No abstract available.
Aged* ; Asthma* ; Humans

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.
Rhinitis*

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*

Asthma*

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

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary exercise test is a useful test for the evaluation of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Obese subjects have an increased resting metabolic rate (VO2) compared to non-obese subjects and the increase is more marked during dynamic exercise, which results in the limitation of maximal exercise in obese subjects. In this study, the influence of the obesity and fat distribution on the maximal exercise capacity were evaluated. METHODS: Maximal exercise capacity was represented by maximam maximum oxygen uptake and VO2 max in the cardiopulmonary test. Obesity, total fat content and abdominal obesity(waist to hip ratio, WHR) were measured by bioelectrical impedence method. Total of 42 volunteers(male 22, female 20) were evaluated. RESULTS: 1) Weight to height ratio(mean±SD) was 110%±14.9% in men and 100±11.1% in women. 2) Fat ratio(mean±SD) was 23.3±5.2% in men and 27.55±3.9% in woman. 3) Waist to hip ratio(mean±SD) was 0.85±0.04 in men and 0.8±0.03 in woman. 4) In men, VO2max/min/Kg was negatively correlate with obesity, fat ratio, and abdominal fat distribution. 5) In woman, VO2max/Kg was negatively correlated with obesity and fat ratio, but did not show significant relationship with abdominal fat distribution. CONCLUSION: Obesity was a limiting factor for maximal exercise in both men and women. Abdominal obesity was a limiting factor for maximal exercise in men but its implication to women needs further evaluation.
Abdominal Fat ; Exercise Test* ; Female ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Oxygen ; Respiratory System