PURPOSE: To evaluate neurotoxic effects induced by oxygen-radicals, which were generated by adding xanthine oxidase(XO) and hypoxanthine(HX), and protective effects of glutamate receptor antagonist such as MK-801 and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline(CNQX). METHODS: Dissociated cell cultures were prepared from cerebrum of neonatal mouse. Tissues were dissected and diced into small pieces in phosphate buffered saline and were incubated at 37degrees C. Isolated cells were resuspended in Eagle's minimum essential medium and plated poly-L-lysine coated plastic coverslips in 96 well multichambers at a cell density of 3x105 cells/well. Cells were grown in a 5% CO2/95% air atmosphere at 37degrees C. Cytotoxic effects were examined in cerebral cortical neurons cultured for 3 hours in media containing various concentration of XO and HX. The protective effects of glutamate receptor antagonist were also examined by MTT assay and neurofilament enzymeimmunoassay(EIA). Microscopic examinations were also done. RESULTS: Oxygen radicals markedly induced decrement of the cell viability of cultured mouse cerebral cortical neurons in a dose-dependent manner. Midpoint cytotoxicity value was 30mU/ml XO/0.1mM HX, when mouse cerebral cortical neurons were incubated for 3 hours with various concentrations of XO and HX. The number of cells and neurites was decreased when cerebral cortical neurons were cultured for 3 hours in a medium containing 30mU/ml XO/0.1mM HX. MK- 801 was very effective in blocking oxidant-induced neurotoxicity, while CNQX falied to show any protective effect in these cultures. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that oxygen radicals are neurotoxic, and selective N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists such as MK-801 are very effective in protecting neurotoxicity induced by oxygen radicals in cultured cerebral cortical neurons of neonatal mouse.
6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione ; Animals ; Anoxia ; Atmosphere ; Cell Count ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Survival ; Cerebrum ; Dizocilpine Maleate ; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists* ; Glutamic Acid* ; Ischemia ; Mice* ; N-Methylaspartate ; Neurites ; Neurons* ; Oxidative Stress* ; Plastics ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Receptors, Glutamate* ; Xanthine

This study was attempted to observe the rate of oxygen desaturation after full oxygenation in six parturients scheduled for Cesarean sections and six patients scheduled for transabdominal hysterectomies. We calculated the mean rate of fall of arterial saturation (slope of desaturation: less than SaO2 (t2)-SaO2(t1) greater than/t2-t1) and changes in arterial blood gases were observed. All subjects were denitrogenated then a single isolated apnea was carried out. The mean time to obtain 90% saturation was longer in the nonpregnant group (7.5 min vs 3.6 min in parturients). The mean slope of desaturation was steeper in the parturients (-3.34) than the nonpregnant group (-1.52). As far as the oxygen reserve is concerned, the parturients had a lesser margin of safety than the nonpregnant women. It was concluded that the lower the thoracic gas volume (parturients), the lower the alveolar O2 stores and, the more rapidly these stores are depleted.
Adult ; Arteries ; Blood ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Obstetric Labor Complications/*blood ; Oxygen/*blood ; Pregnancy ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes/*blood

ICG angiography, an excellent method for the study of choroidal disorders, was used to evaluate the intraocular vascular abnormalities associated with Harada disease. 25-year-old male with Harada disease was examined by using fluorescein angiography and ICG angiography during the whole course of the disease. In the acute stage of the disease, FAG showed dye leakage and pooling into the subretinal space in the posterior pole. The dye leakage and pooling were improved or disappeared during follow up period. In ICG angiography, filling delay of choroidal circulation and numerous hypofluorescent spots were the most remarkable findings in the acute stage of the disease. In the early to late phase choroidal vessels were indistinct. The filling delay and indistinct choroidal vessels in the acute stage were gradually improved or more clearly visualized during the whole course of the disease. However, multiple hypofluorescent spots were still present till the recovery stage of the disease. Also, ICG angiography showed several dye leakages as hyperfluorescent spots and pooling as hypofluorescent or hyperfluorescent area. The choroidal tissue staining appeared during the recovery stage of the disease. ICG angiography clearly revealed the disturbance of choroidal circulation in Harada disease, and filling delay of the choroidal circulation and indistinct choroidal vessels. ICG angiography helps to demonstrate the pathologic findings of Harada disease clinically.
Adult ; Angiography ; Choroid ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Indocyanine Green* ; Male

