No abstract available.
Fetus* ; Humans* ; Mesencephalon* ; Serotonergic Neurons*

BACKGROUND: Coronary blood flow shows phasic and diastolic dominant flow pattern in normal coronary artery, which can be changed in coronary artery stenosis. We measured and analysed coronary blood flow velocity by Doppler-tipped guidewire to clarify the change of flow pattern in the proximal and distal segments of coronary narrowings. METHODS: Coronary flow velocity were measured by 0.018 or 0.014 inch Doppler-tipped guidewire in 14 paients, 17 sites(LCS 11, RCA 6) in the proximal and distal segment of coronary narrowings, during coronary angiography or coronary angioplasty after bolus intracoronary infusion of 20microg nitroglycerine. Coronary flow reserve also measured after adenosine intracoronary infusion(LCA 12gmicrog, RCA 6microg). Perent stenosis of coronary artery was measured by digital cailper in 2 different projections and averaged. RESULTS: 1) The was no significant correlation between percent stenosis and proximal distal velocity ratio(P/D) ration(r=0.56. P>0.05). 2) Average peak velocity(APV, cm/sec) and diastolic artery, respectively(p<0.01) Distal APV was significantly lower than proximal APV(p<0.01) but DSVR showed no significant difference(P>0.01). 3) Coronary flow reserve(CFR) was significantly lower in significant coronary stenotic patients compared to insignificant stenotic patients(1.8 vs 3.6, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Coronary flow velocity measurement by Doppler dipped guidewire gave us physiologic information. We think it could be used as an important tool to assess the significance of the intermediate coronary narrowings and the effect of conorary angioplasty.
Adenosine ; Angioplasty ; Arteries ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Stenosis ; Coronary Vessels* ; Humans ; Nitroglycerin

BACKGROUND: In early phase of peritonitis, mononuclear cells as well as polymorphonuclear leukocytes migrate rapidly into peritoneal cavity. For the migration of mononuclear cells, the expression of VCAM-1 on peritoneal mesothelial cells is important. In this study, we investigated the effect of TGF-beta1 on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or interleukin-1beta(IL-1beta) induced VCAM-1 expression in the cultured HPMCs. METHODS: HPMCs were cultured in the presence of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and/or TGF-beta1. VCAM-1 mRNA level was measured by Northern blot. VCAM-1 in total cell lysate and VCAM-1 expressed on cell surface were measured by Western blot and cellular ELISA, respectively. RESULTS: Incubation of the cultured HPMCs with TNF-alpha (10 ng/mL) or IL-1beta (1 ng/mL) caused an increased level of VCAM-1 mRNA, VCAM-1 protein in total cell lysate, and VCAM-1 expressed on cell surface. This stimulatory effects of TNF-alpha or IL- 1beta were inhibited by TGF-beta1 (0.1, 1, 10 ng/mL), dose-dependently. The level of VCAM-1 mRNA, VCAM-1 protein in total cell lysate, and VCAM-1 expressed on cell surface in the unstimulated cells were also inhibited by TGF-beta1 (10 ng/mL). The rate of VCAM-1 mRNA degradation after an application of actinomycin D was not affected by TGF-beta1. CONCLUSION: TGF-beta1 inhibited inflammatory cytokine induced VCAM-1 production and expression in the cultured HPMCs. Treatment of the cells with TGF-beta1 seems to suppress TNF-alpha or IL-1beta induced VCAM-1 mRNA transcription rather than decrease stabilization of VCAM-1 mRNA.
Blotting, Northern ; Blotting, Western ; Dactinomycin ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans* ; Neutrophils ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Peritonitis ; RNA Stability ; RNA, Messenger ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1*

Tracheal agenesis is an extremely rare and typically lethal congenital disorder. Approximately 150 cases have been described since 1900, and very few cases of survival have been reported. We describe tracheal reconstruction with external esophageal stenting in a patient with Floyd's type II tracheal agenesis. Neither long-term survival nor survival without mechanical ventilation for even a single day has previously been reported in patients with Floyd's type II tracheal agenesis. The infant in the present case survived for almost a year and breathed without a ventilator for approximately 50 days after airway reconstruction using external supportive stents.
Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities ; Humans ; Infant ; Respiration, Artificial ; Stents* ; Trachea ; Ventilators, Mechanical

Duplicated inferior vena cava (IVC) is a congenital anomaly seen rarely in the general population. Patients with IVC variants usually do not present any symptoms and are found incidentally in many cases. However, physicians are urged to recognize the presence of such anomalies during diagnostic or invasive procedures as these variants of blood vessel systems can impose substantial implications in certain clinical situations. Subsequently, information about IVC variants may become critical if surgical injuries or predisposing conditions act as life-threatening risks to patients during medical procedures. We present a case of duplicated IVC in a 68-year-old female patient with rectal cancer where an IVC anomaly was found during surgical resection of her tumor. From our experience, we emphasize the importance of having the knowledge of IVC variations in patients undergoing invasive surgical procedures which may involve large vessels.
Aged ; Blood Vessels ; Female ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Laparotomy ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Vena Cava, Inferior

BACKGROUND: When enzyme immunoassays (EIA) were implemented, considering the limited sensitivity of 1st generation EIAs, the Korean Red Cross (KRC) applied grey zones for detection of weak reactive samples that could lead to false negative results. Despite improved performance of assays, grey zone application is still in practice. We examined whether application of a grey zone to HCV and HIV EIAs is still necessary. METHODS: HCV and HIV EIA results, number of grey zone results, results of further testing done on grey zone samples, and NAT results from 2005 to 2012 were analyzed retrospectively using the Blood Information Management System of the KRC. RESULTS: Among 18,736,094 cases tested, 4,817 HCV (0.03%) and 5,108 HIV (0.05%) cases repeatedly had grey zone results. Twenty-eight (0.58%) HCV grey zone cases were positive on the recombinant immunoblot assay, but negative on NAT. For HIV, 3 cases were diagnosed as indeterminate by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). However these cases did not seroconvert after several years and were also negative on NAT. CONCLUSION: For HCV, since the grey zone led to detection of true anti-HCV positive cases, not detected by NAT, application of the grey zone should be continued. For HIV, since none of the grey zone cases has been diagnosed as HIV positive by the KCDC, further application of the grey zone is thought not to be necessary. Re-evaluation of the grey zone will save costs for testing, and prevent discard of blood components and loss of donors.
Blood Donors* ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; HIV* ; Humans ; Immunoassay* ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Information Management ; Korea ; Mass Screening* ; Red Cross ; Retrospective Studies ; Tissue Donors

PURPOSE: We report a case of idiopathic orbital myositis with sudden onset of unilateral visual loss and hypertrophy of the lateral rectus muscle at the apex of the orbit that was diagnosed using orbital biopsy and treated with intravenous corticosteroids. CASE SUMMARY: We examined a 20-year-old woman who complained of decreased visual acuity and binocular diplopia for 2 weeks. She showed 40-prism diopter left esotropia at the primary position. Her visual acuity with eyeglasses was 0.7 and 0.2 in the right and left eyes, respectively. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a round mass on the left lateral rectus muscle at the apex of the orbit with optic nerve compression. We planned orbital biopsy to exclude orbital lymphoma and other biopsy-requiring diseases. After 3 weeks, the visual acuity of her left eye decreased to 0.02. Repeated MRI revealed enlargement of all extraocular muscles on the left orbit. With biopsy showing several lymphocytes infiltrating muscle fibers, we made a diagnosis of idiopathic orbital myositis. Intravenous injection of corticosteroids was administered during hospitalization. After 2 weeks of corticosteroid therapy, the visual acuity of her left eye was improved to 0.63, the esotropia disappeared, and the enlargement of the left lateral rectus muscle was improved on orbital MRI. CONCLUSIONS: For non-specific idiopathic orbital myositis located at the apex of the orbit and enlargement of the extraocular muscle in a short period with decreased visual acuity, administration of intravenous injection of corticosteroids before orbital biopsy could help restore vision.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Biopsy ; Brain ; Diagnosis* ; Diplopia ; Esotropia ; Eyeglasses ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Injections, Intravenous ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Muscles ; Optic Nerve ; Orbit* ; Orbital Myositis* ; Telescopes ; Visual Acuity ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Hyperaldosteronism* ; Nephrocalcinosis*

No abstract available.
Hematoma*

No abstract available.
Amebiasis* ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Humans ; Kidney* ; Liver*