The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinically and histopathologically the effects to the periodontal tissue in rats after Cyclosporin A(CsA) administration and to determine whether there is a relationship between dosage of CsA or blood CsA level and the severity of gingival overgrowth in rats. Twenty 6-week-old Sprauge-Dawley rats were randomized into 4groups. The control group received olive oil only and the test groups received daily CsA in olive oil via gastric feeding for 6weeks at a 3,10, and 30 mg/Kg. Rats were weighed to evaluate the systemic effect of drug and stone models were made from alginate impressions of upper and lower anterior region at 2-week interval. On completion of oral CsA administration, blood were collected and blood CsA levels were quantitated by TDxFLx analyzer. Rats were sacrificed and their upper and lower jaws were removed together with the surrounding gingiva and soft tissue for light microscopic examination. The results were as follows: 1. The weight gain of CsA-treated rats was much less than of the control group and central incisors were gradually displaced and separated in the test groups. 2. The extensive fibrovascular proliferation and scattered inflammatoy infiltrates in an edematous stroma were observed in enlarged gingiva of CsA-treated rats. 3. The increase in buccolingual, mesiodistal dimension of the anterior teeth and vertical height of the interdental papilla showed dose-dependent manner in CsA-treated rats. 4. Significant positive correlation exists between blood CsA level and the severity of gingival overgrowth in anterior teeth. This result indicates that the severity of gingival enlargement in CsA treated rats is correlated with dosage of CsA administration and blood CsA level.
Animals ; Cyclosporine* ; Gingiva ; Gingival Overgrowth* ; Incisor ; Jaw ; Olea ; Rats* ; Tooth ; Weight Gain ; Olive Oil

BACKGROUND: High frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) which can be replaced conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) is another method in respiratory care. But, each one has weakness. This study was designed to determine whether combined HFJV with CMV is more prominent than HFJV on cardiopulmonary system. METHOD: Korean mongrel dogs (n=11) were induced with thiopental sodium 10 mg/Kg, intravenously. Tracheal intubation was performed, and CMV (respiratory rate 30/min, VT 10 ml/Kg, FiO2 1.0) was applied. After placement of monitors, arterial blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), central venous pressure (CVP), cardiac output (CO), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) were measured for control values on steady state of vital signs. Thereafter, HFJV was done using respiratory rate 120/min, inspiratory time 30 %, driving pressure 40 psi for 60 min (examed at time of 15, 30, 60 min), and then CMV was supplemented to HFJV using VT 10 ml/Kg, respiratory rate 8, 4, 2, 1, 0.5/min for 150 min (examed at time of 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 min). All values were measured and analyzed on suggested times according to the different ventilatory modes. RESULT: Arterial BP, HR, CO, CVP and PCWP were not changed significantly during the 60 minutes of HFJV. PaCO2 was increased significantly from 33+/-9 mmHg to 45+/-12 mmHg (p<0.05) and arterial pH was decreased significantly from 7.39+/-0.10 to 7.29+/-0.11 (p<0.05) after 60 minutes of HFJV. PaO2 was not changed for HFJV. Variables (BP, HR, CO, CVP and PCWP) were not changed significantly after combined HFJV with CMV at each respiratiry rates. Elevated PaCO2 at the 60 minutes of HFJV was normalized after combined HFJV with CMV at respiratory rate of 8, 4, 2, 1, 0.5/min. (p<0.05) and decreased pHa was also normalized (p<0.05) after combined HFJV with CMV at respiratory rate of 8, 4, 2, 1/min. PaO2 was not changed for the time which we combind HFJV with CMV. CONCLUSION: The combinded HFJV with CMV makes expected arterial oxygenation and prevents accumulation of arterial carbon dioxide without depressive effect on cardiovascular system, when tidal volume of CMV is 10 ml/Kg and the respiratory rate is above 1/minute. So, this study suggests that the combined HFJV with CMV may be applied to respiratory failure effectively.
Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Carbon Dioxide ; Cardiac Output ; Cardiovascular System ; Central Venous Pressure ; Dogs* ; Heart Rate ; High-Frequency Jet Ventilation* ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Intubation ; Oxygen ; Pulmonary Wedge Pressure ; Respiration, Artificial* ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Respiratory Rate ; Thiopental ; Tidal Volume ; Vital Signs

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular failure (LVF) after an acute myocardial infarction occurs during the perioperative period, and since this condition can lead to severe complications, intensive care is required for the patient. LVF is characterized hemodynamically by a raised left heart filling pressure and volume and global depression of the hearts pumping performance. Several effective drugs for patients with heart failure are catecholamines such as dopamine and dobutamine, vasodilators such as nitroglycerin and nitroprusside, and noncatecholamine inotropes such as amrinone, which are either infused alone or in combination. However, as of now, there has been no study as to clarifying either the exact dosage, drug combination, or how they affect the heart. METHODS: By inducing a state of experimental acute left ventricular failure in 20 dogs through ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, this study compared the hemodynamic parameters of two treatment groups-one group using amrinone alone (bolus 1 mg/kg, continuous infusion 15micro gram/kg/min), and another group using a combination of dopamine (10micro gram/kg/min) and nitroglycerin (2micro gram/kg/min). RESULTS: Cardiac output of dogs with postinfarct heart failure increased in both treatment groups. But, there was a significant decrease in systemic vascular resistance, pulmonary vascular resistance and left ventricular end diastolic pressure in the group treated with amrinone than dopamine-nitroglycerin. Amrinone also revealed a favorable effect on oxygen utility. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that amrinone might be more effective than the combination of dopamine and nitroglycerin for acute left ventricular failure in terms of myocardial function, hemodynamic stability and oxygen utility.
Amrinone* ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiac Output ; Catecholamines ; Coronary Vessels ; Depression ; Dobutamine ; Dogs* ; Dopamine ; Heart Failure* ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Critical Care ; Ligation ; Myocardial Infarction ; Nitroglycerin ; Nitroprusside ; Oxygen ; Perioperative Period ; Vascular Resistance ; Vasodilator Agents ; Ventricular Function

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular failure (LVF) after an acute myocardial infarction occurs during the perioperative period, and since this condition can lead to severe complications, intensive care is required for the patient. LVF is characterized hemodynamically by a raised left heart filling pressure and volume and global depression of the hearts pumping performance. Several effective drugs for patients with heart failure are catecholamines such as dopamine and dobutamine, vasodilators such as nitroglycerin and nitroprusside, and noncatecholamine inotropes such as amrinone, which are either infused alone or in combination. However, as of now, there has been no study as to clarifying either the exact dosage, drug combination, or how they affect the heart. METHODS: By inducing a state of experimental acute left ventricular failure in 20 dogs through ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, this study compared the hemodynamic parameters of two treatment groups-one group using amrinone alone (bolus 1 mg/kg, continuous infusion 15micro gram/kg/min), and another group using a combination of dopamine (10micro gram/kg/min) and nitroglycerin (2micro gram/kg/min). RESULTS: Cardiac output of dogs with postinfarct heart failure increased in both treatment groups. But, there was a significant decrease in systemic vascular resistance, pulmonary vascular resistance and left ventricular end diastolic pressure in the group treated with amrinone than dopamine-nitroglycerin. Amrinone also revealed a favorable effect on oxygen utility. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that amrinone might be more effective than the combination of dopamine and nitroglycerin for acute left ventricular failure in terms of myocardial function, hemodynamic stability and oxygen utility.
Amrinone* ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiac Output ; Catecholamines ; Coronary Vessels ; Depression ; Dobutamine ; Dogs* ; Dopamine ; Heart Failure* ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Critical Care ; Ligation ; Myocardial Infarction ; Nitroglycerin ; Nitroprusside ; Oxygen ; Perioperative Period ; Vascular Resistance ; Vasodilator Agents ; Ventricular Function

A healthy 35-year-old man who was scheduled for closed reduction of nasal bone fracture developed atrial fibrillation during induction of general anesthesia after intravenous glycopyrrolate injection. During emergence of general anesthesia, atrial fibrillation was suddenly changed to paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia with 200 beat per minute and lasted for about 10 seconds. Because blood pressure was stable, esmolol was used to reduce ventricular response. At recovery room, ventricular response reduction about 55 beat per minute was observed after intravenous injection of verapamil 5 mg. Thereafter, the rhythm was returned to normal sinus rhythm with bradycardia.
Anesthesia, General ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Blood Pressure ; Bradycardia ; Glycopyrrolate ; Injections, Intravenous ; Nasal Bone ; Propanolamines ; Recovery Room ; Tachycardia, Paroxysmal ; Tachycardia, Supraventricular ; Verapamil

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that kidney transplant recipients' quality of life depend on compliance of treatment, family support, socioeconomic status. The purpose of this study was to determine whether estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study as a index of graft function influence recipients' quality of life including above mentioned factors. METHODS: One hundred and ten patients who visited out-patient department at least 3 months after kidney transplantation were included in this study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. This tool included; quality of life, compliance and family support scale as well as medical record review. The analysing of data was performed with SPSS version 11.5 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: The mean score of the recipients' quality of life (3.59/5), compliance (3.81/5), the support of family (4.02/5) and GFR (63 ml/min/1.73 m2) were revealed respectively. The quality of life was correlated with compliance (r=.260, P<.001) and family support (r=.377, P<.001) statistically. and compliance and family support also revealed correlation (r=.452, P<.001). Family support was the most explainable factor for the quality of life (R2=.142). however, the quality of life was not correlated with recipients' GFR (r=.013 P=0.819). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study showed that kidney transplant recipients had a moderate quality of life. These findings suggest that emotional aspect like family support is as important as clinical factors such as GFR or compliance for recipients' quality of life. To optimize post-transplant quality of life, implication for interventional programming should be focused on family support.
Chicago ; Compliance ; Diet ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Medical Records ; Outpatients ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Social Class ; Transplants

