PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic potential of green tea to treat renal stone, we examined the effect of green tea on the formation and the excretion of experimentally induced calcium oxalate (CaOx) stones in rat kidneys. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CaOx nephrolithiasis was induced by administering 1% ethylene glycol (EG) for 4 weeks. To investigate the effect of tea on the formation CaOx stones, the rats were simultaneously administered either 0.2% green tea or 0.5% rooibos tea. To verify the action of green tea on the excretion of CaOx stones, the rats were divided into four groups after the administration of 1% EG water for 4 weeks and then fed with either 0.2% green tea, 0.5% rooibos tea or 80mg/l furosemide-containing 1% EG water for 4 weeks. The right kidney was frozen for mRNA measurements, with the left fixed for counting crystal deposits. Twenty-four hour urine volume and urinary excretions of oxalate, uric acid, calcium and magnesium were measured. RESULTS: Urinary biochemistry and 24 hour urine output were apparently unchanged by taking either the green tea or rooibos tea. The increases of CaOx crystal deposits and osteopontin mRNA expressions in the kidneys by the administration of 1% EG water were markedly decreased by both tea intakes, while there were no significant differences in the mRNA levels of CuZn- and Mn-superoxide dismutases between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Green and rooibos teas significantly attenuated the calcium crystal depositions in the kidneys. Down-regulations of the osteopontin mRNA levels may be involved in the inhibitory effects of the teas on the renal CaOx stone formation.
Animals ; Aspalathus ; Biochemistry ; Calcium Oxalate* ; Calcium* ; Ethylene Glycol ; Kidney ; Kidney Calculi ; Magnesium ; Nephrolithiasis ; Osteopontin ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger ; Tea* ; Uric Acid ; Water

OBJECTIVE: To compare the multidetector CT (MDCT) features of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and metastatic pleural disease (MPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed the MDCT images of 167 patients, 103 patients with MPM and 64 patients with MPD. All 167 cases were pathologically confirmed by sonography-guided needle biopsy of pleura, thoracoscopic pleural biopsy, or open thoracotomy. CT features were evaluated with respect to pleural effusion, pleural thickening, invasion of other organs, lung abnormality, lymphadenopathy, mediastinal shifting, thoracic volume decrease, asbestosis, and the presence of pleural plaque. RESULTS: Pleural thickening was the most common CT finding in MPM (96.1%) and MPD (93.8%). Circumferential pleural thickening (31.1% vs. 10.9%, odds ratio [OR] 3.670), thickening of fissural pleura (83.5% vs. 67.2%, OR 2.471), thickening of diaphragmatic pleura (90.3% vs. 73.4%, OR 3.364), pleural mass (38.8% vs. 23.4%, OR 2.074), pericardial involvement (56.3% vs. 20.3%, OR 5.056), and pleural plaque (66.0% vs. 21.9%, OR 6.939) were more frequently seen in MPM than in MPD. On the other hand, nodular pleural thickening (59.2% vs. 76.6%, OR 0.445), hilar lymph node metastasis (5.8% vs. 20.3%, OR 0.243), mediastinal lymph node metastasis (10.7% vs. 37.5%, OR 0.199), and hematogenous lung metastasis (9.7% vs. 29.2%, OR 0.261) were less frequent in MPM than in MPD. When we analyzed MPD from extrathoracic malignancy (EMPD) separately and compared them to MPM, circumferential pleural thickening, thickening of interlobar fissure, pericardial involvement and presence of pleural plaque were significant findings indicating MPM than EMPD. MPM had significantly lower occurrence of hematogenous lung metastasis, as compared with EMPD. CONCLUSION: Awareness of frequent and infrequent CT findings could aid in distinguishing MPM from MPD.
Asbestosis ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Needle ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; Hand ; Humans ; Korea* ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mesothelioma* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Odds Ratio ; Pleura ; Pleural Diseases* ; Pleural Effusion ; Thoracotomy

On page 545, the fifth author's name has been incorrectly spelled as Jin Mo Koo. The correct spelling is Jin Mo Goo.

