BACKGROUND: This study was performed in order to investigate the changes of Na+ transport system in the red blood cells of patients with essential hypertension. METHODS: Na(+)-Li(+) countertransport and Na(+)-K(+) pump activity were measured in 30 cases of essential hypertension and 20 healthy normal controls. And these measurements were analyzed in terms of some important clinical parameters in the patients, i.e., body mass index(BMI), status of hypertension and plasma lipids. RESULTS: Na(+) and K(+) contents of red cells in hypertensive patients were 16.9+/-1.4 and 77.8+/-2.1mmol/L cells, respectively, and no significant difference was found compared with respective value of normal control(14.2+/-0.9 and 82.2+/-2.8mmol/L cells). Na(+)-Li(+) countertransport in the patients group was significantly ancreased compared with control group(62.5+/-4.5 and 46.8+/-3.0umol/L cells.hr), and Na(+)-K(+) pump activity was also showed a significant depression(8.72+/-0.80 and 12.79+/-0.52umol Pi/mg.hr). In the analysis regarding the relationship between Na(+) transport system and some important clinical parameters of the patients with essential hypertension, Na(+)-Li(+) countertransport was related to BMI, and the level of triglyceride. On the other hand, Na(+)-K(+) pump activity was related to the WHO stage and the levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride. But level of blood pressure did not show a significant correlation with either are of the two Na(+) transport system. CONCLUSION: These resluts suggest that Na(+)-Li(+) countertransport and Na(+)-K(+) pump activity in patients with essential hypertension were significantly altered compared with heathy normal controls, and these Na(+) transport system were also influenced by BMI, WHO stage, and the levels of cholesterol and triglyceride. And the individual variation in Na(+) transport system were also suggested by the findings being overlapped between hypertensive patients and controls.
Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol ; Erythrocytes* ; Hand ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Plasma ; Triglycerides

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been applied to nearly all fields of surgery due to its advantages like reduced morbidity, a better cosmetic outcome and early recovery. The recent advances in its technique have allowed us to use modified MIS technique in the field of kidney transplantation. From January 2004 to Mar 2006, minimally invasive kidney transplantation was carried out in 20 patients. Many clinical variables were compared to the conventional method. The operative procedure began with 7~8 cm skin incision. A laparoscopic balloon dissector was used to create the retroperitoneal space for the placement of the grafted kidney. Vascular anastomosis and ureteroneocystostomy were performed under direct vision and with video-assisted TV monitoring. The average length of the wound was 7.8 cm and it was placed below the belt line. The average operating time was 186 minutes. Less analgesic was given compared to conventional methods. There was one postoperative complication, a mild lymphocele. All patients showed normalized serum creatinine levels within 4 days. All grafted kidneys showed normal findings on the postoperative ultrasound and renal scans. Minimally invasive video-assisted kidney transplantation is technically feasible and may offer benefits in terms of better cosmetic outcomes, less pain and quicker recuperation than conventional kidney transplantation.
Creatinine ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Kidney* ; Lymphocele ; Postoperative Complications ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Skin ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Transplants ; Ultrasonography ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.
Aneurysm, False* ; Blood Pressure Monitors* ; Blood Pressure* ; Compression Bandages* ; Humans ; Radial Artery*

No abstract available.
Heart* ; Thoracic Surgery*

The skin is a frequently involved organ in graft-versus-host disease(GVHD). Various skin lesions including erythematous eruption, bullae, desquamation, lichenoid, and sclerodermoid lesions have been reported in GVHD, but vitiligo-like lesions were. We present two cases of chronic GVHD presenting multiple hypopigmented patches following allogenic bone marrow transplant(BMT) due to severe aplastic anemia. The histopathologic studies showed focal vacuolar degeneration of basal cells, absence of melanocytes in the epidermis, and perivascular lymphocytic infiltration consisting of T cells in the upper dermis, These cases suggest that vitiligo-like lesions may develop due to marked melanocyte- lymphocyte interaction after BMT.
Anemia, Aplastic ; Bone Marrow ; Dermis ; Epidermis ; Lymphocytes ; Melanocytes ; Skin* ; T-Lymphocytes ; Vitiligo

