No abstract available.
Thymus Neoplasms*

Universal adhesives that simplify bonding procedures and be used in multi-etch mode have been developed. In this study, the effects of agitation and solvent evaporation time of a universal adhesive on microtensile bond strength (µTBS) were evaluated by varying the times of these two procedures. Eighteen human molars were used to fabricate specimens, and the teeth were randomly divided into six experimental groups. Each group had different agitation time (5 s, 10 s, 20 s) and evaporation time (10 s, 20 s). The specimens were cut into a rod-shape with a cross-sectional area of 1 mm2 , and their µTBS was measured. The data were analyzed using an ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. After this, the debonded surface was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the groups with a solvent evaporation time of 20 s, µTBS was statistically higher, even with a short agitation time (p<0.05). Furthermore, for the groups with the shorter evaporation time, bonding strength decreased statistically as the agitation time shortened (p<0.05). The results of this experiment suggest that if the solvent was adequately evaporated, sufficient bonding strength could be obtained even when the adhesive was agitated for a short time. This is supported by the results of SEM image analysis, which revealed a uniform adhesive layer with well-infiltrated tags in the groups with the prolonged evaporation time. It may be crucial to secure an adequate evaporation time in order to obtain optimal bonding strength.

Universal adhesives that simplify bonding procedures and be used in multi-etch mode have been developed. In this study, the effects of agitation and solvent evaporation time of a universal adhesive on microtensile bond strength (µTBS) were evaluated by varying the times of these two procedures. Eighteen human molars were used to fabricate specimens, and the teeth were randomly divided into six experimental groups. Each group had different agitation time (5 s, 10 s, 20 s) and evaporation time (10 s, 20 s). The specimens were cut into a rod-shape with a cross-sectional area of 1 mm2 , and their µTBS was measured. The data were analyzed using an ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. After this, the debonded surface was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the groups with a solvent evaporation time of 20 s, µTBS was statistically higher, even with a short agitation time (p<0.05). Furthermore, for the groups with the shorter evaporation time, bonding strength decreased statistically as the agitation time shortened (p<0.05). The results of this experiment suggest that if the solvent was adequately evaporated, sufficient bonding strength could be obtained even when the adhesive was agitated for a short time. This is supported by the results of SEM image analysis, which revealed a uniform adhesive layer with well-infiltrated tags in the groups with the prolonged evaporation time. It may be crucial to secure an adequate evaporation time in order to obtain optimal bonding strength.

Renovascular hypertension is the leading cause of surgically curable arterial hypertension. With the marked advancement in the technique of vascular surgery, renal revascularization is preferred to nephrectomy. It is used for the recovery of impaired function or the prevention of renal failure and the control of hypertension. We report a case of renovascular hypertension with the nonfunction of the left kidney due to complete renal artery obstruction, treated successfully with an aortorenal bypass graft.
Hypertension ; Hypertension, Renovascular* ; Kidney ; Nephrectomy ; Renal Artery Obstruction ; Renal Insufficiency ; Saphenous Vein* ; Transplants*

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure (ARF) due to acute pyelonephritis (APN) in patients in the absence of obstructive uropathy, diabetes, or chronic renal failure was reported rarely (12 cases in the last 25 yrs in Clin Inf Dis, 1992; 243-6 by SR Jones)2). Acute renal failure is a rare complication of acute pyelonephritis in patients who do not have urinary obstruction. Although urinary tract infections are common in adults, pyelonephritis is rarely considered in the differential diagnosis of acute renal failure, and when clinicians weigh the possible consequences of bacteriuria, renal failure is not considered to be a reasonable possibility. METHODS: We observed 6 patients of acute pyelonephritis associated with acute renal failure as an initial manifestation on admission in the past 6 months. The analysis of clinical features of these 6 patients (APN+) compared to 7 patients of APN without ARF (APN-) revealed following data. RESULTS: All were female in both groups. The mean age was 331.7 years in APN+ and 48+6 years in APN-, respectively (p, ns). All in both APN- and APN+ were caused by E. coli. But, none in both groups except 1 in APN- had bacteremia. The previous history of UTI was present in 5 in APN-, but none in APN+. Duration of clinical symptoms before admission (8.4+/-0.5 vs. 4.4+/-1.0 days, P<0.05) and admission days (24.2+/-1.8 vs. 11.1+/-1.5 days, p=0.000) were significantly longer in APN+. On admission, HUN and serum creatinine was 45+/-2.7mg/dL and 3.5+/-0.2mg/dL in APN+, respectively. No one in APN+ required dialysis, and subsequently recovered renal function with prompt antibiotic therapy resulting in no significant difference compared to that of APN on discharge (serum creatinine, 1.0+/-0.1 vs. 0.9+/-0.1mg/dL). No differences in leukocytosis and serum electrolyte levels on admission were present. However, significant anemia was noted in APN+ (hemoglobin, 9.0+/-0.7 vs. 11.9+/-0.2gm/dL). The days of fever and leukocytosis before disappearance were not different in both groups, but those of flank pain (12.8+/-1.5 vs. 5.7+/-0.7 days, P=0.001) and pyuria (16+/-1.9 vs. 6.4+/-0.6 days, P=0.000) significantly longer in APN+. Upon ultrasonography, all in APN+ showed enhanced echogenicity, but I in APN . (P=P value, NS=not significant) CONCLUSION: Upon these data, we concluded that ARF associated with APN as an initial manifestation was accompanied by several distinct clinical characteristics, which could be used for the early recognition of its unusual occurrence and subsequent appropriate management including antibiotics leading to a favorable outcome.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Adult ; Anemia ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteremia ; Bacteriuria ; Creatinine ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dialysis ; Female ; Fever ; Flank Pain ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Leukocytosis ; Pyelonephritis* ; Pyuria ; Renal Insufficiency ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Tract Infections

Enalapril, a new angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor,was administered in 30 hypertensive patients for 12 weeks or longer in order to evaluate the antihypertensive effects and side effects (in some cases combination with hydrochlorthiazide). The doses were from 10mg to 40mg once a day. The results were as follows : 1) Before medication and 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12weeks of medication, the average systolic and diastolic pressure were 176.7+/-16.0/108.6+/-7.6, 146.0+/-12.5/91.7+/-6.9, 138.3+/-16.1/87.3+/-10.6, 140.7+/-13.9/87.3+/-9.6, 137.3+/-13.5/87.7+/-9.1, 137.3+/-14.8/87.0+/-8.5, 138.7+/-15.4/87.3+/-9.1mmHg respectively. After 12 weeks of medication, marked or moderate degree of anti-hypertensive effect was observed in 90% of all cases (p<0.005), and the further significant decease of systolic blood pressure after 4 weeks compared with 2 weeks (p<0.025) was observed. 2) There was no significant change in pulse rate before and after medication. 3) There was no significant change in the laboratory findings such as fasting blood sugar, serum BUN, creatinine, cholesterol, GOT, GPT, blood WBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and urine protein before and after treatment. 4) The side effects of enalapril were observed in 2 cases of 30 cases (6.6%), mild dizziness and mild fatigue, which were not required discontinuing the medication or decreasing the dose.
Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol ; Creatinine ; Dizziness ; Enalapril* ; Fasting ; Fatigue ; Heart Rate ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A

PURPOSE: We evaluated the functional outcome as degeneration of articular surface of the patella after total knee arthroplasty without resurfacing the patella. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2002 to 2003, 63 cases of 52 osteoarthritis patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty without resurfacing the patella as randomized selection were evaluated. Average age was 67.2 years old. Female were 49 patients, and male 3 patients Average follow-up periods were 32 months. Used implant were all PFC-sigma. Clinical outcomes was analyzed as Feller's patella score (perfect score; 30 points), anterior knee pain, crepitation according to the extent of involvement of articular surface of the patella and patello-femoral tracking. RESULTS: The Feller's patella score increased from mean 20.1 to 26.9 (p<0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences as extent of involvement of patello-femoral joint (p>0.05). The patella score was low with patellar malalignment. Anterior knee pain after operation increased during postoperative 6 months according to the extent of degeneration of patellofemoral joint, but after 6 months there is no statistically significant differences except group 4 and all groups gradually decreased. Crepitation was increased during postoperative 1 year according to the extent of cartilage degeneration and after that its incidence decreased with time. CONCLUSION: The clinical results of total knee arthroplasty without resurfacing the patella was not influenced by the extent of degeneration of patello-femoral joint, but by alignment of patellofemoral joint. Anterior knee pain and crepitation increased in proportion to the extent of degeneration of patello-femoral joint in early period, but it fade out with time.
Arthroplasty ; Cartilage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Joints ; Knee ; Male ; Osteoarthritis ; Patella ; Patellofemoral Joint ; Track and Field

PURPOSE: Immediate revascularization is required for patients with critical lower extremity ischemia, but sometimes only nonoperative treatments are performed due to multilevel arterial occlusive lesions, poor outflow tracts, deteriorated general conditions, and severe associated diseases. We undertook this study to detrmine the long-term results of nonoperative treatments for patients with critical lower extremity ischemia. METHOD: From January 1992 to July 2002, among the patients with lower extremity arterial disease who visited the Department of Surgery at Kyung Hee Medical Center, 72 patients with critical lower extremity ischemia who had been treated with only conservative managements were chosen. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively and telephone interviews were performed. We assessed the functional outcome of the salvaged limb according to the recommended scale for gauging changes in clinical status, the 1997 revised version. RESULT: There were 63 men and 9 women (M : F=7 : 1), and mean age was 70.1 years. At median follow-up of 64.7 months, amputation rate was 27.8%, limb salvage rate was 71.9%, and the mortality rate was 20.8%. Cerebrovascular attacks (40%) and ischemic heart disease (27%) were the major causes of death. Underlying disease were diabetes (65.3%), hypertension (54.2%), ischemic heart disease (11.1%), and previous cerebrovascular attacks (13.9%). Clinical categories of involved patients were grade II (ischemic rest pain) in 80.5%, and grade III (tissue loss) in 19.5%. In survivors with limb salvage, functional outcomes were +3 in 12.5%, +2 in 26.8%, +1 in 35.7%, 0 in 23.2%, and -1 in 1.8%. CONCLUSION: The long-term results of this study suggest that nonoperative treatments for patients with critical lower extremity ischemia can achieve a higher limb salvage rate and significant improvements in the functional outcomes of salvaged limbs.
Amputation ; Cause of Death ; Extremities ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Interviews as Topic ; Ischemia* ; Limb Salvage ; Lower Extremity* ; Male ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Retrospective Studies ; Survivors

PURPOSE: Saphenous vein allografts are used for femoral-below knee bypass graft purposes in chronic lower limb ischemia. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is an acceptable material for bypass graft, when it is difficult to gain a suitable vein for the graft material, such as the great saphenous, small saphenous, or arm vein. However, some controversy exists as to whether PTFE is equivalent to the saphenous vein as bypass graft material for femoral below knee revascularization. A retrospective analysis was performed to obtain results about femoral-below knee bypass graft using PTFE in chronic lower ischemia patients. METHOD: Between July 1992 and June 2002, 56 patients with chronic lower limb ischemia underwent femoral-below knee bypass graft. The results of treatment were analyzed retrospectively by the patients's clinical records. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate patency rate. RESULT: There were 52 men and 2 women, of mean age 66.6 years. The primary patency rate was 65.6%, 44.9%, 38.0%, and 34.0%, and the secondary patency rate was 85.7%, 72.0%, 72.0%, and 56.1%, after 1, 2, 3, and 5 years, respectively. The limb salvage rate was 78.8% in severe lower limb disease, such as disabling claudication, non-healing ulcer, and gangrene. The major amputation rate was 14.3%. There was no mortality within one month after bypass operation. The primary and secondary rates were not correlated with diabetes, inflow procedure, or severity of lower limb ischemia. CONCLUSION: The overall results of this study show that PTFE grafts have an acceptable patency rate when used for femoral-below knee bypass surgery in patients with chronic lower limb ischemia. This study suggests that early diagnosis of occlusion in graft and adjuvant procedures offers improved patency and limb salvage rate.
Allografts ; Amputation ; Arm ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Gangrene ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Knee* ; Limb Salvage ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Mortality ; Polytetrafluoroethylene* ; Retrospective Studies ; Saphenous Vein ; Transplants* ; Ulcer ; Veins

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm is rare but potentially lethal, and its repair continues to present a surgical challenge because of obligate intraoperative visceral, renal, and spinal cord ischemia. In the past, the authors have experienced 4 cases of Crawford Type III and IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm which were treated by a direct surgical approach. The diagnosis was made by CT scan, and aortogram. We repaired the thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms with Knitted Dacron graft by a single inclusion button that encompasses the origins of the celiac, superior mesenteric, and right renal artery and left renal artery reconstruction with a separate side arm PTFE graft. the visceral ischemia time was less than 45 minutes in 3 operable cases and no paraplegia occurred after thoracoabdominal aortic reconstruction. two cases of Type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm with emergent presentation were fatal but elective surgical repairs of Type III and IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm were survived. Appropriate patient selection and prevention of visceral or spinal cord ischemia may be helpful in the repair of Type III and IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm.
Aneurysm ; Aorta ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic* ; Arm ; Diagnosis ; Ischemia ; Paraplegia ; Patient Selection ; Polyethylene Terephthalates ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Renal Artery ; Spinal Cord Ischemia ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Transplants