No abstract available.
Collodion*

Imipramine(Tofranil(R)) is one of the tricyclic antidepressants commonly used in depressive symptoms or enuresis. An accidental or nonaccidental poisoning of imipramine is common today. A 16 years old girl was admitted to Seoul National university Hospital because of unocnsciousness and frequent attacks of seizure after the impulsive ingestion of 1.4gm of imipramine. She showed variable arrhythmias such as complete RBBB, secod degree AV block and ventricular tachycardia and recovered from poisoning without residual myocardial damage. We present a case of imipramine poisoning with cardiac arrhythmias with review of literatures.
Adolescent ; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac* ; Atrioventricular Block ; Depression ; Eating ; Enuresis ; Female ; Humans ; Imipramine ; Poisoning* ; Seizures ; Seoul ; Tachycardia, Ventricular

Diltiazem(Herben(R)) was orally administered in a daily dose of 180mg over 8 weeks to 15 patients with angina pectoris requiring minimum 5 tablets of nitroglycerin per week. The symptom of angina pectoris was scored according to frequency and character of anginal attacks and the number of nitroglycerin tablets used was recorded during the Diltiazem therapy. We noted significant decrease of the score of anginal attack and the number of nitroglycerin tablets used during the course of Diltiazem therapy. No significant change in blood pressure, heart rate and the product of systolic blood pressure and heart rate was noted during the course of Diltiazem therapy. It is possibel that Diltiazem improved ischemic heart disease by slightly decreasing myocardial oxygen demand and increasing blood flow to the ischemic areas by dilatation of coronary arteries and collateral vessels. There was no abnormal change in laboratory findings during the Diltiazem treatment. These findings suggest that Diltiazem(Herben(R)) is a favorable and safe antianginal agent useful for longterm treatment of anginal pectoris.
Angina Pectoris* ; Blood Pressure ; Coronary Vessels ; Dilatation ; Diltiazem ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Nitroglycerin ; Oxygen ; Tablets

Chest draining is a common procedure for treating pleural effusion. Perforation of the heart is a rare often fatal complication of chest drain insertion. We report a case of a 76-year-old female patient suffering from congestive heart failure. At presentation, unilateral opacity of the left chest observed on a chest X-ray was interpreted as massive pleural effusion, so an attempt was made to drain the left pleural space. Malposition of the chest drain was suspected because blood was draining in a pulsatile way from the catheter. Computed tomography revealed perforation of the left ventricle. Mini-thoracotomy was performed and the drain extracted successfully.
Catheters ; Chest Tubes ; Female ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Pleural Effusion ; Stress, Psychological ; Thorax

Chest draining is a common procedure for treating pleural effusion. Perforation of the heart is a rare often fatal complication of chest drain insertion. We report a case of a 76-year-old female patient suffering from congestive heart failure. At presentation, unilateral opacity of the left chest observed on a chest X-ray was interpreted as massive pleural effusion, so an attempt was made to drain the left pleural space. Malposition of the chest drain was suspected because blood was draining in a pulsatile way from the catheter. Computed tomography revealed perforation of the left ventricle. Mini-thoracotomy was performed and the drain extracted successfully.
Catheters ; Chest Tubes ; Female ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Pleural Effusion ; Stress, Psychological ; Thorax

PURPOSE: We retrospectively compared our initial experience with the hand-assisted laparoscopic and retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy for suspected renal cell carcinoma MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 26 hand-assisted laparoscopic and 9 retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomies performed for suspected renal cell carcinoma from December 1999 to January 2003. All data were collected from medical records and by personal contacts. RESULTS: Although days of oral intake was shorter in the retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy than the hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy(1.8 versus 2.3, p=0.027), the mean operative time, analgesics use, and postoperative stay for retroperitoneal group were not significantly different from the values of the hand-assisted group. CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy offers shorter days of oral intake comparable to that of hand-assisted laparoscopy. However, no significant differences in operative time, analgesics use, and postoperative stay were noted. Therefore, we believe that both techniques produce similar surgical results. Further randomized studies are needed.
Analgesics ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Hand ; Hand-Assisted Laparoscopy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Medical Records ; Nephrectomy* ; Operative Time ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Retrospective Studies

A night blood survey was carried out among inhabitants aged over 1 year from the fifteen villages throughout Cheju-Do (Quelpart Island). Blood films from 2,139 persons were examined and 183(8.6 percent) showed microfilariae, the incidences varying according to geographical sources are from 0.8 to 19.5 per cent. All the microfilariae found in this survey were of the nocturnal periodic Brugia malayi. The microfilarial density was 1.9 per cent of blood. The age and sex distributions of microfilaria rate in Cheju-Do were not distinctly different. On the other hand, the intradermal test using Dirofilaria antigen (FPT antigen) and clinical survey of filariasis were also undertaken in same areas of microfilaria survey. Out of 2,449 inhabitants examined 1,434(58.6 percent) persons showed positive reaction of skin test, 503(20.5 percent) persons have clinical manifestations and 112 (4.6 percent) persons showed elephantiasis . It is assumed that Aedes togoi may be the most probable vector of B. malayi in the areas of Cheju-Do.
parasitology ; helminth ; nematoda ; Brugia malayi ; epidemiolgy ; filariasis ; intradermal test ; blood

Background: Reduced lipid content in the stratum corneum is a major cause of skin-barrier dysfunction in various pathological conditions. Promoting lipid production is a potential strategy to improve skin-barrier function. Recent evidence supports the beneficial effects of adiponectin on lipid metabolism and senescence in keratinocytes. Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether plant extracts can enhance skin-barrier function. Methods: We screened fruit and herb extracts that enhance the lipid synthesis of keratinocytes via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation and SIRT1 signaling in the adiponectin pathway. The levels of major lipid synthesis enzymes and transcription factors as well as epidermal barrier lipids involved in adiponectin-associated epidermal barrier formation were evaluated in the herbal extracts- or adiponectin-treated human epidermal keratinocyte and equivalent models. The mRNA expression of major lipid synthesis enzymes increased following treatment with Lycii Fructus, Prunus tomentosa, and Melia toosendan extracts. Results: The expression of transcription factors SIRT1, liver X receptor α, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), and sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) were upregulated. Levels of free fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides were elevated. The expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers increased. In particular, among fruit extracts with a detectable effect, Melia toosendan induced the highest expression of lipid synthase. Conclusion These results indicate that Melia toosendan is a promising candidate for improving skin-barrier function.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness and effectiveness of endoscopic management for recurrent hematospermia, we performed transurethral endoscopy of the seminal vesicles in patients with recurrent hematospermia, despite the administration of oral medication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients were enrolled this study. Initially, all patients were treated with oral antibiotics for 6-8 weeks. Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and/or MRI were performed to find the anatomic abnormality and its relation with pelvic organs. The mean patient age and duration of symptoms were 43.9 years (range 24-64 years) and 21.3 months (range 1-108), respectively. We used a 6.5Fr. rigid ureteroscope and/or 14Fr. endoureterotomy instruments for the seminal vesiculoscopic examination. Patients were followed for more than 12 months after the procedures. RESULTS: An endoscopic seminal vesicle examination was able to be successfully performed in all patients. A midline cyst was found at 10 cases, which were fulgurated. Endoscopic incisions or dilation of the ejaculatory duct were performed in all patients. An ejaculatory duct stone was found at 5 cases, and removed endoscopically. All patients reported improvement of hematospermia after the procedure, and 3 with perineal discomfort became symptom free. Postoperative complications, such as epididymitis, orchitis and ejaculatory abnormalities, were not observed in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Transurethral endoscopic interventions of the seminal vesicles can be performed easily with a conventional 6.5Fr. rigid ureteroscope and/or 14Fr. endoureterotomy instruments. Transurethral endoscopic managements were effective and safe treatment options in recurrent hematospermia patients.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ejaculatory Ducts ; Endoscopy ; Epididymitis ; Hemorrhage ; Hemospermia* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Orchitis ; Postoperative Complications ; Semen ; Seminal Vesicles ; Ultrasonography ; Ureteroscopes

A clinical obsevation was made on 8 patients with Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries who visited seoul National University Hospital during the period of Feb., 1979-Sep., 1982. 1. Sex distribution was 5 male and 3 female patients. 2. Age distribution was from 16 to 39 years and the mean age was 24 years. 3. Symptoms were exertional dyspnea in all cases, cyanosis in 3 cases. Other symptoms were palpitation, chest pain, growth retardation and chest deformity. Duration of illness was from 6 to 16 years and N.Y.H.A. functional class was between II and III. 4. On physical examination, cardiac mumurs were heard in all cases. Cyanosis on the lips and nail beds were noticed in 3 cases and clubbing of fingers was seen in 1 case. 5. Situs inversus was noticed in 1 case, mesocardia in 3 cases, dextrocardia in 1 cases and right sided aortic arch in 1 case by simple Chest PA. 6. Electrocardiographic findings were Biventricular hypertrophy in 3 cases, Left ventricular hypertrophy in 2 cases, Right ventricular hypertrophy in 2 cases and Incomplete right bundle branch block in 1 case. No arrhythmias were observed. Septal Qwave was not observed on the left precordial leads in all cases. 7. CTGA were suspected or diagnosed by Echocardiography in 7 cases. 8. The diagnosis of CTGA and its associated anomalies were confirmed in all cases by cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography. There were one case of I.D.D. type CTGA and seven cases of S.L.L. type CTGA's. Associated anomalies were ventricular septal defect in 5 cases, pulmonary stenosis in 5 cases, patent foramen ovale in 3 cases, atrial septal defect in 2 cases, patent ductus arteriosus in 1 case, dextrocardia in 1 case, left sided A.V. valve regurtation in 2 cases, and right sided aortic arch in 1 case. 9. Operation was done in the case associated with patent ductus arteriosus, and corrective surgery was done in the another case associated with ASD, VSD, PS and TR with C-TGA.
Age Distribution ; Angiocardiography ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Arteries ; Bundle-Branch Block ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Chest Pain ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Cyanosis ; Dextrocardia ; Diagnosis ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Fingers ; Foramen Ovale, Patent ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular ; Lip ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis ; Seoul ; Sex Distribution ; Situs Inversus ; Thorax