RI) lung perfusion scan. Preoperative CT data were postprocessed with contiguous pixel method ranged from -9107HU to -500HU to quantify total functional lung volume(TFLV) and regional volume to be resected(RFLV). Postoperative lung function was predicted by following formula;Predicted postoperative PFT value=preoperative PFT x 1-RFLV/TFLV). CT predicted value was compared with postoperative measured PFT value and those value of RI perfusion scan. RESULTS: CT predicted values were very close to postoperative measured value and RI predicted value, and were correlated well with postoperative measured values (FVC: r=0.988, P<0.001 ;FEV1: r=0.994, P<0.001) and RI predicted values (FVC :r=0.976, P<0.001 ;FEVl: r=0.974, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Quantitative spiral CT was useful to predict postoperative lung function and could be an effective alternative to RI perfusion scan.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung* ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Perfusion ; Pneumonectomy ; Thorax ; Tomography, Spiral Computed*

Estrous cycle -related histological and histochemical changes in the vaginal epithelium of mature female rats were studied with PAS (periodic acid Schiff) alcian blue pH 2.5 and biotinylated lectins (DBA, SBA, PNA, BSL -1, sWGA, UEA -1, RCA -1, Con A and LCA).The prominent characteristic changes that occured during the estrous cycle were mucinous transformation in proestrus and cornification in estrus. In proestrus, the superficial mucinous cells of the epithelium were increased in number and enlarged in size, and the amount of acid and neutral mucosubstances was more increase in proestrus than in diestrus and metestrus. About the binding pattern of all lectins examined to the superficial mucinous cells, in diestrus, the binding pattern of these cells showed a similar affinity as in metestrus with intense DBA and UEA -1 reactivity. In proestrus, however, these cells were reactive with seven lectins examined except LCA and PNA, and DBA, SBA, BSL -1, RCA -1 and UEA -1 reacted more strongly than in diestrus and metestrus. In estrus, the superficial cornified cell layers showed a weak reactivity of SBA, BSL -1 and PNA. In diestrus and metestrus, the mucinous cells in the intermediate layers of the basal portion of vaginal fold stained with eight lectins examined except LCA and showed the same binding pattern to the superficial mucinous cells. About the distribution of glycoconjugates in the intermediate layer, the upper spindle cells showed different binding pattern according to the estrous stages. In diestrus, estrus, and metestrus, these cells showed a affinity for all lectins examined. In proestrus, however, DBA and PNA staining were not observed, and stained more intensely with sWGA, SBA and UEA -1, and less intensely with BSL -1 and RCA - 1. In estrus, DBA and PNA reactivity reappeared as trace, and RCA -1 and sWGA reactivity increased. In metestrus, sWGA reactivity reduced and BSL -1 and UEA -1 increased continually. The lower rounded cells of the intermediate layers stained with all lectins examined in estrus, with six lectins examined except Con A, DBA and UEA -1 in proestrus and with five lectins examined except DBA, UEA -1, sWGA and BSL -1 in diestrus and metestrus. BSL -1 reactivity for the layers increased in proestrus, estrus and metestrus, and PNA reactivity increased in estrus and reduced in metestrus. The basal layer of the vaginal epithelium showed different binding pattern to the different portion of vagina, and showed faint staining of BSL -1, SBA and RCA -1, and moderately staining of BSL -1 in proestrus and estrus. In conclusion, alpha /-N -acetyl -D -galactosamine, alpha /-D -galactose and alpha -L -fucose participate in the mucinous transformation of the vaginal epithelium, and beta -N -acetyl -D -glucosamine participates in the cornification of the vaginal epithelium.
Alcian Blue ; Animals ; Diestrus ; Epithelium* ; Estrous Cycle* ; Estrus ; Female ; Glycoconjugates ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lectins ; Metestrus ; Mucins ; Proestrus ; Rats* ; Vagina

