No abstract available.
Embryonic Structures* ; Humans* ; Upper Extremity*

Assessment of Myocardial contractility is critically important task in the evaluation of patients with heart disease. In recent years many indices have been studied to evaluate myocardial inotropic state, applying the skeletal muscle mechanics to intact heart. Among such indices, Vmax(maximum velocity of shortening of the unloaded contractile elements) and Vpm(physiologic maximum observed velocity of myocardial shortening) provide a measure of myocardial contractility independent of preload or afterload. To obtain normal values in Korean adults, the left ventricular pressure data of 16 patients with normal physical activities were analyzed, using the digital computer. Seven patients had ventricular septal defect with Qp/Qs less than 2.0, one patient had mitral stenosis, another one patient had mitral stenosis and aortic regurgitation (grade I/IV and the remainder seven patients had no intrinsic cardiac disorder. But, the cardiac performances of all patients were apparently normal. The results were as follows: 1) Cardiac index was greater than 3.0 l/min/m2 in all patinets: 4.9+/-1.32(+/-S.D.)l.min/m2. 2) Ejection fraction was greater than 55% in all patients: 71.2+/-8.04(+/-S.D.)%. 3) Left ventricular end diastolic pressure(LVEDP) ranged from 3 mmHg to 12 mmHg. 4) Vmax: 48.1+/-9.41(+/-S.D.) sec(-1). 5) Vpm: 39.3+/-8.13(+/-S.D.) sec(-1).
Adult* ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Computers ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans ; Mechanics ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Motor Activity* ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Reference Values ; Ventricular Pressure

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation is one of the most prevalent arrhythmia with clinical significance. Recently, some subset of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was reported to be originated from a focal, rapidly firing source inside the large thoracic veins, such as pulmonary veins, superior vena cava and coronary sinus. The pulmonary veins are known to be the most frequent source of this type of atrial fibrillation. The proximal segment of pulmonary vein was reported to be made up with cardiac muscle cells. This study was performed 1)to define the characteristics of action potential of cardiac myocytes inside the rabbit pulmonary vein in single cell preparation, 2)to observe the changes in action potential and current activation to acetylcholine and isoproterenol, and 3)to compare these changes with those in atrial myocytes. METHOD AND RESULTS: In most of rabbit specimens, myocardial tissue extended over the pulmonary vein for a few millimeters(1-2.5mm). Single atrial myocyte and myocyte in pulmonary vein were successfully isolated. With using whole cell patch clamp technique, spontaneous activities of action potentials(APs) with diastolic depolarization were observed in 75% of pulmonary vein myocytes, in contrast to the absence of spontaneous activity in atrial myocytes. During spontaneous APs of pulmonary vein myocytes, the maximal diastolic potential was -50.5+/-6.5 mV and peak potential was 32.5+/-9.5 mV, and the frequency of APs was 1-2.5 Hz. During perfusion of isolated pulmonary vein myocytes with acetylcholine, resting membrane potential was hyperpolarized and spontaneous APs activity was markedly reduced or completely disappeared. These effects were observed in very low concentration of acetylcholine, even with 1-2 nM. The analysis of change of currents by applying step pulse revealed this response was mediated by activation of IK(ACh) and the current change was more prominent in pulmonary vein myocytes than atrial myocytes. The responses of these cells to isoproterenol were variable from increased spontaneous APs to inhibition of APs. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that pulmonary vein myocytes was another automatic pacemaking focus, same as sinoatrial nodal and Purkinje cells. These characteristics explain why focal atrial fibrillation was frequently initiated inside pulmonary veins.
Acetylcholine ; Action Potentials* ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Coronary Sinus ; Fires ; Isoproterenol ; Membrane Potentials ; Muscle Cells ; Myocytes, Cardiac* ; Perfusion ; Pulmonary Veins* ; Purkinje Cells ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Superior

We analyzed alcoholic extracts of herbs possessing anti-neosporal activity against Neospora (N.) caninum. To identify the chemical components of Sophora (S.) flavescens and Torilis (T.) japonica associated with anti-neosporal activity, specific fractions were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro activity of the fractions against N. caninum was then assessed. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to identify and quantify specific anti-neosporal molecules in the herbal extracts. Almost all HPLC fractions of S. flavescens and T. japonica had higher levels of anti-neosporal activity compared to the not treated control. Active constituents of the extracts were sophoridane, furosardonin A, and tetraisopropylidene-cyclobutane in S. flavescens; 5,17-beta-dihydroxy-de-A-estra-5,7,9,14-tetraene, furanodiene, and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-(CAS,1) in T. japonica.
Apiaceae/*chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coccidiostats/*chemistry ; Fruit/chemistry ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Neospora/*drug effects/growth & development ; Plant Extracts/*chemistry ; Plant Roots/chemistry ; Sophora/*chemistry

ABSTRACT: The present study was designed to investigate the possibility of restoring the testicular steroidogenic ability of the aged Brown Norway rats by administering luteinizing hormone (LH) and thyroxine (Thy). Rats of 3, 6, 12 months (M) of age (n = 8 per group) and four groups of 18 month old rats (n = 8 per group) were used. Eighteen month old rats were implanted subdermally with Alzet mini osmotic pumps containing saline (control), luteinizing hormone (LH, 24 microgram/day), thyroxine (Thy, 5 microgram/day) and LH and Thy (LH +Thy, 24 microgramday and 5 microgram/day), respectively for four weeks (i.e testing was done at 19 months). The results showed that the testis volume was unchanged among all treatment groups. The number of Leydig cell per testis was not significantly different among all treatment groups. The average volume of a Leydig cell was significantly decreased at 12 months, and a further reduction was observed at 19 months (saline-treated); values for 19 month LH-and-LH +Thy-treated rats were not significantly lower than those at 3 and 6 months of age. Testosterone secretory capacity per testis and per Leydig cell in vitro were significantly reduced concomitantly with age advancement from 6 to 19 months (saline-treated) of age. These values of LH-and Thy-treated 19 month old rats were similar to those at 12 months. LH +Thy-treated rats were equally capable to 3 and 6 month old rats in producing testicular testosterone in vitro in response to LH. Serum testosterone was unchanged from 3 M to 12 M rats but was reduced in 19M control rats. Both LH and Thy significantly raised these values above the 19M control levels, but they were still lower than the 3 M through 12 M levels. Additionally, LH +Thy significantly raised the serum testosterone levels to those of 12M rats, but these values were significantly lower than those of 3 M and 6 M rats. In summary, the present study demonstrated that the exogenous supplementation of LH and Thy was effective in restoring the steroidogenic potential of the aged Leydig cells; the most effective treatment was LH +Thy, which upgraded the capacity of aged testes to those of 3 and 6 months.
Animals ; Humans ; Infant ; Leydig Cells* ; Lutein* ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Male ; Norway* ; Rats* ; Testis ; Testosterone ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Hormones* ; Thyroxine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Although the various methods of pharyngolaryngeal closure after supraglottic partial laryngectomy(SPL) have been reported, the difference of postoperative function and complications has not been adequately analyzed. Therefore, We investigated the relationship between different pharyngolaryngeal closure methods and postoperative function and complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: According to the methods of pharyngolaryngeal closure, postoperative complications, decannulation day and postoperative day when to start oral feeding were retrospectively investigated on 22 patients who underwent SPL. We divided the patients into two groups according to the methods of pharyngolaryngeal closure. In cartilage group(13 cases), the closure of pharyngolaryngeal defect was done with direct suture between the thyroid cartilage and base of the tongue. In perichondrial group(9 cases), the closure was done between preserved thyroid perichondrium and base of the tongue. RESULTS: There was no case requiring either a gastrostomy or a persistent tube feeding in our series. Fistula occurred more often in perichodrial group(3 cases) than cartilage group(0 case). In one case of perichondrial group, total laryngectomy was performed because of a fistula. Also, aspiration pneumonia occurred more often in perichodrial group(2 cases) than cartilage group(0 case). Decannulation could be performed relatively earlier in cartilage group than in perichondrial group. Also, oral feeding could be performed relatively earlier in cartilage group than in perichondrial group. CONCLUSION: Direct approximation between cut margin of the thyroid cartilage and base of tongue was safe, time-saving and reliable method of pharyngolaryngeal closure after SPL.
Cartilage ; Enteral Nutrition ; Fistula ; Gastrostomy ; Humans ; Laryngectomy* ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Sutures ; Thyroid Cartilage ; Thyroid Gland ; Tongue

