No abstract available.
Female ; Ovulation*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the reproducibility of the quantitative assessment of segmental wall motion and systolic thickening provided by an automatic quantitation algorithm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tc-99m-MIBI gated myocardial SPECT with dipyridamole stress was performed in 31 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (4 with single, 6 with two, 11 with triple vessel disease; ejection fraction 51+/-14%) twice consecutively in the same position. Myocardium was divided into 20 segments. Segmental wall motion and systolic thickening were calculated and expressed in mm and % increase respectively, using AutoQUANTTM software. The reproducibility of this quantitative measurement of wall motion and thickening was tested. RESULTS: Correlations between repeated measurements on consecutive gated SPECT were excellent for wall motion (r=0.95) and systolic thickening (r=0.88). On Bland-Altman analysis, two standard deviation was 2 mm for repeated measurement of segmental wall motion, and 20% for that of systolic thickening. The weighted kappa values of repeated measurements were 0.807 for wall motion and 0.708 for systolic thickening. Sex, perfusion, or segmental location had no influence on reproducibility. CONCLUSION: Segmental wall motion and systolic thickening quantified using AutoQUANTTM software on gated myocardial SPECT offers good reproducibility and is significantly different when the change is more than 2 mm for wall motion and more than 20% for systolic thickening.
Coronary Artery Disease ; Dipyridamole ; Humans ; Myocardium ; Perfusion ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

Leukotrienes (LTs) are known to act as a mediator provoking tissue response in inflammation. LTs, particularly type B4 (LTB4) as chemotactic factor of neutrophil are released from neutrophils and gastric mucosal cells when these cells are stimulated by Helicobacter pylori. The present study was performed to test a possibility that eupatilin may prevent the H. pylori-induced gastric cell damage by observing whether this chemical inhibit the release of LTB4 from H. pylori-stimulated gastric cells (Kato III) and neutrophils. As observed in the previous study, H. pylori induced the release of LTB4 from these cells and at the same influx of Ca2+ into the cells. In the presence of eupatilin, the release of LTB4 was inhibited whereas Ca2+ influx was not affected. Probably eupatilin may inhibit the release of LTB4 by preventing the synthesis of LTs. These results suggest that eupatilin can has a therapeutic effect on H. pylori-induced gasric cell damage.
Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Inflammation ; Leukotriene B4* ; Leukotrienes ; Neutrophils*

It has been implicated that leukotrienes play roles in the pathogenesis of gastritis and gastric ulceration associated with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Rebamipide is being used as an antiulcer drug but it's mechanism of action has not been understood well. One possible mechanism of action of this drug is to inhibit the cellular release of leukotrienes by various stimuli, particularly H. pylori. In the present study, attempts were made to test this possibility and the results are as follows. When Kato III cells (gastric adenoma cells) were stimulated by H. pylori, leukotriene D4 (LTD4) was released and rebamipide inhibited this release dose-dependently. Similar experiment was performed on neutrophils because the infilteration of neutrophils is a common phenomenon in H. pylori-infected gasrtric tissues. Neutrophils released LTD4 when these cells were stimulated by H. pylori and rebamipide also inhibited this release. Furthermore, rebamipide inhibited the release of LTD from neutrophils induced by calcium ionophore A23187 and arachidonic acid. The results suggest that rebamipide has the action to inhibit the release of LTD4 from various cells and this action may contribute in part to prevent the ulcerogenesis induced by H. pylori.
Adenoma ; Arachidonic Acid ; Calcimycin ; Calcium ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Leukotriene D4* ; Leukotrienes ; Neutrophils ; Stomach Ulcer

