Polyurethane (PU) has been widely examined and used for biomedical applications, such as catheters, blood oxygenators, stents, cardiac valves, drug delivery carriers, dialysis devices, wound dressings, adhesives, pacemaker, tissue engineering, and coatings for breast implants due to its mechanical flexibility, high tear strength, biocompatibility, and tailorable foams although bio-acceptability, biodegradability and controlled drug delivery to achieve the desired properties should be considered. Especially, during the last decade, the development of bio-based PUs has raised public awareness because of the concern with global plastic waste for creating more environmentally friended materials. Therefore, it is desirable to discuss polysaccharide (PS)-contained PU for the wound dressing and bone tissue engineering among biobased PUs because PS has several advantages, such as biocompatibility, reproducibility from the natural resources, degradability, ease of incorporation of bioactive agents, ease of availability and cost-effectiveness, and structural feature of chemical modification to meet the desired needs to overcome the disadvantages of PU itself by containing the PS into the PU.

Intraoperative monitoring has been a valuable part in the cerebral aneurysm surgery. Insight into the nervous system and the relationship of the aneurysm to the adjacent structure during the surgery provide critical information to the surgeon allowing reversal or avoidance of neural insults and the complete clipping of the aneurysm. The goal of cerebral aneurysm surgery is to eliminate the risk of hemorrhage but not disrupt the surrounding vascular and neural structures. Several techniques including microvascular doppler ultrasonography, monitoring cerebral blood flow, evoked potentials, intraoperative angiography, endoscope assisted aneurysm surgery and neuronavigator system are used for the surveillance in the aneurysm surgery. The abnormal findings in these procedures can change surgical management during the surgery such as removal or readjustment of temporary or permanent clips and a decrease in brain retraction or manipulation. The additional feedback provided by intraoperative monitoring promises to improve the safety and efficacy of aneurysm surgery.
Aneurysm ; Angiography ; Brain ; Endoscopes ; Evoked Potentials ; Hemorrhage ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; Nervous System ; Ultrasonography, Doppler

Microcirculatory dysfunction plays a critical role in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (S-AKI) development; however, its impact on renal recovery remains uncertain. We investigated the association between cortical microcirculatory function assessed using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and renal recovery after S-AKI needing renal replacement therapy (RRT). Methods: This retrospective study included 23 patients who underwent CEUS among those who underwent acute RRT for S-AKI. In addition, we acquired data from 17 healthy individuals and 18 patients with chronic kidney disease. Renal recovery was defined as sustained independence from RRT for at least 14 days. Results: Of the CEUS-derived parameters, rise time, time to peak, and fall time were longer in patients with S-AKI than in healthy individuals (p = 0.045, 0.01, and 0.096, respectively). Fourteen patients (60.9%) with S-AKI receiving RRT experienced renal recovery; and these patients had higher values of peak enhancement, wash-in area under the curve (AUC), wash-in perfusion index, and washout AUC than those without recovery (p = 0.03, 0.01, 0.03, and 0.046, respectively). We evaluated the receiver operating characteristic curve and found that the peak enhancement, wash-in AUC, wash-in perfusion index, and wash-out AUC of CEUS derivatives estimated the probability of renal recovery after S-AKI requiring RRT (p = 0.03, 0.01, 0.03, and 0.04, respectively). Conclusion: CEUS-assessed cortical microvascular perfusion may predict renal recovery following S-AKI that requires RRT. Further studies are essential to validate the clinical utility of microcirculatory parameters obtained from CEUS to estimate renal outcomes in various etiologies and severities of kidney disease.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the current mean daily intake of 10 food groups, analyze the sociodemographic factors associated with food consumption, and determine the associations between food consumption/dietary intake and the prevalence rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and hypertension (HTN) in Jakarta, Indonesia. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 600 participants aged 20–85 yrs were included in this crosssectional study. Food consumption and dietary habits were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. To determine the association between food consumption/dietary habits and the abovementioned diseases, logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: The average vegetable and fruit intake was lower, while sugar and salt consumption were higher than that recommended by Indonesia’s national dietary guidelines. A high intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) was associated with young age, men, “single” status, a high education level, and employment with a high monthly income. Obesity and T2D were positively correlated with high intakes of cereals and tubers, UPFs, sugars, fats, and oils. Conversely, an inverse association was found between legume, vegetable, and fruit consumption and obesity risk. An inverse correlation was also observed between vegetable consumption and T2D risk. Moreover, a high salt intake was inversely correlated with fruit consumption in terms of HTN risk. Non-indulgence in habitual late-night snacking and refrainment from consuming more than one dish at each meal were also negatively related to the prevalence of obesity, T2D, and HTN. Inverse correlations were also observed between the prevalence rates of T2D and HTN and abstaining from adding sugar to beverages. CONCLUSION Foods high in fat, sugar, and sodium were strongly associated with the risks of obesity, T2D, and HTN. Additionally, poor eating habits were also associated with disease development.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of 7 different sirtuin genes (SIRT1-SIRT7) in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs), and to determine the role of SIRTs in the odontoblastic differentiation potential of HDPCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HDPCs were isolated from freshly extracted third molar teeth of healthy patients and cultulred in odontoblastic differentiation inducing media. Osteocalcin (OCN) and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) expression was analyzed to evaluate the odontoblastic differentiation of HDPCs by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), while alizarin red staining was used for the mineralization assay. To investigate the expression of SIRTs during odontoblastic differentiation of HDPCs, real time PCR was also performed with RT-PCR. RESULTS: During the culture of HDPCs in the differentiation inducing media, OCN, and DSPP mRNA expressions were increased. Mineralized nodule formation was also increased in the 14 days culture. All seven SIRT genes were expressed during the odontogenic induction period. SIRT4 expression was increased in a time-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified the expression of seven different SIRT genes in HDPCs, and revealed that SIRT4 could exert an influence on the odontoblast differentiation process. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of other SIRTs on the odontogenic potential of HDPCs.
Dental Pulp* ; Dentin ; Gene Expression* ; Humans* ; Molar, Third ; Odontoblasts* ; Osteocalcin ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; Tooth

