BACKGROUND: Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) has been described as an important candidate for mediation of neurotoxicity after brain ischemia. This study was purposed to evaluate the effects of a PARP inhibitor on hypoxic-ischemic injury in the neonatal rat brain. In this study, a highly potent inhibitor of PARP, 3, 4-Dihydro-5-[4-(1-piperidinyl) butoxy]-1 (2H)-isoquinolinone (DPQ) was investigated. METHODS: Seven-day old Sprague-Dawley rat pups were used. The right common carotid artery was ligated under halothane anesthesia. After a recovery period of 3 hours, they were exposed to 8% oxygen at 37degreesC for about 120 minutes. The animals were divided into four groups: the pre-treatment group (n = 13) and post-treatment group (n = 21) were given DPQ 10 mg/kg and the pre-control group (n = 7) and post-control group (n = 14) were given a vehicle for controls. Pre-treatment and pre-control groups were injected 30 minutes prior to the hypoxic injury while post-treatment and post-control groups were injected 30 minutes after the hypoxic period intraperitoneally. The right cerebral hemisphere of the rats were examined with localized (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy on day 1 and 7 after the hypoxic insult. Lipid/N-acetyl aspartate (Lip/NAA) and lipid/creatine (Lip/Cr) ratios were used as apoptotic markers. On day 14, the degree of brain injury was scored by morphological changes. RESULTS: In the DPQ treated groups, the Lip/NAA and Lip/Cr ratios were lower than those of the control groups on day 1 after the hypoxic-ischemic injury (P < 0.05). However on day 7, only the ratios of the pre-treatment group were lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The degree of morphological changes of the brain injury on day 14 were lower in the DPQ treated groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that DPQ exerts a neuroprotective effect in cerebral hypoxic-ischemic injury probably by inhibiting apoptosis especially in the early stage after an insult. Acute inhibition of PARP can have a therapeutic value in preventing ischemic brain injury.
Anesthesia ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Aspartic Acid ; Brain Injuries ; Brain Ischemia ; Brain* ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Cerebrum ; Halothane ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Negotiating ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Oxygen ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVE: Unilateral interfacetal dislocation(UID) is a common injury in cervical spine, but diagnosis is somewhat difficult due to mild subluxation. Management of'locked facet' is not established yet and many authors advocate posterior fusion to secure stability. Because most of UID patients have minimal neurological symptom with normal activity, we tried anterior and posterior fusion simultaneously. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Various parameters, such as the radiological findings, operation time and methods, kinds of fixation devices, post-operative stability, neurological outcomes in 10 UID-patients, who showed no satisfactory closed reduction with Gardner tong traction. These patients underwent anterior fixation following posterior open reduction and fusion to maintain the definite stability. RESULTS: Median age was 40 years(18-64 range) and the male to female ratio was 7:3. Causes of injury consisted of 6 car accident, 3 fall-down, 1 diving accident. Mechanism of injury was flexion in all ten cases. Levels of injury were 2 in C4-5, 5 in C5-6 and 3 in C6-7. Operations were performed within 5 days of injury in eight patients. In two patients, who had no reduction procedures were operated on the 23rd day and the 4th month respectively. Kinds of device were: 7 titanium wire and 3 steel wire in posterior wiring, 9 Caspar nonlocking plate and 1 Orion locking plate in anterior plate fixation. All patients were ambulated at post-operative one day with Philadelphia cervical collar and showed post-operative stability with improved neurological outcome. CONCLUSION: In UID patients who failed in closed reduction with traction, anterior discectomy and bone fusion and plating following posterior open reduction and wiring proved good results.
Diagnosis ; Diskectomy ; Dislocations* ; Diving ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Spine ; Steel ; Titanium ; Traction

Orlistat(Xenical(R), Roche) is considered a safe and effective drug to treat obesity by reduced absorption of 30% digested fat. To date, no serious adverse effects affecting the liver have been published except a case of subacute hepatic failure leading to liver transplantation in a young women with moderate obesity treated with orlistat. We report a case of acute cholestatic hepatitis in a young woman with moderate obesity treated with orlistat: a 33-year-old female admitted for the evaluation of jaundice. Abdominal ultrasonography, ERCP, routine chemistry, viral markers, and a fine needle biopsy of liver were performed. Microscopic findings of the liver biopsy specimen were compatible with acute cholestatic hepatitis. After steroid therapy, liver function was improved.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Anti-Obesity Agents/*adverse effects ; Cholestasis/*chemically induced/diagnosis ; English Abstract ; Female ; Hepatitis, Toxic/*diagnosis/etiology ; Human ; Lactones/*adverse effects ; Lipase/antagonists & inhibitors

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are believed to be common in the general population, and constipation is one of the most representative GI symptoms. However, the prevalence and risk factors of functional constipation are not well known in Korea. We aimed to study the prevalence of, and risk factors for, constipation in the elderly. METHODS: We randomly selected 852 among 854 (excluded by cancer and dementia) subjects, ages 65 yr and older, in three different geriatric welfare facilities in December, 2003. The prevalence of functional constipation was based on the Rome II criteria and the survey on risk factors for constipation was performed. RESULTS: Functional constipation had a prevalence of 26.6% and there was no difference between men and women. Exercise, fluid, fruit, vegetable intake, anal diseases and age related risk factors were associated with constipation. CONCLUSION: In the elderly, constipation is a common complaint. Further studies are now required for risk factors of constipation.
Aged* ; Constipation* ; Female ; Fruit ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors* ; Vegetables

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare disorder with abnormal proliferation of histiocytes. Besides the infiltration of a variety of organs, patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis can develop sclerosing cholangitis, with bile duct involvement, progressive fibrosis, and cirrhosis. We report a case of Langerhans cell histiocytosis with sclerosing cholangitis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed multiple strictures and dilatations of left intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct. Endoscopic biopsy of common bile duct showed diffuse infiltration of histiocytes and eosinophiles in lamina propria. Immunohistochemical stain showed positive reactions for S-100 and CD1a and a negative reaction for cytokeratin in infiltrating histiocytes.
Bile Ducts ; Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; Biopsy ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholangitis, Sclerosing* ; Common Bile Duct ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dilatation ; Eosinophils ; Fibrosis ; Histiocytes ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell* ; Humans ; Keratins ; Mucous Membrane

BACKGROUND: The extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by dermal fibroblasts supports skin structure, and degradation and/or reduced production of ECM are the main causes of wrinkle formation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the active ingredient that enhances ECM production in dermal fibroblasts. METHODS: Polarity-based fractionation was used to isolate the active ingredient from natural extracts, and the effects of cedrol (isolated from Pterocarpus indicusirginia) on ECM production in cultured human dermal fibroblasts was investigated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Cedrol accelerated fibroblast growth in a dose-dependent manner and increased the production of type 1 collagen and elastin. Phosphorylation of p42/44 extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and Akt was markedly increased by cedrol, indicating that enhanced ECM production is linked to activation of intracellular signaling cascades. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that cedrol stimulates ECM production, with possible applications to the maintenance of skin texture.
Blotting, Western ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I ; Elastin ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinases ; Pterocarpus ; Skin ; Terpenes

OBJECTIVE: To report 18 months follow up results of radiofrequency myolysis and analysis the factors which effect the success rate of myolysis. METHODS: 153 patients who took radiofrequency myolysis between October 2004.~June 2006 in this hospital were enrolled this retrospective study. Except 14 patients which had incomplete data, total 139 patient's charts were reviewed. Sonographic evaluations were checked after a week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months after myolysis. Questions about complications like vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, feber and vaginal discharge were asked to patients in every visits. Volume of the myoma were checked via 3D ultrasonography. RESULTS: Reduction rate of the volume of myoma after 18 months were 73% and reoperation rate were 4.3%. Improvement rates of patients symptom were 87% (menorrhagea 95%, dysmenorrheal 75%, pelvic pain 60%) The patients who had myomas sized over 100 ml before treatments showed statistically higher rate of reoperation, and decreased rate of satisfaction. Reoperation rate and reduction rate of myoma showed no difference through pathologic diagnosis. The patients who had initial symptoms showed higher rate of satisfaction after myolysis. Total satisfaction rate were 62%, and no serious complications like bowel injury, bladder injury, sepsis and peritonitis were not reported. CONCLUSION: Satisfaction rate after radiofrequency myolysis was increased in symptomatic leiomyoma especially smaller than 6.5 cm in diameter.
Abdominal Pain ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; Myoma ; Pelvic Pain ; Peritonitis ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Bladder ; Uterine Hemorrhage ; Vaginal Discharge

BACKGROUND: The end-tidal carbon dioxide tension(ETCO2) is defied as a partial pressure of carbon dioxide at the end of an exhaled breath.)he purpose of this study is to determine the correlation between ETCO2 and arterial carbon dioxide tension(PaO2) in nonintubated abated patients with respiratory distress in emergency department(ED). METHODS: A prospective non-blind study was performed in ED of our university hospitals. Participants included all nonintubated adult patients with respiratory distress requiring arterial blood gas analysis. ETCO2 was measured with a capnography monitor during tidal volume breathing. ETCO2 were recoreded at the time of arterial blood gas sampling. The correlation between ETCO2 and PaCO2 was analysed in all patients and in subgroups by simple linear regression. RESULTS: Sixty patients were enrolled. In all patients, ETCO2 was 5.72mmHg lower than PaCO2 and correlated well with PaCO 2(r2=0.716). ETCO2 correlated best with PaCO2) in patients who were either acidotic or non-smoking. CONCLUSION: ETCO2 correlate well with PaCO2 in nonintubated patients with respiratory distress in ED. ETCO2 may be sufficient to reflect PaCO2 in selected patients and obviate the need far repeat arterial blood gas determination.
Adult ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Capnography ; Carbon Dioxide ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Partial Pressure ; Prospective Studies ; Respiration ; Tidal Volume

No abstract available.
Humans* ; Sebum*

In a case of autoimmune chronic pancreatitis that relapsed despite maintenance therapy with low-dose steroid, high- dose steroid can induce remission of the disease, and maintenance therapy of steroid is usually recommended in that case. A 57-year-old man developed epigastric pain and jaundice. The patient was diagnosed with autoimmune chronic pancreatitis. The abnormalities in the clinical, laboratory and radiologic findings improved after oral steroid therapy. After two relapsed episodes, maintenance therapy of steroid with 5 mg prednisolone/day was administrated. In the studies for follow up, the level of serum IgG was increased and abdominal computed tomography showed calcification and pseudocyst in the pancreatic tail. To our knowledge, this is a rare case of autoimmune chronic pancreatitis aggravated rapidly despite oral steroid maintenance therapy.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Jaundice ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis, Chronic