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

The author performed an experiment to measure the bonding strength of acrylic bone cement when the bonding surfaces of bones were under various conditions; namely different axial compression forces and different means of preservation of bones, in the air and in Hartman's solution. Mechanical tests for compression forces revealed that the bonding strength was greatest when the bonding surfaces were dry, being weaker when soaked with alcohol and whole blood, in that order. When different strengths of axial compression forces were applied, the bonding strength was greatest at 5 kg of compression force, being weaker at 3 kg and 1 kg, in that order. The bonding strength was greater when the bones were preserved in the air than in Hartman's solution.
Polymethyl Methacrylate

No abstract available.
Appendicitis* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Humans

No abstract available.
Appendicitis* ; Barium* ; Enema*

PURPOSE: We compared the clinical manifestations of patients with tsutsugamushi disease between children and adults. METHODS: From January 2003 to December 2012, 768 patients diagnosed with tsutsugamushi disease were retrospectively reviewed, and the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and complications were compared between children and adults. RESULTS: No patterns of annual increases in the number of patients were noted in both children and adults. The higher incidences occurred in October and November respectively. By gender, male outnumbered female in children, but the opposite trend was seen in adults. By residential area, the urban distribution of children was higher than that of adults. Rashes (P=0.001) and eschar (P=0.004) were more common in children, while myalgia was more common in adults. Children had a high prevalence of anemia (P=0.041), and low incidence rates of thrombocytopenia, abnormal liver and renal function. Children yielded better results in the duration of their hospital stay and the incidence of complications (P<0.001). A comparison of the therapeutic effects of doxycycline and macrolide antibiotics, which was performed only on the children, did not reveal any significant differences. CONCLUSION: Compared to adults, children had higher incidence rates of male patients and more often suffered from rashes and eschar. Children yielded better results in the laboratory findings and duration of the hospital stay and complications. Therefore, when children are suspected to have tsutsugamushi disease, especially during its peak occurrence period, detailed physical examination and serological test should be performed to ensure a prompt diagnosis, and the use of macrolide antibiotics, which have fewer side effects, is expected to yield the same therapeutic effects.
Adult* ; Anemia ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Doxycycline ; Exanthema ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Length of Stay ; Liver ; Male ; Myalgia ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Scrub Typhus* ; Serologic Tests ; Thrombocytopenia

No abstract available.
Esophageal and Gastric Varices* ; Hypertension, Portal*

Isolated heaptic tuberculous granuloma with no coexistent tuberculosis elsewhere in the body is extremely rare. We report a case of pathologically proven tuberculous granuloma in the liver followed with both IV bolus and portal CT scans. The lesion on preenhanced CT scan showed undefinable isodensity. After IV bolus injection, it showed poor enhancement with central low-density and surrounding hyperdenity due to compensatory hypervascularity of the left lobe of liver in early phase. It showed peripheral rim enhancement in late phase and in delayed phase showed relatively homogeneous but slightly decreased contract enhancement. On portal CT scan, it showed a hypodense portal defect similar to other hepatic mass lesions. During follow-up studies, it was a slowly growing mass which was more easily detectable by prtal CT scans than bolus CT scans.
Follow-Up Studies ; Granuloma* ; Liver ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a gram-negative halophilic organism commonly associated with outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis which also sometimes causes serious wound infection. It is an uncommon cause of bacteremia. We have experienced a case of bacteremia due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus in a 59-year old man who initially presented with edema and dyspnea. He was diagnosed as liver cirrhosis, gastric cancer, and hepatoma. On hospital day 13, Vibrio parahaemolyticus was isolated from blood culture. The isolate showed typical cultural and biochemical characteristics such as salt tolerance and did not ferment lactose. The isolate was intermediate to ampicillin but susceptible to other agents.
Ampicillin ; Bacteremia* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Disease Outbreaks ; Dyspnea ; Edema ; Gastroenteritis ; Humans ; Lactose ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Middle Aged ; Salt-Tolerance ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Vibrio parahaemolyticus* ; Vibrio* ; Wound Infection

No abstract available.
Nasal Bone*