We have analyzed two (BclI and XbaI) intragenic restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and St14 (DXS52) variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) by rapid PCR method in 97 unrelated normal subjects. The incidences for positive Bc1I and XbaI polymorphic sites in the Koreans were 81% and 72%, respectively, which were higher than other ethnic groups but similar to that reported in the Chinese or Japanese, giving the heterozygosity rate of 0.32 and 0.40, respectively. The amplified allele size was 880 bp with no other polymorphism in the analysis of St14 (DXS52) VNTR. This finding should be taken into account in the planning of a prenatal diagnosis program for ethnic Koreans
Base Sequence ; Gene Frequency ; Hemophilia A/epidemiology/*genetics ; *Heterozygote Detection/methods ; Human ; Korea/epidemiology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Prevalence

This study evaluated the efficacy of an office bleaching gel (RemeWhite, Remedent Inc., Deurle, Belgium) containing 30% hydrogen peroxide. 31 volunteers were recieved office bleaching with the RemeWhite for 3 times at one visit, total 2 visits. As control group, the same gel in which hydrogen peroxide was not included was applied to 31 volunteers with the same protocol. The shade change (DeltaE*, color difference) of 12 anterior teeth was measured using Colorimerter and Vitapan classical shade guide. The shade change of overall teeth in the experimental group was significantly greater than that in the control group which was measured using Colorimeter. There was also a significant difference between baseline and 14 weeks or 26 weeks though color rebounding phenomenon occurred as time went by. Small shade change difference can be measured accurately using Colorimeter than using Vitapan classical shade guide.
Hydrogen ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Tooth

Transforaminal lumbar epidural block is a common procedure for the patients with back pain and radiating pain. But during the procedure, complications such as subdural or intrathecal block can occur. Because the procedure is conducted with contrast media and fluoroscopy, anesthesiologists must have deep understanding of the normal radiologic findings of epidural, subdural and intrathecal contrast images. During attempted transforaminal lumbar epidural block with fluoroscopy, we observed an unusual shaped pulsatile contrast image accidentally. Based on our experience, we report the subdural contrast image during transforaminal lumbar epidural block in radiologic aspects.
Back Pain ; Contrast Media ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans

BACKGROUND: The recent studies shows that LV relaxation abnormalities are the important factors of heart failure in elders. To determine the association between LV diastolic functions and heart failure, we assessed LV diastolic functions in elderly patients with pulmonary congestion and in asymptomatic elders by using pulsed doppler echocardiography. METHODS: In order to assess LV diastolic function, we performed pulsed doppler echocardiography to elderly patients with pulmonary congestion and asymptomatic elders from Mar.2001 to Sep.2001. The following parameters were used as indices of LV diastolic function; Mitral E wave(E), Mitral A wave(A), Deceleration time(DT), Isovolumic relaxation time(IVRT), Systolic pulmonary venous flow(PVs), Diastolic pulmonary venous flow(PVd). RESULTS: In elderly patients groups, there was significant increase in deceleration time compared with asymptomatic elders(255.83+/-54.41 vs 210.80+/-48.53, p<0.05). There was significant increase in isovolumic relaxation time in elderly patient group compared with asymptomatic elders(123.06+/-25.07 vs 98.78+/-15.12, p<0.01). Although there was no significant difference, decreased E/A ratio and increased PVs/PVd were noted in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results shows that the impairments of LV diastolic function were noted in both groups. Especially DT and JVRT were significant increase in elderly patient group with pulmonary congestion. Therefore these parameters, such as DT, IVRT, can be helpful as predictive indices of diastolic heart failure in elders.
Aged* ; Deceleration ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Heart Failure ; Heart Failure, Diastolic ; Humans ; Relaxation

This study evaluated the safety of an office bleaching gel (RemeWhite, Remedent Inc., Deurle, Belgium) containing 30% hydrogen peroxide. 37 volunteers were recieved office bleaching with the RemeWhite for 3 times at one visit, total 2 visits. As control group, the same gel in which hydrogen peroxide was not included was applied to 34 volunteers with the same protocol. There was no difference between experimental group and control group using electric pulp test. In the result of gingival inflammation index and tooth sensitivity test, there was mild pain response in experimental group but it disappeared as time went by. Therefore, safety of the office bleaching gel containing 30% hydrogen peroxide was confirmed.
Hydrogen ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Inflammation ; Tooth

