No abstract available.
Obstetrics*

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the biomechanical properties of orthodontic rubber elastic materials. Latex bands, nylon-covered elastic threads and polyurethane-based elastic modules, delivering 205 +/- 10 grams force at 30mm stretching state were selected and stored separately in 3 environments-air (22+/-3degreesC), distilled water (37+/-1degreesC), or natural saliva (37+/-1degreesC). And, the amount of remaining force and permanent elongation of each sample were measured on Instron at interval of 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 1 week, and 2 weeks. So the data derived were analyzed statistically. The results were as follows: 1. Force decay and permanent elongation of all materials increased with time lapsed; elastic module, latex band and nylon-covered elastic thread in that order of the amount of force decay; elastic module, elastic thread, latex band in that order of the amount of permanent elongation. 2. Among environmental conditions, force decay and permanent elongation in natural saliva, most increased, and those in air, least increased. 3. There was a negative correlation between force decay and permanent elongation. 4. Force decay and permanent elongation were most affected by the material itself, time and environments in that order. 5. After 24 hours in saliva, the percentage of remaining force in elastic module was 51.9% (107.37grams); in latex band, 83.2%(172.62grams); in elastic thread, 85.0%(179.25grams). After 2 weeks in saliva, the percentage of remaining force in elastic module was 42.9%(88.75grams); in latex band, 74.5%(154.50grams); in elastic thread, 77.6%(163.75grams).
Latex ; Rubber* ; Saliva ; Water

TGF-beta is a polypeptide with multiple physiological functions in regulation of cell-to-cell interaction and in growth and development. The active form of vitmain D3, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1.25-(OH)2D3], is one of the most potent stimulators of osteoclastic acitivity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Vitamin D3 and/or TGF-beta on the periodontal ligament(PDL) cells. Human PDL cells were prepared from the first premolars extracted for the orthodontic treatment and were incubated in the environment of 37degrees C, 5% CO2 and 95% humidity. 10, 50 or 100ng/ml of 1,25-(OH)2D3. and 0.1, 1, 5 or 10ng/ml of TGF-1beta were administered to the culture wells, separately or in combination. And the viability of PDL cells was evaluated by MTT assay. The obtained results were as follows. 1. The viability of PDL cells in 10ng/ml of vitamin D3 was not significantly differenent from that of the control group at 1, 2 and 3-day of cultivation, but it was significantly increased in 50ng/ml of Vitamin D3 at 3-day and in IOOng/ml of Vitamin D3 at 2 and 3-day. 2. The viability of PDL cells in 0.lng/ml of TGF-beta was not significantly differenent from that of the control group at 1, 2 and 3-day of cultivation, but it was significantly increased in 1 and 5ng/ml of TGF-beta at 3-day of cultivation, and in l0ng/mi of TGF-beta at 2 and 3-day of cultivation. 3. In case of admixture of lng/ml of TGF-beta and the various concentrations of vitamin D3, the viability of PDL cells was significantly increased in the admixture of 1OOng/ml of vitamin D3 at 3-day of cultivation. 4. In case of admixture of 5ng/ml of TGF-beta and the various concentrations of vitamin D3, the viability of PDL cells began to be increased from 2-day of cultivation in the admixture of 10 50 and lOOng/ml of vitamin D3, but it was not maintained at 3-day in the admixture of lOng/m of vitamin D3. 5. In case of admixture of lOng/ml of TGF-beta and the various concentrations of vitamin D3, the viability of PDL cells was significantly increased in the admixture of 5Ong/mi of vitamin D3 at 2 and 3-day of cultivation, and in the admixture of lOOng/mi at 1, 2 and 3-day.
Bicuspid ; Calcitriol ; Cell Communication ; Cholecalciferol ; Growth and Development ; Humans* ; Humidity ; Osteoclasts ; Periodontal Ligament* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta* ; Vitamins*

Spinal block procedures are useful methods that reduce the need for surgical treatment. In addition to their therapeutic aspects of pain relief, in many patients, they are also used for diagnostic purposes to distinguish from symptoms originating from extra-spinal areas. Therefore, these procedures are the most basic technique for orthopedic surgeons dealing with diseases from limbs and spine. On the other hand, despite the simplicity of the instruments and drugs used, the overall understanding of them and the lack of knowledge of the possible side effects and complications can cause serious harm to the patient at the beginning of the trial. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the types of drugs used in the spinal block procedures, pharmacokinetic properties, and the side effects of each drug. In addition, efforts should be made to identify their indications, as well as advantages and disadvantages of each procedure to avoid possible complications. The purpose of this review was to provide basic knowledge and skills necessary for lumbar spinal block procedures as well as provide the reader with the ability to perform themselves.

Hypertension is a well known causative factor of congestive heart failure and other cardiovascular disease, and usually induce myocardial hypertrophy. Recent study shows that some antihypertensive drugs may reduce the hypertrophied cardiac mass reversibly. And over the past some decades, increasing attention was focused on these drugs. These drugs include methyldopa, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, calcium channel inhibitor, beta-adrenergic blocker, but diuretics and vasodilators were known not to reduce the hypertrophied ventricular mass. In this study, 46 hypertensive patients were managed by captopril, atenolol, or hydrochlorothiazide monotherapy. And wer estimated and follow up LV mass by echocardiography during 3 months. Captopril and atenolol group showed LV mass reduced, but hydrochlorothiazide group did not. LV mass was reduced more in captopril group than in atenolo group. In conclusion, we have been impressed by this study that diuretics monotherapy for hypertension shoud be reconsidered. And we concluded that drugs which can reduce myocardial mass shoud be chosen to control hypertension as a monotherapeutic drug or a additive drug.
Antihypertensive Agents ; Atenolol ; Calcium Channels ; Captopril ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Diuretics ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hydrochlorothiazide ; Hypertension* ; Hypertrophy ; Methyldopa ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Vasodilator Agents

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide is a short-lived effector molecule derived from L-arginine by the nitric oxide synthase(NOS). Nitric oxide plays a role in a number of physiologic and pathophysiologic functions including host defense, edema formation, and regulation of smooth muscle tone. Some kinds of cells including macrophage are known to produce large quantities of nitric oxide in response to inflammatory stimuli such as interleukin-1beta(IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma) and lipopolysaccharide(LPS). Reactive oxygen species are also known to be important in the pathogenesis of acute cell and tissue injury such as acute lung injury model. METHODS: Using the RAW264.7 cells, we have examined the ability of oxidant hydrogen peroxide(H2O2) to stimulate nitric oxide production and inducible NOS mRNA expression. Also, we have examined the effects of NOS inhibitors and antioxidants on H2O2 induced nitric oxide production. RESULTS: Stimulation of RAW264.7 cells with combinations of 100 ng/ml IL-1beta, 100 ng/ml TNF-alpha, and 100 U/ml IFN-gamma or 100 U/ml IFN-gamma and 1 microg/ml LPS induced the synthesis of nitric oxide as measured by the oxidation products nitrite(NO2-) and nitrate(NO3-). Addition of 250 microM- 2 mM H2O2 to the cytokines significantly augmented the synthesis of NO2- and NO3-(p<0.05). When cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of H2O2 in the presence of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma at constant level, the synthesis of NO2- and NO3- was dose-dependently increased(p<0.05). 3. NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME), dose dependently, significantly inhibited the formation of NO2- and NO3- in cells stimulated with LPS, IFN-gamma and H2O2 at constant level(p<0.05). 4. Catalase significantly inhibited the H2 O2-induced augmentation of cytokine- induced NO2- and NO3- formation(p<0.05). But, boiled catalase did not produce a significant inhibition in comparison with the native enzyme. Another antioxidant 2-mercaptoethanol and orthophenanthroline dose-dependently suppressed NO2- and NO3- synthesis(p<0.05). Northern blotting demonstrated that H2O2 synergistically stimulated the cytokine-induced iNOS mRNA expression in RAW264.7. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that H2O2 contributes to inflammatory process by augmenting the iNOS expression and nitric oxide synthesis induced by cytokines.
Acute Lung Injury ; Antioxidants ; Arginine ; Blotting, Northern ; Catalase ; Cytokines ; Edema ; Hydrogen Peroxide* ; Hydrogen* ; Macrophages* ; Mercaptoethanol ; Muscle, Smooth ; Necrosis ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II* ; Nitroarginine ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; RNA, Messenger ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

