[Association between Helicobacter pylori and gastro-esophageal reflux disease].

The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is complex. Since some studies have suggested that H.

Adolescent assault injury: risk and protective factors and locations of contact for intervention.

Background: Violence is a large contributor to morbidity and mortality among adolescents. Most studies assessing markers for violent injury are cross-sectional. To guide intervention, we conducted a case-control study to explore factors associated with assault injury and locations to reach at-risk adolescents.

Ketone and pyruvate Ringer's solutions decrease pulmonary apoptosis in a rat model of severe hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation.

Background: Resuscitation fluids containing beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) have been shown to decrease cellular injury after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation through an unknown mechanism. We tested whether this effect was related to BHB-induced metabolic modulations.

Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats (n=30) were subjected to volume-controlled hemorrhage (27 mL/kg during 10 minutes followed by 75 minutes of shock during which another 8 mL/kg of blood was withdrawn).

cDNA profiling in leukocytes exposed to hypertonic resuscitation fluids.

Background: Resuscitative fluids induce distinctive changes in leukocyte functions: incubation with colloid Dextran increases production of reactive oxygen species and adhesion, whereas exposure to hypertonic saline (HTS) inhibits "oxidative burst" and phagocytosis. In hypertonic saline Dextran (HTD), the hypertonic component determines the leukocyte functional behavior and subsequently activation response. We investigated whether leukocyte gene expression is analogously affected.

Comparative analysis of hemostatic agents in a swine model of lethal groin injury.

Background: Techniques for better hemorrhage control after injury could change outcome. A large-animal model of lethal, uncontrolled hemorrhage was developed to test whether the use of various hemostatic agents would decrease bleeding and improve early survival.

Methods: A complex groin injury was created in 30 Yorkshire swine (42-55 kg) to produce uncontrolled hemorrhage.

Human polymorphonuclear cell death after exposure to resuscitation fluids in vitro: apoptosis versus necrosis.

Background: Resuscitation fluids can have variable effects on key functions of circulating polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) such as oxidative burst, chemotaxis, and bacterial killing. We hypothesized that choice of resuscitation fluids will also affect the rate of PMN apoptosis. To test this, we studied cellular death (apoptosis and necrosis) in human PMNs after brief exposure to different hypertonic and isotonic fluids.

Battlefield casualties treated at Camp Rhino, Afghanistan: lessons learned.

Background: Operation Enduring Freedom is an effort to combat terrorism after an attack on the United States. The first large-scale troop movement (> 1,300) was made by the U.S.

Searching for the optimal resuscitation method: recommendations for the initial fluid resuscitation of combat casualties.

Resuscitation can exacerbate cellular injury caused by hemorrhagic shock, and the type of fluid used for resuscitation may play an important role in this injury. Unlike some factors in the treatment of combat casualty, the method of resuscitation is under our control. The prevention of cellular injury through wiser resuscitation strategies would be more advantageous than attempting complex immunomodulation after the damage has already occurred.

High success with nonoperative management of blunt hepatic trauma: the liver is a sturdy organ.

Hypothesis: Nonoperative management of liver injuries (NOMLI) is highly successful and rarely leads to adverse events.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: High-volume academic level I trauma center.

Increased risk of peristomal wound infection after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Background: Results of prospective studies on the effect of prophylactic antibiotics before percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy are conflicting. Factors for increased risk of peristomal wound infection have not been clearly identified.

Aim: To evaluate the incidence of complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and to determine the predictors of wound infection.

TT virus infection in patients on maintenance hemodialysis in Korea.

Background/aims: TT virus is a novel DNA virus that is associated with posttransfusion hepatitis. The prevalence, risk factors, and clinical significance of TT virus infection were evaluated in patients with chronic renal failure who are on hemodialysis.

Methodology: Nested polymerase chain reaction was used to test for TT virus DNA in the serum of patients on hemodialysis as well as in healthy controls.

Prevalence of Barrett's esophagus in an urban Korean population: a multicenter study.

Background: It had been believed that over 75% of cases of esophageal carcinoma were squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, recently, in Western countries, the incidence of SCC has decreased, while the rate of adenocarcinoma has increased dramatically, accounting for almost 50% of esophageal carcinomas. With this change, concern over Barrett's esophagus (BE) has increased.

[Prospective randomized trial of intravenous ciprofloxacin for prevention of bacterial infection in cirrhotic patients with esophageal variceal bleeding].

Background/aims: In cirrhotic patients with esophageal variceal bleeding, bacterial infections are a frequent complication. Oral antibiotic prophylaxis decreases the incidence of bacterial infections. The administration of oral antibiotics, however, may be difficult in some cirrhotic patients with active bleeding.

[Prevalence and risk factors of significant intrapulmonary shunt in cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation].

Background/aims: Hepatopulmonary syndrome is a condition of severe hypoxia with intrapulmonary shunt (IPS) in the setting of hepatic dysfunction. Liver transplantation has been suggested as a definite treatment for hepatopulmonary syndrome with reversal of IPS in some patients. Inconsistency of response and inability to predict reversibility, however, are significant problems.

Long-term stress and Helicobacter pylori infection independently induce gastric mucosal lesions in C57BL/6 mice.

Background: Long-term psychological stresses may have a role in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer. However, the interaction between stress and Helicobacter pylori infection in the development of peptic ulcer is not established. The aim of this study was to elucidate the roles of long-term stress and H.

Lumbar fractures in adult blunt trauma: axial and single-slice helical abdominal and pelvic computed tomographic scans versus portable plain films.

Background: Our hypothesis was that abdominal and pelvic computed tomographic (AP-CT) scans are equivalent to portable two-view plain films in detecting lumbar spine fractures in adults. Since many trauma patients often undergo AP-CT scanning to evaluate for possible intra-abdominal injuries, using the AP-CT scan to screen for lumbar fractures could make the trauma evaluation process more efficient.

Methods: The institutional trauma registry at a Level I trauma center was used to identify all blunt lumbar fractures during a 6-year period.

Role of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta type II receptor in gastric cancer.

Background: TGF-beta is known as a cell growth inhibitory factor to suppress almost all cells, including the epithelial cell. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells are not affected by TGF-beta growth inhibitory action and the lack of TGF-beta receptor expression or mutation is being reported as its mechanism, which is rarely studied in Korea. Therefore, we investigated this study to clarify the role of TGF-beta I and TGF-beta II receptors in gastric cancer.

Measuring esophageal distension by high-frequency intraluminal ultrasound probe.

Distension of the esophagus can cause heartburn and chest pain; however, none of the available techniques to study the esophagus measure esophageal distension. We evaluated the technique of high-frequency intraluminal ultrasound probe (HFIUS) to measure the esophageal cross-sectional area (CSA) during gastroesophageal reflux (GER). The following methods were used: 1) the CSA of agarose gel tubes of known dimensions were measured using ultrasound probes; 2) seven normal subjects were studied to evaluate the esophageal CSA during different bolus volumes (1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 ml) of water swallows (WS); and 3) simultaneous pressures, pH, and ultrasound images of the esophagus were recorded in healthy subjects.

Learning and memory is preserved after induced asanguineous hyperkalemic hypothermic arrest in a swine model of traumatic exsanguination.

Background: Induced asanguineous hypothermic metabolic arrest (suspended animation) could provide valuable time to repair major vascular injuries if safely induced in patients with trauma. We report a novel method of doing this in a swine model of uncontrolled lethal hemorrhage (ULH) that resulted in preservation of learning ability and memory.

Methods: Yorkshire swine (100 to 125 lb) underwent ULH before rapid intra-aortic infusion of a hypothermic (4 degrees C), hyperkalemic (70 mEq/L) organ preservation solution by a left thoracotomy.

Comparison of glaucomatous visual field defects using standard full threshold and Swedish interactive threshold algorithms.

Objectives: To compare the severity, size, and depth of glaucomatous visual field defects using standard full threshold (FT), Swedish interactive threshold algorithm (SITA) standard (SS), and SITA fast (SF) algorithms of the Humphrey perimeter.

Methods: A prospective observational case series of 77 patients with glaucoma performed FT, SS, and SF 30-2 white-on-white testing programs on the same day on 2 occasions for 1 month. The severity of defects was compared using the mean deviation, pattern standard deviation, Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study, and Hodapp-Anderson-Parrish severity scores.

cDNA array analysis of gene expression following hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation in rats.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to characterize gene expression following hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation with emphasis on the differences between various resuscitation strategies.

Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 25; 5/group) were subjected to a three stage hemorrhage and resuscitated as follows: (1) sham hemorrhage; (2) sham resuscitation; (3) lactated Ringer's solution (LR), 3:1 volume; (4) 7.5% hypertonic saline (HTS) 9.

Sensitivity and specificity of the Swedish interactive threshold algorithm for glaucomatous visual field defects.

Purpose: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of two new visual field algorithms in detecting glaucomatous visual field defects: (1) Swedish interactive threshold algorithm (SITA) standard and (2) SITA fast.

Design: Prospective observational case series.

Participants: Ninety normal subjects and 82 glaucoma patients.

Effects of lactated Ringer's solutions on human leukocytes.

Background: The standard lactated Ringer's (LR) solution contains racemic lactate, an equal mixture of D(-)- and L(+)-isomers. The aim of this study was to investigate whether racemic LR solution (containing both isomers, dl-LR) differs from LR containing L-isomer only (L-LR).

Methods: Blood from 20 volunteers was incubated for 30 minutes with lactated Ringer's solutions containing the DL- or L-form of lactate, Hank's balanced salt solution, normal saline, and ketone Ringer's (lactate replaced with ketone bodies).

Cytokine expression profiling in human leukocytes after exposure to hypertonic and isotonic fluids.

Background: Resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock causes profound immunologic changes. The tonicity of fluids used for resuscitation clearly influences the immune response. Our study was designed to determine whether isotonic and hypertonic fluids exert their differential effects on immune response by altering the cytokine gene profile of human leukocytes.

Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: helical CT findings and pathologic correlation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe helical CT findings of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma and to correlate them with pathologic findings.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed CT examinations of 58 patients with confirmed gastric MALT lymphomas. Using the histopathologic grade of the MALT lymphomas, we divided the patients into two groups: those with high-grade lymphoma (n = 21) and those with low-grade lymphoma (n = 37).