It has been suspected that the cannula of the ultrasonic generator became heated during liposuction, and that the heated cannula might possibly damage the soft tissues such as vessels, nerves and muscles. To confirm these suspicions, the actual temperature of the cannula was measured after being switched on, and the influence of the heated cannula on the soft tissues of 30 rabbits was studied macroscopically and microscopically. When the cooling system of ultrasonic generator was not operated, the temperature of a cannula tip increased to 100degrees C in 10 seconds, and the temperature of a cannula shaft did not increase over 40 degrees C. When the cooling system of the ultrasonic generator was operated, the temperature of the cannula tip increased to 70 degrees C in 20 seconds and to 100 degrees C in 1 minute. The stronger ultrasonic power was, the higher the temperature of the cannula tip was. When the heated cannnula tip touched the muscles, vesseles and nerves directly, the arterial and venous walls were perforated in about 20 seconds and 10 seconds, respectively. Gross changes of the muscles, such as color change and depression of the contacted area, were seen in about 30 seconds, and histological changes occurred in about 3 seconds. When adding the Klein solution, an infiltration solution for increasing the destructive effects of the ultrasound, the onset time of tissue damage was significantly shortened in vessels and nerves, but there was no significant difference in muscles. Although there was no finding of damage by the ultrasonic wave itself on the vessels, nerves, and muscles during ultrasonic liposuction, this study confirmed that the heated cannula could damage vessels, nerves, and muscles. Thus we must try to avoid placing the cannula at certain areas for more than 10 seconds douring the ultrasonic liposuction.
Catheters* ; Depression ; Hot Temperature ; Lipectomy* ; Muscles* ; Rabbits ; Ultrasonics* ; Ultrasonography

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is an uncommon, life-threatening infection of the subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia. The clinical course of NF is rapid and progressive, and it is often fatal despite the appropriate therapy. The prognosis of NF depends on a timely diagnosis and then proper treatment. At onset it may not be possible to clearly distinguish NF from minor soft-tissue infections. Although infection are common due to the use of steroids and immunosuppressive agents in patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), it is interesting that NF has rarely been reported with SLE. Here, we present two cases of NF with SLE.
Fasciitis, Necrotizing ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Prognosis ; Steroids ; Subcutaneous Tissue

OBJECTIVES: To examine bisphenol A (BPA) exposure with subjects in the manufacturing industry and to determine its correlation with metabolites according to genetic polymorphism of metabolic enzymes. METHODS: The study subjects comprised 104 workers in the manufacturing industry, 64 and 40 in the exposed and control groups, respectively. The questionnaire variablesincluded age, use of protective equipment, smoking habit and alcohol intake. Their urine samples were collected in the afternoon and urinary BPA concentration was measured by revising with the urinary creatinine concentration. The genetic polymorphism of the metabolic enzymes was examined by using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) after extracting DNA from leucocytes. RESULTS: The minimum and maximum BPA level of the exposed group during working time was 34.22 and 221.20 ng/mg, respectively. The urinary BPA concentration was significantly higher in the exposed groups than in the control group. There was no significant difference in the urinary BPA level according to genetic polymorphism of CYP1A1 and CYP2E1, but UGT1A6 showed a significant difference. In multiple regression analysis on the urinary and airborne BPA levels, UGT1A6, use of protective equipments and workplaces were significant variables. CONCLUSIONS: The urinary BPA concentration was affected by the levels to which workers were exposed during their working time and was considered to be metabolized by UGT1A6.
Benzhydryl Compounds ; Creatinine ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; DNA ; Phenols ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Questionnaires ; Smoke ; Smoking

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare disorder, characterized by increased eosinophil count and eosinophilic infiltration in gastrointestinal organ. Its etiology is unknown, but affected by parasitic infestation, collagen disorder, malignancy and allergic disorder. There have been several reports all over the world that Eustoma rotundum, Schistosomiasis, Ancylomastoma and Ascaris are the sources of parasites occurring eosinophilic gastroenteritis. But the reports on Metagonimus yokogawai have not presented yet. We experienced a case of metagonimiasis with a presentation of small bowel perforation by eosinophilic enteritis. A 35-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of epigastric pain. Six months ago, she had been treated as metagonimiasis. This time she took antiparasitic agent again, but abdominal pain was aggravated and perforation of small bowel was detected. The pathologic finding of resected small bowel showed perforation and obstruction with diffuse and dense eosinophilic infiltration.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Ascaris ; Collagen ; Enteritis ; Eosinophils* ; Female ; Gastroenteritis* ; Heterophyidae ; Humans ; Parasites ; Schistosomiasis ; Trematode Infections*

Electrocardiographic abnormalities commonly associated with hypopituitarism are low QRS voltage, ST-segment depression, inverted T waves and a prolonged QT interval. Although the mechanism remains unclear, glucocorticoid therapy, an intracelluar-extracellular electrolyte imbalance of myocytes, and histopathological changes in the myocardium are thought to play a role in this disorder. We discribe a 64 year old woman with recurrent ventricular tachycardia associated with QT prolongation in Sheehan's syndrome. Ventricualr tachycardia was treated by lidocain and direct current cardioversion. Sheehan's syndrome was confirmed by past history, anterior pituirary stimulation test and brain MRI showed empty sella. After hormone replacement treatment, inverted T waves and prolonged QT interval was normalized and ventricular tachycardia did not recur.
Brain ; Depression ; Electric Countershock ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Hypopituitarism* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Cells ; Myocardium ; Tachycardia ; Tachycardia, Ventricular*

Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) is a metalloprotease that cleaves SNAP-25 (synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa), a specific cellular protein essential for neurotransmitter release. As well as mouse bioassay to detect BoNT/A, various assay methods based on its endopeptidase activity have been developed. In this study, we tried to develop a BoNT/A assay system using recombinant SNAP-25 with glutathione S-transferase (GST) tags at both termini as substrate. The recombinant GST-SNAP-25-GST with 70 kDa was expressed and purified in E. coli and synthesized N-terminal 50 kDa and C-terminal 25 kDa fragment after cleavage at the Gln(197)-Arg(198) bond by BoNT/A. To detect both fragments, we obtained rabbit antisera against peptides corresponding to the cleaved ends of each fragment. In the western blotting, the N-terminal fragment was detected by the antibody specifically recognizing the newly exposed C-terminus (corresponding to amino acid residue 191-197). This assay system was able to detect until 3.125 ng of BoNT/A, which corresponded to about 90 fold LD50 in mice. These results suggest that the in vitro endopeptidase assay developed in this study would replace others to detect BoNT/A.
Animals ; Biological Assay ; Blotting, Western ; Glutathione Transferase ; Immune Sera ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Mice ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Peptides

Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) is a metalloprotease that cleaves SNAP-25 (synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa), a specific cellular protein essential for neurotransmitter release. As well as mouse bioassay to detect BoNT/A, various assay methods based on its endopeptidase activity have been developed. In this study, we tried to develop a BoNT/A assay system using recombinant SNAP-25 with glutathione S-transferase (GST) tags at both termini as substrate. The recombinant GST-SNAP-25-GST with 70 kDa was expressed and purified in E. coli and synthesized N-terminal 50 kDa and C-terminal 25 kDa fragment after cleavage at the Gln(197)-Arg(198) bond by BoNT/A. To detect both fragments, we obtained rabbit antisera against peptides corresponding to the cleaved ends of each fragment. In the western blotting, the N-terminal fragment was detected by the antibody specifically recognizing the newly exposed C-terminus (corresponding to amino acid residue 191-197). This assay system was able to detect until 3.125 ng of BoNT/A, which corresponded to about 90 fold LD50 in mice. These results suggest that the in vitro endopeptidase assay developed in this study would replace others to detect BoNT/A.
Animals ; Biological Assay ; Blotting, Western ; Glutathione Transferase ; Immune Sera ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Mice ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Peptides

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the autoantibody profile and its clinical association in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. METHODS: The frequency and clinical correlation of autoantibodies were studied in 73 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who have been followed in Seoul National University Hospital. Double immunodiffusion, ELISA and immunoblot were used for the detection of autoantibodies. RESULTS: The frequency of each autoantibody measured by double immunodif fusion was as follows; anti-Ro 53.4%, anti-La 11.0%, anti-Sm 20.5%, anti-U1 RNP 20.5%. The frequency of each autoantibody by ELISA was as follows; anti-Ro 69.9%, anti-La 27.4%, anti-Sm 54.8%, anti-Ul RNP 68.5%, anti-dsDNA 72.6%, anti-cardiolipin 47.2% (IgG 43.1?0, igM 15. 3%). The frequency of each autoantibody by immunoblot was as follows; anti-Ro 15.1?0, anti-La 42. 5%, anti-Sm 46. 6%, anti-U1 RNP 42. 5%. anti-ribosomal P(P0) 27.4%. Anti-Ro was associated with decreased frequency of nephrotic syndrome. Anti-U1 RNP was associated with increased frequency of malar rash, Raynaud phenomenon and decreased frequency of nephritis. Patients with both anti-Ro and anti La had more frequent serositis than those with anti-l~o only. Patients with both anti-Sm and anti-U1 RNP had less frequent thrombocytopenia than those with anti-U1 RNP only. And patients with anti-Sm and anti-dsDNA had more frequent arthritis than those with only one of both antibodies. There was a positive correlation of autoantibody titers between anti-Ro and anti-La, anti-Sm and anti-U1 RNP, anti-dsDNA and anti-cardiolipin(IgG). Taking the result of immunoblot as a standard, both of double immunodiffusion and ELISA showed low sensitivity but high specficity for anti La. As for anti-Sm and anti-U1 RNP, double immunodiffusion showed low sensitivity but high specificity, whereas ELISA showed high sensitivity but low specificity. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, some autoantibodies (anti-Ro, anti-U1 RNP) were associated with certain clinical manifestations while others not. Immunoblot being used as a standard method, ELISA showed higher sensitivity but lower specificity for anti-La, anti-Sm and anti-U1 RNP compared with immunodiffusion. It is recommended that in interpretating the laboratory findings of these autoantibodies these parameters of each method should be considered.
Antibodies ; Arthritis ; Autoantibodies ; Blotting, Western* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay* ; Exanthema ; Humans ; Immunodiffusion* ; Immunoglobulin M ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Nephritis ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Raynaud Disease ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Seoul ; Serositis ; Thrombocytopenia

BACKGROUND: In oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production contributes to cellular dysfunction and initiates the apoptotic cascade. Autophagy is considered the mechanism that decreases ROS concentration and oxidative damage. Propofol shows antioxidant properties, but the mechanisms underlying the effect of propofol preconditioning (PPC) on oxidative injury remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated whether PPC protects against cell damage from hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress and influences cellular autophagy. METHOD: COS-7 cells were randomly divided into the following groups: control, cells were incubated in normoxia (5% CO₂, 21% O₂, and 74% N₂) for 24 h without propofol; H₂O₂, cells were exposed to H₂O₂ (400 µM) for 2 h; PPC + H₂O₂, cells pretreated with propofol were exposed to H₂O₂; and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) + PPC + H₂O₂, cells pretreated with 3-MA (1 mM) for 1 h and propofol were exposed to H₂O₂. Cell viability was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide thiazolyl blue (MTT) reduction. Apoptosis was determined using Hoechst 33342 staining and fluorescence microscopy. The relationship between PPC and autophagy was detected using western blot analysis. RESULTS: Cell viability decreased more significantly in the H₂O₂ group than in the control group, but it was improved by PPC (100 µM). Pretreatment with propofol effectively decreased H₂O₂-induced COS-7 cell apoptosis. However, pretreatment with 3-MA inhibited the protective effect of propofol during apoptosis. Western blot analysis showed that the level of autophagy-related proteins was higher in the PPC + H₂O₂ group than that in the H2O2 group. CONCLUSION: PPC has a protective effect on H₂O₂-induced COS-7 cell apoptosis, which is mediated by autophagy activation.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Autophagy* ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Survival ; COS Cells* ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Methods ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Oxidative Stress ; Propofol* ; Reactive Oxygen Species