The effect of NDMA after oral administration (17 mg/ml) on the glycoconjugates of lingual von Ebner's gland and mucous gland were investigated with lectin histochemical methods. For lectin histochemical studies, the biotinylated lectins (DBA, PNA, SBA, BSL -1, sWGA, RCA -1, LCA, UEA -1, and ConA) were applied. Lectin binding patterns of glycoconjugates of lingual von Ebner's gland showed the decreased affinity for DBA, PNA, BSL -1 and sWGA in NDMA -treated group compared with control group. The remarkable decrease of binding affinity of NDMA -treated group was observed in PNA for 12 and 24 hours, DBA for 96 hours, BSL -1 for 72 hours, and sWGA for 3 hours, while the striking decrease of BSL -1 and sWGA binding was observed in NDMA -treated group for 12 hours. But these decreases of binding were tended to recover in PNA and sWGA after 72 hours of NDMA treatment, and in DBA after 120 hours. The binding affinity of SBA and RCA -1 was decreased in NDMA -treated group for 3 hours, while the other NDMA -treated group showed an increased affinity. Especially, the increase of SBA binding was remarkable. There was a little change in binding affinity of UEA -1, LCA and Con A in NDMA -treated group. Lectin binding patterns of glycoconjugates of lingual mucous gland showed decreased affinities for SBA, sWGA and UEA -1 in NDMA -treated group. The striking decreases of binding affinity for NDMA -treated group was observed in SBA and sWGA for 3 hours, and UEA -1 for 3 and 24 hours. And the remarkable decreases of binding affinity for NDMA -treated group was found in SBA for 24 and 48 hours, sWGA for 48, 72 and 96 hours, and UEA -1 for 48 hours. These decreases of binding affinity of NDMA -treated group were tended to recover in SBA and UEA -1 after 96 hours and in sWGA after 120 hours. The binding affinity for PNA and ConA showed a little but not remarkable increase in NDMA - treated group, and LCA binding showed a little decrease following a little increase in NDMA - treated group. The affinity of DBA binding was decreased in NDMA -treated group for 12 hours and 24 hours, while the other NDMA -treated group showed an increased affinity. Especially, there was a remarkable increase in NDMA -treated group for 96 hours. From these results, it is suggested that the toxicity of NDMA may be related with the carcinogen of the rat tongue, and glycoconjugates are concerned with the repaire of the destruction of the lingual mucous acini.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Dimethylnitrosamine* ; Glycoconjugates* ; Lectins ; Rats* ; Salivary Glands* ; Strikes, Employee ; Tongue ; von Ebner Glands

The developmental changes of the lingual salivary glands in the postnatal rats were examined by lectin histochemical methods. For the morphological changes, H-E and PAS staining were used. The biotinylated lectins used in the study were DBA, SBA, PNA, BSL-1, sWGA, RCA-1, UEA-1, Con A and LCA. The promordia and undifferentiated acini of the lingual glands were found in the mucous glands at 0 day suckling rat and the von Ebner's glands at 3 day suckling rat, respectively. The differentiation and maturation of the lingual glands were faster than those of the von Ebner's gland. The differentiation and proliferation of both glands were occurred remarkably at suckling periods rather than weaning periods. The lectin binding pattern of glandular promordia and undifferentiated serous acini in von Ebner's gland was weak in BSL-1 and weak to moderate in RCA-1. DBA and sWGA showed tendency to increase in 1 week suckling rat, but The binding reactivity of other lectins was disappeared except BSL-1 that was reacted tracely in 2 and 3 weak suckling and 4 week weaning rat. RCA-1, PNA, sWGA, BSL-1 and SBA of the differentiated serous acini were appeared in the 2 week suckling rat and SBA and sWGA was more intense. Especially, the reactivity of these lectins of suckling periods was showed more tendency to increase than that of weaning periods. The increase of PNA, SBA and BSL-1 was prominent during suckling and weaning periods. RCA-1 and sWGA were decreased in 5 week rat, increased in 6 week rat, and then decreased in adult rat. UEA-1 which was not shown from 0 day to 2 week was showed trace to moderate reactivity in some serous acini. Con A and PNA of glandular promordia and undifferentiated mucous acini were appeared trace or weak, and absent at 0 day suckling rat, but PNA reactivity was showed tendency to incerase at 3 day suckling rat. Other lectins of these promordia and acini were not showed reactivity. In the differentiated mucous acini at 0 day suckling rat, all mucous acini were weak to moderate with DBA, and some of mucous acini also were weak to moderate with BSL-1. Most mucous acini showed weak reactivity with SBA, but some mucous acini showed trace or weak reactivity with RCA, PNA, sWGA and BSL-1. The reactivity of BSL-1 and sWGA was increased from birth to 2 week and then decreased, and absent at 5 week. But it increased at 6 week. RCA-1 and PNA also increased in the acini up to 1 week. However, PNA reactivity was absent at 5 and 6 week. With RCA-1, the intensity of reactivity was increased. Differentiated mucous acini was reacted to increase with SBA from birth, the intensity was strong in weaning periods rather than suckling period. UEA-1 reactivity was showed to decrease from 1 week to 2 week and moderately increased from 3 week to 5 week, and thereafter decreased. DBA binding pattern was somewhat changed throughout the observation periods but it was predominent.
Adult ; Animals ; Glycoconjugates* ; Humans ; Lectins ; Parturition ; Rats* ; Salivary Glands* ; von Ebner Glands ; Weaning

