BACKGROUND: Most surgeons prefer delivering cardioplegia alternatively via the aortic root and coronary sinus in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Recently, some surgeons have delivered cardioplegia via the grafted vessel to the obstructed right coronary artery in order to preserve right ventricular function whenever retrograde cardioplegia is delivered. Thus, we have compared the effect on right ventricular preservation between the aforementioned two methods after cardiopulmonary bypass in patients undergoing a right CABG. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients undergoing an elective CABG with significant right coronary artery obstructive disease were allocated into 2 groups. In the alternative cardioplegia delivery group (A-group), cold blood cardioplegia was delivered via the aortic root and coronary sinus alternatively. In the simultaneous cardioplegia delivery group (S-group), cold blood cardioplegia was delivered via the coronary sinus and grafted vessel to the obstructed right coronary artery simultaneously. Hemodynamic measurements were obtained pre-bypass, at pericardial closure and at sternal closure. Data recorded included right ventricular ejection fraction, right ventricular volume index and right and left ventricular hemodynamics. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the right ventricular ejection fraction between the two groups at pre-bypass, pericardial closure and sternal closure. In both groups, the right ventricular ejection fraction and cardiac index were not decreased, and the left ventricular ejection fraction was higher at pericardial closure than pre-bypass. However, in both groups, there was a decrease in the right andleft ventricular stroke work index and right ventricular stroke volume index at sternal closure. CONCLUSIONS: We have concluded that simultaneous cardioplegia delivery via the coronary sinus and grafted vessel to the obstructed right coronary artery was not superior to the alternative cardioplegia delivery via the aortic root and coronary sinus for preservation of right ventricular function in patients undergoing a right CABG.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Sinus ; Coronary Vessels* ; Heart Arrest, Induced* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Stroke ; Stroke Volume ; Transplants ; Ventricular Function, Right

Twenty species representing five genera of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were isolated from twenty-four soil samples of the rhizosphere of the family Gramineae in Paekryung and Daecheong islands. A few species such as Glomus invermaius, G. marcrocapus var. marcrocarpus and Scutellospora coralloidea were recorded for the first time in Korea. The number of spores per 10g of soil was in the range of 8~337 in Paekryung and 16~349 in Daecheong island, respectively. The number of species per 10g of soil was 2~8 species in Paekryung and 2~7 species in Daecheong, respectively. Among them, G. macrocarpus var. macrocarpus was the most abundant species in both islands. The species diversity and evenness were almost similar in Paekryung and Daecheong Islands. Based on the host plants in two islands, the species diversity showed the highest value of 1.63 in Ischaemum crassipes, whereas the eveuness of species showed the lowest value of 0.35 in Eragrostis ferraginea.
Eragrostis ; Fungi* ; Humans ; Islands* ; Korea ; Poaceae ; Rhizosphere ; Soil ; Spores

Sclerotial development of Grifola umbellata (Pers. : Fr.) Donk was investigated through microscopic examinations. The sclerotium of G. umbellata was bumpy and rugged, multi-branched, and dark-brown to black in color. The sclerotial development of G. umbellata was categorized into three stages such as sclerotial initial, development and maturation. Sclerotium development was initiated as the white fungal mass. The superficial part of white sclerotium changed into gray, light brown and then black as its development proceeded further. As a distinctive characteristic of this fungus, a large number of crystals were observed in the medulla layer of sclerotium during its maturation. For development of new sclerotium, G. umbellata formed a white sclerotial primordium on the matured sclerotium. Development of sclerotium in G. umbellata was intimately associated with rhizomorphs of Armillariella mellea and the developing sclerotia were often penetrated by rhizomorphs of A. mellea into medulla layer.
Fungi ; Grifola*

