This study aimed to investigate the existence of GABA receptor and the mechanisms of action of GABA and diazepam of the trachealis muscle isolated from dog. Horizontal muscle strips of 2mm×15mm were prepared from canine trachea, and isometric myography in isolated muscle chamber bubbled with 95/5%-O₂/CO₂ at 36℃, at the pH of 7.4 was performed. Muscle strips contracted responding to the electrical field stimulation (ESP) by 2~20 Hz, 20 msec, monophasic square wave of 60 VDC. GABA and diazepam suppressed the EFS-induced contractions to the similar extent, significantly. (p<0.05). Bicuculline, a GABA(A) receptor antagonist blocked both GABA- and diazepam-inhibitions; but DAVA, a GABA(B) receptor antagoinst did not affect either of them. These results suggest than in the canine trachealis muscle, there may be only GABA(A) receptor, and GABA and diazepam inhibit the contractility via GABA(A) receptor.
Animals ; Bicuculline ; Diazepam ; Dogs ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid* ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Myography ; Receptors, GABA ; Receptors, GABA-A ; Trachea

ANCA-associated vasculitis is one of the immunologic cause of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH). We experienced a rare case of recurrent DAH in a 67-year-old man with ANCA-associated vasculitis who had been on maintenance hemodialysis. Two years ago, he presented with renal failure and hemoptysis. Hemoptysis caused by DAH was resolved immediately and hemodialysis was applied because of persistent uremic symptom. On maintenance hemodialysis, three recurrences have happened so far. At present, oral prednisolone and oral cyclophosphamide are being maintained during outpatient follow-up. Our report suggests that the nephrologist must be concerned about the possibility of recurrent aleveolar hemorrhage in ANCA associated renal disease patients and consider immunosuppressive treatment, even though the patient has been on maintenance hemodialysis.
Aged ; Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis ; Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic ; Cyclophosphamide ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemoptysis ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Prednisolone ; Recurrence ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Vasculitis*

The purpose of this study provides measurements of radiation dose from MDCT of head, chest, abdomen and pelvic examinations. A series of dose quantities that are measured of patient weight to compare the dose received during MDCT examinations. Data collected included: weight together with CT dose descriptors, volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP). The effective dose was also estimated and served as collective dose estimation data. Data from 1,774 adult patients attending for a CT examination of the head (n=520) or chest (n=531) or abdomen (n=724) was obtained from spiral CT units using a same CT protocol. Mean values of CTDIvol was a range of 48.6 mGy for head and 6.9, 10.5 mGy for chest, abdomen examinations, respectively. And mean values of DLP was range of 1,604 mGy.cm for head, 250 mGy.cm for chest, 575 mGy.cm for abdomen examinations, respectively. Mean effective dose values for head, chest, abdominal CT were 3.6, 4.2, and 8.6 mSv, respectively. The degree of CTDIvol and DLP was a positive correlation with weight. And there was a positive correlation for weight versus CTDIvol (r2=0.62), DLP (r2=0.694) in chest. And head was also positive correlation with weight versus CTDIvol (r2=0.691), DLP (r2=0.741). We conclude that CTDIvol and DLP is an important determinant of weight within the CT examinations. The results for this study suggest that CT protocol should be tailored according to patient weight.
Abdomen ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Cytarabine ; Gynecological Examination ; Head ; Humans ; Subject Headings ; Thioguanine ; Thorax ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

We investigated the co-stimulatory role of a cell-surface protein, CD99. Co-ligation of CD99 and suboptimal CD3 induced T-cell activation to a level comparable to that obtained with optimal CD3 or CD3+CD28. We also noted concomitant enhancement of the earliest T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling events. In addition, co-ligation of CD99 and CD3 led to translocation of TCR complexes into the lipid raft, without concomitant migration of CD99 to the raft, and consequent enhancement of TCR zeta-mediated signal 1. These data demonstrate the unique properties of CD99 co-stimulation that distinguish this molecule from CD28 and other raft-resident co-stimulatory factors.
Antigens, CD/*immunology ; Antigens, CD3/immunology ; Cell Adhesion Molecules/*immunology ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; Lymphocyte Activation/*immunology ; Membrane Microdomains/*immunology ; Membrane Proteins/*immunology ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotyrosine/*metabolism ; Protein Transport ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/*immunology ; T-Lymphocytes/*immunology

