A free radical gas, nitric oxide NO), has many useful functions when produced under physiological conditions by neurons and endothelial cells. However, excess NO has been reported to exert cytotoxic effects by direct toxicity or by reaction with superoxide. Nitric oxide can react with superoxide to generate peroxynitrite which is as reactive as the hydroxyl radical. This study was attempted to observe formation of peroxynitrite and change in amount of NO synthase(NOS) in reperfused skin flap of rats following ischemia. 3-nitro-L-tyrosine, as direct evidence of peroxynitritemediated tissue damage, as well as endothelial and inducible NO synthase(eNOS and iNOS) were studied in ischemic and reperfused skin using western blot analysis. In addition, HNE-modified proteins, as direct evidence of oxidative tissue damage by reactive oxygen species(ROS), was also evaluated. Skin specimens were obtained over time from island skin flaps(3x3 cm2) of rats under the following two conditions: 1) reperfusion following 5 hours of ischemia, and 2) reperfusion following 10 hours of ischemia. In reperfused skin after 5 hours of ischemia, formation of 3-nitro-L-tyrosine and HNE-modified proteins was decreased 1 hour after reperfusion. However, they were thereafter increased and reached a maximum (3-nitro-L-tyrosine: 142%,HNE-modified proteins:237%) 6 hours after reperfusion. In reperfused skin after 10 hours of ischemia, formation of 3-nitro-L-tyrosine and HNE-modified proteins was increased 3 hours post reperfusion, and reached a maximum (3-nitro-L-tyrosine:178%, HNE-modified proteins: 204%) 6 hours after reperfusion. eNOS and iNOS were decreased 1,3 and 6 hours reperfusion following both 5 and 10 hours of ischemia. These results indicate that peroxynitrite-mediated cytotoxicity is involved in ischemic reperfused skin despite the fact that the amounts of both iNOS and eNOS are decreased.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Endothelial Cells ; Hydroxyl Radical ; Ischemia ; Neurons ; Nitric Oxide* ; Oxygen ; Peroxynitrous Acid ; Rats* ; Reperfusion ; Skin* ; Superoxides

No abstract available.
Humans

No abstract available.
Plasma Exchange* ; Plasma* ; Seoul*

No abstract available.
Erythrocytes*

No abstract available.
Plasma Exchange* ; Plasma* ; Seoul*

No abstract available.
Erythrocytes*

Application of local flaps for releasing postburn scar contracture has been limited because of a problem of invisible loss, difficulty to obtain the satisfactory result against correction of limitation of motion and possibility of contour deformity. However, proper use of local flaps, accurate designs and complete wound compression for a long term after operation enable to obtain good results in correction of some cases of postburn scar contracture. It will be related to reduce unsightly scaring when contractures are released. For this purpose, we have used a modified planimetric Z-plasty, a subcutaneous pedicle flap, a new classification V-Y plasties which was proposed based on the new concept and their combination. Proper application of local flaps corresponding to the degree of contracture and shape of burn scar have enabled to increase the use of local flaps against correction of postburn scar contracture during our past 15 years, from 1982 to 1997, we treated 235 cases of postburn scar or scar contracture in various regions except for the face. Of these, 177 cases were applicated with local flaps and we could have a good results in both aspects of function and appearance. We report our operative methods, a criterion to application of local flaps and representative results.
Burns ; Cicatrix* ; Classification ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Contracture* ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.
Hernia, Diaphragmatic* ; Stomach Volvulus*

BACKGROUND: It has been well known that absolute and interpeak latencies of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) are usually prolonged in diabetics. However, Its etiology is still controversial. We tried to identify whether the cause is structural or metabolic in origin by performing BAEP and brain MRI in the diabetic patients. METHODS: BAEP were performed in both the diabetic patients (DM) group (16 males and 15 females) and the normal control group (25 males and 33 female). A brain MRI was performed in the DM group on those who showed abnormal BAEP and com-pared the results of BAEP of the DM group with those of the control group. RESULTS: 7 patients (22.6%) showed abnor-mal BAEP (male; 6, female; 1, unilateral; 4, bilateral; 3) when abnormal BAEP was defined as being larger than two and a half standard deviations of the control group BAEP results. Two males of the DM group who showed abnormal structural lesions of the pons in their brain MRI were not included in the statistical analysis. The remaining 14 diabetic male patients (mean age: 58.7 +/-9.1 years, mean disease duration: 6.1 +/-4.7 years, mean hemoglobin (Hb) A1C: 7.7 +/- 2.0%) and 15 diabetic female patients (mean age: 60.6 +/-10.8 years, mean disease duration: 5.4 +/-5.1 years, mean HgA1C: 7.8 +/-2.1%) were stastistically analyzed. Interpeak latencies of I-III, III-V, and I-V were found to be signifi-cantly prolonged in the DM group. The prolongation of interpeak latencies of I-III and I-V were found to be signifi-cantly correlated with the disease duration only in the diabetic female patients, but not with age and HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that both metabolic derangement and structural lesion contribute to prolonging the central conduction time on BAEP pathway in diabetics.
Brain ; Brain Stem* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem* ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Pons

No abstract available.