OBJECTIVES: This research was intended to investigate the relationship between manganese and malodndialdehyde concentration in tissues of rats exposed to maganese chloride. METHODS: The study groups were 12 manganese treated rats and 9 control rats. Manganese treated rats were given intraperitoneally manganese chloride (Mn, 4 mg/kg) daily for a period of 30 days except Sunday. Control rats were injected 1ml of saline. The plasma manganese concentrations of rats were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The tissue manganese concentration was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Malondialdehyde, the product of lipid peroxidation was determined by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. The plasma malondialdehyde was determined by gas chromatography with mass-detector. Protein concentration was quantified by ultraviolet-visible spectrometry and was used for the compensation of tissue malondialdehyde and manganese concentration. RESULTS: Manganese concentrations of plasma, brain, liver, and pancreas were very significantly higher in the manganese-treated rats than in the control rats. Malondialdehyde concentration of plasma, brain, and pacrease were significantly higher in the manganese-treated rats than in the control rats. The concentration of malondialdehyde was correlated with manganese levels in plasma, brain and pancreas. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained as above, it was concluded that the malondialdehyde, product of lipid peroxidation was related to the cell death due to dosing excess manganese.
Absorption ; Animals ; Brain ; Cell Death ; Chromatography, Gas ; Compensation and Redress ; Graphite ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Liver ; Malondialdehyde* ; Manganese* ; Pancreas ; Plasma ; Rats* ; Spectrophotometry ; Spectrum Analysis

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effect of manganese on lipid peroxidation and compositional changes of fatty acids in hippocampus of rat brain. METHODS: Seven rats in experimental group were given with MnCl2 intraperitoneally for 4 weeks (4 mg/kg once daily, 5 days per week). Twenty four hours after the last injection, rats were decapitated and, hippocampus were separated from the rat brain. RESULT: In Mn-treated group, manganese concentrations increased significantly in the hippocampus by 222% compared with control group (P<0.01). MDA concentrations increased significantly by 149% compared with control group (P<0.05). Among fatty acids, total n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) increased significantly by 237% compared with control group (P<0.05). Linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acids (AA) increased by 213%, 238% (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively). Among n-3 PUFAs except linolenic acids, eicosapentanoic acid(EPA) and docosahexanoic acids (DHA) decreased significantly by 70%, 50% respectively compared with control group (both P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that manganese may cause compositional changes of fatty acids in hippocampus of rat brain. Characteristics of fatty acids compositional changes by manganese were the decrease of EPAs and DHAs (n-3 PUFAs), and increase of AA and LA (n-6 PUFAs). These changes with the increase of MDA, suggest that manganese neurotoxicity is caused by lipid peroxidation.
alpha-Linolenic Acid ; Animals ; Arachidonic Acid ; Arachidonic Acids ; Brain* ; Fatty Acids* ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; Hippocampus* ; Linoleic Acid ; Linolenic Acids ; Lipid Peroxidation* ; Malondialdehyde ; Manganese* ; Rats*

BACKGROUND: Pachydermoperiostosis(PDP) is a rare genetic disease characterized by pachydermia, periostosis, arthralgia and finger clubbing. The pathogenesis of this disease is still unknown, but the concept that platelets and endothelial cells may play a major role in the developement of pachydermia is widely accepted nowadays, It is also suspected that several serum growth factors stimulate proliferation of soft tissue. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the pathogenesis of pachydermia in patients with pachydermoperiostosis through evaluating whether the fibroblasts from these patients have a higher proliferation rate than those from controls or whether the proliferation rate of those cells are affected by certain serum growth factors. METHOD: At first, we evaluated the proliferation rate of fibroblasts from patients and corntrols by the MTT colorimetric assay, and then the proliferation rate of fibroblasts from the prepuce of newborn infants under several conditions of media containing uncentrifuged patients serum, centrifuged patients serum, uncentrifuged control serum, or centrifuged control serum. RESULTS: The proliferation of fibroblasts from patients skin was slower than the control fibroblasts and fibroblasts derived from uninvolved skin of patients. The statistically significant highest proliferation rate was observed when fibroblasts were cultured in the uncentrifuged patients serum contained media and the order of proliferation was as follows: centrifuged patients serum, uncentrifuged control serum and centrifuged control serum condition at 20%, 10%, and 1% respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that patients fibroblasts do not proliferate in vitro at a higher rate than control firoblasts. Fibroblasts in PDP may only play a role as target cells and certain serum factors are responsible for the pathogenesis of PDP.
Arthralgia ; Endothelial Cells ; Fibroblasts* ; Fingers ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Osteoarthropathy, Primary Hypertrophic* ; Skin

Adrenal cortical carcinoma is a rare disease both in adults and in children. Most of these tumors are functional, especially in children, producing endocrine syndromes such as virilization, Cushing syndrome, hyperaldosteronism or feminization. We experienced a case of adrenal cortical carcinoma in a 7yr old boy who showed features of virilization such as rapid growth rate, penile enlargement, and pubic hair. This case was diagnosed with typical hormonal findings and abdominal MRI and confirmed by pathologic findings. He was successfully treated by total left adrenalectomy and has been followed up without problem over eight months.
Adrenalectomy ; Adrenocortical Carcinoma* ; Adult ; Child ; Cushing Syndrome ; Feminization ; Hair ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Rare Diseases ; Virilism

