PURPOSE: Among the cell adhesion molecules, alpha-catenin and E-cadherin play an important part in maintaining normal cell structure. The change in expression of cell adhesion molecules affects the invasion and metastasis of a tumor and the prognosis for patients. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between the expression of cell adhesion molecules and the histopathologic characteristics of stage III colon cancer. METHODS: The relationship between the immunohistochemical expression of cell adhesion molecules and tumor progression were statistically analyzed in 40 patients with stage III colon cancer. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant correlations between loss of membranous alpha-catenin and E-cadherin expressions and such variables as histologic differentiation and lymph node disease based on the criteria of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). A significant correlation, however, existed between depth of mural invasion and loss of expressions of both alpha-catenin and E-cadherin (P=0.001 and P=0.002, respectively). Expressions of both alpha-catenin and E-cadherin were also significantly decreased in patients showing liver metastases during follow-up (P=0.019 and P=0.015, respectively). CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemical analyses of alpha-catenin and E-cadherin expressions may be available as predictors for distant metastasis, especially in stage III colon cancer. Such analyses may also help to identify appropriate therapeutic strategies and the need for intensive follow-up in patients with stage III colon cancer.
alpha Catenin ; Cadherins ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joints ; Liver ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis

BACKGROUND: Sevoflurane, a newly developed halogenated inhalation anesthetic agent shows myocardial protective effects against global ischemia like other inhalation agents. We investigated differences between pharmacologic preconditioning effects at various concentrations of sevoflurane. METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were subdivided into 4 groups (each n = 10). All groups underwent the same procedure (Langendorff preparation, 30 minutes ischemia and 60 minutes reperfusion) except for the concentrations of sevoflurane. The control group received no sevoflurane treatment. The sevo 1.6% group was given 1.6% sevoflurane before ischemia, the sevo 205% group was given 2.05% sevoflurane before ischemia, and the sevo 2.5% group was given 2.5% sevoflurane before ischemia. Hemodynamic parameters of all groups were recorded through a thin, saline-filled latex balloon and a transducer. Coronary flows were also measured. All hearts were stained by triphenyl tetrazolium to measure infarct size. RESULTS: The sevoflurane administered groups showed higher left ventricular end systolic pressures and lower left ventricular end diastolic pressures than the control group after ischemia and reperfusion. The dP/dtMAX of the sevoflurane administration groups showed a more rapid recovery pattern after ischemia than the control. But no differences were found between the sevoflurane administered groups. Infarct sizes in the sevoflurane administered groups were smaller than those in the control group, and there were no significant differences between the sevoflurane administered groups. CONCLUSIONS: Sevoflurane (even below one MAC) administration before myocardial ischemia has a superb cardioprotective effects, i.e., rapid recovery of left ventricular fuctions, less stiffness development, and a reduced infarct size. There were no significant differences between the sevoflurane administered groups.
Animals ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Ischemia* ; Latex ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion ; Transducers ; Ventricular Function, Left

Fiberoptic bronchoscope guided tracheal intubation is more popular in patient with expected difficult intubation by conventional laryngoscopy. We report a case of smooth fiberoptic bronchoscope guided tracheal intubation under local anesthesia. A 10% lidocaine spray 2-3 puffs of pharyngolaryngeal topical anesthesia and 2% lidocaine injection through a 19 gauge epidural catheter (ARROW(R)) placed over the fiberoptic bronchoscope suction channel for laryngeal and tracheal anesthesia were sufficient to prevent pain, coughing and nausea.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, Local ; Bronchoscopes* ; Catheters* ; Cough ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Laryngoscopy ; Larynx* ; Lidocaine ; Nausea ; Suction ; Trachea*

Fiberoptic bronchoscope guided tracheal intubation is more popular in patient with expected difficult intubation by conventional laryngoscopy. We report a case of smooth fiberoptic bronchoscope guided tracheal intubation under local anesthesia. A 10% lidocaine spray 2-3 puffs of pharyngolaryngeal topical anesthesia and 2% lidocaine injection through a 19 gauge epidural catheter (ARROW(R)) placed over the fiberoptic bronchoscope suction channel for laryngeal and tracheal anesthesia were sufficient to prevent pain, coughing and nausea.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, Local ; Bronchoscopes* ; Catheters* ; Cough ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Laryngoscopy ; Larynx* ; Lidocaine ; Nausea ; Suction ; Trachea*

BACKGROUND: Renal dysfunction is a serious complication that sometimes occurs after on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Recently, the off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) is used. We investigated whether this practice can reduce renal compromise. METHODS: Eighty patients underwent CABG surgery between March 2001 and March 2002. Among these, 50 patients received CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and 30 patients received OPCAB. The data collected included age, gender, history of diabetes, history of hypertension, history of congestive heart failuere, preoperative serum creatinine (PreCr) level, peak postoperative serum creatinine (Peak PostCr) level, preoperative and postoperative left ventriclular ejection fraction, preoperative ACE inhibitor use, perioperative angiography with contrast dye. Perioperative changes in creatinine clearance (DCrCl) were calculated using changes in the pre and postoperative serum creatinine values. Moderate postoperative renal dysfuntion was defined as a peak postoperative creatinine value of greater than 1.5 times and below 2.0 times the preoperative creatinine value. Severe postoperative renal dysfunction was defined as a peak postoperative creatinine of more than twice the preoperative creatinine value. RESULTS: Moderate renal dysfunction was observed in 10% of patients in the on-pump group and in 17.6% of the patients in the off-pump group. Severe renal dysfunction was observed in 6.7% of patients in the on-pump group and in 5.9% of the patients in the 0ff-pump group. Multivariate liner regression analysis showed that the preoperative and immediate postoperative creatinine clearance are associated with postoperative renal dysfuntion in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective study, we could not confirm that OPCAB reduces perioperative renal dysfunction more so than CABG with CPB. Diabetes was found to be significantly associated with postoperative renal dysfunction in CABG with CPB.
Angiography ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Creatinine ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: There is increasing interest in the use of a very low calorie diet (VLCD) as a treatment regimen for weight loss in obese subjects. This study was designed to investigate the effects and safety of a traditional Korean very-low-calory diet. METHODS: Twelve hospitalized obese patients at Dong Eui hospital in Busan city from May 1998 to December 1998 were selected. Height, body weight, blood lipids, blood insulin level, body fat, lean body mass, subcutaneous fat and visceral fat were measured. A traditional Korean VLCD was supplied for 14 days. RESULTS: Patient's body weight was significantly decreased from 83.8 kg to 78.6 kg, body fat from 32.2 kg to 28.6 kg, lean body mass from 32.2 kg to 28.6 kg, and BMI from 31.4 to 29.5, respectively (p<0.05). Total fat was significantly decreased from 807 cc to 659 cc, subcutaneous fat from 567 cc to 473 cc, visceral fat from 273 cc to 185 cc, respectively. However there were no significant changes in minerals. After VLCD intervention, total cholesterol was significantly decreased from 199 mg/dL to 166 mg/dL, HDL-cholesterol from 42 mg/dL, to 35 mg/dL, triglyceride from 158 mg/dL, to 75 mg/dL (p<0.05). The insulin area under the curve was also significantly decreased from 205 micro International-Unit/mL x 2hr to 168 micro International-Unit/mL x 2hr (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Above findings suggested that a traditional Korean VLCD is effective and safe for short term use in terms of reducing body fat and improving insulin resistance in obese patients.
Adipose Tissue ; Body Height ; Body Weight ; Busan ; Caloric Restriction ; Cholesterol ; Diet* ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Minerals ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Triglycerides ; Weight Loss