One of the primary functions for which bones have evolved is to act as a structural support. To achieve this, bones remodel throughout life so that their structure remains optimal for the prevailing mechanical environment. Bone remodeling consists of an initial phase of osteoclastic bone resorption followed by a bone formation period. Prostaglandins are potent regulators of bone formation and bone resorption that can have both stimulatory and inhibitory effects. Elevation of intracellular cAMP is an important intracellular signaling mechanism involved in the regulation of the expression of many proteins. In this study we examine whether PGE or DBcAMP affects osteoblastic activation or osteoclastic differentiation in mouse bone marrow cells and osteosarcoma ROS 17/2.8 cells. The effect of PGE and DBcAMP on the cell proliferation was measured by the incorporation of [3H]- thymidine into DNA. As a result, PGE2 (0.5-1 ug/ml) and DBcAMP (0.1-0.5 mM) inhibited the [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA in a dose dependent manner. The effect of PGE2 and DBcAMP on the induction of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was investigated in ROS 17/2.8 cells cultured in medium containing 0.4% fetal bovine serum. PGE and DBcAMP stimulated ALP activity in the cells in a dose- dependent manner. PGE2 also increased the intracellular cAMP content in a dose- dependent fashion with a maximal effect at 0.5 ug/ml. ROS 17/2.8 cells release nitric oxide upon stimulation of PGE2 or DBcAMP with interferon-r. PGE2 and DBcAMP increase the phosphorylation level of CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) without any change on the amount of CREB protein. Also, PGE (10-6 M) and DBcAMP (10-4 M) significantly increase the generation of osteoclasts in mouse bone marrow cell culture system. In conclusion, the results of this study suggested that cAMP appears to be an important regulatory molecule in the processes of bone formation and resorption.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Bone Remodeling ; Bone Resorption ; Bucladesine* ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; Dinoprostone* ; DNA ; Metabolism* ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Osteogenesis ; Osteosarcoma ; Phosphorylation ; Prostaglandins ; Prostaglandins E ; Response Elements ; Thymidine

In autopsy, the evaluation of the size and weight of th internal organs is very important for the understanding of the pathologic conditions. The normal data of the internal organs must have regard to size, weight, sex, age and body weight. There are many reports on the normal value of human organs in Japan and other Western countries. But there are some variations in normal value according to race, geographics and living standard. In Korea, Lee & Roh had reported on weights of various organs of Korean and their proportional weights to body weights in 1957, based upon autopsy records from 1929 to 1941. But, there has been many improvement in socioeconomic status during past half-century in this country. And the Korean body conditions have much improved. Upon the base of above consideration, normal data fit for present Korean is mandatory. We have analysed records of 45 cases of Korean young adults's autopsy cases which were performed from Jan. 1984 to Dec. 1985, and obtained following data. The results obtained are as follows: Heart : left ventricle thickness; 1.76+/-0.3 cm right ventricle thickness; 0.5+/-0.1 cm Aorta circumference; 6.1+/-0.5 cm Pulmonary a. circumference; 7.0+/-0.7 cm Weight : 338+/-54 gm Lung : size: left; length 23.3+/-2.78 cm, width 12.3+/-2.28 cm, thickness 6.4+/-1.55 cm right; length 24.1+/-2.65 cm, width 14.7+/-2.95 cm, thickness 6.6+/-1.31 cm Weight : left; 541+/-117 gm, right; 634+/-118 gm Liver : size: greatest transverse measurement; 28.5+/-2.7 cm vertical measurement; 16.6+/-1.74 cm great anterior-posterior diameter; 8.8+/-1.51 cm weight: 1,559+/-267 gm Spleen : length: 12.7+/-2.1 cm, breadth: 8.4+/-1.5 cm, thickness: 3.4+/-1.1 cm, weight: 155+/- 69.3 gm Pancreas : length; 16.7+/-2.8 cm, weight: 111+/-34.5 gm Kidney : size: left; length; 11.2+/-0.7 cm, width; 5.9+/-0.7 cm, thickness; 3.8+/-0.8 cm, thickness; 3.6+/-0.7 cm weight: left; 150+/-25 gm, right; 138+/-29 gm Brain : weight: 1,498+/-132 gm
Adult ; Male ; Female ; Humans