Patients with fixed orthodontic appliances frequently have increased levels of plaque accumulation leading to the possibility of gingivitis or enamel decalcification. Although many methods may be helpful in reducing dental plaque formation, the optimal mechanical removal of plaque is the most important factor during orthodontic treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an electric toothbrush (with a specially designed orthodontic brush head) compared to a manual toothbrush in controlling plaque and gingivitis for patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. Oral hygiene status was measured in thirty-four patients using a plaque index, a gingival index and a bleeding index, before and four weeks after the attachment of fixed orthodontic appliances. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: electric and manual toothbrush groups. Oral hygiene instruction was given according to the type of toothbrush used. The Braun Oral-B D9511 with Braun Oral-B Ortho OD 15-1 brush head was used as the electric toothbrush while the Butler G.U.M. 124 was given as the manual toothbrush. After four and eight weeks, oral hygiene status was measured again. Through a comparison between the electric and the manual toothbrush groups, the following results were obtained. 1. All oral hygiene indices showed an increasing tendency after four weeks of fixed orthodontic appliance. 2. All indices presented a decreasing tendency four and eight weeks after oral hygiene instruction. 3. In case of the gingival index and bleeding index, the decreasing tendency did not show a statistically significant difference between the electric and the manual toothbrush groups. 4. The decreasing tendency of plaque index presented a statistically significant difference between the two groups, showing that the electric toothbrush was more effective in terms of oral hygiene. These findings suggest that an electric toothbrush is useful to orthodontic patients with fixed appliances.
Dental Enamel ; Dental Plaque ; Gingivitis ; Head ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Oral Hygiene Index ; Oral Hygiene* ; Orthodontic Appliances ; Periodontal Index

Antiglobulin test-negative hemolytic anemia, thrombophilia, and marrow failure, such as aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndrome - refractory anemia (MDS-RA), are the primary clinical manifestations of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Here, we report on a case of a 56-year-old male patient diagnosed with PNH, MDS-RA, and immune hemolytic anemia (IHA). The patient was transferred to the hospital with an impression of hemolytic anemia and pulmonary embolism. Positive results were observed on direct and indirect antiglobulin tests, and alloantibody, anti-C and anti-e, autoantibodies were identified. In addition, C and e antigens were found in Rh subgrouping. Therefore, due to the presence of autoantibodies against C and e antigens, we assumed that the cause of IHA was autoimmune reaction. Spherocytosis, increased osmotic fragility test, and positivity on direct and indirect antiglobulin tests were not considered characteristics of PNH. Therefore, without the presence of pulmonary embolism and MDS-RA, it is possible that autoimmune hemolytic anemia was considered the only reason for the hemolytic anemia, and that PNH could be overlooked. In patients with PH, use of washed RBCs during transfusion is not necessary. PNH screening test is recommended for patients who have experienced a thromboembolic event and intravascular hemolysis or MDS-RA. In order to obtain accurate information regarding the percentage of GPI-AP-deficient RBCs, flow cytometric analysis should be performed prior to transfusion.
Anemia, Aplastic ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune ; Anemia, Refractory ; Autoantibodies ; Bone Marrow ; Coombs Test ; Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal ; Hemolysis ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; Osmotic Fragility ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Thrombophilia

Marfan syndrome may be associated with various cardiovascular complications, but expanding abdominal aneurysm is a relatively rare complication. A 32 year old male patient was admitted to S.N.U.H. because of pulsating abdominal mass and back pain. The patient was diagnosed as a case of expanding abdominal aortic aneurysm and annuloectasia of aorta due to Marfan syndrome. Abdominal aneurysm was located from 3 cm below the origin of left renal artery to left common iliac artery. Abdominal aneurysm was operated successfuly. The size of abdominal aneurysm was about 2815cm. The pathological findings of surgically removed abdominal aortic wall showed loss of elastic fibers and fragmentation of fibers in media. A case of expanding abdominal aortic aneurysm due to Marfan's syndrome was reported with a review of literatures.
Adult ; Aneurysm* ; Aorta ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; Back Pain ; Elastic Tissue ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; Male ; Marfan Syndrome* ; Renal Artery

No abstract available.
Ultrasonography*