Nocodazole is an anticancer agent that acts on microtubules or filaments. HeLa, Hep G2, A549, L929 and NIH/3T3 cell lines were cultivated in alpha-MEM with 3micrometer or 30micrometer nocodazole. To elucidate the associations between nocodazole`s antitumor actions and these effects, the influences of nocodazole on the cellular morphology and the organelles involving synthesis, secretion and destruction of proteins were investigated under light and electron microscopes. The changes of intermediate filaments such as pancytokeratins and vimentins that maybe suggest antimetastatic action of nocodazole were observed using immunocytochemical technique, PAP at light microscopic level. Rounded or micronucleate cells were induced by treatment with 3micrometer and 30micrometer nocodazole for 2 hours to 4 days. Multimicronucleate cells appeared in experimental groups of all cell lines. Nuclear foldings occurred in cells of experimental groups treated with nocodazole for 2-3 days. The numerical increases of rough endoplasmic reticulum were observed in HeLa cells treated with nocodazole for 3 days and the dilatation or numerical increases in L929 cells treated with nofodazole for 1-3 days. The fragmentations or dispersion of Golgi complex were observed in cells treated with nocodazole for 1-3 days. The amount of filaments increased in cells treated with nocodazole for 1-3 days. The number of lysosomes increased in cells treated with nocodazole for 1-3 days. The number of liposomes also increased in Hep G2 cells treated with 30micrometer nocodazole for 3 days and in 3micrometer & 30micrometer, 3 days group of 3T3 cells. The amount of pancytokeratins and vimentins increased in cells treated with nocodazole for 1-3 days. Taken together, depolymerization of microlubules was induced by nocodazole, and then the organization of cells was disintegrated. As a result, the rounded cells, the cells having multimicronuclei, and the changes of golgi complexes occurred. But there were relatively no great changes of rough endoplasmic reticulum. The amount of intermediate filaments that maintain the differentiated states of cells increased by nocodazole treatment. It was suggested that morphological changes of cells could be used in evaluation of actions of nocodazole. Especially, the increase of amount of intermediate filaments by nocodazole changed cells of each cell line from undifferentiated state to differentiated, and therefore the author hope that the changes in amount of intermediate filaments provide an important clue in anticancer and antimetastatic actions of nocodazole.
3T3 Cells ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Dilatation ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Golgi Apparatus ; HeLa Cells ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hope ; Humans ; Intermediate Filaments ; Liposomes ; Lysosomes ; Mice ; Microtubules ; Nocodazole* ; Organelles ; Vimentin

Carotid ultrasound is an imaging modality that allows non-invasive assessment of vascular anatomy and function. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) has been shown to predict cardiovascular (CV) risk in multiple large studies. However, in 2013, American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines designated that the carotid IMT as class III evidence level was not recommended for use in clinical practice as a routine measurement of risk assessment for a first atherosclerotic CV event. Following the announcement of this guideline, combined common carotid IMT and plaque, including plaque tissue characterization and plaque burden, using 3D ultrasound was reported to be better than either measurement alone in a variety of studies. Moreover, changes in the intima thickness were related to aging and early atherosclerosis, and remodeling of the media thickness was associated with hypertension. Separate measurement is useful for evaluating the effects of different atherosclerotic risk factors on the arterial wall; however, a more detailed and elaborate technique needs to be developed. If so, separate measurement will play an important role in the assessment of atherosclerosis and arterial wall change according to a variety of risk factors, such as metabolic syndrome. In addition, although carotid blood flow velocity is a useful tool for risk classification and prediction in clinical practice, further clinical research is needed. The value of carotid IMT by ultrasound examination for risk stratification remains controversial, and groups developing future guidelines should consider the roles of plaque presence and burden and hemodynamic parameters in additional risk stratification beyond carotid IMT in clinical practice.
Aging ; Atherosclerosis* ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Carotid Arteries* ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Carotid Stenosis ; Classification ; Heart ; Hemodynamics ; Hypertension ; Methods* ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Ultrasonography*

Leukotrienes (LTs) are known to act as a mediator provoking tissue response in inflammation. LTs, particularly type B4 (LTB4) as chemotactic factor of neutrophil are released from neutrophils and gastric mucosal cells when these cells are stimulated by Helicobacter pylori. The present study was performed to test a possibility that eupatilin may prevent the H. pylori-induced gastric cell damage by observing whether this chemical inhibit the release of LTB4 from H. pylori-stimulated gastric cells (Kato III) and neutrophils. As observed in the previous study, H. pylori induced the release of LTB4 from these cells and at the same influx of Ca2+ into the cells. In the presence of eupatilin, the release of LTB4 was inhibited whereas Ca2+ influx was not affected. Probably eupatilin may inhibit the release of LTB4 by preventing the synthesis of LTs. These results suggest that eupatilin can has a therapeutic effect on H. pylori-induced gasric cell damage.
Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Inflammation ; Leukotriene B4* ; Leukotrienes ; Neutrophils*