Among total 108 cases of biopsy-proven fibroadenomas of the breast, which obtained from the files of the Asan Medical Center during one year period from October 1998 to September 1999, 23 cases cytologically diagnosed as high risk group were reviewed to retrieve the mis-leading factors. Initial cytologic diagnoses of 23 cases were proliferative breast lesion with atypia(high risk) in 21 cases(91.3%) and papillary neoplasm in 2 cases(8.7%). When we reanalysed 23 cases by Masood scoring system, they were classified as one non-proliferative breast lesion(4.3%), 16 proliferative breast lesions without atypia (69.6%), and 6 proliferative breast lesions with atypia(26.1%). None were subject to the category of carcinoma. Cytologic features leading to the overdiagnosis of high grade epithelial lesions were as follows; cellular dissociation without nuclear atypia, nuclear pleomorphism, anisonucleosis, and occasional macronucleoli without nuclear enlargement, lack of myxoid stroma, and few naked stromal cells. To avoid cytologic overdiagnosis of fibroadenoma, mild to moderate nuclear pleomorphism without nuclear enlargement, and cellular dissociation without nuclear atypia should not be regarded as criteria of high risk group.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Breast* ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Diagnosis ; Fibroadenoma* ; Stromal Cells

Group B streptococcus (GBS, Streptococcus agalactiae) has recently been recognized as an important, increasingly common cause of invasive disease in non-pregnant adults with underlying medical conditions. Diabetes mellitus, malignancies, liver cirrhosis, and previous trauma history increase the risk for invasive GBS disease. We report a rare case of perinephric abscess caused by GBS in a non-pregnant diabetic woman. A 24-year-old woman with diabetes and a history of urinary tract infection presented with a 4-week history of intermittent febrile sensation, chills, right flank pain, and anorexia. Computed tomography revealed an 8-cm right perinephric abscess. She was treated with percutaneous drainage of the abscess and intravenous antibiotics directed at the GBS, which had grown from the abscess drainage. She had a satisfactory clinical course.
Abscess ; Adult ; Anorexia ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Chills ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Drainage ; Female ; Flank Pain ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Sensation ; Streptococcus ; Streptococcus agalactiae ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: The previous studies on the influence of perioperative supplemental oxygen or generous fluid on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were inconsistent. We hypothesized in this trial that together with supplemental intraoperative oxygen and liberal fluid therapy would decrease PONV and pain. METHODS: Two hundred ASA 1 or 2 patients undergoing laparotomy and laparoscopic abdominal or gynecological surgery were randomly assigned to one of 4 groups: intraoperative FiO2 0.3 and crystalloid 6 ml/kg/h; FiO2 0.3 and 18 ml/kg/h; FiO2 0.8 and 6 ml/kg/h; FiO2 0.8 and 18 ml/kg/h. The incidence of PONV, nausea and pain scores, and amount of rescue antiemetic and analgesic drugs were studied. RESULTS: Overall incidence of PONV was 38%, 50%, 48%, 44% for group 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences among the 4 groups in the incidence of PONV, degree of nausea and pain, and the amount of antiemetics and analgesics in 2, 6, and 24 h postoperatively. The number of laparotomy and laparoscopy, and gender ratio were similar among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: We could not demonstrate an advantage of combination of intraoperative supplementary oxygen and liberal fluid in reducing PONV, pain, and amount of antiemetics and analgesics after intra-abdominal surgery.
Analgesics ; Antiemetics ; Female ; Fluid Therapy ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures ; Humans ; Hyperoxia ; Incidence ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Nausea ; Oxygen ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting*

Adrenocortical oncocytomas are exceptionally rare and most are benign and nonfunctioning. Only 3 cases of adrenal oncocytomas have been reported in the Korean literature and all of them were nonfunctioning. Herein, we report a case of a functioning adrenocortical oncocytoma in a 49-year-old man who presented with Cushing syndrome.
Adenoma, Oxyphilic ; Cushing Syndrome ; Humans ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Preoperative diagnosis of peritoneal metastasis is extremely important to select the appropriate treatment strategy and predict the prognosis for patients with gastrointestinal cancer. However, imaging techniques have a limited capacity for detecting peritoneal metastasis. We therefore evaluated the feasibility of percutaneous ultrathin flexible peritoneoscopy in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Percutanous ultrathin flexible peritoneoscopy was performed on two mini-pigs under general anesthesia. We punctured the abdominal wall at the anti-Mcburney and umbilical regions using a 16-gauge angiocatheter. Guidewire was inserted through the angiocatheter and we then enlarged the puncture using a biliary dilation catheter and a 6- to 8-mm balloon dilator catheter. After track formation, we inserted a 4.9-mm ultrathin endoscope into the abdominal cavity. The peritoneal cavity was examined, and peritoneal and liver biopsy was performed. The puncture was closed with a single suture. After the procedure, we monitored the general condition of the pigs for 2 weeks. RESULTS: Percutaneous ultrathin flexible peritoneoscopy was successfully performed regardless of the puncture site location. Peritoneal and liver biopsy was also successfully executed. The mean procedure time was 20 minutes. Formation of the abdominal track was not easily accomplished with standard endoscopic equipment. Nevertheless, none of the abdominal organs were injured. The post-procedure course was uneventful. Minor scarring was observed at the incision site 2 weeks after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Percutanous ultrathin flexible peritoneoscopy is a relatively simple and technically feasible method. However, dedicated accessories for fascial dilation should be developed to ensure the safety of human patients undergoing this procedure.
Abdominal Cavity ; Abdominal Wall ; Anesthesia, General ; Animals ; Biopsy ; Catheters ; Cicatrix ; Endoscopes ; Feasibility Studies ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; Laparoscopy ; Liver ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Peritoneum ; Prognosis ; Punctures ; Sutures ; Swine

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Although Angelica keiskei (AK) has widely been utilized for the purpose of general health improvement among Asian, its functionality and mechanism of action. The aim of this study was to determine the protective effect of ethanol extract of AK (AK-Ex) on acute hepatotoxicity induced by acetaminophen (AAP) in HepG2 human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cells and HepaRG human hepatic progenitor cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: AK-Ex was prepared HepG2 and HepaRG cells were cultured with various concentrations and 30 mM AAP. The protective effects of AK-Ex against AAP-induced hepatotoxicity in HepG2 and HepaRG cells were evaluated using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, flow cytometry, and Western blotting. RESULTS: AK-Ex, when administered prior to AAP, increased cell growth and decreased leakage of LDH in a dose-dependent manner in HepG2 and HepaRG cells against AAP-induced hepatotoxicity. AK-Ex increased the level of Bcl-2 and decreased the levels of Bax, Bok and Bik decreased the permeability of the mitochondrial membrane in HepG2 cells intoxicated with AAP. AK-Ex decreased the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and the activation of caspase-9, -7, and -3. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that AK-Ex downregulates apoptosis via intrinsic and extrinsic pathways against AAP-induced hepatotoxicity. We suggest that AK could be a useful preventive agent against AAP-induced apoptosis in hepatocytes.
Acetaminophen ; Angelica* ; Apoptosis ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase 9 ; Ethanol* ; Flow Cytometry ; Functional Food ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatocytes ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Liver ; Mitochondrial Membranes ; Permeability ; Stem Cells

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a gram-negative, anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium originally classified within the Bacteroides genus, and a major etiological agent in the initiation and progression of severe periodontal disease. P. gingivalis has occasionally been involved in otitis media, lung abscesses, gas gangrene, appendicitis, sinusitis, paranasal mucocele, peri-tonsillar abscesses, pleura-pulmonary infections, and thoracic empyema. We report the case of a 44-year-old male who presented with a brain abscess in which the organism, presumably originated from his poor dentition. He was successfully treated with surgical drainage and antibiotics.
Abscess ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Appendicitis ; Bacteroides ; Brain ; Brain Abscess ; Dentition ; Drainage ; Empyema, Pleural ; Gas Gangrene ; Humans ; Lung Abscess ; Male ; Mucocele ; Otitis Media ; Periodontal Diseases ; Porphyromonas ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; Sinusitis