Popliteal sciatic nerve block versus spinal anesthesia in hallux valgus surgery / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: We compared clinical properties and patient satisfaction between spinal anesthesia and popliteal sciatic nerve block (PSNB) for hallux valgus surgery. METHODS: Forty patients undergoing hallux valgus surgery were divided into spinal group (spinal anesthesia with 2.5 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine [n = 20]) and PSNB group (PSNB with 30 ml of 0.75% ropivacaine mixed with 10 ml of normal saline solution using a nerve stimulator [n = 20]). The PSNB group used a patient-controlled-analgesia (PCA) pump for postoperative pain control. The quality and side effects were compared between the two groups. A questionnaire was used to evaluate patient satisfaction with the use of anesthetic techniques and postoperative pain control in the PSNB group. This study was assessed 3 days postoperatively by a blinded observer. RESULTS: Procedure time and time from anesthesia until start of sugery were significantly shorter in the spinal group than those in the PSNB group (P < 0.01). Anesthesia-related complications such as hypotension, bradycardia, shivering, nausea/vomitting, post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) and urinary retension were observed in 15%, 10%, 5%, 5%, 10%, and 20% of patients in the spinal group, respectively. PSNB was not associated with these complications. Patient satisfaction was slightly higher for PSNB than for spinal anesthesia. In the PSNB group, patient satisfaction with postoperative pain-control was 95% above ordinary satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the long duration of the procedure, PSNB is relatively safe, provides an adequate level of anesthesia, effectively controls postoperative pain and reduces side effects. Therefore, PSNB could be a potential anesthetic technique for hallux valgus surgery.

The Relationship between the Korean Occupational Stress Scale and Pulse Wave Velocity among Male Firefighters / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between job stress and the pulse wave velocity as an indicator of vessel stiffness among male firefighters in a metropolitan city. METHODS: In November and December 2008, a total of 404 participants were analyzed. The questionnaire survey included the participants' general characteristics, job-related factors, health-related behaviors, and job stress. Job stress was measured using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS). We merged the job stress data with clinical laboratory data and brachial-ankle Pulse Wave Velocity (baPWV) by conducting medical surveillance. We measured the relationship of job stress to baPWV by using a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, the baPWV was significantly higher in the groups possessing high levels of job insecurity (OR=2.17, 95% CI=1.06~4.42). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the level of job stress, especially in regards to job insecurity, was directly related to the baPWV. Therefore, further preventive efforts and studies in regards to firefighters are needed in order to reduce job stress and thereby help to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on bone healing around a titanium implant in the tibia of osteoporosis-induced rats

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is a major health problem in the elderly that involves changes in the properties of bone as well as impaired bone healing around a titanium implant in both humans and animals. This study examined effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on the bone healing process around a titanium implant in osteoporosis-induced rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen rats were divided into two groups. A control group with osteoporosis induced by removing both ovaries and an experimental group of rats that were applied with LIPUS after osteoporosis had been induced. A screw type titanium implant (diameter, 2.0 mm: length, 3.5 mm, Cowell-Medi, KOREA) was placed into the tibias of 16 rats. The control and experimental group contained 8 rats each. The rats were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after implantation to examine the histopathology and immunochemistry. RESULTS: The histopathology examination revealed earlier new bone formation in the experimental group than the control group. In particular, at 1 week after implantation, more new bone matrix and collagen were observed around the implant of the experimental group compared to the control group. Immunochemistry analysis showed that the level of OPG expression of the experimental group was higher in the early stages than in the control group. After 8 weeks, the levels of OPG expression were similar in both groups. The expression level of receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand (RANKL) was stronger in the experimental group than the control group. After 4 weeks, the level of RANKL expression was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the application of LIPUS to implantation can promote bone healing around titanium in osteoporosis animals.

Recombinant Azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa Induces Apoptotic Cell Death in Oral Squamous Carcinoma Cells

The use of bacteria in the treatment of cancer has a long and interesting history. The use of live bacteria in this way however has a number of potential problems including toxicity. Purified low molecular weight bacterial proteins have therefore been tested as anticancer agents to avoid such complications. Oral cancer is a widely occurring disease around the world and these lesions are typically very resistant to anticancer agents. In our present study we investigated the effects of purified recombinant azurin from Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa against YD-9 (p53-positive) human oral squamous carcinoma cells. Azurin showed cytotoxic effects against these cells in a dose dependent manner. The cell death accompanied by this treatment was found to be characterized by chromatin condensation and apoptotic bodies. Azurin treatment was further found to increase the expression of p53 The stabilization of p53 and induction of apoptosis in YD-9 cells by azurin suggests that it has potentially very strong anticancer properties in oral squamous carcinoma.

Recombinant Azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa Induces Apoptotic Cell Death in Oral Squamous Carcinoma Cells

The use of bacteria in the treatment of cancer has a long and interesting history. The use of live bacteria in this way however has a number of potential problems including toxicity. Purified low molecular weight bacterial proteins have therefore been tested as anticancer agents to avoid such complications. Oral cancer is a widely occurring disease around the world and these lesions are typically very resistant to anticancer agents. In our present study we investigated the effects of purified recombinant azurin from Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa against YD-9 (p53-positive) human oral squamous carcinoma cells. Azurin showed cytotoxic effects against these cells in a dose dependent manner. The cell death accompanied by this treatment was found to be characterized by chromatin condensation and apoptotic bodies. Azurin treatment was further found to increase the expression of p53 The stabilization of p53 and induction of apoptosis in YD-9 cells by azurin suggests that it has potentially very strong anticancer properties in oral squamous carcinoma.

Osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow derived stem cells in gelatin-hydroxyapatite nanocomposite

PURPOSE: Gelatin-hydroxyapatite nanocomposite is similar to inorganic nanostructure of bone. To make a scaffold with osteoinductivity, bone marrow derived stem cells from rabbit femur were impinged into the nanocomposite. This vitro study was to test osteogenic differentiation of the stem cells in the nanocomposite, which was made by authors. MATERIAL & METHODS: Gel-HA nanocomposite with 10g of HA, 3 g of Gel has been made by co-precipitation process. Bone marrow was obtained from femur of New Zealand White rabbits and osteogenic differentiation was induced by culturing of the BMSCs in an osteogenic medium. The BMSCs were seeded into the Gel-HA nanocomposite scaffold using a stirring seeding method. The scaffolds with the cells were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), colorimetry assay, biochemical assay with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) diagnostic kit, osteocalcin ELISA kit. RESULTS: Gel-HA nanocomposite scaffolds were fabricated with relatively homogenous microscale pores (20-40 micrometer). The BMSCs were obtained from bone marrow of rabbit femurs and confirmed with flow cytometry, Alizarin red staining. Attachment and proliferation of BMSCs in Gel-HA nanocomposite scaffold could be identified by SEM, ALP activity and osteocalcin content of BMSCs. CONCLUSION: The Gel-HA nanocomposite scaffold with micropores could be fabricated and could support BMSCs seeding, osteogenic differentiation.

Osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow derived stem cells in gelatin-hydroxyapatite nanocomposite

PURPOSE: Gelatin-hydroxyapatite nanocomposite is similar to inorganic nanostructure of bone. To make a scaffold with osteoinductivity, bone marrow derived stem cells from rabbit femur were impinged into the nanocomposite. This vitro study was to test osteogenic differentiation of the stem cells in the nanocomposite, which was made by authors. MATERIAL & METHODS: Gel-HA nanocomposite with 10g of HA, 3 g of Gel has been made by co-precipitation process. Bone marrow was obtained from femur of New Zealand White rabbits and osteogenic differentiation was induced by culturing of the BMSCs in an osteogenic medium. The BMSCs were seeded into the Gel-HA nanocomposite scaffold using a stirring seeding method. The scaffolds with the cells were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), colorimetry assay, biochemical assay with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) diagnostic kit, osteocalcin ELISA kit. RESULTS: Gel-HA nanocomposite scaffolds were fabricated with relatively homogenous microscale pores (20-40 micrometer). The BMSCs were obtained from bone marrow of rabbit femurs and confirmed with flow cytometry, Alizarin red staining. Attachment and proliferation of BMSCs in Gel-HA nanocomposite scaffold could be identified by SEM, ALP activity and osteocalcin content of BMSCs. CONCLUSION: The Gel-HA nanocomposite scaffold with micropores could be fabricated and could support BMSCs seeding, osteogenic differentiation.

Association between Job Stress and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory in Firefighters / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of job stress and scores on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) clinical scales in firefighters. METHOD: A total of 648 firefighters from Daegu Metropolitan City were given 2 sets of questionnaires, the Korean Occupational Stress Scales (KOSS) and the MMPI. The results of 428 qualifying questionnaires were analyzed using ANOVA, correlation, and multiple regression. RESULTS: The study demonstrated that job stress differed by age, department, amount of exercise, and duty period. MMPI clinical scales differed by age, smoking, and amount of exercise. Job stress correlated with MMPI clinical scales and in particular with 2 MMPI clinical scales, -Depression and Social introversion-. In addition, job stress subscales were related. On multiple regression analysis, some MMPI clinical scales were affected by job stress subscales. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that job stress is associated with psychogenic factors in firefighters. The effective management for job stress might be helpful for the overall mental health of firefighters. Further study is required to determine which psychogenic factors are related to job stress.