BACKGROUND: bFGF, a member of the fibroblast growth factor family, potently induces vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and decreased synthesis of the collagens. OBJECTIVE: For further investigation of the effect of bFGF on extracellular matrix homeostasis in the skin, we evaluated the expression of type I and type VII collagen gene at the transcriptional levels. METHOD: We examined that recombinant human bFGF affects the expression of genes involved in ECM synthesis and remodeling in human dermal fibroblasts cultures as judged by Northern blot analysis. RESULTS: The steady state levels of type I and VII collagen gene mRNA were decreased with age dependent pattern up to 0.13 and 0.44 folds respectively. The transcriptional levels of type I collagen mRNA were increased by TGF-B, treatment but markedly decreased by bFGF as well as TNF-a. But there were no synergistic effects bFGF and TNF-a on type I collagen gene expression. The levels of type VII collagen gene expression were increased by both bFGF and TGF-B,. The TNF-a showed slightly antagnostic effects on type VII collagen gene expression. CONCLUSION: The type I and VII collagen gene expression in dermal fibroblasts is clearly subjected to modulation by the cytokines including bFGF with uncoordinate regulatory pathway. In addition to its function of vascular proliferation, bFGF also may play a major role in physiologic skin condition and in repair process such as formation of a stable dermoepidermal junction during skin wound healing.
Blotting, Northern ; Cell Proliferation ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type VII ; Collagen* ; Cytokines ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; Fibroblasts* ; Gene Expression* ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Methods ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin ; Wound Healing

No abstract available.
Blood Coagulation*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Though the surgical intervention of subclavian artery stenosis has been effective, its high morbidity and mortality have limited its clinical application. In 1980 percutaneous balloon angioplasty of stenotic artery was introduced as a substitute for surgical intervention and subsequent reports have supported its efficacy noting that it is more effective when combined with stent. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of percutaneous intervention as an alternative or primary therapy for symptomatic subclavian artery stenosis. METHODS: Between September 1993 and October 1998, 17 lesions in 16 patients of symptomatic subclavian artery stenosis were enrolled as candidates for nonsurgical intervention. We performed percutaneous balloon angioplasty with stenting to the subclavian artery stenosis and evaluated the early results. RESULTS: 1)The patients had a mean age of 55+/-14 years and 13 of 16 patients were male. 2)Subclavian artery stenting was successful in 94% (16/17) of the lesion without significant complications. The cause of failure was suboptimal result after deployment of stent. 3)The types of stents deployed were Strecker stents in 4, Palmaz stents in 8, Wall stents in 3 and Jo stents in 2 cases. 4)The peak and mean pressure gradient reduced from 58.5+/-17.0 to 8.5+/-7.4 and 31.4+/-13.0 to 4.7+/-5.5 mmHg respectively (p<0.01) and the degree of luminal stenosis decreased from 92.5+/-8.5% to 10.0+/-14.3%. (p<0.01) CONCLUSION: Subclavian artery stenosis can be managed safely and effectively through percutaneous balloon angioplasty with stenting, with an excellent technical success rate and less morbidity and mortality particularly in patients coexisting other vascular and systemic diseases. However, the long-term patency and clinical effects should be warranted.
Angioplasty, Balloon ; Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; Phenobarbital ; Stents* ; Subclavian Artery* ; Subclavian Steal Syndrome

Primary peptic ulcer disease in not known to be the result of underlying illness or trauma. These are most frequently duodenal or prepyloric. Since clinical features of peptic ulcer in children can easily be confused with many other disorders, the diagnosis is usually made when one of the more dramatic presentations, such as perforation, bleeding and obstruction. Recently, we experienced 2 cases of duodenal obstruction due to peptic ulcer in children. So, we report it with review of references.
Child* ; Diagnosis ; Duodenal Obstruction* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Peptic Ulcer*

PURPOSE: To find the rebleeding factors in bronchial arterial embolization for treatment of hemoptysis, a retrospective study was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Medical records, anglographic findings and embolic materials of 35 patients who had undertaken arterial embolization for control of hemoptysis were reviewed. The period of follow-up for rebleeding was from 3 to 32 months after arterial embolization. We investigated the anglographic findings of extravasation, neovascularity, intervascular shunt, aneurysm and periarterial diffusion. Neovascularity was classified as mild(numerable neovascularity) and severe(innumerable). RESULTS: Rebleeding occured in 15(43%) among 35 cases. Only two of 11 cases with no past episode of hemoptysis showed recurrence, while 9 of 15 cases who had more than three episodes did. Severe neovascularity were seen in 11 of 15 recurred cases, but seven of 20 non-recurred cases showed severe neovascularity. More than three anglographic findings representing hemoptysis were seen on 11(73%) among recurred 15 cases and seven(35%) among non-recurred 20 cases. The lesion was supplied by more than two different arteries on 8(54%) of the recurred cases, but only three(15%) of the non-recurred cases. Six of seven cases persistent neovascularity after arterial embolization were recurred. CONCLUSION: The history of repeated hemoptysis, severe neovascularity, variable anglographic findings, and post-embolization persistency of neovascularity were the factors related with the rebleeding after arterial embolization for hemoptysis. Careful and active arterial embolization are required on these conditions.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Diffusion ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemoptysis* ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

We report a case of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with trisomy 12 detected by FISH using chromosome 12 alpha-satellite Probe (Oncor , USA) in uncultured interphase cells. Chromosome studies did not produce an analyzable metaphase by standard short term culture and revealed only normal female karyotype by B cell mitogen (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) stimulated 96 hr culture. The patient, a 59-year-old female, did not have hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and any other symptoms. The peripheral blood of the patient showed marked lymphocytosis (WBC : 28,300/microL, Lymphocyte: 80%) and the diagnosis by immunophenotyping was B cell CLL:CD5, CDl9, CD2O, SmIg, HLA-DR positive.
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12 ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fluorescence* ; Hepatomegaly ; HLA-DR Antigens ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; In Situ Hybridization* ; Interphase ; Karyotype ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell* ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphocytosis ; Metaphase ; Middle Aged ; Splenomegaly ; Trisomy*

We report a case of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with trisomy 12 detected by FISH using chromosome 12 alpha-satellite Probe (Oncor , USA) in uncultured interphase cells. Chromosome studies did not produce an analyzable metaphase by standard short term culture and revealed only normal female karyotype by B cell mitogen (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) stimulated 96 hr culture. The patient, a 59-year-old female, did not have hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and any other symptoms. The peripheral blood of the patient showed marked lymphocytosis (WBC : 28,300/microL, Lymphocyte: 80%) and the diagnosis by immunophenotyping was B cell CLL:CD5, CDl9, CD2O, SmIg, HLA-DR positive.
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12 ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fluorescence* ; Hepatomegaly ; HLA-DR Antigens ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; In Situ Hybridization* ; Interphase ; Karyotype ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell* ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphocytosis ; Metaphase ; Middle Aged ; Splenomegaly ; Trisomy*

No abstract available.
Cisplatin* ; Drug Therapy* ; Ovarian Neoplasms*

No abstract available.
Cisplatin* ; Drug Therapy* ; Ovarian Neoplasms*