Two-dimensional Doppler echocardiographic velocity profiles of four cardiac valves in a group of 85 infants and children with left to right shunt lesions(VSD, ASD and PDA) are presented. Velocities were obtained before operation and 10 days afterward. The results were as follows ; 1) VSD(type 2) Peak velocities of mitral valve were significantly decreased when compared preop. with postop. echocardiogram(n=37, preop 132+/-24, postop 98+/-16 cm/sec, p<0.0005). Peak velocities of tricuspid valve were also significantly decreased(n=30, perop 60+/-21, postop 50+/-17cm/sec, p<0.01). Peak velocities of aortic valve were decreased(n=18, perop 120+/-20, postop 108+/-26cm/sec, 0.010.05). Peak velocities of pulmonic valve were significantly decreased(n=17, perop 168+/-46, postop 104+/-51cm/sec, p<0.0005). 3) PDA Peak velocities of mitral valve were significantly decreased when compared perop. with postop. echocardiogram(n=29, perop 138+/-28, postop 111+/-19cm/sec, p<0.0005). Tricuspid valve velocities showed no significant changes between preop. and postop. echocardiogram (n=15, perop 47+/-12, postop 44+/-10cm/sec, p>0.05). Aortic valve velocities showed no significant changes (n=10, perop 134+/-23, postop 121+/-25cm/sec, p>0.05). Peak velocities of pulmonic valve were significantly decreased(n=28, perop 138+/-37, postop 107+/-27cm/sec, p<0.005). This study demonstrates that Doppler echocardiographic assessment of velovity changes are correlated with known hemodynamic data and also will be a good index in the evaluation of operation.
Aortic Valve ; Child ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Heart Valves* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Infant ; Mitral Valve ; Tricuspid Valve

To investigate the effects of prostaglandin E1(PGX1) in prevention of proliferative scar formation, we cultured fibroblasts of normal skin (NS), hypertrophic scar (HS) and keloid (KL) tissues obtained from patients. We have compared type I collagenase production of cultured fibroblasts from normal skin, hypertrophic scar, and keloid tissues under various concentrations of PGE1. Our results demonstrate that type I collagenase production was significantly increased after addition of PGE1 in HS and KL, but not NS. Type I collagenase production of HS and KL fibroblasts were increased similarly in 10M and 10M of PGE1 and maximally increased in the concentration of 10M. This promotive effects of PGE1 on the production of type I collagenase was larger in KL than in HS. These results also suggest that PGE1 may play the promotive effects on type I collagenase production in dose-dependent manner. PGE1 may have a role in the prevention of hypertrophic scar and keloid by enhancing the production of type I collagenase of HS and KL fibroblasts. The promotive effects of PGE1 on type I collagenase production was variable depending on its concentration, and its effects was maximum in certain optimal condition. The maximally effective concentration of PGE1 in the prevention of proliferative scar formation should be searched in further investigations for clinical use.
Alprostadil ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic* ; Collagenases* ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans ; Keloid* ; RNA, Messenger* ; Skin

BACKGROUND: For the bone-specific imaging, a structure-inherent targeting of bone tissue recently has been reported a new strategy based on incorporation of targeting moieties into the chemical structure of near-infrared (NIR) contrast agents, while conventional methods require covalent conjugation of bone-targeting ligands to NIR contrast agents. This will be a new approach for bone-targeted imaging by using the bifunctional NIR contrast agents. METHODS: The goal of this review is to provide an overview of the recent advances in optical imaging of bone tissue, highlighting the structure-inherent targeting by developing NIR contrast agents without the need for a bone-targeting ligand such as bisphosphonates. RESULTS: A series of iminodiacetated and phosphonated NIR contrast agents for the structure-inherent targeting of bone tissue showed excellent bone-targeting ability in vivo without non-specific binding. Additionally, the phosphonated NIR contrast agents could be useful in the diagnosis of bone metastasis. CONCLUSION: By developing bone-targeted NIR contrast agents, optical imaging of bone tissue makes it very attractive for preclinical studies of bone growth or real-time fluorescence guided surgery resulting in high potential to shift the clinical paradigms.
Bone and Bones ; Bone Development ; Contrast Media ; Diagnosis ; Diphosphonates ; Fluorescence ; Ligands ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Optical Imaging ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted

BACKGROUND: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is usually managed pharmacologically. It is not uncommon for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to suffer from PHN. It is difficult to prescribe a sufficient dose of anticonvulsants for intractable pain because of the decreased glomerular filtration rate. If the neural blockade and pulsed radiofrequency ablation provide only short-term amelioration of pain, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) with a low level of evidence may be used only as a last resort. This study was done to evaluate the efficacy of spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of PHN in patients with CKD. METHODS: PHN patients with CKD who needed hemo-dialysis who received insufficient relief of pain over a VAS of 8 regardless of the neuropathic medications were eligible for SCS trial. The follow-up period was at least 2 years after permanent implantation. RESULTS: Eleven patients received percutaneous SCS test trial from Jan 2003 to Dec 2007. Four patients had successfully received a permanent SCS implant with their pain being tolerable at a VAS score of less than 3 along with small doses of neuropathic medications. CONCLUSIONS: SCS was helpful in managing tolerable pain levels in some PHN patients with CKD along with tolerable neuropathic medications for over 2 years.
Anticonvulsants ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Health Resorts ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Diseases ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic ; Pain, Intractable ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Stimulation

Intracranial lipomas are rare tumor which are usually found at or near the mid saggital plane, especially in the corpus callosum. 3 cases of intracranial lipomas, diagnosed by CT scanning, are presented. The first case was a lipoma involving the midline of occiput to the bilateral occipital lobes through the skull defect. There was a calcified area in this tumor. The second case presented a generalized convulsive seizure as clinical manifestation, and the lipoma was found to be located in the corpus callosum. In the third case, the lipoma was located near the third ventricle and the tumor was found incidentally after head trauma. The first case was operated and the tumor was completely removed, the others were managed with symptomatic treatment. The literature on this rare tumor is reviewed and discussed.
Corpus Callosum ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Lipoma* ; Occipital Lobe ; Seizures ; Skull ; Third Ventricle ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Ulcer*

Congenital lobar emphysema has the clinical features of an air block' syndrome with- out the evidence of pulmonary infection or intrabronchial foreign body. The hyperinflated lung causes a compression of uninvolved lobes creating respiratory distress, cyanosis within the first weeks of life. We experienced a case of congenital lobar emphysema diagnosed incidentally by chest reontgenogram in an infant with frequent upper respiratory infection within a few weeks of life. Chest X-ray revealed extensive emphysematous changes in the left upper lobe, shifting of heart and medistinum to the right and compression of the right lung. Respiratory distress, cyanosis and chest wall retraction ensued and left upper lobe Lobectomy was performed successfully.
Cyanosis ; Emphysema* ; Foreign Bodies ; Heart ; Humans ; Infant ; Lung ; Thoracic Wall ; Thorax

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency (PDCD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders associated with abnormal mitochondrial metabolism. Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex plays an important role in glucose metabolism and generation of energy from carbohydrates. Potential therapies for PDCD, include thiamine and ketogenic diet (KD), have been used with varying degrees of success. However, the KD is too restrictive, and its serious complications, particularly in early age of neonate or infancy are important drawbacks. Recently, the modified Atkins diet (MAD) for intractable epilepsy has provided balanced nutrients. The complications can be expected to be less frequent and well controlled. In this report, we describe an infant with PDCD confirmed by PDHA1 gene mutation through high-throughput sequencing technique of whole exome sequencing, who failed to continue the KD, but made good progress on MAD.

A nosocomial outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 occurred in two general wards. One outbreak had pre-symptomatic transmission and was linked epidemiologically with an index case. The other outbreak was associated with early detection failure in a crowded room. Notably, adherence to appropriate mask wearing was not confirmed in the hospital outbreak. Confirmed cases were moved into isolation rooms, and contacts were quarantined. Quarantined cases were tested regularly and facilitated early termination of the hospital outbreak.

A nosocomial outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 occurred in two general wards. One outbreak had pre-symptomatic transmission and was linked epidemiologically with an index case. The other outbreak was associated with early detection failure in a crowded room. Notably, adherence to appropriate mask wearing was not confirmed in the hospital outbreak. Confirmed cases were moved into isolation rooms, and contacts were quarantined. Quarantined cases were tested regularly and facilitated early termination of the hospital outbreak.