No abstract available.
Pulmonary Atelectasis*

BACKGROUND: Angiocentric T-cell lymphomas are rare T-cell malignancies which involve extranodal sites, such as the skin, nasal cavity, soft tissue and gastrointestinal tract. They have been reported with significant frequency in Asia. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study is to characterize the clinical, pathological, and immunohistochemical featnres of cutaneous angiocentric T-cell lymphoma. Another objective is to search for the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the tissues of cutaneous angiocentiric T cell lymphoma. METHODS: Clinical records, laboratory data, and histopathologic sections of 12 patients with cutaneous angiocentric T-cell lymphoma were reviewed. Paraffin tumor tissues were immunophenotyped. In situ hybridizaion studies were performed to detect the EBV genomes. RESULTS: The ages of the 12 patients ranged from 34 to 64 years(mean 45.8 years). The cutaneous lesions were nodules or plaqes, and were with ulcerated or had intact skin. Eight patients had evidence of extracutaneous involvement, usually involving lymph nodes, liver, and spleen. Eleven patients showed the abnormal laboratory findings including anemia, leukopenia, and elevated level of LDH. The disease pursued an aggressive course and was not uncommonly resistant to treatment. Histologically, the lymphomatous infiltrate occurred predominantly in the subcutaneous layer with involvement of the dermis. The pattern was mainly perivascular and periadnexal. A prominent feature was invasion of small or medium vesselsby lymphoma cells. The infiltrating lymphrcytes expressed CD45RO in all cases; variable expression of CD3 and CD56 was detected in piaffin sections. Among the 11 cases where in situ hybridization was performed, EBV genome could be detected in 9 cases. CONCLUSION: Angiocentric T-cell lymphoma of the skin is an aggressive lymphoma distinct from classic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. However, further studies are needed to regard them as a homogeneous entity of T-cell lymphoma involving the skin.
Anemia ; Asia ; Dermis ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Genome ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Leukopenia ; Liver ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous ; Nasal Cavity ; Paraffin ; Skin* ; Spleen ; T-Lymphocytes ; Ulcer

Ischemic-reperfusion injury of skeletal muscles takes place in the phase of reperfusion and induces cellular damages through activating various transcription factors and genes, which initiate signal transduction. The purpose of this study was to observe changes of expression of NF-kappa B and AP-1, which are known as a redox sensitive transcription factors in ischemic-reperfused rat skeletal muscles, and PKC theta which activate NF-kappa B and AP-1. Sprague-Dawley male rats of nine, thirty, and sixty-five weeks old were divided into control and ischemia groups. Ischemia was performed by occlusion of left common iliac artery for 4 hours using rodent vascular clamps. The animals were sacrificed at hours 0, 1, 3 and 6 after onset of reperfusion and tibialis anterior and soleus muscles were removed. The distributions of PKC theta, NF-kappa B, and AP-1 immunoreactivity (IMR) were examined using immunohistochemical methods. The results as follows; In control groups, PKC theta IMR was decreased with age and was higher in tibialis anterior than that in soleus muscles. In ischemia groups, PKC theta IMR was increased with age and was higher in soleus than that in tibialis anterior muscles. In control groups, NF-kappa B IMR was decreased with age. In ischemia groups, NF-kappa B IMR was increased with age and was higher in soleus than that in tibialis anterior muscles. In control groups, AP-1 IMR was decreased with age. In ischemia groups, AP-1 IMR was increased with age and was higher in tibialis anterior than that in soleus muscles. Increase or decrease of PKC theta IMR was associated with the increase or decrease of NF-kappa B and AP-1 IMR in ischemic-reperfused rat skeletal muscles, respectively. These results suggested that the increased expression of PKC theta may induce the upregulations of NF-kappa B and AP-1 in ischemic-reperfusion injury of rat skeletal muscle. It is also suggested that the ischemic injury may be increased with age, and tibialis anterior muscle is more susceptabile to ischemic-reperfusion injury than soleus muscle.
Animals ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; Ischemia ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscles* ; NF-kappa B* ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion ; Rodentia ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factor AP-1* ; Transcription Factors

