No abstract available.
Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular* ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) and surgical septal myotomy-myectomy are two treatment options for patients with drug-resistant hypertrophic cardiomyopathy & a left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction. The clinical courses, after nonsurgical and surgical septal myotomy-myectomy, are described in 3 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that continued to be symptomatic following medical management. SUBJECTS AND MEHTODS: 3 patients (2 women, 1 man), with symptomatic drug-refractory obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, were the subjects of this study. One patient underwent a PTSMA by injection of ethanol into the septal perforator branches of the left anterior descending coronary artery, and 2 a surgical myotomy-myectomy. Examinations of the early and late follow-up echocardiographic results were performed. RESULTS: Both treatment modalities significantly reduced the peak gradient across the LVOT (ablation : 85 to 7.7 mmHg, myectomy : 104 to 10 mmHg), and led to similar improvements in the New York Heart Association class (ablation : NYHA IV to II, myectomy : NYHA III or IV to NYHA I or II). One patient, who underwent a successful PTSMA, showed a temporary right bundle branch block on the ECG for several days following the PTSMA. At the 1-year follow-up, 2 patients were observed to have persistent symptomatic improvements, with no cardiac complications. CONCLUSION: Both a percutaneous septal myocardial ablation and a surgical myotomy-myectomy resulted in similar degrees of significant improvements of the left ventricular outflow tract obstructions, with improvements of the symptoms. Prospective studies are necessary to compare the long-term efficacy of these two treatment modalities.
Bundle-Branch Block ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic* ; Catheter Ablation ; Coronary Vessels ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Ethanol ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart ; Humans ; Ventricular Outflow Obstruction*

OBJECTIVES: As one of the possible mechanisms of viral evasion in the HPV-infected cervical cancer cells, the role of amino acid sequence change in epitope region has not been reported yet. In this study, sequence variations of HPV 16 E6, E7 gene, especially focused on epitope region, were analysed, the status of immunomodulatory factors were documented, and finally the possible correlation between the sequence variations and the loss of HLA class I expression was examined. METHODS: The entire ORF(open reading frame)s of HPV 16 E6, E7 were sequenced by the fluorescent dideoxy termination method. In addition proteins and transcripts of HLA-ABC, beta2-microglobulin(beta2-m), TAP (transporter associated with antigen processing), and LMP(large multi-functional proteasome) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively in 40 clinical specimens of primary cervical cancer and 6 cervical cancer cell-lines. Medical records including pathologic reports were reviewed. RESULTS: Among the 27 cases confirmed as harboring HPV 16 DNA, only one(3.7%) found as a prototype. Among 11 kind of variants identified in total, 4 variants(5 nucleotide sites) which were never reported before has been found, registered firstly to GenBank. The most frequently found one(16 cases, 59.3%) contains D25E, N29S in E6, E7 region, respectively and the most common variation in E6, E7 ORFs found concurrently(p<0.05). Down-regulation of HLA-ABC and beta2-m was identified in 32(86.5%) and 35 cases(89.7%), respectively and transcripts of TAP, LMP were identified in over 85% of cases. However, there was no significant difference in HPV 16 infection, D25E in E6 and so on between HLA-ABC, beta2-m positive and negative groups. The well-known clinicopathologic parameters did not correlate with sequence variations and immunomodulatory factors. Five sequence variations in HPV 16 E6, E7 ORFs that were not previously reported worldwide were found, registered firstly to GenBank. CONCLUSION: It seems that multiple mechanisms are operated in down-regulation of HLA class I molecules and the phenotypic profile of immunomodulatory factors seems to be unrelated in vivo to the naturally occurring HPV 16 E6, E7 variations in epitope region.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Databases, Nucleic Acid ; DNA ; Down-Regulation ; Ecthyma, Contagious ; Female ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; Humans* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Medical Records ; Open Reading Frames ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Respiration, Artificial ; Survival Rate ; Ventilators, Mechanical*

The intravenous administration of midazolam is widely used as sedative premedication for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. We performed a study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of midazoiam as premedication for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Between June 1995 and October 1995, 112 patients of diagnostic esophago-gastroduodenoseopy were enrolled in the study. The patients were recieved a bolus midazolam 0.~03mg/kg or placebo, followed by typical anesthesia. The blood pressure, pulse and oximeter values were monitored. The systolic blood pressure and heart rate were increased during endoscopy in compared with before premedication, and normalized immediately. There was no significant change of arterial oxygen saturation. Midazolam induced amnesia completely in 49.2% and partially in 27.2%, and all patients were recovered completely in 1 hour. The tolerance score is higher in the midazolam group as compared with the placebo group(p<0.05), and midazolam group would accept the same sedation for repeated endoscopies(p<0.01). We conclude that midazolam has beneficial effects as premedication for upper gastrointastinal endoscopy without significant altteration in cardiopulmonary parameters. This suggest that midazolam may be used more frequently as premedication, especially in the cases of repeated endoscopy.
Administration, Intravenous ; Amnesia ; Anesthesia ; Blood Pressure ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal* ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Midazolam* ; Oxygen ; Premedication*

Transmycardial laser revascularization has made its position as a sole therapy for patients with chronic angina nonamenable to maximal medical therapy, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and coronary artery bypass grafting. We report three cases of transmyocardial laser revascularization as a sole therapy for patients with recurrent angina after CABG.
Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Humans ; Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization

BACKGROUND: Adult with congenital heart disease represents a new category of specialized cardiovascular interest that requires the cooperation of a number of medical and surgical disciplines, and also requires the interactions among traditional departmental jurisdiction. Uninterrupted, long-term continuity care is essential if the concerns inherent in this new and increasing patient population are to be addressed. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of congenital heart disease in adolescents and adults. METHODS: Between October 1994 and July 1996, retrospective follow-up records and registry chart of 229 consecutive patients with congenital heart disease for over 16 years in GUCH (grown-up congenital heart) clinic were reviewed by a physician and a nurse specialist. RESULTS: There were 126 female and 103 male GUCH patients with the mean age of 34+/-14.6 years old. Among the 229 patients, there were 179 natural survivors, those without cardiac repair, and 50 postoperative survivors. Congenital heart defects were 167 shunt legions, 17 obstructive and valvular legions, 14 tetralogy of Fallot, 15 complex congenital heart anomalies and 16 others. Among the 179 natural survivors; 122 (68%) required heart surgery or continuous medical surveillance, and among the 50 surgically repaired survivors; 37 (74%) required reoperation for residual heart defects, constant medical treatment or consultation from other medical divisions. The reasons for the hospital vistis were:cardiac operation or cardiac diagnosis in 128 (56%) patients, symptomatic heart conditions in 43 (19%), routine heart examinations since childhood in 31 (14%) and others in 27 (11%). Also, the patient compliances were higher in the GUCH clinic than the traditional departmental jurisdiction (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: To achieve continuing care for the patients with congenital heart disease in adolescents and adults, it is important to develope a specialized clinic addressing the specific needs of the congenital heart disease in adolescents and adults.
Adolescent* ; Adult* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart ; Heart Defects, Congenital* ; Humans ; Male ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Specialization ; Survivors ; Tetralogy of Fallot ; Thoracic Surgery

Malformations of umbilicus are a feature of many dysmorphic syndromes and the measurement of periumbilical skin length should be considered as the basic step in the description of the umbilical malformations. So, we measured the periumbilical skin length in the 103 normal neonates and obtained the following results. 1) The means (+SD) of the periumbilical skin length were the 11.7mm (+3.0) in the cranial site and the 8.2mm (+2.5) in the caudal site, and the cranial length was 3.5mm longer than the caudal length. 2) No difference was observed between the male and female groups in the periumbilical skin length. 3) Age was the only statistically significant variable associated with the periumbilical skin length and it was observed that the periumbilical skin length decreased according to the advance of age (hour).
Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Reference Values* ; Skin* ; Umbilicus

OBJECTIVES: Cadmium (Cd), a toxic and non-essential metal, is recognized as a human carcinogen, which has a tendency to accumulate in the human body. The levels of Cd in renal cortex and liver are good indicators as an index of Cd exposure in the general population. In this study, we present an estimation of reference Cd levels in tissue (renal cortex and liver) and total body burden in the general population of Korea. MEDTHODS: Cd and zinc (Zn) were analyzed in renal cortex and liver from 254 autopsies (male : 188 cases, female : 66 cases) aged 0 to 87 years. RESULTS: Geometric mean concentration of Cd was 27.4 and 3.1 ua/g wet weight in renal cortex and liver, respectively. The level of Zn in renal cortex and liver was 35.4 and 42. 6 v/g wet weight, respectively. The result suggests that kidney is the target organ for Cd accumulation. The accumulation of Cd in renal cortex was age-dependent with a biphasic pattern. The level of Cd in renal cortex increased with age up to the fifties, and then leveled off thereafter. Based on the data, the regression model for Cd accumulation in renal cortex by age is predicted by : Log KCd = 0. 2325 + 0. 0553 Age 0. 0005 Age. The highest Cd accumulation in renal cortex of Koreans was estimated at 43. 3 ua/g wet weight at 50. 8 years old. In addition, the total Cd body burden by age was estimated by the following equation: Total Cd Body Burden = -4. 5948 + l. 2278 Age - 0. 0121 Age. The highest body burden of Cd was estimated at 26. 5 mg at age 50. 7 years in the Korean general population. The positive correlation between Zn and Cd was observed in renal cortex and liver. CONCLUSIONS: The level of Cd exposure in Korean was found to be lower than in Japanese, but same as or higher than in American and Europeans.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Autopsy ; Body Burden ; Cadmium* ; Child ; Female ; Human Body ; Humans ; Kidney Cortex ; Kidney* ; Korea ; Liver* ; Reference Values* ; Zinc

Thirty five male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with cadmium chloride solution ranging from 0.2 to 3.2mg CdCl2/kg by intravenous single injection. At 48 hours after administration of cadmium, total cadmium, MT bound cadmium and histopathologic finding in liver, kidney, lung, heart, testis, metallothionein in liver, kidney and total cadmium in blood were examined. Tissue cadmium concentration was highest in liver, followed by in kidney, heart, lung and testis. Cadmium bound to metallothionein(MT-Cd) and ratio of MT-Cd to total cadmium were increased in liver and kidney dependently of cadmium exposure dose, but not significantly changed in other organs. On histopathologic finding, the most susceptible organ was heart in considering cadmium exposed dose, but testis in considering cadmium concentration. Blood cadmium concentration was increased with dose-dependent pattern, and significantly correlated with tissue cadmium concentration, so that we may estimate tissue cadmium concentration by measurement of blood cadmium concentration. Metallothionein in liver and kidney was increased with dose-dependent pattern, higher in liver than in kidney, and was significantly correlated with tissue cadmium concentration. However, metallothionein induction efficiency of tissue cadmium(microgram MT/microgram Cd) was greater in liver than in kidney, and reverse to tissue concentration or exposed dose of cadmium.
Animals ; Cadmium Chloride ; Cadmium* ; Heart ; Humans ; Kidney ; Liver ; Lung ; Male ; Metallothionein* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testis