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of sevoflurane with or without nitrous oxide compared with propofol on the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting after gynecologic laparoscopy. METHODS: One hundred and forty patients of ASA status I or II, undergoing gynecologic laparoscopy were studied. Patients were allocated randomly to one of four groups: (I) GROUP 1 (n = 35): Anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol using a computer controlled infusion system in combination with 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen. (II) GROUP 2 (n = 35): Anesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane in combination with 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen. (III) GROUP 3 (n = 35): Anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane with 100% oxygen and maintained with sevoflurane in combination with 60% medical air in oxygen. (IV) GROUP 4 (n = 35): Anesthesia was induced with propofol 2 mg/kg intravenously and maintained with sevoflurane in combination with 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and requests for antiemetic rescue medication were assessed 2 and 24 hours after surgery. RESULTS: In group 1 (compared with groups 2, 3, and 4), the incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting (9% compared with 31%, 29%, and 37%) within the first 2 hours after surgery, were significantly lower. However, there were no statistical differences among the four groups in the 2 to 24 hours after surgery with respect to the incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Conclusion: For gynecologic laparoscopy, the use of propofol for induction and maintenance is more effective at preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting than sevoflurane with or without nitrous oxide within the first 2 hours of surgery, This study found no statistically significant difference between the postoperative incidence of nausea and vomiting, whether 60% N2O or medical air was used with sevoflurane.
Anesthesia ; Humans ; Incidence ; Laparoscopy* ; Nausea ; Nitrous Oxide ; Oxygen ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting* ; Propofol ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: To investigate the growth inhibitory effects, and the underlying mechanism of human colon cancer cell (HT-29) death, induced by a new synthetic bile acid derivative (HS-1200). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human colon cancer cells (HT-29), in exponential growth phase, were treated with various concentrations of a new synthetic bile acid derivative (HS-1200). The growth inhibitory effects on HT-29 cells were examined using a trypan blue exclusion assay. The extent of apoptosis was determined using agarose gel electrophoresis, TUNEL assays and Hoechst staining. The apoptotic cell death was also confirmed by Western blotting of PARP, caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation factor (DFF) analysis. To investigate the involvement of mitochondria, we employed immunofluorescent staining of cytochrome c and mitochondrial membrane potential analyses. RESULTS: The dose required for the half maximal inhibition (IC50) of the HT-29 cell growth was 100~150 micro M of HS-1200. Several changes, associated with the apoptosis of the HT-29 cells, were reveal by the agarose gel eletrophoresis, TUNEL assays and Hoechst staining, following their treatment with 100 micro M of HS-1200. HS-1200 treatment also induced caspase-3, PARP and DFF degradations, and the western blotting showed the processed caspase-3 p20, PARP p85 and DFF p30 and p11 cleaved products. Mitochondrial events were also demonstrated. The cytochrome c staining indicated that cytochrome c had been released from the mitochondria in the HS-1200 treated cells. The mitochondrial membrane potential (deltaxm) was also prominently decreased in the HS-1200 treated cells. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the HS-1200 - induced apoptosis of human colon cancer cells (HT-29) is mediated via caspase and mitochondrial pathways.
Apoptosis* ; Bile ; Bile Acids and Salts ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Death ; Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms* ; Cytochromes c ; DNA Fragmentation ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; HT29 Cells ; Humans* ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Mitochondria ; Sepharose ; Trypan Blue

BACKGROUND: Rapid-sequence intubation is a common technique to reduce anesthetic complication. Due to side effects of succinylcholine, nondepolarizing muscle relaxants have been tried. Rocuronium is a new nondepolarizing muscle relaxant with a brief onset of action, but devoid of the adverse reaction associated with succinylcholine. Most local anesthetics decrease neuromuscular transmission and pontentiate neuromuscular blocks of muscle relaxants. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of lidocaine on the onset time of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade in adults. METHODS: Fourty five patients, ASA physical status I or II, were randomly divided into three groups. Anesthetic induction with thiopental 5 mg/kg was made. Succinylcholine (1.0 mg/kg) was administered intravenously in group 1. Rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg) was given in group 2, additional lidocaine (1.0 mg/kg) was given intravenously 1 minute prior to the administration of rocuronium in group 3. Neuromuscular blockade was assessed by train-of-four at the adductor pollicis muscle with supramaximal stimulation of the ulnar nerve (2 Hz, 0.2 msec) every 10 seconds. The condition of intubation, the appearance of arrhythmias, side effects of drugs, and the changes of mean arterial pressure and heart rate were checked and compared in peri-induction periods. RESULTS: The onset time of group 1 (55.1 14.9 sec) was faster than that of group 2 (137.8 46.0 sec) and group 3 (139.3 41.0 sec), but there was no difference between the onset time of group 2 and that of group 3. Intubating conditions were good or excellent in all groups, but group 1 and 3 were better than group 2. There was no difference between the three groups in hemodynamics. More adverse effects were observed in group 1, that of group 2 and 3 were observed in only one case. CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded that lidocaine is not effective on the onset time of rocuronium, but improves the intubating condition. Rocuronium is devoid of side effects of succinylcholine, but not a alternative to succinylcholine because its onset time is too slow when compared with succinylcholine.
Adult* ; Anesthetics, Local ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Arterial Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Intubation ; Lidocaine* ; Neuromuscular Blockade* ; Succinylcholine ; Thiopental ; Ulnar Nerve