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) is often considered to be benign and it is also considered to be a manifestation of generalized atherosclerosis that involves the aortic valve. However, it is associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a population-based study. This study was performed to evaluate the significance of AVS in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with AVS (AVS group, n=111) and patients with normal aortic valves (control group, n=99) who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) between May, 2004 and June, 2004 were enrolled in this study. We compared the CAG findings and the CAD risk factors in both groups, and we evaluated the diagnostic value of AVS for predicting CAD. We also performed multivariate logistic regression analysis for the risk factors, including AVS, of CAD. RESULTS: This study showed that AVS is an independent echocardiographic predictor of significant CAD in the patients with suspected CAD (OR=2.55, 95% CI: 1.25 to 5.17, p<0.001). The other independent predictors include the male gender and hypertension. AVS has a relatively high positive predictive value (75.7%) and predictive accuracy (65.2%) for the patients with suspected CAD. CONCLUSION: The recognition of AVS on transthoracic echocardiography should alert the physicians to the possibility of significant underlying CAD and further evaluation is indicated, even though angiographic documentation might not be available.
Aortic Valve* ; Atherosclerosis ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Disease ; Coronary Vessels* ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mortality ; Risk Factors* ; Sclerosis*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Little data exist relating to the mechanism of myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery ectasia (CAE). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fractional flow reserve (FFR), as an index of myocardial ischemia, in patients with CAE. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ten patients (7 males, 54.0+/-12.6 years) who diagnosed as CAE, by coronary angiographies, between March 2002 and July 2002, were analyzed. The clinical diagnosis of all the patients was unstable angina. FFR were performed using a pressure wire on the patients diagnosed with slow flow CAE from their coronary angiograms. After measurement of the baseline FFR using adenosine 20 microgram for the right coronary artery, and 24 microgram for the left anterior descending artery, the changes in the FFR with 500 microgram of intracoronary nitrate and 2 mg of Nicorandil were observed. RESULTS: Smoking was the most frequently associated risk factor. Type I CAE, according to Markis' classification, was the most prevalent at 60.0%. The values of the baseline FFR in the left anterior descending artery and right coronary artery, following the intracoronary injection of adenosine were both normal, and there were no significant changes in the FFR following the intracoronary injections of nitrate and Nicoronadil. CONCLUSION: The value of the FFR with CAE was normal, and an intracoronary injection of vasodilators did not change the FFR in patients with CAE. Therefore, vasodilator therapy might be beneficial for patients with symptomatic CAE.
Adenosine ; Angina, Unstable ; Arteries ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Classification ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Disease ; Coronary Vessels* ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation, Pathologic* ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Nicorandil* ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Vasodilator Agents

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Little data exist concerning the clinical outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and angiographically normal coronary arteries (NCA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome, the etiological factors and prognosis of these patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were divided into two groups according to findings from coronary angiograms performed between January 1999 and December 2001, Group 1 : comprised of 46 patients, 34 males and 12 females, with a mean age of 50.4+/-11.9 years, had AMI with NCA ; Group II : 181 patients, 143 males and 38 females, with a mean age of 59.0+/-10.3 years, with AMI and total occlusion of the coronary arteries. RESULTS: The percentages of smoking and hypertension were similar between the two groups ; a higher prevalence rates of hyperlipidemia and diabetes were observed in group II compared to group I (p=0.03, 0.01). In group I, coronary spasm, combined inflammatory diseases and embolization were demonstrated in 32.6, 6.5 and 4.3% of subjects, respectively. The left ventricular ejection fraction was higher in group I than group II (51.5+/-11.3% vs. 46.2+/-10.5%, p=0.006). In-hospital outcomes, with the combined end-point defined as death, re-infarction and stroke was 0% in group I vs. 7.7% in group II (p=0.07). The mean long-term survival rate during the 26.5-month clinical follow-up were 100 and 92.2% in groups I and II (p=0.04), respectively. CONCLUSION: A coronary spasm is the most common cause of AMI with NCA, but these patients had the higher long-term clinical event-free survival.
Coronary Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spasm ; Stroke ; Stroke Volume ; Survival Rate

Scrub typhus develops after the individual is bitten by a trombiculid mite infected with Orientia tsutsugamushi. Since it has been reported that pneumonia is frequently observed in patients with scrub typhus, we investigated whether intranasal (i.n.) vaccination with the outer membrane protein of O. tsutsugamushi (OMPOT) would induce a protective immunity against O. tsutsugamushi infection. It was particular interest that when mice were infected with O. tsutsugamushi, the bacteria disseminated into the lungs, causing pneumonia. The i.n. vaccination with OMPOT induced IgG responses in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. The anti-O. tsutsugamushi IgA Abs in BAL fluid after the vaccination showed a high correlation of the protection against O. tsutsugamushi. The vaccination induced strong Ag-specific Th1 and Th17 responses in the both spleen and lungs. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated that i.n. vaccination with OMPOT elicited protective immunity against scrub typhus in mouse with O. tsutsugamushi infection causing subsequent pneumonia.