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the major causes of end-stage renal disease. Microalbuminuria predicts not only progressive renal disease, but also increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. But, the relationship between urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) remains an unresolved issue. In order to investigate the early renal function abnormalities, UAER and GFR were assessed and their relationship was examined in normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: Between January 1997 and June 2001, in a cross sectional study of 112 normotensive patients with type 2 DM not showing overt proteinuria and thirty healthy subjects served as control group. According to UAER, type 2 DM patients were divided into normoalbuminuria group and microalbuminuria group. The GFR was measured using 99mTc-DTPA renal scan. Clinical values in type 2 DM patients and control subjects were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Scheffe's F test. In type 2 DM patients, Univariate Chi-square analysis was used to evaluate the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and the differences in anti-diabetic treatment. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to demonstrate a strength of an association between UAER and other variables including GFR. RESULTS: Three groups were well matched with regard to gender, age and body mass index. There were no significant differences in disease duration and anti-diabetic treatment in type 2 DM patients. The GFR in microalbuminuric patients was significantly higher than in normoalbuminuric patients (124.0 17.6 vs 102.9+/-15.5 mL/min/1.73 m2, p<0.05). The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in microalbuminuric patients was significantly higher than in normoalbuminuric patients (53.8% vs 24.7%, p<0.05). Only there was significant positive correlation between log UAER and GFR (r=0.303, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: As in type 1 DM patients, there was a significant relationship between UAER and GFR in normotensive type 2 DM patients without overt proteinuria.
Body Mass Index ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Glomerular Filtration Rate* ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Mortality ; Prevalence ; Proteinuria

Necrotizing fasciitis is an uncommon severe infection involving the subcutaneous soft tissue, particularly the superficial and often deep fascia. It is usually associated with systemic toxicity, rapid progression and a mortality rate which varies between 20 and 60%. It can affect any part of the body but is most common on the extremities, especially the leg. Predisposing factors include diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, intravenous drug abusers, abdominal surgery, perineal infection. The prognosis for necrotizing fasciitis depends so heavily on early recognition and determination of the extent of necrosis. Whilist there are reports of acute renal failure occuring in the presence of necrotizing fasciitis, descriptions of the condition in patients with chronic renal failure are rare in the literature. Hence we report a case of necrotizing fasciitis, diagnosed by MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) in chronic renal failure patient.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Alcoholism ; Causality ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Drug Users ; Extremities ; Fascia ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mortality ; Necrosis ; Prognosis

