Morphological changes of hepatic microcirculation, especially in the peribiliary plexus, in cirrhotic livers of rats induced by repeated intraperitoneal injections of N-diethyinitrosamine (DEN) (100mg/kg/week) were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Control rats were treated with saline. The livers were perfused with saline and injected with methyl-methacrylated resin (Mercox CL-2B) through the thoracic aorta. Diffuse nodular changes mimicking human cirrhosis were seen in the livers six weeks after injections of DEN. The cirrhotic livers showed an increase of vascular channels composed mainly of venous branches around the regenerating nodules and increased arterioloportal anastonloses. Peribiliary plexi of the cirrhotic livers had more vessels than those of the controls. Many dilated veins and ramificating portal vein branches were also Present. Direct connections between peribiliary plexi and sinusoids or between peribiliary plexi and portal veins were increased in the cirrhotic liver. These results suggest that the peribiliary plexi in experimentally induced cirrhotic liver might play a role in a collateral circulation under a state of portal hypertension.
Humans ; Rats ; Animals

Hormone replacement therapy combined with progestogens induces changes in effect of estrogen on serum lipid levels and it has been known that the changes depend on a type and dosage of progestogen. It is also known that progestational agent induces positive ch-ange in bone mineral density. To study the effects of progestogen on lipoprotein and bone metabolism, we administ- ered conjugated equine estrogen 0.625 mg alone to 50 postmenopausal women, in combinat- ion with medroxy- progesterone acetate 5 mg to 40 postmenopausal women. The data demonstrated a beneficial effect in lipoprotein profiles in both groups. Total cholesterol in two groups decreased from the baseline values, LDL-cholesterol decreased significantly by 4.8 % in group I and 16.2 % in group II(p < 0.05), HDL-cholesterol increa- sed significantly by 11.3 % in group I and 14.7 % in group II(p < 0.05), triglyceride incre- ased slightly in both groups. Bone mineral density of femur was maintained and BMD of vertebrae increased by 1.1 % in group I and 2.0 % in group II, but it is not statistically significant. The differences of changes between two groups were not statistically significa- nt. Our results suggest that medroxyprogesterone acetate have no adverse effect on HDL -cholesterol and have no additive effect on bone mineral density in hormone replacement therapy.
Bone Density* ; Cholesterol ; Estrogens* ; Female ; Femur ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ; Metabolism ; Progesterone ; Progestins ; Spine ; Triglycerides

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: When TiN coating is applied to the abutment screw, occurrence of greater preload and prevention of the screw loosening could be expected due to decrease of frictional resistance. However, the proper thickness of TiN coating on abutment screw has not been yet reported. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to find out the appropriate TiN coating thickness by evaluating the detorque force and the surface change of titanium abutment screw with various TiN coating thickness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 1. Material Thirty five non-coated abutment screws were prepared for TiN coating. TiN coatings were prepared by Arc ion plating method. Depending on the coating deposition time(CDT), experimental groups were divided into 6 groups(CDT 30min, 60min, 90min, 120min, 150min, 180min) and those of 1 group was not coated as a control group. Each group was made up of 5 abutment screws. 2. Methods FE-SEM(Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscoper) and EDX(Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) were used to observe the surface of the abutment screw. Electric scales was used to measure the weight of the abutment screw after the repeated closing and opening of 10 trials. Detorque force was measured with digital torque gauge, at each trial. RESULTS: 1. As the coating deposition time increased, the surface became more consistent and smooth. 2. As for the abutment screws that were TiN coated for more than 60 minutes, no surface change was found after the repeated closing and opening. 3. The TiN coated abutment screws showed less weight change than the non-coated abutment screws. 4. The TiN coated abutment screws showed higher mean detorque force than the noncoated abutment screws. 5. The abutment screw coated for 60 minutes showed the highest mean detorque force. CONCLUSION: The coating layer of proper thickness is demanded to obtain consistent and smooth coating surface, resistance to wear, and increased detorque force of the abutment screw. In conclusion, the coating deposition time of 60 minutes indicated improved mechanical property, when TiN coating was conducted on titanium abutment screw.
Friction ; Tin ; Titanium ; Torque ; Weights and Measures

No abstract available.
Blood Transfusion, Autologous*

To relieve intractable upper abdominal cancer pain using 75% alcohol, Celiac Plexus Blocks (C.P.B.) were performed by means of the classic two needle technique in 7 cases and by single needle transaortic method in 3 cases under fluroscopic guidance. Both methods relieved the pain effectively and there was no significant hemorragic, neurologic and other complications. The degree of pain relief estimated by Graphic Rating Scale (GRS) and the incidence of complication were similar between two methods but the single needle transaortic method was more simple, easier and effective with just one third of alcohol used in the classic method.
Celiac Plexus* ; Incidence ; Needles

