The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics or the potassium channels existing in the rat urinary bladders. Smooth muscle strips of rat detrusor urinae were examined by isometric myography. Relaxation responses of detrusor muscle strips to the three potassium channel openers pinacidil, a cyanoguanidine derivative, BRL 38227, a benzopyran derivative and RP 52891, a tertrahydrothiopyran derivative were examined. The potassium channel openers reduced the basal tone, and the rank order of potency was RP 52891>pincidil>BRL 38227. Procaine, an inhibitor of the voltage-sensitive potassium channel tended to increase the basal tone, but it did not affect the relaxant effects of the calcium-activated potassium channel opener did not antagonize the relaxant effects, but it reduced the Emax of RP 52891 and BRL 38227. Glibenclamide, an inhibitor of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel, antagonized the relaxant effects of pinacidil, RP 52891 and BRL 38227 reducing the Emax of RP 52891 and BRl 38227. Galanin which inhibits secretion of insulin through opening the ATP-sensitive potassium channels in pancreatic β-cells rather increased the basal tone of the isolated detrusor strips. These results suggest that the urinary bladder of the rat has mainly the ATP-sensitive, glibenclamide sensitive potassium channel, which is a different type from that in the pancreatic β-islet cells.
Animals ; Cromakalim ; Galanin ; Glyburide ; Insulin ; KATP Channels ; Muscle, Smooth ; Myography ; Pinacidil ; Potassium Channels* ; Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated ; Potassium* ; Procaine ; Rats* ; Relaxation ; Urinary Bladder

Temporomandibular joint is a major structure to play an important role in the function & stability of the occlusion as well as the stomatognathic system. Therefore, the TMJ is the structure that requires the complete analysis for diagnosing and planning treatment of pathologic changes by TMJ dysfunction and malocclusion. So, in this study, to evaluate TMJ situation in Korean malocclusion, based on the previous accomplishments, students of the dental college of Won-Kwang Univ. are surveyed and selected in terms of Angle's classification of malocclusion, whose TMJ radiographs were taken in the centric occlusion and centric relation. In each maiocclusion groups, the mean and standard deviation of anterior, posterior and superior joint space of the right, left and both side in CO & CR are evaluated and also those of the fossa height and the articular eminence angle of the right, left and both sides are evaluated. The obtained results were as follows: 1. In the correlation coefficient between the malocclusion groups, no other items except the posterior joint space of the right side in CR between in class I and class III are significant. 2. In the correlation coefficient between the right and left side, the each joint space in class I malocclusion group and class II malocclusion group are significant. 3. In the change of each joint space during the transmit from CO to CR, there is a tendency of increasing anterior joint space and decreasing posterior, superior joint spaces in class I, II malocclusion and increasing superior joint space and decreasing anterior, posterior joint space in class III malocclusion, which is significant in the correlation coefficient, but not significant in the T-test. 4. In each malocclusion group, the correlation coefficient between the posterior joint space and the superior joint space in C.R is highly significant. 5. The fossa height of class II malocclusion group is lesser than that of class l or class III, which is not significant in T-test. 6. In the correlation coefficient between Rt. and Lt. side in the fossa height, it is not significant in class I and class III group, but significant in class II malocclusion group. 7. The articular eminence angle of class II malocclusion group is larger then that of class I or class III groups, which is fairly significant. 8. In the correlation coefficient between Rt. and Lt. side in the articular eminence angle, it is significant in each malocclusion group.
Centric Relation ; Humans ; Joints ; Malocclusion* ; Mandibular Condyle* ; Stomatognathic System ; Temporomandibular Joint

Since patients who have suffered from strokes have chronic health problems, the development of a protocol for home care nursing is required. Therefore, this study was done to test the effects of such a protocol on stroke patients. This study was conducted by using a single group pre-post design. The subjects for the study were 13 home care nurses and 30 home care patients who had a stroke. Data collection was done from October 1997 to February 1998. The collected data was analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and paired t-test and the results were as follows : 1. The first hypothesis that "working satisfaction of home nurses would be higher after using the home care protocol" was supported. 2. The second hypothesis that "patients" satisfaction would be higher after using the home care protocol" was rejected. 3. The third hypothesis that "the level of ADL of patients would be higher after using the home care protocol" was supported. In conclusion, by using a home care protocol, the satisfaction of nurses' work and the ADL of patients increased, and the patients' satisfaction also increased without statistical significance. The above results confirm that the application of a home care protocol is very effective. Thus, this protocol can be helpful in the quality care of stroke patients. Therefore, developing and organizing protocols, according to health problem, can be useful for beginner nurses who interact with high risk patients.
Activities of Daily Living ; Data Collection ; Home Care Services* ; Humans ; Nurses, Community Health ; Nursing Care* ; Nursing* ; Stroke*

Axial mesodermal dysplasia complex (AMDC) arises in variable combinations of craniocaudal anomalies such as musculoskeletal deformities, neuroschisis, or rhombencephalic developmental disorders. To the best of our knowledge, the co-existence of AMDC with associated musculoskeletal anomalies, medullary neuroschisis with mirror movements, and cranial nerve anomalies has not yet been reported. Here, we report the case of a 4-year-old boy whose clinical features were suggestive of Goldenhar syndrome and Poland syndrome with Sprengel deformity. Moreover, he showed mirror movements in his hands suspected of rhombencephalic malformation, and infranuclear-type facial nerve palsy of the left side of his face, the opposite side to the facial anomalies of Goldenhar syndrome. After conducting radiological studies, he was diagnosed with medullary neuroschisis without pontine malformations and Klippel-Feil syndrome with rib anomalies. Based on these findings, we propose that clinical AMDC can be accompanied by a wide variety of musculoskeletal defects and variable degrees of central nervous system malformations. Therefore, in addition to detailed physical and neurological examinations, imaging studies should be considered in AMDC.
Central Nervous System ; Child, Preschool ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Cranial Nerves ; Facial Nerve ; Goldenhar Syndrome ; Hand ; Humans ; Klippel-Feil Syndrome ; Male ; Medulla Oblongata ; Mesoderm* ; Neurologic Examination ; Paralysis ; Poland Syndrome ; Rhombencephalon ; Ribs

BACKGROUND: To diagnose paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), the conventional methods such as sucrose lysis test and Ham's test have been used. But their sensitivities were so low that it has been difficult to confirm the diagnosis of PNH. And it has been reported that during the follow up of aplastic anemia patients, PNH clones were developed. So, we investigated the usefulness of newly introduced CD55 and CD59 tests for the diagnosis of PNH compared with conventional tests and the significance of previous history of aplastic anemia in PNH patients. METHODS: We performed the flow cytometric measurements with indirect immunofluorescence method using monoclonal antibodies to each CD55 or CD59 on the surface of red cells or neutrophils. Among fifty one patients who were requested of CD55 and CD59 tests, we reviewed the medical records of ten patients who showed the defective expression of CD55 and/or CD59 expression. RESULTS: Of ten patients who showed the defective expression of CD55 and/or CD59 expression on red cells or neutrophils, six patients were requested of sucrose lysis test also and seven patients Ham's test. Only three of six (50%) showed positive results in sucrose lysis test and two of seven (29%) in Ham's test. One showed detective CD59 expression on only neutrophils. Four (40%) had the history of aplastic anemia and two (20%) were diagnosed as aplastic anemia and PNH at the same time. Another one had the refractory anemia of excess blasts and another acute mixed lineage leukemia at the time of CD55 and CD59 tests. Two were diagnosed as PNH in the course of cytopenia workup and had no previous history of hematologic diseases. CONCLUSION: CD55 and CD59 tests are considered to be the most useful and specific tests to diagnose PNH. During the follow up of patients with aplastic anemia, CD55 and CD59 tests are valuable to detect the development of complicated PNH clones.
Anemia, Aplastic ; Anemia, Refractory ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Clone Cells ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine* ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematologic Diseases ; Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal* ; Humans ; Leukemia ; Medical Records ; Neutrophils ; Sucrose

PURPOSE: Thallium behaves similarly to potassium in vivo. Potassium channel opener (K-opener) opens ATP-sensitive K+/-channel located at cell membrane, resulting in potassium efflux from cytosol. We have previously reported that K-opener can alter biokinetics of Tl-201 in cultured cells and in vivo. Malignant tumor cells have high Na-K ATPase activity due to increased metabolic activities and dedifferentiation, and differential delineation of malignant tumor can be possible with Tl-201 imaging. K-opener may affect tumoral uptake of Tl-201 in vivo. To investigate the effects of pinacidil (one of the potent K-openers) on the localization of the tumor with Tl-201 chloride, we evaluated the changes in biodistribution of Tl-201 with pinacidil treatment in tumor-bearing mice. MATERAL AND METHODS: Balb/c mice received subcutaneous implantation of murine breast cancer cells in the thigh and were used for biodistribution study 3 weeks later. 100 microgram of pinacidil dissolved in 200 microliter DMSO/PBS solution was injected intravenously via tail vein at 10 min after 185 KBq (5 microcurie) Tl-201 injection. Percentage organ uptake and whole body retention ratio of Tl-201 were measured at various periods after injection, and values were compared between control and pinacidil-treated mice. RESULTS: Pinacidil treatment resulted in mild decrease in blood levels of Tl-201, but renal uptakes were markedly decreased at 30-min, 1- and 2-hour, compared to control group. Hepatic, intestinal and muscular uptake were not different. Absolute percentage uptake and tumor to blood ratios of Tl-201 were lower in pinacidil treated mice than in the control group at all time points measured. Whole body retention ratio of Tl-201 was lower in pinacidil treated mice (58+/-4%), than in the control group (67+/-3%) at 24 hours after with injection of 100 microgram pinacidil. CONCLUSION: K-opener did not enhance, but rather decreased absolute tumoral uptake and tumor-to-blood ratios of Tl-201. Decreased whole body retention ratio and renal uptake were observed with pinacidil treatment in tumor-bearing mice.
Adenosine Triphosphatases ; Animals ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cell Membrane ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytosol ; Mice* ; Pinacidil* ; Potassium ; Potassium Channels ; Thallium ; Thigh ; Veins

No abstract available.
Animals ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger* ; Testis*

Prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL) is a member of chronic lymphoproliferative disorders with relatively distinct clinical, morphologic, immunologic and prognostic features. The diagnosis of PLL is determined by more than 55% of prolymphocytes in the peripheral blood. It is characterized by leukocytosis, massive splenomegaly with little or no lymphadenopathy, and male prevalence. In immunophenotyping, the majority (80%) of the cases express B cell markers and the rest (20%), T cell type. We experienced a case of B-PLL. The patient was a 65 year-old man who presented with marked leukocytosis (110.5x109/L) and 78% of characteristic prolymphocytes in the peripheral blood. The bone marrow aspirate showed 13.6% of prolymphocytes and coarse granular positivity of prolymphocytes in PAS stain. The immunophenotyping of the leukemic prolymphocytes revealed the positivity of surface immunoglobulin (IgM, lambda type), HLA- DR and CD19. The monoclonal gammopathy (IgM, lambda type) was also detectable in the patient's serum.
Aged ; Bone Marrow ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunophenotyping ; Leukemia* ; Leukemia, Prolymphocytic ; Leukocytosis ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; Male ; Paraproteinemias ; Prevalence ; Splenomegaly

Frailty has been previously studied in Western countries and the urban Korean population; however, the burden of frailty and geriatric conditions in the aging populations of rural Korean communities had not yet been determined. Thus, we established a population-based prospective study of adults aged > or = 65 years residing in rural communities of Korea between October 2014 and December 2014. All participants underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment that encompassed the assessment of cognitive and physical function, depression, nutrition, and body composition using bioimpedance analysis. We determined the prevalence of frailty based on the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) and Korean version of FRAIL (K-FRAIL) criteria, as well as geriatric conditions. We recruited 382 adults (98% of eligible adults; mean age: 74 years; 56% women). Generally, sociodemographic characteristics were similar to those of the general rural Korean population. Common geriatric conditions included instrumental activity of daily living disability (39%), malnutrition risk (38%), cognitive dysfunction (33%), multimorbidity (32%), and sarcopenia (28%), while dismobility (8%), incontinence (8%), and polypharmacy (3%) were less common conditions. While more individuals were classified as frail according to the K-FRAIL criteria (27%) than the CHS criteria (17%), the CHS criteria were more strongly associated with prevalent geriatric conditions. Older Koreans living in rural communities have a significant burden of frailty and geriatric conditions that increase the risk of functional decline, poor quality of life, and mortality. The current study provides a basis to guide public health professionals and policy-makers in prioritizing certain areas of care and designing effective public health interventions to promote healthy aging of this vulnerable population.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Aging ; Body Composition ; Cognition Disorders/epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Demography ; Disabled Persons ; Female ; Geriatric Assessment/*statistics & numerical data ; *Health Status ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Male ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Rural Population ; Sarcopenia/epidemiology

BACKGROUND: For acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), NCI criteria (1990) does not provide reliable information regarding therapeutic response. We studied APL cases in our hospital and evaluated various criteria for their predictability of therapeutic response. METHODS: Group I (GI) included 8 APL cases treated with chemotherapy and group II (GII), 10 cases with ATRA plus chemotherapy. Four treatment response indices were; (1) NCI criteria, (2) the percent sum of myelocyte and metamyelocyte (PSMM), (3) Differentiation Index[ (myelocyte+metamyelocyte+band neutrophil+segmented neutrophil)%/ (myeloblast+promyelocyte)%, DI], and (4) Maturation Index[ (metamyelocyte+band neutrophil+segmented neutrophil)%/ (myeloblast+promyelocyte+myelocyte)%, MI]. RESULTS: Among those achieving complete remission (CR), four of GI and eight of GII showed normocellularity or hypercellularity, two were in partial remission and three in persistence of GI by NCI criteria and one of GII showed persistent Auer rods at D14. Applying NCI criteria, the blast plus leukemic promyelocyte as leukemic cell were correlated well with clinical outcome. PSMM of GII were relatively constant as 20 to 29.7% at D28. DI showed wide variation and MI over 2 (Nakajima, 1996) did not correlate with CR by NCI criteria in 5 cases at D14 and 1 case at D28. CONCLUSION: NCI criteria are the reliable predictor of CR at D28 after chemotherapy if blasts plus leukemic promyelocytes are regarded as leukemic cell while they are inappropriate at D14. The persistence of Auer rods dose not exclude CR. After ATRA plus chemotherapy therapy, PSMM over 20% at D28 may be considered as a marker for CR.
Bone Marrow* ; Drug Therapy ; Granulocyte Precursor Cells ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute*