A Case of Spontaneous Hemothorax in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type I

Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) is a genetic disorder associated with the central nervous system and cutaneous manifestations. Complications involving the vascular system, such as arterial rupture and occlusion, are rare. We encountered a patient with NF1 who had non-trauma-related left chest pain and dyspnea. Radiology findings indicated spontaneous hemothorax on his left lung. Following a thoracostomy for hematoma evacuation, approximately 1.5 liters of blood was drained. Consequently, he underwent an operation to identify the culprit vessel. During surgery, the vessel responsible for bleeding was found and treated. This case involved a spontaneous hemothorax caused by periaortic intercostal artery rupture, which was treated with thoracotomy and ligation of the culprit artery. The patient made a full recovery and was discharged without any complications.

Mechanisms of phytoestrogen biochanin A-induced vasorelaxation in renovascular hypertensive rats

BACKGROUND: The plant-derived estrogen biochanin A is known to cause vasodilation, but its mechanism of action in hypertension remains unclear. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects and mechanisms of biochanin A on the thoracic aorta in two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertensive rats. METHODS: Hypertension was induced by clipping the left renal artery, and control age-matched rats were sham treated. Thoracic aortae were mounted in tissue baths to measure isometric tension. RESULTS: Biochanin A caused concentration-dependent relaxation in aortic rings from 2K1C hypertensive and sham-treated rats, which was greater in 2K1C rats than in sham rats. Biochanin A-induced relaxation was significantly attenuated by removing the endothelium in aortic rings from 2K1C rats, but not in sham rats. Nomega-Nitro-L-arginine methylester, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, or indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, did not affect the biochanin A-induced relaxation in aortic rings from 2K1C and sham rats. By contrast, treatment with glibenclamide, a selective inhibitor of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K+ channels, ortetraethy-lammonium, an inhibitor of Ca2+-activated K+ channels, significantly reduced biochanin A-induced relaxation in aortic rings from both groups. However, 4-aminopyridine, a selective inhibitor of voltage-dependent K+ channels, inhibited the relaxation induced by biochanin A in 2K1C rats, whereas no significant differences were observed in sham rats. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the enhanced relaxation caused by biochanin A in aortic rings from hypertensive rats is endothelium dependent. Vascular smooth muscle K+ channels may be involved in biochanin A-induced relaxation in aortae from hypertensive and normotensive rats. In addition, an endothelium-derived activation of voltage-dependent K+ channels contributes, at least in part, to the relaxant effect of biochanin A in renovascular hypertension.

Methemglobinemia from Antifreeze Containing Sodium Nitrite

Sodium nitrite is commercially used as a coloring agent, food preservative, and corrosion inhibitor. Accidental poisoning with sodium nitrite from contaminated food and water causes gastrointestinal irritation, vasodilatation, and methemoglobinemia with subsequent tissue hypoxia. We describe an outbreak case of sodium nitrite-induced methemoglobinemia following the ingestion of noodles contaminated with industrial antifreeze. The eEight patients involved initially complained that their noodles tasted 'unpleasant' and soon afterwards experienced nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue. Some of them noted cyanosis on their lips and fingers. Subsequent investigations demonstrated a high methemoglobin concentration which was corrected by the intravenous administration of methylene blue three hours after the onset of symptoms. The patients made a prompt, uncomplicated recovery and were discharged home 4 four days later. Industrial antifreeze contains sodium nitrite and calcium nitrite. Because an accidental poisoning of industrial antifreeze causes fatal methemoglobinemia, emergency physicians should promptly identify its symptoms and institute treatment with methylene blue promptly. In addition, industrial agencies must caution construction businesses against such contamination events.

Validation of the Pentax-AWS Airwayscope as a Prehospital Intubation Device by Korean Level 1 Emergency Medical Technicians; A Simulation Study Using an Airway Training Manikin

