No abstract available.
Silicones* ; Transplants*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Burns* ; Lymphocyte Subsets* ; Lymphocytes* ; Mice* ; Spleen* ; Thymus Gland*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* ; Rhabdomyolysis*

No abstract available.
Hernia, Inguinal* ; Humans ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Radionuclide Imaging*

Endovascular treatment of isolated bilateral common iliac artery aneurysm (CIAA) requires salvage of at least one internal iliac artery to prevent complications such as ischemic buttock claudication. We treated a case of bilateral CIAAs using an internal iliac branched stent graft. We report a case of a 58-year-old man who presented with bilateral CIAAs. The left internal iliac artery was occluded with coil embolization. The right internal iliac artery was saved by using a branched stent graft. The aneurysms were excluded with conventional endovascular aneurysm repair. Completion angiography showed technical success. Follow up computed tomography angiogram at three months showed complete exclusion of bilateral CIAAs, no endoleaks, and patent right internal iliac artery. There was no pelvic ischemic complication. We treated successfully a case of isolated bilateral CIAAs using an iliac branched stent graft.
Aneurysm* ; Angiography ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis* ; Buttocks ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Endoleak ; Endovascular Procedures ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Iliac Artery* ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Extracellular uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP) regulates a variety of biological functions in the airway epithelium including chloride and fluid transport, mucociliary clearance, and mucin secretion via P2Y purinergic receptors. This study was undertaken to investigate which P2Y purinergic receptors are expressed in the normal human middle ear epithelial (NHMEE) cells. We also determined the levels of mucin secretion and its mRNA expressions following stimulation with UTP. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The level of P2Y (P2Y1, P2Y2, P2Y4, P2Y6, P2Y11 and P2Y12) receptors and mucin gene 5AC (MUC5AC), MUC5B, MUC8 messenger RNA (mRNA)s were measured by reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We also determined the levels of mucin secretion following stimulation with UTP by dot-blotting method in NHMEE cells. RESULTS: Middle ear epithelial cells expressed P2Y1, P2Y2, P2Y6, P2Y11 and P2Y12 receptors but not the P2Y4 receptor. Apically applied UTP induced increased the mucin secretion. On the other hand, UTP did not enhance the mucin mRNA expression until 72 h had lapsed after treatment. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that UTP acts as a secretogogue on mucin secretion in NHMEE cells.
Ear ; Ear, Middle* ; Epithelial Cells* ; Epithelium ; Hand ; Humans* ; Mucins* ; Mucociliary Clearance ; Mucous Membrane ; Receptors, Purinergic ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Messenger ; Uridine Triphosphate ; Uridine*

No abstract available.
Angiomyolipoma* ; Tuberous Sclerosis*

OBJECTIVES: A stratified cross-over study was conducted to evaluate the effects of familiarity with computer on the performance of computerized neurobehavioral tests. Effects of keyboard type on the relationship between familiarity with computer and performance of computerized neurobehavioral tests were also examined. METHODS: We tested 70 persons classified into three groups according to degree of familiarity with computer: Group 1 was people with no computer competency, Group 2 had slight working experience on the computer, and Group 3 were highly competent and efficient on the computer. For each group, we executed 4 tests of the Korean version of the Swedish Performance Evaluation System (Simple Reaction Time, Addition, Symbol Digit, and Finger Tapping Speed). Three types of keyboard were applied for all three groups. Type 1 keyboard was a conventional layout with 106 keys. We removed the unused keys except for the 17 which were used in the test and remodeled the normal keyboard into Type 2 keyboard with 17 keys (10 numeric keys, 4 arrow keys, space bar, and both Ctrl keys). Type 3 keyboard with 11 keys consisted of 10 numeric keys and the space bar was newly developed for the computerized neurobehavioral performance test. RESULTS: It was found that Simple Reaction Time, Addition, and Finger Tapping Speed were not affected by familiarity with computer and type of keyboard. The mean reaction time of Symbol Digit adjusted by age and educational level with Type 1 keyboard was found to have significant difference among the three groups (F=3.347, p=0.041). The performance of Symbol Digit in Group 1 was found to be significantly lower than that in Group 2. The performances of Symbol Digit measured with Types 2 and 3 keyboards were not found to have significant differences among the three groups. In Groups 1 and 3, the performances of Symbol Digit measured with Type 1 keyboard were found to be significantly lower than those of other keyboards. CONCLUSIONS: According to the above results, Simple Reaction Time, Addition, and Finger Tapping Speed have high priority over other neurobehavioral tests for the workers having varying degrees of computer familiarity. It is also suggested that familiarity with computer and keyboard type needs to be considered in interpretation of the performance of Symbol Digit. We recommended executing the computerized neurobehavioral test with keyboards 2 or 3 to reduce the effect of computer familiarity.
Cross-Over Studies ; Fingers ; Humans ; Reaction Time ; Recognition (Psychology)*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the negative pressure wound therapy for traumatic soft tissue defects by vacuum-assised closure (V.A.C.(R)). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 33 patients with traumatic soft tissue defects were treated by using V.A.C.(R) which removes edema fluid, eliminates an extrinsic cause of microcirculatory embarrassment and may directly stimulate cellular proliferation of reparative granulation tissue. We removed all necrotic tissue prior to application of the V.A.C.(R). The foam dressing was placed into direct contact with wound and was changed every 48~72 hours. The setting for vacuum pump was continuous pressure of 100 to 125 mm Hg. C-reactive protein was checked to evaluate wound infection. We measured wound size and total duration of treatment. RESULTS: Mean duration of treatment was 25.2 days and mean decrease of wound size was 31.9%. The concentration of CRP after V.A.C.(R) therapy reduced by day 8 below 1.0 mg/dl and gradually decreased to normal level by day 10. All patients showed hastened wound healing by rapid formation of granulation tissue. CONCLUSION: Negative pressure wound therapy is useful in patients with traumatic soft tissue defects, which reduces treatment duration and cost by rapid wound healing and effective infection control.
Bandages ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cell Proliferation ; Edema ; Granulation Tissue ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy* ; Vacuum ; Wound Healing ; Wound Infection ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: The number of cases employing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has been increasing due to lower morbidity and mortality compared to open repair technique. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of TEVAR for thoracic aortic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients underwent TEVAR from October 2003 to April 2010. Mean age at operation was 59 years (20~78 years), and 11 were male. Indications for TEVAR were large aortic diameter (>5.5 cm) upon presentation in 6 patients, increasing aortic diameter during the follow-up period in 4, traumatic aortic rupture in 3, persistent chest pain in 2, and ruptured aortic aneurysm in one. The mean diameter, length and the number of the stents were 33 mm (26~40 mm), 12 cm (9.5~16.0 cm), and 1.25 (1~2), respectively. Aortography employing Multi-detector computerized tomography (MDCT) technique was performed at one week, and patients were followed up in the out-patient department at one month, 6 months, and one year postoperatively. RESULTS: Primary technical success showing complete exclusion of the aneurysm was achieved in 15 patients. One patient showed a small endo-leak (type 1). Four patients developed perioperative stroke: Three recovered without sequelae, and one showed mild right-side weakness. There was no operative mortality. Diameter of the thoracic aorta covered by stent graft changed within 10% range in 12 patients, decreased by more than 10% in 3, and increased by more than 10% in one during mean follow-up duration of 18 months (1~73 months). There was no recurrence-related death during this period. CONCLUSION: Intermediate-term outcome after TEVAR was encouraging. Indications for TEVAR could be extended for other thoracic aortic diseases.
Aneurysm ; Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Aortic Diseases ; Aortic Rupture ; Aortography ; Chest Pain ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Outpatients ; Stents ; Transplants