A simple, rapid and selective liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is developed and validated for quantification of venlafaxine in human plasma with simple liquid-liquid extraction step consisted of extraction with ether and dichloromethane for 10 min and mixing with 1 M sodium acetate in human plasma using fluoxetine as an internal standard (IS). The analyte are separated using an isocratic mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 5 mM ammonium formate (4/3, v/v) on a isocratic YMC hydrosphere C18 (2.0x50.0 mm, 3.0 microm) column and analyzed by MS/MS in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using the transitions of respective [M+H](+) ions, m/z 278.2-->260.3 and m/z 310.1-->148.1 for quantification of venlafaxine and IS, respectively. The standard calibration curves showed good linearity within the range of 1.0-200.0 ng/mL (r2=0.9986, 1/chi2 weighting). The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 1.0 ng/mL. The retention times of venlafaxine and IS were 0.6 min and 0.7 min that means the potential for the high-throughput potential of the proposed method. In addition, no significant metabolic compounds were found to interfere with the analysis. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for the concentrations over the standard curve range. The validated method was successfully applied to bioequivalence study after 75-mg of venlafaxine sustained-release (SR) capsule in 24 healthy Korean subjects.
Ammonium Compounds ; Calibration ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Ether ; Fluoxetine ; Humans ; Ions ; Liquid-Liquid Extraction ; Methylene Chloride ; Pharmacokinetics ; Plasma* ; Sodium Acetate ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Therapeutic Equivalency* ; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

BACKGROUND: Hydration, the water content of the stratum corneum, is an important factor in both the appearance and the barrier function of the skin. Many non-invasive methods have been developed in order to assesa the hydration state of the skin and the effect of various moisturizers. The hydrometer and carneometer are commercially available instruments which are widely used in dermatologic research. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare the measuring usefulnes of both instruments on normal subjects with a wide range of hydration states of the hornylayer. METHODS: We measured the conductance with the hydrometer and the capacitance with the corneometer in various hydrating eonditions and compared both insruments. RESULTS: Conductance had a non linear correlation with capacita ice. Capacitance measured with the corneometer had a high sensitivity to moisture in a wide range of hydration levels. On the other hand, conductance guaged with the hydrometer showed a few sensitivity to moisture at a low level. When the hydretion level was measured after a moiturizer was added, 10 % urea cream showed a sharp increase by 256% in terms of conductanae, and H-base by 97.8%. Mineral oil decreased by 41.5% and petrolatum by 62% respectively. On the other hand, when measured in terms of capacitance under the same conditions as above, 38.9 increase in 10% urea cream, 19.3% increase in H-base, 20% decrease in mineral oil, and 43.5 % decrease in petrolatum were reported. Conductance showed a higher hygroscopicity and a lower water holding capacity than capacitance did. When the measurement of the moisture level iri virious parts of the human body is performed, the corneometer provided us with more stable alies than the hydrometer. While the hydrometer can not the available and appropriate under the condition of insulation, the corneometer can measure moisture levels even down at the depth of 250mm. When measured after the oily surface of the forehead was cleansed with soft tissue, conductance and capacitance revealed higher values of moisture levels than before the eleanin. However, there is no statistical significance in these values. CONCLUSION: The hydrometer is a more appropriate tool for the measurement of moisture at a high level, and the corneometer at a low moisture level. The hydrcmeter is a more sensitive method of measuring the increase and the decrease in the moisture level.
Forehead ; Hand ; Human Body ; Ice ; Lasers, Gas ; Mineral Oil ; Petrolatum ; Skin* ; Urea ; Water ; Wettability

BACKGROUND: Hydration, the water content of the stratum corneum, is an important factor in both the appearance and the barrier function of the skin. Many non-invasive methods have been developed in order to assesa the hydration state of the skin and the effect of various moisturizers. The hydrometer and carneometer are commercially available instruments which are widely used in dermatologic research. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare the measuring usefulnes of both instruments on normal subjects with a wide range of hydration states of the hornylayer. METHODS: We measured the conductance with the hydrometer and the capacitance with the corneometer in various hydrating eonditions and compared both insruments. RESULTS: Conductance had a non linear correlation with capacita ice. Capacitance measured with the corneometer had a high sensitivity to moisture in a wide range of hydration levels. On the other hand, conductance guaged with the hydrometer showed a few sensitivity to moisture at a low level. When the hydretion level was measured after a moiturizer was added, 10 % urea cream showed a sharp increase by 256% in terms of conductanae, and H-base by 97.8%. Mineral oil decreased by 41.5% and petrolatum by 62% respectively. On the other hand, when measured in terms of capacitance under the same conditions as above, 38.9 increase in 10% urea cream, 19.3% increase in H-base, 20% decrease in mineral oil, and 43.5 % decrease in petrolatum were reported. Conductance showed a higher hygroscopicity and a lower water holding capacity than capacitance did. When the measurement of the moisture level iri virious parts of the human body is performed, the corneometer provided us with more stable alies than the hydrometer. While the hydrometer can not the available and appropriate under the condition of insulation, the corneometer can measure moisture levels even down at the depth of 250mm. When measured after the oily surface of the forehead was cleansed with soft tissue, conductance and capacitance revealed higher values of moisture levels than before the eleanin. However, there is no statistical significance in these values. CONCLUSION: The hydrometer is a more appropriate tool for the measurement of moisture at a high level, and the corneometer at a low moisture level. The hydrcmeter is a more sensitive method of measuring the increase and the decrease in the moisture level.
Forehead ; Hand ; Human Body ; Ice ; Lasers, Gas ; Mineral Oil ; Petrolatum ; Skin* ; Urea ; Water ; Wettability