PURPOSE: Tracheal intubation in the pre-hospital setting may be lifesaving in severely ill and injured patients. The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether use of the video laryngoscope, when used by Korean level 1 emergency medical technicians, resulted in faster or more secure facilitation of tracheal intubation, compared with the conventional laryngoscope with the immobilized cervical spine lying on the ground. METHODS: Thirty two level 1 EMTs working as 119 rescuers performed tracheal intubation on a manikin using the Macintosh laryngoscope (McL) and the Pentax-AWS(R) airwayscope (AWS) "on-the-bed" and "on-the-ground" in simulations with or without cervical spine immobilization. We compared intubation time, dental injury, and visual analog scale for both types of laryngoscope. RESULTS: In the McL trial, four participants failed on the bed, and 11 failed on the ground with cervical immobilization. In the AWS trial, all participants successfully secured the airway regardless of cervical spine immobilization both on the bed and on the ground. With the AWS, intubation time was not lengthened due to cervical spine immobilization either on the bed or on the ground. The AWS score was better than the McL on the visual analog scale in ease of handling the laryngoscope both on the bed and on the ground. And use of the AWS resulted in the lowest number of dental compressions. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the AWS is an effective and safe device for use in pre-hospital intubation with cervical spine immobilization, not only on the bed but also on the ground, when used by Korean level 1 EMTs. However, conduct of further studies is required in order to validate the clinical relevance of these findings.

Two Cases of Post Traumatic Cerebral Infarction in Head Injury

We present cases of post traumatic infarction after head injury. Two patients were admitted to our emergency room after traffic accidents. They developed neurological deficiency after a few hours to days after the accidents. In both cases, an initial computed tomography scan of the head was normal. A follow-up computed tomography obtained later revealed a hypodense lesion at cerebral hemisphere and a diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging disclosed an area of infarction. The patients were conservatively medicated. One patient died due to a medical complication and the other patient fully recovered in several weeks. Hospital admission, careful observation and early diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance examination should be considered for patients with persistent neurological deficits.

Comparison of Severity in Organophosphate Insecticide Poisoning Patients Treated with Tracheostomy

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect on survival rate for organophosphate intoxication patients who received tracheostomy. This research was conducted to help identify appropriate treatment of patients who received a trachostomy. METHODS: This research was retrospectively conducted using the medical records of 141 patients who arrived at the Chosun University Hospital emergency medical center between Jan 2007 and Dec 2010, suffering from organophosphate intoxication. They were placed in two groups including one which received trachostomy as part of their treatment and one that did not. The effect of each variable on mortality was evaluated by regressionanalysis. RESULTS: Of 141 patients with organophosphate intoxication, 105 of them did not tracheostomy and 16 were dead cohorts (15.2%). Their size of pupil was 1mm. Factors such as amount of organophosphate ingested, PAM time after ingestion, average body temperature, arrival time, atropinization time after ingestion, AST/ALT, Bun/Cr all appeared to be significant factors in death cohorts (P<0.05). 36 patients among the total had tracheostomy and 11 ones of them were in dead cohort (30.6%) and their average age was 58 years. The facts affect the state of patients in dead cohort include the amount of intoxication which between 327.27+/-194.1 ml, performing intubation 686 mins after intubation, reaching to the hospital after 580mins, injecting PAM 744 mins after intoxication, injecting atropine 627 mins after intoxication. The largest cases of patient's state was found to be stupor with 14 patients (38.9%) the level of Cholinesterase in blood appeared to be significant in dead cohort as 391.00+/-353.9 IU/L (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Further planned studies are necessary on the use of tracheostomy for treatment of poisoning victims, especially those intoxicated by organophosphorus insecticides.

Analysis of the Factors that Influence the Severity of Injury of Pedestrian Traffic Accident Patients in an Emergency Department

PURPOSE: Pedestrian traffic accident (TA) deaths account for 40% of Korea's annual TA fatalities. With that in mind, we reviewed the cases of traumatic pedestrian TA patients admitted to emergency medical centers in Korea. We analysed factors affecting the severity of injury in order to investigate risk factors for subsequent traumatic threats. METHODS: Prospective methods were applied using a prepared trauma recording format. Trauma records included patient factors (age, gender, occupation, underlying disease), accident factors (time of accident, weather conditions, transportation time, vehicle type causing the accident, influence of alcoholic on both drivers and victims, accident location), and other factors (means of initial hospital admittance transportation). We reviewed medical records to obtain data for vital signs, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), abbreviated injury scale (AIS), injury severity score (ISS), and trauma and injury severity score (TRISS). We divided subjects into 3 groups according to their ISS scores: mild (1-8 points), moderate (9-15 points), severe (>==16 points). These groups were compared with each other regarding degree of severity? RESULTS: We analyzed data for 23,392 traumatized patients that presented at an EMC. Of the 23,392, 252 (3.1%) were pedestrian TA patients. Among this pedestrian cohort, males 156 patients (male 61.9% and female 38.1%; p=0.332). Mean age was 43.1 (+/-19.9). Severity was greater in those over 40 years of age compared those under 40 (p=0.000). Farmer's had the greatest severity than patients in other occupations (p=0.004). Those with an underlying disease showed a higher degree of severity (p=0.028). The most common accident site was city roads (85.7%) but the degree of severity at such sites did not was not significantly greater (p=0.052). Sports utility vehicle (SUV) had the highest rate of accident severity (p=0.004). Cases involving drunken drivers had victims with higher severity (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Factors that increase the rate of fatalities pedestrian TAs are: older age, underlying illness, working in the agricultural sector, driving an SUV, the patient being in a drunken state.

