BACKGROUND: Cyclosporine, an immune suppressive agent has been reported to potentiate the neuromuscular blockade induced by vecuronium and atracurium. And the potentiation degree was more prominent in the vecuronium. Rocuronium and mivacurium have been introduced into clinical practice recently and there is no report whether the cyclosporine potentiates the neuromuscular blocking effects of these agents. We, therefore studied the effect of Sandimun (cyclosporine in cremophor-ethanol) on the neuromuscular blockade action of rocuronium and mivacurium in rabbits. METHOD: The effect of Sandimun on the rocuronium and mivacurium were investigated in anesthetized 30 rabbits. The rabbits were divided into five groups; rocuronium group (rocuronium bromide 1 mg/kg iv), rocuronium - Sandimun group (rocuronium bromide 0.1 mg/kg iv after Sandimun 5 mg/kg iv), mivacurium group (mivacurium chloride 0.064 mg/kg iv), mivacurium - Sandimun group (mivacurium chloride 0.064 mg/kg iv after Sandimun 5 mg/kg iv) and Sandimun group (Sandimun 5 mg/kg iv). Neuromuscular block was assessed by measuring the response of anterior tibial muscle to 0.1Hz single twitch stimulation of the common peroneal nerve. Onset time, duration of muscle relaxation and recovery index were compared among the groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in onset time and recovery indices among the groups. Significant difference was found in duration between the rocuronium group and the rocuronium-Sandimun group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Sandimun potentiates the rocuronium - induced neuromuscular blockade but not the neuromuscular blocking action of mivacurium.
Atracurium ; Cyclosporine* ; Muscle Relaxation ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Neuromuscular Blockade* ; Peroneal Nerve ; Rabbits ; Vecuronium Bromide

Retinal pigment epithelial cells(RPE) from a monolayer on the outer portion of sensory retina and have important physiologic functions that include solute transport, phagocytiosis and digestion of membrances shed from photoreceptor outer segments, and drug detoxication. Recently, transplantation of normal RPE has been proposed as a potential therapeutic modality in the surgical management of subretinal neovascularization in age related macular degeneration(ARMD). The viability of RPE at the time of transplantation is important for a good result after transplantation. This viability can be influenced by the period and environmental conditions of storage after harvest.In this study, the influence of these two factors on the viability was evaluated under controlling other remaining factors in vitro. And limitation of masimal time and optimal environmental conditions of storage were investigated.From November 1997 to February 1998, RPE cell sheets from six donor eyeballs for corneal transplantation in the department of ophthalmology of Severance Hospital were harvested and stored in -70degrees C, 4degrees C, or room temperature condotion. The viability of RPE cells at 0, 24 and 48 hours after havest was assessed and compared statistically.The viability was highest at 4degrees C condition. During storage, the viability was about 95% at 24 hours for and decreased abruptly to below 90% at 48 hours. Therefore, RPE cells for transplantation are to be stored at 4degrees C condition and transplantation should be performed within 24 hours after harvest.
Corneal Transplantation ; Digestion ; Epithelial Cells* ; Humans* ; Macular Degeneration ; Ophthalmology ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde* ; Tissue Donors*

Purpose: We hereby would like to compare on the basis of the initial 12 hips and latter 18 hips by analyzing the initial results of the minimal incision total hip arthroplasty of 30 hips we experienced. Materials and Methods: For the period of December 2004 through June 2005, we performed the total hip arthroplasty with minimal incision in 10cm or shorter using the posterolateral approach on 25 patients (30 hips) whose BMI(body mass index) is 30 or lower. We compared by analyzing results of the initial 12 cases and 18 latter cases. Results: The average BMI was 23.7. There weren`t statistically meaningful differences the change in the hemoglobin value of pre-op and post-op, necessity of blood transfusion, position of component, and the Harris hip score 6 weeks after operation. But, the average initial operation time of 124 minutes was remarkably reduced to 65 minutes in average in the latter operation and the length of a skin incision was reduced from the average 9.2 cm in the initial operation to an average of 8.1cm in the latter operation. There wasn't the malposition of acetabular cup and femoral stem. Conclusion: Although we need more statistical data through more cases and the analysis of long-term results, we think that, to surgeons with much experience in the conventional total hip arthroplasty, the total hip anthroplasty using minimal incision for patients with BMI of 30 or below would be a useful approach having the advantage in a cosmetic aspect.
Acetabulum ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip* ; Blood Transfusion ; Hip ; Humans ; Learning Curve* ; Learning* ; Skin

