Systemic lupus erythematosus is a systemic disorder which has frequent involvement of gastrointestinal tract. Non specific symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain are well known symptoms when the gastrointestinal tract is involved. The most feared gastrointestinal complication of systemic lupus erythematosus is lupus enteritis. The pathological change in lupus enteritis is usually a result of mesenteric vasculitis. Major complications such as intestinal bleeding and perforation may occur and sometimes result in sugery. Because of high mortality rate in case of major complications, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is very important. We experienced three patients with lupus enteritis who presented with severe abdominal pain and dirrhea. They were diagnosed by characteristic radiographical findings of small bowel series and barium study. All radiographical findings has been resolved completely with the steroid therapy. Conclusively we can induce complete remission by steroid therapy alone, if we diagnose lupus enteritis in the early period of disease course.
Abdominal Pain ; Anorexia ; Barium ; Diarrhea ; Early Diagnosis ; Enteritis* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Mortality ; Nausea ; Vasculitis

A clinical study of the refractive and visual results with 104 consecutive implantations of the intraocular lens was performed between July 1984 and April 1986. Postoperative refraction of myopia was observed in 56.7% of patients, and emmetropia in 21.1%, hyperopia in 22.2%. Visual acuity of 0.5 or better at 2 month after operation was revealed in 88.9% of cases studied; 90.3% in 62 cases of posterior chamber lens implantations and 85.7% in 28 cases of anterior chamber lens implantations. There was no statistically significant difference between visual results after anterior chamber lerts and posterior chamber lens implantation.
Anterior Chamber ; Emmetropia ; Humans ; Hyperopia ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular* ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Myopia ; Visual Acuity

Embryos of most mammalian species grown in vitro would undergo developmental arrest at the approximate time of genomic activation. Stage-specific cell block and the resulting rapid loss of embryo viability in conventional culture media have limited the duration for which embryos may be cultured prior to transfer. As a result, embryos are usually transferred to the uterus at the 4-to 8-cell stage to avoid the loss of viability associated with long-term in vitro culture. Early transfer has led to asynchrony of the endometrium-trophectoderm interaction at the time of implantation and a resultant reduction in the rate of implantation. To overcome these problems, a variety of co-culture systems has been devised in which embryos can develop for a longer period prior to embryo transfer. Vero cells, derived from African green monkey kidney, share a common embryologic origin with cells from the genital tract. In addition, they are potentially safe to use, since they are highly controlled for viruses and other contaminants. Therefore, co-culture using Vero cells has been widely utilized to enhance embryo viability and development, although not without controversies. We thus designed a series of experiments to demonstrate whether Vero cells do indeed enhance mouse embryo development as well as to compare the efficacy of co-culturing mouse 1-cell embryos on Vero cell monolayer in both Ham's F-10 and human tubal fluid (HTF) culture media. 1-cell stage ICR mouse embryos were cultured either in the presence of Vero cells (Group A) or in conventional culture medium alone (Group B). In Ham's F-10 significantly more 3-to-8cell embryos developed in group A than group B (59.8 versus 10.0%; F<0.01). In contrast, there was no significant difference in embryonic development both group A and group B in HTF. However, significant differences were noted only in later embryonic stage (13 and 0%; p<0.05 of group A and B respectively, hatching or hatched). In Ham's F-10, we also could observe the beneficial effect of Vero cell on hatching process (70.7 and 42.1%; p<0.05 of group A and group B respectively).
Animals ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Coculture Techniques* ; Culture Media ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Development* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Pregnancy ; Uterus ; Vero Cells*

Bilateral carotid-cavernous fistula are much less frequent and these double lesions are considered as a puzzling therapeutic problem. A case of bilateral traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula was confirmed by bilateral carotid angiography and was managed by method of muscle piece embolization without complications. Neuro-ophthalmological deficits improved progressively except minor bruit. We reviewed bilateral carotid-cavernous fistula in the literatures and discussed the surgical method.
Angiography ; Fistula*

PURPOSE: In colon cancer, the most frequent genetic alteration is found in p53 tumor suppressor gene residing on the short arm of chromosome 17. In order to investigate the significance of wild-type p53, we transfected wild type p53 into human colon cancer cell lines and analysed tbeir biologic effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For analysis of p53 status in cell lines, polymerase chain reaction-single stranded confonnation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP), PCR-direct sequencing and Western blot analysis were employed. Transient transfection with liposome-p53 complex was followed by cell biologic assay. RESULTS: We found that twelve of fifteen human colon cancer cell lines showed mutation of p53 by PCR-SSCP method. These results almost corresponded to p53 protein accumulations assessed by Westem blot using PAbl801. After transfection with lipafect- AMINE and wild type p53 complex on p53 mutant type cell line (LS1034), viability was reduced to 17.9%, and invasiveness was reduced to 37.3%. Morphologically, wild type p53 transfected cells showed lumen formation and apoptosis after induction of differentiation by Matrigel. CONCLUSION: Wild type p53 transfection into p53 mutated colon cancer ceil line resulted in restoration of tumor suppressor effect of p53, and this model would be one of the experimental systems for p53-based gene therapy.
Apoptosis ; Arm ; Biological Assay ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line* ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 ; Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms* ; Genes, p53* ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans* ; Liposomes ; Transfection*