Solid hemangioblastomas of the medulla oblongata are benign vascular neoplasms located in a critical area. We experienced a case of solid hemangioblastoma originated in the medulla oblongata with the syrinx in the cervical spinal cord. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging provided precise anatomical location and radiologic features of the tumor, which facilitated its total removal. Cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders often complicate this type of surgery, and postoperative dysphagia is a frequent sequelae.
Deglutition Disorders ; Hemangioblastoma* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Medulla Oblongata* ; Spinal Cord ; Vascular Neoplasms

To achieve optimal decalcification in tissue and tissue preservation, we have tried magnetic field method and made some promising results. We used pulsed unipolar magnetic field obtained by rectification of 250 V-60 cycle, A.C. As a new method of bony decalcification, using 5% nitric acid, 10% formic acid and 10% formic acid+3% hydrochloric acid solutions, experimental groups were decalcified in the center of the magnetic field. The concentration of calcium ion in the decalcifying solution was measured by calcium-oxalate turbidity test by photometry method, and direct visualization of calcium radiopacity was obtained by soft X-ray view during the decalcification process. The pH change during decalcification was continuously checked and needle penetration method was also used. All the decalcification solution used in this study showed accelerated effect of bony decalcification in the strong magnetic field. Among them 5% nitric acid produced complete decalcification for the medium size bony specimen (less than 10x10x10 mm) within 24 hours, and the histologic feature was almost free of acid-chemical degeneration. The pH of all the decalcification solutions decreased in the strong magnetic field, maximum within 4~6 hours, and kept strong acidity throughout the decalcification procedure. After removal of the magnetic field the pH of all the decalcification solution returned to their original values after 24 hours. It was presumed that the cause of the accelerated decalcification in the magnetic field was due to combined effects of the rapid increase of acidity and the increased molecular resonance to stimulate the ionization of mineral elements.

The experiments of this study was performed to investigate the effects of sulfur dioxide on the changes of glycoconjugates of respiratory system of the rat. Sprague -Dawley male rats weighing about 200 ~250g were divided into a control group and SO2 exposed groups. Again SO2 exposed groups were divided into 10 ppm, 25 ppm, 50 ppm, 100 ppm and 200 ppm subgroups according to concentrations of SO2 and each SO2 exposed groups were divided into 1, 3 and 6 hours groups. For the histological changes, H -E(hematoxylin -eosin) and PAS(periodic acid Schiff) staining were used and to investigate the change of sugar residues of glycoconjugates, biotinylated lectins(DBA, SBA, PNA, BSL -1, sWGA, UEA -1, LCA and Con A) were applied. Generally, the effects of SO2 on the rat nasal respiratory region were more serious at the high concentrations. Moreover, as the exposed time was longer even at the low concentrations, the effects of SO2 were similar to those of high concentration. Compared with all SO2 concentrations, the longer exposed time was, the more serious the effects of SO2 were. In the SO2 exposed groups the binding of PNA, RCA -1 and UEA -1 of cilia in the nasal septal respiratory epithelium tended to increase in the 10 ppm and 25 ppm SO2 exposed groups but it tended to decrease in the 100 ppm and 200 ppm SO2 exposed groups. In the cytoplasm of columnar cells of nasal septal respiratory epithelium, Con A binding increased in all the SO2 exposed groups. In the goblet cells DBA, SBA, PNA, RCA -1 and UEA -1 binding increased remarkably in the 50 ppm SO2 exposed groups but it decreased largely or disappeared in the 100 ppm and 200 ppm SO2 exposed groups. The binding of SBA, PNA, BSL -1, UEA -1 and Con A in the intraepithelial mucous cells which were not detected in the control group, increased in the 25 ppm and 50 ppm SO2 exposed groups while it tended to decrease in the 100 ppm and 200 ppm SO2 exposed groups. The binding of sWGA increased according to the concentrations of SO2 were higher and exposed times were longer. In the superior nasal septal gland, the binding of PNA increased in the 50 ppm and 100 ppm SO2 exposed groups and that of Con A increased in the 25 ppm and 50 ppm SO2 exposed groups. In the inferior nasal septal gland, except for LCA, the binding of the other lectins increased remarkably in the 25 ppm and 50 ppm SO2 exposed groups but it tended to decrease in the 100 ppm and 200 ppm SO2 groups. In the mucous duct cells, the reaction of PNA and RCA -1 increased compared with that of the control group. And the reaction of BSL -1 and UEA -1 increased in the lower concentrations of 50 ppm SO2 exposed group but it decreased in the 100 ppm and 200 ppm SO2 exposed groups. The binding of Con A increased in the 25 ppm and 50 ppm SO2 exposed groups. Consequently, from the results above mentioned that SO2 affected serious changes on glycoconjugates metabolism in the nasal cavity.
Animals ; Cilia ; Cytoplasm ; Glycoconjugates* ; Goblet Cells ; Humans ; Lectins ; Male ; Metabolism ; Nasal Cavity* ; Rats* ; Respiratory Mucosa* ; Respiratory System ; Sulfur Dioxide

