No abstract available.
Muscle Spasticity* ; Rhizotomy* ; Upper Extremity*

No abstract available.
Acoustics* ; Dysarthria*

Wells' syndrome or eosinophilic cellulitis is an uncommon cutaneous disorder characterized by recurrent erythematous and edematous plaques that often resemble acute cellulitis. The characteristic microscopic findings are diffuse dermal eosinophilia with marked edema, and flame figures consisting of amorphous or granular eosinophilic material around collagen bundles of the dermis. Etiology and pathogenesis are unknown, but the disease has been found to be associated with infections, arthropod bites, drug administration, surgery and hematologic disorders. We report the case of a 55-year-old man with pancreatic carcinoma who was presented with an asymptomatic erythematous to brownish subcutaneous nodule on the left buttock of several days' duration. A biopsy specimen taken from the erythematous to brownish nodule showed many flame figures and diffuse infiltration of eosinophils in the dermis and subcutaneous fat tissue. The rapid resolution of the skin lesion with chemotherapy of the pancreatic carcinoma supports a relationship between the two conditions.
Arthropods ; Biopsy ; Buttocks ; Cellulitis ; Collagen ; Dermis ; Drug Therapy ; Edema ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Fat

PURPOSE: To evaluate the normal variations in the origin of the right gastric artery (RGA), as seen on abdominal angiogram. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred and twenty-six patients underwent celiac and superior mesenteric arteriogram, and in 154, the origin of the RGA was identified (M:F=116:38 ; mean age, 56 years ; range, 6-84 years). Digital subtraction angiography were performed in 101 patients, and conventional angiography in 53 ; we thus evaluated the origin of the RGA, normal variation of the hepatic artery, and the relationship between them. RESULTS: The origin of the RGA was the proper hepatic artery (PHA) in 43% of cases (n=67), the left hepaticartery (LHA) in 41% (n=63), the common hepatic artery (CHA) in 9% (n=14), the right hepatic artery (RHA) in 4% (n=6),and the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) in 3% (n=4). of these 154 patients, 126 (82%) showed a normal hepatic artery branching pattern, with both hepatic arteries arising from the PHA ; in 18 patients (12%), the RHA arose from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and in 6 patients (4%), the LHA arose from the left gastric artery (LGA). In 4 patients (3%), other branching patterns of the hepatic artery were noted. In 16 of 18 patients (89%) whose RHA arose from the SMA, the RGA originated in the LHA ; in the other two, the RGA arose from the GDA and CHA, respectively. CONCLUSION: In 43% of cases, the main site from which the RGA originated was the PHA, and in 41%, the LHA, as seen on abdominal angiogram. Where the RHA arose from the SMA, its most frequent site of origin, seen in 89% of cases, was the LHA. The exact recognition of the origin of the RGA, as seen on abdominal angiogram, could lead to a reduction of transarterial chemoembolization-related gastric complications.
Angiography ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Arteries* ; Hepatic Artery ; Humans ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior

Nefazodone, a newer antidepressant is a phenylpiperazine derivative that inhibits the reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin, and antagonizes 5-HT2A and alpha1 adrenergic receptors. Compared with SSRIs nefazodone caused the fewer activating symptoms, adverse gastrointestinal effects(nausea, diarrhea, anorexia) and adverse effects of sexual function, but is associated with the more dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, visual disturbances and confusion. We report on 4 cases of visual disturbances and hallucinations in patients taking nefazodone. 1) Nefazodone, as a 5-HT2A antagonist, might induce visual disturbances. 2) mCPP, metabolite of nefazodone might contribute to the hallucination through action on 5-HT receptor. 3) Dopaminergic enhancing activity of nefazodone might cause hallucination. The case report raises the possibility that dose-related perceptual disturbances may exist with nefazodone. The fact emphasizes the need to pay close attention to all possible drug interactions, particularly in patients treated with multiple psychoactive agents, older patients, and patients with decreased hepatic function.
Constipation ; Diarrhea ; Dizziness ; Drug Interactions ; Hallucinations ; Humans ; Mouth ; Norepinephrine ; Psychotropic Drugs ; Receptors, Adrenergic ; Serotonin ; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists

PURPOSE: Recently, time interval between onset of transmitral early inflow (E) and onset of early diastolic (Ea) velocity of the mitral annulus (TE-Ea) has been used to identify diastolic dysfunction in adults, but to date, no studies have been done in infants. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the normal values of TE-Ea in infants under 1 year of age, and to assess the influence of age, heart rate and cardiac growth on this index. METHODS: Thirty healthy children (mean+/-SD, age; 5.4+/-2.3 months) underwent echocardiography. Mitral and tricuspid inflow and tissue Doppler velocities were obtained from the leaflet tips and lateral site of the annulus, respectively, in the apical four-chamber view. The time intervals between the peak of R wave and onset of mitral and tricuspid E velocity (T(E)) and between peak of R wave and onset of Ea velocity (T(Ea)) were measured. The differences between these time intervals were calculated as T(E-Ea), which were compared with demographic and echocardiographic variables. RESULTS: Mean heart rate was 125.27+/-10.78 (bpm). Mitral T(E-Ea) was shorter than tricuspid T(E-Ea) (mean+/-SD, 24.89+/-10.33 msec versus 32.43+/-12.72 msec, P=0.016). Both mitral and tricuspid T(Ea) were significantly greater than T(E) (both: P<0.01). Age and heart rate did not show correlation with T(Ea-E). When correlated with echocardiographic variables, mitral T(E-Ea) tended to decrease as mitral ring area increased. CONCLUSION: In normal infants, T(E-Ea) values differ between both ventricles, which suggest differences in ventricular adaptation in the first year of life.
Adult ; Child ; Diastole ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Infant* ; Reference Values

Tibial nonunion is often associated with the soft tissue atrophy and the local circulatory disturbance, so it is important to minimize the soft tissue injury and maintain the stability at fracture site for bone union. We reviewed 29 cases of subcortical onlay bone grafts and plate fixations for the nonunion and delayed union of tibial shafts, from Jan. 1988 through Jan. 1994. The results were as follows. 1. Twenty-nine patients who had nonunion of the tibia underwent subcortical cancellous onlay bone graft and plating, and 28 fractures(96.6%) went on to union. 2. Subcortical elevation or shingling of cortical bone fragments of the tibial cortex, is advocated to provide sound biological condition in atrophic soft tissue envelope. 3. Narrow DCP encouraged early motion and reliably promoted obtaining anatomical alignment. So, in treatment of protracted tibial nonunion, especially in an area with deficient soft tissue or unyielding scar tissue, subcortical onlay bone graft and plate fixation is very useful method, result in good union and no skin problem.
Atrophy ; Cicatrix ; Humans ; Inlays ; Methods ; Skin ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Tibia ; Transplants

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of using Acutrak screws for treating ankle medial malleolar fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 38 cases of ankle medial malleolar fracture treated with Acutrak screws from February 2005 to May 2008. RESULTS: In clinical result, there were 30 exellent cases, 7 good cases, 1 fair case. In radiologic result, there is no case with reduction loss. Average union time is 10.5 weeks. CONCLUSION: We conclude that Acutrak screw fixation is a useful method for ankle medial malleolar fracture, there are many advantages in accurate anatomical reduction, small incision, short operative time.
Animals ; Ankle ; Operative Time

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a Yoga program on decreasing blood pressure in elderly patients with essential hypertension and to suggest a yoga program effective as a nursing intervention tool to reduced blood pressure with increasing life satisfaction. METHOD: The subjects of this study were 24 elderly's essential hypertension, who practiced yoga by three times a week for 8 weeks. In order to evaluate the effect of the yoga program, blood pressure, physiological parameters (Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides) and level of life satisfaction were measured before and after the training. Collected date were analyzed by SPSSWIN program. RESULT: 1) There were significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. 2) There were significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides but no significant increased in HDL. 3) Blood pressure changes were time specific: Both of systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced after 2weeks. 4) There was a significant increase in life satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The results proved that a yoga program was an effective nursing intervention to reduce blood pressure and to increased life satisfaction for elderly patients with essential hypertension.
Aged ; Blood Pressure* ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Nursing ; Triglycerides ; Yoga*

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental investigation in vitro. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between the degeneration of intervertebral disc cells, and low back pain induced by degeneration of intervertebral disc cells and increases in use of proinflammatory mediators via nicotine stimulation. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Smoking is a leading cause of degeneration of intervertebral disc cells and low back pain. According to the existing literature, nicotine, one of the main ingredients in cigarettes, causes the degeneration of intervertebral disk cells including decrease of glycoprotein through generation of carboxy-hemoglobin, vasoconstriction, and disability of fibrinolysis and changes of metabolism of nucleus pulposus cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Annulus fibrosus of intervertebral disc and knee joint cartilage were collected from pigs; these cells were acquired by gradual enzyme decomposition. Using Trypan blue, concentration and survival rate of cells were examined; cells were inserted on alginate beads for tertiary cultivation. Nicotine was then applied at 0, 50, 100, 200 and 300 nM, respectively, and the samples were cultivated for three, six and nine days, respectively. After collecting culture fluid, it was measured for interleukin(IL)-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8 with the ELISA Test. DNA of cells used for cultivation was quantitated and the amount of the resulting proinflammatory mediator was normalized. The results were then compared with the result of same study on cartilage of porcine knee joints. RESULTS: For changes of the inflammatory mediator based on the concentration of nicotine, in nicotine stimulation with low concentration of 50 nM and the control group, there was no significant change, while transient increases of inflammatory mediator showed in nicotine stimulation with concentrations of 100, 200 nM, respectively. There was not a significant increase of IL-1beta observed in all nicotine stimulation groups; these were the same results in porcine cartilage study. The level of IL-6 in 200, 300 nM nicotine concentration showed significant increases, respectively. The level of IL-8 in high dose nicotine stimulation groups also showed significant increases of DNA on the sixth day. And in porcine cartilage study group, significant changes were observed in 200, 300 nM, but the absolute value was lower than that of annulus fibrous cells group. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 and IL-8 increased as the result of tertiary cultivation of annulus fibrosus cells of porcine intervertebral disk and nicotine stimulation. It is believed that the cells of the disc annulus are more sensitive than articular chondrocytes to nicotine stimulation. This may be the focus of future long-term studies effects of nicotine other inflammatory cytokines.
Cartilage ; Chondrocytes ; Cytokines ; DNA ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fibrinolysis ; Glycoproteins ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukin-8 ; Intervertebral Disc* ; Knee Joint ; Low Back Pain ; Metabolism ; Nicotine* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Survival Rate ; Swine ; Tobacco Products ; Trypan Blue ; Vasoconstriction