The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of nitric oxide on the retinal vascular relaxation and retinal toxic effect.in pigmented rabbits. S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D, L-penicillamine[SNAP], as a NO onor, dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide[DMSO]was injected into vitreal space.N-acetyl-D, L-penicillamine[NAP]was used as a control. We used Doppler Ultrasound to measures blood flow velocity.In the flow velocity between NAP group and SNAP group, the resistance index did not differ significantly for both central retinal artery and ciliary artery[p>0.05] 3 to 6 hours after NAP &SNAP injection. On electroretinographic study, a-wave amplitude of maximal combined response was reduced in SNAP treated group.In contrast, b/a ratio was increased between 3 hours and 6 hours after injection.Histologic examinations showed vacuolar degeneration and clumping and lysis of nuclei of photoreceptors.Lysosome and autophagic vacuoles were also noted in the cytoplasm of outer neuronal cells.In conjunction with above results, further studies about should be required to find the optimal concentration of NO & NO donor with minimal retinal toxicity and maximal therapeutic effect.
Blood Flow Velocity* ; Cytoplasm ; Humans ; Neurons ; Nitric Oxide* ; Rabbits ; Relaxation ; Retinal Artery ; Retinaldehyde* ; Tissue Donors ; Ultrasonography* ; Vacuoles

Objective: This study aimed to identify the utility of risk-rescue rating scale (RRRS), a psychological scale, and certain biomarkers in determining the disposition of patients visiting the emergency department (ED) after their suicide attempts. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who visited the ED after attempting suicide. The patients were classified into three groups for comparison: the discharged (DC) group, the general ward (GW) admission group, and the intensive care unit (ICU) admission group. Results: This study included 454 patients, with 344 patients in the DC group (75.8%), 63 patients in the GW admission group (13.9%), and 47 patients in the ICU admission group (10.3%). The three groups showed statistically significant differences in age, time of visit, physical status, presumptive diagnosis, the RRRS, mental status, C-reactive protein, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and systemic immune inflammation index. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that predictors of the GW admission included the time of visit, mental status, and the RRRS. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of RRRS for the decision to admit to GW and ICU showed a cut-off value of 36.5 and 44.5, respectively. However, no inflammatory biomarkers were identified as factors predicting GW and ICU admissions. Conclusion The RRRS is useful in determining the disposition of patients who visited the ED after suicide attempts.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the utility of risk-rescue rating scale (RRRS), a psychological scale, and certain biomarkers in determining the disposition of patients visiting the emergency department (ED) after their suicide attempts. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who visited the ED after attempting suicide. The patients were classified into three groups for comparison: the discharged (DC) group, the general ward (GW) admission group, and the intensive care unit (ICU) admission group. Results: This study included 454 patients, with 344 patients in the DC group (75.8%), 63 patients in the GW admission group (13.9%), and 47 patients in the ICU admission group (10.3%). The three groups showed statistically significant differences in age, time of visit, physical status, presumptive diagnosis, the RRRS, mental status, C-reactive protein, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and systemic immune inflammation index. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that predictors of the GW admission included the time of visit, mental status, and the RRRS. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of RRRS for the decision to admit to GW and ICU showed a cut-off value of 36.5 and 44.5, respectively. However, no inflammatory biomarkers were identified as factors predicting GW and ICU admissions. Conclusion The RRRS is useful in determining the disposition of patients who visited the ED after suicide attempts.