Mutational analysis of whole mitochondrial DNA in patients with MELAS and MERRF diseases

Mitochondrial diseases are clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders, which make the exact diagnosis and classification difficult. The purpose of this study was to identify pathogenic mtDNA mutations in 61 Korean unrelated families (or isolated patients) with MELAS or MERRF. In particular, the mtDNA sequences were completely determined for 49 patients. From the mutational analysis of mtDNA obtained from blood, 5 confirmed pathogenic mutations were identified in 17 families, and 4 unreported pathogenically suspected mutations were identified in 4 families. The m.3243A>G in the tRNA(Leu(UUR)) was predominantly observed in 10 MELAS families, and followed by m.8344A>G in the tRNA(Lys) of 4 MERRF families. Most pathogenic mutations showed heteroplasmy, and the rates were considerably different within the familial members. Patients with a higher rate of mutations showed a tendency of having more severe clinical phenotypes, but not in all cases. This study will be helpful for the molecular diagnosis of mitochondrial diseases, as well as establishment of mtDNA database in Koreans.

A Study on Organophosphate Poisoning Patients: Comparison of the Survivor Group and Dead Group

PURPOSE: Organophosphate insecticide poisoning is common in Korea, but there is no definitive guideline for determining the severity of the poisoning and the predictive factors. Therefore, we evaluated the organophosphate poisoned patients and we divided them into two groups, the survivors and the dead, and the results might be useful for treating organophosphate poisoning patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 68 organophosphate poisoned patients who visited the Chosun University Hospital Emergency Medical Center during a 24-month period from January, 2007 to December, 2008. We made a work sheet of the patients' characteristics and the collected data was analyzed and we compared this data between the survivor group and the dead patient group. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the survivor group and the dead patient group for the mean age, the alcohol intake state and the typically expressed signs. The dead patients had lower blood pressure, tachycardia and a lower Glasgo Coma Score (GCS) score than the survivor group. On the arterial blood gas analysis, the dead patients had more severe acidemia and they had lower saturations. Increased serum amylase levels were found in the dead patients. The survivors' initial and follow up serum pseudocholinesterase activity (after 6~8 days) was significantly higher than that of the dead group. The total amount of atropine injected to patient was less in the survivors than that in the dead patients. CONCLUSION: Old age and expressing the typical intoxication signs, a lower GCS score and blood pressure, showing acidosis on the gas analysis and low serum cholinesterase activity may be useful as poor prognostic indicators for patients with organophosphate poisoning. We suggest that physicians must pay careful attention to the signs and prognostic factors of organophosphate insecticide poisoned patients.

Null and Duplicated Alleles of 17 Y-STR Haplotypes in Koreans and Considerations for Forensic Application / 대한법의학회지

The analysis of Y chromosome polymorphisms has become common place for the identification of male component in forensic cases. In male/female mixtures of many rape cases, Y-STRs are also very useful for the determination of contributors' number. During the analyses of 17 Y-STR haplotypes for forensic applications using the AmpFlSTR(R) Yfiler(TM) system, a number of null and duplicated alleles (40 out of 2144 subjects) were discovered. Interestingly, two haplotypes should focus the attention on forensic interpretation of Y-STR haplotype profiles, because multiple mutational events at various loci can be interpreted as a wrong mixed or allele drop-out profile.