BACKGROUND: Rapid-sequence intubation is a common technique to reduce anesthetic complication. Due to side effects of succinylcholine, nondepolarizing muscle relaxants have been tried. Rocuronium is a new nondepolarizing muscle relaxant with a brief onset of action, but devoid of the adverse reaction associated with succinylcholine. Most local anesthetics decrease neuromuscular transmission and pontentiate neuromuscular blocks of muscle relaxants. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of lidocaine on the onset time of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade in adults. METHODS: Fourty five patients, ASA physical status I or II, were randomly divided into three groups. Anesthetic induction with thiopental 5 mg/kg was made. Succinylcholine (1.0 mg/kg) was administered intravenously in group 1. Rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg) was given in group 2, additional lidocaine (1.0 mg/kg) was given intravenously 1 minute prior to the administration of rocuronium in group 3. Neuromuscular blockade was assessed by train-of-four at the adductor pollicis muscle with supramaximal stimulation of the ulnar nerve (2 Hz, 0.2 msec) every 10 seconds. The condition of intubation, the appearance of arrhythmias, side effects of drugs, and the changes of mean arterial pressure and heart rate were checked and compared in peri-induction periods. RESULTS: The onset time of group 1 (55.1 14.9 sec) was faster than that of group 2 (137.8 46.0 sec) and group 3 (139.3 41.0 sec), but there was no difference between the onset time of group 2 and that of group 3. Intubating conditions were good or excellent in all groups, but group 1 and 3 were better than group 2. There was no difference between the three groups in hemodynamics. More adverse effects were observed in group 1, that of group 2 and 3 were observed in only one case. CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded that lidocaine is not effective on the onset time of rocuronium, but improves the intubating condition. Rocuronium is devoid of side effects of succinylcholine, but not a alternative to succinylcholine because its onset time is too slow when compared with succinylcholine.
Adult* ; Anesthetics, Local ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Arterial Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Intubation ; Lidocaine* ; Neuromuscular Blockade* ; Succinylcholine ; Thiopental ; Ulnar Nerve

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to compare analgesic efficacy and side effects of intrathecal morphine and fentanyl with epidural bupivacaine. METHODS: Twenty nine healthy women, ASA physical status 1 or 2 with an uncomplicated pregnancy and single fetus in vertex position were given lumbar epidural or combined spinal-epidural analgesia. In the epidural analgesia group (n = 18), 0.25% bupivacaine 8 - 10 ml and fentanyl 50 - 75ng was injected into the epidural space. In the CSE group (n = 11), analgesia performed dural puncture with a 27 gauge spinal needle and fentanyl 15ng and morphine 0.2 mg in 2 ml normal saline solution was injected. In both groups, whenever the patient requests further analgesia, we injected 0.125% bupivacaine 10 ml and fentanyl 50 - 75ng into the epidural space. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in duration of analgesia, the second stage of labor and pushing. The CSE group offers rapid onset time. The total dose of bupivacaine and fentanyl administered during analgesia was significantly more in the epidural group than the CSE group. After intrathecal fentanyl 15ng and morphine 0.2 mg, the duration of analgesia was 162 +/- 122 min. After the first 0.25% bupivacaine 10 ml and fentanyl 50 - 75ng, it was 92.5 +/- 5 min in the epidural group and 190 +/- 101 min in the CSE group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with epidural analgesia, Intrathecal fentanyl 15ng and morphine 0.2 mg as part of CSE analgesia provide rapid onset time and prolonged analgesia, and a lower total dose of local anesthetics for labor and delivery. However women who received CSE analgesia were more likely to itch (64%) than solely epidural analgesia.
Analgesia* ; Analgesia, Epidural* ; Anesthetics, Local ; Bupivacaine ; Epidural Space ; Female ; Fentanyl ; Fetus ; Humans ; Morphine ; Needles ; Pregnancy ; Punctures ; Sodium Chloride