Normal gingival fibroblasts functioning is fundamental for the maintenance of periodontal connective tissue as well as wound healing. Nicotine have been found to affect DNA synthesis and cell proliferation, which appear to depend on the type of cells. This in vitro study was done to determine the effects of nicotine, a major component of tobacco, on cell proliferation, viability, activity, cell cycle distribution, and expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins in human gingival fibroblasts. Nicotine has been tested for 2 days or 4 days in 5 different concentrations; 0.1 microgram/ml; 1 microgram/ml; 10 microgram/ml; 100 microgram/ml; 1000 microgram/ml. To assess cell proliferation and viability, viable and non-viable cells were counted by hemocytometer; to evaluate cellular activity, MTT assay was employed; to analyze cell cycle distribution, fluorescent propidium iodide-DNA complex were measured using fluorocytometer; to determine the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins, western blot analysis was performed. After 2 days and 4 days incubation respectively, at concentrations of 1 microgram/ml - 1000 microgram/ml, nicotine significantly inhibited proliferation comparing to non-supplemented controls. The cell viability was significantly decreased after 2 days and 4 days at concentrations of 1 microgram/ml - 1000 microgram/ml and at 10 microgram/ml - 1000 microgram/ml respectively. After 2 days and 4 days, the cellular activity was significantly decreased at concentrations of 10 microgram/ml - 1000 microgram/ml. Treatment with 100 microgram/ml nicotine for 48 hours caused an increase in the proportion of G1-phase cells (from 46.41% to 53.46%) and a decrease in the proportion of S-phase cells (from 17.80% to 14.27%). The levels of cyclin D1 and CDK 4 proteins in nicotine-treated fibroblasts were lower than that of controls, whereas the levels of p16 and pRB were higher than that of controls. These results suggest that the decrease of cell proliferation and lengthened Gap phases (G1) by nicotine may due to the increased expression of p16 and pRB as well as decreased expression of cyclin D1 and CDK 4 in human gingival fibroblasts.
Blotting, Western ; Cell Cycle Proteins* ; Cell Cycle* ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Connective Tissue ; Cyclin D ; Cyclin D1 ; DNA ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans* ; Nicotine* ; Propidium ; Tobacco ; Wound Healing

Hypoxemia during hemodialysis(H.D) was reported 1st in 1974. Many studies have confirmed occurrence of hypoxemia during H.D. We experienced of hypoxemia during H.D in liver transplanted patient who were treating ventilatory care. 1st case, we experienced significant drop of arterial O2 tension and recovered to pre-H.D level after H.D . We prevented drop of arterial O2 tension during H.D by prior supplement of increased inspired O2 in 2nd case. To a group of liver transplanted patients especially having limited cardiac and pulmonary reserve , H.D may produce severe complications. We concluded that monitoring of oxygenation should be done and supplemental O2 should be given before starting H.D in critically illed patients.
Anoxia* ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation* ; Liver* ; Oxygen ; Renal Dialysis* ; Transplantation

We report a case of multiple glomus tumors showing histopathologic feature of glomangiomyoma with a review of the literature. The patient presented with multiple, tender, subcutaneous nodules on the back, thigh, and arm. Skin biopsy from the back revealed glomangioma. Three years later, new lesions appeared on the waist and soles and pain was noted on the thigh and back lesions. Additional skin biopsy at the same site was performed to reveal glomangiomyoma.
Arm ; Biopsy ; Glomus Tumor* ; Humans ; Skin ; Thigh

Purpose: This study evaluated the impact of auricular acupressure on depression among nurses. Methods: This study used a randomized control group pretest-posttest design. Shift-work nurses with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score over 5 points were randomized to the experimental group(n=20) or the control group(n=20). For the experimental group, auricular acupressure was conducted at the corresponding points of depression (TGI, AH1) weekly for seven days as well as for two weeks. The PHQ-9 was completed before intervention, as well as two weeks after intervention. Results: The mean difference in the PHQ-9 score before and after auricular acupressure in the experimental group (-4.11±2.27), was more significant than in the control group (-1.72±3.82) (t=2.28, p=.03). Conclusion Result showed that nurses who received auricular acupressure had a decrease in depression, compared to those who did not receive auricular acupressure. Further research is required, to apply the other auricular acupressure points, to evaluate the impact on depressive symptoms.

PURPOSE: Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) could not recommend shock for ventricular fibrillation in the presence of electromagnetic interference. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an induced electromagnetic field on performance of AED. METHODS: The intensity of magnetic waves from commercial electric mats was measured. Three AEDs were attached to the resuscitation manikin and the question of whether shock would be recommended for simulated electrocardiogram of VF or normal sinus rhythm was tested. The simulation was repeated 10 times under the influence of 0, 5, and 18 µT magnetic field or electric mat. Relevant literature studies on electromagnetic interference on AED were reviewed. RESULTS: The magnetic flux density from the electric mat was measured to 5.67-6.1 µT in warming phase, and 2.25-2.84 µT in maintenance phase. There was no false positive or false negative recommendation of shock under the influence of 0, 5, and 18 µT magnetic field or electric mat. However, one AED detected motion even in the stationary state. Among 11 studies from the literature search, five studies reported misinterpretation of AED. Minor errors including delayed analysis, motion artefact, and noise in speakers were reported from 6 studies. CONCLUSION: Although we could not reproduce false negative interpretation, AED made a mistake in confusing electromagnetic interference with motion artefact. Therefore, emergency providers should be cautious not to use AED close to household appliances or medical equipment inducing electromagnetic interference.
Artifacts ; Defibrillators* ; Electrocardiography ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Emergencies ; Family Characteristics ; Magnetic Fields ; Magnets* ; Manikins ; Noise ; Resuscitation ; Shock ; Ventricular Fibrillation

Phentermine has been widely used as an appetite suppressant since 2004 in Korea. The authors experienced two cases of acute phentermine overdose and report with the literature review. A 36-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman presented together to the emergency department with taking 13 tablets (390 mg) of phentermine 16 hours ago. They had tachycardia, hypertension and complained visual symptoms, nausea, insomnia and anxiety. These symptoms were resolved by conservative management.
Adult ; Anxiety ; Appetite ; Drug Overdose ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Nausea ; Phentermine* ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Tablets ; Tachycardia ; Young Adult

Phentermine has been widely used as an appetite suppressant since 2004 in Korea. The authors experienced two cases of acute phentermine overdose and report with the literature review. A 36-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman presented together to the emergency department with taking 13 tablets (390 mg) of phentermine 16 hours ago. They had tachycardia, hypertension and complained visual symptoms, nausea, insomnia and anxiety. These symptoms were resolved by conservative management.
Adult ; Anxiety ; Appetite ; Drug Overdose ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Nausea ; Phentermine* ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Tablets ; Tachycardia ; Young Adult

Liposuction is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgeries worldwide for reshaping the body contour. Although liposuction is minimally invasive and relatively safe, it is a surgical procedure, and it carries the risk of major and minor complications. These complications vary from postoperative nausea to life-threatening events. Common complications include infection, abdominal wall injury, bowel herniation, bleeding, haematoma, seroma, and lymphoedema. Life-threatening complications such as necrotizing fasciitis, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism have also been reported. In this paper, we provide a brief introduction to liposuction with the related anatomy and present computed tomography and ultrasonography findings of a wide spectrum of postoperative complications associated with liposuction.
Abdomen/ultrasonography ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing/etiology ; Hematoma/etiology ; Humans ; Lipectomy/*adverse effects ; Postoperative Complications/*etiology ; Pulmonary Embolism/etiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Venous Thrombosis/etiology

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of ultrasonography versus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluation of pregnant patients with clinically suspicious acute appendicitis. METHODS: This study was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 60 pregnant patients who presented to the emergency department with suspected appendicitis and underwent ultrasonography or MRI were included. The official interpretation reports and pathologic reports were extracted and analyzed. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for ultrasonography and MRI for diagnosis of acute appendicitis. We also calculated and compared area under the curve (AUC) of both diagnostic tests with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Among 60 patients, 43 (71%) underwent ultrasonography, 37 (61%) underwent MRI, and 20 (33%) underwent both diagnostic tests. Twenty patients were confirmed as pathologically-proven acute appendicitis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of ultrasonography for diagnosing acute appendicitis were 67%, 77%, 53%, and 86%, while those of MRI were 100% for all parameters. In ROC analysis, the AUC was 0.656, respectively, for ultrasonography, and 1.000 for MRI (p value<0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that MRI is more accurate than ultrasonography for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in pregnant women, especially when the appendix is invisible with ultrasonography.
Appendicitis* ; Appendix ; Area Under Curve ; Cohort Studies ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify gene- gene and gene-environmental factor on cervical carcinogenesis in Korean women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 185 women patients who had cervical cancer with 345 normal control healthy women. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the p53 codon 72, the p21 codon 31 and the IRF-1 intron 6 were evaluated from extracted DNA of peripheral blood with an automatic DNA sequencer. The difference of each SNP, gene-gene and gene-environmental interaction between normal controls and patients, were evaluated in an adjusted environmental background. RESULTS: With regard to environmental factors, the cervical cancer increased in the women with a lower level of education, a younger age at first sexual intercourse and with the increased number of children borne. The women who had p53 (Arg/Arg), IRF-1 (T/T) and an education of less than 6 years showed a 14.7 fold increased risk of cervical cancer than those women who had p53 (~Pro), IRF-1 (~C) and an education of more than 15 years. The women who had p53 (Arg/Arg), p21 (Ser/Ser) and more than 3 children showed a 6.4 fold increased risk of cervical cancer than those women who had p53 (~Pro), p21 (~Arg) and had borne no child. The women who had p53 (Arg/Arg), IRF-1 (T/T) and had experience of first sexual intercourse before the age of 22-years showed a 5.5 fold increased risk of cervical cancer than those women who had p53 (~Pro), IRF-1 (~C) and had experience of first sexual intercourse after the age of 26-years. CONCLUSION: We found that the level of education, the age at first intercourse, and the number of children borne, were independent risk factors in cervical carcinogenesis. The specific combination of p53, p21 and IRF-1 gene-gene and gene-environmental interactions were significantly noted in the cervical carcinogenesis of Korean women.
Carcinogenesis ; Child ; Codon ; Coitus ; DNA ; Education ; Female ; Genes, p53 ; Humans ; Introns ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*