The kidney and balances of fluid and volume are the basic components of bloocl pressure control, and the kidney is the primary site that initiates the hypertensive process and is affected by hypertensive vascular disease. In the kidney, the dopamine is a potent natriuretic and vasodilating agent, participat- ing in renal sodium excretion and maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis. And the dopamine receptors in central nervous system and peripheral organs were identified by physiological, biochernical and radioligand binding techniques. Rut previous morphological and biochemical studies have been unable to characterize or determine the tissue distribution of the dopamine receptor subtypes because no selective ligands are available yet. Furthermore, the cellular distribution of the dopamine receptor subtypes in the rat kidney is not demonstrated well. In the SHR, the ability of exogenous and endogenous renal dopamine to engender a natriuresis is impaired. Since renal dopamine levels in genetic models of hypertension are not lower than their normotensive controls, the impaired intrarenal paracrine effect of dopamine in these animal models of hypertension appears to be receptor or postreceptor mediated. And renal dopamine derives mainly from renal tubular dopamine production and to a lesser extent from dopaminergic nerves. The present study utilizes imrnunohistochemistry with specific antibodies to characterize the renal distribution of dopamine receptor subtypes and recognize the role of dopamine receptor defect in the pathogenesis of hypertension in 14-week-old WKY (mean HP 108+/-5mmHg) and SHR (mean RP 174+/-7 mmHg) kidneys. Also it utilizes antibody of tyrosine hyclroxylase (TH) to recognize the site of the dopamine production mediated by TH using light microscopic immunohistochemistry. In the immunohistochemistry of the WKY kidney, dopamine D1 receptor protein is localized to glomerulus, proximal tubule, distal tubule, renal vessels, cortical and medullary collecting duct. And in the SHR kidney, dopamine D1 receptor protein is localized to glomerulus, distal tubule, renal vessels, cortical and medullary collecting duct, and juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA). But there is no demonstrable positive reaction in the proximal tubule and weakly positive reactions in the renal arterioles of SHR compared with WKY kidney. In the immunohisto-chemistry of the WKY kidney, dopamine D1 receptor protein is localized to glomerulus, proxirnal tubule, distal tubule, renal vessels, cortical and rnedullary collecting duct. And in the SHR kidney, dopamine D2 receptor protein is localized to glomerulus, distal tubule, renal vessels, cortical and medullary collecting duct, and JGA. So, there is no demonstrable positive reaction in the proximal tubule of SHR compared with WKY. In the glomerulus of the WKY and SHR kidneys, both dopamine D1 and D2 receptors are localized. In the in situ hybridization of the WKY and SHR kidneys, dopamine D and D receptors are only demonstrated at the renal vessels. The positive reaction to TH immunohistochemistry of the WKY and SHR kidneys is only observed in the renal medulla compared with negative reaction on the renal cortex. Considering the excretion of sodium up to 65-70% with volume expansion may be mediated by dopamine D1-like receptors in the proximal tubule, our immunohistochemistry findings for the dopamine receptors may support the failure of natriuretic response in the SHR due to an abnormal dopamine receptor. Also our results rnay mean that the glornerular filtration rate is mediated by both dopamine D1 and Dz receptors comparing with the previous studies that the glomerular filtration rate was mediated by dopamine D2 receptor. I'here are some differences in the receptors expressing sites on the previous radioligand binding and pharmacologic studies, but our results suggest that at least some of the renal dopamine DA and DAz receptors correspond structurally to the central dopamine D1 and D2 receptors. Finally the result of TH immunohisto-chemistry suggests that the production of dopamine in the proximal tubule is not mediated by TH.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Arterioles ; Central Nervous System ; Dopamine* ; Filtration ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Homeostasis ; Hypertension ; Immunohistochemistry* ; In Situ Hybridization ; Juxtaglomerular Apparatus ; Kidney* ; Ligands ; Models, Animal ; Models, Genetic ; Natriuresis ; Rats* ; Rats, Inbred SHR* ; Receptors, Dopamine ; Receptors, Dopamine D1 ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; Sodium ; Tissue Distribution ; Tyrosine ; Vascular Diseases

No abstract available.
Aeromonas hydrophila* ; Aeromonas* ; Animals ; Histamine Release* ; Histamine* ; Mast Cells* ; Rats*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the antiproliferative activity of deuterium oxide (D2O) on urological cancer cells for the application of D2O in the treatment of urological cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urological cancer cell A-498 (kidney), T-24 (bladder) and DU 145 (prostate) were used in this study. The changes in cellular proliferation and the expressions of the bcl-2 and bax genes, according to changes in the D2O concentrationand exposure time were measured. The changes in cellular proliferation were measured using a hemocytometer and the MTT assay, and the changes in gene expression by Western hybridization. RESULTS: D2O had antiproliferative effects, DU-145 was most resistant and T-24 was most sensitive to D2O. The proliferation of cells in T-24, as measured by the MTT assay, showed a reduced growth rate, which was the inverse of the increased D2O concentration and exposure time. The expression of bcl-2 was reduced with increasing exposure time and D2O concentration, and that of bax was increased with increasing exposure time and D2O concentration. CONCLUSIONS: From this study, the authors believe D2O has antiproliferative effects on urological cancers, and the effect on bladder cancer cells suggests that D2O shows potential as an agent for the treatment of early small bladder cancer or the prevention of superficial bladder cancer recurrence following transurethral resection.
Cell Proliferation ; Deuterium Oxide* ; Deuterium* ; Gene Expression ; Recurrence ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urologic Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND: If the effects of alveolar recruitment are beneficial, but of short duration, repetitive recruitment maneuvers (RMs) will be necessary to maintain oxygenation. This study was performed to assess the effect of repetitive alveolar recruitment, with high-sustained inflation pressure on oxygenation and compliance of the respiratory system, in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. METHODS: Ten adult patients on ventilator support, with controlled mechanical ventilation, received three repetitive RMs with a high-sustained inflation pressure. The time intervals from the first to second RM and from the second to third RM were 8.42 +/- 0.56 hours and 12.43 +/- 1.45 hours, respectively. Recruitment was conducted by setting the ventilator mode to a continuous positive airway pressure of 40 cmH2O for 40 seconds. After each alveolar recruitment, the previous ventilator settings in the pressure control mode were re-established with a high positive end expiratory pressure. The FIO2, PaO2/FIO2 and lung compliance (tidal volume/[plateau pressure-PEEP]) were recorded with reference to the arterial blood gas analysis at both 30 minutes pre and post recruitment. RESULTS: The FIO2 was able to be decreased from 0.9 to 0.5 while maintaining the PaO2 at higher than 80 mmHg after three recruitments. The PaO2/FIO2 improved from 98 to 288 and the compliance of the respiratory system improved from 26 to 41 ml/cmH2O after three recruitments. CONCLUSIONS: Our RESULTS suggest that repetitive recruitment can be used to maintain the beneficial effects of alveolar recruitment in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome when supported using a lung protective mechanical ventilation strategy.
Adult ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Compliance* ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Humans ; Inflation, Economic ; Lung ; Lung Compliance ; Oxygen* ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Respiratory System ; Ventilators, Mechanical

No abstract available.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Drug Therapy*

Cervical large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is rare. We experienced one case of cervical large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma in 49 years old woman. So we report the case and brief review of literature.
Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous* ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine* ; Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mucins*

A series of 119 Mycobacterium avium complex isolates were subjected to clarithromycin susceptibility testing using microplates containing 2,3-diphenyl-5-thienyl-(2)-tetrazolium chloride (STC). Among 119 isolates, 114 (95.8%) were susceptible to clarithromycin and 5 were resistant according to the new and the standard method. STC counts the low cost and reduces the number of procedures needed for susceptibility testing.
Clarithromycin/*pharmacology ; Culture Media ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests/*methods ; Mycobacterium avium Complex/*drug effects/isolation & purification ; Tetrazolium Salts/*chemistry

A series of 119 Mycobacterium avium complex isolates were subjected to clarithromycin susceptibility testing using microplates containing 2,3-diphenyl-5-thienyl-(2)-tetrazolium chloride (STC). Among 119 isolates, 114 (95.8%) were susceptible to clarithromycin and 5 were resistant according to the new and the standard method. STC counts the low cost and reduces the number of procedures needed for susceptibility testing.
Clarithromycin/*pharmacology ; Culture Media ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests/*methods ; Mycobacterium avium Complex/*drug effects/isolation & purification ; Tetrazolium Salts/*chemistry

BACKGROUND: The weaning index is a useful tool for avoiding the detrimental consequences of weaning failure, rapidly identifying patients who are potentially ready for spontaneous breathing, and accelerating the process of liberation from mechanical ventilation. This study examined the use of the weaning index as a weaning and extubation predictor in postoperative patients on mechanical ventilatory support in an intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: Mechanical ventilation was discontinued in patients through pressure support ventilation (PSV), and a T-piece was applied to 169 patients. The success or failure of the weaning process was evaluated according to the preoperative conditions of the patient and their weaning indices, such as the rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI), vital capacity, inspiratory pressure. The duration of mechanical ventilation and the length of stay in the ICU and the hospital were recorded. RESULTS: Weaning from mechanical ventilatory support and extubation was performed successfully in 94.6% of patients. Sixty minutes after applying the T-piece, the PaO2/FiO2 ratio (P/F ratio) was significantly higher and the RSBI was significantly lower in the weaning success group than in the weaning failure group. The ASA class and the percentage of emergency procedures were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the weaning success group. CONCLUSIONS: Not only the weaning index as RSBI but also P/F ratio, ASA class and emergency status need to be considered for successful weaning and extubation in postoperative ICU patients on mechanical ventilator support.
Emergencies ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Length of Stay ; Respiration ; Respiration, Artificial ; Ventilation ; Ventilators, Mechanical* ; Vital Capacity ; Weaning*

BACKGOUND: The number of ICU beds related to the number of general acute care beds provides a broad measure of intensive care, but it has obvious limitations and underestimates extreme regional differences. As a first step, we evaluated the number of ICU beds or the ratio of ICU beds to hospital beds in university and non-university hospitals in Korea. METHODS: The number of ICU beds and hospital beds, the ratio of the number of ICU beds to hospital beds, and the types of ICU in each range of ICU beds and hospital beds in the university and non-university hospital were analyzed as well. RESULTS: Thirty university hospitals had 1,824 ICU beds out of 25,966 hospital beds, an average of 7.0%. The number of ICU beds ranged from 17 to 159 beds and hospital beds ranged from 400 to 2,000 beds in university hospitals. Fourteen non-university hospitals had 377 ICU beds out of 6,121 hospital beds, an average of 6.2%. In non-university hospitals, the number of ICU beds ranged from 6 to 67 beds with 50 to 700 hospital beds. If there was only one ICU, e.g. multidisciplinary, or more than one, the director of a multidisciplinary and surgical ICU was usually filled by an anesthesiologist, while the directors of other ICUs were usually specialists according to each specific ICU. CONCLUSIONS: There was a large disparity in the number of ICU beds and in the ratio of ICU beds to hospital beds between university and non-university hosptials, and even between university hospitals.
Hospitals, University ; Intensive Care Units* ; Critical Care* ; Korea* ; Specialization