PURPOSE: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been known to participate in various pathologic situations by modulating extracellular matrix. Although MMP-9 upregulation has been reported in some experimental seizure models, the exact role of MMP-9 in hippocampal cell death during epileptogenesis and subsequent mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) is not clear. Here, we investigated the role of MMP-9 on hippocampal cell death and MFS after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) in mice, using highly specific hydroxamic MMP-9 inhibitor. METHODS: SE was induced by intraperitoneal pilocarpine administration in adult male C57BL/6 mice. MMP-9 specific inhibitor was administered intracerebroventrically 3 h after pilocarpine-induced SE. Expression and activation of MMP-9 were assessed by zymography and Western blot analysis. TdT-mediated UTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and caspase-3 activity assay were also performed. MFS was investigated using Timm staining. RESULTS: Increased expression and activation of MMP-9 after pilocarpine-induced SE were observed in zymography and Western blot analysis. MMP-9 specific inhibitor decreased MMP-9 activity in in situ zymography and hippocampal cell death in cresyl violet staining. DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity were also attenuated by MMP-9 specific inhibitor. Four months after pilocarpine-induced SE, MFS was evident in vehicle-treated mice; in contrast, MFS was barely observed in MMP-9 specific inhibitor-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests MMP-9 is associated with hippocampal cell death and MFS after pilocarpine-induced SE. Furthermore, the findings that MMP-9 specific inhibitor ameliorates cell death and MFS offers the possibility of MMP-9 specific hydroxamic inhibitor as novel therapeutic strategy to reduce hippocampal damage and epileptogenesis.
Adult ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Death* ; DNA Fragmentation ; Extracellular Matrix ; Humans ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Mice* ; Mossy Fibers, Hippocampal ; Neurons* ; Pilocarpine ; Seizures ; Status Epilepticus* ; Up-Regulation ; Viola

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Aggressive antithrombotic therapy and transfemoral primary intervention during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) restricts the patient's movement and may increase the risk of access site bleeding complications, and lengthen the duration of movement restriction and hospital stay. Transradial approach provides less bleeding complications and early ambulation. The purpose of this study is to know whether transradial primary intervention is safe and feasible in the patients with AMI. MATERIALS AND METHOD: From April 1998 to December 1998, transradial primary interventions were performed in the consecutive 28 patients (24 male, 57+/-7 years) by two experienced operators. The results were compared to the results of 44 (15 patients during same period, 29 during previous year) transfemoral primary interventions. RESULTS: 1)The success rates of transradial primary interventions was 93% (26/28) and comparable to 95% (42/44) of transfemoral primary interventions. 2)In transradial group, the time from the arrival of catheterization laboratory to arterial access and to reperfusion, the time from the arrival of emergency room to reperfusion were 8.1+/-3.4 minutes, 22.0+/-5.3 minutes, and 71.7+/-9.2 minutes, respectively and comparable to 9.0+/-3.1 minutes, 21.7+/-5.3 minutes, and 68.9+/-8.1 minutes of transfemoral group, respectively. 3)The complications of the procedure were treated successfully during transradial interventions. 4)In transradial group, puncture site bleeding complications were absent though heparin was continued and mild ambulation was possible early after the procedure. The hospital stay of transradial group was 5.3+/-1.3 days and shorter than 7.7+/-4.2 days of transfemoral group. CONCLUSION: In the low risk patients with AMI, transradial primary intervention might be safe and feasible with acceptable time delay by the experienced operators. It might be effective to reduce access site bleeding complications and to initiate early ambulation, resulting in the shortened hospital stay.
Catheterization ; Catheters ; Early Ambulation ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hemorrhage ; Heparin ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Punctures ; Reperfusion ; Walking

The complications and sequelae after the mandibular surgery are related to inferior alveolar neurovascular bundles, which pass through the mandibular canal. The knowledge of their positions would decrease the risk of mandibular surgery dramatically and would be used for the development of the new surgical techniques. This study was undertaken to clarify the anatomical position of mandibular canal for the mandibular surgery. Forty four mandibules (23 males and 21 females average 66.5 years) obtained from the collection of Hanyang medical college were studied. The location of mandibular canal in the sections between premolars and molars were measured. The obtained results were as follows; At first, the mandibular canal lay lingual to the distal part of the body of the mandible. It then ran anteriorly and to the buccal part of the mandible between the first and the second premolars. In the sections between premolars and molars, the distance between the mandibular canal and the lower border of mandibular body was 8.9+/-1.9 mm at the position of the first molar, the distance between the deepest point of the alveolar socket and the mandibular canal was 9.5+/-3.5 mm at the second molar, which was the narrowest point. The results of this study would be useful to decrease the risk of the mandibular surgery and to develop the new techniques for mandibul surgery in the field of the dentistry and maxillofacial surgery.
Bicuspid ; Dentistry ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible* ; Molar ; Surgery, Oral

