No abstract available.
Anesthetics, Intravenous*

No abstract available.
Echocardiography, Doppler* ; Heart Diseases* ; Heart*

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that L-type calcium channel blockers increase the muscle relaxation effects of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents whereas the potentiated neuromuscular blocking effects by L-type calcium channel blocker are resistant to reversal by neostigmine. The aims of this study were 1) to see whether the pretreatment of L-type calcium channel blocker, such as verapamil, aggravates the pipecuronium-induced muscle relaxation, 2) if so, to see whether these effects are reversed by anticholinesterase, such as neostigmine and edrophonium or potassium channel blocker, such as 4-aminopyridine. METHODS: The rat-phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragms (n=60) were prepared. Twenty microgram of pipecuronium was administered to all organ bath. All samples were divided into two groups according to the administration of 10uM of verapamil i.e. verapamil pretreated, non-pretreated group. The amounts of administered pipecuronium were gradually increased by 4ug until the force of twitch decreased to 10% of control value in both groups. Each group was subdivided into three groups according to the administration of 0.75 M of neostigmine, 12.4 uM of edrophonium or 40uM of 4-aminopyridine. RESULTS: The dose of pipecuronium required for the decrease of contractile force to 10% of control value was less in verapamil pretreated group than in non-pretreated group. And, the decrease of contractile force in both groups was more effectively reversed by 4-aminopyridine than neostigmine and edrophonium. CONCLUSIONS: Verapamil potentiates the pipecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade and 4-aminopyridine is more effective to reverse verapamil pretreated, pipecuronium induced neuromuscular blockade.
4-Aminopyridine* ; Baths ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; Edrophonium* ; Muscle Relaxation ; Neostigmine* ; Neuromuscular Blockade* ; Neuromuscular Blocking Agents ; Pipecuronium* ; Potassium Channels ; Verapamil*

The expression of the c-fos and c-myc oncogenes was investigated by dot blot analysis of total RNA extracted from biopsies of normal skin and psoriatic lesions. Densitometric analysis revealed 6.3 fold and 8.6 fold evevation respectively of c-fos and c-myc oncogenes mRNA levels in severe psoriasis compared to normal skin, and 1.5 fold and 1.6 fold elevation respectively of c-fos and c-myc oncogenes mRNA levels in mild psoriasis compared to normal skin. The ratio of c-fos/c-myc transcripts in normal skin and mild psoriasis was constant compared to that in severe psoriasis. The maintenance of a constant ratio of c-fos/c-myc is believed to be closely related to ordered cell growth and the ratio of c-fos/c-myc transcripts in severe psoriasis suggests a disordered pattern of cellular differentiation. We be1ieve that overexpression of these oncogenes is related to the pathogenesis of psoriatic epidermal hyperplasia.
Biopsy ; Hyperplasia ; Oncogenes* ; Psoriasis ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin

Premature rupture of membranes(PROM) means the rupture of amniotic membranes at any time prior to labor during the gestational period. The dilemma of correctly diagnosing rupture of the fetal membranes is well known as the consequences of management based on an incorrect diagnosis. This study was undertaken to determine if the measurement of B-hCG levels in the vaginal fluid is useful for the diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes. HCG is synthesized and secreted by the placental syncytiotrophoblast and it is normally found in amniotic fluid, maternal urine and blood. We used B-hCG for diagnosis of PROM to exclude the cross reaction with other hormones. After irrigating the posterior vaginal fornix with 3 ml of sterile saline and obtaining vaginal washings, we measured B-hCG levels. The groups were classified normal group(group I), confirmed PROM group(group II ), and suspicious PROM group(groupIII) during the third trimester. The median and 95% confidence intervals(CIS) of vaginal fluid B-hCG in each group(normal, confirmed PROM, suspicious PROM group) were 30.99mIU/ml(range: 0.32-209.89mIU/ml), 188.61mIU/ml(range: 9.65-2095.00mIU/ml), 69.63mIU/ml(range 4.76-349.56mIU/ml). There was significant difference between normal and confirmed PROM group(p<0.05), sensitivity was 95.00%, specificity 80.00%, positive predictive value 82.60%, negative predictive value 94.12%, and accuracy 87.50%, using threshold value of 60mIU/ml. There was significant difference between normal and suspicious PROM group(p<0.05) but the result of the B-hCG was not used in the obstetric decision. In terms of these results, the B-hCG level in vaginal fluid is a useful marker of PROM during the third trimester. A new technic is proposed to confirm the diagnosis of rupture of the membranes based on the introduction of B-hCG in vaginal fluid.
Amnion ; Amniotic Fluid ; Cross Reactions ; Diagnosis ; Extraembryonic Membranes ; Female ; Humans ; Membranes* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Rupture* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Trophoblasts