This study was conducted to understand health status by general characteristic, and to find out relationship between social support and worker's health status. Health status was measured using SF-36(Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36), a 36 item self administered Instrument. The finding of this study were as follow; Mean scores of health status by sex were higher in male. The younger worker reported good health on physical functioning and role limitation-physical than did the older worker, but the older worker reported good health on social functioning and mental health. Mean scores of health status were higher in high income and white worker. When the relationship between social support and health status, social functioning, role limitation-emotion, mental health, vitality, general health were significantly related. Therefore we reviewed the evidence that socio-economic condition are associated with health status in this study, and that the strength of the social support was a important to maintain health.
Humans ; Male ; Mental Health ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care)

Tarsometatarsal injury has not been paid much attention due to it is unusual frequency. But the cases of tarsometatarsal injuries are on the increase in proportion to the increasing "high energy trauma injury" resulted from the traffic and industrial accidents. The purpose of this study is both assessing the relative effects among clinical results, final radiologic findings, treatment results and symtoms. In view of the results so far achieved from 20 cases of tarsometatarsal fracture dislocation which had been treated at Sung-Ae general hospital from January 1990 to December 1993, the results were as follows: 1. Thirteen cases were treated by open reduction and 3 cases were treated by closed reduction with smooth pins but no reduction loss were experienced. 2. Traumatic arthrosis could be observed in 14 cases but there were no influences on the functional end results. 3. Anatomical results correlated with pain. 4. Anatomical or neraly anatomical reduction was considered as most important factor of prognosis.
Accidents, Occupational ; Dislocations ; Hospitals, General ; Prognosis

Due to the instability of intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients, various methods of reduction and fixation were introduced to obtain stable reduction and solid union, But there have been many controversies regarding advantages between anatomical reduction group and non-anatomical reduction group. The authors analyzed the 68 unstable intertrochanteric fractures out of total 94 cases of intertrochanteric fractures treated from Jan. 1988 to Jan. 1994 with mean follow-up 17 months and evaluated the radiologic and clinical results between those two groups. The results were obtained as follows: 1. The most common cause was low energy injury and according to the Tronzo classification, the type III was most common in 54 cases (79.4%). 2. The average union time was 14.0wks (84%), the union rate was low in the medialized reduction group(A-P) and anterior displaced reduction group(A-P), anterior displaced and anatomical reduction groups(Lateral). 3. The compression length more than 10mm of lag screw was deep in medialized reduction group(A-P), another displaced and anatomical reduction groups(Lateral). 4. The average length of lag screw sliding was 9.2mm and depth sliding of 6.8mm (74%) was occurred within immediate postoperative 1 month.
Aged ; Classification ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip Fractures ; Hip ; Humans

Fractures involving both tibial plataeus result form high energy trauma such as a traffic accidents or falls, and it is frequently accompanied by soft tissue injuries. Thus it is very difficult to treat these fractures satisfactorily and severe complications can be caused. The purpose of study is to analyze the clinical results, complication and factors influencing the results after open reduction and internal fixation of tibial bicondylar fractures. Twenty cases(19 patients) of tibial bicondylar fractures which had been treated by open reduction and internal fixation from January 1989 to December 1994 were analyzed after 1 to 5 years follow-up. The results were as follows. 1. By AO classification, the most common type was C3(13 cases). 2. According to Blokker's criteria, 5 cases was unsatisfactory and all of these cases were C3. 3. Unsatisfactory results were 3 cases of reduction loss(angular deformity), one case of deep infection and one case of unresolved peroneal nerve palsy. 4. Tibial tubercle osteotomy, bone graft and medial buttress plate were important for anatomical reduction and maintenance.
Accidental Falls ; Accidents, Traffic ; Classification ; Follow-Up Studies ; Osteotomy ; Paralysis ; Peroneal Nerve ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Tibia ; Transplants