With the increasing use of pedicular system to fix the spine, many complications are being reported. Recently many systems are available to fix the spine. However, each system has own advantages and disadvantages. The causes of metallic failure of Modular Segmental Spinal (MOSS) instrumentation on 42 consecutive patients undergone in Kang-Nam St. Mary's hospital since 1989 were reviewed. The specific aim of this investigation was to assess causes of metallic failure and loosening of this system on various spinal disorders. Of these, 8 cases had metallic failure and loosening. Breakage of screw and rod developed in 6 cases and dislodgement of rod from screw in 2 cases. In case of degenerative spondylolisthesis (unstable phase) with stenosis, however, the complications were closely correlated to expansile decompressive laminectomy to widen the narrowed spinal canal and the instrumental distraction to gain normal intervertebral disc space at the operation. Bony union and back pain were not correlated to metallic failure and loosening. Therefore, the main causes of metallic failure and loosening were (1) preoperative instability undergone expansile decompressive laminectomy including total bilateral facetectomy that aggravated preoperative instability, and (2) forceful instrumental dis traction. In cases needed these requirements, combined anterior interbody fusion or posterior interbody fusion should be added, heavier rods and screws larger than 3.5mm, 4.0mm in diameter, respectively, should be used. In addition to postoperatively sufficient bed rest and immobilization using rigid braces should be recommended to reduce these complications.
Back Pain ; Bed Rest ; Braces ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Intervertebral Disc ; Laminectomy ; Spinal Canal ; Spine ; Spondylolisthesis ; Traction

To evaluate the incidence and clinical course of AV conduction disturbances associated with acute myocardial infarction(MI) and coronary angiographic characteristics in acute inferior MI with AV blocks. We reviewed the medical records and serial ECG's in 89 patients with acute MI treated in CCU of Chonnam National University Hospital from january, 1987 through August, 1990. The subjects were 44 anterior MI's, 43 inferior MI's, and 2 anterior and inferior MI's. AV conduction disturbances were observed in 25.8% of all the patients with acute MI's, 48.8% of 43 inferior MI's and 4.5% of 44 anterior MI's. High degree AV block was observed in 20.0% of all the subjects, 39.3% of inferior MI patients, and none of anterior MI patients. The most severe AV blocks observed in each patients were 7(30.4%) first-degree, 5(21.7%) second-degree, and 11(47.8%) third-degree AV block. The initial AV conduction disturbances developed within 6 hours after onset of symptoms in 9(47.4%) and after 24-hours in 9(47.4%). Seven(30.4%) of 23 patients with AV block showed a transient progression in the degree of AV block, 5(29.4%) of 17 patients with first-or second-degree AV block progressed to third-degree AV block thereby constituting 45.5% of 11 third-degree AV blocks. Nine patients with early AV block less tended to progress in the degree of AV block than the patients with late AV block (1/9 vs 4.9). In early AV block the duration of high-degree AV block was shorter than late AV block(2.5 days vs 6.1 days). The duration of third-degree AV block was less than 2-hurs in 36.4~24 hours in 27.3%, and more than 24 hours in 36.4%. All third-degree AV blocks(90.9%) but one with the longest duration of 13 days returned to 1 : 1 AV conduction within 7 days. There was no significant difference in coronary angiographic findings including the incidence of stenotic lesion in proximal LAD and first septal perforator, number of involved vessel(s), and severity of RCA lesion between the patients with AV block and the patients without AV block in inferior MI.
Atrioventricular Block ; Humans ; Incidence ; Jeollanam-do ; Medical Records ; Myocardial Infarction*

In the mid 1980's, the ITA(internal thoracic artery) graft was clearly recognized to be superior to the sapheonous vein graft in respect to long term patency. Therefore, there has been growing interest in the arterial conduit with the possibility of improving the long term result. We have been performing CABG with GEA since 1998 with the same purpose. For mid-term and long-term follow up, we have been performing postoperative coronary angiography. In this paper, a case of GEA spasm, a purported drawback of this conduit, during postoperative coronary anigiography and relieved by direct infusion of 200 microgram isoket into the GEA is reported. The current case which exemplifies the spastic nature of RGEA is accompanied with coronary angiography.
Coronary Angiography* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastroepiploic Artery* ; Isosorbide Dinitrate ; Muscle Spasticity ; Spasm* ; Transplants ; Veins

