In order to observe the development of ventricular arrhythmia during regional myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, especially under the presence or absence of ST-T electrical alternans on epicardial EKG. The proximal left descending coronary artery(LAD) was ligated for 20 minutes and then reperfused suddenly in twenty-three cats. Standard lead EKG(Lead??, chest lead EKG and epicardial lead EKG were recorded simultaneously during the occlusion and reperfusion respectively. During the ligation of LAD, STEA was observed in thirteen cats(56.5%). In occlusion period, the incidence of ventricular tachycardia in STEA positive group was significantly higher than in the negative group(p<0.01) and arrhythmic score was significantly higher(p<0.005) also In the reperfusion period the incidence of vefntricular fibrillation in STEA positive group was significantly higher than in the negative group(p<0.025). But there was the tendency to be higher in arrhythmic score of STEA positive group. There were no differences in heart rate, systolic left ventricular pressure, ST elevation and ST width in both groups. Most forms of ST-T of sinus rhythm before and after development of ventricular premature beat was low form(L). It was concluded that at the presence of STEA on EKG, the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia was more prevalent. So, STEA can be available as a marker of ventricular arrhythmia and prognostic factor.
Animals ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac* ; Cardiac Complexes, Premature ; Cats ; Electrocardiography* ; Heart Rate ; Incidence ; Ligation ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Reperfusion ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Thorax ; Ventricular Pressure

A major problem in the repair of the torn Achilles tendon has been providing the restoration of the anatomic continuity such that virtually normal plantar flexion power and ankle mobility result. Continuity should be restored without subsequent pain, disconfiguration, occupational limitations. If possible, postoperative complications, or tendon-rerupture should be avoided. Surgeons have long advocated the use of strips of facia and other tissues, including the plantaris tendon, to reinforce the repair of the torn Achilles tendon, The repair effected by these methods not infrequently is bulky and not too secure. Non-absorbable suture materials utilizing in the end to end anastomosis of the torn Achilles tendon cause sinus formation and discharge of suture materials. A secure method of repair for the tom Achilles tendon, which decreases sinus formation and is not bulky, should be required. The plantaris tendon, which has been used as a reinforcing material, can be utilized in the end-to-end anastomosis of the torn Achilles tendon by detaching from the muculotendinous junction. The 11 patients with the torn Achilles tendon were treated by end-to-end anastomosis using the plantaris tendon as suture material. The postoperative results were staisfactory without significant functional deficit and complication.
Achilles Tendon ; Ankle ; Humans ; Methods ; Postoperative Complications ; Surgeons ; Sutures ; Tendons

