OBJECTIVES: Septic shock is characterized by the circulatory failure including vasodilation, hyporeactivity to vasoconstrictor agents and organ ischemia in association with multiple organ failure and increased platelet aggregation and blood coagulation. In the present study, we investigated the preventive effects of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 30mg/kg, i.p.), a non-selective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, S-methylisothiourea sulfate (SMT, 5mg/kg, i.p.) and pentoxifylline (PTX,10mg/kg, i.p.) on the multiple organ dysfunction in a rat model of circulatory shock induced by bacterial endotoxin (E. coli lipopolysaccharide: LPS) and discussed the mechanism underlying the development of multiple organ failure. METHODS: The effect of each other N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME, 30 mg/kg, i.p.), a non-selective nitric oxide synthase(NOS) inhibitor, S-methyli-sothiourea sulfate(SMT, 5mg/kg, i.p.) and pentoxifylline (PTX, 10mg/kg, i.p.) were comparatively evaluated following inducing circulatory shock by means of infusion of bacterial endotoxin to the rat model. RESULTS: 1) The systemic mean arterial blood pressure decreased by 48.7mmHg and vascular hyporeactivity to noradrenaline injection(1 g/kg, i.v.) upon intravenous administration of LPS. 2) Endotoxemia for 6hours resulted in little change in the numbers of white blood cells and neutrophils but a significant reduction in the numbers of platelets. The variables were not affected by the inhibitors. 3) Endotoxemia for 6hours caused a significant increase in serum nitric oxide level (P<0.01) which was inhibited by SMT, but not by L-NAME and PTX. 4) Upon injection of LPS, serum creatinine(0.65+/-0.08mg/dl) and urea(28.7+/-5.9mg/dl) were significantly elevated to 0.92+/-0.12 (P<0.05) and 54.3+/-2.1mg/dl (P< 0.01). These elevated levels were significantly attenuated by PTX but not by L-NAME and SMT. 5) Endotoxemia for 6 hours resulted in a significant increases in serum ALT(988.8+/-28.2 IU/L, P<0.01) and AST levels(1470.5+/-396.5 IU/L, P<0.01) from basal levels of ALT(67.8+/- 11.7IU/L) and AST(170.3+/-14.8IU/L). These increased activities were significantly attenuated by PTX, but not by L-NAME and SMT. The level of LDH(1279.8+/-156.2IU/L) was significantly increased by LPS treatment to 2932.0+/-519.9IU/L (P<0.05), which was inhibited by PTX. 6) Upon LPS treatment, the myeloperoxidase activity in the lung homogenate was significantly increased by LPS treatment (P<0.05), whereas that in the liver showed less change. The increased activity was reduced by PTX (P<0.05), but not by L-NAME and SMT. 7) The level of serum malondialdehyde, an index of lipid peroxidation by oxygen free radicals, was little influenced by LPS. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, it is summarized that PTX characteristically inhibited the development of multiple ogran dysfunction in a murine model of endotoxemia. Thus, it is concluded that the formation of TNF and increased activity of neutrophils may importantly contribute to the development of LPS-induced endotoxemia.
Administration, Intravenous ; Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Coagulation ; Endotoxemia ; Free Radicals ; Ischemia ; Leukocytes ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Liver ; Lung ; Malondialdehyde ; Models, Animal ; Multiple Organ Failure ; Neutrophils ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Norepinephrine ; Oxygen ; Pentoxifylline* ; Peroxidase ; Platelet Aggregation ; Rats* ; Shock ; Shock, Septic ; Vasoconstrictor Agents ; Vasodilation

In the therapeutic or the nutritional aspects, Zn2+ has been used as a supplement in a variety of drugs. Most of divalent or trivalent cations affect ion channels in the cell membranes of various organs. In particular, Zn2+ has been regarded as a potassium (K+) channel blocker in the field of electrophysiology. ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel, which is a kind of inward rectifier K+ channel, resides in the cell membrane of pancreatic beta cells and plays an important role in glucose-induced insulin secretion. The glucose increases intracellular ATP concentration, and this inhibits KATP channels. The inhibition of KATP channels activity depolarizes the cell, and subsequently, insulin is released by Ca2+ influx through the voltage- gated Ca2+ channels. Here, we demonstrate that KATP channels in the pancreatic beta cells are also the targets of extracellular Zn2+ blockade and its blockade is dependent on intracellular ATP concentration. This may be a compensatory mechanism preventing the oversecretion of insulin from the Pancreatic beta cells triggered by Zn2+ intake in a physiologically fasting condition.
Adenosine Triphosphate* ; Cations ; Cell Membrane ; Electrophysiology ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Insulin ; Insulin-Secreting Cells* ; Ion Channels ; KATP Channels* ; Potassium ; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying

No abstract available.
Foot* ; Hand*

No abstract available.
Drug Therapy, Combination* ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin*

GABA (-aminobutyric acid) is one of the important neurotransmitters in the central nervous system of mammals and its action is variable according to the maturation phases of neurons. The neurons of early cultural days (less than 7 days) have been used for a developing neuronal model, while the neurons of later days (over 3 weeks) used for a mature model. This study was performed to investigate the electrophysiological property of GABAergic synapses in the hippocampal neurons cultured for 10 to 14 days which are considered to be transitional period between the developing and the mature phases. Membrane potential was depolarized and a inward transmembrane current was induced by 20 M GABA infusion. Frequency and amplitude of spontaneous postsynaptic currents (PSCs) were inhibited during the GABA infusion, but decay time constant was not affected significantly. In most hippocampal neurons, no GABAergic PSCs were observed during the administration of 0.5 M TTX, 50 M APV and 10 M CNQX. In the neurons counting 25% approximately, however, small persisted PSCs showed the existence of GABAergic synapses which were blocked by 10 M bicuculine. As the functional property of isolated GABAergic synapses, amplitude of GABAergic PSCs were diminished, and decay time constants and rising times were prolonged during the 20 M GABA infusion in all recorded neurons. In conclusion, approximately 25% of the hippocmpal neurons cultured 10 to 14 days used GABA as well as glutamate as a neurotransmitter. It seems that the GABAergic synapses composed of functionally homogenous GABAA receptors act as inhibitory modulator of the excitatory signal transmission.
6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione ; Animals ; Central Nervous System ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid* ; Glutamic Acid ; Mammals ; Membrane Potentials ; Neurons* ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Rats* ; Synapses ; Synaptic Potentials

PURPOSE: Portal triad clamping and total or intermittent hepatic vascular exclusion are usually used to reduce blood loss during a major liver resection. Here we report the results of hepatectomy without vascular clamping. METHODS: From January 2003 to December 2005, 143 hepatectomies were performed without vascular clamping. There were 102 men and 41 women, with a mean age of 56.4 years. The indications were 79 hepatocellular carcinomas, 20 intrahepatic duct stones, 13 metastases, 13 gallbladder carcinomas, 7 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas, 5 Klatskin's tumors, and 6 others. All procedures were carried out using an ultrasonic dissector and intraoperative ultrasonography. RESULTS: There were 11 complications (7%) including intra-abdominal abscess (3), hyperbilirubinemia (3), postoperative bleeding (2), hepatic failure (1), ARDS (Acute respiratory distress syndrome) (1), and massive ascites (1). Sixty-one patients (42.6%) required a blood transfusion. The mean blood transfusion requirement was 1.4 pints. The liver function test results were similar to those previously reported on days 1,3,5, and 7 postoperatively, with a return to normal values after 1 week. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatectomy without vascular clamping reduces liver injuries, including ischemia of the remnant liver and splanchnic congestion. Reduction of bleeding during hepatectomy, requires accurate knowledge of the vascular anatomy, meticulous dissection of the liver parenchyma and maintenance of a low central venous pressure. Our experience with liver resections showed that hepatectomy without vascular clamping can be safely performed using intraoperative ultrasound and an ultrasonic dissector.
Abdominal Abscess ; Ascites ; Blood Transfusion ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Central Venous Pressure ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; Constriction* ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Female ; Gallbladder ; Hemorrhage ; Hepatectomy* ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Ischemia ; Klatskin's Tumor ; Liver ; Liver Failure ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Reference Values ; Ultrasonics ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: A cDNA microarray is a systematic method to identify key molecules for prognosis and for treatment response by profiling thousands of genes expressed in a single cancer. The clinical value of cDNA microarray is still being investigated in various fields. This technique could be used in detecting molecules important for cancer to develop, to monitor the effect of new cancer therapeutics, and to give a prognosis for cancer patients. We now report the results of our initial cDNA microarray data to analyze the genome pattern of colorectal cancer tissues and to evaluate the possibility of using cDNA microarrays in a clinical setting for cancer patients. METHODS: We used the general cDNA microarray technique with a 2.4 K cDNA chip provided by Macrogene company. RNA extracted from seven colorectal cancer tissues was amplified by using RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction), and applied to a cDNA chip to produce an antigen-antibody reaction. The results were analyzed individually and hierarchically. RESULTS: All seven tested cancer tissues were harvested from operative specimens at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital. The male-to-female ratio was 4 to 3. Five patients were TNM stage II, and two patients were stage III. Eighteen genes were upregulated in stage II patients, and 51 in stage III patients. The number of genes discriminating stage was 69, including 8 control genes, 4 ribosomal genes, 5 EST genes, 10 known non-functional genes, 23 genesof unknown function, and 19 possible cancer-related genes. A hierarchial graph showed similar patterns within a stage, which suggests that genetic patterns might affect clinical characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Seven colorectal cancer tissues were analyzed with the cDNA microarray technique using 2.4 K cDNA chip. Authors could identify 69 genes that showed the significant change of expression. Although our reports presented the preliminary results, we think that the cDNA microarray will be able to offer an informative results to predict cancer development and progression in colorectal cancer.
Antigen-Antibody Reactions ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; DNA, Complementary* ; Genome ; Humans ; Korea ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis* ; Prognosis ; RNA

