BACKGROUND: Many studies reported that endothelium-dependent vasodilator response is impaired in patients with congestive heart failure. But the opposite results also were reported. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of endothelial dysfunction and its characteristics. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forearm blood flow was measured in 12 patients with congestvie heart failure (7 males and 5 females, mean age 53+/-11 years old) and 10 normal control subjects (5 males and 5 females, mean age 41+/-10 years old) using strain-gauge plethysmography. The endothelium-dependent vasodilators were acetylcholine (7.5, 15, and 30 microgram/min), which uses a pertussis toxin-sensitive signal transduction pathway, and bradykinin (100, 200, and 400 ng/min), which uses a pertussis toxin-insensitive signal transduction pathway to activate nitric oxide production. Sodium nitroprusside (0.8, 1.6, and 3.2 microgram/min) was used as an endothelium-independent vasodilator. All drugs were infused into the brachial artery with random order. RESULTS: The basal forearm blood flow was similar between both groups. The maximum flow in response to acetylcholine, bradykinin, and sodium nitroprusside was also similar in two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with congestive heart failure showed normal endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses to both acetylcholine and to bradykinin. This finding indicates that the endothelial vasodilator function is normal in the patients with heart failure.
Acetylcholine ; Brachial Artery ; Bradykinin ; Endothelium ; Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Female ; Forearm ; Heart Failure* ; Humans ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitroprusside ; Plethysmography ; Signal Transduction ; Vasodilation* ; Whooping Cough

No abstract available.
Intussusception*

No abstract available.
Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* ; Korea*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Delusions* ; Hallucinations* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Subclavian Artery* ; Thoracic Outlet Syndrome* ; Thromboembolism*

PURPOSE: It is well known that linear growth in diabetic children is closely related to metabolic control and age of onset. Some studies showed growth retardation in diabetic children regardless of the degree of metabolic control, whereas others reported no growth impairment. Until now, no study has been done comparing linear growth between type 1 and type 2 diabetic children. Therefore, we compared the growth and weight status between type 1 and type 2 diabetic children. METHODS: 145 children with type 1 DM and 27 patients with type 2 DM were studied. Their growth status in height standard deviation score(HTSDS), obesity according to standard weight for height and body mass index(BMI), and HbA1c level at onset, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years and 5 years after treatment were compared. RESULTS: There was no distinct correlation in HTSDS in type 1 and type 2 DM, but in type 2 DM obesity according to standard weight for height and BMI was higher than in type 1 DM. deltaHTSDS 5 years after treatment of diabetic children with poor glycemic control were significantly decreased(P<0.05), but there was no significant correlation between HbA1c and obesity according to standard weight for height and BMI. CONCLUSION: There is no significant correlation between the type of diabetes and growth status, but the poor glycemic controled group showed a significant decrease in deltaHTSDS. These data suggest that the growth of diabetic children could be impaired in the case of poor glycemic control and long duration of diabetes.
Age of Onset ; Child* ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Humans ; Obesity

We present a case of eccrine spiradenoma occurring on the trunk in a 33 year old woman. She developed a pea sized, pinkish tender nodule on the anterior chest 8 years ago. On histologic examination, there were several lobules surrounded by thin connective tissue septa in dermis. The lobules themselves consisted of small dark staining cells and large pale-staining cells, forming solid cords or ducts.
Adult ; Connective Tissue ; Dermis ; Female ; Humans ; Peas ; Thorax

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Unfortunately, the frequency of breast cancer and mastectomy are increasing in Korea. The purpose of the study is to analyze the results of breast reconstruction using free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous(TRAM) flap and to suggest the operative technique for more satisfactory results. 19 patients underwent immediate breast reconstruction from 1990 to 1998, and we experienced 2 cases of bilateral immediate reconstruction of breasts following mastectomy. We have performed the free TRAM flaps based on the deep inferior epigastric vessels using microvascular technique. TRAM flap included very small portion of rectus sheath and muscle-so called muscle sparing technique. So it reduced markedly donor site morbidity. The postoperative course of these cases was uneventful with minor complication. The free TRAM flap was an excellent method of immediate breast reconstruction using autogenous tissue and provided satisfactory outcome. The goals of the immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy are to restore body image, to achieve near normal shape of breast, and to reduce the complications. This paper represents our experience of immediate breast reconstruction using free TRAM flap, and technical options to get more satisfactory result and reduce the complications. We think this method could be regarded as the first choice for immediate breast reconstruction.
Body Image ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Mammaplasty* ; Mastectomy ; Rectus Abdominis* ; Tissue Donors

There is room for debate in appropriate diagnosis and treatment due to physiological and anatomical differences in pediatric facial bone fractures from that of adult's. The objectives of this article is to analyze for our clinical cases and to suggest the appropriate management of facial bone fracture in children. The study included 56 children who had treatment for the craniofacial fractures form March, 1990 to February, 1998. Their ages ranged from 3 to 15. There were 38 males and 18 females. Physical examination, simple x-rays, ultrasonograms and routine CT scans were used for diagnosis. Materials were classified into 28 nasal bone fractures, 4 nasoethmoidal fractures, 6 orbital fractures, 8 mandible fractures, and 10 zygoma fractures. Patients were treated with conservative treatment in 9 cases, with closed reduction in 28 cases and open reduction only, and 14 patients with open reduction and internal fixation using microplates and screws. 3 patients needed autogenous calvarial bone graft. Plates and screws were removed in postoperative 3-6 months. All patients had successful union of fractured bones without no specific complications, and normal bony growths were noticed during the 7 years follow up. We conclude that surgeons should be careful in diagnosis and management for the pediatric facial fracture due to anatomical variations and differences in fracture aspects. First, it is mandatory for surgeous to get accurate diagnosis and identify children's fracture and displacement through routine CT check up along with physical examination. Second, it is important to perform the minimally invasive technique or conservative treatment for the children with mild displacement so that it reduces the incidence of growth retardation which may be caused by extensive operation. However, application of rigid fixation is necessary in case of extensive bony displacement or bony defects because of poor coorporation in postoperative care. Third, plates and screws which were used for the internal fixation should be removed at 3-6 months after the surgery. Fourth, if bone graft is needed, it is better to use autogenous graft than allogeneous graft. Fifth, care for dentition and follow up for growth are necessary for growing children.
Child ; Dentition ; Diagnosis ; Facial Bones* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Mandible ; Nasal Bone ; Orbital Fractures ; Physical Examination ; Postoperative Care ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Transplants ; Ultrasonography ; Zygoma