Analysis of the Risk Factors Influencing the Severity of Injury in Pediatric Multiple Trauma Patients

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is, first, to analyze the risk factors that influence the severity of injury in pediatric multiple trauma patients and, second, to present solutions for the problems related to the treatment of such patients. Our living situations are so complicated that the danger of accidents is truly open to children who are not prepared. We need to draw attention to the increased numbers of various accidents involving children. METHODS: We studied patients who visited the Emergency Medical Center at Chosun University Hospital from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2008. Using medical records, we evaluated the general characteristics: the mechanism of injury, the vital signs, the revised trauma score (RTS), the injury severity score (ISS), and the hemoglibin value, which was checked at the time of visit, and the presence or the absence of emergent on regular surgery. We divided the level of injury as follows: light level (1-8 points), mid level (9-15 points), and serious level (above 16 points). We analyzed the medical data by using SPSS 17.0 for windows. RESULTS: The average age of the patients examined was 8.6 years. The number of 6- to 11-year-old patients was 96, which was the largest, but the degree of injury severity was the highest among infant (0-2 years), according to ISS 7.95(+/-6.85). The frequency of accidents was highest on sunny days, and most accidents occurred from 16:00 to 20:00. The cause of multiple trauma for children was the greatest in the traffic accident, (95 patients, 49.0%). In addition, the trauma caused by traffic accidents showed the highest ISS value (9.02+/-6.42) and the most serious degree (P=0.004). The ISS level of injury (8.40+/-6.64) for patients moved from a secondary hospital was higher than that (6.49+/-5.57) for patients who visited the medical center directly. The severity of injury was highest for patients who used a 119 ambulance (8.84+/-5.80). According to the injured parts of body, Injuries to the arms and the feet most frequent (79 patients, 40.7%), but the level of injury was the highest for internal organs and chest, 16.42+/-8.56 and 11.23+/-6.97, respectively. CONCLUSION: We used Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) in order to examine the characteristics by injured body part for pediatric multiple trauma patients. Because the degree of injury was the highest for internal organs or the chest, we need to more seriously examine and provide for patients who are suspected of having injuries to the internal organs or the chest. We need to quickly determine the need for surgery in patients with serious injuries to the arms and the feet, which is the greatest in frequency. In particular, we need to consider the surgical care of patients who are not very high in the severity of injury to their brains.

Factors Associated with the Severity of Injuries in Old Driver Trauma Patients

PURPOSE: As medicine has progressed, the human average lifetime has increased. Thus the number of geriatric patients has increased and, in particular, the number of older drivers has increased. Mortality rates for older trauma patients are higher than those for any other age group, but little research has been done about the severity of injuries to older patients involved in vehicle accidents. This study evaluated a number of factors and correlations involving old driver trauma patients. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed clinical information on 155 trauma patients over 65 years of age who were involved in vehicle accidents and visited the emergency department of Chosun University Hospital between Jan 2007 and Aug 2008. The following variables were examined for their ability to predict severity of injury: age, gender, vital signs, and mechanism of injury along with the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), and the Injury Severity Score(ISS). We divided the ISS scores into three groups: mild (1~8), moderate (9~15), and severe(above 16). RESULTS: Most cases involved men (94.2%), and a majority involved agriculture (65.8%). The most common vehicle was the motorcycle (48.4%), and 51 (32.9%) patients were drunk at the time of the accident. Many had acquired their driver's licenses more than 30 years earlier (40.7%), and almost all of the patients (81.9%) never wore any safety devices. The patients who had multiple underlying diseases, coupled living type, low blood pressure at admittance, and more time since they had acquired their licenses scored higher on mean ISS than the other cases. CONCLUSION: Old trauma patients had more longer admission days, had longer recovery times, and received more expensive treatment. For the same level of trauma, they took longer to heal than younger patients and experienced higher rates of mortality. Therefore, when the old driver trauma patients visit the emergency department, doctors need to perform more careful studies and provide a higher level of critical care. To lessen the number of old driver trauma patients, we should educate older drivers about safe driving methods and about the use of safety device, and we should enforce traffic laws and laws about drinking and driving.

