PURPOSE: To study the short term effects of hypercholesterolemia on corpus cavernosal tissue, we performed isometric tension studies and RT-PCR was used to identify mRNA expression of VEGF on isolated strips of corpus cavernosum, on rabbits which underwent partial ligation of the abdominal aorta and received a diet containing 2% cholesterol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: New Zealand White rabbits were divided into a control group(n=6) fed with a regular diet and a hypercholesterolemic group(n=10) which underwent partial ligation of the abdominal aorta and received a diet containing 2% cholesterol. After 3 weeks, the relationship between hypercholesterolemia and cavernosal smooth muscle pathophysiology was studied. To characterize the cavernosal smooth muscle reactivity in hypercholesterolemia, we performed isometric tension studies with phenylephrine(PE), acetylcholine(Ach), sodium nitroprusside(SNP) and electrical field stimulation(ES). RT-PCR was used to identify the mRNA expression of VEGF. RESULTS: PE-induced cavernous smooth muscle contraction in the hypercholesterolemic group was increased compared with the control group(p<0.05), while relaxation by Ach and ES in PE pretreated cavernosal smooth muscle in the hypercholesterolemic group was decreased(p<0.05). Relaxation by SNP in PE pretreated cavernosal smooth muscle was not different between any experimental groups. Expression of VEGF mRNA in cavernosal smooth muscle was significantly increased in the hypercholesterolemic group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Hypercholesterolemia caused a significant increase in PE-induced contraction of cavernosal tissue. Hypercholesterolemic cavernosal tissue retained the ability of relaxation induced by endothelium-independent, but relaxation induced by endothelium-dependant was impaired. Furthermore, expression of VEGF mRNA in cavernosal tissues was up regulated in the hypercholesterolemic group. This study showed that a short period of hypercholesterolemia could induce pathophysiologic change of cavernosal tissue.
Aorta, Abdominal ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Hypercholesterolemia* ; Ligation ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; Rabbits* ; Relaxation ; RNA, Messenger ; Sodium ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

No abstract available.
Female ; Obstetric Labor, Premature* ; Pregnancy ; Ritodrine*

BACKGROUND: It has recently become most general to use the small bore catheter to perform closed thoracostomy in treating iatrogenic pneumothorax. This study was performed for analysis of the efficacy of treatment methods by using small bore catheter such as 7 F (French) central venous catheter, 10 F trocar catheter, 12 F pigtail catheter and for analysis of the appropriateness of each procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2007 to February 2010, Retrospective review of 105 patients with iatrogenic pneumothorax, who underwent closed thoracostomy by using small bore catheter, was performed. We analyzed the total success rate for all procedures as well as the individual success rate for each procedure, and analyzed the cause of failure, additional treatment method for failure, influential factors of treatment outcome, and complications. RESULTS: The most common causes of iatrogenic pneumothorax were presented as percutaneous needle aspiration(PCNA) in 48 cases (45.7%), and central venous catheterization in 26 cases (24.8%). The mean interval to thoracostomy after the procedure was measured as 5.2 hours (1~34 hours). Total success rate of thoracostomy was 78.1%. The success rate was not significantly difference by tube type, with 7 F central venous catheter as 80%, 10 F trocar catheter as 81.6%, and 12 F pigtail catheter as 71%. Twenty one out of 23 patients that had failed with small bore catheter treatment added large bore conventional thoracostomy, and another 2 patients received surgery. The causes for treatment failure were presented as continuous air leakage in 12 cases (52.2%) and tube malfunction in 7 cases (30%). The causes for failure did not present significant differences by tube type. Statistically significant factors affecting treatment performance were not discovered. CONCLUSION: Closed thoracostomy with small bore catheter proved to be effective for iatrogenic pneumothorax. The success rate was not difference for each type. However, it is important to select the appropriate catheter by considering the patient status, pneumothorax aspect, and medical personnel in the cardiothoracic surgery department of the relevant hospital.
Catheterization, Central Venous ; Catheters ; Catheters, Indwelling ; Central Venous Catheters ; Humans ; Iatrogenic Disease ; Needles ; Pneumothorax ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Instruments ; Thoracostomy ; Treatment Failure ; Treatment Outcome

We observed one patient who developed sudden unilateral blindness following general anesthesia. After genera1 anesthesia with the prone position of the patient, the affected eye had no perception of light. Three days after, funduscopic features revealed narrowing of retinal artery, whitening or opacification of the retinal and a cherry-red spot. Central retinal artery occlusion can occur after surgery, possible etiologic factors being hypotension, extrinsic pressure on the eyeball. Proper positioning of the head on an adequate headrest and avoidance of an ocular compression will prevent the extrinsic pressure on the eyeball.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, General ; Blindness ; Head ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Prone Position ; Retinal Artery Occlusion* ; Retinal Artery* ; Retinaldehyde

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans

BACKGROUND: For Neer type IIB fracture of distal clavicle with coracoclavicular ligament injury, various surgical treatments have been used in literatures. However, there was no consensus on the optimal treatment. The aim of this study is to report the clinical and radiological results of open reduction and internal fixation of unstable distal clavicle fracture and suture augmentation of disrupted coracoclavicular ligament. METHODS: A prospective study was performed in 23 patients with Neer type IIB distal clavicle fracture in Seoul Medical Center, Eulji Hospital, and National Medical Center. Firstly, suture anchors are inserted in the base of coracoid process and preliminary reduction was achieved by tie-off of three suture limbs around the clavicle. Then, the final fixation was completed with anatomical locking plate. Bony union and the distance between coracoclavicular ligaments were evaluated. Clinical results and complications including stiffness and secondary procedures were evaluated. RESULTS: Bony union was achieved in all cases except one (22 of 23). At mean 14.9 months, no significant difference in the mean coracoclavicular distance was observed compared to uninjured shoulder (8.2 +/- 7.9 mm versus 7.3 +/- 3.4 mm, p=0.14). Pain visual analogue scale, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant score, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score were 0.5, 83.4, 78.5, and 6.2, respectively. Revision surgery was performed in one case of nonunion. Four patients who complained of skin irritation underwent implant removal. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of an unstable distal clavicle fracture with coracoclavicular ligament disruption, satisfactory clinical results were obtained by locking plate fixation and coracoclavicular ligament suture augmentation concurrently.
Arm ; Clavicle* ; Consensus ; Elbow ; Extremities ; Hand ; Humans ; Ligaments* ; Prospective Studies ; Seoul ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Fractures ; Skin ; Suture Anchors ; Sutures*

No abstract available.
Heart* ; Thoracic Surgery* ; Thyroid Gland*

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a major cause of metabolic disorders; to prevent obesity, research is ongoing to develop natural and safe ingredients with few adverse effects. In this study, we determined the anti-obesity effects of Rosa multiflora root extract (KWFD-H01) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.MATERIALS/METHODS: The anti-obesity effects of KWFD-H01in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and SD rats were examined using various assays, including Oil Red O staining, gene expression analyses, protein expression analyses, and blood biochemical analyses. RESULTS: KWFD-H01 reduced intracellular lipid accumulation and inhibited the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), cytidine-cytidineadenosine-adenosine-thymidine (CCAAT)/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPα), sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 (SREBP-1c), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in 3T3-L1 cells. KWFD-H01 also reduced body weight, weight gain, and the levels of triglycerides, total and LDL-cholesterol, glucose, and leptin, while increasing high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and adiponectin in SD rats. PPARγ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1c, ACC, and FAS protein expression was inhibited in the epididymal fat of SD rats. CONCLUSION Overall, these results confirm the anti-obesity effects of KWFD-H01 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and SD rats, indicating their potential as baseline data for developing functional health foods or pharmaceuticals to control obesity.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to measure the skin-pleura distance (SPD) of interscapular intercostal space and to correlated SPD with the individual constitutional data such as body-weight, height, obesity and body mass index (BMI; kg/m2). METHOD: We examined 50 patients (36 men and 14 women) who had no pathological abnormality in interscapular intercostal space. We measured the SPD in chest CT (GE sytec 3000i) study and also measured individual constitutional data of patients. RESULTS: The average age of the subjects was 47.0+/-15.3 years, average weight was 59.0+/-9.7 kg, average height was 167.0+/-8.7 cm, average obesity was 98.4+/-14.9%, average BMI was 21.1+/-3.2 kg/m2 and average SPD was 3.7+/-0.7 cm. There was no correlation of statistical significance between SPD, height and age. But there were statistically significant correlations between SPD, weight, obesity and BMI (p<0.01). Linear regression analysis of these data showed significant correlations between SPD and weight (p<0.01, y=0.109x-2.744), obesity (p<0.01, y=0.092x-5.367) and BMI (p<0.01, y=0.380x-4.301). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the approach considering the correlations between SPD and obesity or BMI will be helpful in reducing pleural puncture during any injection on interscapular intercostal space.
Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Male ; Obesity ; Pleural Cavity* ; Pneumothorax ; Punctures ; Skin* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Rotational ankle fractures are one of the most common injuries of lower limbs treated by orthopedic surgeons. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is considered a gold standard treatment for unstable ankle fractures, though adjunct ankle arthroscopy is being increasingly used in cases of ankle trauma. Although the role and use of ankle arthroscopy are expanding, the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of arthroscopy remain undefined. Furthermore, despite the number of clinical research studies performed on arthroscopically assisted surgery for ankle fractures, no definite guidelines have been agreed, and no consensus has been reached regarding indications. This article reviews the role, indications, operative techniques, and complications of ankle arthroscopy and compares the clinical outcomes of conventional ORIF and arthroscopically assisted ORIF.