No abstract available.
Mitral Valve*

Although the mechanism of the development of hypertension has not been fully elucidated, abnormal ion transport across the cardiovascular musle membrance may play some role in this mechanism. The elevation of intraceular sodium by inhibition of the Na(+), K(+)-ATPase diminshes the sodium gradient for calcium extrusion and/or increase Na(+)/Ca(++) exchange across the cell membrance. In any event, contractility and vascular tone of cardiovascular system can be incresed as reslut of an increase of intracellular calcium. Recently it is reported that the defects of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase occur in spontaneously hypertensive rat(SHR) hearts, compared to control normotensive Spargue Dawley(SD) rat hearts. However, one missing, unresolved question arose in the previous reports in whether the reduced Na(+)-pump activity in the heart of SHR is associated with the development of hypertension itself in these animals or is a consequence of inhertied pathological features that later reslut in a reduced pump activity. In order to clearify this question it is attempted to measured to measure the change of the Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities in cardiac sarcolemma purified from both the normotensive SD rats and SHR rats during growth ; Simultaneously the charge of cation concentration in both intracellular space(RBC) and extracelluar space(ECF) are measured to the erythrocyte test(Garay and Meyer) applied to the clinical investiation of hypertension. The results obtained are summarized as follows ; 1) The systolic blood pressure of 7 week old SHR was 120-130mmHg, which was not significantly different from that of the age-matched SD rats. However, the blood pressure was elevated to 160-170mmHg in 13-15 week old SHR, even elevated to 190mmHg in one of 19 week old SHR. On the other hand, SHR, in which hypertension was well established had pronounced cardiac hypertrophy. 2) The Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities in cardiac sarcolemma of the SHR rats were decreased gradually as hypertension established.The decrease of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase was well associated with the increase of intracellular potassium concentration.By contrast, thr Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities and cation transports og the normotensive SD rats were not significanlty chaged during growth. 3) The charges of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities in SHR were specific because the activities of Ca(++)-ATPase which is one of the membrance bound enzyme were not changed during growth appeared to be a major fator which generated hypertension in SHR rats. However, question on how the Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities are decreased and which event is initiative between reduction of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and development of hypertension are still remained unclear. Recent literature suggests the there might be a genetic factor, so-called Na(+)-pump inhibitor, involved in the meachanism.
Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Calcium ; Cardiomegaly ; Cardiovascular System ; Erythrocytes ; Hand ; Heart ; Hypertension ; Ion Transport ; Potassium ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR* ; Sarcolemma ; Sodium