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of the addition of Vit. D3 (1,25-Dihydroxychole calciferol D3) to the conventional postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy on bone mineral density(BMD) DESIGN: A 2-year retrospective , randomized study Setting : Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Catholic university hospital Patients : 388 postmenopausal women were recruited and divided into 5 groups according to treatment regimen; A: conjugated estrogens only treated group(n=146), B : conjugated estrogens and progesterone treated group(n=103), C : conjugated estrogens and Vit.D3 treated group (n=36), D : conjugated estrogens, progesterone and Vit.D3 treated group (n=41), E : control group (n=60). METHODS: The bone mineral density of the lumbar spines and femoral neck were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry(DEXA) every 2 years. STATISTICS: The difference between before and after treatment was determined by paired t-test. The comparison among the groups were determined by one way ANOVA test and student's t-test. RESULTS: The addition of progesterone to estrogen showed insignificant increase in the lumbar and femoral neck BMD. The addition of Vit. D3 compared with conventional hormone replacement therapy insignificantly influened bone density in women with initially normal BMD, but definitely increase in women with initially osteopenic and osteoporotic BMD of femoral neck rather than lumar spine(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of Vit. D3 combined with postmenopausal estrogen replacement effects the increase of BMD in low bone density than normal bone density, especially femoral neck.
Bone Density* ; Estrogen Replacement Therapy ; Estrogens ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Gynecology ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Obstetrics ; Progesterone ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine ; Vitamins*

PURPOSE: Prehospital airway management is crucial to emergency healthcare providers, especially for emergency medical technicians (EMTs). In spite of its clinical importance, adequate airway management cannot be guaranteed only with the use of endotracheal intubation. Many supraglottic airway devices have been introduced as substitutes for endotracheal intubation. We compared 3 such devices - LMA Classic(TM), Cobra PLA(TM) and King LT(TM) - using a manikin and recorded performance skill and preference. METHODS: Thirty EMTs participated in the airway management educational program and were enrolled in this study which was held in the Gyeong-Gi Fire Academy. We surveyed the participants general characteristics and experience by e-mail prior to this laboratory study of their skills. The airway management program consisted of a 10 minute lecture followed by 20 minutes of skill training. We observed the success rate, preference among the 3 devices, and the total procedure time of airway device insertion in different rooms. RESULTS: The LMA Classic(TM), Cobra PLA(TM) and King LT(TM) groups succeeded 90%, 76.7%, and 80%, respectively at the first trial. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups (p=0.372). To achieve adequate airway management, the groups spent 28.6+/-7.2, 24.7+/-4.9, and 26.9+/-7.0 seconds, respectively, again with no significant differences (p=0.108). A preference survey performed after the test showed the highest preference for King LT(TM), 57%. CONCLUSION: Three prehospital supraglottic airway devices showed no differences in success rate or procedure time. Despite this result, King LT(TM) was the most preferred.
Airway Management ; Benzeneacetamides ; Elapidae ; Electronic Mail ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medical Technicians ; Fires ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Laryngeal Masks ; Manikins ; Piperidones

The management of pineal region tumors remains controversial. Advocates of a conservative approach emphasize the excellent results of radiotherapy, particularly with germinoma, while a number of recent reports have demonstrated the safety of direct surgery. We analyzed 8 cases of pineal region tumors which had been treated at our institution over the past 7 years. Tissue diagnosis was obtained in 3 patients before irradiation and 5 patients underwent irradiation without histological diagnosis. Among 5 irradiated patients initially, four patients had been achieved complete remission by radiotherapy thus they were presumptively germinoma, but other one patient had no response, so she had been underwent surgery. Among 3 biopsy proven cases, 2 were teratoma and other one was embryonal carcinoma. Complete gross microsurgical excision of well encapsulated tumor was possible in two teratoma cases. MRI and other neuroradiological studies have ben found to be useful in indicating the biological nature and histological type of pineal tumor. So, consideration of MRI scans together with tumor markers and response to small dose irradiation will generally allow a specific diagnosis with a high degree of probability. In this way, germinomas may be selected for radiotherapy and the tumor less likely to response may be subject to primary surgery to obtain complete tumor extirpation or tissue diagnosis.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Embryonal ; Diagnosis ; Germinoma ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pinealoma ; Radiotherapy ; Teratoma ; Biomarkers, Tumor