No abstract available.
Antibodies* ; Rheumatic Diseases*

BACKGROUND: It has been known that Ginseng extract causes the hypotensive action while it rather produces the hypertensive action. Some studies have suggested that Ginseng extract causes a biphasic response on blood pressure, namely, transient fall followed by prolonged elevation. It has been also shown that administration of Korean Red Ginseng powder has no effect on blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive rats. The present study was designed to examine the effect of total Ginseng saponin on contractile responses of vasoconstrictors in the rat aorta and to establish the mechanism of its action. METHODS: The ring segment of aorta was mounted in a muscle bath filled with oxygenated Krebs solution for the measurement of isometric tension. After the equilibration period, under the presence of total Ginseng saponin, isometric tension induced by some vasoconstrictors were observed and compared to the control responses. The data were expressed as % of the control tension. RESULTS: Phenylephrine (an adrenergic alpha1-receptor agonist) and high potassium (a membrane depolarizing agent) caused greatly contractile responses in the rat aorta, respectively. However, in the presence of total ginseng saponin (600 g/ml), the contractile responses of phenylephrine (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) and high potassium (3.5 x 10(-2) and 5.6 x 10(-2) M) were markedly potentiated whereas prostglandin F2alpha(5 x 10(-6) M)-induced contractile responses was not affected. The contractile responses induced by phenylephrine (10(-5) M) and high potassium (3.5 x 10(-2) M) even under the presence of total ginseng saponin (600 g/ml) were greatly inhibited by the pretreatment of nicardipine (10(-6) M), a calcium channel blocker. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these experimental results suggest that total ginseng saponin can enhance the contractile responses evoked by stimulation of adrenergic alpha1-receptor and the membrane depolarization in the isolated rat aortic strips, which seems to be associated to calcium influx.
Animals ; Aorta* ; Baths ; Blood Pressure ; Calcium ; Calcium Channels ; Membranes ; Nicardipine ; Oxygen ; Panax* ; Phenylephrine ; Potassium ; Rats* ; Saponins* ; Vasoconstriction ; Vasoconstrictor Agents*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Rectal carcinoid tumors can be resected with endoscopy, and it is important to assess their prognostic factors. We evaluated the potential of Ki-67 expression as a prognostic factor in rectal carcinoid tumors. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 37 patients with rectal carcinoid tumors who got endoscopic resection from January 2001 to January 2011 at Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital. We analyzed their endoscopic and histologic findings, Ki-67 expression, clinical outcome, and prognosis. RESULTS: The mean age (+/-SD) of the patients was 56.3+/-10.7 years, and the male : female ratio was 3.6:1. The mean tumor size was 0.5+/-0.4 cm, 33 patients showed grade 1 tumors (89.2%) and the average Ki-67 expression was 0.7+/-1.2%. Thirty five patients underwent endoscopic mucosal resection, and two required endoscopic submucosal dissection. Eight patients had positive margins after resection, but no cases of lymphovascular invasion were identified. The median follow-up duration was 21.4+/-25.4 months, and no recurrences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In low grade rectal carcinoid tumors which are lack of central depression on colonoscopy, the expression of a molecular marker of malignant potential, Ki-67, was low. Therefore, endoscopic resection seemed to be a safe and effective treatment for these tumors.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Carcinoid Tumor/*diagnosis/metabolism/pathology ; Colonoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ki-67 Antigen/*metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Rectal Neoplasms/*diagnosis/metabolism/pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors

BACKGROUND: Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia(PSVT) is frequently associated with ST segment depression or T-wave inversion. However, the mechanism of ST-T changes in the context of various mechanisms of PSVT is not clear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of ST depression or T-wave inversion during PSVT and determine whether these changes are related to the mechanism of PSVT or the rate of the tachycardia. METHODS: Twelve-lead electrocardiograms were recorded during sinus rhythm and during PSVT in 163 patients who underwent an electrophysiologic study for ablation. Tachycardia cycle length, presence of ST depression or T-wave inversion during PSVT and the mechanism of tachycardia were evaluated. Significant ST depression was defined as at least 1mm horizontal or downsloping depression, measured 80ms after the J point and T-wave inversion as inversion of T-wave which was positive in the same lead during sinus rhythm. RESULTS: 1) The mechanism of PSVT analysed for ST segment depression was atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia in 60 cases and atrioventricular reentry tachycardia in 111 cases. The mean tachycardia cycle length was 373.8+/-68.0 msec. 2) ST depression and T-wave inversion was observed during PSVT in 56%(96/171) and 45%(77/171) of cases, respectively. 3) Tachycardia cycle length, degree of ST depression and number of leads with ST depression are not different according to the mechanism of PSVT. 4) ST depression and tachycardia cycle length had significant correlation, especially in atrioventricular reentry tachycardia. 5) Leads with T-wave inversion during tachycardia was observed more frequently in atrioventricular reentry tachycardia than atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia(p<0.05), but no difference between manifest and concealed bypass tract. CONCLUSIONS: ST segment depression is rate-related phenomenon and not different according to the mechanism of PSVT. Leads with T-wave inversion during tachycardia was observed more frequently in atrioventricular reentry tachycardia.
Depression* ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Tachycardia* ; Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry ; Tachycardia, Supraventricular