Granulosa cell tumors are uncommon neoplasm of ovary that are characterized by their long natural history and for their tendency to recur years after an aparrent clinical cure. Endometrial cancer occurs in association with these tumor in at least 5% of cases and 25%-50% are associated with endometrial hyperplasia. In this study, we present a case of granulosa cell tumor of right ovary with endometrial cancer after left oophrectomy.
Endometrial Hyperplasia ; Endometrial Neoplasms* ; Female ; Granulosa Cell Tumor* ; Granulosa Cells* ; Natural History ; Ovary*

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We had previously demonstrated by immunohistochemical study (IHS) that nm23-H1 gene may play an important role in disease prognosis as well as its participation in metastasis of urothelial cancer. The purpose of present study was 1) to reexamine the role of nm23-H1 gene in urothelial cancers at molecular level, 2) to identify the molecular mechanism of decreased immunoreactivity for nm23-H1 protein in metastatic urothelial cancers, and 3) to identify whether IHS is reliable in studying the expression of nm23-H1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied expression level and mutation profiles of nm23-H1 gene in 25 fresh surgical specimens of urothelial cancer by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)-Southern blotting analysis, and PCR of genomic DNA followed by single strand conformation polymorphism and sequencing analysis. The results of RT-PCR-Southern blotting were comparatively analyzed with those of IHS. RESULTS: mRNA transcript levels of nm23-H1 gene were significantly decreased in tumor tissues with metastasis as compared with those without metastasis. The transcript levels of nm23-H1 gene were also significantly decreased in metastatic tumor tissues as compared with primary tumor tissues. Point mutation of nm23-H1 gene was detected in only 1 of 13 urothelial cancer tissues with metastasis, whereas, mutation was observed in none of those without metastasis. The results of IHS corresponded with those of RT-PCR-Southern blotting analysis in 23 of 25 specimens. CONCLUSIONS: The nm23-H1 gene may play an important role in metastasis of urothelial cancer. Decreased transcription at mRNA level may be a major molecular mechanism of loss of immunoreactivity for nm23-H1 protein in urothelial cancer. IHS used in the present study may be a clinically useful method to study the expression of nm23-H1 and to predict metastasis potential and prognosis of urothelial cancers.
DNA ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prognosis ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Messenger ; Urologic Neoplasms*

Thromboembolism is the most common serious complication following total hip arthroplasty and most common cause of death after total hip arthroplasty. A prospective randomized study in 170 cases of elective cementless total hip arthroplasty was carried out to examine the incidence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after cementless total hip arthroplasty from Aug. 1993 to May 1995. Laboratory study, clinical symptoms and signs, chest roentgenograph and precipitating factors were analysed. Venography and lung perfusion scan using radionuclide scan were used for this study. The weight, height, sex, habitus of alcohol and smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, previous operation history of ipsilateral lower extremity, etiology of hip joint disease, and transfusion of blood were not precipitating factors, but the age over 40 and previous history of pulmonary embolism had a significant effect on the incidence of deep vein thrombosis. There was no significant relationship between the incidence of deep vein thrombosis and the laboratory assay, clinical symptoms and signs. Deep vein thrombosis was detected in 29 cases(17.0%), pulmonary embolism in 22 cases(12.9%), and fatal pulmonary embolism in 1 case(0.6%). The most common location of deep vein thrombosis was the popliteal area.
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip* ; Cause of Death ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Hip Joint ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Lower Extremity ; Lung ; Perfusion ; Phlebography ; Precipitating Factors ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Thorax ; Thromboembolism ; Venous Thrombosis*

No abstract available.
Hyperostosis, Sternocostoclavicular*

While there is little controversy about the surgical resection for the torn discoid lateral meniscus, there are some contradictory reports for the treatment of discoid lateral meniscus without tear. Some authors argue that initial treatment should be observation after diagnostic arthroscopy in the cases without tear. Others reported that excellent results were obtained after partial resection of the discoid lateral meniscus without tear or with slight degeneration. We reviewed our series of symptomatic discoid lateral menisci without tear, confirmed by arthroscopic examination. We retrospectively reviewed 8 knees in 8 patients who had had partia! Meniscectomy for discoid latera1 meniscus without tear, confirmed by arthroscopic examination. They were 5 males and 3 females. The average age was 22.8 years (range, 7 to 57 years). The average duration of follow-up was 2 years and three months. The patients had continuing pain and locking or snapping preoperatively. Preoperative MRI had grade Il intrameniscal signal in all the cases. The patients were evaluated hy Lysholm pain score and total Lysholm score. There were 7 complete types and one incomplete type. The average Lysholm pain score and the total Lysholm score improved from 13.1, 67.8 preoperatively to 28.8. 97.9, at the last follow-up, respectively. Mechanical symptoms including click and 1ocking were disappeared in all, and no complication was obser ved. We suggest that symptomatic discoid lateral meniscus should he resected e.ven though there is no tear visible on arthroscopy, especially when the MRl shows grade lI intrameniscal signal.
Arthroscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial* ; Retrospective Studies

Two cases of synovial hemangioma have been experienced at the Department of Orthopedic surgery, Seoul National University Hospital. In the first case, synovial hemangioma about 1.5cm in diameter was found to be attached to the anterior aspect of the medial condyle of the left femur, which was excised completely with good follow-up result. In another case, cavernous hemangioma was observed diffusely invading tendon sheaths, lower one third of the tibia and also synovium of the ankle joint. Because of diffuse involvement, complete removal was not possible. After partial removal, a total 800 r Roentgen therapy was taken.
Ankle Joint ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemangioma ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; Orthopedics ; Seoul ; Synovial Membrane ; Tendons ; Tibia