No abstract available.
Gynecology*

BACKGROUND: Gabapentin is a safe and well-tolerated anticonvulsant with a wide therapeutic index, and it is used for neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to compare previous dosing methods with the administration of four different doses of gabapentin while maintaining the same maximum daily dose for the safe administration of high doses of the medication. METHODS: The subjects were outpatients with various neuropathic pain syndromes, with at least two of the following symptoms: allodynia, burning pain, shooting pain, or hyperalgesia. The TID group received equal doses of gabapentin 3 times per day, while the QID group received 4 different doses of gabapentin per day. The pain score, frequency of breakthrough pain (BTP), severity and the duration of pain, sleep disturbance due to nocturnal pain, and adverse effects were recorded each day. RESULTS: The average daily pain score and sleep disturbance were significantly reduced in the QID group between days 3 and 10 of the experiment. The adverse effects of the medication were also reduced in the QID group. However, the frequency of BTP and severity and duration of pain were not significantly different between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of 4 different doses of gabapentin during the initial titration in outpatients with neuropathic pain resulted in a significant reduction in awakening from breakthrough pain and a reduction in the adverse effects of the medication.
Ambulatory Care ; Amines ; Breakthrough Pain ; Burns ; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids ; Drug Administration Schedule ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; Neuralgia ; Outpatients

Alaryngeal speech(esophageal, neoglottal, shunt, and electrolaryngeal speech) differ from normal laryngeal speech primarily with regard to the sound or source of voicing. Theoretically, esophageal, tracheoesophageal, neoglottal and electrolaryngeal speech have difficulty in accomplishing the voiceless consonants. But perceptual studies often reveal that there is a clear production of voiceless consonants resulting good articulation scores in skilled alaryngeal speakers except electrolaryngeal speech. The purpose of the present study was to relate the three-way distinction of Korean voiceless stops in manner of articulation with normal speakers and skilled alaryngeal speakers in terms of the voicing distinction in consonants. Acoustic analysis were performed to investigate the acoustic characteristics of alaryngeal speech compared to the normal speech with special reference to the voiceless distinction. Electromyographic studies were performed to clarify the adjustment of neck muscle during normal and alaryngeal speech.
Acoustics* ; Neck Muscles ; Speech, Alaryngeal*

BACKGROUND: It is a well-known phenomenon that alveolar and peritoneal macrophages exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induce a large output of nitric oxide (NO) and an inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression. The purpose of this study is actually how much NO production and iNOS mRAN expression are effected by anesthetics (sevoflurane and propofol) on endotoxemic rats. METHODS: To examine the production of NO in peritoneal macrophages, NO concentration were measured from the rats following 2 hours exposure to LPS and 2 hours administration of sevoflurane and propofol, respectively. Culture supernatants were collected 24 hours after exposure to LPS and anesthetics and assayed by ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) for production of NO. The iNOS mRNA expression was measured using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) techniques and autoradiography. RESULTS: In the control group, the NO concentration was measured at 2 hours after infusion of LPS to rats, and showed 12 4micrometer. After insufflations of anesthetics to experimental animals, NO concentration increased in the sevoflurane and propofol groups, 37 13 (p<0.05) and 29 12micrometer (p<0.05) respectively. The size and brightness of the iNOS mRAN bands were distinct in sevoflurane and propofol in order. CONCLUSIONS: There were no different in regard of NO production and hemodynamic changes but iNOS mRNA expression between sevoflurane and propofol group in endotoxemic rats. The mechanism is not clear, but it is related to the strong stimulating effects on the respiratory tract of inhalation anesthetics.
Anesthetics ; Anesthetics, Inhalation ; Animals ; Autoradiography ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hemodynamics ; Insufflation ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Propofol* ; Rats* ; Respiratory System ; RNA, Messenger ; Sepsis

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported reduced pain and anxiety in smokers, and considerable evidence shows that smoking induces analgesia, which is thought to be nicotine-mediated. We investigated if smoking could reduce the development of neuropathic pain and nociceptive transmission in the spinal cord. METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats weighing 130-150 g were used for this experiment. The Animals were divided into two groups: the smoking group (S group) was exposed to cigarette smoking for 5 hours per day for 6 weeks at self-made smoking chamber: the control group (C group) was exposed to room air. After a 4-week exposure period, neuropathic pain was induced by left L5 spinal nerve ligation (SNL). Mechanical threshold and withdrawal response to 100% acetone were measured throughout the experiment. The changes in the expression of the c-fos and BDNF genes in the spinal cord were compared using real time PCR. RESULTS: Mechanical allodynia was induced after SNL in both groups, but no significant difference was observed between two groups. Cold allodynia after SNL was significantly less in S group than C group. In S group, the expression of c-fos was decreased at 5th day, but that of BDNF expression was significantly elevated at 5th day after SNL compared to C group. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke reduced the cold allodynia in neuropathic rats. The decreased expression of c-fos and elevated expression of BDNF in the spinal cord after SNL may contribute to antinociception.
Acetone ; Analgesia ; Animals ; Anxiety ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Gene Expression* ; Hyperalgesia ; Ligation ; Neuralgia* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Smoke* ; Smoking* ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Nerves ; Tobacco Products