The fruiting body of Paecilomyces fumosoroseus was collected at Mt. Mani, Ganghwa Island, Korea in September, 2001. This study was carried out to obtain the basic informations for the mycelial growth and fruiting body production of P. fumosoroseus in artificial media. The optimal conditions for the mycelial growth were obtained at 25degrees C and in the range of pH 6~9, respectively. P. fumosoroseus showed the favorable growth on Hamada medium. The carbon and nitrogen source favorable for mycelial growth were dextrin and histidine, respectively. Optimum C/N ratio suitable for optimal growth of P. fumosoroseus was observed on the culture media adjusted to the ratio of 40:1. The mycelial growth of P. fumosoroseus was optimal on corn meal agar supplemented with 30% of silkworm pupae. The most favorable fruiting body formation of P. fumosoroseus was obtained in the medium containing unpolished rice supplemented with 20% (w/w) silk worm pupae at 25degrees C under 100 lux.
Agar ; Bombyx ; Carbon ; Culture Media ; Fruit* ; Histidine ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Korea ; Meals ; Nitrogen ; Paecilomyces* ; Pupa ; Silk ; Zea mays

Oudemansiella radicata, one of edible mushrooms belonging to Tricholomataceae of Basidiomycota, has been known to exhibit outstanding therapeutic effects on the hypertension caused by high blood pressure and inhibitory effects on the sarcoma 180 and Erhrlich carcinoma of mice. As one of preliminary experiments for producing fruiting-body of O. radicata, this study was carried out to obtain the basic information for culture conditions of mycelial growth of the fungus. The optimal temperature and pH for the mycelial growth were 25degrees C and pH 6, respectively. The medium for favorable mycelial growth of O. radicata was shown in the Lilly medium, whereas compact mycelial density was found in Hamada medium. The carbon and nitrogen sources promoting for mycelial growth of O. radicata were xylose and alanine, respectively. The optimum C/N ratio was about 20 : 1 in case that 3% glucose was supplimented to the basal medium as a carbon source.
Agaricales ; Alanine ; Animals ; Basidiomycota ; Carbon ; Fungi ; Glucose ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypertension ; Mice ; Nitrogen ; Sarcoma 180 ; Xylose

BACKGROUND: Femoral to radial arterial pressure gradient (deltaP) often develops after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) where radial artery pressure (RAP) does not reflect the actual perfusion pressure. Renin-angiotensin system antagonists (RAS-A) are increasingly prescribed preoperatively which causes vasodilation and vascular remodeling. We evaluated the effect of RAS-A medication on ?P after CPB in patients undergoing valvular heart surgery. METHODS: Eighty-five patients scheduled for elective valvular heart surgery for regurgitant lesions were divided into two groups: the RAS-A group, in which patients were on RAS-A preoperatively (n = 52) and the control group (n = 33). Hemodynamic variables including RAP, femoral arterial pressure (FAP), body temperature, and hematocrit were recorded at after induction of anesthesia, pre-and post-CPB and sternum closure. RESULTS: After CPB, systolic deltaP was significantly greater in the RAS-A group than in the control group. Nine (27%) and 36 (69%) patients after CPB, and 6 (18%) and 23 (44%) patients after sternum closure developed systolic deltaP more than 10 mmHg, in the control and RAS-A group, respectively, which were statistically significant. Body temperature, hematocrit and systemic vascular resistance index were not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative treatment with RAS-A resulted in clinically significant deltaP after cardiopulmonary bypass in about 70% of patients undergoing valvular heart surgery. Concomitant monitoring of FAP with RAP might be helpful to prevent inadequate vasopressor therapy guided by inaccurate RAP after CPB in this subset of patients.
Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure* ; Body Temperature ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass* ; Heart* ; Hematocrit ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Perfusion ; Radial Artery ; Renin-Angiotensin System* ; Sternum ; Thoracic Surgery* ; Vascular Resistance ; Vasodilation

Water extracts of six plants, such as Allium sativum, A. cepa, Zingiber officinale, Platycodon grandiflorum, Oenanthe javanica, and Capsella brusapastoris, were tested in vitro for inhibitory activity against mycelial growth of anthracnose fungi, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, C. dematium, and C. coccodes. Among the plant extracts, an Allium sativum extract has good inhibitory effects in all the fungi. Four phytohormones namely, IAA (indole-3-acetic acid), NAA (a-Naphthyl acetic acid), 2,4-D (2,4-Dichloro phenoxy acetic acid) and BAP (Benzyl adenine purine) were used to find out the role over mycelial growth of these fungi. All the concentrations of BAP have good inhibitory effect against mycelial growth of these fungi than that of other tested plant hormones.
2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid ; Adenine ; Capsella ; Colletotrichum ; Fungi* ; Garlic ; Ginger ; Oenanthe ; Plant Extracts* ; Plant Growth Regulators* ; Plants* ; Platycodon ; Water

