BACKGROUND: Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is known to increase blood flow to the innervations area of the stellate ganglion. Near infrared spectroscopy reflects an increased blood volume and allows continuous, non-invasive, and bedside monitoring of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2). We investigated the influence of SGB on bilateral cerebral oxygenation using a near infrared spectroscopy. METHODS: SGB was performed on 30 patients with 1% lidocaine 10 ml using a paratracheal technique at the C6 level and confirmed by the presence of Horner's syndrome. The blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and rSO2 were measured before SGB and 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes after SGB. Tympanic temperature of each ear was measured prior to SGB and 20 minutes after SGB. RESULTS: The increments of the rSO2 on the block side from the baseline were statistically significant at 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes. The rSO2 on the non-block side compared with the baseline, however, decreased at 15 and 20 minutes. The difference between the block and the non-block sides was significant at 15 and 20 minutes. The BP at 10, 15 and 20 minutes was increased and the HR was increased at 10 and 15 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: We observed an increment of the rSO2 on the block side from the baseline; however, the rSO2 on the non-block side decreased.
Blood Pressure ; Blood Volume ; Ear ; Heart Rate ; Horner Syndrome ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Oxygen ; Spectrum Analysis ; Stellate Ganglion

We studied the T lymphocyte and its subpopulation percentage change in 40 patients immediately after the radiation therapy. Study population consisted of 12 patients treated at the site of head and neck region, 14 patients treated at the site of thoracic region, and 14 patients treated at the site of pelvic region. Twenty two patients received radiotherapy as radical modality, and remaining 18 patients received radiotherapy as postoperative modality. Immediately after radiotherapy, total T lymphocyte (T1) percentage was decreased from 36.4% to 34.1%, but suppressor T lymphocyte (T8) percentage was increased from 23.5% to 25.4%. As a result, T4/T8 ratio was decreased from 1.57 to 1.39. This study suggested that immediate change after radiotherapy of the T lymphocyte and its subpopulation percentage was not related to the treatment volume and the degree of helper T cell decrement was not pronounced by the radiation does increment. Longterm follow-up study in larger scale is needed to determine long term changing pattern in T lymphocyte subpopulation and its relationship to the prognosis of patients.
Antibodies, Monoclonal* ; Head ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Subsets* ; Lymphocytes* ; Neck ; Pelvis ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change of placental apoptosis and the expression of their mediator in preeclampsia women. METHODS: Placental tissues from 10 cases of preeclampsia and 15 cases of normal pregnancy were analyzed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling(TUNEL) staining. Expressions of bcl-2, bax, caspase-3 was also assessed using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In TUNEL staining, the number of apoptotic nuclei were significantly increased in the trophoblast of preeclampsia than normal pregnancy. Bcl-2 was mainly expressed in syncytiotrophoblast and bax was mainly expressed in cytotrophoblast. Bcl-2 expression was decreased and bax expression was increased in the preeclampsia than normal, but the difference was not significant. Caspase-3 was mainly expressed in the cytotrophoblast and expression was significantly increased in the preeclampsia than normal pregnancy(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Placental apoptosis, especially accompanied with increased expression of caspase-3 in cytotrophoblast, might be related with in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Apoptosis* ; Caspase 3 ; Deoxyuridine ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Placenta ; Pre-Eclampsia* ; Pregnancy ; Trophoblasts

OBJECTIVE: Our previous study demonstrated that the placental GnRH and GnRH mRNA did not parallel the time course of hCG secretion, though it is thought to be one of the potential paracrine regulators of hCG secretion from the trophoblasts. The present study was designed to examine the potential variation in GnRH-receptor mRNA expression in the placenta, which may account for the GnRH-mediated action of hCG secretion during pregnancy. METHODS: Human placentas in firt, second, and third trimester of normal pregnancy were obtained. These placentas were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde and embedded in OCT compound, and sectioned by cryostat. For in situ hybridization, S labeled RNA probes were used and followed by autoradiography. RESULTS: The GnRH-receptor mRNA signals were present in both cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cell layers. Signal intensities varied with gestational ages and were abundant at 6-7 weeks, peaked at 9-12weeks, declined at 14 and 24 weeks, and were barely detectable at term. The present study demonstrates that GnRH-receptor mRNA exhibits changes paralleling the time course of hCG secretion during pregnancy CONCLUSION: These data provide mechanistic understanding that the paracrine/autocrine regulation of hCG secretion by placental GnRH is mediated through an increase followed by a decline in GnRH-receptor mRNA expression from the first trimester to term placenta.
Autoradiography ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Placenta* ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Pregnancy* ; RNA Probes ; RNA, Messenger* ; Trophoblasts

No abstract available.
beta 2-Microglobulin* ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic*