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the relationship between PTEN and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and to assess their roles in the tumor-induced angiogenesis and tumor progression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, from 96 patients diagnosed with NSCLC, were evaluated for VEGF and PTEN expression using immunohistochemical methods. The results of the expression pattern of VEGF alone, or in combination with PTEN expression, were compared with clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: VEGF expression was seen in 54 (56.3%) of the 96 NSCLCs evaluated, and was significantly correlated with histological type, and seen more frequently in adenocarcinomas compared to the other histological types (p<0.05). There were no significant associations between VEGF expression and tumor size, lymph node metastasis and stage. The microvessel density (MVD) determined by CD34 staining were significantly higher in tumors with VEGF expression (62.9+/-21.8) than those without (55.1+/-15.1). Loss of PTEN expression was seen in 33 (34.4%) of the 96 NSCLCs evaluated. VEGF expression was more frequently detected in the tumors with loss of PTEN expression (69.7%) than in those with PTEN expression (49.2%). When the combined VEGF/ PTEN phenotypes were divide into two groups; group I (VEGF-/PTEN+) and group II (VEGF-/ PTEN-, VEGF+/PTEN+, VEGF+/PTEN-), a significant correlation was also seen between the groups and the histologic types. There was a trend for the tumors in group II to show more frequent lymph node metastasis (50.0%) than those in group I (31.5%), although there was no statistical significance. The MVDs were significantly higher in group II (63.1+/-20.7) than in group I (53.4+/-17.2). CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate an inverse correlation between the expressions of PTEN and VEGF. It is possible that PTEN may repress VEGF expression, and modulate VEGF-mediated angiogenesis, which suggests further analysis of the complex phenomenon of neo-angiogenesis in NSCLC is essential.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 10 ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Microvessels ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Phenotype ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

No abstract available.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Headache ; Post-Traumatic Headache*

Current stroke guidelines recommend the administration of non-vitamin-K-antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) for the prevention of cardioembolic stroke induced by nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. We report a patient who suffered from recurrent posterior circulation strokes-occurring eight times in 4 months-even under adequate antiplatelet medication. Changing the medication from antiplatelet agents to NOAC stopped the stroke recurrence. We suggest that NOAC has a role in the prevention of recurrent stroke of undetermined etiology in the posterior circulation.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Humans ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; Recurrence ; Stroke*

PURPOSE: The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha(HIF-1alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) has been known as important factor of vascular complications in diabetes mellitus. The penile tumescence has variable degree according to vascularity. The aims of this study were to investigate erectile function and cavernosal expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty(OLETF) rats, which develop NIDDM naturally. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten male OLETF rats and ten control male Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty(LETO) rats were included in this study. The development of diabetes mellitus for OLETF were defined by glucose tolerance test at 26 weeks. After 72 weeks, OLETF rats, LETO rats and ten twenty-week male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Intracavernosal pressure were measured after cavernous nerve stimulation. Immunohistochemical stain and Western blot analysis were done for HIF-1alpha and VEGF in corpus cavernosum. RESULTS: Cavernous nerve stimulation-induced mean intracavernosal pressure(mmHg) was significantly decreased in the OLETF group(21.6+/-6.7 mmHg) compared to LETO(32.8+/-16.0 mmHg) group and in the LETO group compared to Sprague-Dawley group(47.2+/-11.7 mmHg)(p <0.05). With Western blot analysis, HIF-1alpha and VEGF expressions were higher in the OLETF group compared to other groups. With immunohistochemical stain, HIF-1alpha and VEGF were mainly expressed in corpus cavernosum and endothelium. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that increased HIF-1alpha and VEGF expressions in OLETF rat penile tissue can be found at microvascular injury in corpus cavernosum and are presumed to be associated with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Endothelium ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 ; Male ; Penile Erection ; Rats* ; Rats, Inbred OLETF ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*