Six strains of Sparassis crispa such as S. crispa DUM-01, DUM-02, DUM-03, DUM-04, DUM-05, and DUM-06 were tested for their mycelial growth on 6 different kinds of sawdust media and primordial formation on 10 different compositions of larch sawdust media. The highest mycelial growth was recorded on the larch sawdust. Of the 6 strains of S. crispa, S. crispa DUM-04 recorded the favorable formation of primordia. The primordial formation of S. crispa DUM-04 was more favorable on L-3 medium than 9 kinds of larch sawdust media. When S. crispa DUM-04 was cultured on the media of larch sawdust+pine sawdust, the formation of its fruiting bodies was more outstanding on the media of larch sawdust+pine sawdust than those of larch sawdust.
Fruit* ; Larix

BACKGROUND: Both systemic inflammatory reaction and regional myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury may elicit hypercoagulability after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). We investigated the influence of ulinastatin, which suppresses the activity of polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, on coagulation in patients with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) undergoing OPCAB. METHODS: Fifty patients whose preoperative hsCRP > 3.0 mg/L were randomly allocated into the ulinastatin (600,000 U) or control group. Serum concentrations of thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) and prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2) were measured preoperatively, immediately after surgery, and at 24 h after surgery, respectively. Secondary endpoints included platelet factor (PF)-4, amount of blood loss, and transfusion requirement. RESULTS: All baseline values of TAT, F1+2, and PF-4 were higher than the normal range in both groups. F1+2 was elevated in both groups at immediate, and at 24 h after surgery as compared to baseline value, without any significant intergroup differences. Remaining coagulation parameters, transfusion requirement and blood loss during operation and postoperative 24 h were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative administration of ulinastatin did not convey beneficial influence in terms of coagulation and blood loss in high-risk patients with elevated hsCRP undergoing multivessel OPCAB, who already exhibited hypercoagulability before surgery.
Antithrombin III ; Blood Platelets ; C-Reactive Protein ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Cytokines ; Glycoproteins ; Humans ; Leukocyte Elastase ; Peptide Hydrolases ; Prothrombin ; Reference Values ; Thrombophilia ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) effectively restores plasma volume and thereby enhances microcirculation and tissue oxygenation at the expense of coagulation impairment. These effects are related to molecular weight, substitution and C2:C6 ratio. But, most of the studies regarding coagulation impairment in cardiac surgeries were performed in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass which significantly causes coagulation derangements. Therefore, we have evaluated the effects of 2 different HES solutions on tissue oxygenation and postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB). METHODS: Forty four patients were prospectively enrolled. After the induction of anesthesia, either HES 130/0.4 (V group) or 200/0.5 (H group) were infused for fluid therapy to maintain predetermined urine output, cardiac index and filling pressure up to 16 h after the surgery. Tissue oxygenation profiles and respiratory parameters were recorded after induction of anesthesia, completion of distal anastomosis and sternum closure, upon admission at intensive care unit, and 4 h thereafter. The amounts of chest tube drainage, transfusion and fluid balance were measured up to 16 h after the surgery. RESULTS: Patients' demographic data were similar between the groups. Tissue oxygenation profiles, respiratory parameters, hemodynamics, and time to extubate were not different between the groups. However, chest tube drainage and transfusion requirements were significantly less in the V group. CONCLUSIONS: In OPCAB, 6% HES 130/0.4 causes less postoperative bleeding and transfusion requirement and has a comparable efficacy on hemodynamic stability, pulmonary function and tissue oxygenation when compared to 6% HES 200/0.5.
Anesthesia ; Cardiac Output ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Chest Tubes ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump* ; Drainage ; Fluid Therapy ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Microcirculation ; Molecular Weight ; Oxygen* ; Plasma Volume ; Prospective Studies ; Starch* ; Sternum ; Water-Electrolyte Balance