The purposes of this study were to evaluate applicability of resin modified glass ionomer cements and to determine the effect of salivary contamination on the tensile bond strength. Fourty extracted human permanent premolars were prepared for bonding and standard edgewise brackets were bonded with Ortho-One, Fuji Ortho LC, Vitremer and Advance. Fourty extracted human permanent premolars were contaminated with saliva, dried and bonded with same materials above. The tensile bond strength was tested by Instron testing device after storage in normal saline at 37degrees C for 24 hours from bonding. The results were as follow : 1. The tensile bond strength of Ortho-one group was 7.68 1.76, Advance group was 7.87 2.80, Fuji Ortho LC group was 4.99 +/-2.53, Vitremer group was 2.80 0.88 MPa. The tensile bond strength in contaminated condition of Ortho-One group was 4.12 1.67, Advance group was 5.37 0.68, Fuji Ortho LC group was 4.41 1.61, Vitremer group was 2.60 1.10 MPa.. 2. Salivary contamination did not affect the tensile bond strength when compared with the uncontaminated enamel group in Fuji Ortho LC and Vitremer (p>0.05) and there was great significant difference in the tensile bond strength of Ortho-One and Advance. 3. Advance, Ortho-One and Fuji Ortho LC seemed to have clinically a proper bond strength.
Bicuspid ; Dental Enamel ; Glass Ionomer Cements* ; Glass* ; Humans ; Saliva

Purpose: Preoperative positivity of serum tumor markers has been associated with poor long-term survival among patients with gastric cancer. However, there have been a considerable number of patients who have experienced a normalization of tumor markers (negative conversion) after curative treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between postoperative tumor marker conversion and survival after gastrectomy among gastric carcinoma patients. Methods: We analyzed the clinical data of 129 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy with elevated preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen or carbohydrate antigen 19-9 between January 2009 and December 2013. Results: Positive tumor markers converted to negative markers 6 months after surgery in 91 patients (70.5%). The patients with a negative conversion of tumor markers had significantly better outcomes than those without negative conversion (overall survival [OS] 63.9 months vs. 41.1 months, P<0.001; disease-free survival [DFS] 59.3 months vs. 33.2 months, P<0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that tumor marker conversion and lymph node metastasis were independent predictors of OS and DFS. During follow-up, tumor markers became elevated again (positive reconversion) in 23 patients (25.3%), with a negative conversion of tumor markers at 6 months after gastrectomy. Among the patients with a positive reconversion of tumor markers, gastric cancer recurred in 18 patients (78.3%). Conclusion Negative tumor marker conversion after curative gastrectomy strongly predicts a better prognosis. Patients without negative tumor marker conversion and those with positive reconversion after normalization should be carefully monitored because of the high possibility of recurrence.

Purpose: Preoperative positivity of serum tumor markers has been associated with poor long-term survival among patients with gastric cancer. However, there have been a considerable number of patients who have experienced a normalization of tumor markers (negative conversion) after curative treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between postoperative tumor marker conversion and survival after gastrectomy among gastric carcinoma patients. Methods: We analyzed the clinical data of 129 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy with elevated preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen or carbohydrate antigen 19-9 between January 2009 and December 2013. Results: Positive tumor markers converted to negative markers 6 months after surgery in 91 patients (70.5%). The patients with a negative conversion of tumor markers had significantly better outcomes than those without negative conversion (overall survival [OS] 63.9 months vs. 41.1 months, P<0.001; disease-free survival [DFS] 59.3 months vs. 33.2 months, P<0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that tumor marker conversion and lymph node metastasis were independent predictors of OS and DFS. During follow-up, tumor markers became elevated again (positive reconversion) in 23 patients (25.3%), with a negative conversion of tumor markers at 6 months after gastrectomy. Among the patients with a positive reconversion of tumor markers, gastric cancer recurred in 18 patients (78.3%). Conclusion Negative tumor marker conversion after curative gastrectomy strongly predicts a better prognosis. Patients without negative tumor marker conversion and those with positive reconversion after normalization should be carefully monitored because of the high possibility of recurrence.

This study assessed preoperative quality of life (QoL) of gastric cancer patients exposed to inconsistent illness information by pre-post-operative stage discordance. The impact of information-stressors on patients’ QoL was investigated to determine information processing as a potential target for QoL management. Early-stage gastric cancer (EsGC) and late-stage gastric cancer (LsGC) groups based on their final stage were categorized by the consistency of preoperative staging information that was being shared. Those with consistent preoperative staging information were rated as EsGC (n=1,420) and LsGC (n=153) controls. EsGC and LsGC patients with misdirected information about their LsGC and EsGC were categorized as EsGC/iLsGC (n=32) and LsGC/iEsGC (n=55), respectively. Preoperative QoL data was obtained using EORTC QLQ-C30 and -STO22. QoL outcomes of EsGC/iLsGC and LsGC/iEsGC were compared with those of the EsGC and LsGC controls. QoL outcomes of the EsGC/iLsGC group matched that of EsGC control, but were significantly better than those of LsGC control on multiple scales including global health status/QoL, physical/role/social-functioning, and ten symptom scales/items. On the other hand, QoL outcomes of LsGC/iEsGC group were significantly better than those of LsGC control on multiple scales (global health status/ QoL, physical/role-functioning, and nine symptom scales/items) while they roughly matched with those of EsGC control. Intensified information-stressors did not exacerbate QoL beyond the influence of the patients’ medical condition, while de-intensified information-stressor improved QoL. Fear of negatively impacting QoL should not prevent the sharing of stressful illness information. As the de-intensified information- stressor improves QoL, information processing is recommended as a potential target for QoL management in cancer patients.

We report a case of an erythrodermic form of mycosis fungoides in a 68-year-old male, who showed generalized erythroderma with scales for 3 months. Lymphadenopathies in the inguinal and neck areas were present. Histopathological findings showed epidermotropism, perivascular atypical lymphocyte infilteration in the upper dermis, and dermatopathic lymphadenopathy in the inguinal lymph node. T cell markers were positively stained in the immunohistochemical study. These clinicopathological features were consistent with an erythrodermic form of mycosis fungoides(TNM IIl). The patient was treated with PUVA therapy and low dose chemotherapy.
Aged ; Dermatitis, Exfoliative ; Dermis ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Lymphocytes ; Male ; Mycosis Fungoides* ; Neck ; PUVA Therapy ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: Gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs) located very close to the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) are a challenge for gastric surgeons. Therefore, this study reports on the experience of using endoscopic and laparoscopic full-thickness resection (ELFR) with laparoscopic two-layer suturing in such tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients with gastric SMTs very close to the EGJ underwent ELFR with laparoscopic two-layer suturing at Kyungpook National University Medical Center. With the patient under general anesthesia, the lesser curvature and posterior aspect adjacent to the EGJ were meticulously dissected and visualized using a laparoscopic approach. A partially circumferential full-thickness incision at the distal margin of the tumor was then made using an endoscopic approach under laparoscopic guidance. The SMT was resected using laparoscopic ultrasonic shears, and the gastric wall was closed using two-layer suturing. Thereafter, the patency and any leakage were checked through endoscopy. RESULTS: All the ELFR procedures with laparoscopic two-layer suturing were performed successfully without an open conversion. The mean operation time was 139.2+/-30.9 minutes and the blood loss was too minimal to be measured. The tumors from four patients were leiomyomas, while the tumors from the other two patients were gastrointestinal stromal tumors with clear resection margins. All the patients started oral intake on the third postoperative day. There was no morbidity or mortality. The mean hospital stay was 7.7+/-0.8 days. CONCLUSIONS: ELFR with laparoscopic two-layer suturing is a safe treatment option for patients with an SMT close to the EGJ, as major resection of the stomach is avoided.
Academic Medical Centers ; Anesthesia, General ; Endoscopy ; Esophagogastric Junction* ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; Length of Stay ; Mortality ; Stomach ; Ultrasonics

No abstract available.
Broad Ligament* ; Female ; Leiomyoma* ; Leiomyosarcoma*