Chitosan has been known as a wound healing agent. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility and guided bone regenerative effect of chitosan and chitosan-cellulose membranes. The effects of chitosan and chitosan-cellulose membranes on the growth and survival of human periodontal ligament cells were examined by rapid colorimetric MTT(tetrazolium) assay, and the tissue response and resorption pattern were observed by implanting the membranes into the subcutaneous tissue of the back of rats for 6 weeks. To evaluate the guided bone regenerative potential of membranes, the amount of newly formed bone in the rat calvarial defects(8mm in diameter) was measured by histomorphometry and radiomorphometry 1,2 and 4 weeks after implantation of membranes. Chitosan and chitosan-cellulose membranes showed no adverse effect on the growth and survival of human periodontal ligament cells. When membranes were subcutaneously implanted, inflammatory reaction was observed at 1 week and which gradually subsided 2 weeks after implantation. Membranes remained intact throughout the experimental period of 6 weeks. Radiomorphometric analysis of the craniotomy sites revealed that chitosan and chitosan-cellulose membrane implanted sites showed increased radiopacity over control. Statistically significant differences with control were found in chitosan-cellulose membrane implanted group at 2 and 4 weeks, and chitosan membrane implanted group at 4 weeks(P<0.05). Histomorphometric data indicated a pattern of osseous healing similar to radiomorphometric analysis. There was a statistically significant difference between control and chitosan-cellulose membrane implanted group at 4 weeks(P<0.05). These results implicate that chitosan and chitosan-cellulose membrane might be useful for guided bone regeneration.
Humans ; Rats ; Animals

No abstract available.
Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Heart Failure* ; Humans

BACKGROUND: The relationship between viral hepatitis and lichen planus (LP) remains as a matter of controversy. Geographical variations are suggested to be a major factor influencing such association. Reliable figures from Korean patients are still lacking. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in Korean patients with lichen planus (LP) and to compare it with patients without LP. METHODS: The retrospective study was performed on 45 LP patients and 45 controls with matching age and gender. We examined for serological evidences of hepatic disease, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and anti-HCV seropositivity. Statistical analysis was calculated by using an unpaired t-test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: No significant differences between the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were observed between the two groups. The prevalence of HBsAg in LP patients (4.4%) was not significantly higher (p>0.05) than those of the control subjects (2.2%). None of the patients with LP nor the control subjects had Anti-HCV. CONCLUSION: Korean patients with LP did not have any significant associations with liver diseases or HBV, and HCV infections. Although a large-scale multicenter study is needed to support our results, it is not advisable for Korean patients with LP to be tested for liver functions or HBV, and HCV infections as part of a routine screening test.
Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Lichen Planus* ; Lichens* ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Function Tests* ; Liver* ; Mass Screening* ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies

Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent arterial or venous thrombosis, and pregnancy loss. A 57-year-old woman was admitted for aggravation of both leg ulcers. Venogram showed chronic venous obstructions at both lower extremities, and chest x-ray and computed tomography revealed serositis in pericardium and pleura. The laboratory tests revealed pancytopenia, and positive tests for antinuclear antibody, anti-dsDNA antibody, lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibody, which led to a diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome secondary to systemic lupus erythematous. After medical treatments by anticoagulation and immunosuppression, and surgical managements including subtotal skin graft and local flap surgery, leg ulcers had been successfully treated without recurrence. Recognition of antiphospholipid syndrome as a cause of venous ulcer and the treatment plans including anticoagulation and surgical management is important in proper managements.
Antibodies, Anticardiolipin ; Antibodies, Antinuclear ; Antiphospholipid Syndrome* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Leg Ulcer* ; Leg* ; Lower Extremity ; Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor ; Middle Aged ; Pancytopenia ; Pericardium ; Pleura ; Pregnancy ; Recurrence ; Serositis ; Skin ; Thorax ; Transplants ; Varicose Ulcer ; Venous Thrombosis

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to choose the appropriate drug when hypotension develops in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). There is no known drug to increase the systemic blood pressure (BP) without an increase of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP). We observed the effects of phenylephrine (PE) and norepinehrine (NE) on systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics when hypotension was treated in patients with PH. METHODS: Patients with PH (mean PAP > or = 25 mmHg, n = 28) were studied. When hypotension occurred (systolic BP < or = 100 mmHg, T1) after the induction of anesthesia, PE or NE was randomly infused to raise the systolic BP above 130 mmHg (T2) and 150 mmHg (T3). Hemodynamic variables were measured at T1, T2 and T3, and the ratio (RBP) of mean PAP to mean BP was calculated. The measurements were performed before skin incision to avoid the effects of surgical stimulation. RESULTS: NE increased BP concomitantly with relatively small increase of PAP, meaning a decrease of RBP (P < 0.05) without any other changes of hemodynamic variables in all patients. However, PE could not raise BP above 130 mmHg in one third of patients, and decreased the cardiac index without a significant decrease of RBP. CONCLUSIONS: NE increased BP and decreased RBP without tachycardia or any other hemodynamic disturbances. NE is considered to be a proper and safe drug to raise BP when hypotension occurs in patients with PH.
Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Pressure ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Hypotension ; Norepinephrine* ; Phenylephrine* ; Skin ; Tachycardia

Simultaneous bilateral rupture of the quadriceps tendon without a significant history of trauma may occur in association with chronic metabolic disorders such as chronic renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism, though has rarely been reported. We describe a case of spontaneous bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture in a 36-year-old female patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary* ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Rupture* ; Tendons*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Skin*

BACKGROUND: It is unclear how the usage of topical steroid agents affects skin barrier function. OBJECTIVE: In order to follow up on previous research into this topic, we sought to investigate the effects of a 3-week application of topical mometasone cream on the alteration of skin barrier function. METHODS: Twenty-six patients who had been clinically diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis were enrolled. Topical mometasone cream was applied to the skin lesions. Clinical symptoms, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), corneometer unit, and pH value were measured on the initial visit, 1 week after treatment, and 3 weeks after treatment, and their values were compared. RESULTS: Clinical symptoms showed improvement after topical mometasone cream was applied (p<0.05), but changes in TEWL, corneometer units, and pH values failed to show statistical significance (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study found that treatment with topical mometasone cream for 3 weeks has no effect on skin barrier function. We believe that this research will help determine the optimal duration and dosage of topical steroid agents used for treating allergic contact dermatitis.
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact* ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Skin* ; Mometasone Furoate

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the time-dependent progress and the delayed improvement in patients who were already treated by combination therapy including oral steroid for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: This study examined patients presenting with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss at a secondary referral and a university-based center over 10 years. This retrospective study included only those patients who could be followed up for at least 3 months. RESULTS: Of 121 patients who recovered over the 3 months of follow-up period, 9.9% showed a delayed recovery of later than 1 month after discharge. Of 55 patients who did not recover until the discharge but recovered thereafter, 78.2% recovered within 1 month, 5.5% recovered between 1 to 2 months, 12.7% recovered between 2 to 3 months, and 3.6% recovered 3 months later after the discharge. The delayed recovery was found frequently in partial or slightly recovery groups by Siegel's criteria. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the presence of delayed recovery in patients who were treated by combination therapy, including oral steroid for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, although this result should be further studied by additional research.
Follow-Up Studies ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural* ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; Humans ; Recovery of Function ; Referral and Consultation ; Retrospective Studies

Background: This study aimed to identify chronicity predictors of pediatric primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with primary pediatric ITP admitted to a tertiary medical center between 2010 and 2021.Forty-five patients with a platelet count ＜20,000/L at the time of diagnosis who were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) were enrolled in this study. Results: According to the disease phase, 28, 6, and 11 patients were classified into the newly diagnosed (ND), persistent, and chronic groups, respectively. The number of patients over 6 years of age was significantly higher in the chronic group than in the ND and persistent groups. After 14 days of IVIG treatment, more patients had a complete response in the non-chronic groups than in the chronic group. In univariate analysis of risk factor for chronic ITP, age 6 years or older and IVIG dose ＜2 g/kg were found to be risk factors for chronic ITP, and these two factors were also confirmed as significant risk factors in multivariate analysis. Conclusion In conclusion, in our study, patients over 6 years of age, and those who received IVIG doses less than 2 g/kg were more likely to progress to chronic ITP.