It has been implicated that leukotrienes play roles in the pathogenesis of gastritis and gastric ulceration associated with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Rebamipide is being used as an antiulcer drug but it's mechanism of action has not been understood well. One possible mechanism of action of this drug is to inhibit the cellular release of leukotrienes by various stimuli, particularly H. pylori. In the present study, attempts were made to test this possibility and the results are as follows. When Kato III cells (gastric adenoma cells) were stimulated by H. pylori, leukotriene D4 (LTD4) was released and rebamipide inhibited this release dose-dependently. Similar experiment was performed on neutrophils because the infilteration of neutrophils is a common phenomenon in H. pylori-infected gasrtric tissues. Neutrophils released LTD4 when these cells were stimulated by H. pylori and rebamipide also inhibited this release. Furthermore, rebamipide inhibited the release of LTD from neutrophils induced by calcium ionophore A23187 and arachidonic acid. The results suggest that rebamipide has the action to inhibit the release of LTD4 from various cells and this action may contribute in part to prevent the ulcerogenesis induced by H. pylori.
Adenoma ; Arachidonic Acid ; Calcimycin ; Calcium ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Leukotriene D4* ; Leukotrienes ; Neutrophils ; Stomach Ulcer

No abstract available.
Actinomycosis*

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of a method of assigning patients to a vaginal or laparoscopically assisted vaginal approach to hysterectomy. METHOD: Hysterectomy is the most common gynecologic operation. A clinical evaluation was attempted to analyze 100 cases of LAVH which was performed at St. Paul hospital from May 1997 to March 2000, and to compare them with 100 cases of vaginal hysterectomy at the same hospital. we used simple electrosurgical technique without using the disposable staples and other instruments. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients for LAVH was 46.18 years and that of VTH was 50.23 years. The most common indication for LAVH and VTH was Myoma uteri. The mean Hb change in LAVH was 2.15 and the Hb change of VTH was 2.17. The mean operative time of LAVH was 142.96 minutes and that of VTH was 77.06 minutes. The mean weight of uterus for LAVH was 221g and the mean weight of VTH was 182 g. The total percentage of urinary tract injury for LAVH was 3 % and that for VTH was 2 %. CONCLUSION: VTH, if possible, must be considered as a primary choice since it is were efficient than LAVH in cost, cosmetic aspects and complications. Further LAVH may be replaced with a laparotomy for hysterectomy in case of an insufficient operational experience, a previous abdominal operation hystory and the incapability of being indicated for VTH.
Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Hysterectomy, Vaginal* ; Laparotomy ; Myoma ; Operative Time ; Urinary Tract ; Uterus

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate computed tomographic (CT) findings of deep neck space infection(DNSI) with particular attention to the differences in the spaces involved and in complications between odontogenic and nonodontogenic groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients(21 odontogenic and 23 nonodontogenic) were included in this study. Among odontogenic DNSls, 15 had the dental infection in the second or third mandibular molar. We compared the CT features between odontogenic and nonodontogenic DNSIs with special emphasis on the differences in the spaces involved and in the rate and type of complications. RESULTS: In all patients, CT clearly differentiated abscess from cellulitis. The most common spaces involved in 21 patients with odontogenic DNSl were the parapharyngeal(n=18), the submandibular(n=18), the anterior visceral(n=13), the masticator(n=9), and the sublingual(n=7) spaces. In contrast, in 23 patients with nonodontogenic DNSI, the anterior visceral space(n=14) was most frequently involved. The parapharyngeal, the submandibular, and the masticator spaces were statistically more frequently involved in odontogenic than in nonodontogenic DNSI(p<.05). Twenty-two patients had one or more complications shown by CT, of which airway compromise was more frequent and severe in odontogenicthan in nonodontogenic DNSI. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the parapharyngeal, the submandibular, and the masticator spaces are more significantly vulnerable in odontogenic DNSl than in nonodontogenic DNSl. The predilection for certain spaces of the neck in odontogenic DNSl seems to originate from the intimate relationship of the mandibular molars to the adjacent deep neck spaces.
Abscess ; Cellulitis ; Humans ; Molar ; Neck*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate computed tomographic (CT) findings of deep neck space infection(DNSI) with particular attention to the differences in the spaces involved and in complications between odontogenic and nonodontogenic groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients(21 odontogenic and 23 nonodontogenic) were included in this study. Among odontogenic DNSls, 15 had the dental infection in the second or third mandibular molar. We compared the CT features between odontogenic and nonodontogenic DNSIs with special emphasis on the differences in the spaces involved and in the rate and type of complications. RESULTS: In all patients, CT clearly differentiated abscess from cellulitis. The most common spaces involved in 21 patients with odontogenic DNSl were the parapharyngeal(n=18), the submandibular(n=18), the anterior visceral(n=13), the masticator(n=9), and the sublingual(n=7) spaces. In contrast, in 23 patients with nonodontogenic DNSI, the anterior visceral space(n=14) was most frequently involved. The parapharyngeal, the submandibular, and the masticator spaces were statistically more frequently involved in odontogenic than in nonodontogenic DNSI(p<.05). Twenty-two patients had one or more complications shown by CT, of which airway compromise was more frequent and severe in odontogenicthan in nonodontogenic DNSI. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the parapharyngeal, the submandibular, and the masticator spaces are more significantly vulnerable in odontogenic DNSl than in nonodontogenic DNSl. The predilection for certain spaces of the neck in odontogenic DNSl seems to originate from the intimate relationship of the mandibular molars to the adjacent deep neck spaces.
Abscess ; Cellulitis ; Humans ; Molar ; Neck*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) at acupoints suggested by oriental medicine to be related to the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rest/acupuncture-stimulation Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT using a same-dose subtraction method was performed on 54 normal volunteers (34 males, 20 females, age range from 18 to 62 years) using six paradigms: acupuncture at acupoints GV. 20, GV. 26, LI. 4, ST. 36 and SP. 6. In the control study, needle location was chosen on a non-meridian focus 1 cm posterior to the right fibular head. All images were spatially normalized, and the differences between rest and acupuncture stimulation were statistically analyzed using SPM for Windows . RESULTS: Acupuncture applied at acupoint GV. 20 increased rCBF in both the anterior frontal lobes, the right frontotemporal lobes, and the left anterior temporal lobe and the left cerebellar hemisphere. Acupuncture at GV. 26 increased rCBF in the left prefrontal cortex. Acupuncture at LI. 4 increased rCBF in the left prefrontal and both the inferior frontal lobes, and the left anterior temporal lobe and the left cerebellar hemisphere. Acupuncture at ST. 36 increased rCBF in the left anterior temporal lobe, the right inferior frontal lobes, and the left cerebellum. Acupuncture at SP. 6 increased rCBF in the left inferior frontal and anterior temporal lobes. In the control stimulation, no significant rCBF increase was observed. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated a correlation between stimulation at each acupoint with increase in rCBF to the corresponding brain areas.
Acupuncture Points* ; Acupuncture* ; Brain* ; Cerebellum ; Female ; Frontal Lobe ; Head ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; Needles ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Temporal Lobe ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

OBJECTIVES: Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome that marks the end-stage of heart diseases, and it has a high mortality rate and significant cost burden. In particular, non-adherence of medication in HF patients may result in serious consequences such as hospital readmission and death. This study aims to identify predictors of medication adherence in HF patients. In this work, we applied a Support Vector Machine (SVM), a machine-learning method useful for data classification. METHODS: Data about medication adherence were collected from patients at a university hospital through self-reported questionnaire. The data included 11 variables of 76 patients with HF. Mathematical simulations were conducted in order to develop a SVM model for the identification of variables that would best predict medication adherence. To evaluate the robustness of the estimates made with the SVM models, leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) was conducted on the data set. RESULTS: The two models that best classified medication adherence in the HF patients were: one with five predictors (gender, daily frequency of medication, medication knowledge, New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional class, spouse) and the other with seven predictors (age, education, monthly income, ejection fraction, Mini-Mental Status Examination-Korean [MMSE-K], medication knowledge, NYHA functional class). The highest detection accuracy was 77.63%. CONCLUSIONS: SVM modeling is a promising classification approach for predicting medication adherence in HF patients. This predictive model helps stratify the patients so that evidence-based decisions can be made and patients managed appropriately. Further, this approach should be further explored in other complex diseases using other common variables.
Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Medication Adherence ; New York ; Patient Compliance ; Patient Readmission ; Support Vector Machine ; Surveys and Questionnaires