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

No abstract available.
Endometrial Neoplasms* ; Female

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac atrium is an endocrine gland secreting a family of natriuretic peptides. The secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP) had been shown to be controlled by variable factors. The change in atrial dynamics have been considered as one of the most prominent stimuli for the stimulation of ANP secretion. Hypoxic stress has been shown to increase cardiac ANP secretion. However, the mechanism by which hypoxia increases ANP secretion cardiac ANP secretions. However, the mechanism by which hypoxia increases ANP secretion has not to be defined. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was tow-fold: to develop a protocol to defined the effect of hypoxia on ANP secretion in perfused beating rabbit atria and to clarify the mechanism responsible for the accentuation by hypoxia of ANP secretion. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Experiments have been done in perfused beating rabbit atria. ANP was measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULT: Hypoxic stimulus with nitrogen decreased atrial stroke volume. The decrease in atrial stroke volume recovered basal level during the period of recovery with oxygen. ANP secretion and the concentration of perfusate ANP in terms of extracellular fluid(ECF) translocation which reflects the rate of myocytic release of ANP were increased by hypoxia and returned to basal levels during the recovery. Changes in ECF translocation paralleled by hypoxia and returned to basal levels during the recovery. Changes in ECF translocation paralleled to that of atrial stroke volume. At the start of recovery in atrial storke volume, ECF tranalocation incrased for several minutes. The above responses were stable and reproducible. Glibenclamide treatment prevented the recovery in atrial stroke volume. Increments by hypoxia of ANP secretion and ANP concentration were suppressed by glibenclamide. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that hypoxia incrased atrial myocytic ANP release and that the mechanism responsible for the accentuation is partially related to the change in K+ATP channel activity.
Anoxia ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor* ; Endocrine Glands ; Glyburide ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Natriuretic Peptides ; Nitrogen ; Oxygen ; Radioimmunoassay ; Stroke Volume

No abstract available.
Humans ; Peritonitis*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of coronary disease in Korea, with the consequent morbidity and mortality, has rapidly risen during the last two decades. This study aimed to describe the changing pattern in the demographic composition during the 1990s of patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Korean metropolitan cities. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data from the medical record of patients with AMI, admitted to five University Hospitals in Busan and Daegu between January 1990 and December 1999, were sorted according to their age (<30, 3044, 4559, 6074, >75 years) and gender. RESULTS: During the last decade, the number of cases of AMI increased from 283 in 1990, to 988 by 1999 (ratio of AMI/medical patients admitted; 1.68% in 1990 to 2.52% in 1999). The most prevalent age group was 6074 yrs (46.1%), followed by 4559 yrs (34.2%). Generally, the male cases were twice as prevalent as female (68.2% : 31.8%), but the gender ratio was reversed in the highest age group (>75 yrs) (44.6% : 55.4%). During the period in question, the gender ratio and age distribution remained reasonably constant throughout. The proportion of younger AMI patients (<45 yrs) did not increase. CONCLUSION: Admissions due to AMI increased substantially during the 1990s. Almost half the cases were from the 6074 yrs age group, and two third were male. There were little changes in the compositions of age and gender of the AMI cases during this period.
Age Distribution ; Busan ; Coronary Disease ; Daegu ; Female ; Hospitals, University* ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Prevalence

We report a case of aloe induced acute interstitial nephritis in a 66-year old man. He had been taken aloe as a healthy foodstuff for 6 weeks prior to admission. He complained poor oral intake and developed nonoliguric acute renal failure. Renal biopsy revealed focal tubular atrophy and interstitial infiltration of neutrophils, and lymphocytes. After discontinuation of aloe and high dose prednisolone therapy, acute renal failure of the patient improved and serum creatinine level decreased.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Aged ; Aloe ; Atrophy ; Biopsy ; Creatinine ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Nephritis, Interstitial* ; Neutrophils ; Prednisolone

No abstract available.
Humans ; Leiomyoma* ; Pregnancy Rate* ; Pregnancy*

OBJECTIVES: We estimated the population prevalence of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including unreported infections, through a Korea Seroprevalence Study of Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Retention and Transmission (K-SEROSMART) in 258 communities throughout Korea. METHODS: In August 2022, a survey was conducted among 10,000 household members aged 5 years and older, in households selected through two stage probability random sampling. During face-to-face household interviews, participants self-reported their health status, COVID-19 diagnosis and vaccination history, and general characteristics. Subsequently, participants visited a community health center or medical clinic for blood sampling. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to spike proteins (anti-S) and antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins (anti-N) SARS-CoV-2 proteins using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. To estimate the population prevalence, the PROC SURVEYMEANS statistical procedure was employed, with weighting to reflect demographic data from July 2022. RESULTS: In total, 9,945 individuals from 5,041 households were surveyed across 258 communities, representing all basic local governments in Korea. The overall population-adjusted prevalence rates of anti-S and anti-N were 97.6% and 57.1%, respectively. Since the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has reported a cumulative incidence of confirmed cases of 37.8% through July 31, 2022, the proportion of unreported infections among all COVID-19 infection was suggested to be 33.9%. CONCLUSIONS The K-SEROSMART represents the first nationwide, community-based seroepidemiologic survey of COVID-19, confirming that most individuals possess antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and that a significant number of unreported cases existed. Furthermore, this study lays the foundation for a surveillance system to continuously monitor transmission at the community level and the response to COVID-19.