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to review the perinatal clinical characteristics of extremely low birth weight(ELBW) infants and determine their risk factors of their deaths. METHODS: The medical records of 96 infants weighing less than 1,000g, who were born at Seoul National University Hospital and admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) were analyzed retrospectively on the basis of clinical characteristics, obstetrical problems, postnatal complications and outcome. RESULTS: The annual birth rate of ELBW infants was 0.11% to 0.90% of total live births and the mean annual birth rate was 0.56% at Seoul National University Hospital. Preeclampsia was the most common obstetrical problem(34.4%), followed by incompetent internal os of cervix(IIOC) (13.5%), multiple pregnancy(13.5%) and in vitro fertilization(IVF)(13.5%). Respiratory distress syndrome(RDS) was the most common postnatal complication(78.1%), followed by sepsis(60.4%) and apnea(39.6%). Comparing the ELBW infants weighing less than 750g with those weighing more than 751g, sepsis was more frequent in the latter group(p<0.05), whereas high grade intraventricular hemorrhage(grade Ill) was more frequent in the former group(p<0.05). Otherwise there was no statistically significant difference concerning the frequency of perinatal complications between two groups. Comparing the ELBW infants born before the year 1991, when surfactant treatment started to be used routinely at our NICU, with those born after the year 1991, apnea and sepsis could be observed more frequent in the latter group(p<0.05). Otherwise there was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of perinatal complications between two groups, The survival rate of ELBW infants was 0.0% in 1986, 50.0% in 1991 and 40.0% in 1995. The risk factors of neonatal deaths of ELBW infants included birth weight, gestational period, mode of delivery, IIOC, RDS, apnea, pneumonia, pneumothorax, acute renal failure(ARF) and infections(except pneumonia), but analyzing these risk factors by multivariate logistic regression analysis, the resultant significant independent risk factors consisted only of birth weight, RDS and pneumonia(p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in survival rate between ELBW infants born before and after the year 1991, but there was a tendency toward increasing survival rates in the latter group. CONCLUSION: Recently, the survival rate of ELBW infants is improving steadily, but is still lower than that of western countries and postnatal morbidity remains high. Therefore, there is an urgent need to give more efforts to the neonatal intensive care of ELBW inFants in order to increase survival rates and reduce postnatal morbidity. But it is more important to reduce preterm birth by the treatment of preventable obstetrical risk factors.
Apnea ; Birth Rate ; Birth Weight ; Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Low Birth Weight* ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Live Birth ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Parturition ; Pneumonia ; Pneumothorax ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Premature Birth ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seoul ; Sepsis ; Statistics as Topic* ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: To report 2 different cases of postoperative endophthalmitis caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia after cataract surgery. CASE SUMMARY: A 73-year-old male with diabetes mellitus developed severe pain in the right eye 2 weeks after cataract surgery. The patient was hospitalized with a diagnosis of infectious endophthalmitis, and vitrectomy was performed. Cultures of aqueous humor and vitreous aspirate revealed S. maltophilia. On day 30 after vitrectomy, his visual acuity had improved to 20/20 and there were no recurrences. A 61-year-old female with no significant past medical history was referred for uveitis or delayed onset endophthalmitis 30 days after cataract surgery. An anterior chamber tapping and cultures were performed. S. maltophilia and Aspergillus fumigatus were isolated. The patient received antibiotics and antifungal agents and her visual acuity improved to 20/25. CONCLUSIONS: S. maltophilia has been considered a life-threatening systemic opportunistic infection; however, the organism has recently been reported as an exogenous pathogen of endophthalmitis following cataract surgery. Herein, 2 different cases of S. maltophilia endophthalmitis after cataract surgery are presented and compared with previous case reports.
Aged ; Anterior Chamber ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antifungal Agents ; Aqueous Humor ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; Cataract ; Coinfection ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Endophthalmitis ; Eye ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Stenotrophomonas ; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia ; Uveitis ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to figure out the characteristics and differences of therapeutic environment by classifying into closed-ward inpatient, open-ward inpatient and community residence outpatient environment and comparing objective and subjective quality of life of each group. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 67 open-ward chronic inpatients, 58 closed -ward inpatients in the National Naju Mental Hospital and 85 outpatients living in Naju. We measured objective and subjective quality of life using semi-structural interview by Leman's quality of life scale and compared the 3 groups. We used one-way ANOVA and chi-square test to analyze the differences of the 3 groups. RESULTS: Open-ward inpatients who have autonomy and various community service program were more satisfied with their general life than the others. Community residence outpatients spent more money and less assaults experience but their leisure activities and social contact frequencies were lower than in the inpatients. Outpatients were less satisfied with their health, finances and leasure activities. Inpatients had more leisure activities and higher social contact frequency than outpatients. They were more satisfied with their finances despite of spending less the money monthly than the outpatients. They experienced violence and damage more often for the past one year and were more satisfied with their health. CONCLUSION: The quality of life reported by chronic mental patients differed according to the characteristics of therapeutic environment. The life-quality of open-ward inpatients were the highest among the 3 groups. It is necessary to serve various community service program so that we can improve the life-quality of community residence outpatients.
Hospitals, Psychiatric ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Jeollanam-do ; Leisure Activities ; Mentally Ill Persons* ; Outpatients ; Quality of Life* ; Social Welfare ; Violence

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to investigate the modulatory effect of ammonium carbonate on the GABAA receptor. METHODS: The effects of ammonium carbonate on the binding of radioligands to components of the GABAA receptor complex were observed. RESULTS: [3H]Flunitrazepam binding to the benzodiazepine receptor was enhanced by ammonium (<800 micrometer). Further increasing ammonium carbonate concentrations decreased [3H]flunitrazepam binding to control levels. Furthermore, GABA and muscimol increased the potency of ammonium carbonate in enhancing [3H]flunitrazepam binding. Ammonium carbonate also increased, then decreased the binding of 10nM [3H]muscimol binding to the GABAA receptor in a concentration-dependent manner. More importantly, the presence of ammonia along with a benzodiazepine receptor agonist synergistically enhanced [3H]muscimol binding to the GABA receptor. CONCLUSION: These suggest that ammonia may enhance GABAergic neurotransmission at concentrations commonly encountered in hepatic failure, then suppress the inhibitory neuronal function observed at higher (>1mM) ammonia concentrations. This increase in GABAergic neurotransmission is consistent with the clinical picture of lethargy, ataxia and cognitive deficits associated with liver failure and congenital hyperammonemia.
Ammonia ; Ammonium Compounds* ; Ataxia ; Carbon* ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Hyperammonemia ; Lethargy ; Liver Failure ; Muscimol ; Neurons ; Receptors, GABA ; Receptors, GABA-A ; Synaptic Transmission

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is generally accepted as the most reliable method of re-establishing knee kinematics so as to prevent various symptoms related to the instability and subsequent injuries to the knee. Double bundle ACL reconstruction has emerged as a potential solution for single bundle reconstruction, as the latter can restore anteroposterior stability, but it had limitations for improving the rotational stability. However, double bundle reconstruction is a more complex surgical procedure and it remain unclear whether double bundle reconstruction has better results than single bundle reconstruction on long term follow-up. Recent studies have demonstrated that a femoral tunnel could be created independently of the tibial tunnel and in a more anatomic position by using the anteromedial portal technique, so that that there is better restoration of the rotational stability as well as anterior stability than that with performing the transtibial technique.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Biomechanics ; Knee

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to investigate of newborn babies sex ratio in Seoul Seong Ae hospital and review of future problem. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the 21,332 cases of deliveries in women visiting at Seoul Seong Ae hospital from Jannuary 1994 to December 2003 (10 year's period). We investigated 1st baby and 2nd baby sex ratio and in case of 3rd baby, subdividing then into tree groups (first and second are female, first and second are male, first and second are male and female). We arranged the data at the base of childbirth registers and patients' obligation records. RESULTS: The results were as follows, 1. The total sex ratio in last 10 years was 111.2:100 (male:female). 2. 1st baby sex ratio was 109.2:100. 3. 2nd baby sex ratio was 110.6:100. 4. 3rd baby sex ratio was 133:100. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that unbalance of sex ratio in 3rd baby is extremely serious trend in this country and is expected a tremendous social problems in early 21th century.
Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Male ; Parturition ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul* ; Sex Ratio* ; Social Problems

Perforation of the choroid and retina during strabismus surgery is fairly common and optimal management of global perforation is contoversial. The authorsinvestigated the histological changes of the rabbit eyes to compare the treatment effects of diode laser photocoagulation, cryotreatment, and nontreatment in experimentally perforated rabbit eyes.We perforated the globe of 6 pigmented rabbits (12 eyes)and treated four eyes with diode laser and four with cryotherapy and did not treat the remaining four.Proliferation of stromal cells and chorioretinal adhesion were seen in untreated eyes. The cryotherapy eyes revealed retinal destruction and pigment-laden cells in all retinal layers.The eyes treated by diode laser showed firm chorioretinal adhesion and relatively well preserved inner layers of retina.We concluded that directed diode laser photocoagulation was a safe and effective method of retinopexy to prevent the retinal detachment after globe perforation durng strabismus surgery.
Choroid ; Cryotherapy ; Lasers, Semiconductor ; Light Coagulation ; Rabbits ; Retina ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinaldehyde ; Strabismus ; Stromal Cells

Systemic lupus ertthematosus(SLE) is a prototypic autoimmune disease characterized by the production of antibodies to components of the cell nucleus in association with a diverse array of clinical manifestations. Infection is a major source of morbidity and mortality in parients whth SLE. Although the most frequent etiologic agents are pyogenic organisms such as Staphylococcus species and Echerichia coli, opportunistic pathogens such as uncommon bacteria, fungal organisms, viruses and protozoans have been described. Cases of osteomyelitis due to Salmonella have been reported worldwide, however, it has never been reported in the Korean literature. A 35-year-old female patient with SEL, who has treated with corticosteroid was complicated by osteomyelitis on the life distar femur. A computerized tomography guided aspiration showed greenish yellow pus. Salmonella enteritidis was cultured from the pus. Incision and pus drainage was performed. After 6weeks of antiboitic theraphy, fever, local heat, and swelling improved and she was discharged. We report this patient with a review of relevant literatures.
Adult ; Antibodies ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Bacteria ; Cell Nucleus ; Drainage ; Female ; Femur ; Fever ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Mortality ; Osteomyelitis* ; Salmonella enteritidis ; Salmonella* ; Staphylococcus ; Suppuration