Effects of dietary lipid-coated zinc on the antioxidant defense system in the small intestine and liver of piglets / 한국실험동물학회지

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of lipid-coated ZnO (LCZ) and the level of LCZ compared with ordinary zinc oxide (ZnO) on antioxidant defense system in the intestine and liver of piglets. A total of forty piglets (n=8) were fed a diet supplemented with 100 ppm Zn with ZnO (ZnO-1), 2,500 ppm Zn with ZnO (ZnO-2), 100 ppm Zn as LCZ (LCZ-1), 200 ppm Zn as LCZ (LCZ-2), or 400 ppm Zn as LCZ (LCZ-3) for 14-d, respectively. The LCZ-3 group resulted in higher (P < 0.05) mRNA expressions and activities of CuZn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in jejunal mucosa compared with the ZnO-1 and LCZ-1 groups, while no difference was observed in the mRNA level of antioxidant genes between the ZnO-1 and ZnO-2 groups. Within the LCZ groups, the LCZ level linearly and quadratically (P < 0.01) increased antioxidant enzymes in the jejunum. The maximum response of jejunal antioxidant enzymes to Zn supplementation was achieved by 400 ppm of LCZ. Hepatic mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes was unaffected by Zn source and level, while hepatic SOD and GST activities were greater (P < 0.05) in the LCZ-3 group than in the ZnO-1 group. No difference was observed in lipid peroxidation of the jejunum and liver and the total antioxidant power of plasma among groups. In conclusion, a supplementation with 400 ppm of LCZ resulted in a maximum increase in antioxidant enzymes, indicating that LCZ may affect antioxidant defense system more profoundly than ZnO.

Patterns of Epidural Venous Varicosity in Lumbar Stenosis

OBJECTIVE: Epidural venous varicosity (congestion of the epidural vein) is rarely introduced as an influential factor of clinical symptoms. However, there are several studies suggesting that epidural venous varicosity results in neurologic symptoms. We would like to highlight evidence that epidural venous varicosity results in neurologic symptoms and the relation between epidural venous varicosity and neural structure observed during the surgery. Based on our experiences, we also propose a new classification of epidural venous varicosity. METHODS: 29 patients with symptomatic lumbar stenosis received microsurgical decompression via partial hemilaminectomy. The authors retrospectively reviewed all recorded intraoperative pictures and categorized patterns of venous varicosities with relationship to neural structures. RESULTS: Type A is conditions in which epidural veins are dilated but located parallel to the nerve root on the lateral side of the nerve root and thus do not compress the nerve root. Type B is conditions in which varices are located on the anterior lateral side of the nerve root to compress the nerve root. Type C is conditions in which varices are encircled around the nerve root and compressing the nerve root. CONCLUSION: Epidural venous varicosity is observed in most lumbar stenosis patients with clinical symptoms. Of the types, the types of epidural venous varicosity compressing nerve structures were Type B and Type C. All epidural venous varicosities were removed regardless of classification during operations. Most patients showed relief in clinical symptoms after the operation. We thought to epidural venous varicosity as a factor that causes clinical symptoms of lumbar stenosis.

Vascular Perforation During Coil Embolization of an Intracranial Aneurysm: the Incidence, Mechanism, and Clinical Outcome / 신경중재치료의학

PURPOSE: The occurrence of a vascular perforation during an endovascular procedure is an unexpected and feared complication which can be fatal. However, the incidence, risk or the mechanism of vascular perforation which can occur in the endovascular management of aneurysms remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of vascular perforation during endovascular coil embolization of a cerebral aneurysm, and to reveal characteristics and clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the endovascular coil embolization procedures performed for the treatment of 459 aneurysms. Incidence and clinical, radiological and technical data of patients concerning the vascular perforation were reviewed from medical records and radiological findings. RESULTS: The incidence of procedure-related vascular perforation in our patient group was 0.87% (4/459). For all four occurrences, the cause of vascular perforation involved the guidewire or microcatheter. Clinical outcome was poor in 2 cases and favorable in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Although rare, the occurrence of vascular perforation during coil embolization for treatment of an aneurysm may be fatal. Therefore, careful management of the guidewire is suggested for the prevention of vascular rupture during an endovascular procedure.

