Additive Effects of Rebamipide Plus Proton Pump Inhibitors on the Expression of Tight Junction Proteins in a Rat Model of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rebamipide on tight junction proteins in the esophageal mucosa in a rat model of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). METHODS: GERD was created in rats by tying the proximal stomach. The rats were divided into a control group, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) group, and a PPI plus rebamipide (PPI+R) group. Pantoprazole (5 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to the PPI and PPI+R groups. An additional dose of rebamipide (100 mg/kg) was administered orally to the PPI+R group. Mucosal erosions, epithelial thickness, and leukocyte infiltration into the esophageal mucosa were measured in isolated esophagi 14 days after the procedure. A Western blot analysis was conducted to measure the expression of claudin-1, -3, and -4. RESULTS: The mean surface area of mucosal erosions, epithelial thickness, and leukocyte infiltration were lower in the PPI group and the PPI+R group than in the control group. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of claudin-3 and -4 was significantly higher in the PPI+R group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Rebamipide may exert an additive effect in combination with PPI to modify the tight junction proteins of the esophageal mucosa in a rat model of GERD. This treatment might be associated with the relief of GERD symptoms.

Establishment of a mouse model of 70% lethal dose by total-body irradiation / 한국실험동물학회지

Whereas increasing concerns about radiation exposure to nuclear disasters or side effects of anticancer radiotherapy, relatively little research for radiation damages or remedy has been done. The purpose of this study was to establish level of LD70/30 (a lethal dose for 70% of mice within 30 days) by total-body γ irradiation (TBI) in a mouse model. For this purpose, at first, 8-week-old male ICR and C57BL/6N mice from A and B companies were received high dose (10, 11, 12 Gy) TBI. After irradiation, the body weight and survival rate were monitored for 30 days consecutively. In next experiment, 5-week-old male ICR and C57BL/6N mice from B company were received same dose irradiation. Results showed that survival rate and body weight change rate in inbred C57BL/6N mice were similar between A and B company. In ICR mice, however, survival rate and body weight change rate were completely different among the companies. Significant difference of survival rate both ICR and C57BL6N mice was not observed in between 5-week-old and 8-week-old groups receiving 10 or 12 Gy TBI. Our results indicate that the strain and age of mice, and even purchasing company (especially outbred), should be matched over experimental groups in TBI experiment. Based on our results, 8-week-old male ICR mice from B company subjected to 12 Gy of TBI showed LD70/30 and suitable as a mouse model for further development of new drug using the ideal total-body irradiation model.

Lower Extremity Rotational Profile in Students of Elementary School / 대한정형외과학회잡지

We studied 600 normal lower extremities of Korean students of elementary school in order to establish normal values for the rotational profile and to define any differences between ethnic groups. Rotational profile examined at this study included medial and lateral rotation of the hip and thighfoot angle. The mean value of medial rotation of the hip was 48 degrees with a range of 35 to 64 degrees in male subjects, and 50 degrees with a range of 35 to 60 degrees in female subjects. The mean value of lateral rotation of the hip was 57 degrees with a range of 43 to 75 degrees, and 53 degrees with a range of 40 to 72 degrees in female subjects. Unlike medial rotation, lateral rotation of the hip was greater in male than in female subjects by a mean difference of 4 degrees(T-test, p<0.05). The mean value of thigh-foot angle was 10 degrees with a range of -2 to 23 degrees in male subjects, and 12 degrees with a range of 0 to 21 degrees in female subjects. The total range of hip rotation was slightly greater in Korean than in Caucasians or in Chinese, but, to conclude this, more large study by the same methods will be needed in other areas of Korea.

A Case of Failure of a Ceramic Head in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Case Report / 대한정형외과학회잡지

In 1970, Boutine introduced a alumina ceramic for cemented total hip replacement . A ceramic articulation thought to be superior to metal on polyethylene due to its extremely low coefficient of friction and its potential for resistance to wear. Mechanical failure of ceramic femoral head is rare. We report a case of fracture of ceramic femoral head, which occured after implantation of uncemented total hip replacement.

The Effect of Augmentation with The Synthetic Polyester Ligament in The Tear of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament: A Preliminary Report

The purpose of this study is the present the short rerm result of arthroscopic reconstruction for PCL injury. Since January l990, authors have implanted the synthetic polyester ligament (ABC ligament, Surgicraft, U.K) into the substance of ruptured PCL proper under arthroscopic control. The follow up period ranged from 24 months to 61 months (average,35months). The main cause of injuries were traffic accidents in 38. Thirtyfive of patient were men and three were women, range in age from 18 to 70 years (average, 37 years). 18 were acute injury and operated at average 12 days after injury and 20 knee were chronic injury and operated at average 9 months after injury. There were 25 case that had combined ligament injuries (l2 ACL injury, ]0 MCL injury, 8 LCL injury elc). In 15 knees, the tear was in the mid substance area and in 13 it was near femoral attach site and in lO it was near tibial attach site. Postoperative result were evaluated by roentgenographic evaluation of posterior sagging, KT-20 (0 arthrometer and Lysholm knee score. Difference were improved from 12.5 mm (mean: pre.op) to 3.8m (mean: post.op) on posterior drawer test. Both knee showedminimal difference on KT-20N) study (2.l mm on 201b) at the time of follow up. The average Lysholm knee score were 84.7. By Clancy criteria, the result were exceflent 9 case (24%), good in 20 case (53%), fair in 7 case (18'Po) and failui e in 2 case (5%). On based of this study, arthroscopic augmentation with ABC ligament in PCL injury is very effective treatment but more longer follow-up and more case must he needed to accept this method.