Blood gas analysis are highly susceptible to preanalytic error due to improper method of obtaining or handling the sample before analysis. To study the effect of air bubbles and time delay in estimation of blood gas, the samples were divided 3 groups, according to the method of stroage and the existence of air bubble, group 1, stored at 25+/-2C(room temperature) under anaerobic condition; group 2, stored at 0-4 degrees C(refrigerator) under anaerobic condition, group 3, stored at 0-4 degrees C under aerobic condition(10% air in blood). The samples were analyzed by time interval through 180 minutes in each group. The results were as follows: 1) Oxygen partial pressure decreased significantly after 20 minutes in group 2, whereas decreased significantly after 10 minutes in group 1 & group 3. 2) Carbon dioxide partial pressure increased significantly after 120 minutes in gorup 2 and 60 minutes in group 3, whereas decreased after 10 minutes in group l. 3) Blood pH decreased significantly after 60 minutes in all three Rroups. 4) Arterial oxygen saturation decreased significantly after 30 minutes in Rroup 1, 60 minutes in group 2 and 10 minutes in group 3. 5) Bicarbonate changes were not significant in all three groups clinically. From the above results, it is assumed that arterial blood samples should be analyzed whithin 10 minutes or cooled immediately.
Blood Gas Analysis ; Carbon Dioxide ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Oxygen ; Partial Pressure

The effect of treatment of mercury chloride on the nitrite and nitrate synthesis was observed in peritoneal macrophages from Balb/c mice and EMT-6 cells in vitro. The cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) with cytokines. Amounts of nitrite and nitrate in the culture media after 24 and 36 hours of culture were about 2-fold, and 3-fold of those measured after 12 hours respectively. There were very close associations between the amounts of nitrite and nitrate measured in the culture media, according to culture time. The survival rate of peritoneal macrophages was significantly decreased by mercury chloride added into the media in dose-dependent manner, however the survivals of EMT-6 cells were not influenced by mercury chloride concentration in media. Nitrite and nitrate syntheses were dose-dependently decreased by mercury chloride added in culture media. These results reported here suggest that the disorder of cell mediated immunity by mercurials could be related to the inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis which seems to be caused by the inhibition of metabolism of cells.
Animals ; Culture Media ; Cytokines ; Immunity, Cellular ; Macrophages, Peritoneal* ; Metabolism ; Mice* ; Nitric Oxide ; Survival Rate

The effect of treatment of mercury chloride on the nitrite and nitrate synthesis was observed in peritoneal macrophages from Balb/c mice and EMT-6 cells in vitro. The cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) with cytokines. Amounts of nitrite and nitrate in the culture media after 24 and 36 hours of culture were about 2-fold, and 3-fold of those measured after 12 hours respectively. There were very close associations between the amounts of nitrite and nitrate measured in the culture media, according to culture time. The survival rate of peritoneal macrophages was significantly decreased by mercury chloride added into the media in dose-dependent manner, however the survivals of EMT-6 cells were not influenced by mercury chloride concentration in media. Nitrite and nitrate syntheses were dose-dependently decreased by mercury chloride added in culture media. These results reported here suggest that the disorder of cell mediated immunity by mercurials could be related to the inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis which seems to be caused by the inhibition of metabolism of cells.
Animals ; Culture Media ; Cytokines ; Immunity, Cellular ; Macrophages, Peritoneal* ; Metabolism ; Mice* ; Nitric Oxide ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND: Nonunion of lateral humeral condyle fracture causes cubitus valgus deformity. Although corrective osteotomy or osteosynthesis can be considered, there are controversies regarding its treatment. To evaluate elbow joint biomechanics in non-united lateral humeral condyle fractures, we analyzed the motion of elbow joint and pseudo-joint via in vivo three-dimensional (3D) kinematics, using 3D images obtained by computed tomography (CT) scan. METHODS: Eight non-united lateral humeral condyle fractures with cubitus valgus and 8 normal elbows were evaluated in this study. CT scan was performed at 3 different elbow positions (full flexion, 90° flexion and full extension). With bone surface model, 3D elbow motion was reconstructed. We calculated the axis of rotation in both the normal and non-united joints, as well as the rotational movement of the ulno-humeral joint and pseudo-joint of non-united lateral condyle in 3D space from full extension to full flexion. RESULTS: Ulno-humeral joint moved to the varus on the coronal plane during flexion, 25.45° in the non-united cubitus valgus group and −2.03° in normal group, with statistically significant difference. Moreover, it moved to rotate externally on the axial plane −26.75° in the non-united cubitus valgus group and −3.09° in the normal group, with statistical significance. Movement of the pseudo-joint of fragment of lateral condyle showed irregular pattern. CONCLUSIONS: The non-united cubitus valgus group moved to the varus with external rotation during elbow flexion. The pseudo-joint showed a diverse and irregular motion. In vivo 3D motion analysis for the non-united cubitus valgus could be helpful to evaluate its kinematics.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Elbow ; Elbow Joint ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Joints ; Osteotomy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors for infection after spinal surgery. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Infection after spinal surgery is relatively uncommon. However, such infections cause serious consequences and increased costs and sequelae. Risk factors for infection after spinal surgery include a posterior approach, instrumentation, the use of an allogenic bone graft, transfusion, and a long operating time. Patient-related factors include diabetes and obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2009 to December 2013, 350 patients who underwent surgery at our hospital due to spinal disease, including 10 patients with a postoperative spinal infection, were evaluated. We investigated patients' age, gender, morbidity due to diabetes mellitus, body mass index, level of surgery, approach, location, instrumentation, and operation type. RESULTS: Ten of the 350 patients developed a spinal infection after surgery. The proportion of diabetic patients among the infected patients was higher than among the non-infected patients, although the difference was not statistically significant. Additionally, the proportion of diabetic patients with hemoglobin A1c levels greater than 7.0% was higher among the infected patients. Operating time, the surgical approach, drain tube insertion, transfusion, and the use of an allogenic bone graft were not significantly different between the infected and non-infected patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: Uncontrolled diabetes is the most important risk factor for the development of spinal infection after surgery. Therefore, in order to prevent infection after surgery, blood glucose should be controlled before surgery.
Blood Glucose ; Body Mass Index ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Obesity ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Spinal Diseases ; Transplants ; Wound Infection ; Wounds and Injuries

OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors for infection after spinal surgery.SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Infection after spinal surgery is relatively uncommon. However, such infections cause serious consequences and increased costs and sequelae. Risk factors for infection after spinal surgery include a posterior approach, instrumentation, the use of an allogenic bone graft, transfusion, and a long operating time. Patient-related factors include diabetes and obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2009 to December 2013, 350 patients who underwent surgery at our hospital due to spinal disease, including 10 patients with a postoperative spinal infection, were evaluated. We investigated patients' age, gender, morbidity due to diabetes mellitus, body mass index, level of surgery, approach, location, instrumentation, and operation type. RESULTS: Ten of the 350 patients developed a spinal infection after surgery. The proportion of diabetic patients among the infected patients was higher than among the non-infected patients, although the difference was not statistically significant. Additionally, the proportion of diabetic patients with hemoglobin A1c levels greater than 7.0% was higher among the infected patients. Operating time, the surgical approach, drain tube insertion, transfusion, and the use of an allogenic bone graft were not significantly different between the infected and non-infected patient groups. CONCLUSIONS Uncontrolled diabetes is the most important risk factor for the development of spinal infection after surgery. Therefore, in order to prevent infection after surgery, blood glucose should be controlled before surgery.