A Case of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) Induced by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)

A patient who was transferred to our Emergency Medical Center from a local clinic with a dermatologic disorder of unknown origin presented to us with TEN with a 40% skin slough. The patient was a 53-year-old women with complaints of erythematous rash and blisters on her trunk and both proximal extremities. She had taken NSAIDS, 1300 mg per oral, every 8 h for 5 days. Five days after administration of NSAIDS began, the doctors at the local clinic noted that a rash with blisters had begun on her back and progressed to her extremities. After 4 days of that progression she came to us. On physical examination, she had asymptomatic multiple clear filled bullae and erosion with brown- to black-colored hyperpigmentation on her trunk and proximal extremities involving 40% of the body surface. She was admitted to a private room to prevent secondary infections, and her management included fluid replacement, third-generation cephalosporin and corticosteroid administration, and intensive wound care. Fifteen days after admission, no further treatment was required, and only a small scar and a mild dispigmentation lesion could be seen. Emergency department physicians should think about TEN if the patient has extensive exfolating skin lesions. Treatment of patients with suspected TEN must be directed at minimizing fluid and electrolyte loss and preventing secondary infection, and an effort should be made to identify the suspicious drug and to educate patient to avoid the drug.

Effect of Sleep Quality and Health in Emergency Medical Doctors on Duty at Night

PURPOSE: Emergency medical doctors face a working environment full of various types of stresses and often must work the night shift. This research is focused on the influences between night shift work, sleep, and physical and psychiatric health. METHODS: The subjects of research in the Internet-based survey were 51 emergency medical doctors working in four university hospitals, regional emergency medical centers, and hospitals of emergency medicine located in Honam District, Gwangju, Korea. RESULTS: Of the 51 respondents, 41.2% worked two night shifts per week and 45.1% worked three night shifts per week. Comparison of specialists and resident doctors did not reveal statistical differences between the quality of sleep and the prevalence of cardiovascular and psychiatric symptoms. However, there was a significantly higher prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases among resident doctors. Comparisons based on hospital size revealed significantly higher prevalence of gastrointestinal disease in university hospitals. The number of weekly night shifts did not significantly influence outcomes. CONCLUSION: Resident doctors and emergency medical doctors working in university hospitals may be more susceptible to gastrointestinal diseases. While no significant differences were evident concerning the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, the known similar mechanisms between gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disease indicates that continued exposure to stressful situations may prelude severe diseases such as cardiovascular disease.

Foot Necrosis Following Percutaneous Cannulation of the Dorsalis Pedis Artery: A Case Report / 대한구급학회지

Arterial canuulation is generally used to monitor blood pressure and sample blood for gas analysis. Radial and dorsalis pedis arteries are commonly used for arterial cannulation. It is a simple, safe, and uncomplicated procedure, but some complications have been reported, including bleeding, hematoma, infection, pseudoaneurysm, and thromboembolism. Although thromboembolism is not common, it could be serious because it can lead to digital ischemia and necrosis. We present a case of foot necrosis following dorsalis pedis artery cannulation in a 65-year-old patient who underwent small bowel resection.

A Patient with Methemoglobinemia after Herbicide Intoxication has Hemolytic Anemia Induced by Methylene Blue

Methylene blue is the first choice for treating methemoglobinemia, any increase in normal methemoglobin levels. Methemoglobin is an abnormal hemoglobin in which the iron has been oxidized to the ferric(+3) state, making it incapable of oxygen transport. Methemoglobinemia most commonly results from exposure to oxidizing chemicals, but may also arise form genetic, dietary, or even idiopathic etiologies. Patients with low methemoglobin levels are asymptomatic, but high methemoglobin levels can lead to headaches or even death. Methylene blue, the first-line treatment for methemoglobinemia, can also produce hemolytic anemia. Jaundice or dark urine during methylene blue treatment may indicate hemolytic anemia. A 47-year-old female patient with a history of depressive mood disorder developed significant methemoglobinemia after ingesting a Propanil overdose. Twenty-two hours after ingestion, methemoglobin levels in the blood were 73.2%. She was treated with intravenous methylene blue in the therapeutic range (1 mg/kg every 4 h for 3days). The 2nd day after methylene blue use, methemoglobin levels in the blood were 33%, and the 5th day decreased to 10% with better general condition. The patient had hyperbilirubinemia after hemolytic anemia, but she recovered completely.

A Case of Acute Toxic Encephalopathy due to an Oxycodone Overdose

Acute encephalopathies can be defined as an acute central nervous system (CNS) insult, due to an underlying pathology. The clinical symptoms almost always include an acute state of confusion and cognitive impairment. Toxic encephalopathies can occur acutely or chronically depending on the toxic drugs and other substances as well as the individual metabolism of the drug. The organs acutely affected include the heart, lung and kidneys. However, the brain, spinal cord and sympathetic nerves can be affected chronically. If the toxic substance passes through the bloodbrain barrier into the hypothalamus and the posterior pituitary gland, the result can be diabetes insipidus. If the substance affects the anterior pituitary gland, the result can include hormone dysfunction, impaired immune function and altered cognition or personality. We report a patient that developed acute toxic encephalopathy after the prescribed dose of oxycodone was exceeded.

Influence on a Doctorless Island Residents' Health Care Utilization by Video Telemedicine

PURPOSE: Video telemedicine system is efficient method of health care delivery that uses communication technologies via the internet and video-conferring to provide real-time video remote health provider, patient, or both. Video telemedicine system has the potential to improve access to the specialty of emergency medicine, particularly in rural and remote settings. Inadequate maintenance of ongoing health issues can result in high-cost care for both acute illness and long-term complications, whereas prevention of even a small percentage of these costs can pay for the cost of a video telemedicine system. METHODS: We visited a doctorless island on September 8th, 2006 and studied the public health status of the citizens, making charts while giving a free medical examination and treatment. We maintained and analyzed the charts for one year and then surveyed citizens to evaluate the effectiveness of video telemedicine system and to query them regarding future remedies. RESULTS: Out of 178 cases using video telemedicine system, 99 cases were the first medical examination and 12 cases were emergent, with 7 cases resulting in transfer to a mainland hospital. Of the patients transferred to the 3rd grade hospital, 41.4% had a heart problem. Thirty-eight cases were newly diagnosed via video telemedicine system, including 12 cases of vertebral disease (31.5%). 74.0% of citizens were satisfied with the video telemedicine system and among them 45.0% indicated satisfaction with the ease of seeing a doctor. After experiencing video telemedicine system, 100% of the citizens were agreed to continue video telemedicine system on the 'doctorless island', so more support and development is needed. CONCLUSION: Evidence suggests that a variety of video telemedicine system techniques can be applied effectively and safely to deliver emergency medicine across a variety of clinical settings. The utility and efficacy of telemedicine is discussed. Patient satisfaction is generally reported as high.

Effects of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide on the Arterial Basal Tone in Renovascular Hypertensive Rats / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: Hypertension may be involved an alteration of intrinsic basal tone in vascular smooth muscle. The purpose of this study was to investigate the vasorelaxant effect of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on isolated non-contracted aorta from two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertensive rats. METHODS: 2K1C hypertension was induced by clipping the left renal artery and were used 6 weeks later. Age-matched rats receiving a sham treatment, which served as controls. The thoracic aortae were mounted in tissue baths to measure the isometric tension. RESULTS: ANP diminished basal tone in previously unstimulated thoracic aortic rings from 2K1C hypertensive rats, while it had no effect in the control rats. Endothelial destruction potentiated the vasorelaxant effect of ANP on basal tone in 2K1C rats. A similar potentiation of the ANP response was observed by pre-treatment with N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or methylene blue in aortic rings with endothelium. Treatment with calcium-free Krebs decreased basal tone and abolished ANPresponse. These effects were observed only in aortic rings from 2K1C rats. Similarly, staurosporine and calphostin C, inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), lowered basal tone and abolished ANP-response in hypertensive rats. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that ANP has a vasorelaxant effect on basal tone in 2K1C renovascular hypertension. Inhibition of ANP effects on basal tone by calcium-free Krebs and PKC antagonists suggests that altered Ca2+ -active tone is involved in hypertension, that modifies the response of vascular smooth muscle to the ANP.

Change of Surname?: An application of Y-STR Haplotyping / 대한법의학회지

Y-STR haplotyping is a powerful forensic and anthropological tool for identifying male lineages. We used high-resolution Y-STR haplotyping to evaluate the possibility of an ancestral relationship between two individuals with the different surname. Of the 17 Y-STRs genotyped, 16 had identical alleles in two individuals, except for an unambiguously sporadic mutation (one-step mutation) at DYS385 locus. The common allele 11.1 (U3Ains) at DYS439 locus was also observed in these two individuals. Sequencing analysis of these alleles of two samples demonstrated an A insertion at base 3 upstream from the repeat region's first GATA motif. These findings suggested that two individuals were paternally related, even if male individuals live with different surname.