OBJECTIVE: Great advances have been made in the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART) since the first in vitro fertilization (IVF) baby was born in Korea. This study was designed to report on the current status of ART therapy in South Korea between January 1 and December 31 of 2010. METHODS: A revised survey, originally developed by the International Committee Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies, was sent to all available ART centers via email in 2013. Fresh embryo transfer (FET) cases were categorized into standard IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injections. These cases, the thawing embryo transfer (TET) cases, and other related procedures were surveyed. RESULTS: Data from 30,785 ART procedures were provided by 78 clinics. Of the 28,200 cycles in which oocytes were retrieved, 92.2% of these cycles were completely transferred. In addition, 8,075 cycles were confirmed to be clinical pregnancies in the FET cycles, which represent a pregnancy rate of 28.6% per oocyte pick-up and 31.1% per embryo transfer. The most common number of embryos transferred in the FET was three embryos (37.3%) followed by two embryos (36.3%) and one embryo (14.0%). Of the 6,648 TET cycles transferred, 2,356 clinical pregnancies were confirmed by ultrasonography. The most common number of embryos in the TET group was two embryos (43.4%) followed by three embryos (25.4%) and one embryo (18.9%). CONCLUSION: The clinical pregnancy rate per transfer in the FET cycles was similar in 2009 and 2010. Among the FET cycles where one or two embryos were transferred, the clinical pregnancy rate per transfer slightly increased from 2009 (28.7%) to 2010 (32.9%).
Art Therapy ; Electronic Mail ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Structures ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Korea ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted* ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: The number of assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics, ART cycles, clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), and number of newborns conceived using ART have steadily increased in South Korea. This aim of this study was to describe the status of ART in South Korea between January 1 and December 31, 2011. METHODS: A localized online survey was created and sent to all available ART centers via email in 2015. Fresh embryo transfer (FET) cases were categorized depending on whether standard in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or half-ICSI procedures were used. Thawed embryo transfer (TET) and other related procedures were surveyed. RESULTS: Data from 36,990 ART procedures were provided by 74 clinics. Of the 30,410 cycles in which oocytes were retrieved, a complete transfer was performed in 91.0% (n=27,683). In addition, 9,197 cycles were confirmed to be clinical pregnancies in the FET cycles, representing a pregnancy rate of 30.2% per oocyte pick-up and 33.2% per ET. The most common number of embryos transferred in the FET procedures was three (38.1%), followed by two (34.7%) and one (14.3%). Of the 8,826 TET cycles, 3,137 clinical pregnancies (31.1%) were confirmed by ultrasonography. CONCLUSION: While the overall clinical pregnancy rate for the TET cycles performed was lower than the rate reported in 2010 (31.1% vs. 35.4%), the overall CPR for the FET cycles was higher than in 2010 (33.2% in 2011 and 32.9% in 2010). The most common number of embryos transferred in FET cycles was three, as was the case in 2010.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Electronic Mail ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Structures ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea* ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted* ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Ultrasonography

The T cell antigen receptor (TcR) in combination with costimulatory signals triggered by accessory molecules present on the surface of the antigen-presenting cells (APC) regulates the activation and growth of T lymphocytes. Calyculin A and Okadaic acid is known to be an inhibitor of serine/threonine phosphatase and RK-682 specifically blocks functions of tyrosine phosphatase. To investigate roles of these inhibitors in TcR-mediated signaling cascade, chimeric molecule CD8-5 which contains the extracellular and transmembrane domains of the human CD8a molecule and the cytoplasmic tail of TcR 5 chain were stably expressed in Jurkat cell line. CD8-5 chimeric protein induced tyrosine phosphorylation of various cytoplasmic substrates and IL-2 gene expression in a NFAT dependent manner by stimulation with anti-CD8 mAb OKT8 as seen in TcR stimulation. When CD8-5 transfectants were preincubated with Okadaic acid, Calyculin or RK682, they differentially affected tyrosine phosphorylation of signaling mediators including CD8-5 molecule. When Jurkat Tag cell line was used where SV40 T antigen is stably expressed and the expression of p-galactosidase is driven by the multiple NFAT binding sites plus minimal IL-2 promoter, these phosphatase inhibitors -RK682, Calyculin A, Okadaic acid- effectively inhibited IL-2 gene expression at the concentration of 1.2832 x 10 ' M, 3.9924 x 10 M, 7.2707 x 10 M respectively. These results suggested that Okadaic acid, Calyculin or RK682 modulate TcR-proximal as well as TcR-distal signaling events during T cell activation.
Antigen-Presenting Cells ; Antigens, Viral, Tumor ; Binding Sites ; Cell Line ; Cytoplasm ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; Jurkat Cells ; Okadaic Acid* ; Phosphorylation ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tyrosine

Hemangiopericytoma is a rare vascular tumor arising from pericytes. The tumor usually develops in the skin or subcutaneous tissue, particularly in the extremities.4 pulmonary origin of hemangiopericytoma is known to be quite rare. It has the potential to become a highly malignant lesion, so wide excision is the treatment of choice. We present a case of primary malignant hemangiopericytoma of the lung and discuss the clinical symptoms, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis within the context of a brief review.
Diagnosis ; Hemangiopericytoma* ; Lung* ; Pericytes ; Prognosis ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Tissue