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of using Keratome in endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). METHODS: The authors used 3.0mm keratome, designed for cataract surgery, to incise medial wall of the lacrimal sac during endoscopic endonasal DCR in 11 patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. RESULTS: Surgical success rate was 90% with fast recovery time of nasal mucosa without specific complication. CONCLUSIONS: Lacrimal sac incision using keratome was more effective and non-invasive than using nasal forceps, with advantages such as shorter operation time and less nasal mucosa injury with rapid recovery time.
Cataract ; Dacryocystorhinostomy* ; Humans ; Nasal Mucosa ; Nasolacrimal Duct ; Surgical Instruments

PURPOSE: To know the normal CT appearance of the anterior skull base and nasal septum after birth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Coronal CT scans with a helical mode were performed from the nasal bone to the sphenoid sinus in 99 children whose ages ranged from 27 days to 14 years. We investigated the CT appearance of the developing anterior skull base and nasal septum with particular attention to the anteroposterior length of the anterior skull base and the ossification patterns of the cribriform plate, perpendicular plate, crista galli, and vomer. RESULTS: The anteroposterior length of the anterior skull base statistically significantly increased with age. The cribriform plate showed partial or complete ossification in at least one segment at more than 3 months of age and in all three segments at more than 6 months of age. Ossification of the cribriform plate occurred earlier in the middle segment than in the anterior and posterior segments. It began exclusively in the region of the lateral mass of the ethmoid and proceeded medially toward the crista galli. Partial ossification of the perpendicular plate was noted as early as 9 months of age, and complete ossification as early as 13 months of age. All children at 18 months and older showed at least partial ossification of the perpendicular plate. Partial ossification of the crista galli was noted as early as 27 days of age, and complete ossification as early as 3 months of age. CT showed complete ossification of the crista galli in all but two children at 6 months and older. The superior aspect of the vomer exhibited a V- or Y-shape on all CT scans in 66%(65/99) of children at any age. It appeared as an undivided single lump anteriorly and a V or Y posteriorly in 34%(34/99). CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the normal developing patterns of ossification of the anterior skull base and nasal septum could help prevent errors in interpreting CT scans in this region, especially in infants and young children.
Child ; Ethmoid Bone ; Humans ; Infant ; Nasal Bone ; Nasal Septum* ; Parturition ; Skull Base* ; Skull* ; Sphenoid Sinus ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vomer

In this report, the inhibitory action of eupatilin was investigated by using leukotriene D4 in the human neutrophils and Kato III cells (Gastric adenoma cells as a substitute for gastric mucosal cells) stimulated by Helicobacter pylori. Leukotriene D4 (LTD4) was released from both neutrophils and Kato III cells when these cells were incubated with H. pylori. The release of LTD4 increased time-dependently and the maximum release of LTD4 was 2.3-2.5 pmol. But in the presence of eupatilin, the release of LTD4 from these cells was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. In the neutrophils, die release of LTD4 was suppressed to 70% and 50% of the control levels when neutrophils was incubated with 0.01 and 0.1 mM of eupatilin. In the Kato III cells, the release of LTD4 was suppressed to 59% and 27% of the control levels by adding 0.01 and 0.1 mM of eupatilin. We estimated the intracellular Ca2+ levels when Kato III cells and neutrophils were stimulated by H. pylori using 45Ca. But the suppressive effect of eupatilin on Ca2+ influx into these cells was not significant. We also obtained the results that H. pylori induced Ca2+ influx into these cells by confocal microscopy, however there was no differences in the dose level of eupatilin. These results were confirmed by 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance(NMR) spectroscopy. The NMR patterns of eupatilin in the absence of Ca2+ was changed compare with when Ca2+ was present, but its effect was not strong.
Adenoma ; Helicobacter pylori ; Helicobacter* ; Humans* ; Leukotriene D4* ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Neutrophils* ; Spectrum Analysis