A 31-year-old female was referred from other hospital due to migrating chest pain, mild cough, and blood-tinged sputum for three days before admission. Laboratory tests were unremarkable. Chest computed tomography revealed an elliptical necrotic mass at the left anterior mediastinum, measuring 7x3x4 cm. With the impression of mediastinal abscess or loculated empyema, thoracoscopic resection was performed. There was severe pleural adhesion around the mass. The mass could be resected by the wedge resection of the adhesed upper lobe tissue of left lung around the mass. Final pathologic diagnosis was ectopic pancreas.
Abscess ; Adult ; Chest Pain ; Cough ; Empyema ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; Mediastinal Diseases ; Mediastinum ; Pancreas ; Sputum ; Thorax

Background: Although intravenous nefopam has been used for opioid-sparing strategy and pain relief, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown inconsistent findings. Methods: We searched core databases, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library for RCTs on this research question in December 2022. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and weighted mean difference (WMD) were calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis. Results: Of 708 studies identified from the databases, a total of 17 RCTs (n=1,173 patients) that met the inclusion criteria were included in the final meta-analysis. Overall, the consumption of cumulative opioid analgesics was significantly lower in the nefopam group than the control group, on arrival in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) (SMD, −0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.01 to −0.39; I2= 55.1%; n=7), at 24 hours (SMD, −0.65; 95% CI, −1.09 to −0.20; I2=87.4%; n=9), and 48 hours (SMD, −0.82; 95% CI, −1.40 to −0.24; I2=85.6%; n=6) after surgery. It also showed a significant lower pain score, on arrival in the PACU (WMD, −0.80; 95% CI, −1.27 to −0.32; I2=69.6%; n=7) and 24 hours (WMD, −0.48; 95% CI, −0.79 to −0.16; I2=0.0%, n=5). However, publication bias was observed (asymmetrical funnel plot and P for bias=0.005). Conclusions Intravenous nefopam showed an opioid-sparing effect and pain relief in the management of patients with acute postoperative pain.

PURPOSE: Vulvodynia is characterized by chronic vulvar pain caused by sexual intercourse and often results in female sexual dysfunction. Because the causes of vulvodynia are not clear, many patients do not receive optimal treatment. Recently, gabapentin and botulinum toxin A have both been shown to be effective treatments for vulvodynia. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes of botulinum toxin A and gabapentin treatment for chronic pain in women with this condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-three women with vulvar pain were administered either gabapentin (n=62) or botulinum toxin A (n=11) injections. Effectiveness was measured by use of a visual analogue scale (VAS). We analyzed the treatment method, treatment duration, success of treatment, and side effects or adverse reactions. RESULTS: Pain levels in both groups significantly decreased after treatment. In the gabapentin group, the VAS score decreased from 8.6 before treatment to 3.2 after treatment (p<0.001). The VAS score in the botulinum toxin A group was reduced from 8.1 to 2.5 (p<0.001). Side effects for both therapies were few and subsided with treatment with general antibiotics and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Gabapentin and botulinum toxin A are safe and effective treatments for vulvodynia. This condition can cause sexual dysfunction and affect quality of life. However, with proper management, satisfactory outcomes for women with vulvodynia can be achieved.
Amines ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Botulinum Toxins ; Chronic Pain ; Coitus ; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids ; Dyspareunia ; Female ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Vulvodynia

BACKGROUND: Emergence agitation after sevoflurane anesthesia in children can be prevented by midazolam. Alternative splicing of the GABAA receptor changes with age. Therefore, we hypothesized that alternative splicing of the gamma2 subunit affects the GABA current when applying sevoflurane and midazolam. METHODS: We performed the whole-cell patch clamp technique on human embryonic kidney 293 cells that were transfected with alpha1beta2gamma2L or alpha1beta2gamma2S. The concentration-response relations were recorded for midazolam and sevoflurane, and the co-application responses were measured at concentrations of 1.5 nM, 15 nM and 300 nM of midazolam and 0.5%, 2.0% and 4.0% of sevoflurane. Each GABA current was compared with that produced by 5 microM of GABA. RESULTS: The concentration-response relationships for midazolam and sevoflurane were dose-dependent without any differences between the alpha1beta2gamma2L and alpha1beta2gamma2S subtypes. 1.5 nM and 15 nM of midazolam did not significantly enhance the current after treatment with 0.5% sevoflurane for both subtypes. The current after treatment with 2.0% sevoflurane was enhanced by 1.5 nM midazolam for the alpha1beta2gamma2S subtype, but not for the alpha1beta2gamma2L subtype. In the case of 2.0% sevoflurane with 15 nM of midazolam, and 4.0% sevoflurane with 300 nM of midazolam, the GABA currents were significantly enhanced for both subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the difference in the gamma2 subunit cannot explain the emergence agitation after sevoflurane anesthesia in children in vitro. This suggests that co-application of sevoflurane and midazolam enhances the GABA current according to the alternative splicing of the gamma2 subunit and the concentration of both drugs.
Alternative Splicing ; Anesthesia ; Child ; Dihydroergotamine ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Humans ; Kidney ; Methyl Ethers ; Midazolam

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has become an important treatment modality in pediatric patients with cardiopulmonary failure, but few studies have been conducted in Korea. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of pediatric patients younger than 18 years who were placed on ECMO between January 2004 and December 2014 at Samsung Medical Center. RESULTS: We identified 116 children on ECMO support. The overall rate of successful weaning was 51.7%, and the survival to discharge rate was 37.1%. There were 39, 61, and 16 patients on ECMO for respiratory, cardiac, and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, respectively. The weaning rate in each group was 48.7%, 55.7%, and 43.8%, respectively. The survival rate was 43.6%, 36.1%, and 25.0%, respectively. Sixteen patients on ECMO had functional single ventricle physiology; in this group, the weaning rate was 43.8% and the survival rate was 31.3%. Ten patients were on ECMO as a bridge to transplantation (8 for heart and 2 for lung). In patients with heart transplantation, the rate of survival to transplantation was 50.0%, and the overall rate of survival to discharge was 37.5%. CONCLUSION: An increasing trend in pediatric ECMO utilization was observed. The outcomes were favorable considering the early experiences that were included in this study and the limited supply of specialized equipment for pediatric patients.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Child* ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* ; Heart ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Transplantation ; Heart-Assist Devices ; Humans ; Korea* ; Physiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Transplantation ; Weaning

A 43 year-old female, who underwent bilateral lung transplantation for Eisenmenger syndrome 10 years previously, visited our hospital complaining of progressive severe dyspnea. She was diagnosed as having bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, which was presumably caused by chronic graft rejection following lung transplantation. Due to the aggravated dyspnea despite medical treatment, she required ventilator care and then she underwent lung retransplantation. We report here on a case of lung retransplantation for treating chronic graft rejection following the previous lung transplantation for the first time in Korea.
Bronchiolitis Obliterans ; Dyspnea ; Eisenmenger Complex ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung ; Lung Transplantation ; Transplants ; Ventilators, Mechanical

BACKGROUND: Cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis is the most common form of peripheral tuberculous lymphadenitis. The American Thoracic Society recommends 6 months of isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide for treatment of peripheral tuberculous lymphadenitis, but even with this recommended treatment, frequent relapse occurs in actual clinical situations. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The medical records of 38 patients diagnosed and treated for cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis between February 1997 and February 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULT: The study included 14 males (36.8%) and 24 females (63.2%), with a mean age of 36.9+/-16.3 years. The most frequent symptom was palpable neck mass in 24 patients (63.2%); 10 patients (26.3%) complained of fever or chills. Only nine patients (23.7%) had radiologic abnormalities. All patients received anti-tuberculous medications for at least 7 months, with isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide for the first 2 months, and then isoniazid, rifampin and ethambutol given for more than 5 months. Relapse occurred in 7 patients (21.2%). CONCLUSION: Since many patients with cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis have no symptoms and show no radiologic abnormalities, diagnosis and treatment tend to be delayed. Considering the high relapse rate, the anti-tuberculous medication period should be longer than 6 months and this is recommended by the American Thoracic Society.
Chills ; Ethambutol ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Isoniazid ; Male ; Medical Records ; Neck ; Pyrazinamide ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Rifampin ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node