No abstract available.

Effects of ketamine on the cardiovascular system of tortoises was observed in this study. Ketamine elevated blood pressure and increased contractile performance and heart rate of the tortoise's auricle. The hypertensive effect of ketamine was abolished by treatment with hexametbonium or Regitine, while increment of heart rate due to ketamine was not affected by treatment of hexamethonjum, Inderal, or Regitine. In vitro experiments, ketamine increased contractile performance and heart rate of the auricle. These effects of ketamine were not affected by Regitine, Inderal,cocaine, or reserpine pretreatment. Synergism of ketamine and norepinephrine was also observed. Low bath temperature did not influence the effects of ketamine but high bath temperature inhibited the effects of the drug. In the electrically stimulated preparations, field stimulation did not affect the chronotropic and inotropic effects of ketamir, but direct stimulation abolished these effects of the drug. From the above results, it is possible to say that ketamine probably has dual actions on the cardiovascular system of tortoises, i, e., hypertensive action due to stimulation of sympathetic nervous system, and chronotropic and inotropic actions due to direct stimulation of cardiac muscle.
Baths ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular System* ; Heart Rate ; In Vitro Techniques ; Ketamine* ; Myocardium ; Norepinephrine ; Phentolamine ; Propranolol ; Reserpine ; Sympathetic Nervous System

The primary objective of this study is to make the prediction percentile tabulation of the sum of mesiodistal width of the unerupted permanent canines and premolars derived from the sum of mesiodistal width of the erupted permanent mandibular incisois in Korean population. The subjects were 316 mdividuals with occlusion aged 11 to 23 years. The sum of mesiodistal sidth of mandibular meisors, and the sum of mesiodistal width of maxillary canine, first and second premolars, and the sum of mandibular canine, first and second premolars were measured from the dental cast models using the shding eahper(Mitutoyo Co). From the study, the results are as follows; 1. The sum of M-D width of mandibular mcisors and the sum of M-D width of maxillary eanines, first and second premolars, and the sum of M-D width of mandibular canine, first and second premolars were smaller than those of American Caucasians and Negros. 2. The correlation coefficrent between the sum of M-D width of mandibular incisors and that of maxillary or mandibular canines, first and second premolars was found to be 0.598 and 0.586, respectively. 3. The regression constants were determined to evaluate the sum of M-D width of the unerupted permanent canines and premolars derived from the sum of M-D width of the erupted permanent mcisors. 4. The prediction percentile tabulation were made in an attempt to predict the total M-D width of the unerupted permanent canines and premolars derived from the total M-D width of the erupted permanent mandibular incisors.
African Continental Ancestry Group ; Bicuspid* ; Humans ; Incisor

BACKGROUND: In the present study, we examined the effect of morphine on NO- and peroxynitrite-induced cell death using a human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line which abundantly expresses micro, delta and K-opioid receptors. METHODS: The cultured cells were pretreated with morphine (100 micrometer) and exposed to 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1, 1mM). Agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA was done with the extracts from SH-SY5Y cells. The cells were treated with selective ligands for opioid receptor subtypes and with PI3-kinase inhibitors. Cell damage was assessed by using an MTT assay. Spectrophotometric absorption spectra were measured from the mixture of morphine (100 micrometer) plus peroxynitrite (1 mM) at room temperature. RESULTS: SIN-1 treated cells showed the occurrence of a specific form of chromosomal DNA fragmentation which pretreatment with morphine inhibited. The selective ligands for opioid receptor subtypes, [D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly-ol5]enkephalin (DAMGO, micro-opioid receptor agonist), [D-Pen2,5] enkephalin (DPDPE, delta-opioid receptor agonist) and U-69593 (K-opioid receptor agonist) at a concentration of 10 micrometer did not prevent the cell death induced by SIN-1. Naloxone (20 micrometer) hardly antagonized the effect of morphine in SIN-1-induced cell death. The PI3-kinase inhibitors Wortmannin and LY294002 did not inhibit the action of morphine on apoptotic cell death. In the measurements of spectrophotometric absorption spectra, the peak of the absorbance of the mixture of morphine plus peroxynitrite at 295 300 nm disappeared three minutes after mixing. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that morphine protected the human neuroblastoma cell line,SH-SY5Y, from peroxynitrite-induced apoptotic cell death. However, it is suggested that the protective action of morphine is not via the activation of opioid receptors and/or the PI3-kinase pathway but possibly via direct chemical reaction.
Absorption ; Cell Death ; Cell Line ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Enkephalins ; Humans* ; Ligands ; Morphine* ; Naloxone ; Neuroblastoma* ; Peroxynitrous Acid ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Receptors, Opioid

A 67-year-old male with a 6-year history of emphysema was admitted with severe dyspnea. On chest computed tomographic scan, a newly developed large bulla was detected in right lower hemithorax. This bulla was successfully managed by intracavitary drainage [modified Monaldi procedure] with symptomatic improvement. We report this case with review of the literature.
Aged ; Drainage* ; Dyspnea ; Emphysema ; Humans ; Male ; Thorax

End-to-end anastomosis for benign esophageal stricture (BES) is technically easier and relatively lower in morbidity than esophago-enterostomy. We performed segmental resection and end-to-end anastomosis in 2 cases of short segmental BES who were failed repeated endoscopic dilatation. A 13-month-old female with postoperative stricture was treated successfully. However, a 27-year-old female with corrosive stricture required second operative management of esophago-colo-gastrostomy following end-to-end anastomosis. Our experiences suggested that end-to-end anastomosis for BES could be used as a valid procedure for well selected patients. However, further studty is needed to compare with esophago-enterostomy.
Adult ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dilatation ; Esophageal Stenosis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection appears to subvert the human iron regulatory mechanism and thus upregulates hepcidin, resulting in unexplained iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). We evaluated serum prohepcidin levels before and after eradication of H. pylori in IDA patients to assess whether it plays a role in IDA related to H. pylori infection. METHODS: Subjects diagnosed with unexplained IDA underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy to confirm H. pylori infection and to exclude gastrointestinal bleeding. Blood was sampled before treatment to eradicate H. pylori and again 1 month later. Serum prohepcidin levels were measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. RESULTS: Serum prohepcidin levels decreased significantly after oral iron replacement combined with H. pylori eradication (p = 0.011). The reduction ratio of serum prohepcidin levels after the treatment did not differ among the combined oral iron replacement and H. pylori eradication groups, the H. pylori eradication only group, and the iron replacement only group (p = 0.894). CONCLUSIONS: Serum prohepcidin levels decrease after both H. pylori eradication and oral iron administration, with improvement in IDA. Serum concentration of prohepcidin is related to the anemia status, rather than to the current status of H. pylori infection, in IDA patients.
Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Aged ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/*blood/drug therapy/*microbiology ; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides/*blood ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Helicobacter Infections/*blood/*complications/pathology ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Iron/administration & dosage ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Protein Precursors/*blood ; Severity of Illness Index

Donor–recipient size mismatching is commonly occurs in pediatric kidney transplantation (KT). However, its effect on graft survival remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the effect of donor–recipient size mismatch on the long-term survival rate of transplant kidneys in pediatric KT. Methods: A total of 241 pediatric patients who received KT were enrolled. The medical records of all patients were retrospectively reviewed, and the correlation between donor–recipient size mismatch and graft function and long-term graft outcome was analyzed according to donor–recipient size mismatch. Results: Recipients and donors’ mean body weight at the time of KT were 34.31 ± 16.85 and 56.53 ± 16.73 kg, respectively. The mean follow-up duration was 96.49 ± 52.98 months. A significant positive correlation was observed between donor–recipient body weight ratio (DRBWR) or donor–recipient body surface area ratio (DRBSR) and graft function until 1 year after KT. However, this correlation could not be confirmed at the last follow-up. The results of long-term survival analysis using Fine and Gray’s subdistribution hazard model showed no significant difference of the survival rate of the transplant kidney according to DRBWR or DRBSR. Conclusion: Donor–recipient size mismatch in pediatric KT is not an important factor in determining the long-term prognosis of transplant kidneys.

PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated the stroke mechanism and the factors associated with ischemic stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who were on optimal oral anticoagulation with warfarin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter case-control study. The cases were consecutive patients with NVAF who developed cerebral infarction or transient ischemic attack (TIA) while on warfarin therapy with an international normalized ratio (INR) > or =2 between January 2007 and December 2011. The controls were patients with NVAF without ischemic stroke who were on warfarin therapy for more than 1 year with a mean INR > or =2 during the same time period. We also determined etiologic mechanisms of stroke in cases. RESULTS: Among 3569 consecutive patients with cerebral infarction or TIA who had NVAF, 55 (1.5%) patients had INR > or =2 at admission. The most common stroke mechanism was cardioembolism (76.0%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that smoking and history of previous ischemic stroke were independently associated with cases. High CHADS2 score (> or =3) or CHA2DS2-VASc score (> or =5), in particular, with previous ischemic stroke along with > or =1 point of other components of CHADS2 score or > or =3 points of other components of CHA2DS2-VASc score was a significant predictor for development of ischemic stroke. CONCLUSION: NVAF patients with high CHADS2/CHA2DS2-VASc scores and a previous ischemic stroke or smoking history are at high risk of stroke despite optimal warfarin treatment. Some other measures to reduce the risk of stroke would be necessary in those specific groups of patients.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anticoagulants/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Atrial Fibrillation/*complications ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Case-Control Studies ; Cerebral Infarction/complications ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Stroke/etiology/*prevention & control ; Warfarin/adverse effects/*therapeutic use

PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated the stroke mechanism and the factors associated with ischemic stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who were on optimal oral anticoagulation with warfarin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter case-control study. The cases were consecutive patients with NVAF who developed cerebral infarction or transient ischemic attack (TIA) while on warfarin therapy with an international normalized ratio (INR) > or =2 between January 2007 and December 2011. The controls were patients with NVAF without ischemic stroke who were on warfarin therapy for more than 1 year with a mean INR > or =2 during the same time period. We also determined etiologic mechanisms of stroke in cases. RESULTS: Among 3569 consecutive patients with cerebral infarction or TIA who had NVAF, 55 (1.5%) patients had INR > or =2 at admission. The most common stroke mechanism was cardioembolism (76.0%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that smoking and history of previous ischemic stroke were independently associated with cases. High CHADS2 score (> or =3) or CHA2DS2-VASc score (> or =5), in particular, with previous ischemic stroke along with > or =1 point of other components of CHADS2 score or > or =3 points of other components of CHA2DS2-VASc score was a significant predictor for development of ischemic stroke. CONCLUSION: NVAF patients with high CHADS2/CHA2DS2-VASc scores and a previous ischemic stroke or smoking history are at high risk of stroke despite optimal warfarin treatment. Some other measures to reduce the risk of stroke would be necessary in those specific groups of patients.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anticoagulants/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Atrial Fibrillation/*complications ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Case-Control Studies ; Cerebral Infarction/complications ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Stroke/etiology/*prevention & control ; Warfarin/adverse effects/*therapeutic use