It is surprising that about 24% of patients with benign osteoporotic vertebral fracture die within a year from respiratory infection and urinary tract infection because of coughing and voiding difficulties, depending on the sites of compression fractures. We reviewed 500 patients on whom percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) was performed, at 612 levels in terms of patient selection, operation technique, medication, and clinical outcomes during the follow-up course for 2 yr study period. To confirm the most painful level among the multiple fracture sites, physical examination after facet joint block under the fluoroscope was the most reliable method. The mean total lumbar spine fracture threshold of bone mineral density was 0.81+/-0.05 g/cm2. The mean changes of numeric rating scale scores, Oswestry Disability Index except sex life, and Karnofsky performance status were -72.00, -83.50 and +60.62% in the osteoporosis group and -51.89, -45.02, and 69.03% in the tumor group. Complications related to the procedure were lateral spinal cord damage, transient paresthesia and transient hypotension. PVP with facet joint block is a profitable method for the vertebral compression fracture because of low risk and short duration of procedure with a high chance to result in pain relief and early mobilization.
Aged ; Bone Cements/therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Injections, Spinal ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Block ; Orthopedic Procedures ; Pain/physiopathology/surgery ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Spinal Cord Compression/physiopathology/*surgery ; Spinal Fractures/physiopathology/*surgery ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Zygapophyseal Joint

Flexible fiberoptic colonoscopy is extensively used for the diagnosis and management of colorectal disease. Many possible complications can occur. The most common and most serious complications are hemorrhage, perforation and respiratory problems. Colonic perforation usually results in a fatal and emergent condition. However, management of iatrogenic colonic perforation has been controversial. The choice between the medical versus the surgical approach has been dependent on the mechanism of the perforation, bowel preparation, location, size of the defect and severity of symptoms. We report here a case where colonic perforation emerged during endoscopic submucosal resection of a rectal tumor. The rectal perforation was accompanied with pneumoperitoneum, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumoretroperitoneum and pneumomediastinum. As the bowel preparation was excellent, intravenous antibiotics and total parenteral nutirition were administered. The patient was treated successfully without any complications.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Diagnosis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Mediastinal Emphysema* ; Pneumoperitoneum* ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Retropneumoperitoneum* ; Subcutaneous Emphysema*

Flexible fiberoptic colonoscopy is extensively used for the diagnosis and management of colorectal disease. Many possible complications can occur. The most common and most serious complications are hemorrhage, perforation and respiratory problems. Colonic perforation usually results in a fatal and emergent condition. However, management of iatrogenic colonic perforation has been controversial. The choice between the medical versus the surgical approach has been dependent on the mechanism of the perforation, bowel preparation, location, size of the defect and severity of symptoms. We report here a case where colonic perforation emerged during endoscopic submucosal resection of a rectal tumor. The rectal perforation was accompanied with pneumoperitoneum, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumoretroperitoneum and pneumomediastinum. As the bowel preparation was excellent, intravenous antibiotics and total parenteral nutirition were administered. The patient was treated successfully without any complications.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Diagnosis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Mediastinal Emphysema* ; Pneumoperitoneum* ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Retropneumoperitoneum* ; Subcutaneous Emphysema*

BACKGROUND: Propofol is an intravenous anesthetic which has antioxidant effects due to its similarity in molecular structure to α-tocopherol. It has been reported that α-tocopherol increases osteoclast fusion and bone resorption. Here, we investigated the effects of propofol on signaling pathways of osteoclastogenic gene expression, as well as osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption using bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). METHODS: BMMs were cultured with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) alone or M-CSF plus receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) in the presence of propofol (0–50 µM) for 4 days. Mature osteoclasts were stained for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and the numbers of TRAP-positive multinucleated osteoclasts were counted. To examine the resorption activities of osteoclasts, a bone resorption assay was performed. To identify the mechanism of action of propofol on the formation of multinucleated osteoclasts, we focused on dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP), a protein essential for pre-osteoclastic cell fusion. RESULTS: Propofol increased the formation of TRAP-positive multinucleated osteoclasts. In addition, the bone resorption assay revealed that propofol increased the bone resorption area on dentin discs. The mRNA expression of DC-STAMP was upregulated most strongly in the presence of both RANKL and propofol. However, SB203580, a p38 inhibitor, significantly suppressed the propofol/RANKL-induced increase in mRNA expression of DC-STAMP. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that propofol enhances osteoclast differentiation and maturation, and subsequently increases bone resorption. Additionally, we identified the regulatory pathway underlying osteoclast cell-cell fusion, which was enhanced by propofol through p38-mediated DC-STAMP expression.
Acid Phosphatase ; Antioxidants ; Bone Resorption ; Cell Fusion ; Dentin ; Gene Expression ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Macrophages ; Molecular Structure ; Osteoclasts ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Propofol ; RANK Ligand ; RNA, Messenger

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to optimize and establish erythropoietin (EPO) enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system. METHODS: We prepared several monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies specific to human-EPO. The best combinations of antibodies for coating and detecting antibodies were selected for the establishment of ELISA. We tested several methods such as a competitive EIA and a sandwich ELISA. RESULTS: The best sandwich ELISA was optimized compared to competitive EIA when purified polyclonal antibody (PoAb) was used as a coating antibody and biotinylated PoAb as a detecting antibody. This sandwich ELISA easily detected EPO when PoAb pairs were used compared to the ELISA using monoclonal antibody and PoAb. There were no significant differences between the effects of various blocking solutions on the performance of sandwich ELISA using biotinylated antibody. The ELISA system using PBST containing 3% BSA as a blocking solution can sensitively detect EPO (10 mU/mL) in a broad range of EPO concentrations (10-2,000 mU/mL) and there were cross-reactions with other cytokines). CONCLUSIONS: EPO can be easily determined by using biotinylated PoAb as a detecting antibody and another PoAb as a coating antibody.
Antibodies ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay* ; Erythropoietin*