Transient cortical blindness is a known but rare complication occurring in 0.3~1% of patients undergoing cerebral or vertebral angiography. It is an extremely rare complication following cardiac catheterizaton and coronary arteriography. Cortical blindness is characterized by complete loss of visual perception and optokinetic nystagmus with preservation of ocular motility, pupillary responses, and normal fundoscopic examination. It has been suggested that its occurrence is due to an adverse reaction to the contrast agent, which causes an osmotic disruption of the blood-brain barrier. Patients outcome appears to be generally favorable with return of vision within 24-48 hr. We report a case of 48 year-old male patient with transient bilateral cortical blindness after coronary angiography.
Angiography ; Blindness, Cortical* ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Coronary Angiography* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nystagmus, Optokinetic ; Visual Perception

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Determination of the optimal radiotherapeutic parameters for radiotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still under investigation. The purpose of this study is to identify the risk factors associated with radiation-related morbidity. METHODS: We evaluated one hundred fifty-eight patients, who were given radiotherapy for HCC between January 1992 and March 2000. Radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) was defined as the development of nonmalignant ascites without disease progression and an anicteric elevation of the alkaline phosphatase level by at least twofold. Gastrointestinal toxicity was assessed by using the RTOG-EORTC scale. RESULTS: Six patients (3.8%) displayed RILD. In these patients, three patients had not responded to other previous treatments. Two patients with portal vein thrombosis or huge sized mass, above 10 cm, showed liver toxicity and two other patients presented with Child-Pugh class B liver cirrhosis. Eight patients (5%) had gastro-duodenal ulcers. In one of these 8 patients, the left lobe close to the stomach was involved and two patients had been treated for gastro-duodenal ulcer. In two more patients, the radiation field, with using anterior/posterior radiation ports, covered a significant volume of the gastrointestinal tract. One of eight patients had been irradiated with a large fraction size (250 cGy). CONCLUSIONS: The efforts should be made to reduce the radiation-related complications for hepatocellular carcinoma by considering the volume and the function of remaining liver, the location of tumor, the tumor size and the severity of liver cirrhosis.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/complications/*radiotherapy ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/diagnosis/*etiology ; Liver Neoplasms/complications/*radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptic Ulcer/etiology ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Risk Factors

No abstract available.
Factor VII Deficiency* ; Factor VII*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of the somatosensory evoked potentials in correlating with various clinical features and in predicting the functional outcome in patients with stroke. METHOD: The subjects were 57 patients with first stroke. Somatosensory evoked potential study was performed at the time of transfer to the rehabilitation department. Data of somatosensory evoked potential with median and tibial nerve stimulations were obtained and classified as normal (group 1), abnormal (group 2), and no response group (group 3). Modified Barthel index (MBI), motor and sensory functions were evaluated at the time of transfer and discharge. RESULTS: MBI score was statistically different among the 3 groups based on the findings of median and tibial nerve SSEP at the time of transfer, but not different at the time of discharge. Motor function was statistically different among the 3 groups at the time of transfer and discharge. Sensory function was statistically different among the 3 groups at the time of transfer, but not different at the time of discharge. CONCLUSION: Even though SSEP study reflects the functional status of the patients and correlates well with the findings of brain image, it has limitation in predicting outcome of the patients with stroke.
Brain ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory* ; Humans ; Rehabilitation ; Sensation ; Stroke* ; Tibial Nerve

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) on functional status and recovery of the hemiplegic upper extremity in stroke patients. METHOD: Retrospective chart review was performed in 561 patients. Among 561 stroke patients, 116 subjects were recruited and classified into two groups: patient group, 43 cases with RSD; control group, 73 cases without RSD. Upper extremity function was assessed based on feeding, dressing and personal hygiene scores of the modified Barthel index at the beginning of rehabilitation treatment and at the time of discharge. Causes of stroke and length of stay were recorded. Median nerve-somatosensory evoked potential studies were performed and assessed. RESULTS: The incidence of RSD was 7.7% and the time to development of RSD was 62.3+/-34.1 days after the onset of stroke. There was no significant difference in functional status between two groups at initial and final evaluation. The upper extremity function had improved in both groups although the length of stay was longer in patient group. SSEP abnormalities were more frequent in the patient group. CONCLUSION: The presence of well-managed RSD affected neither the functional status nor the functional recovery of upper extremity in stroke patients.
Bandages ; Evoked Potentials ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Incidence ; Length of Stay ; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy* ; Reflex* ; Rehabilitation ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke* ; Upper Extremity*