PURPOSE: To assess the value of dynamic fast infusion of contrast material in the detection and diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) with spiral CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-phase dynamic spiral CT was performed in 59 patients with 104 HCCs. 150ml of nonionic contrast material was injected with an automatic injector at the rateof 5 ml/sec. Two-phase images were obtained at 20-45 sec(arterial dominant phase) and 2-5 min(equilibrium phase)after the initiation of bolus injection of contrast material. The tumors were divided into three groups(<3cm,3-5cm, and >5cm) according to the size and the enhancement patterns on two-phase images were compared. RESULTS: Inthe arterial phase, HCCs showed total or partial hyperattenuation in 79% of cases(82/104), isoattenuation in 12%,and hypoattenuation in 9%. In the equilibrium phase, HCCs showed hypoattenuation in 86%(89/104) and isoattenuationin 14%. The most common and characteristic enhancement patterns of HCCs were hyperattenuation in the arterialphase and hypoattenuataion in the equilibrium phase ; in the latter, capsules were demonstrated in 45% of cases. Invasions of the portal and/or hepatic vein were demonstrated in 34% of cases. CONCLUSION: Dynamic fastinfusion(5ml/sec) of contrast material(150ml) is useful in the detection and diagnosis of HCCs with spiral CT.
Capsules ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Diagnosis ; Hepatic Veins ; Humans ; Tomography, Spiral Computed*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of dynamic spiral computed tomography(CT) during the portal phase with ahigher IV injection rate of contrast material in detecting hepatic metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed two-phase dynamic spiral CT in 44 patients with hepatic metastases of pathologically proven primary malignancy. One hundred and fifty ml. of non-ionic contrast material was administered with a power injector at a rate of 5ml/sec., and two-phase images at 55-80 sec.(portal phase) and 2-5 min.(equilibrium phase) were obtained after thestart of bolus injection. Two phase images were compared for detectability of hepatic metastases according tosize, number and enhancement pattern. RESULTS: In cases of metastases less than 1cm, 113 lesions(100%) that showed clearly defined hypodense lesions were detected in the portal phase of dynamic CT. However, the equilibriumphase images showed hypodense lesions in 58 cases(51%) and isodense lesions in 55cases(49%). In cases of metastases 1-2cm in size, the portal phase images detected 70 hypodense lesions(92%) and six hyperdense lesions(8%). In the equilibrium phase, however, the lesions were hypodense in 54 cases(71%), hyperdense infour(5%), and isodense in 18(24%). In cases of metastases larger than 2 cm, portal phase images showed 29 hypodense lesions(97%) and one hyperdense lesion(3%). In the equilibrium phase, however, the lesions were hypodense in 25 cases(83%), hyperdense in two(7%), and mixed in three(10%). As compared with the portal phase, most metastatic lesions were detected as poorly defined hypodense or isodense lesions in the equilibrium phase and decrease in size due to peripheral enhancement. CONCLUSION: Dynamic spiral CT during the portal phase with a higher IV injection rate(5 ml/sec) of contrast material is a useful method for detecting hepatic metastases, especially small lesions less than 1cm.
Humans ; Liver* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Tomography, Spiral Computed*

No abstract available.
Mucous Membrane* ; Prolapse* ; Vitelline Duct*

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The aim of dental research is to advance scientific knowledge and leads to improvement in the treatment and prevention of dental disease. Utilizing an effective research design and adequate statistical methods are essential procedures ensuring that the results of researches are based on evidences. A research should utilize proper statistical methods without statistical errors; Otherwise, it could adversely affect clinical practice and future research. PURPOSE: This study was made to investigate the statistical methods used in the Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics (JKAP) and then to assess them for the statistical errors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Among the total of 399 articles in the JKAP published from 2000 to 2006, 292 articles using statistics were reviewed. The validity of the statistical methods used in them were assessed using a checklist based on the guideline for statistical reporting in the uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals by International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. The checklist consisted of three categories of statistical errors: 1) Unspecified computer statistical packages, 2) Inadequate description of statistical methods, 3) Misuse of statistical terms. Then, the results were compared between the Korean version and the English version in the JKAP. RESULTS: Among the 212 articles using statistics in the Korean version, 115 articles (54%) and among the 80 articles using statistics in the English version, 47 articles (59%) were shown to have unspecified computer statistical packages without statistically significant difference (P = .66). Likewise, 101 articles (48%) in the Korean version and 25 articles (31%) in the English version were shown to have the inadequate description of statistical methods without statistically significant difference (P = .09). However, 114 articles (54%) in the Korean version and 19 articles (24%) in the English version were shown to have the misuse of statistical terms with statistically significant difference (P = .01). CONCLUSION: Some of the articles in the JKAP had inadequate statistical validity, given the statistical errors identified in this assessment. Hence, dental researchers should be more careful when it comes to describing and applying statistical methods.
Checklist ; Dental Research ; Prosthodontics ; Research Design ; Stomatognathic Diseases

PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristics of (widely used) cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Images were obtained with CT performance phantoms (The American Association of Physicists in Medicine; AAPM). CT phantom as the destination by using PSR 9000N(TM) dental CT system (Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co., Ltd., Japan) and i-CAT CBCT (Imaging Science International Inc., USA) that have different kinds of detectors and field of view, and compared these images with the CT number for linear attenuation, contrast resolution, and spatial resolution. RESULTS: CT number of both PSR 9000N(TM) dental CT system and i-CAT CBCT did not conform to the base value of CT performance phantom. The contrast of i-CAT CBCT is higher than that of PSR 9000N(TM) dental CT system. Both contrasts were increased according to thickness of cross section. Spatial resolution and shapes of reappearance was possible up to 0.6 mm in PSR 9000N(TM) dental CT system and up to 1.0 mm in i-CAT CBCT. Low contrast resolution in region of low contrast sensitivity revealed low level at PSR 9000N(TM) dental CT system and i-CAT CBCT. CONCLUSION: CBCT images revealed higher spatial resolution, however, contrast resolution in region of low contrast sensitivity was the inferiority of image characteristics.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography* ; Contrast Sensitivity ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Radiography, Dental ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed