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

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

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

Purpose: Establishing normative values for forearm rotational torque is essential for assessing upper limb function and guiding therapeutic interventions. Previous studies have focused on Western populations, leaving a gap in data for Asian populations, which may exhibit different muscle strength characteristics. This study aimed to measure forearm rotational torque in healthy Korean adults to establish normative values based on age, sex, and hand dominance. Methods: In total, 500 healthy Korean adults (217 males and 283 females), aged 20 to 69 years, were recruited and divided into decade-based age groups. Exclusion criteria included prior treatment for upper limb trauma or neurological damage. Using a digital torque gauge with a T-shaped handle, pronation and supination torques were measured in a standardized neutral position for both hands (dominant and nondominant). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: The average pronation torque of the dominant hand was 33.00±11.57 kgf•cm (3.36±1.18 N•m), and the supination torque was 32.38±12.01 kgf•cm (3.30±1.22 N•m). The difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The dominant hand exhibited significantly higher torque values than the nondominant hand in both pronation and supination (p<0.05). Males demonstrated higher torque values than females across all age groups (p<0.05). The highest average torque values were observed in individuals aged 30 to 39 years. Conclusion This study provides normative data for forearm rotational torque in healthy Korean adults, highlighting that the dominant hand exerts significantly more torque.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of arthroscopic scaphocapitate fusion with lunate preservation, without autologous bone grafts, in stage III Kienböck disease, which causes significant wrist dysfunction due to lunate necrosis. Methods: Nine patients with stage III Kienböck disease underwent arthroscopic scaphocapitate fusion with lunate preservation from 2017 to 2022. Bone substitutes were used instead of autologous bone grafts: demineralized bone matrix, allogenic cancellous bone chips, and a bone substitute composed of hydroxyapatite combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2. The clinical outcomes assessed were pain visual analogue scale (VAS), grip strength, wrist range of motion (ROM), Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores. Radiological assessments included bone union and modified carpal height ratio (MCHR). Results: At a mean follow-up of 22.7 months, all patients achieved bone union, with an average time to union of 8 weeks. Significant improvements were observed in wrist ROM (mean increase from 58.3° to 75.6°, p=0.001), grip strength (29.4% to 71.8% of the contralateral side, p<0.001), DASH scores (43.9 to 17.5, p<0.001), PRWE scores (45.2 to 18.0, p<0.001), and pain VAS (5.7 to 2.9, p<0.001). The mean MCHR decreased slightly from 1.41 to 1.39 (p<0.001). Conclusion Arthroscopic scaphocapitate fusion with lunate preservation, without autologous bone grafts, effectively improved pain, function, and anatomical outcomes in stage III Kienböck disease. Further research is needed to validate these findings.

Purpose: Establishing normative values for forearm rotational torque is essential for assessing upper limb function and guiding therapeutic interventions. Previous studies have focused on Western populations, leaving a gap in data for Asian populations, which may exhibit different muscle strength characteristics. This study aimed to measure forearm rotational torque in healthy Korean adults to establish normative values based on age, sex, and hand dominance. Methods: In total, 500 healthy Korean adults (217 males and 283 females), aged 20 to 69 years, were recruited and divided into decade-based age groups. Exclusion criteria included prior treatment for upper limb trauma or neurological damage. Using a digital torque gauge with a T-shaped handle, pronation and supination torques were measured in a standardized neutral position for both hands (dominant and nondominant). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: The average pronation torque of the dominant hand was 33.00±11.57 kgf•cm (3.36±1.18 N•m), and the supination torque was 32.38±12.01 kgf•cm (3.30±1.22 N•m). The difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The dominant hand exhibited significantly higher torque values than the nondominant hand in both pronation and supination (p<0.05). Males demonstrated higher torque values than females across all age groups (p<0.05). The highest average torque values were observed in individuals aged 30 to 39 years. Conclusion This study provides normative data for forearm rotational torque in healthy Korean adults, highlighting that the dominant hand exerts significantly more torque.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of arthroscopic scaphocapitate fusion with lunate preservation, without autologous bone grafts, in stage III Kienböck disease, which causes significant wrist dysfunction due to lunate necrosis. Methods: Nine patients with stage III Kienböck disease underwent arthroscopic scaphocapitate fusion with lunate preservation from 2017 to 2022. Bone substitutes were used instead of autologous bone grafts: demineralized bone matrix, allogenic cancellous bone chips, and a bone substitute composed of hydroxyapatite combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2. The clinical outcomes assessed were pain visual analogue scale (VAS), grip strength, wrist range of motion (ROM), Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores. Radiological assessments included bone union and modified carpal height ratio (MCHR). Results: At a mean follow-up of 22.7 months, all patients achieved bone union, with an average time to union of 8 weeks. Significant improvements were observed in wrist ROM (mean increase from 58.3° to 75.6°, p=0.001), grip strength (29.4% to 71.8% of the contralateral side, p<0.001), DASH scores (43.9 to 17.5, p<0.001), PRWE scores (45.2 to 18.0, p<0.001), and pain VAS (5.7 to 2.9, p<0.001). The mean MCHR decreased slightly from 1.41 to 1.39 (p<0.001). Conclusion Arthroscopic scaphocapitate fusion with lunate preservation, without autologous bone grafts, effectively improved pain, function, and anatomical outcomes in stage III Kienböck disease. Further research is needed to validate these findings.

Purpose: Establishing normative values for forearm rotational torque is essential for assessing upper limb function and guiding therapeutic interventions. Previous studies have focused on Western populations, leaving a gap in data for Asian populations, which may exhibit different muscle strength characteristics. This study aimed to measure forearm rotational torque in healthy Korean adults to establish normative values based on age, sex, and hand dominance. Methods: In total, 500 healthy Korean adults (217 males and 283 females), aged 20 to 69 years, were recruited and divided into decade-based age groups. Exclusion criteria included prior treatment for upper limb trauma or neurological damage. Using a digital torque gauge with a T-shaped handle, pronation and supination torques were measured in a standardized neutral position for both hands (dominant and nondominant). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: The average pronation torque of the dominant hand was 33.00±11.57 kgf•cm (3.36±1.18 N•m), and the supination torque was 32.38±12.01 kgf•cm (3.30±1.22 N•m). The difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The dominant hand exhibited significantly higher torque values than the nondominant hand in both pronation and supination (p<0.05). Males demonstrated higher torque values than females across all age groups (p<0.05). The highest average torque values were observed in individuals aged 30 to 39 years. Conclusion This study provides normative data for forearm rotational torque in healthy Korean adults, highlighting that the dominant hand exerts significantly more torque.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of arthroscopic scaphocapitate fusion with lunate preservation, without autologous bone grafts, in stage III Kienböck disease, which causes significant wrist dysfunction due to lunate necrosis. Methods: Nine patients with stage III Kienböck disease underwent arthroscopic scaphocapitate fusion with lunate preservation from 2017 to 2022. Bone substitutes were used instead of autologous bone grafts: demineralized bone matrix, allogenic cancellous bone chips, and a bone substitute composed of hydroxyapatite combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2. The clinical outcomes assessed were pain visual analogue scale (VAS), grip strength, wrist range of motion (ROM), Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores. Radiological assessments included bone union and modified carpal height ratio (MCHR). Results: At a mean follow-up of 22.7 months, all patients achieved bone union, with an average time to union of 8 weeks. Significant improvements were observed in wrist ROM (mean increase from 58.3° to 75.6°, p=0.001), grip strength (29.4% to 71.8% of the contralateral side, p<0.001), DASH scores (43.9 to 17.5, p<0.001), PRWE scores (45.2 to 18.0, p<0.001), and pain VAS (5.7 to 2.9, p<0.001). The mean MCHR decreased slightly from 1.41 to 1.39 (p<0.001). Conclusion Arthroscopic scaphocapitate fusion with lunate preservation, without autologous bone grafts, effectively improved pain, function, and anatomical outcomes in stage III Kienböck disease. Further research is needed to validate these findings.

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans