No abstract available.
Hyperaldosteronism*

No abstract available.

It is well known that HL-60 cell, a human promyelocytic line, is differentiated into eosinophil-like cells in the presence of butyric acid, and thus the differentiated HL-60 cells have been used as a model system to study irnmunological properties of peripheral eosinophils which are thought to be terminally differentiated. To study whether HL-60 cells alter their capability of expressing cytokines during differentiation to eosinophil-like cells, we examined TNF mRNA levels in HL-60 cells treated with butyric acid by Ribonuclease Protection Assay (RPA). HL-60 cells were incubated for 3 days in the presence of butyric acid (0.5 mM), and stimulated with PMA and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The levels of TNF mRNA decreased by 50 % and 95 % upon one and two days of post-treatment of butyric acid, respectively. The decreased pattern in TNF mRNA levels was also observed in HL-60 cells that have been treated with retinoic acid known as an inducer for differentiation of them. In accordance with these results, prominent azurophilic granules typical in eosinophils appeared in the cytoplasm of the differentiated HL-60 cells. The decreased expression of TNF mRNA was not attributable to the presence of serum, since increasing concentrations of serum had no effect. Furthermore, interleukin-5 (IL-5), which is known to be involved in activation and trafficking of eosinophils in vivo and in vitro, failed to affect TNF mRNA production when it was used in place of butyric acid. These data suggest that the differentiated HL-60 cells may have immunological resemblance to eosinophils in that they weakly produce the cytokine mRNA.
Butyric Acid ; Cytokines ; Cytoplasm ; Eosinophils ; HL-60 Cells* ; Humans ; Interleukin-5 ; Ribonucleases ; RNA, Messenger* ; Tretinoin

PURPOSE: We reviewed our data compiled prospectively for evaluation of post-operative complications and recurrence of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: Among the 1000 patients (age, > or =20 years old) who were undergone laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery from January 2007 to July 2011, the age, sex, location, hernia type, operation time, postoperative morbidity, and conversion of 992 patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 992 patients, 919 (92.6%) were male and the mean age was 54.2 years (range, 20~90). Operation times (m inutes) for unilateral and bilateral hernia were 40.0 and 53.4, respectively. Mean operation time (minutes) showed a decrease over time, as that for the first half of all cases was 43.5 and that for the second half was 39.7 (p<0.001). Seven cases of conversion (post-radical prostatectomy hernia=7) were recorded to TAPP (n=3) or IPOM (n=4) from TEP. Eleven cases of postoperative catheterization (1.1%), five cases of port site seroma (0.5%), one case of mesh removal due to infection, 24 cases of seroma/hematoma (2.4%), 26 cases of neuralgia (2.6%), and four cases of bleeding with a drop in hemoglobin of more than 3 mg% (0.4%) were also recorded. There were three cases of recurrence (0.35%) at the median follow-up of 46 months (range, 20 to 70 months). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair can be performed safely, with low rates of complication and recurrence. This technique achieves good results combined with the benefits of minimally invasive surgery. We should be cautious in order to avoid postoperative bleeding, especially in cases of TEP.
Amidines ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemoglobins ; Hemorrhage ; Hernia ; Hernia, Inguinal ; Humans ; Male ; Neuralgia ; Prospective Studies ; Prostatectomy ; Pyrazines ; Recurrence ; Seroma

PURPOSE: This study describes our preliminary experience of a single incisional laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal approach (TEP) for inguinal hernia repair, compared to conventional TEP. METHODS: From August 2012 to February 2014, 46 patients underwent inguinal hernia repair using a laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal approach by a single surgeon at Hansol Hospital, Seoul, Korea. Three patients were excluded due to a recurrent inguinal hernia; thus, 43 patients were enrolled in two groups, the single incisional TEP (STEP) group (n=23) and the conventional TEP (CTEP) group (n=20). The mean follow-up period was 15 months. RESULTS: No differences in patient demographics (age, sex, hernia site and type, and body mass index) were detected between the two groups. The operation time in the STEP group was significantly longer than that in the CTEP group (69.7+/-28.5 vs. 51.0+/-16.4 min, p=0.017). No differences in postoperative complications were detected, including chronic pain, voiding difficulties, or the occurrence of a wound seroma (STEP, n=3 vs. CTEP, n=2). Pain scores (STEP, 1.4+/-0.7 vs. CTEP 1.4+/-0.8) and hospital stay duration (STEP, 1.0+/-0.2 vs. CTEP, 1.2+/-0.5 days) also did not differ between the groups. No patient in the STEP group required an additional port. CONCLUSION: Single incisional TEP was technically feasible, although it required a longer operation time. STEP appeared to have better cosmetic results compared with those of CTEP.
Chronic Pain ; Demography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hernia ; Hernia, Inguinal* ; Herniorrhaphy ; Humans ; Korea ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Postoperative Complications ; Seoul ; Seroma ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Humans

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe Magnetic Resonance(MR) findings of two epidural cavernous malformations of the spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR imaging was performed in 2 patients(29-year-old man and 54-year-old woman). Sagittal T1 -, T2-weighted images and Gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced axial and sagittal images were acquired. Two patients had surgery and MR findings were compared with surgical and histopathological findings. RESULTS: MR imaging showed high- and low-signal intensity components of these lesions that were characteristic of an epidural cavernous malformation in one case. The other case showed a high signal intensity on T2- and strong enhancement on Gd-enhanced T1 -weighted images. We think that the former may be due to mixed subacute and chronic hemorrhage and the latter may be due to blood within the endotheliumlined sinusolds without hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: These findings were well correlated with the surgical and histo-pathological findings of cavernous malformation.
Gadolinium ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Middle Aged ; Spine*

No abstract available.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Estrogens*

No abstract available.
Thorax*

Intraspinal neurenteric cysts are rare congenital lesions that results from abnormal separation of germ layers in the third week of embryonic development, which may cause spinal compression. Although, the diagnosis of neurenteric cyst was very difficult prior to operation, MRI has proven to be a useful imaging modality in detection, localization and characterization of intraspinal neurenteric cysts. We recently experienced intraspinal neurenteric cyst in two patients who presented with progerssive quadriparesis. Myelography, CT myelography and MRI were taken and complete excision was performed. The MRI findings are presented and the literature is reviewed.
Diagnosis ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Germ Layers ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Myelography ; Neural Tube Defects* ; Pregnancy ; Quadriplegia