No abstract available.
Abscess*

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Fistula* ; Humans

In order to evaluate the confounding factors of neurobehavioral tests and the neurobehavioral effects in the workers exposed to organic solvents, NCTB was carried out on 100 workers. 46 workers had never been exposed to neurotoxic substances, and the others were being exposed to the solvents, mainly toluene. Simple reaction time, digit symbol, Santa Ana dexterity test and persuit aiming were different with age in non exposure group. Simple reaction time was carried out well in males, and digit symbol and persuit aiming were in females. There was no difference at educational level when the subject was educated over 12 years. Santa Ana dexterity and Benton visual test differed according to exposure level to toluene, however simple reaction time didn't. The acute neurotoxic effect was not excluded in this study. But, NCTB could be used to evaluate and prevent neurobehavioral changes in workers exposed to neurotoxic solvents in Korea.
Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Reaction Time ; Solvents* ; Toluene

A poor prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is partly due to the invasiveness and metastasis of the tumor. A key element in tumor invasion and metastasis in the degradation of extracellular matrix is matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). This study was performed to determine the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 of oral SCCs with regard to the histologic invasiveness and differentiation in 5 normal oral mucosa and 36 oral SCCs. The histologic invasiveness of oral SCCs were classified into 4 grades. The differentiation of oral SCCs was divided into 3 grades. The streptavidin-biotin immunohistochemical staining, using MMP-2 and MMP-9 monoclonal antibodies, was performed to determine the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. The expression of MMP-2 was positive in 6 of 17 oral SCCs with weak invasiveness and was positive in 7 of 19 oral SCCs with strong invasiveness. The MMP-2 expression did not increase significantly with respect to the invasiveness of oral SCCs (P>0.05). The expression of MMP-9 was strongly positive in 6 out of 17 SCCs with weak invasiveness and was strongly positive in 14 of 19 SCCs with strong invasiveness. The MMP-9 expression increased significantly with respect to the invasiveness of oral SCCs; the stronger the expression, the stronger the invasiveness (P<0.05). The expression of MMP-9 was in 57.9% of well differentiated SCCs, 57.1% of moderately differentiated ones, and 33.3% of poorly differentiated SCCs. The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 did not increase significantly with respect to the histologic differentiation. We conclude that with respect to the invasiveness, the MMP-9 expression increases significantly in oral SCCs but the MMP-2 expression does not; and that with respect to the histologic differentiation, their expressions do not increase significantly. These results suggeste that MMP-9 can be used as a tool to evaluate the invasiveness of oral SCCs.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Extracellular Matrix ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2* ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Mouth Mucosa ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics of fibromyalgia syndrome and to determine the usefulness of visual analogue scale (VAS) in global pain as predictor of symptoms and functional disabilities of daily activities and to evaluate the relationship between social environmental factors and fibromyalgia syndrome. METHOD: : Fourth-three patients with fibromyalgia syndrome who have met 1990 ACR criteria and 30 control patients with rheumatoid arthritis were included in the study. Clinical features, functional disabilities, VAS and psychological impact due to life stress by criteria and 30 control patients with rheumatoid arthritis were included in the study. Clinical features, functional disabilities, VAS and psychological impact due to life stress by social environmental factors were studied by direct interviews and questionnaires. RESULT: The mean age of the patients with fibromyalgia syndrome was 48+/-11 years old. The physical findings revealed that tender points were 15.5+/-1.4 and skin fold tenderness presented in 59% of patients. The most frequent symptoms with scores and ratio of symptom presented were fatigue(2.2, 93%), morning stiffness(2.2, 80%), arthralgia(2.1, 90%), lower back pain(2.1, 98%), depression(1.6, 95%). The majority of functional disabilities in fibromyalgia group were less severe than those of rheumatoid arthritis group. The VAS in global pain had correlationship with age, arthralgia, fatigue, hurt all over, morning stiffness, tender points as well as the majority of functional disabilities of daily activities. Although living together mother-in-law was not different significant ly from each other groups, the duration of living together was longer in fibromyalgia group. There were more histories and frequencies of artificial abortions in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. CONCLUSION: The patients with fibromyaliga showed various symptoms. The visual analogue scale in global pain have had significant correlation with some symptoms and functional disabilities in daily activities. Fibromyalgia patients revealed more social and obstetrical life stress which may suggest more psychological impact.
Arthralgia ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Fatigue ; Fibromyalgia* ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Skin ; Social Environment ; Stress, Psychological