We describe S100 protein positive dendritic cells (S100+DCs) in various liver diseases including chronic viral hepatitis B and C (20 cases), liver cirrhosis (3 cases), hepatocellular carcinoma (2 cases), hepatolithiasis (6 cases), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) (2 cases), liver allograft rejection (9 cases), bile duct paucity (1 case), and Wilson's disease (1 case). By immunohistochemical analysis, S100+DCs were absent in fetal and normal livers, while they were variably present in inflammatory liver diseases. In chronic hepatitis and active cirrhosis, S100+DCs were most frequently located in periportal area, at lymphoid follicles within the portal tract, and at foci of spotty necrosis within the lobule. Frequency and intensity of S100+DCs were not related to etiologies of liver diseases, but they were correlated with the activity of hepatitis. In PBC, S100+DCs were found between biliary epithelial cells of the septal bile ducts, as well as, the periductal area of the portal tracts. A posttransplantation liver with features of moderate acute rejection revealed many S100+DCs in polymorphous portal infiltrates. In hepatocellular carcinomas, many S100+DCs were scattered between tumor cells. In the case of the Wilson's disease, S100+DCs were not noted. Presence of S100+DCs in various inflammatory liver diseases indicates that they play a central role as antigen presenting cells in immune responses of inflammatory liver diseases.
Allografts ; Antigen-Presenting Cells ; Bile Ducts ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Dendritic Cells* ; Epithelial Cells ; Fibrosis ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary ; Liver Diseases* ; Liver* ; Necrosis

In this study, the relationship between the awareness of blood program and the blood donation experience has been studied to know whether they corelate or not. The awareness of blood program was divided into 4 areas of knowledge and measured: the eligibilityt of blood donation, knowledge about blood, blood donation program, and general facts about blood donation. The experience of blood donation was divided into 3 groups: the registered donor, the non-registered donor, and the nondonor. The result in this study shows that the awareness of blood program is related with 3 factors, such as the eligibility of blood donation, blood donation program, and general facts about blnation. The difference in this case is significant at 0.05 level. However the knowledge about the blood is not corelated with blood donation experience, but only with sex(P<0.05). These results suggest that stable blood supply should be realized by securing new donors and by estsablishing of fdonor registration system. This is realized by the stir up the level of awareness and interest of blood program through strengthening public relations.
Blood Donors* ; Humans ; Public Relations ; Tissue Donors

BACKGROUND: The blunted tip of a reusable with multiple uses can cause problems with the passing procedure in arthroscopic Bankart repair. This study assessed the advantage of Scorpion with a 70° arthroscope in arthroscopic Bankart repair compared to hook typed suture passer. METHODS: Scorpion in 19 patients, the hook type suture passer (conventional group) in 18 patients were used. All patients underwent the same procedure except for the type of suture passer used. Another different point of the procedure were telescopes and the number of portals used; three arthroscopic portals (posterior, anterorsuperiorlateral, and mid-anterior) and a 30° arthroscope in the conventional group, but two portals and a 70° arthroscope as well as the 30° one in the Scorpion group. The surgery time and the surgical complications including an iatrogenic axillary nerve injury were recorded. RESULTS: The Scorpion group showed a significant decrease in surgery time compared to the conventional group. In contrast to the conventional group, Scorpion provided an easy estimation of the exit of suture passing, no iatrogenic labral injury during the passing procedure with straight movement and the sharp tip of the knife installed. Iatrogenic supraspinatus injuries could be avoided when making an accessory anteosuperiorlateral portal due to the 70° arthroscope. CONCLUSIONS: In arthroscopic Bankart repair, the use of the Scorpion suture passer and a 70° arthroscope can reduce the surgery time, avoid unnecessary supraspinatus injury, and avoid iatrogenic axillary nerve damage through the relatively easy and precise suture passing and saving of the anterosuperior portal.
Arthroscopes* ; Arthroscopy ; Humans ; Scorpions* ; Sutures* ; Telescopes

No abstract available.
Amniocentesis* ; Cerclage, Cervical* ; Female ; Labor Stage, First* ; Pregnancy

We sudied, with echocardiography as a main tool, the natural processes of 211 patients with uncomplicated ventricular septal defect (VSD) (incidence, 5.33 per 1,000 live births); 146 (69.2%) had a perimenbranous VSD and 32 (15.2%) had a subarterial, 25 (11.8%) had a muscular type of VSD. Cumulative rate of spontaneous closure was 26.1%. In the closure processes, about three-fourth of perimembranous VSD showed a partial closure or tunnel formation by changes of septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve, remaining one-fourth showed a "functional" complete closure. Four of 58 neonates had a partially closed-perimembranous VSD. Rates of infundibular stenosis and Eisenmenger syndrome were 6.6% and 1.4% respectively. Aortic prolapse with insufficiency was detected in 6 patients who were over 6 years of age. Surgical closure was required in 27.5% of all studied patients and in 12% of infants (14 of 177). No natural deaths were observed during the study-periods of recent 3 years. But, 3 of 58 (5.2%) were dead postoperativel (two were early, one late). Doppler color flow mapping is a valuble aid in the diagnosis of VSD and may be on reason for the observed increase in the incidence of VSDs.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography* ; Eisenmenger Complex ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Prolapse ; Tricuspid Valve