PURPOSE: Beraprost Sodium (BPS) is an orally stable prostacyclin (PGI2) analogue and exerts an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation as well as a potent vasodilatory effect. We investigated the efficacy and safety of BPS in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 74, consecutive patients subjected to have impotence work-ups including history taking, penile duplex ultrasonography, pharmacological erection test, and cavernous nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide phosphatase (NADPH) diaphorase staining. Sixty-six patients continuously received BPS for more than 4weeks (range 4-32 weeks, average 8.4+/-5.8 weeks), bid or tid (a total 80-120microgram/day) for long-term control of ED. Remaining 8 patients intermittently received 40-60microgram of BPS an hour prior to intercourse to obtain immediate erection for on-demand treatment. Sexual function was compared by analysis of an International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and general efficacy based on patient's subjective evaluation after treatment. RESULTS: IIEFs of all patients were significantly improved after BPS treatment for ED. Erectile function with IIEF question No. 3 and 4 were improved by 1.7+/-1.3 to 3.2+/-1.8 and 1.4+/-0.9 to 2.7+/-1.6, respectively (p<0.05). General efficacy of BPS was shown as full effect in 23%, moderate effect in 31%, mild effect in 26%, and no effect in 20% of the patients. Better sexual function including IIEF and general efficacy were observed in continuous treatment group than on-demand treatment group. Better result was also found in diabetics than non-diabetics (p<0.05) while no difference was observed among psychogenic, vasculogenic, and neurogenic group. The side effect of BPS was minimal; flushing in 8%, headache in 5%, indigestion in 4%, and insomnia in 1% of total patients. CONCLUSIONS: Oral BPS is a safe and effective agent to treat ED. It remains to be investigative, to determine desirable treatment method and to elucidate long term control of ED in association with oral BPS.
Adenosine ; Administration, Oral* ; Dyspepsia ; Epoprostenol ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Flushing ; Headache ; Humans ; Male ; Niacinamide ; Platelet Aggregation ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Sodium* ; Ultrasonography

Post-micturition dribble is defined as leakage coming after voiding has been completed. Such leakage is often associated with bending or sitting down, and is seldom associated with any demonstrable abnormality. The diagnosis can be made by videourodynamic study. The patient is instructed to press the bulbar urethra manually in the perineum after micturition and evacuate the residue, and symptomatic relief is almost always obtained. We report three cases of patient with postmicturition dribble.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Perineum ; Urethra ; Urination

BACKGROUND: Antituberculous therapy is set a short-term therpy used isoniazid(INH), rifampin(RFP), ethambutol(EMB), pyrazinamide(PZA) from 1970s' and treatment rate has been very improved. But drug interruption or irregular medication due to side effects and resistance of drug are serious problem to retreatment cases, specially. Ofloxasine(OFX), developed from Quinolone at 1980's is effective not only other respiratory infectious disease but also pulmonary tube rculosis. And this is useful drug instead of injection agents for retreatment patients who have side effects to other drugs, lived far distance from medical clinics. So, we will evaluate theffectiveness as four oral drags involving OFX. METHOD: A retrospective study was made through the regular follow up of smear positive cases,who treated by four drag, namely, prothionamide (PTA) cycloserine(CS), OFX, paraminosalicylic acid(PAS). RESULTS: 1) Out of 66case with positive sputum AFB smear, 42(64%)cases achieved the negative conversion. 2) Considering the negative conversion in all group, 34 case (52%) of sputum conversion occured within first 6 months, on the extent of diease was minimal, moderate, far advavanced pulmonary tuberculosis, sputum AFB smear negative response to treatment was 100%, 78% , 46% respectively. 3) The roentgenological improvement occured in 38(58%), extent of diease was minimal, moderately, far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis, Roentgenological improvement to retreatment was 75%, 64%, 46%. 4) When the duration of patients illness was less than 1 year, 1 to 3 years, 3 to 5 years and more than 5 years, sputum AFB smear negative response to retreatment was 100%, 88%, 80%, 52%. 5) On side effects, major problems are gastrointestinal troubles, mild liver function abnormality, psychotic problemes, and skin problem(urticaria, itching sensation). CONCLUSION: The duration & extents of patients illness was shorter & minimal, sputum AFB smear negative response rate was better. Radiologic response is better as shorter duration and minimal extent of diease. But, as diease is longer duration & far advanced, sputum negative conversion & Roentgenological improvement is poor and limited. The adverse reaction was mainly observed gastrointestinal troubles(indigestion, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) and are well controled by symptomatic management in most patients, as regard to tolerance to the secondary drugs.
Abdominal Pain ; Aminosalicylic Acid* ; Communicable Diseases ; Cycloserine* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver ; Nausea ; Prothionamide ; Pruritus ; Retreatment* ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Sputum ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary* ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND: Antituberculous therapy is set a short-term therpy used isoniazid(INH), rifampin(RFP), ethambutol(EMB), pyrazinamide(PZA) from 1970s' and treatment rate has been very improved. But drug interruption or irregular medication due to side effects and resistance of drug are serious problem to retreatment cases, specially. Ofloxasine(OFX), developed from Quinolone at 1980's is effective not only other respiratory infectious disease but also pulmonary tube rculosis. And this is useful drug instead of injection agents for retreatment patients who have side effects to other drugs, lived far distance from medical clinics. So, we will evaluate theffectiveness as four oral drags involving OFX. METHOD: A retrospective study was made through the regular follow up of smear positive cases,who treated by four drag, namely, prothionamide (PTA) cycloserine(CS), OFX, paraminosalicylic acid(PAS). RESULTS: 1) Out of 66case with positive sputum AFB smear, 42(64%)cases achieved the negative conversion. 2) Considering the negative conversion in all group, 34 case (52%) of sputum conversion occured within first 6 months, on the extent of diease was minimal, moderate, far advavanced pulmonary tuberculosis, sputum AFB smear negative response to treatment was 100%, 78% , 46% respectively. 3) The roentgenological improvement occured in 38(58%), extent of diease was minimal, moderately, far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis, Roentgenological improvement to retreatment was 75%, 64%, 46%. 4) When the duration of patients illness was less than 1 year, 1 to 3 years, 3 to 5 years and more than 5 years, sputum AFB smear negative response to retreatment was 100%, 88%, 80%, 52%. 5) On side effects, major problems are gastrointestinal troubles, mild liver function abnormality, psychotic problemes, and skin problem(urticaria, itching sensation). CONCLUSION: The duration & extents of patients illness was shorter & minimal, sputum AFB smear negative response rate was better. Radiologic response is better as shorter duration and minimal extent of diease. But, as diease is longer duration & far advanced, sputum negative conversion & Roentgenological improvement is poor and limited. The adverse reaction was mainly observed gastrointestinal troubles(indigestion, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) and are well controled by symptomatic management in most patients, as regard to tolerance to the secondary drugs.
Abdominal Pain ; Aminosalicylic Acid* ; Communicable Diseases ; Cycloserine* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver ; Nausea ; Prothionamide ; Pruritus ; Retreatment* ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Sputum ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary* ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: To measure axial displacement of different implant-abutment connection types and materials during screw tightening at the recommended torque by using a contact scanner for two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) analyses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty models of missing mandibular left second premolars were 3D-printed and implant fixtures were placed at the same position by using a surgical guide. External and internal fixtures were used. Three implant-abutment internal connection (INT) types and one implant-abutment external connection (EXT) type were prepared. Two of the INT types used titanium abutment and zirconia abutment; the other INT type was a customized abutment, fabricated by using a computer-controlled milling machine. The EXT type used titanium abutment. Screws were tightened at 10 N·cm, simulating hand tightening, and then at the manufacturers' recommended torque (30 N·cm) 10 min later. Abutments and adjacent teeth were subsequently scanned with a contact scanner for 2D and 3D analyses using a 3D inspection software. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in axial displacement according to the type of implant-abutment connection (P < .001). Vertical displacement of abutments was greater than overall displacement, and significant differences in vertical and overall displacement were observed among the four connection types (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Displacement according to connection type and material should be considered in choosing an implant abutment. When adjusting a prosthesis, tightening the screw at the manufacturers' recommended torque is advisable, rather than the level of hand tightening.
Bicuspid ; Dental Implant-Abutment Design ; Dental Implants ; Hand ; In Vitro Techniques ; Prostheses and Implants ; Titanium ; Tooth ; Torque

BACKGROUND: In this study, the optimal effect-site concentration of remifentanil for blunting hemodynamic responses to endotracheal intubation during total intravenous anesthesia using propofol were evaluated. METHODS: 137 ASA class I and II patients, aged 18-60 years, were randomly allocated to one of six groups according to the effect-site concentration of remifentanil. Remifentanil was then infused at a target effect-site concentration of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 ng/ml in groups R0, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R6, respectively. Anesthesia was induced with propofol infusion at a target effect-site concentration of 4microgram/ml endotracheal intubation was performed 5 minutes after remifentanil administration. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and cardiac index (CI) were recorded at the baseline and then every 30 seconds until 3 minutes after intubation. RESULTS: BP and HR in groups R0, R1 and R2 increased significantly after intubation when compared with the baseline values. The CI in group R0 also increased significantly after intubation when compared with the baseline values. Incidences of hypertension and hypotension were 50% and 5% in R0, 32% and 14% in R1, 18% and 32% in R2, 10% and 48% in R3, 8% and 54% in R4, and 0% and 81% in R6. There were also 2 cases in which the mean blood pressure was less than 50 mmHg in group R6. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the optimal target effect-site concentrations of remifentanil for blunting hemodynamic responses to endotracheal intubation are 3 or 4 ng/ml during total intravenous anesthesia using propofol at an effect-site concentration of 4microgram/ml.
Aged ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Intravenous ; Blood Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypotension ; Incidence ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Piperidines ; Propofol

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether an audible cracking sound during shoulder manipulation following distention arthrography is clinically significant in patients with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. METHODS: A total of 48 patients (31 women, 17 men) with primary adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder completed the study. All participants underwent C-arm-guided arthrographic distention of the glenohumeral joint with injections of a corticosteroid and normal saline. After distention, we performed flexion and abduction manipulation of the shoulder. The patients were grouped into sound and non-sound groups based on the presence or absence, respectively, of an audible cracking sound during manipulation. We assessed shoulder pain and disability based on a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and passive range of motion (ROM) measurements (flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation) before the procedure and again at 3 weeks and at 6 weeks after the intervention. RESULTS: The patients were divided into two groups: 21 were included in the sound group and 27 in the non-sound group. In both groups, the results of the NRS, SPADI, and ROM assessments showed statistically significant improvements at both 3 and 6 weeks after the procedure. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups except with respect to external rotation at 6 weeks, at which time the sound group showed a significant improvement in external rotation when compared with the non-sound group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings showed that manipulation following distention arthrography was effective in decreasing pain and increasing shoulder range of motion. In addition, the presence of an audible cracking sound during manipulation, especially on external rotation, was associated with better shoulder range of motion.
Adhesives* ; Arthrography* ; Bursitis* ; Female ; Humans ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Shoulder Joint ; Shoulder Pain ; Shoulder*

A rubber tip disconnection of Arrow-Trerotola percutaneous thrombolytic device (PTD) may occur occasionally. We experienced 5 cases of a rubber tip disconnection among 453 mechanical thrombectomy sessions with the use of PTD. We present a report about these five cases and suggest possible causes for the occurrences.
Aged ; Catheter Obstruction/*etiology ; Equipment Failure Analysis/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Dialysis/*instrumentation ; Rubber ; Thrombectomy/*instrumentation ; Treatment Outcome

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a new radiographic damage scoring method (DAmagE index of GoUt; DAEGU) in chronic gout using plain radiography. Two independent observers scored foot x-rays from 15 patients with chronic gout according to the DAEGU method and the modified Sharp/van der Heijde (SvdH) method. The 10 metatarsophalangeal (MTP) and 2 interphalangeal (IP) joints of the first toes of both feet were scored to assess the degrees of erosion and joint space narrowing (JSN). The intraobserver and interobserver reliabilities were analyzed by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and minimal detectable change (MDC). The correlation between the DAEGU and SvdH methods was analyzed by calculating the Spearman's rho correlation coefficients and Kappa coefficients. The DAEGU method was found to be highly reproducible (0.945-0.987 for the intraobserver and 0.993-0.996 for the interobserver ICC values). The erosion, JSN, and total scores exhibited strong positive correlations between the DAEGU and SvdH methods and also within each method (r = 0.860-0.969, P < 0.001 for all parameters). The DAEGU and SvdH methods were in very good agreement as determined by Kappa coefficient analysis [0.732 (0.387-1.000) for erosion and 1.000 (1.000-1.000) for JSN]. In conclusion, this study revealed that DAEGU method was a reliable and feasible tool in the assessment of radiographic damage in chronic gout. The DAEGU method may provide a more easy assessment of structural damage in chronic gout in the real clinical practice.
Adult ; Arthritis, Gouty/*diagnostic imaging/pathology ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Joints/*diagnostic imaging/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Severity of Illness Index ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available in English.
Biofeedback, Psychology* ; Female ; Humans