BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We performed this study to compare the endothelial function of the patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension(EH) to age and sex-matched normal subjects or patients with known coronary artery disease(CAD) and to evaluate the effect of calcium channel blockers(amlodipine) on the endothelial dysfunction in patients with EH. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The endothelial function, expressed as percent brachial artery diameter changes at hyperemic phase compared to resting state, using high-resolution ultrasound was measured before taking amlodipine and 3 to 4 months after taking amlodipine(5 to 10 mg daily), when the high blood pressure(BP) was well controlled(129/83 mmHg), in patients with EH(mean age; 53 yrs, n=2). We also measured the endothelial function in normal subjects(mean age; 54 yrs, n=5) and patients with proven CAD(mean age; 56 yrs, n=0). RESULTS: The mean BP of the patients with EH, CAD, and normal subjects were 172/108 mmHg, 110/69 mmHg, and 113/72 mmHg, respectively. There were no significant differences among the study groups in regard to the serum glucose and various lipid levels. The endothelial function of the patients with EH(6.6+/-2.3%) was significantly(p=.000) lowered when compared to the normal subjects(14.3+/-3.3%), but did not show any significant differences when compared to the patients with CAD(8.6+/-3.4%). The endothelial function in patients with EH was significantly(p=.007) improved from 6.6+/-2.3 % to 11.0+/-2.7 % 3 to 4 months after taking the amlodipine. CONCLUSION: Calcium channel blockers, especially amlodipine, can improve endothelial dysfunction in patients with EH as well as controlling high BP.
Amlodipine ; Blood Glucose ; Brachial Artery ; Calcium Channel Blockers* ; Calcium Channels* ; Calcium* ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We performed this study to compare the endothelial function of the patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension(EH) to age and sex-matched normal subjects or patients with known coronary artery disease(CAD) and to evaluate the effect of calcium channel blockers(amlodipine) on the endothelial dysfunction in patients with EH. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The endothelial function, expressed as percent brachial artery diameter changes at hyperemic phase compared to resting state, using high-resolution ultrasound was measured before taking amlodipine and 3 to 4 months after taking amlodipine(5 to 10 mg daily), when the high blood pressure(BP) was well controlled(129/83 mmHg), in patients with EH(mean age; 53 yrs, n=2). We also measured the endothelial function in normal subjects(mean age; 54 yrs, n=5) and patients with proven CAD(mean age; 56 yrs, n=0). RESULTS: The mean BP of the patients with EH, CAD, and normal subjects were 172/108 mmHg, 110/69 mmHg, and 113/72 mmHg, respectively. There were no significant differences among the study groups in regard to the serum glucose and various lipid levels. The endothelial function of the patients with EH(6.6+/-2.3%) was significantly(p=.000) lowered when compared to the normal subjects(14.3+/-3.3%), but did not show any significant differences when compared to the patients with CAD(8.6+/-3.4%). The endothelial function in patients with EH was significantly(p=.007) improved from 6.6+/-2.3 % to 11.0+/-2.7 % 3 to 4 months after taking the amlodipine. CONCLUSION: Calcium channel blockers, especially amlodipine, can improve endothelial dysfunction in patients with EH as well as controlling high BP.
Amlodipine ; Blood Glucose ; Brachial Artery ; Calcium Channel Blockers* ; Calcium Channels* ; Calcium* ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Ultrasonography

Ten patients with a thoracolumbar spine fractures were treated with Kaneda internal fixation device through anterolateral approach during last 1 year. In all cases, spinal decompression, internal instrument fixation and bone fusion with rib were performed. No patient showed neurological deterioration after surgery and 6(60%) patients improved postoperatively with entering the next Frankel subgroup. Follwo-up patient evaluation showed the correction of the fracture deformity with good bony fusion, but 3 patient are remained back pain. According to above results we concluded that anterolateral internal fixation combined.with bone fusion using rib was good mechanical stability and decompression of protruding ventral bone fragments above conus medullaris level.
Back Pain ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Conus Snail ; Decompression ; Decompression, Surgical* ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Ribs ; Spine

BACKGROUND: We performed this study to evaluate the lower limit of the normal endothelial function, which can differentiate normal values from abnormal ones and to evaluate the changes of the endothelial function according to ages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study populations were consisted of four groups: patients (group A) with coronary artery disease (CAD) (n=2, mean age: 55 yrs), patients (group B) with one or more risk factors of atherosclerosis (n=3, mean age: 54 yrs), age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (group C, n=5, mean age: 54 yrs), and healthy young subjects (group D, n=3, mean age: 26 yrs). We measured the flow-mediated endothelium-dependent dilation (FMD) of brachial artery using a high-resolution ultrasound in all subjects. We analyzed the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: The FMD of the A and B group were significantly lowered (8.6+/-3.7% vs 9.9+/-4/5% than C (14.3+/-3.3%, p<0.001) or D group (18.0+/-3.5%, p<0.001). The FMD level of 11.5% had 76.3% of sensitivity and 76% of specificity to differentiate normal endothelial function from abnormal one. The spearman correlation coefficient between ages and FMD in groups C and D was -0.543 (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The endothelial function was decreased in patients with CAD or risk factors of atherosclerosis. We observed the age-related declining tendency of endothelial function in healthy subjects. 11.5% FMD) may be used to identify the person at risk of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis* ; Brachial Artery ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Humans ; Reference Values ; Risk Factors* ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography

Dermal wound healing is a complex process that involved inflammation leading to re-epithelialization, granulation tissue, and tissue remodeling. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that polysaccharides isolated from fungus, Phellinus gilvus (PG) have various anti-inflammatory activities. In present study, we have assessed the effect of polysaccharides from PG on the dermal wound healing of polysaccharides from PG in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Six of 6-mm circular wounds were created with biopsy punch on the 4th day after induction of diabetes. After 24 hours, each test substance was applied to the wound twice a day for next 5 days. Circular wounds treated with PG showed significantly reduced wound contraction and complete reepithelialization, as compared to wounds of non-treated (p < 0.05). These results show that polysaccharides isolated from PG enhanced wound repair in diabetic impaired healing, and could be developed as a wound healing agent in such clinical settings.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology ; Basidiomycota/*metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/*pathology ; Histocytochemistry ; Male ; Polysaccharides/isolation&purification/*pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin/*injuries ; Streptozocin ; Wound Healing/*drug effects ; Wounds, Penetrating/*drug therapy

BACKGROUND: We performed this study to evaluate the long-term clinical prognosis, the effects of anti-anginal medicines on angina, and the factors on recurrence of angina in patients with angina and insignificant coronary artery stenosis (CAS). METHODS: The study population was consisted of 372 patients with angina and normal or minimal (less than 50 % stenosed) CAS out of 2475 consecutive patients who were performed coronary angiogram for 3.5 years. We reviewed the medical record of the study population. RESULTS: Myocardial infarction was developed in 2 cases (0.5%), recurrence of angina 59 cases (16%), and no death during mean 19 months follow-up period out of 372 patients. Patients with normal coronary artery (n=66) were younger (mean 54 yrs vs 59 yrs, p<0.001), had less incidence of diabetes (5% vs 13%, p<0.01), hypertension (19% vs 29%, p<0.05), recurrent angina (15% vs 18%, not significant), and myocardial infarction (0.4% vs 0.9%, not significant) than patients with minimal lesion (n=06). Anti-anginal medicine did not show benefits in relieving recurrent angina. Furthermore, in case of taking nitrates in patients with normal coronary artery, there was more frequent recurrence of angina (23% vs 13%, p<0.01) than not taking nitrates. There were no affecting factors to the recurrent angina among age, sex, ischemic changes on electrocardiogram, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. CONCLUSION: The long-term clinical outcomes in patients with insignificant CAS were good. Although there were no definite factors for recurrence of chest pain, administration of nitrates may cause more frequent angina in patients with normal coronary angiography.
Chest Pain ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Stenosis* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Electrocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Medical Records ; Myocardial Infarction ; Nitrates ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Smoke ; Smoking

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ablation of the slow pathway in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) can be performed by using a specific intracardiac electrogram findings predicting a successful radiofrequency catheter ablation. The purpose of the present study is to recognize a specific intracardiac electrogram findings predicting a successful sites of radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with AVNRT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of the 18 patients (7 males, mean age:46 yr) to undergo successful catheter ablation using radiofrequency current in order to eliminate AVNRT from January 1993 to september 1994. We have analyzed local intracardiac electrogram at successful and unsuccessful sites of radiofrequency catheter ablation before the radiofrequency application: Atrial electrogram amplitude, duration, number of peaks in atrial electrogram, atrial/ventricular (A/V) electrogram amplitude ratio, and presence of His potential and/or slow potential. RESULTS: Of 18 patients, 16 patients underwent a slow pathway ablation, the other 2 patients a fast pathway ablation. The mean A/V electrogram amplitude ratio at successful and unsuccessful sites was 0.69+/-0.91 and 1.86+/-2.03, respectively. The mean atrial electrogram duration and number of peaks at successful and unsuccessful sites was 57+/-16 msec vs 69+/-16 msec and 1.7+/-0.5 vs 2.2+/-0.7, respectively. His bundle electrogram was seen in one slow pathway ablated and one fast pathway ablated patient. No slow potential could be identified in any of these 18 patients. CONCLUSION: We think that A/V electrocardiogram amplitude ratio below 0.5 at posterior interatrial septum along tricuspid annulus is important marker indicating a successful ablation sites.
Catheter Ablation* ; Electrocardiography ; Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac* ; Humans ; Male ; Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry*

We reviewed & analyzed 440 cases of surgically treated cerebral aneurysm to search for the prognostic factors affecting their outcomes between Jan., 1984 to May., 1995. Among the various factors, age over 60, systolic blood pressure over 140mmHg, distolic blood pressure over 90mmHg, preoperative neurological grade, thick blood clot in the basal cistern on brain CT scan, hydrocephalus, intracranial hematoma, intraventricular hemorrhage, poor preoperative angiographic vasospasm, multiple aneurysm and posterior circulation aneurysm are all factors that determines the final outcome, they interact as complex factor by additive action, rather than as one specific factor.
Age Factors ; Aneurysm ; Blood Pressure ; Brain ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Hydrocephalus ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Animals ; Rats* ; Reperfusion*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Rats*