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of the medial gastrocnemius muscle flap to cover the wound necrosis and dehiscence caused by repeated surgery in the reconstruction of infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of forty three reconstructions of infected TKA performed between 1995 and 2002, eleven cases (25.6%)underwent medial gastrocnemius flap to cover the anterior skin defects at the time of reimplantation in two cases and in an average 3.3 weeks after reimplantation in seven cases. Two cases which refused reimplantation were treated by arthrodesis and delayed flap coverage and by flap surgery only resulting in pseudarthrosis respectively. They were five male and six female patients of 61 years (range, 56-77 years)of age in average. Clinical and radiological assessments were done for minimum two years of follow-up. RESULTS: Nine cases (81.8%)maintained TK prostheses with less range of motion (77 degrees in average)than ordinary TKAs of primary healing. Two patients refused TKA which resulted in one arthrodesis and one pseudarthrosis. There was no case of recurrence of wound dehiscence or infection. CONCLUSION: Medial gastrocnemius flap can salvage the prostheses by providing good soft tissue coverage for compromised operative wounds caused by infected TKA and repeated surgical interventions.
Arthrodesis ; Arthroplasty* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee* ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Necrosis ; Prostheses and Implants ; Pseudarthrosis ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Recurrence ; Replantation ; Skin ; Wounds and Injuries

Dental caries and periodontal disease are considered to be chronic, but can be prevented through an incremental oral health program covering all ages. The National Oral Health Program for adults provides oral health exam and scaling, and is covered by national health insurance for those over 20 years of age in Korea. The aim of this study was to collect basic data for developing an oral health program for adults by identifying factors related to awareness and need. The data were obtained by convenience sampling of 303 subjects. The use of dental plaque disclosing agents affected tooth brushing frequency, toothbrushing time and use of oral auxiliary devices. Education on toothbrushing methods affected toothbrushing time and use of oral auxiliary devices. Of those surveyed, 93.1% replied that an incremental oral health program for adults was needed, and 68.0% intended to participate. In a regression model, the factors that had an effect on the perceived need for an oral health program were education level, use of oral hygiene auxiliary devices, and toothbrushing time, and the factors affecting intent to participate were education for prevention of periodontal disease and the use of oral hygiene auxiliary devices. The subjects stated that the following oral health programs were needed: an oral bacteria exam (74.3%), toothbrushing education (71.6%), a bad breath exam (69.3%), education on use of oral hygiene auxiliary devices (46.9%), a dental plaque exam (42.9%) and a saliva exam (37.6%). Oral health education appears to be an important factor for participation in an incremental oral health program.
Adult* ; Bacteria ; Dental Caries ; Dental Plaque ; Education ; Humans ; Korea ; National Health Programs ; Oral Health* ; Oral Hygiene ; Periodontal Diseases ; Program Development ; Saliva ; Tooth ; Toothbrushing