No abstract available.
Arterial Occlusive Diseases/complications/*diagnosis/radiography ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Ileal Diseases/radiography/surgery ; Ileocecal Valve/blood supply ; Infarction/pathology/*surgery ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior/*radiography ; Middle Aged ; Thromboangiitis Obliterans/complications/*diagnosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is a life-threatening disease and surgical revascularization plays a major role in selected cases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the left ventricular contractility improvement by examining the wall motion score index (WMSI) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients who underwent surgical revascularization under diagnosis of acute MI. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January, 2001 to December, 2004, 149 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery within 2 weeks of acute MI were included. We evaluated pre- and postoperative left ventricular contractility by measuring WMSI and LVEF and examined the associating factors. RESULT: WMSI decreased from 1.54+/-4.30 to 1.43+/-0.40 (p<0.001) and LVEF increased from 48.1+/-12.2% to 49.7+/-12.3% after surgery (p=0.009). Off-pump technique, non-Q wave, anterior MI, and surgery within 7 days after MI were favorable factors for LVEF improvement (p=0.046, p=0.006, p=0.003, p= 0.005, respectively). Conversely, aforementioned factors were irrelevant with WMSI improvement. For triple vessel disease, complete revascularization was favorable factor for WMSI improvement (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Coronary artery bypass surgery can improve WMSI and LVEF in patients with acute MI. In case of anterior MI with non-Q wave, early surgical revascularization within 7 days may be most beneficial in LVEF improvement. Regarding WMSI, complete revascularization may be essential.
Coronary Artery Bypass ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Stroke Volume

OBJECTIVE: Mixed connective tissue disease(MCTD) was first described by Sharp and coworkers in 1972 as distinct rheumatic diseases characterized by the overlapping features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclcrosis (SSc) and dermatomyositis/polymyositis and associated with the serologic marker anti-nRNP antibody at high titer. METHODS: We reviewed 18 cases(all females) of MCTD who were admitted or visited to rheumatism center of Hanyang University Hopital, from October 1989 to September 1992. RESULTS: 1) The average age at onset of MCTD was 38.6 years. The average duration of the disease was 5.3 years. 2) Raynaud's phenomenon was found in 100%. Arthritis was found in 13 cases but rheumatoid factor was found in 15 cases. 3) Hand swelling was found in 15 cases and myositis was found in 56% (10 cases). 4) All patients with MCTD have anti-nRNP antibodies by high titer. In general, the titer does not correlate with disease activity. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggested that the clinical features of MCTD in Korean patients revealed similar to those of previous reports regarding foreign ethnic groups.
Antibodies ; Arthritis ; Connective Tissue ; Ethnic Groups ; Hand ; Humans ; Korea* ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Mixed Connective Tissue Disease* ; Myositis ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Rheumatoid Factor

BACKGROUND: The expression of adhesion molecules contribute to development of systemic diseases. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-l(VCAM-1) is an endothelial cell membrane glycoprotein that has been implicated in leukocyte/endothelial cell interactions in inflammation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize the surface expression and regulation of VCAM-1 on two different endothelial cells. METHOD: We examined the effects of the expression of VCAM-1 in two different endothelial cells, isolated from human umbilical cords and human glomerulus. Expression of VCAM-1 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and flow cytometry. RESULTS: In human umbilical cord endothelial cells(HUVECs), both interleukin-l B(IL-lB) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) increased VCAM-1 expression. VCAM-1 expression increased by TNF-a was higher than that increased by IL-lB. In human glomerular endothelial cells(HGECs), IL-lB and TNF-a markedly increased VCAM-1 expression. Conclusion. The regulation of VCAM-1 appears to be somewhat different in HGECs compared with HUVECs. These differences between the responsiveness of the two cells may possibly indicate inherent differences in endothelial cell derived from different vascular beds.
Cell Adhesion ; Cell Communication ; Cytokines* ; Endothelial Cells* ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans* ; Inflammation ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; Necrosis ; Umbilical Cord ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1*