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease has deleterious influences on pregnancy, both fetus and mother. To determine the pregnancy outcome and associated risk factors, we analyzed 36 pregnancies in 26 women with various chronic kidney diseases. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 36 pregnancies was performed in women with chronic kidney disease who underwent antenatal care and delivery at Pusan National University Hospital from January 1993 to December 2002. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 29.7 +/- 3.6 years. Underlying kidney disease was lupus nephritis in 10 patients (11 pregnancies), IgA nephropathy in 7 patients (8 pregnancies), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in 4 patients (9 pregnancies), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in 4 patients (7 pregnancies), membranous glomerulonephritis in 1 patient (1 pregnancy). Of the 36 pregnancies, fetal loss occurred in 14 pregnancies (38.9%), premature delivery 7 pregnancies (19.4%) and normal delivery 15 pregnancies (41.7%). Deterioration of maternal renal function occurred in 10 pregnancies (27.8%), hypertension 18 pregnancies (50.0%) and aggravation of proteinuria 26 pregnancies (72.2%). Fetal loss and deterioration of maternal renal function were more frequent in patients with preconception serum creatinine value (SCr) >or=1.4 mg/dL than in those with SCr <1.4 mg/dL (85.7% vs. 27.6%, p<0.05; 100% vs. 10.3%, p<0.05, respectively). Neither fetal loss nor deterioration of maternal renal function was associated with hypertension and aggravation of proteinuria. In multivariate analysis, preconception SCr was associated with fetal loss (p=0.014, OR 32.7, 95% CI 2.0-526.0) and BP >or=140/90 mmHg during pregnancy was associated with low birth weight (p=0.027, OR 0.034, 95% CI 0.002-0.682). Deterioration of maternal renal function during pregnancy was recovered in 40.0%, hypertension was recovered in 50.0% and proteinuria was recovered in 77.8% within 1 year after delivery. CONCLUSION: Preconceptional impairment of maternal renal function and uncontrolled hypertension during pregnancy seem to be an important factors associated with fetal loss and low birth weight, respectively.
Busan ; Creatinine ; Female ; Fetus ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranous ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Kidney Diseases ; Lupus Nephritis ; Mothers ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome* ; Pregnancy* ; Proteinuria ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Acute pyelonephritis (APN) is an unusual cause of acute renal failure (ARF) in patients without urinary obstruction and other predisposing conditions. Therefore, in the differential diagnosis of ARF, APN is rarely considered. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data from the patients with ARF secondary to APN (ARF group, n=8) with normal renal anatomy and no known predisposing conditions which lead to ARF during the course of acute bacterial pyelonephritis, and investigated the differences of clinical parameters to the patients with uncomplicated APN (control group, n=20). RESULTS: Female were predominant in both groups. The mean age was 49.2+/-14.4 years in control group and 56.3+/-16.4 years in ARF group. On admission, the body temperature was 37.5+/-1.14degrees C in control group and 36.62+/-0.32degrees C in ARF group (p= 0.003). The days of pyuria, duration days of costovertebral angel (CVA) tenderness and hospitalization days were significantly prolonged in ARF group. CVA tenderness was unilateral in 65% of control group and bilateral in 65% of ARF group. Amounts of daily urine protein excretion were 0.15+/-0.48 gm/ day in control group and 2.99+/-2.89 gm/day in ARF group (p=0.001). Creatinine clearance and FeNa were 24.04+/-15.98 mL/min and 2.80+/-2.68 in patients group, respectively. Development of ARF had positive correlation with the duration of pyuria (r=0.579, p< 0.01), amounts of daily urine protein excretion (r=0.854, p< 0.01), duration of CVA tenderness (r=0.461, p< 0.05) and had a negative correlation with body temperature (r=-0.402, p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: APN is a rare but important cause of acute renal failure. Patients with ARF secondary to APN seems to have more prolonged period of pyuria and CVA tenderness, apyrexia and excrete more protein in urine than patients with uncomplicated APN. Adequate treatment of the bacterial infection by prompt antibiotic treatment may lead to full recovery of renal function.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Bacterial Infections ; Body Temperature ; Creatinine ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Pyelonephritis* ; Pyuria ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: In patients with chronic renal failure, infection is caused by altered host defense mechanism, and contributes significantly to their morbidities and mortalities. Especially, urinary tract infection often occurs in patients with chronic renal failure and is due to azotemia, infrequent voiding, low urinary flow rate and urinary concentration defects. This study was designed to compare the incidence of asymptomatic bacteriuria with chronic renal failure with that of normal control group. We also investigated whether risk factors for urinary tract infections in patients with chronic renal failure are similar to those in normal control groups. METHODS: 34 patients (M : F=13 : 21) with chronic renal failure and 30 normal control groups (M : F= 11 : 19) were evaluated in the Pusan National University Hospital from January 2001 through December 2001. Etiology of chronic renal failure included diabetes mellitus (n=16, 47.1%), hypertension (n=14, 41.2%) and glomerular diseases (n=4, 11.7%). 25 patients were treated with hemodialysis and 5 patients were treated with peritoneal dialysis. Others (n=4) were not treated with dialysis. Clean-catch, first voided urine was collected in the morning and examined by routine urinalysis and urine culture. RESULTS: 7 of 34 (20.6%) patients with chronic renal failure were positive in urine cultures and only one of 30 (3.3%) from the normal control group were positive. E. coli (n=2), Acinetobacter baumanii (n=2), Enterococcus spp. (n=2), S. aureus (n=1), P. aeruginosa (n=1), S. epidermidis (n=1) and Str. viridans (n=1) are cultured from urine specimens. There was a significant difference between the incidence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in patients with chronic renal failure and that of normal control group. But there was no significant difference in the presence of bacteriuria according to sex, age, etiology of renal failure, dialysis modality and pyuria. CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic renal failure have higher frequency of asymptomatic bacteriuria and pyuria than healthy subjects and tend to lead to symptomatic urinary tract infections.
Acinetobacter ; Azotemia ; Bacteriuria* ; Busan ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Dialysis ; Enterococcus ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Mortality ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Pyuria ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Risk Factors ; Urinalysis ; Urinary Tract Infections

Genetic alterations have been recognized as an important event in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer (GC). We conducted high resolution bacterial artificial chromosome array-comparative genomic hybridization, to elucidate in more detail the genomic alterations, and to establish a pattern of DNA copy number changes with distinct clinical variables in GC. Our results showed some correlations between novel amplified or deleted regions and clinical status. Copy-number gains were frequently detected at 1p, 5p, 7q, 8q, 11p, 16p, 20p and 20q, and losses at 1p, 2q, 4q, 5q, 7q, 9p, 14q, and 18q. Losses at 4q23, 9p23, 14q31.1, or 18q21.1 as well as a gain at 20q12 were correlated with tumor-node-metastasis tumor stage. Losses at 9p23 or 14q31.1 were associated with lymph node status. Metastasis was determined to be related to losses at 4q23 or 4q28.2, as well as losses at 4q15.2, 4q21.21, 4q 28.2, or 14q31.1, with differentiation. One of the notable aspects of this study was that the losses at 4q or 14q could be employed in the evaluation of the metastatic status of GC. Our results should provide a potential resource for the molecular cytogenetic events in GC, and should also provide clues in the hunt for genes associated with GC.
Stomach Neoplasms/genetics/*pathology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods ; Receptors, Thyrotropin/genetics ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization/*methods ; Neoplasm Staging ; Middle Aged ; Male ; MafB Transcription Factor/genetics ; Lymphatic Metastasis/genetics ; Humans ; Genome, Human/genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Female ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 20/genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14/genetics ; *Chromosome Aberrations ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aged ; Adult