The mechanism of cytolysis by complement attack of nucleated cells(NC) is of special interest in comparison to that of red blood cells. It is known that NC death by membrane attack comples, C5b-9, is caused by many factors, i.e., efficiency of complex assembly, activation of intrinsic metabolic pathway by signal transduction, cytotoxic effect of the channel itself and natural repair ability. These factors suggest that colloid osmotic lysis, known in red blood cells, does not fully explain the complement-mediated cell death of NC. In this study, the authors investigated correlation between biochemical and morphological changes to prove "Ca2+-mediated metabolic death"8~13) representing a mechanism of NC death caused by C5b-9 attack. The L1210 cells, mouse leukemic cell line carrying small complement channel(TAC5b-91) were used in the experiments. The amounts of intracellular adenine nucleotides to extracellular Ca2+, ouabain, KC1 and dextran were analyzed by bioluminescence method using luminometer. Cell viability was checked by 0.4% trypan blue dye and LDH release. Morphological observation of TAC5b-91 was done by immunocytochemical staining and electron microscope. The results were as follows: 1) The release of ATP, ADP and AMP followed by cell death was rapid and progressive along the incubation time at 37 degrees C and it was accelerated in 1.5 mM of [Ca2+]0. 2) There was no evidence of ATP repairment in the TAC5b-91. 3) Extracellular KC1(150 mM), dextran(0.66 mM) and ATP supplement(0.2 microM) could not effectively inhibit ATP depletion and cell death. Ouabain(27 and 100 microM) enhanced cell death and could not completely prevent ATP loss. 4) Most of the mitochondria showed swelling, loss of cristae and Ca2+ deposit in matrix in the electron microscopic observation. Rapid, sustained and irreversible depletion of adenine nucleotides was due to Ca2+ deposit with destruction of mitochondria and also the leakage through transmembrane channels. Moreover this energy depletion was accelerated by high extracellular Ca2+ concentration. These results indicate that Ca2+-mediated, energy exhaustion is one of the mechanisms of the metabolic cell death by C5b-9 attack of NC.
Mice ; Animals

Mucocele of the appendix is uncomrnon and rarely diagnosed preoperatively. The malignant rountpart-i.e. mucinous cystadenocarcinoma--has the same grross appearance and many micro scopic features in cornmon wilhe the benign form. It rnay be associated with ovarian mucinous cystadenoma of strikingly similar microscopic appearence. A serious complication is a rupture of the mucoeele resulting in pseudomyxoma peritonei. Each case of benign and malignant mucocelr of the appendix falsely diagnosecl as an oovarian tumor before laparotxumy are presented wilh a brief rieview of the literatures.
Appendix* ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; Mucins ; Mucocele* ; Pseudomyxoma Peritonei ; Rupture

Primary aortoenteric fistula (PAEF) is a rare but catastrophic cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. The diagnosis of PAEF is difficult to make. The classic triad of symptoms, i.e. gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, and a pulsating abdominal mass is overemphasized, as it occurs in less than 11~25% of the patients. For two thirds of the patients, the diagnosis is made in the operating room. Endoscopic and radiographic studies are very helpful, but the absence of abnormalities can not exclude the diagnosis. PAEF is a clinical and surgical challenge associated with high mortality. A high index of suspicion, early diagnosis and prompt and appropriate surgical intervention are essential to patient survival. Two primary aortoenteric fistulas (aortoduodenal and aortoesophageal) cases are presented and the related literature are reviewed.
Abdominal Pain ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; Early Diagnosis ; Fistula ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intestinal Fistula ; Operating Rooms ; Vascular Fistula

PURPOSE: This paper is to evaluate radiological features of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, correlated with clinical and pathologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients consisted of 2 men and 3 women, aged 23-51 years old (average 41). Diagnosis was based on the presence of suggestive clinical and radiological findings (chest radiography, high resolutional CT, gallium scintigraphy), and lung biopsy showing characteristic histological features. RESULTS: All patients complained of exertional dyspnea and three patients experienced coughing. On the pulmonary function test, four patients revealed restrictive pattern and one patient was normal. Results of bronchoalveolar lavage, available in four patients, revealed lymphocytosis in three patients and normal finding in one patient. Chest radiographs showed ground glass opacity or diffuse nodular densities. On the HRCT, diffuse nodular opacity and ground glass opacity were seen in variable features. All 4 patients had diffuse increased uptake on the gallium scan. On lung biopsy, a combination of histologic findings showed cellular bronchiolitis, diffuse interstitial infiltrates and non-necrotizing granulomas, consistent with diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. CONCLUSION: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis could be diagnosed with these radiological, clinical and pathological findings.
Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic* ; Biopsy ; Bronchiolitis ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Gallium ; Glass ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Lung ; Lymphocytosis ; Male ; Radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Respiratory Function Tests

PURPOSE:This study was designed to know the clinical significance and risk factors of hyperkalemia in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI). METHODS:We compared the incidence of hyperkalemia and its associated ECG abnormalities and mortality rate according to birth weight (102 of less than 1,000 g vs. 328 of 1,000 to 1,500 g) in 430 VLBWI who were born from Jan. 2000 to July 2004, retrospectively, and also compared the several parameter according to serum potassium (35 of hyperkalemia vs. 11 of normokalemia) in 49 selected VLBWI who need mechanical ventilation for respiratory distress without oliguria within 72 hours of life to know the risk factors of hyperkalemia. RESULTS:Overall incidence of hyperkalemia in VLBWI was 21.1%, and was significantly higher in below 1,000 g than in 1,000 to 1,500 g (32.4% vs. 17.7%, P<0.05). Hyperkalemia associated ECG abnormalities, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia, and death were also significantly higher in below 1,000 g. There were no significant differences in maternal or infant's characteristics, laboratory findings and clinical conditions between hyperkalemic vs. normokalemic group. The incidence of cardiac arrhythmia and mortality rate were also significantly higher in hyperkalemic group. CONCLUSION:Early onset nonoliguric hyperkalemia is often associated with life- threatening cardiac arrhythmia and death in VLBWI, especially less than 1,000 g. Although perinatal risk factors were not found in this study, prospective study is needed to establish the preventive strategy and to improve the outcome.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Birth Weight ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Hyperkalemia* ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight* ; Mortality ; Oliguria ; Potassium ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: A prospective study was performed to evaluate the preventive effect of intravenous (IV) ondansetron on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) due to epidural morphine for postoperative pain control after major abdominal surgery. METHODS: One hundred patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery were randomly devided into two groups, group O (n = 50) receiving IV ondansetron and group C (n = 50) receiving IV saline. After bolus epidural morphine were injected to all patients thirty minutes before the end of surgery, group O received ondansetron 8 mg and group C received normal saline intravenously. Incidence and severity of nausea, episodes of vomiting, patient's satisfaction, side effects such as pruritus, headache, dizziness related to epidural morphine were checked at 6, 24 hours after operation. RESULTS: The incidence and severity of nausea were significantly decreased in group O than group C during the first 24 hours after surgery. There were no significant differences in postoperative pain scores and patient's satisfaction between groups. The patients who didn't experienced PONV were significantly more satisfied than those who experienced PONV after surgery. CONCLUSION: Ondansetron decrease the incidence and severity of nausea in patients receiving epidural morphine for postoperative pain control after major abdominal surgery.
Dizziness ; Headache ; Humans ; Incidence ; Morphine* ; Nausea ; Ondansetron* ; Pain, Postoperative ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting* ; Prospective Studies ; Pruritus ; Vomiting

Feto-maternal hemorrhage, the presence of fetal red blood cells in the maternal circulation, occurs in up to 75% of pregnancies. But its volume is usually very small. Feto-maternal hemorrhage of more than 30 ml of whole blood is relatively rare. The key features that lead to early diagnosis are the maternal history, fetal monitoring, the clinical and laboratory findings of anemia and a negative Coombs' test. Diagnosis is confirmed by Kleihauer-Betke test. Perinatal problems include fetal distress, neonatal anemia, hypovolemic shock, and death. The fetal outcome depends on the amount and rate of bleeding. The initial hemoglobin level was a better predictor than the volume of bleeding. We present two cases of severe neonatal anemia associated with massive feto-maternal hemorrhage, which was confirmed by Kleihauer-Betke test.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans

Intussusception is the most common cause of acquired intestinal obstruction during infancy and early childhood and requires early diagnosis and treatment. We observed 431 cases of intussusception who admitted at Chungang Gil Hospital from January 1987 to June 1991, and compared the result of treatment with Barium Enema in 302 cases with that of Air Enema in 129 cases. The results were as follows; 1) In sex distribution, males were more affected than females as a ratio of 2:1. 2) In age incidence, 78.2% of the cases were between 3~10 months. 3) Slight seasonal prevalence was noted in spring and autumn. 4) The common symptoms and signs were cyclic irritability (89.1%), vomiting (78.9%), bloody stool (84.9%) and abdominal mass(43.1%). 5) The common diseases accompanied were URI (39.7%), AGE (13.0%) and UTI(1.2%). 6) 5.8% of cases were visited after the 48 hours of symptom onset, in these cases the operation rate was 39.1%. So the longer duration of symptoms persists, the lower reduction rate follows. 7) The most common type of intussusception was ileocolic type, and the lowest reduction rate was noted in ileoileocolic type. 8) In the reduction rate, 87.4% with Barium Enema and 89.1% with Air Enema. 9) After 24 hours of symptom onset, the reduction rate, 74.4% with Barium Enema and 78.6% with Air Enema. 10) Recurrence rate was 9.3% with Barium Enema and 7.8% with Air Enema. 11) In Barium Enema, 1 case of bowel perforation was observed, and he expired with barium peritonitis, in Air Enema, 2 cases of bowel perforation were observed, and cured after operation. 12) We observed some advantages in Air Enema such as simplicity, high reduction rate and absence of fatal complications. And we think that Air Enema is a useful diagnstic and treatment method of intussusception.
Barium* ; Early Diagnosis ; Enema* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Intussusception* ; Male ; Peritonitis ; Prevalence ; Recurrence ; Seasons ; Sex Distribution ; Vomiting

The purpose of this study was to investigate the maximum effect and effective instillation time interval of 5% NaCl on the corneal edema. Onetenth ml of 2% lidocaine was injected intracamerally to make the corneal edema at right eyes of four rabbits, but any manipulation was not done on the left eyes. Twelve hours after the operation, one drop of 5% NaCl was instillated in both eyes and the central corneal thickness(CCT)was measured every 30 minutes until the three successive records had no demonstrable changes compared to baseline levels. Maximum effect on normal cornea and corneal edema showed at 60 minutes after the instillation of one drop of 5% NaCl;the CCT decreased by about 5% compared to preopertaive level. To evaluate the effective instillation time interval, twenty eyes of 20 white rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups and 0.1 ml of 2% lidocaine was injected intracamerally at right eyes. In control group, they were remained without any medications and showed natural course of corneal edema. 7In group 1, they were treated with 5% NaCl every 30 minutes and in group 2, 60 minutes, in group 3, 120 minutes, and in group 4, 180 minutes. Using a ultrasonic pachymeter, CCT was measured at 30 minutes interval up to 360 minutes. In group 1, decrease of the CCT was found to be more than 5% at 60 minutes after treatment and there was 5.00~7.24% decrease of CCT up to 360 minutes. In group 2 and 3, decrease of the CCT more than 5% was found at 90 minutes after treatment and there was 3.95~6.07% decrease of CCT up to 360 minutes.In group 4, decrease of the CCT more than 5% was found at 90 minutes after treatment and there was severe fluctuation of the decrease of the CCT from 2.47% to 6.78% up to 360 minutes. In group 1, decrease of the CCT was larger than that of the others, but there was chances of the corneal epithelial toxicity and incovenience due to frequent instillation. In group 2 and 3, there was no difference between the two groups in the amounts of the decrease of the CCT, but in terms of convenience, instillation every 2 hours(120 minutes)was recommendable. Treatment with 5% NaCl every 2 hours on corneal stromal edema with normal epithelial barrier function can decrease the CCT and induce good maintenance effect.
Cornea ; Corneal Edema* ; Edema ; Lidocaine ; Ophthalmic Solutions* ; Rabbits ; Ultrasonics

OBJECTIVE: This clinical study was carried out to evaluate the effect of premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) on neonatal sepsis in infants who were delivered more than 35 weeks of gestational age (GA). METHODS: Clinical data were collected from 125 newborns of mothers with PROM who were delivered more than 35 weeks of GA at Chonnam National University Hospital during the five-year period from January 1998 to December 2002. RESULTS: The incidence of PROM was 15.4% with little yearly variations and PROM in which GA more than 35 weeks was 3.5%. The incidence of positive C-reactive protein (CRP), neonatal fever and neonatal sepsis were not increased but the neonatal use of antibiotics was increased in relation to the duration of the PROM. In the patients with neonatal sepsis, positive CRP rate and incidence of neonatal and maternal fever were significantly high, and use of maternal antibiotics was significantly low. CONCLUSION: When the newborns of mothers with PROM were delivered more than 35 weeks of GA, maternal history of fever or antibiotic treatment and neonatal history of fever, blood culture and CRP should be checked regardless of duration of PROM, and then begin to start antibiotics according to the baby's clinical signs and symptoms.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; C-Reactive Protein ; Fever ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Jeollanam-do ; Membranes* ; Mothers* ; Rupture* ; Sepsis