• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제25권6호
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• pp.650-660
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• 1992

To elucidate a potential contribution of endotheline-1[ET-1] to the genesis of pulmonary hypertension and postoperative pulmonary hypertensive crisis in the patients with heart disease, we measured plasma levels of the ET-1 during perioperative period of open heart surgery. In addition, we examined changes of ET-1 during perioperative period and correlations between ET-1 levels and hemodynamic variables. 12 patients including 5 acquired heart disease and 7 congenital heart disease patients were selected randomly as a study group, Group A and B, respectively. 6 patients proved not having heart or hemodynamic problem were selected as a control, Group C. 110 blood samples from pulmonary artery[ET-P] and radial artery[ET-S] were taken and assayed by Sep-pak extraction and RIA. ET-1 levels of Group A were ET-P, 3.94$\pm$5.31pg /ml, ET-S, 3.10$\pm$2.90pg/ml[p>0.05], Group B were ET-P, 1.63$\pm$0.62pg/ml, ET-S, 1.99$\pm$2.45pg/ml[p>0.05], Group C were ET-P, 1.97$\pm$2.02pg/ml, ET-S, 1.72$\pm$0.77pg/ml[p>0.05]. There were no statistically significant differences of ET-1 levels among the Group A, B, C[p>0.05]. There was no correlation between pulmonary artery pressure[PAP] and ET-1 level[p>0.05], and ET-1 levels were not increased even in the cases of pulmonary hypertensive criwis or low cardiac output syndrome, whereas significant correlation between ET-S and pulmonary vascular res-istance[Rp] [r=0.36, p<0.05], and negative correlation between ET-S and OS saturation of pulmonary artery[OS-P][r= -0.49, p<0.01] were identified. Another significant finding was peak increase of ET-1 levels in the postoperative period 1 hour[p<0.05] and then gra-dualy decrease through the postoperative period. In conclusion, ET-1 has no correlation with PAP, whereas correlation with Rp, and inverse correlation with OS-P. It is suggested that ET-1 is neither the direct causative substance of pulmonary hypertension nor pulmonary vasospasm but there must be increased production of ET-1 in chronic pulmonary hypertensive state. Counter-regulatory mechanism to ET-1 is speculated during the pulmonary vasospasm.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제51권3호
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• pp.363-367
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• 2013

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in birds has epidemiological significance because birds are indeed considered as a good indicator of environmental contamination by T. gondii oocysts. In this study, the prevalence of T. gondii in 313 house sparrows in Lanzhou, northwestern China was assayed by the modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies to T. gondii were positive in 39 (12.46%) of 313 samples (MAT titer ${\geq}$ 1:5). Tissues of heart, brain, and lung from the 39 seropositive house sparrows were tested for T. gondii DNA, 11 of which were found to be positive for the T. gondii B1 gene by PCR amplification. These positive DNA samples were typed at 9 genetic markers, including 8 nuclear loci, i.e., SAG1, 5'- and 3'-SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, GRA6, L358, PK1, c22-8 and an apicoplast locus Apico. Of them, 4 isolates were genotyped with complete data for all loci, and 2 genotypes (Type II variants; ToxoDB #3 and a new genotype) were identified. These results showed that there is a potential risk for human infection with T. gondii in this region. To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. gondii seroprevalence in house sparrows in China.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제42권1호
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• pp.9-18
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• 2017

Objectives: This study evaluated color differences (${\Delta}Es$) and translucency parameter changes (${\Delta}TPs$) of various computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) blocks after immersion in coffee. Materials and Methods: Eight CAD/CAM blocks and four restorative composite resins were evaluated. The CIE $L^{\ast}a^{\ast}b^{\ast}$ values of 2.0 mm thick disk-shaped specimens were measured using the spectrophotometer on white and black backgrounds (n = 6). The ${\Delta}Es$ and ${\Delta}TPs$ of one day, one week, and one month immersion in coffee or water were calculated. The values of each material were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparisons (${\alpha}=0.05$). The ${\Delta}Es$ after prophylaxis paste polishing of 1 month coffee immersion specimens, water sorption and solubility were also evaluated. Results: After one month in coffee, ${\Delta}Es$ of CAD/CAM composite resin blocks and restorative composites ranged from 1.6 to 3.7 and from 2.1 to 7.9, respectively, and ${\Delta}TPs$ decreased. The ANOVA of ${\Delta}Es$ and ${\Delta}TPs$ revealed significant differences in two main factors, immersion periods and media, and their interaction except for ${\Delta}Es$ of TEL (Telio CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent). The ${\Delta}Es$ significantly decreased after prophylaxis polishing except GRA (Gradia Block, GC). There was no significant correlation between ${\Delta}Es$ and water sorption or solubility in water. Conclusions: The ${\Delta}Es$ of CAD/CAM blocks after immersion in coffee varied among products and were comparable to those of restorative composite resins. The discoloration of CAD/CAM composite resin blocks could be effectively removed with prophylaxis paste polishing, while that of some restorative composites could not be removed.