PURPOSE: To evaluate the antiproliferative and antifibrotic effects of alpha-tocotrienols in primary cultured orbital fibroblasts from thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) patients. METHODS: Orbital fibroblasts were cultured (5 eyes from TAO patients, 5 eyes from normal patients) and classified into a control group, alpha-tocotrienol group and alpha-tocopherol group. The cell viability was measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The proliferation of orbital fibroblasts was measured using the Click-iT(TM) assay. The collagen production of the control and alpha-tocotrienol groups was measured using a hydroxyproline assay. RESULTS: The alpha-tocotrienol and alpha-tocopherol groups showed no cytotoxicity up to 150 microm in orbital fibroblasts from TAO and normal patients. The proliferation of orbital fibroblasts from TAO and normal patients was significantly inhibited with alpha-tocotrienol at 80 microm and 120 microm. The collagen production of orbital fibroblasts from TAO patients was significantly inhibited with alpha-tocotrienol at 120 microm. CONCLUSIONS: The results from the present study indicate that non-toxic concentrations of alpha-tocotrienol have significant antiproliferative and antifibrotic effects on orbital fibroblasts from TAO patients.
alpha-Tocopherol ; Cell Survival ; Collagen ; Eye ; Fibroblasts ; Fibrosis ; Graves Ophthalmopathy ; Humans ; Hydroxyproline ; Orbit ; Tetrazolium Salts ; Thiazoles ; Troleandomycin ; Vitamin E

The author performed this study to investige the relationship between condylar movements recorded with Pantronic and mandibular movements at incisal area recorded with BioEGN. For this study 24 patients with Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and 30 dental students without any masticatory symptoms were selected as patients group and control group, respectively. The items recorded with Pantronic(Denar Corp., USA) were immediate side-shift, orbiting path, protrusive path, and PRI. BioEGN(Bioelectric-gnathography, Bioresearch Inc., USA) were sued to measure the amount of mandibular torque movement in frontal and horizontal plane and also the distance of mandibular translation at incisal area. Amount of mandibular rotational torque movement was analyzed by angle and difference between both condyles in frontal and horizontal plane. The collected data were processed with SAS program and conclusion were as follows : 1. Mean value of items recorded with Pantronic were not significantly differed between patients group and control group except the item of pantographic reproducibility index(PRI). The value of PRI was 39.5 in patients group, and 29.5 in control group. 2. The amount of mandibular torque movement was not differed tin early protrusive and early left excursion between patients group and control group, but in early right excursion, patients group showed more value than control group did. 3. The distance on sagittal plane in early eccentric movements were longer in patients group than those in control group, but the distance of maximal eccentric movements were not significantly differed between patients group and control group. 4. Items which showed significant correlation with PRI were progressive side-shift, and horizontal torque movement in early protrusion and right excursion. 5. The angle of protrusive path of affected side was greater than of non-affected side in unilaterally affected patients, but the protrusive angle of preferred chewing side was not differed from that of contralateral side in control group. 6. The amount of torque movement in early protrusion and right excursion were greater in patients with coincidence of affected side and preferred chewing side than in patients without coincidence.
Humans ; Mastication ; Orbit ; Students, Dental ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; Tin ; Torque

BACKGROUND: Anti-IgE mAb which binds circulating but not receptor-bound IgE has been shown to be effective in treatment for asthma and other allergic diseases. However, the mechanisms by which anti-IgE mAb influences the pathophysiological responses are remained to be illustrated. This study was undertaken to examine the therapeutic efficacy of non-anaphylactogenic anti-mouse IgE mAb using murine models of IgE-induced systemic fatal anaphylaxis. METHODS: Active systemic anaphylaxis was induced by either penicillin V (Pen V) or OVA and passive systemic anaphylaxis was induced by either anaphylactogenic anti-mouse IgE or a mixture of anti-chicken gamma globulin (CGG) IgG1 mAb and CGG. The binding of the Fc portion of anti-IgE to CHO-stable cell line expressing mouse FcgammaRIIb was examined using flow cytometry. Fc fragments of anti-IgE mAb were prepared using papain digestion. The expression of phosphatases in lungs were assessed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Anti-IgE mAb prevented IgE- and IgG-induced active and passive systemic fatal reactions. In both types of anaphylaxis, anti-IgE mAb suppressed antigen-specific IgE responses, but not those of IgG. Anti-IgE mAb neither prevented anaphylaxis nor suppressed the IgE response in FcgammaRIIb-deficient mice. The Fc portion of anti-IgE mAb was bound to murine FcgammaRIIb gene-transfected CHO cells and inhibited systemic anaphylaxis. Anti-IgE mAb blocked the anaphylaxis-induced downregulation of FcgammaRIIb-associated phosphatases such as src homology 2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase (SHIP) and phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN). CONCLUSION: Anti-IgE mAb prevented anaphylaxis by delivering nonspecific inhibitory signals through the inhibitory IgG receptor, FcgammaRIIb, rather than targeting IgE.
Anaphylaxis* ; Animals ; Asthma ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; CHO Cells ; Cricetinae ; Digestion ; Down-Regulation ; Flow Cytometry ; gamma-Globulins ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments ; Immunoglobulin G* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inositol ; Lung ; Mice* ; Ovum ; Papain ; Penicillin V ; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases