No abstract available.
Rhinitis*

In addition to classic cholinergic and adrenergic pathways, the existence of a third division of autonomic control in the human airways has been proved. It is called a nonadrenergic noncholinergic(NANC) nervous system and difficult to study in the absence of specific blockers. Neuropeptides are certainly suggested to be transmitters of this NANC nervous system. It is very frustrating to understand the pathophysiologic role of these peptides in the absence of any specific antagonists. However, further studies of neuropeptides might eventually lead to novel forms of treatment for bronchial asthma. Another study of the interaction between different components of the autonomic nervous system, either in ganglionic neurotransmission or by presynaptic modulation of neurotransmitters at the end-organ will elute neural control in airway disease, particularly in asthma. Studies of how autonomic control may be disordered in airway disease should lead to improvements in clinical management. Epithelial damage due to airway inflammation in asthma may induce bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Axon reflex mechanism is one of possible mechanisms in bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Epithelial damage may expose sensory nerve terminals and C-fiber nrve endings are stimulated by inflammatory mediators. Bi-directional communication between the nerves and mast cells may have important roles in allergic process. The psychological factors and conditioning of allergic reactions is suggested that mast cell activation might be partly regulated by the central nervous system via the peripheral nerves. Studies in animal models, in huamn airways in vitro and in patients with airway disease will uncover the interaction between allergic disease processes and psychologic factors or neural mechainsms.
Asthma* ; Autonomic Nervous System ; Axons ; Central Nervous System ; Ganglion Cysts ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Inflammation ; Mast Cells ; Models, Animal ; Nervous System ; Neuropeptides ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Peptides ; Peripheral Nerves ; Psychology ; Reflex ; Synaptic Transmission

No abstract available.
Aged* ; Asthma* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Asthma*

No abstract available.
Asthma*

Cutaneous metastases from internal malignancy are relatively rare. Three cases of cutaneous metastases, two from lung cancer and one from breast cancer are reported. Case 1-cutaneous metastasis from bronchioloalveolar carcinoma of the lung, where four erythematous to pinkish pea sized smooth surfaced nodules on the scalp were noticed for 2 years in a 48-year-old man. Case 2-cutaneous metastasis from adenocarcmoma of the lung, where two hard tender freely movable subcutaneous nodules, about 3 cm in diameter on the lateral chest wall were noticed for 6 months in a 61-year-old woman. Case 3-cutaneous metastasis from infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the right breast, where a hand, violaceous, non-tender plaque (8×6.5 cm) on the right areolar area was noticed for 4 months in a 47-year-old woman.
Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Peas ; Scalp ; Thoracic Wall

No abstract available.
Drug Therapy*

Leser-Trelat sign is characterized by the sudden appearance and rapid increase in number and size of seborrheic keratoses associated with an internal malignancy. A 78-year-old woman showed multiple pea to bean sized dark brownish papules and plsques on the trunk. Skin lesions had appeared suddenly since 5 months ago and then rapidly increased in number and size. The histopathologic exsmination of the skin lesions revealed seborrheic keratoses. The chest roentgenogram revealed the mass shadow on the right hilar region and transbronchial lung biopsy revealed small cell carcinoma.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Small Cell* ; Female ; Humans ; Keratosis, Seborrheic ; Lung* ; Peas ; Skin ; Thorax

Asthma*

PURPOSE:The purpose of this study is to assess the pulmonary airway reactivity in asthmatic patients directly and noninvasively by using high-resolution CT(HRCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 130 bronchial luminal areas were measured by HRCT in 16 asthmatic patients before and after inhalation of bronchodilator (Salbutamol sulfate). The change of bronchial luminal area on HRCT was analyzed and correlated with the change of forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1) on pulmonary function test in each patient. RESULTS: The mean percentage of increase in luminal areas of the 130 bronchi after bronchodilator inhalation was 95.4 +/- 103.3%. The group with the smallest luminal areas (lesser than 1.35mm2) was more sensitively increased in area than the group with the largest areas (equal or larger than 3.72 mm2) ;183.5% versus 63.5%. The mean percentage of increase in FEV1 was 21.7% and there was no statistically significant correlation between the increased degrees of luminal areas and that of FEV1(r=-0.04). CONCLUSION:We can measure the bronchial luminal area directly and noninvasively with HRCT and can also estimate the degree of airway reactivity in asthmatic patient by measuring of the changes of bronchial luminal areas after administration of bronchodilator.
Asthma* ; Bronchi ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Phenobarbital ; Respiratory Function Tests