OBJECTIVE: Lectins are cell-agglutinating and sugar specific proteins or glycoproteins of non-immune origin that precipitate glycoconjugates having saccharides of appropriate complementarity. Because of these properties, plant lectins have been used to help characterize the carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins in the zona pellucida (ZP) of several mammalian species including pigs. Treatment of oocytes with various lectins blocks sperm binding to the ZP in various mammalian species. This study was undertaken to examine the distribution of sugar residues in the ZP of pig oocytes matured in vitro and the ability of spermatozoa to bind to ZP and in vitro penetration in oocytes treated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled lectins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The lectins of Banderiaea simplicifolia (BS-II, bind to beta-D-Nacetylglucosamine), Canavalin ensiformis (Con A, bind to alpha-D-Mannose), Lens culinaris (LCA, bind to alpha-D-Mannose), Ricinus communis (RCA-I, bind to beta-D-Galactose) and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I, bind to alpha-L-Fucose) were examined for spermatozoa penetration, binding capacity to ZP and distribution of lectins. RESULTS: The penetration rates were significantry (p<0.05) higher in control oocytes (63%) than those treated with all lectins, but penetration rates (40~49%) were simililar in group treated with lectins. The incidence of monospermy was similar in oocytes untreated and UEA-I, but it was higher in oocytes treated with BS-II, Con A, RCA-I and LCA. The porcine oocytes cultured for 48 h in TC-199 medium were freed from cumulus cells and treated for 30 min with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled lectins. When examined under fluorescein illumination, higher (p<0.001) proportions of oocytes showed fluorescein of zona pellucida after treatment with Con A (93%), LCA (93%) and RCA-I (100%) than BS-II (37%) and UEA-I (50%). All of the oocytes treated with RCA-I exhibited strong fluorescein in the outer region of the zona pellucida while those treated with LCA exhibited strong fluorescein throughout the zona pellucida. BS-II bounded mainly to the outer region and UEA-I bounded mainly to the inner region of the zona pellucida, with either strong or weak fluorescein. At 120 min after insemination in vitro, fewer spermatozoa were bound to the zona pellucida of the oocytes treated with BS-II, Con-A and RCA-I. Of the lectins, Con A most inhibited sperm binding. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that beta-D-Galactose residues in the porcine zona pellucida may act as primary sperm receptors and inducers of the sperm acrosome reaction and these sugar residues may be involved in the block to polyspermy.
Acrosome Reaction ; Cumulus Cells ; Fluorescein ; Glycoconjugates ; Glycoproteins ; Herpes Zoster* ; Incidence ; Insemination ; Lectins* ; Lens Plant ; Lighting ; Oocytes ; Plant Lectins ; Ricinus ; Sperm-Ovum Interactions ; Spermatozoa ; Swine ; Ulex ; Zona Pellucida*

Broncholithiasis is uncommon in patients with silicosis. Bronchoesophageal fistula complicated by broncholithiasis is especially rare and only one case has been reported in Korea. Surgical treatment of broncholithiasis should be as conservative as possible to preserve the adequate pulmonary function. Meticulous dissection and division of the fistula with the interposition of viable tissues will prevent recurrence. We report a rare case of bronchoesophageal fistula complicated by broncholithiasis in a patient with silicosis.

BACKGROUND: Prolongation of the neuromuscular block of mivacurium can occur when there is a genetic deficiency of the enzyme or in the presence of anticholinesterase (AntiChE) which inhibit the activity of the enzyme. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacies of cholinesterase, AntiChE (neostigmine, pyridostigmine), and 4-aminopyridine in reversing mivacurium block, using the phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation of a rat. METHODS: Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats (200~300 g) were anesthetized with peritoneal injection of 2.5% thiopental 5~10 ml. After a stable twitch and train-of-four responses were established for at least 30 minutes in each preparation, incremental dose of mivacurium was added to obtain 90~95% inhibition of control twitch height. The effects of 0.1 and 1.0 u/ml of horse pseudocholinesterase (pChE, Sigma), 0.1 and 1.0 g/ml of neostigmine, 0.2 and 2.0 g/ml of pyridostigmine, and 1.6, 16 g/ml of 4-aminopyridine (P.B.I) on reversal of mivacurium block were tested. The effects of 0.1 g/ml of neostigmine, or 0.2 g/ml of pyridostigmine with and without 0.1 or 1.0 u/ml of pChE following mivacurium were also tested. RESULTS: In reversing mivacurium block, single twitch and TOF ratios were recovered completely with pChE but not with antiChEs or 4-aminopyridine (p<0.05). Second set of experiments showed that antiChE mixed with pChE had a tendency to recover faster (p<0.05). The comparable recovery patterns of pChE 0.1u/ml alone and neostigmine 0.1 g/ml with pChE 0.1u/ml in our study, indicated that neostigmine would prolong the mivacurium block especially in the presence of hereditary or acquired defects of pChE activity. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that pChE 1.0 u/ml with and without antiChE were equally effective in reversing neuromuscular block of mivacurium. If these results can be extrapolated to human, it is unlikely that mivacurium block is potentiated by antiChE that may slow its metabolism.
4-Aminopyridine* ; Animals ; Cholinesterases ; Diaphragm* ; Horses ; Humans ; Metabolism ; Neostigmine ; Neuromuscular Blockade* ; Pseudocholinesterase* ; Pyridostigmine Bromide ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thiopental

BACKGROUD: It is generally acknowledged that a close relationship exists between chronic alcohol abuse and the occurrence of alcohol withdrawal seizure(AWS). About one third of AWS patients have been reported to be followed by delirium tremens (DT). OBJECTIVES: We assessed the factors that have influence on the development of DT in AWS patients. METHODS: We investigated clinical features and laboratory findings of 39 AWS patients who were admitted. The following factors were analyzed ; duration of alcohol intake, interval from last drinking to onset of AWS, interval from AWS to treatment, number of seizure, fever, laboratory findings (Mg, K, Na, Ca, P, respiratory alkalosis). RESULT: Fourteen patients developed DT(35.8%). There was fever in 36% of AWS patients with DT(5/14) and in 8% of AWS patients without DT(2/25). Number of seizure (p<.05) and interval from AWS to treatment(p<.01) showed statistically significant difference. But other factors were insignificant statistically. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that number of seizure and interval from AWS to treatment seem to be significantly related to the development of DT in AWS patients.
Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium* ; Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures* ; Alcoholism ; Delirium* ; Drinking ; Fever ; Humans ; Risk Factors* ; Seizures ; Seizures, Febrile

This report describes a case of traumatic psuedoaneurysm of the right posterior auricular artery resulting from injury sustained during a fall. The literature describing these rare complications of the scalp injury is also reviewed, and the diagnosis and treatment of this rare case are discussed.
Aneurysm, False* ; Arteries* ; Diagnosis ; Scalp

Giant cell tumor which is arisen at vertebra is rare and this tumor of the cervical vertebra has been very rarely reported tumor which is less than 1% of all giant cell tumor. When the treatment option is considered, the curretage is often selected rather than total resection because the anatomic relationship of adjacent structures is complicated and there are major vessels and organs around the cervical vertebra. The prognosis of this tumor is decided by degree of resection so, total sponylectomy should be considered as primary surgical option. We report a case of cervical giant cell tumor in which the total spondylectomy was performed successfully and discuss the feasibility of this procedure at cervical region.
Giant Cell Tumors* ; Giant Cells* ; Prognosis ; Spine*

No abstract available.
Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus* ; Herpes Zoster*

Polyacrylamide gel (PAAG) has been used for augmentation mammoplasty in certain countries, such as China or Eastern European countries. However, owing to various complications, its use is currently banned in most countries. Nevertheless, because of the migratory stream of female from these countries, we also encounter patients with PAAG mammoplasty in Korea. Owing to the various imaging features of PAAG mammoplasty, it may interfere with the identification of malignancy or other pathologic conditions. Therefore, it is important to identify the imaging findings related to PAAG mammoplasty. However, there is limited literature on the radiologic findings of complications related to PAAG mammoplasty in Korea. Herein we report four cases of PAAG mammoplasty, the complications faced, and depict various radiologic features through multimodality imaging.

Background: This retrospective study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the 8-French (Fr) catheter (Pleuracan(R)) for the initial treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between July 2004 and July 2006, 59 patients (72 cases) underwent a closed thoracostomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax. We divided these patients into two groups: group T (large bore (>20 Fr) chest tube group) and group P (Pleuracan(R) group). RESULT: Initially, the Pleuracan(R) catheters were inserted in 41 cases. There were four catheter malfunctions (9.8%); three cases had a subsequent closed thoracostomy with a large bore chest tube. Ultimately, there were 34 cases in group T and 38 cases in group P. There were no significant differences in indwelling catheter time (T: 2.1+/-1.5 days, P: 2.1+/-1.3 days), hospital stay (T: 6.4+/-5.4 days, P: 5.2+/-2.9 days) and complications (T: 3%, P: 0%) between the two groups. The percentage of cases that needed intravenous analgesics in group P was 60% (23/38); this was significantly lower than the number for group T (90%, 31/34) (p=0.003). In a subgroup of patients that did not undergo bullectomy (T: 17 cases, P: 19 cases), there were no significant differences in the duration of air leakage (T: 0.5+/-0.7 days, P: 0.5+/-1.2 days) and in the percentage of patients with complete lung re-expansion (T: 94%, P: 84%) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Application of the Pleuracan(R) catheter for the initial treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax was as effective as the large bore chest tube.
Analgesics ; Catheters* ; Catheters, Indwelling ; Chest Tubes ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Lung ; Pneumothorax* ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracostomy

BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation is the most frequently arrhythmic complication associated with coronary artery bypass graft surgery. This study was designed to investigate the incidence of atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing OPCAB and on-pump CABG and to identify the risk factors associated with its development. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 247 consecutive patients were evaluated among 306 patients who underwent the coronary artery bypass graft surgery between January, 2002 and December, 2005. 178 patients underwent OPCAB (OPCAB group) and 69 patients underwent On-pump CABG (On-pump CABG group). The incidence and the risk factors of atrial fibrillation in two groups were determined. RESULT: There were no significant differences between two groups with respect to the preoperative demographic characteristics of the patients. The incidences of postoperative atrial fibrillation were 25 cases (14%) in OPCAB group and 15 cases (21%) in On-pump CABG group. Age over 65 years, net positive fluid imbalance for postoperative 3 days, and chest tube bleeding for postoperative 3 days were independent predictive factors in OPCAB group. Age over 65 years and net positive fluid imbalance for postoperative 3 days were independent predictive factors in On-pump CABG group. In multivariate analysis, age over 65 years was the only risk factor of postoperative atrial fibrillation in both groups. CONCLUSION: Atrial fibrillation is a common complication after procedures of myocardial revascularization. There wasn't a low incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in OPCAB, compared with On-pump CABG. Age over 65 years was associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation irrespective of the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Chest Tubes ; Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Multivariate Analysis ; Myocardial Revascularization ; Risk Factors* ; Transplants