As an attempt to evaluate any possible effects of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on the phenomena of membrane transport, effects on the short-circuit current (SCC) and potential difference (PD) across the isolated frog skin were studied under the conditions of various bathing medium, Changes of SCC and PD were measured by the method described by Ussing and Zerahn. Addition of DMSO to the inside bathing medium resulted in an initial increase in SCC followed by a secondary decline to pre-DMSO level, while DMSO at outside medium was without effect. Dose-responses(SCC) relationship revealed a linear one from 30 to 60 mM. Substitution of chloride by sulfate ion from bathing medium caused no alteration in the basic pattern and magnitude of response, thus indicating the specificity of DMSO action on the Na transport. Hypertonic solutions of DMSO added to either outer or inner bathing medium evoked a prompt fall in SCC and PD consistently. By isotopic measurement of sodium fluxes with Na24, it was evident that increased sodium influx was entirely responsible for the initial increase in SCC induced by DMSO. Of various parameters concerned with transepithelial Na transport, outer membrane permeability to Na (PoNa) was shown to be the onIy parameter which was significantly elevated by DMSO administration. From these findings, it was postulated that DMSO-induced increment in sodium influx was mediated by its stimulating action on the sodium penctration through the outer permeability barricr after binding to a receptor site different from that for the antidiuretic hormone (ADH.)
Baths ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide* ; Hypertonic Solutions ; Membranes ; Permeability ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin* ; Sodium*

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of nasogastric tube on swallowing function in stroke patients with dysphagia. METHOD: Twelve stroke patients with dysphagia were included in this study. We evaluated the Functional Dysphagia Scale using videofluoroscopic swallowing study. Swallowing tasks were composed of swallowing 5 cc of thick food and same volume of fluid on nasogastric tube insertion state and then nasogastric tube removal state. RESULTS: As the result of measuring oral phase score before and after removing nasogastric tube, all of 12 patients showed no significant difference. There was statistically significant increase in score of residue in piriform sinuses on thick food swallowing after removing nasogastric tube (p<0.05). After removing nasogastric tube, aspiration was decreased on fluid swallowing in cases of 2 patients, while aspiration on thick food swallowing was increased in cases of 2 patients, compared with nasogastic tube insertion state. CONCLUSION: As the result of this study, the stroke patients with dysphagia on nasogastric tube were increased on fluid aspiration due to rapid descending and inhibition of epiglottic closure compared with the removal state of nasogastric tube. And there was significant increased in scores of residue in piriform sinuses on thick food swallowing and aspiration pneumonia after removing nasogastric tube.
Deglutition Disorders* ; Deglutition* ; Humans ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Pyriform Sinus ; Stroke*

Prurigo pigmentosa is a chror ic pruritic inflammatory dermatosis characterized by erythematous papules in a reticulated pattern that resolve leaving a reticulated, mottled hyperpigmentation and rapidly response to dapsone therapy. Most cases that have been reported are from Japan. We report two cases of prurigo pigmentosa in a 21 year-old female and a 23-year-old female. Histopathologic findings of erythematous papules showed exocytosis, spongiosis, liquefaction degeneration of basal cell layer and perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltration on the upper dermis. We treated them with dapsone, 100mg daily, which resulted in a remarkable regression of the ery thematous papules and improvenien of pruritus.
Dapsone ; Dermis ; Exocytosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Japan ; Prurigo* ; Pruritus ; Skin Diseases ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to perform a clinical analysis of nine patients with giant aneurysms managed with endovascular embolization. METHODS: From March 2000 to September 2009, nine cases of giant intracranial aneurysms were treated (five unruptured and four ruptured). The nine patients included two males and seven females who were 47 to 72 years old (mean, 59.2 years old). The types of giant intracranial aneurysms were eight internal carotid artery aneurysms and one vertebral artery aneurysm. Treatment for each aneurysm was chosen based on anatomic relationships, aneurysmal factors, and the patients' clinical state. Three patients underwent endovascular coiling with stent and six initially underwent endovascular coiling alone. Medical records, operation records, postoperative angiographies, and follow-up angiographies were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Eight out of nine patients showed good clinical outcomes. (six were excellent and two were good) after a mean follow-up period of 27.9 months. Six (67%) of the nine patients had a near-complete occlusions on the post-operative angiogram (mean, 13.5 months after the procedure). Occlusion rates of 90% or higher were obtained for eight (89%) of all the patients. One patient died due to multiple organ failure. Stents were ultimately required at some point for managing four aneurysms. Two patients needed additional procedures because of aneurysm regrowth. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment could be an alternative option for managing giant aneurysms adjuvant to surgical intervention.
Aneurysm ; Angiography ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Male ; Medical Records ; Multiple Organ Failure ; Stents ; Vertebral Artery

This study was to investigate the horizontal & vertical bone change pattern when using cervical headgear in Class II malocclusion of growing children and compared the skeletal features between the group with increased lower facial height and the group without increase in lower facial height. The results are as follows; 1. Forward growth of maxilla was inhibited, downward tipping of anterior palatal plane could be seen and distal movement of maxillary first molar was observed. 2. There was relative forward movement of Mandible against the Maxillary cranial base, and relative forward movement of mandibular 1st molar against the Maxilla and vertical increase due to alveolar growth of Mandible. 3. There was significant increase in anterior and posterior facial heights but the ratio of facial height showed no significant difference. 4. The group with increased lower facial height has shorter ramus length, than the smaller palatal plane angle, and more distal movement of Maxillary 1st molar than the group without increase Ha-young Hyun.
Child* ; Humans ; Malocclusion ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Molar ; Skull Base

No abstract available.
Head* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Osteonecrosis*

No abstract available.
Korea*

PURPOSE: To report a case of supratarsal injection of triamcinolone for the management of chronic, steroid-dependent Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis. CASE SUMMARY: A 37-years-old woman complained of redness, photophobia, and tearing in both eyes, which lasted for 6 years. The slit lamp examination revealed multiple intraepithelial and subepithelial, punctated corneal lesions which were elevated and scattered diffusely upon staining with fluorescein dye in both eyes. The patient was diagnosed with Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis and treated with 0.1% fluorometholone, 0.05% cyclosporin, and 0.15% ganciclovir in both eyes. After 10 months of follow-up, recurrences were reported twice in the right eye, and 7 times in the left eye. The patient was treated with a supratarsal injection of triamcilonone in both eyes and after injection, the patient was treated only with artificial tears. Four months later, the patient did not complain of any symptoms and her cornea was clear. CONCLUSIONS: A supratarsal injection of triamcinolone may be an effective method to prevent recurrence of chronic, steroid-dependent Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis.
Cornea ; Cyclosporine ; Eye ; Female ; Fluorescein ; Fluorometholone ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ganciclovir ; Humans ; Keratitis ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Photophobia ; Recurrence ; Tears ; Triamcinolone

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: Many investigators suggested that changes in hormonal environment in the postmenopausal women functionally or histologically effect the clitoris and vagina. We investigated the mechanism of female se xual dysfunction occurring in the decreased hormonal status, and aimed to establish and experimental base for the hormone replacement in postmenopausal women to correct sexual dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty mature female New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups; control group, oophorectomy group, estrogen replacement group after oophorectomy. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and the degree of expression of neuronal NOS (nNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS), collagen content in clitoral tissues were analysed. RESULTS: nNOS and eNOS were significantly increased in the oohporectomized group while decreased in the estrogen replacement group (p<0.01). NOS activity showed the similar pattern of change (p<0.05). Oophorectomy induced a significant increase in collagen content, while the ratio of smooth muscle content was increased significantly after the estrogen replacement (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Estrogen deficiency induces collagen synthesis and decreases the content of smooth muscle in clitoris, resulting in a structural relaxation difficulty. We believe that NOS becomes more active to improve the relaxation difficulty and that hormone replacement helps to restore the normal state of smooth muscle relaxation. Considering these findings, we suggest that estrogen down-regulates NOS and its activity.
Clitoris* ; Collagen ; Estrogen Replacement Therapy ; Estrogens* ; Female ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth ; Neurons ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Ovariectomy ; Rabbits ; Relaxation ; Research Personnel ; Vagina