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Persistent and recurrent otorrhea following open cavity tympano-mastoidectomy can be a serious problem for the patient and the otologic surgeon. Frequent post-operative otorrhea hallmarks surgical failure. Medical treatment may often yield resolution, but a significant number of patients would still require re-operation. So we applied CO2 laser cauterization to draining cavity. The objective of the present study was to introduce the CO2 laser cauterization on draining cavity, and to describe the clinical course of the laser treatment. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Twenty-one cases of post-operative persistent or recurrent otorrhea were diagnosed at our hospital from January 1999 to December 2000. Fifteen cases were selected in this study. The selection criteria included chronic ear patient, open cavity tympano-mastoidectomy, absent residual or recurrent cholesteatoma. The minimum duration of follow up was 6 months. All cases were locally anesthetized with 10% xylocaine. The CO2 laser was Shaplan 100 which was connected to a microscope. The interval of CO2 laser cauterization was one week. RESULTS: All of 15 cases were cured completely. There was no recurrence during the follow up period. The locations of granulation tissues were tegmen (10 cases), mastoid tip (6 cases), retro-facial or facial ridge (4 cases), and sino-dural angle (4 cases). The mechanical causes of retention of debris in open cavity procedures included insufficient meatoplasty (3 cases) and high facial ridge (2 cases). The times of CO2 laser coagulation ranged from 2 to 5. CONCLUSION: Based on our research on the effect of CO2 laser among patients with draining cavity, we concluded that : 1) CO2 laser cauterization was an efficient method for the management of draining cavity, 2) CO2 laser cauterization has benefits which reduced the frequency of OPD visits and 3) CO2 laser cauterization provided a delicate, selective removal of granulation tissues.
Cautery ; Cholesteatoma ; Ear ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granulation Tissue ; Humans ; Lasers, Gas ; Lidocaine ; Mastoid ; Patient Selection ; Recurrence

The formation and development of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies of type II pneumocyte were investigated using 7 cases of human fetal lungs from 9 to 20 weeks of gestation by transmission electron micropscopy. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The multilamellar bodies, the characteristic inclusion body of type II pneumocyte, have developed in developing epithelium of lung at 9 week of gestation. Another inclusion bodies specific to type II pneumocyte also have developed at that time. 2. The inclusion bodies were formed in association with cytoplasmic reticulum, outer membrane of nuclear envelope, and mitochondria. 3. The inclusion bodies were distributed in cluster at the apical cytoplasm, and classified schematically with the contents as multilamellar, cytoplasmic, granular/f locculent, multivesicular, dense, and multilamellar. But the intermediate and composite forms of inclusion bodies appeared at the time toward 20 week of gestation. In summary, it is suggested that the differentiation of type II pneumocyte starts before 9 week of gestation and 4 main types of inclusion bodies considered as the precursor of multilamellar body were found. Although the inclusion bodies were formed at endoplasmic reticulum or etc, it is likely that they form multilamellar body through the complex process such as fusion of inclusion bodies.
Cytoplasm ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Epithelium ; Fetus* ; Humans* ; Inclusion Bodies* ; Lung ; Membranes ; Mitochondria ; Nuclear Envelope ; Pneumocytes* ; Pregnancy ; Reticulum