Temporomandibular joint(TMJ) and dental occlusion are important in functional aspect as well as in cosmetic aspect for craniofacial surgery such as orthognathic and traumatic surgery. During these operations, appropriate maxillomandibular fixation(MMF) is especially necessary to conserve or reconstruct, dynamic TMJ and functional occlusion. Arch bar is one of the most popular method to gain proper MMF. Seventeen patients including 5 patients with mandibular fracture, 12 patients with orthognathic surgery(6 patients had relatively normal occlusion, however 6 patients had facial anomalies such as hemifacial microsomia with irregular occlusal plane.) were joined in this study. Arch bar was contoured on the dental cast, which was prepared for model surgery, prior to apply it on the facial anomaly patient. On using pre-contoured arch bar, patients felt better during the procedure and surgeons saved time. Moreover, well-contoured arch bar promises precise transmission of force on the bone, which implies surgeons do not need to worry about the occlusion while fixing bony structures. Authors suggest how to apply arch bar to satisfy basic theories about dental row and occlusion based on the experience. In addition, it is proposed to contour arch bar on the dental impression prior to apply it on the patient who has irregular and complex occlusal plane.
Cosmetics ; Dental Occlusion ; Facial Asymmetry ; Humans ; Jaw Fixation Techniques ; Mandibular Fractures ; Surgery, Oral ; Temporomandibular Joint

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) primarily causes respiratory tract infections in persons aged 5-20 years. Tracheobronchitis and bronchopneumonia are the most commonly recognized clinical symptoms associated with M. pneumoniae infection. Complications of this infection are unusual; in particular, cardiac involvement is very rare and is generally accompanied by pneumonia. Nonrespiratory illness can therefore involve direct invasion by M. pneumoniae or autoimmune mechanisms, as suggested by the frequency of cross reaction between human antigens and M. pneumoniae. Herein, we report a case of severe acute myopericarditis with pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae in a healthy young child who presented with fever, lethargy, oliguria and dyspnea. She survived with aggressive therapy including clarithromycin, intravenous immunoglobulin, inotropics, and diuretics. The patient was discharged on the 19th day after admission and followed up 1 month thereafter at the outpatient clinic without sequelae.
Aged ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Azithromycin ; Bronchopneumonia ; Child ; Clarithromycin ; Cross Reactions ; Diuretics ; Dyspnea ; Fever ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Lethargy ; Mycoplasma ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; Myocarditis ; Oliguria ; Pericarditis ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; Respiratory Tract Infections

BACKGROUND: Aging causes profound changes of stiffness and compliance in the cardiovascular system, which contributes to decreased cardiovascular reserve. Mechanisms of the underlying endothelial vasodilator dysfunction in vasodilator signaling pathways may occur at multiple sites within any of these pathways. METHODS: Age-related changes in the vasculature were investigated in adult young (3-6 months, Y) and old (26-29 month, O) Wistar rats (n = 6). The aortas were carefully dissected from the rat and cut into rings 1.5-2.0 mm in length to measure in vitro isometric tension. Vasorelaxant responses of aortic rings to acetylcholine (ACh), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and P1075 were examined using Dose Response software (AD Instruments, Mountain View, CA). RESULTS: Endothelium-dependent vasodilator function was impaired. The endothelium of aging rats impaired endothelial NO dependent vasodilation, but the machinery for vasodilation was not impaired. CONCLUSIONS: Age-related NO-mediated vasorelaxation in the aging endothelium was inhibited and appears to be major mechanism of vascular change and impaired vascular regulation.
Acetylcholine ; Adult ; Aging ; Animals ; Aorta ; Cardiovascular System ; Compliance ; Endothelium ; Guanidines ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitroprusside ; Pyridines ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vasodilation

Mesenteric cysts are rare intra-abdominal lesions occurring during childhood, which were first described in 1507. Cases of mesenteric cysts have been continuously reported, but these cases were very small in number. They are often asymptomatic and incidentally found while patients are undergoing work-up or receiving treatment for other conditions such as appendicitis, small-bowel obstruction, or diverticulitis; however, patients may still have lower abdominal pain and symptoms that are frequently associated with other abdominal conditions. The symptoms are variable and non-specific, including pain (82%), nausea and vomiting (45%), constipation (27%), and diarrhea (6%). An abdominal mass may be palpable in up to 61% of patients. We are to report the clinical course and literature of a child with mesenteric cysts who complained of acute abdominal pain, distension, and vomiting and were surgically treated after being diagnosed with mesenteric cysts based on radiological examination.
Abdominal Pain* ; Appendicitis ; Child* ; Child, Preschool* ; Constipation ; Diarrhea ; Diverticulitis ; Humans ; Mesenteric Cyst* ; Nausea ; Vomiting

Mesenteric cysts are rare intra-abdominal lesions occurring during childhood, which were first described in 1507. Cases of mesenteric cysts have been continuously reported, but these cases were very small in number. They are often asymptomatic and incidentally found while patients are undergoing work-up or receiving treatment for other conditions such as appendicitis, small-bowel obstruction, or diverticulitis; however, patients may still have lower abdominal pain and symptoms that are frequently associated with other abdominal conditions. The symptoms are variable and non-specific, including pain (82%), nausea and vomiting (45%), constipation (27%), and diarrhea (6%). An abdominal mass may be palpable in up to 61% of patients. We are to report the clinical course and literature of a child with mesenteric cysts who complained of acute abdominal pain, distension, and vomiting and were surgically treated after being diagnosed with mesenteric cysts based on radiological examination.
Abdominal Pain* ; Appendicitis ; Child* ; Child, Preschool* ; Constipation ; Diarrhea ; Diverticulitis ; Humans ; Mesenteric Cyst* ; Nausea ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: Hypernatremia most frequently occurs in the immature newborn and be severe in association with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). This study examined the frequency, onset and risk factors of hypernatremia, and the relationship between hypernatremia and IVH in very low birth weight (VLBW; <1,250 g) infants. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 55 VLBW infants admitted between January 2006 and December 2009 to the neonatal intensive care unit of Wonkwang University Hospital and who survived over 7 days. Serum sodium concentration, sodium intake, fluid and weight loss, as suggested risk factors of hypernatremia, and the incidence of IVH were evaluated. The infants were divided into a hypernatremia group (> or =150 mEq/L) and nonhypernatremia group, and were compared. RESULTS: Incidence of hypernatremia in the VLBW infants was 52.7%, and mean starting time of hypernatremia was 2.8+/-1.3 days. There were no differences in the sodium and fluid intake between the two groups. Weight loss at day 3 after birth was significantly higher in the hypernatremia compared to the nonhypernatremia group (P<0.05); thereafter weight loss was non-significantly higher. The incidence of IVH in VLBW infants was 38.2%, and the difference between the two groups was not significant. CONCLUSION: Hypernatremia occurs commonly in VLBW infants and is most commonly caused by weight loss in the early days after birth. Incidence of IVH is not likely influenced by hypernatremia with marginally elevated sodium concentration.
Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypernatremia ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Medical Records ; Parturition ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sodium ; Weight Loss

Kawasaki disease (KD) can cause acquired heart disease and systemic vasculitis in children. It is treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). A significant complication is development of coronary artery lesions such as dilatations or aneurysms. However, uncommon complications can occur, like autoimmune hemolytic anemia when IVIG is used. We present a case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with KD. Dilatation of right coronary artery was found at echocardiography and he was treated twice with IVIG (2 g/kg) with interval of 48 hours. Laboratory finding showed hemoglobin 7.1 g/dL, hematocrit 20.8%, corrected reticulocyte 5.86%, total bilirubin 0.29 mg/dL, lactate dehydrogenase 425 IU/L, and haptoglobin 5 mg/dL. Normocytic, normochromic anemia with anisopoikilocytosis was found on peripheral blood smear, and direct antiglobulin test was positive. The patient was started on oral prednisolone for 3 weeks, with which all symptoms resolved. We report this rare case, prompting consideration of IVIG associated complications when treating KD.
Anemia ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune ; Aneurysm ; Bilirubin ; Child ; Coombs Test ; Coronary Vessels ; Dilatation ; Echocardiography ; Haptoglobins ; Heart Diseases ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Immunization, Passive ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Prednisolone ; Reticulocytes ; Systemic Vasculitis