Primary cardiac tumors in infancy and childhood are rare, with fibromas being the second most common tumor after rhabdomyomas. Although cardiac fibromas are characteristically benign intramural tumors, they may exhibit exhibit expansile growth resulting in obstruction, valvular dysfunction, as well as other problems so early diagnosis and successful surgical excision are important. We report a case of cardiac fibroma in a 2 month-old male infant. He presented with generalized cyanosis from birth. Echocardiography showed oval round large mass filing the right atrium and ventricle which infiltrated into the lateral wall of the ventricle. Partial excision of the tumor was done after another echocardiogram showed a pericardial effusion and restriction of blood flow to the right ventricle due to the tumor. The resected tumor was ovoid, gray-tan, slightly firm and measuring 5x3x2.5 cm. Histologically, the tumor was composed of spindle-shaped fibroblasts and hyalinized fibrous tissue interdigitating with the surrounding myocardium.
Infant ; Child ; Male ; Female ; Humans

No abstract available.
Endometriosis* ; Female ; Humans

We analyzed the mRNA expression patterns of major potassium channel genes to determine the mechanism of hypokalemia in familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis. We used quantitative RT-PCR to examine the mRNA levels of both inward (KCNJ2, KCNJ6, and KCNJ14) and delayed rectifi er (KCNQ1 and KCNA2) potassium channel genes in skeletal muscle cells from both normal and patient groups, prior to and after exposure to 4 mM and 50 mM potassium buffers. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed no changes in the mRNA levels of these genes in normal and patient cells on exposure to 4 mM potassium buffer. However, after exposure to 50 mM potassium buffer, which was used to induce depolarization, normal cells showed a signifi cant decrease in KCNJ2, KCNJ6, and KCNJ14 expression, but no change in KCNQ1 and KCNA2 expression. In contrast, patient cells showed no change in KCNJ2 and KCNJ6 expression, but an increase in KCNJ14 expression. Furthermore, KCNQ1 and KCNA2 showed decreased expression. We found that the expression levels of both inward and delayed rectifi er potassium channel genes in patient cells differ from those in normal cells. Altered potassium channel gene expression in patient cells may suggest a possible mechanism for hypokalemia in familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis.

It was well known that atrial myocytes systhesize atrial natriuretic peptide[ANP], and secrete it into the atrial lumen through the atrial endocardium. But the mechanism for regulation of ANP secretion has not been clearly elucidated, because there was little information of the atrial morphology concerning basal lamina. Basal lamina is surmised as one of barriers that control the movement of ANP, a large molecule. This study was attempted to elucidate the morphological characteristics of basal lamina and connective tissue fibers of atrial endocardial layer by scanning electron microscopy. Basal lamina was exposed by removal of the overlying endothelium. This was achieved by using OsO4 maceration, immersion in aqueous boric acid or EDTA treatment. After removal of the endothelial cell, the specimens were exposed to ultrasonic vibration in case of need. The external surface of basal lamina showed a fairly smooth appearance on the whole, although a few irregular folds are often encountered. Fenestrations, 0.1-1 micrometer in diameter, were randomly observed on the basal lamina, and they were circular to oval in shape. Margin of fenestrations was somewhat distinct and some was divided into two parts by linear structures. The structural differences of fenestrations between right and left atria were not found. The fibroreticular lamina under the basal lamina was revealed by removal of the endothelial cells and their basal lamina. This layer was consisted of interwoven fine fibers. These fine fibers were repeatedly divided and fused, forming reticular network. Some fine fibers connected with basal lamina. Some connective tissue fibers below fibroreticular layer were collected into thick bundles running parallel to myocytes. Above results may serve as a basis for the physiological and morphological studies of atrium.
Animals ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; Basement Membrane* ; Connective Tissue ; Edetic Acid ; Endocardium* ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium ; Immersion ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Muscle Cells ; Rats* ; Running ; Ultrasonics ; Vibration

The expression of c-fos and c-jun in the brain of the rat after capsaicin treatment was investigated by in situ hybridization, dot blot hybridization and immunocytochemical methods. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats[200g] were used for this study. The first set of rats received a single subcutaneous injection of capsaicin[50mg/Kg] dissolved in 10% Tween-80 and 10% ethanol in saline. The rats were decapitated 1, 3, 5, 10, 24, 72 hours and 1 week after capsaicin treatment. The control set of rats were treated with saline instead of capsaicin. In situ hybridization and dot blot hybridization were carried out. O1igonucleotide probe complimentary to c-fos mRNA sequences were used for this study and labeling of oligonucleotides was accomplished using the DNA tailing kit. The expression of c-fos mRNA on the nucleus of neurons in in situ hybridization was observed throughout the brain, and was especially abundant in the olfactory cortex, nucleus of diagonal band of Broca, habenular nuclei, periaqueductal gray, parabrachial nucleus, entopeduncular nucleus, ventral posterolateral nucleus of the thalamus and cerebellum. Compared to the control rats, c-fos mRNA were increased 24 hours after capsaicin injection and gradually decreased after 72 hours, returning to the normal control level 1 week after capsaicin injection. c-fos mRNA was detected only 1 week after capsaicin injection in the various areas of the brain. The fos protein-like immunoreactivity was initially somewhat decreased at 24 hours, but increased at 72 hours and reactions was maximally observed at 1 week after capsaicin treatment. But Jun protein immunoreactivity was not increased, on the contrary, it was even decreased both in numbers of reactive cells and immunoreactivity 1 week after capsaicin injection. From the above results, c-fos gene expression was pronounced in the nucleus concerned with pain, olfaction and taste such as VPL nucleus of the thalamus, olfactory cortex and parabrachial nucleus, in the limbic system concerned with stress and emotion such as nucleus of diagonal band of Broca, periaqueductal gray and habenular nucleus, in the structure concerned with somatic motor function such as entopeduncular nucleus and cerebellum. Also, the c-fos gene was activated by the capsaicin early in the course of effects, then the fos protein increased as a results of c-fos activation. On the other hand, c-jun did not respond to capsaicin treatment early in the course, but Jun protein decreased late in the course of capsaicin effects.
Adult ; Animals ; Brain* ; Capsaicin* ; Cerebellum ; DNA ; Entopeduncular Nucleus ; Ethanol ; Genes, fos ; Habenula ; Hand ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Limbic System ; Male ; Neurons ; Olfactory Pathways ; Oligonucleotides ; Periaqueductal Gray ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA, Messenger ; Septal Nuclei ; Smell ; Thalamus ; Ventral Thalamic Nuclei

BACKGROUND: A newly-found mitochondrial toxin, 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), has been proved to induce apoptosis in the striatum. Although striatal lesions produced by 3-NP could develop through an excitotoxic mechanism, the exact relationship between apoptosis induction and excitotoxicity after 3-NP treatment is still not clear. We investigated the role of excitotoxicity and oxidative stress on apoptosis induction within the striatum following intra-peritoneal injection of 3-NP. METHODS: 3-NP was injected for 5 days intra-peritoneally in three month-old mice. One day after the last injection, animals were decapitated. To confirm the presence of apoptosis, we performed in-situ detection of DNA fragmentation by using TUNEL technique and agarose gel elctrophoresis after DNA extraction from striatum. To examine the effect of frontal cortex removal on 3-NP-indeced apoptosis, we removed left frontal cortex by aspiration. For excitotoxicity, NMDA-receptor antagonist-MK 801, non-NMDA antagonist-NBQX, and saline were injected intraperitoneally before 3-NP treatment To detect superoxide, we administered hydroethidium (HEt: 200 ul; 1mg/ml) into the jugular vein 2 days after 3-NP, and the density of oxidized HEt in samples were examined under flouscent microscope. We performed caspase staining to test immunoreactivity of caspase 3 in samples. RESULTS: The TUNEL positive cells were not observed in the striatum ipsilateral to the frontal cortex-removed side, but found in the contralateral striatum. Superoxide radicals measured by using HEt and caspase immunoreactivity were also significantly weaker in the striatum ipsilateral to the frontal cortex-removed side than the contralateral striatum. TUNEL staining revealed less apoptotic changes in the striatum of MK801-treated group than NBQX-or saline-treated groups. DNA laddering on agarose gel electrophoresis was observed in the striatum of NBQX- or saline-treated mice, but not found in MK 801-treated group. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that removal of the corticostriatal glutamate pathway reduced superoxide production as well as apoptosis induced by 3-NP and NMDA receptor antogonist, but not non-NMDA antagonist, prevented 3-NP-induced apoptosis in the striatum. These results suggest that NMDA-mediated glutamatergic excitotokicity plays an important role in 3-NP related striatal damage.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Glutamic Acid ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Injections, Intraperitoneal* ; Jugular Veins ; Mice* ; Mitochondria ; N-Methylaspartate ; Oxidative Stress ; Sepharose ; Superoxides

Sclerosing hemangiomas are rare benign neoplasms in pulmonary parenchyme, We analyzed CT findings of two cases of sclerosing hemangiomas of the lung in two adult females. Chest radiograph showed well-circumscuribed, round soft tissue mass with calcification in right lower lobe of one patient and without calcification and moderate or marked contrast enhancement was clearly demonstrated with CT scan. CT findings of contratst enhancement and contour of calcification allow differentiation of sclerosing hemangioma from other venign neoplasms or postinflammotory pseudotusrs of the lung.
Adult ; Female ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous* ; Humans ; Lung ; Pulmonary Sclerosing Hemangioma* ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Three-types of expandable metallic stents were constructed to evaluate the differences between the stents : one, formed in a cylindrical zigzag pattern with stainless steel wire (Gianturco stent), another, made by coating the Gianturco stent with silicone rubber(Silicone stent), the third, made by coating the Gianturco stent with 24 carat gold(God stent) for tissue acceptance. A total of 69 stents(each 23 stents of Glanturco, Silicone, and Gold stents) of 8-12 mm in diameter and 20 mm long were placed into normal abdominal aorta, inferior vena cava and iliac artery of nine adult dogs for 2 weeks to 11 months. It was more difficult to introcuce Silicone stent into an introducing sheath than Gianturco or Gold stent due to the thickness of silicone rubber, Four Gianturco stents and three Silicone stents showed migration but Gold stent did not. Luminal narrowing or occlusion was noted in 3 Silicone stents, in 2 Gianturco stents, and in 1 Gold stent. Neointimal proliferation over the stent wires was more rapid and even in God stent than Silicone or Gianturco stent. Although further study is needed, Gold stent seems to be better than Gianturco or Silicone stent as an endovascular graft material.
Adult ; Animals ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Dogs* ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; Phenobarbital ; Silicon ; Silicone Elastomers ; Silicones ; Stainless Steel ; Stents* ; Transplants ; Vena Cava, Inferior

O1igodendrocytes are known to be responsible for the synthesis and maintenance of myelin sheath in the central nervous system, and their functional disturbance leads to defect in myelination. But, the fine mechanism of myelination by oligodendrocytes is not yet known, and iron metabolism in central nervous system is suspected to be related with myelination process by oligodendrocytes. Carbonic anhydrase-II[CA-II], transfe-rrin, and ferritin are known to be present at oligodendrocytes and suspected to play a role in iron metabolism of central nervous system. In this study, demyelination and remyelination of ICR mouse brains were induced using cuprizone, the copper-chelating agent, and immunohistochemical changes of CA-II-, transferrin-, and ferritin-immunoreactive oligodendrocytes at corpus callosum were observed. During demyelination by cuprizone feeding, the numbers of CA-II- and transferrin-immunoreactive oligodendrocytes were decreased. Especially, the decrease ratio of CA-II-positive cells was great. In contrast, the number of ferritin-positive oligodendrocytes was increased during demyelination by cuprizone feeding. Cessation of cuprizone feeding leaded remyelination and the numbers of CA-II-, transferrin-, and ferritin-immunoreactive oligodendrocytes were returned to normal level. In conclusion, the derangement of iron metabolism in oligodendrocytes may be related to demyelination mechanism of central nervous system, and the CA-II is suspected to have an important role in iron metabolism of oligodenrocytes in relation to demyelination and remyelination induced with cuprizone.
Animals ; Brain ; Carbon* ; Central Nervous System ; Corpus Callosum ; Cuprizone* ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Ferritins ; Iron ; Iron-Binding Proteins* ; Metabolism ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Myelin Sheath ; Oligodendroglia ; Transferrin

For quality assurance purposes, the authors correlated aspiration cytology and subsequent tissue findings and examined the reasons for discrepancies. In three months from Jan. to Mar. 1996, 1,383 aspirations were performed, of which 285 (20.6%) had subsequent tissue diagnoses within two months. The aspiration sites were thyroid (483), lymph node (LN) (290), breast (250), soft tissue (154), liver (89), lung (49), salivary gland (26), pancreas (22), gallbladder (3), bone (3), joint (2), adrenal gland (2), scrotum (2), mediastinum (2), omentum (2), oral cavity (1), chest wall (1), and intraabdominal (1) and pelvic cavities (1). A total of 68 discrepancies were identified, and biopsies and smears from these cases were reviewed monthly. In 27 cases (40%), the discrepancy was attributed to sampling error. In five cases (9%), aspiration gave superior results with better sampling and preservation than biopsy. Thirty six cases (53% of discrepant cases) were errors in cytologic diagnosis. We categorized these discrepancies into "A", "B", and "C" ("A": minor disagreement with no affect on patient care, "B": minimal affect on patient care, "C": major affect on patient care), which were 9 (13%), 14 (21%) and 13 (19%) cases, respectively. In thirteen cases of category "C", there were eleven false negative and two false positive diagnoses. Eleven false negative cases included thyroid (3), lymph node (2), breast (2), bone (1), salivary gland (1), lung (1), and liver (1). Three cases of thyroid were papillary carcinomas diagnosed as nodular hyperplasia (1), occasional pleomorphic cells (1), and cystic change (1). Two breast cases of invasive ductal carcinomas were diagnosed as ductal hyperplasia. A malignant lymphoma was diagnosed as reactive hyperplasia and a metastatic carcinoma of LN was diagnosed as tuberculosis. Other cases were malignant tumors of bone, salivary gland, lung, and liver those were misinterpreted as benign lesion or normal. Of two false positive cases, one was nodular hyperplasia of thyroid diagnosed as papillary carcinoma and the other was normal islet cell of pancreas diagnosed as islet cell tumor. A continuous monitoring of laboratory performance is an essential component of the quality control and assurance, and the review of discrepant cases provides useful information for improvement of diagnosis.
Adenoma, Islet Cell ; Adrenal Glands ; Aspirations (Psychology) ; Biopsy ; Breast ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Diagnosis ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Islets of Langerhans ; Joints ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma ; Mediastinum ; Mouth ; Omentum ; Pancreas ; Patient Care ; Quality Control ; Salivary Glands ; Scrotum ; Selection Bias ; Thoracic Wall ; Thyroid Gland ; Tuberculosis