The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory role of vitamin A with respect to activation of Ito cells in fibrosis of the rat liver induced by common bile duct ligation(CBDL). The liver was examined by immunohistochemical staining for a-smooth muscle actin,the known marker of activated Ito cells, and light and electron microscopy after CBDL andCBDL with intraperitoneal injection of retinoic acid (Sigma, USA) 1 mg/Kg in 3 times per week. The results were sumrrlerized as follows: After CBDL, the bile ductules were markedly proliferated in the periportal areas extending toterminal hepatic veins. Interstitial fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration appeared, however,cholestasis was minimal. Retinoic acid treatment with CBDL decreased bile ductular proliferationand interstitial fibrosis compared to CBDL only. After CBDL, proliferated and activated Ito ceIs showing positive reaction in smooth muscle actin were present in the periductular andperisinusoidal areas, and areas of increased interstitial fibrosis. Activated ito cells weredecreased in number after CBDL with vitamin A treatment. Electron microscopically,intracytoplasmic fat droplets and the cytoplasmic processes of Ito cells were decreased afterCBDL. Myofibroblasts were frequently appeared in the interstitial fibrosis after CBDL. But,intracytoplasmic fat droplets of Ito cells were well preserved, and myofibroblasts were found lessfrequently after CBDL with vitamin A treatment. The results suggest that vitamin A plays an inbitory role in the activation and fibrogenesis ofIto cells after CBDL.
Rats ; Animals

The primary hyperparathyroidism is a complex endocrine disease caused by neoplasm or diffuse hyperplasia of parathyroid gland in which excessive paratyroid hormon is secreted. This results in chemical abnormalities of serum, and exerts major influences on the bone, kidney and gastrointestinal tract. The authors report 2 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism with review of the literature.
Adenoma ; Endocrine System Diseases ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hyperparathyroidism, Primary ; Hyperplasia ; Kidney ; Parathyroid Glands

Hypokalemic familial periodic paralysis is one of the rare familial disease characterized by recurrent and transient attacks of weakness or paralysis of the somatic musculature. Also, this disease is usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait in most cases. During an attack, the plasma potassium falls as a rasults of shift of potassium from the extracellular to the intracelluar compartment, but there is no loss of total potassium from the body. We have experienced hypokalemic familial periodic paralysis recently which affected 4 members in a family,and report this disorder.
Accidental Falls ; Humans ; Paralyses, Familial Periodic ; Paralysis ; Plasma ; Potassium

No abstract available.
Elbow Joint* ; Elbow*

No abstract available.
Fractures, Comminuted* ; Radius*

Fibro-osseous pseudotumor of the digits is a heterotopic ossification closely related to myositis ossificans and occurs in the subcutaneous tissue of the digits. This lesion is considered a reactive fibroblastic proliferation with metaplastic bone formation. We report a case of fibro-osseous pseudotumor of left index finger in a 28-year-old woman. She had had an ovoid smooth subcutaneous mass with tenderness on the left index finger for one month. In gross, the specimen consisted of a relatively circumscribed, rubbery soft mass with grayish white cut surface measuring 2.0 1.7 1.5 cm. Upon microscopic examination the lesion showed irregular multinodular growth with considerably variable cellularity. Because of the focal hypercellularity, cellular atypia, and increased mitotic activity this lesion may be confused with extraskeletal osteosarcoma or parosteal osteosarcoma. This rare lesion is curable by complete local excision.
Adult ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Fingers ; Humans ; Myositis Ossificans ; Ossification, Heterotopic ; Osteogenesis ; Osteosarcoma ; Subcutaneous Tissue

No abstract available.
Blood Group Antigens*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The emergence of lamivudine-resistant mutant hepatitis B virus (HBV), with aminoacid substitution in the YMDD motif of DNA polymerase, has been reported in the long-term lamivudine use group. However there is no report about the emergence of mutant viruses during the short-term lamivudine therapy. The objective of this study was to investigate the emergence of YMDD mutant HBV during short-term lamivudine therapy. METHODS: We evaluated twenty-eight chronic hepatitis B patients who were HBeAg and HBV DNA positive and treated with lamivudine 100mg p.o. daily for 12 weeks. First, we investigated the emergence of YMDD mutants by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method developed by Chayama et al in 19 patients who lost HBV DNA during lamivudine therapy but showed HBV DNA re-emergence 2 weeks after the end of therapy. Second, DNA subcloning and sequencing of HBV DNA polymerase including YMDD motif was undertaken in one patient's serial blood samples at 0, 8, 12 weeks to confirm the results of nested PCR. RESULTS: YMDD motif mutation was detected in 17(90%) out of 19 patients at the end of therapy and the type of mutations were YIDD only. At the end of therapy, mutant was predominant in 5 patients, both mutant and wild type were similar in proportion in 3 patients, and wild type was predominant in 9 patients. When we carried out nested PCR serially with samples of 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 14 weeks after initiation of therapy in 5 patients who were mutant predominant at 12 weeks, YIDD mutant began to be detected from 2 weeks in 4 patients and from 4 weeks in one patient. However, rapid turnover from mutant to wild type happened after the end of therapy, so only wild type was detected in 3 patients and wild type became predominant in 2 patients at 2 weeks after the end of therapy. All the sequencing results of serial blood samples in one patient were consistent with nested PCR data. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of YMDD motif HBV polymerase mutant may be possible before administration of lamivudine in Korean chronic hepatitis B patients. Nested PCR assay would be an useful method to detect YMDD mutant.
DNA ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Lamivudine* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction