No abstract available.
Fetal Blood* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Plasma* ; Sodium*

Male urethral diverticulum is uncommon lesion, furthermore calculus formation within the male urethral diverticulum is very rare. Generally, urethral diverticula are classified as congenital and acquired. The majority of male urethral diverticula are acquired and approximately 10 to 20 per cent are congenital. Acquired urethral diverticula in the male may arise from many sources, including infection (prostatic abscess, infection of periurethral glands, hematoma or schistosomiasis), obstruction (stricture, impacted stone, Cunningham clamp or condom catheter) and trauma (instrumentation, external injury and pelvic fracture). Calculi formation is more common in the acquired diverticulum owing to stagnation of urine and infection. These calculi in the diverticulum usually are solitary and may attain considerable size with predisposing factors, 1) a ureteral or bladder calculus that is lodged in the urethra 2) urethral trauma or stricture, 3) calcification around a foreign body or hair. The treatment of urethral diverticulum combined with stone is excision of the diverticula with removal of stone. We treated two cases of urethral diverticulum combined with stone in the male, and report with review of literature.
Abscess ; Calculi ; Causality ; Condoms ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diverticulum* ; Foreign Bodies ; Hair ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Male* ; Ureter ; Urethra ; Urinary Bladder Calculi

Herniated intervertebral disc(HIVD) of the lumbar spine has been known to be relatively uncommon in the teenager and frequently be associated with trauma. However, with the changing life style and increasing sports activities, and most of all, with the advent of new imaging modalities, the incidence seems to be increasing gradually. In order to define the characteristic pattern of HIVD of teenager in the era of MRI, and to clarify the associated lesions, such as apophyseal ring fractures, authors performed this retrospective study in 55 teenager patients with HIVD(77 discs), in which MRI was used as main diagnostic modality. The following results were obtained 1) The incidence of the HIVD in teenager was 9.6%(55 patients) of total HIVD patients(575 patients) for 4 years from December 1989 to December 1993. 2) According to MRI findings, HIVD of the teenager could be classified into 3 distinct patterns; simple HIVD, lumbar apophyseal ring fracture(LARF), and vertebral rim lesion. 3) In simple HIVD, as for the MRI classification, protruded type was most frequent type and there was no sequestered type 4) In LARF, the incidence was 14.4% of teenager's HIVD and posterocephalad margin of L5 was the most common site of involvement. 5) Exophytic bony protrusion from the posterior margin of vertebral body, which we called vertebral rim lesion, could be defined on MR sagittal view in 6 cases.
Adolescent ; Classification ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intervertebral Disc ; Life Style ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine ; Sports

PURPOSE: It has been suggested in our previous study that the level of xanthine oxidase(XO) activity, glutathione(GSH) and malonydialdehyde(MDA) in renal tissue following renal ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) could be used as marker of oxidant stress. Present study was undertaken to investigate the serum level of XO activity. GSH and MDA following renal I/R and to elucidate potential use of the serum level of GS H and MDA as makers of renal function following I/R injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats(200-250gm) were divided into 3 groups : group A - occlusion of bilateral renal arteries for 60 min, group B - pretreatment allopurinol(20mg/Kg). a radical scavenger, plus occlusion of renal arteries, and group C(control group) - sham operation. In group A and B, recirculation of renal arteries were performed for 30min. XO activity, xanthine dehydrogenase(XD) type conversion ratio, level of GSH and MDA were measured from venous blood. RESULTS: Both XO activity(nM/mg/min) and XD type conversion ratio(%) were increased in group A(XO; 0.173+/-0.012, XD; 60.44+/-4.32) and decreased in group B(XO; 0.136+/-0.01, XD; 45.40+/-4.78) compared to control group(XO; 0.153+/-0.012, XD; 46.93+/- 3.45). The level of GSH(microM/g tissue), a scavenger of oxygen free radical(OFR), was also decreased in group A(0.130+/-0.021) compared to group B(0.179+/-0.021) and control group(0.186+/-0.017). In addition, the level of MDA(nM/g tissue), which is a stable end product of lipid peroxidation, was significantly increased in group A(0.076+/-0.006) compared to group B(0.057+/-0.005) and control group(0.053+/-0.004). CONCLUSIONS: From these results, it is suggested that renal I/R injury is highly correlated with the production of OFR. Furthermore. the serum levels of MDA and GSH might be used as early markers of oxidant stress in association with renal I/R injury.
Animals ; Glutathione* ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Malondialdehyde* ; Oxygen ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Renal Artery ; Xanthine Oxidase* ; Xanthine*

BACKGROUND: Naringin, one of the flavonoids in citrus fruit peels, is known to have antioxidant and hepatotonic effects in animal studies. We evaluated the effect of naringin on 1) blood lipid profiles, 2) regression of fatty streak of aorta, and 3) liver toxicity in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rabbits. METHODS: New Zealand White Rabbits (2.0 - 2.5 Kg) were divided to three groups; group without treatment, group treated with 100 mg/kg/d or 500 mg/kg/d naringin, and group treated with 1 mg/kg/d or 20 mg/kg/d lovastatin. They were fed on 0.25% or 1.0% cholesterol-containing diet for 8 weeks and then sacrificed. Blood samples were collected for measurement of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, serum GOT and GPT. Aortas and livers were harvested for evaluation of fatty streak and pathologic examination. RESULTS: 1)Feeding of 1% cholesterol diet for eight weeks significantly increased the cholesterol level upto 20 folds. Neither lovastatin nor naringin did lower these marked hypercholesterolemia. But both naringin (500 mg/kg/d) and lovastatin (1 mg/kg/d) significantly reduced the area of fatty streak by 75% and 58%, respectively. Naringin was more effective in inhibition of fat infiltration into liver than lovastatin which showed hepatotoxicity as increase of serum GPT level (p=0.01). 2)Feeding of 0.25% cholesterol diet for eight weeks significantly increased the cholesterol level upto 17 folds. Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels tended to decrease by treatment with naringin (500 mg/kg/d) and lovastatin (20 mg/kg/d), but this decreases were not statistically significant. However, areas of fatty streak significantly decreased by treatment with naringin and lovastatin by 64 and 82%, respectively (p<0.05). Microscopic analysis revealed that foam cell infiltration into intima was significantly reduced by naringin and lovastatin. In contrast to lovastatin, naringin significantly reduced the level of serum GPT (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Like lovastatin, naringin has strong antiatherogenic action which may not be associated with its very mild lipid lowering action. In contrast to lovastatin, naringin does have hepatoprotective effect.
Animals ; Aorta ; Cholesterol ; Citrus ; Diet ; Flavonoids ; Foam Cells ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Liver ; Lovastatin ; Rabbits* ; Triglycerides

In the present study, we investigated the differences in the levels of expression of virulence factors between blood isolates of Candida albicans and commensal strain isolated from the oral cavities of health volunteers, and correlations between virulence factors. Blood isolates of 33 and commenal isolates of 71 were characterized by putative virulence factors such as proteinase production (PROT), an ability to adhere to epithelial cells (ADH), cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), phospholipase production (PLASE), and hyphal transition (GERM). In PROT, ADH, CSH, and PLASE, the means of expression of blood isolates were higher compared with those of commensal isolates, however statistical significance was only shown in CSH (p=0.036). On the contrary, mean expression of GERM of blood isolates was lower than that of commensal isolates. Of relationships between virulence factors, although a negative correlation of PROT with CSH was obtained, the correlation was relatively low (r=-0.316, p=0.001). These results suggest that higher expression of CSH is a more distinguishing character in virulent blood isolates of C. albicans and that the expression of virulence factors are independent.
Candida albicans* ; Candida* ; Epithelial Cells ; Healthy Volunteers* ; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ; Phospholipases ; Virulence Factors ; Virulence* ; Volunteers

PURPOSE: It has been suggested in our previous study that the serum level of xanthine oxidise(XO) activity, glutathione(GSH), malonyldialdehyde(MDA) could be used as marker of oxidant stress in association with renal ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) injury. The present study was undertaken to establish the early marker of renal 1/R injury and to investigate the effect of deferoxamine on renal 1/R injury. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In Sprague-Dawley rats(male, 200-250gm, n=60), bilateral renal arteries were clamped for 60mins after pretreatment with deferoxamine(group A) or saline(group B). After 30min of bilateral renal recirculation, left nephrectomy and blood sampling in inferior vena cava were performed for in-vitro spectrophotometric study. Control animals(group C) did not undergo I/R operation. In-vivo renal function studies were performed in both group A and B with measurement of creatinine clearance rate(Ccr) at 7th day of experiments a%or renal ischmia for 60min. RESULTS: The levels of XO activity and XO type conversion ratio in renal tissue (RT) and serum(5) were measured. These levels were significantly high in group B, but were lower in group A compared to those of control group. The values of GSH(micrometer/g tissue), a scavenger of OFR, were decreased in group A (RT:0.183+/-0.019,5:0.201+/-0.029) and greatly decreased in group B(RT:0.159+/-0.009,5:0.164+/-0.022) compared to control group(RT:0.201+/-0.006,5:0.224+/-0.031). The values of MDA(nM/g tissue), a stable end product of lipid peroxidation, were increased in group A(RT:0.149+/-0.003, 5:0.058+/-0.004) compared to control group(RT:0.128+/-0.013, 5;0.055+/-0.005), but the values were significantly lower in group A compared to group B(RT:0.171+/-0.005, 5:0.070+/-0.003). Subsequent investigation was focused on the established renal function study after 1/R, which was determined using Ccr(ml/min). The Ccr in group A(2.06+/-0.03) was significantly higher compared to that of group 8(1.48+/-0.18), although it was slightly lower than in control group(2.18+/-0.05). CONCLUSIONS: From these results, it is suggested that renal I/R injury is highly correlated with the production of OFR. The levels of GSH and MDA in renal tissue and serum seem to be probable markers of oxidant stress in association with renal I/R injury. Furthermore, deferoxamine could reduce the degree of renal damage resulting from ameliorating the production of OFR following renal I/R injury.
Animals ; Creatinine ; Deferoxamine* ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Nephrectomy ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Renal Artery ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; Xanthine

