The histogenesis of the myofibroblast continues to be a controversial issue. The most popular view is that the myofibroblast is derived directly from the fibroblast. The important role of myofibroblasts in the synthesis of collagen and in wound contraction was demonstrated initially in granulation tissue in experimental animals. Four settings are recognized in which myofibroblasts are the principal proliferative cells: reparative responses, pseudoneoplastic disorders, stromal response to neoplasia, and true neoplasms, both benign and malignant. To identify of fibroblastic cells with smooth muscle differentiation features in the nonneoplastic and neoplastic lesions, we examined a variety of histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features of 7 cases of granulation tissue, 7 of hypertrophic scar, 10 of chronic persistent hepatitis, 10 of chronic active hepatitis, 7 of liver cirrhosis, 7 of fibromatosis, 42 of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, 14 of microinvasive carcinoma, 14 of invasive carcinoma, 7 of fibroma, 20 of fibrosarcoma and 72 of malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Antibodies against alpha-smooth muscle actin and desmin were used in a biotin-streptavidin procedures. The results of immunohistochemical and electron microscopical examinations yielded virtually identical findings. The identification of fibroblastic cells with smooth muscle cell differentiation features in the desmoplastic reactions of carcinomas, fibroma, fibrosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma offers also novel diagnostic and prognostic perspectives, that might help in evaluating preneoplastic lesions and malignant lesions. So degree of proliferative myofibroblasts was helpful diagnostic aid in differentiation of chronic persistent hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis and liver cirrhosis.
Animals

The aim of the present investigation has been to evaluate the depletion pattern of the supercompensated glycogen of hindlimb muscles during strenous exercise in rats. The plan of the maximizing muscle glycogen stores is based on the fact that a glycogen-depleted muscle by exercise will have an increased avidity for glycogen when exposed to a high carbohydrate diet. The glycogen concentration of soleus, red gastrocnemius and plantaris muscle, and liver was measured at 0, 30 and 60 minutes during treadmill exercise. The experimental animals were divided into 5 group - Normal(N), Control(C), 1Hour(1HR:after 1hour of glucose ingestion), 2Hour(2HR:after 2hour of glucose ingestion) and Exercise-1Hour(EX-1HR:glucose ingestion after 1 hour of preloading treadmill exercise)group - for glycogen storage study. The glycogen concentration of soleus, red gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles in N group was 4.57+/-0.34, 5.11+/-0.24 and 6.55+/-0.20 mg/gm wet wt., respectively. The glycogen concentration of soleus and red gastrocnemius in EX-1HR group were about 1.9 and 1.8 times than that of N group, respectively, but the concentration of plantaris was not higher than that of N group. The glycogen concentration of liver in N group was 41.0+/-1.47mg/gm wet wt. and the concentration of the overnight fasted C group wad only 2.9% of the value of N group. The level of glycogen concentration of liver in the other glucose ingested groups(1HR, 2HR, including EX-1HR) was within 19 - 32% of that of N group. The blood glucose concentration of EX-1HR group was higher than that of N group, the plasma free fatty acid concentration of C and 2HR group was higher than that of N group, and the plasma insulin concentration of EX-1HR group was higher than that of N group. The concentration of supercompensated glycogen of soleus and red gastrocnemius were rapidly decreased during 30 minutes of exercise but there was almost no changes of the concentration during the other 30 minutes of continuing exercise. The concentration of N group during 30 minutes of exercise was decreased but more slowly than those of EX-1HR group. The remaining level of glycogen after 60 minutes of exercise in EX-1HR group was higher than that of N group. Taken together, the mobilization of endogenous muscle glycogen at the first stage of exercise was proportioned to the intial level of glycogen concentration, and later on, when exercise continued, the muscle glycogen level was stabilized. And the remaining level of supercompensated muscle glycogen after 60 minutes of exercise was higher than that of normally stored glycogen level. The mobilization of the glycogen stroed in slow and fast oxidative muscle fibers is faster than in the fast glycolytic muscle fibers during strenous exercise.
Animals

Insulin resistance is a prominent feature of diabetic state and has heterogeneous nature. However, the pathogenetic sequence of events leading to the emergence of the defect in insulin action remains controversial. It is well-known that prolonged hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia are one of the causes of development of insulin resistance, but both hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia stimulate glucose uptake in peripheral tissue. Therefore, it is hypothesized that insulin resistance may be generated by a kind of protective mechanism preventing cellular hypertrophy. In this study, to evaluate whether the acutely increased glucose uptake inhibits further glucose transport stimulated by insulin, insulin sensitivity was measured after preloaded glucose infusion for 2 hours at various conditions in rats. And also, to evaluate the mechanism of decreased insulin sensitivity, insulin receptor binding affinity and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein of plasma membrane of gastrocnemius muscle were assayed after hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp studies. Experimental animals were divided into five groups according to conditions of preloaded glucose infusion: group I, basal insulin (14+/-1.9 micronU/ml) and basal glucose (75+/-0.7 mg/dl), by normal saline infusion; group II, normal insulin (33+/-3.8 micronU/ml) and hyperglycemia (207+/-6.3 mg/dl), by somatostatin and glucose infusion; group III, hyperinsulinemia (134+/-34.8 micronU/ml) and hyperglycemia (204+/-4.6 mg/dl), by glucose infusion; IV, supramaximal insulin (100+/-2.2 mg/dl), by insulin and glucose infusion; group V, supramaximal insulin(4813+/-687.9 micronU/ml) and hyperglycemia (233+/-3.1 mg/dl), by insulin and glucose infusion. Insulin sensitivity was assessed with hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp technique. The amounts of preloaded glucose infusion(gm/kg) were 1.88+/-0.151 in group II, 2.69+/-0.239 in group III, 3.54+/-0.198 in groupIV, and 4.32+/-0.621 in group V. Disappearance rates of glucose (Rd, mg/kg/min) at steady state of hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp studies were 16.9+/-3.88 in group I, 13.5+/-1.05 in group II, 11.2+/-1.17 in group III, 13.2+/-2.05 in group IV, and 10.4+/-1.01 in group V. A negative correlation was observed between amount of preloaded glucose and Rd )r=-0.701, p<0.001) when all studies were combined. Insulin receptor binding affinity and content of GLUT4 were not significantly different in all experimental groups. These results suggest that increased glucose uptake may inhibit further glucose transport and lead to decreased insulin sensitivity.
Animals

The apoptosis, a distinctive type of individual cell necrosis, has been considered to play a complementary but opposite role to mitosis in the regulation of animal cell populations. It can be initiated or inhibited by a variety of environmental stimuli, physiologically and pathologically. Apoptosis seems to appear in either non-neoplastic or neoplastic tissues, even malignant tumors in the state of untreatment or irradiation. This study was carried out to investigate the spontaneous occurrence of apoptosis in squamous carcinomas of the uterine cervix and its mechanisms. Light microscopically, noted were the condensation and fragmentation of individual tumor cells with formation of apoptotic bodies that were frequently phagocytosed by nearby intact tumor cells. They were commonly seen in the neighbourhood of coagulative necrosis. Electron microscopically (TEM and SEM), noted were nuclear condensation, margination toward the nuclear membrane and fragmentation of membrane-bounded apoptotic bodies that were well preserved. The intracellular apoptotic bodies were phagosomes and reduced to electron-dense lysosomal residual bodies. The conclusion obtained was as follow: Apoptosis was found in all cases of squamous carcinoma of the uterine cervix, of which the frequency was higher in tumors of poor differentiation than those of well to moderate differentiation. The process of the apoptosis is considered to pass through the step of formation of the apoptotic bodies, phagocytosis by adjoining tumor cells or histiocytes, and then degradation as lysosmal residual bodies.
Animals

PURPOSE: We assessed the impact of using a porcine model on the training of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy(LPN) and compared the training effectiveness between surgeons with and without previous laparoscopic experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surgeon A had previous laparoscopic experience, with the exception of LPN, while surgeon B had no prior laparoscopic experience. A tumor model was created by subcapsular injection of liquid plastic(Smooth-Cast 320) in the kidney. We recorded the total operation time, the bowel dissection time, the renal pedicle dissection time, the warm ischemic time, the mass resection time, the suture time, and the presence of major complications for each surgeon. RESULTS: The mean operation time was significantly shorter for surgeon A compared to surgeon B(49.1+/-4.5 and 63.6+/-8.4 minutes, respectively, p<0.001). Although the mass resection time was significantly shorter for surgeon A as well, there were no significant differences between the two surgeons in terms of warm ischemia time and suture time. As the training progressed, surgeon B improved in all surgical steps and surgeon A showed improvement in time for warm ischemia and suturing the defect. Five complications occurred(two cases by surgeon A and three cases by surgeon B). CONCLUSIONS: A porcine model improved the skills needed for LPN, including shortening the warm ischemia and suture times. LPN is a procedure requiring technically-demanding skills that can be improved by training using a animal model, regardless of the previous laparoscopic experiences.
Animals

The purpose of this study is to evaluate histologic result of bone substituting material on defects followed tooth extraction. We compare the histologic findings control, DFDBA, Bio-Oss(R), and Regenafil(TM), Briefly, mandibular premolar teeth were extracted available for bone filling. All alveolar sites were checked after extraction and thoroughly debrided with a dental curet to remove the periodontal ligament. Extraction sites were prepared dehiscence on buccal side 7mm height from alveolar crest. The graft materials were filled into the extraction socket and dehiscenc defects. The animals were sacrificed 12 weeks after implantation. Both treated and control mandibular sites were histologically evaluated with light microscopy. Histologic observation at 12 weeks revealed that control and experimental sites were healed uneventfully and directly apposed to new bone without any adverse tissue reaction. DFDBA and Bio-Oss(R) sites maintain width of alveolar crest but were not fully resorbed. Regenafil(TM) sites also maintain width and particles were resorbed more than other graft materials. From this results, it was suggested that Regenafil(TM) is promising boen substituting materials maintaining the width of alveolar crest and height follewed tooth extraction.
Animals

The cholestasis are defined as blockade or secretory distrubance of bile and appearance of bile in hepatocytes, Kupffer cells and biliary passages, usually associated with dilated bile canaliculi. Intra-and extraheptic cholestasis were induced by 17-ethinyl estradiol, or chlorpromazine hydrochloride and by ligation of bile duct to investigate the mechanism of the hepatic injury, ultrastructural changes of liver and alterations of liver function. The results obtained were as follows. 1) Functional and histological changes of intra-and extrahepatic cholestasis differed in various experimental groups. The liver weight is increased in 17-ethinyl estradiol treated group and ligation of bile duct group (5.6+/-0.15, P<0.001, 5.3+/-0.19 gm/100 gm body weight, P<0.001). The common features of intra-and extrahepatic cholestasis were double membrane bounded amorphous vesicular material infiltrations in the cytoplasm of hepatocyte, partial loss of microvilli of bile canaliculi, anf focal thickening of pericanalicular ectoplasm on electron microscopy. 2) Intrahepatic cholestasis induced by 17-ethinyl estradiol show significantly increased serum level of alkaline phosphatase and total bile aicd (134.0+/-16.82 IU/L, 29.5+/-4.68 umol/l). Kupffer cell proliferation and focal cytoplasmic degradation with myelin figures are characteristic features on electron microscopy. Chlorpromazine hydrochloride induced intrahepatic cholestasis show increased serum level of AST, ALT, Cholesterol and bilirubin (156.9+/-11.32, 49.0+/-2.83 IU/L, 59.3+/-6.73 mg/dl, 1.8+/-.043 mg/dl). Inflammatory cell infiltration, chiefly lymphocytes and esoinophils are seen in periportal area. Prominent vesiculation and vacuolations of smooth endoplasmic reticulum are characteristic feature on electron microscopy. 3) Extrahepatic cholestasis induced by ligation of bile duct show increase serum level of AST, ALT, GGT, cholesterol, total bile acid, and bilirubin (290.2+/-50.24, 171.5+/-47.17, 159.3+/-24.54, 33.7+/-1.47 IU/L, 86.6+/-9.18 mg/dl, 246.6+/-27.34 umol/l, 13.9+/-0.83 mg/dl). Light microscopically, morphologic alterations are feathery degeneration of hepatocytes, proliferation of bile ducts, bile infarct and prominent intracytoplasmic lipid droplets. Electron microscopically, electron dense acidophilic body, bile casts and complete loss of microvilli are seen in dilated bile canaliculi. Also noted are hypertrophy of cannalicular ectoplasm. Finely granular materials are infiltrated in degenerative cytoplasm.
Rats ; Animals

The increased susceptibility in patients of chronic renal failure to infection has been reported to be attributed to defects in granulocyte and lymphocyte function and proliferative activity of hematopoietic cells. The definite cause of the frequent infection in uremic patients, however, is still controversial. The effect of uremic plasma on the aspect of the hematopoietic cells has been scarcely been studied. In the present study, mouse bone marrow was cultured with uremic plasma, to evaluate the effect of uremic plasma on the proliferative activity and morphological features of CFU-GM. The results obtained were as follows. 1) The number of colonies in group co-cultured with uremic plasma was more reduced than that of normal plasma group. 2) There was no difference between the group cultured with predialytic uremic plasma and that of postdialytic plasma in number of colonies, macroclusters and microclusters. 3) The forms of colony were granulocytic and monocytic forms at 5 day of culture. Electron microscopically, granulocytes disclosed electron dense azurophilic granules and electrolucent specific granules in the cytoplasm, and monocyte showed numerous vesicles and vacuoles in the cytoplasm which had finger-like projections. 4) The molecular weight of inhibitory factor in the uremic plasma was supposed to be less than 50,000 daltons.
Mice ; Animals

An experimental of Vibrio vulnificus infection has been performed with the intravenous, subcutaneous and oral inoculation of Vibrio vulnificus into ICR mice. The results are as follows: 1) The LD50 of the intravenous, subcutaneous and oral inoculation of Vibrio vulnificus were 1.6x10(7) cells/ml, 4.0x10(7) cells/ml, and 2.5x10(9) cells/ml, respectively. 2) In the experimental group without treatment with CC14, the survival rates for intravenous inoculation were 100% (1/2 LD50), 39.1% (LD50), and 8.3% (2 LD50). The survival rates for subcutaneous inoculation groups were 100% (1/2 LD50), 46.9% (LD50), and 18.8% (2 LD50). And the survival rates for oral inoculation groups were 100% (1/2 LD50), 53.1% (LD50), and 43.8% (2 LD50). 3) In those treated with CC14 0.05 ml, the survival rates for intravenous inoculation groups were 43.8% (1/2 LD50), 29.1% (LD50), 0% (2 LD50). The survival rates for subcutaneous inoculation groups were 59.4% (1/2 LD50), 40.6% (LD50), and 9.4% (2 LD50). The survival rates for oral inoculation groups were 68.8% (1/2 LD50), 46.9% (LD50), and 18.8% (2 LD50). In those treated with CC14 0.1 ml, the survival rates for intravenous inoculation groups were 25.0% (1/2 LD50), 10.4% (LD50), and 0% (2 LD50). The survival rates for subcutaneous inoculation groups were 43.8% (1/2 LD50), 21.9% (LD50), 0% (2 LD50). The survival rates for oral inoculation groups were 50.0% (1/2 LD50), 37.5% (LD50), and 0% (2 LD50). 4) Liver, lungs, meninges and brain, kidneys, heart, gastrointestinal tract and spleen showed septic inflammatory findings. Their degree of inflammation were different according to the severity of hepatic damage and the inoculum size.
Mice ; Animals

The dried yeast (Saccharomyces ceaerevisiae) containing 500mg selenium/g was used in this study. The rabbits received yeast solution containing Selenium with doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg b.w per os daily in a course of 30 days consecutive. The experimental results showed that this selenium solution with above doses did not change significantly serum Transaminase, Cholesterol, Bilirubin and creatinin levels in comparison with the control group which received the solvent only. This solution did not damage the grossanatomy of liver, kidney, adrenal gland, pancreas, heart, lung and gastrointestine, but it damaged slightly the microstructure of liver and kidney of about 31% rabbits administrated selenium in doses of 20 and 40mg/kg b.w.
Selenium ; Animals