PURPOSE: A limited number of studies have examined the link between F-wave abnormalities and clinical presentation in pediatric Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Therefore, this study examined the importance of F-wave abnormalities as a prognostic factor in pediatric GBS patients. METHODS: The records and electrodiagnostic studies (EDS) of 70 GBS patients were retrospectively evaluated, and divided into 2 groups according to the results of EDS. Group A (n=33) presented with F-wave abnormalities, and group B (n=26) exhibited normal findings. We compared laboratory reports, clinical features, response to treatment, and prognosis between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Motor weakness was the most frequently observed symptom for either group. Clinically, the incidence of fever and upper respiratory symptoms differed between the 2 groups, while the prevalence of abnormal deep tendon reflex (DTR) was significantly higher in group A than B (P<0.05). Patients diagnosed with GBS had received intravenous immunoglobulin treatment: 94% in group A and 58% in group B. Furthermore, significantly greater numbers of patients in group A showed H-reflex abnormalities and poor prognosis compared with group B (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that F-waves are a clinically important prognostic factor in GBS. F-wave abnormalities were associated with abnormal DTR and poor prognosis in patients. Limited studies have examined the link between F-wave abnormalities and clinical results; therefore, further randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm the clinical characteristics and efficacy of treatments.
Child* ; Fever ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome* ; H-Reflex ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Incidence ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Reflex, Abnormal ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To determine whether analyte levels in serum laboratory tests and arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA) are helpful for differentiating between generalized seizures and syncope in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: Patients over 18 years old who presented to an ED of a tertiary care hospital with a transient loss of consciousness within 4 hours were selected to be in either the seizure (n=166) or syncope groups (n=168). After exclusion for criteria, we used ROC curves to determine AUC, optimal cut-off value, sensitivity, and specificity, depending on time (4 hour, 2 hour, 1 hour and 0.5 hour). We also did multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 75 seizure group patients and 78 syncope group patients were studied. There were significant between group differences in total CO2 content, LDH, ammonia, pH, bicarbonate and lactate. AUC (area under the curve) values for blood tests were: 0.720 (tCO2), 0.686 (LDH), 0.737 (ammonia), 0.798 (pH), 0.710 (bicarbonate) and 0.770 (lactate). All AUC values were increased as the time from symptoms to ED arrival was shortened (except for LDH). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, pH (OR=9.587, 95% CI, 2.573-35.723. p=0.001) and ammonia (OR=3.932, 95% CI, 1.324-11.613, p=0.014) were statistically significant independent predictive factors. CONCLUSION: Serum laboratory testing and ABGA, especially serum ammonia and arterial pH, may be helpful for differentiating between generalized seizure and syncope in patients who experience a transient loss of consciousness and who come to the ED within 4 hours after the appearance of symptoms. But further evaluation is needed.
Ammonia ; Area Under Curve ; Bicarbonates ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Emergencies ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lactic Acid ; Logistic Models ; ROC Curve ; Seizures ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Syncope ; Tertiary Healthcare ; Unconsciousness

PURPOSE: According to the 2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care, unconscious adult patients with ROSC after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest should be cooled to between 32degrees C and 34degrees C for 12 to 24 hours. Two recent randomized controlled trials that included comatose survivors of cardiac arrest have documented that therapeutic hypothermia improved the neurological recovery. (ED note: Newer cooling devices have recently been introduced, such as endovascular...?)We have introduced newer devices, such as endovascular cooling devices, so we compared endovascular cooling with the previously used surface cooling Methods. METHODS: This is a cohort study of patients with ROSC (>24hours) after cardiac arrest and who were admitted to the intensive care unit in a tertiary hospital over a twentyeight month period from September 2006 to December 2008 and they had received therapeutic hypothermia. The patients'baseline characteristics, the mortality, the neurologic outcomes, the side effects during therapeutic hypothermia and other factors were evaluated according to the cooling methods. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were included over a 28 month period. Surface cooling methods were used in 37 patients, and endovascular cooling methods were used in 38 patients. There were no significant differences of the mortality and the neurologic outcome according to the cooling methods (p=0.973, 0.937). The time from collapse to reaching therapeutic hypothermia was 587.14+/-384.18 minutes for surface cooling and 496.24+/-213.83 minutes for endovascular cooling (p=0.105). The rewarming time was 451.09+/-229.93 minutes and 802.38+/-209.09 minutes for each cooling method, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.002). There were no significant differences of the side effects during therapeutic hypothermia between the surface and endovascular cooling methods. CONCLUSION: Endovascular cooling methods are useful to maintain the target temperature within a narrower range and these methods have the advantage of automatic feedback control of the temperature and controlled rewarming. There were no significant differences in mortality, the neurologic outcome and other side effects between the surface and endovascular cooling methods during therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest.
Adult ; American Heart Association ; Brain ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Cohort Studies ; Coma ; Emergencies ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Hypothermia ; Imidazoles ; Intensive Care Units ; Nitro Compounds ; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest ; Rewarming ; Survivors ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Unconscious (Psychology)