Management of the small lower ureteral stone has been attempted by either transurethral manipulation or expectant therapy. To date, however, the choice of proper method has depended mostly on clinician's preference, and the effectiveness of the transurethral stone manipulation has remained controversial. Herein we evaluated the effectiveness of the transurethral stone manipulation, using with the Dormia dislodger, in 37 patients with lower ureteral stone less than 10mm in greatest diameter. The results are summarized as follows. 1. The overall success rate was 68% (25 of 37 patients); Immediate delivery of the stone was observed in 16 of 37 patients. In another 5 patients the stone was removed at the time when the indwelled ureteral catheter was taken out. In the remaining 4 patients the stone passed spontaneously within a week following the procedure. 2. Higher success rate was observed in smaller stone; 79% in less than 4 mm, 58% in 46 mm, and 33% in 610 mm in it's greatest diameter, respectively. 3. The morbidity rate was 8.1% (3 of 37 patients); In one patient a broken basket was retained in the ureter, which was removed at the time of ureterolithotomy. In another patient a ureteral stricture requiring periodic dilation was complicated. And in the other patient persistent hematuria was observed, which was relieved by conservative management. These results suggest that transurethral manipulation might have to be initially applied to unremittingly painful patients with small lower ureteral stone.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Methods ; Ureter* ; Urinary Catheters

The expression of the c-fos and krox-24 (immediate early genes: IEGs) and the BDNF (late response gene) were investigated by convulsants such as kainate (KA, 200 micrometer), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA, 10 mM), glutamate (GLU, 2 mM), and picrotoxin (PTX, 20 micrometer in the rat C6 glioma cells. In addition, the changes of their expression patterns were investigated by the anticonvulsants such as a NMDA antagonist MK-801, phenytoin, phenobarbiw, diazepam, and newer antiepileptic drugs like felbamate and gabapentin. NMDA induced c-fos and krox-24 expromiom were decreased spatially by the anticonvulsants. KA, NMDA, GLU, and PTX-induced BDNF expression were increased by the anticonvulsants. These results imply the molecular basis of the anticonvulsant action mechanism lies in differential and coordinated transcriptional regulation of IEGs.
Animals ; Anticonvulsants* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Convulsants ; Diazepam ; Dizocilpine Maleate ; Genes, Immediate-Early* ; Glioma ; Glutamic Acid ; Kainic Acid ; N-Methylaspartate ; Phenytoin ; Picrotoxin ; Rats

The ulcerative colitis is a relatively common disease in the European and North American countries aince Dr. Wilks has first reported the cases in 1895, But in Korea, this disease is a rare entity and only a few case have been reported. However, rescently the diagnoetic methods for ulcerative colitis are much developed we have experienced 28 cases of ulcerative colitis which were diagnosed by endoscopy, barium enema exam and biopsy. Therefore a total of 28 patient with ulcerative colitis diagnosed and treated at the department of internal medicine of HYUH from June 1979 to June 1986 was reviewed. We obtained the results as follows; 1) The sex distribution assumed a ratio of 1 to 1.33 with 12 males and 16 females. 2) The age dietribution was relatively even but the majority of cases were between 5th and 6th decade (32.1%), 3) The most prominent clinical symptoms were rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, wight loss and vomiting. 4) Significant laboratory findins were anemia, eleveited ESR, leukocytosis, positive stool OB, electrolyte imbalance and decreased serum albumin level. 5) As to the extent of disease determined by the barium enema examination and endoscopic exam., rectum or rectosigmoid colon is involved in majority of the cases (92.8%). 6) The endoscopic examination was performed in all 28 cases and showed significant findings such as ulceration, hyperemia, mucosal friability, bleeding etcs. 7) The barium enema examination was performed in 19 cases and showed positive findings such as ulceration, luminal narrowing, bowel shortening and rigidity in 17 cases. 8) 21 of 28 patients treated by medical therapy showed relatively improved but 4 of 28 patients was exacerbated or relapsed and one has expired.
Abdominal Pain ; Anemia ; Barium ; Biopsy ; Colitis, Ulcerative* ; Colon ; Diarrhea ; Endoscopy ; Enema ; Female ; Fever ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Internal Medicine ; Korea ; Leukocytosis ; Male ; Phenobarbital ; Rectum ; Serum Albumin ; Sex Distribution ; Ulcer* ; Vomiting