No abstract available.
Constipation*

BACKGROUND: The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell(VSMC) is a part of the major pathogenic mechanism for atheroscle- rosis. It has been reported that L-type calcium channel plays a role in the VSMC proliferation in diabetic rats. But there is a little study results about the association between L-type calcium channel and VSMC proliferation by glucose concentrations in culture media. So we examined the association between voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel of VSMCs and the proliferative activity of vascular smooth muscle cells. METHODS: Rat aortic VSMCs were isolated from the aorta of OLETF rat by enzyme method. VSMCs were cultured in various concentrations of glucose(5.5, 25 mM). The VSMCs(1x104 cells in 24-well plates) were incubated in the presence of Bay K 8644 (10-6M) with/without verapamil(10-6M) for 48 hours. Then the proliferation was assessed by MTT(methylthiazole tetrazolium) assay and expression of L-type calcium channel mRNA was measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The proliferative ability and the expression of L-type calcium channel of cultured VSMCs were increased dose-dependently by the glucose concentrations(p<0.05). Bay K 8644 enhanced the proliferation of VSMC and verapamil blocked the incremental effects induced by Bay K 8644. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that L-type calcium channel may play a role in VSMC proliferation of OLETF rat.
3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester ; Animals ; Aorta ; Calcium Channels, L-Type* ; Cell Proliferation* ; Culture Media ; Glucose* ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular* ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred OLETF* ; RNA, Messenger* ; Verapamil

We have observed that the companion shadow of the upper rib may be misinterpreted as a small pnemothorax or pleural plaque associated with asbestosis. To observe the radiographic characteristics of the normal companion shadow, we analyzed, on the posteroanterior(PA) chest radiographs, the companion shadow of 50 normal cases. Factors such as occurrence on each rib, the sharpness of the margin, the relative position to the rib, the shape and the thickness were observed. Also, we analyzed the displaced pleura of 4 pneumothorax cases to differentiate their frndings from the findings of normal companion shadows. On 50 normal chest radiographs, 192 compaion shadows were observed on the first to fourth ribs. In 173 of those shadows, the visceral margin of the companion shadow on the second rib simulated pneumothorax more closely than those on any othe rivs due to its apical location and thinness. In six of 50 normal cases, the companion shadow on the first or second rib showed an inw rdly convex lower margin, mimicking pleural plaque. The compaion shadow was suggested on the plain chest radiograph by the following characteristics imultiplicity(47/50), thicker than normal pleura(3/4), persistent on serial filma with the same shape and specific location(4/4).
Asbestosis ; Friends* ; Humans ; Pleura ; Pneumothorax ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Ribs* ; Thinness

The purpose of this study are to delineate the temporal and spatial changes of bone mineralization at the distraction gap and adjacent parent bone, and to investigate the effect of microaxial dynamization on regenerate bone healing and on development of regional osteopenia at the adjacent parent bone, during callotasis. Sixteen Korean adult mongrel dogs underwent bilateral tibial lengthening by callotasis. To the right hindlimbs, no dynamization was applied and served as control group (group I, and axial elastic dynamization was conffered to the left hindlimbs (group II). Bone mineral density(BMD) was measured by dual X-ray absorptionmetry(DXA) at immediate post-operative day, post-operative 12 day, 22 day, 36 day, 50 day, 65 day, and 85 day. Quantitative computed tomogram(Q-CT) was also taken after sacrifice to analyze temporal changes of mineralization pattern in the distraction gap. The following results were obtained; 1. In both group I and II, the BMD was lowest at the interzone in the distraction gap and increased linearly toward the corticotomy surface. This pattern did not change with time until the consolidation of the distraction gap, but the difference of BMD between the interzone and adjacent parent bone decreased with progress of consolidation. 2. During the distraction period, BMD increased progressively at the distraction gap and adjacent parent bone in both group I and II. During consolidation period, although BMD of the distraction gap still increased progressively, that of the adjacent parent bone decreased progressively in group I; the more distant from the corticotomy surface, the more decreased the relative BMD. in group II, the decrease in BMD of the adjacent parent bone was less than that in group I which was statistically significant in mid-consolidation period. In conclusion, the new bone in the distraction gap during callotasis appeared to form in bilateral direction with linear gradient from interzone toward corticotomy surface. Dynamization during callotasis not only stimulated regenerate bone healing in the distraction gap, but also prevented the occurrence of transient regional osteopenia at the distant part of the adjacent bone during midconsolidation period.
Adult ; Animals ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Calcification, Physiologic ; Dogs ; Hindlimb ; Humans ; Miners ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Parents ; Tibia

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is an important health concern among the postmenopausal women. Therefore, it is necessary to find out acceptable screening tools for osteoporotic patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Risk Index by OSTA as a screening test for osteoporosis. METHODS: The study population was 322 naturally caused menopausal women in Korea. Their was of femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD measured by DEXA. Risk Index by OSTA, based on weight and age, was calculated and the sensitivity and specificity for osteoporosis and osteopenia were evaluated. To find out the proper cut-off point for osteoporosis and osteopenia among the postmenopausal women in Korea, we also compared the sensitivity and specificity of each Risk Index value. RESULTS: The mean age and ages at menopause were 59.1(+/-6.2) and 50.7 (+/-2.7) years, respectively. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 9.6% with femoral neck BMD. For oeteoporosis, using a cut-off point of -1 yielded a sensitivity of 74.3% and a specificity of 52.2% with femoral neck BMD. Using a cut-off of -2 yielded a sensitivity of 87.3% and a specificity of 70.9%. The ROC curve showed an AUROC 0.88 for Risk Index in identifying osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: The Risk Index is an acceptable, simple and useful method in the diagnosis of osteoporosis with a Risk Index of -2 in Korean postmenopausal women.
Bone Diseases, Metabolic* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Screening* ; Menopause ; Osteoporosis* ; Prevalence ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spine

A 2-year-old girl, previously healthy, was brought to our emergency department due to abdominal pain (cramping), following recurrent hematochezia after an accidental hydrogen peroxide enema (35%, 5 mL) by her caregiver. She was hospitalized and admitted to the pediatric department and treated with NPO (nil per os), intravenous fluid, and parenteral antibiotic therapy. Laboratory, radiologic, endoscopic evaluations were performed. She was discharged with full recovery 10 days after admission. This may be the first case report of acute chemical colitis by accidental hydrogen peroxide enema in children.
Abdominal Pain ; Caregivers ; Child* ; Child, Preschool ; Colitis* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Enema* ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide* ; Hydrogen*

A 2-year-old girl, previously healthy, was brought to the emergency department because of significant cramping abdominal pain with recurrent hematochezia after an accidental hydrogen peroxide enema (35%, 5 mL) by her caregiver. She was hospitalized to the pediatric department and treated with nothing per mouth, intravenous fluid and parenteral antibiotic therapy. Laboratory, radiologic and endoscopic evaluation was performed during the admission period. She was discharged in a fully recovered state on the tenth hospital day, and this is the first case report of acute chemical colitis by accidental hydrogen peroxide enema in children.
Abdominal Pain ; Caregivers ; Child* ; Child, Preschool ; Colitis* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Enema* ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide* ; Hydrogen* ; Mouth ; Muscle Cramp

No abstract available.
Fistula* ; Pyriform Sinus* ; Thyroiditis, Suppurative*

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Humans

The authors violated the publication ethics by their dual submission and publication to our journal and the J Korean Soc Emerg Med. The contents were the same in papers published in both the journals. And the authors had agreed to and confirmed the “Submission Agreement”; therefore, the authors are considered to have violated EHT's policy on duplicate submissions. Therefore, the editorial board of the EHT decided to retract this paper from the journal.