Results of Staged 360-Degree Spinal Fusion for Unstable Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results obtained in patients who underwent staged 360-degree fusion with posterior fusion following anterolateral fusion for unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures. METHODS: The authors performed 360-degree fusion for thoracolumbar burst fractures in 21 patients between 2006 and 2010. We reviewed the medical records and follow-up data including pre- and postoperative neurological status, spinal canal compromise, segmental kyphotic angulations, complications, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, and revision surgery rates. RESULTS: The mean computed tomography-measured preoperative spinal canal compromise was 55.9+/-20.7%. The segmental kyphotic deformity measured 20.2+/-4.4degrees preoperatively and had been corrected to 4.5+/-2.8degrees postoperatively. The mean vertebral body height loss of 57.4+/-6.9% improved significantly to 1.2+/-0.7% at the final follow-up examination. The mean preoperative VAS pain score of 8.2+/-0.8 improved to 1.5+/-0.6 at discharge. There were no cases of vascular complication, neurological deterioration, or revision surgery. CONCLUSION: Unstable burst fracture of thoracolumbar spine managed by staged posterior fusion and anterolateral interbody fusionis effective for kyphosis correction, significant canal decompression, pain reduction, maintaining stabilization and neurological improvement.

COMPARISON OF WEAR RESISTANCE AMONG RESIN DENTURE TEETH OPPOSING VARIOUS RESTORATIVE MATERIALS / 대한치과보철학회지

The aim of this study was to compare wear resistance of resin denture teeth opposing various restorative materials. The wear resistance of conventional acrylic resin teeth (Trubyte Biotone) and three high-strength resin teeth(Bioform IPN, Endura, SR-Orthosit-PE) opposing different restorative materials (gold alloys, dental porcelain, composite resin) was compared. Wear tests were conducted with a sliding-induced wear testing apparatus which applied 100,000 strokes to the specimen in an mesio-distal direction under conditions of 100 stroke/min and constant loading of 1Kgf/tooth. Wear resistance of the resin denture teeth was evaluated by the following criteria : 1) wear depth, 2)weight loss, and 3) SEM observation. Results were as follows. 1. When opposed to gold alloys and composite resin, high-strength resin teeth showed superior wear resistance compared to acrylic resin teeth. But, in cases opposing dental porcelain, differences between the wear of the high-strength and acrylic resin teeth were not statistically significant (p<0.05). 2. When comparing wear resistance among high-strength resin teeth, opposing gold alloys, Endura was slightly more resistant and while in cases opposing dental porcelain, SR-Orthosit-PE was showed to be slightly resistant(p<0.05). 3. The wear of high-strength resin teeth was greater by 5 to 7 times when opposing porcelain and 2 to 3 times when opposing composite resin compared to gold alloys(p<0.05). 4. SEM observations of the wear surface showed that wear of resin teeth opposing gold alloys is a fatigue type of wear and wear of resin teeth opposing dental porcelain is fatigue and abrasion type of wear. Trubyte Biotone showed more severe fatigue type of wear than high-strength resin teeth. In conclusion, the use of dental porcelain should seriously be considered as restorative material in cases opposing resin denture teeth and improvement seems to be needed on resin teeth in the areas of wear resistance.

True Hermaphroditism, Report of Eight Cases

No abstract available.

A Case of Hypereosinophilic Syndrome

Marked eosinophilia is a common finding in many disease, occurring most frequently in allergic and parasitic conditions. A Separate syndrome characterized by peripheral eosinophilia and multisystem eosinophilic infiltration has been reported by many authors with a variety of diagnoses. In 1968, Hardy and Anderson proposed the term hypereosinophilic syndrome to encompass the entire group and in 1975, Chusid reported 14 cases amd reviewed 57 cases in English literatures. We experienced a case of Hypereosinophilic syndrome which showed partial response to prenisolone therapy, and made a review of literatures.

A Study of Intersex

Intersex is the state of having ambiguous or inappropriate genitalia due to abnormalities of normal mechanisms for sexual development. Three broad subcategories of intersex have been defined according to the histology of the gonad: Female & male pseudohermaphroditism and true hermaphroditism. Twenty two cases of intersex are described. Among them, true hermaphroditism was 7 cas-es, female pseudohermaphroditism 10 cases and male pseudohermaphroditism 5 cases. The presenting symptoms, age of diagnosis, gender role, histologic findings of gonad & tre-atment are discussed. Review of literature and reference on intersex was attempted briefly.