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by selective and progressive degeneration of dopamine (DA)-producing neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and by abnormal aggregation of alpha-synuclein. Previous studies have suggested that DA can interact with alpha-synuclein, thus modulating the aggregation process of this protein; this interaction may account for the selective vulnerability of DA neurons in patients with PD. However, the relationship between DA and alpha-synuclein, and the role in progressive degeneration of DA neurons remains elusive. We have shown that in the presence of DA, recombinant human alpha-synuclein produces non-fibrillar, SDS-resistant oligomers, while beta-sheet-rich fibril formation is inhibited. Pharmacologic elevation of the cytoplasmic DA level increased the formation of SDS-resistant oligomers in DA-producing neuronal cells. DA promoted alpha-synuclein oligomerization in intracellular vesicles, but not in the cytosol. Furthermore, elevation of DA levels increased secretion of alpha-synuclein oligomers to the extracellular space, but the secretion of monomers was not changed. DA-induced secretion of alpha-synuclein oligomers may contribute to the progressive loss of the dopaminergic neuronal population and the pronounced neuroinflammation observed in the SNpc in patients with PD.
Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dopamine/*metabolism ; Humans ; Levodopa/pharmacology ; Neurons/*metabolism/pathology/*secretion ; Parkinson Disease/metabolism/pathology ; Substantia Nigra/metabolism/pathology ; alpha-Synuclein/*biosynthesis/*secretion

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although allergic rhinitis is one of the most common factors associated with the development of chronic rhinosinusitis, the role of allergy in the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis was not well defined. This study is aimed to determine whether the allergy or factors such as nasal polyp, asthma, aspirin sensitivity can induce more extensive chronic rhinosinusitis, and to determine whether the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis depends on the severity of allergy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 98 chronic rhinosinusitis patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery were evaluated. The severity of chronic rhinosinusitis was assessed by CT scores and symptom scores. An allergic prick test, MAST (Multiple-antigen simultaneous test), the total IgE, and a serum eosinophil count were evaluated for diagnosis and assessment of the severity of allergy. Influences of another factors such as nasal polyp, asthma, and aspirin sensitivity to the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis were evaluated. RESULTS: Although the symptom scores of allergic chronic rhinosinusitis patients were greater than those of non-allergic chronic rhinosinusitis patients, there were no CT score differences between the two groups. Differences in the CT scores and symptom scores in allergic chronic rhinosinusitis patients according to the severity of allergy were statistically insignificant. Nasal polyp, asthma, and aspirin sensitivity did not induce more severe chronic rhinosinusitis. CONCLUSION: Allergy may be associated with the development of chronic rhinosinusitis, but the severity of allergy is not correlated to the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis.
Aspirin ; Asthma ; Diagnosis ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Immunoglobulin E ; Nasal Polyps ; Rhinitis

BACKGROUND: Sinonasal infection is potentially a fatal disease in the immunocompromised patients who are undergoing bone marrow transplantation(BMT). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine the incidence, symptoms and signs, risk factors, treatment modalities and the prognostic factors of the sinonasal infections in the immunocompromised BMT patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 235 patients who had received bone marrow transplantation in St. Mary's hospital from December 1983 to August 1995 to determine the clinical features of sinonasal infections in these patients. RESULTS: Forty six patients(19.6%) were affected by sinonasal infections. In 40 patients(17.0%) the infection occurred before BMT. In 11 patients(4.7%), the infection occurred after BMT. Five out of 11 patients(2.1%) had previous sinonasal infections. The most common symptoms and signs were fever and rhinorrhea. Fourteen patients had no discernible symptoms or signs that suggested the presence of sinonasal infection. In our study, patients with previous history of sinonasal infection were more likely to be infected again after BMT. Medical treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics is the initial treatment modality and surgical treatment is indicated in intractable cases. CONCLUSIONS: The immunocompromised BMT patients have high incidence of serious sinonasal infections than normal immunocompetent persons. Early detection and aggressive combined treatment with medical and surgical modalities are essential for the treatment of sinonasal infections in the BMT patients.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bone Marrow Transplantation* ; Bone Marrow* ; Fever ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host* ; Incidence ; Risk Factors

Right-sided varicocele is a relatively rare disease, which could be caused by retroperitoneal pathology, situs Inversus or ananomalous termination of the right internal spermatic vein into the right renal vein or the left renal vein. Herein we report a rare case of right-sided varicocele in a 31-year-old fertile man with situs inversus.
Adult ; Humans ; Pathology ; Rare Diseases ; Renal Veins ; Situs Inversus* ; Varicocele* ; Veins

BACKGROUND: Topical nasal corticosteroid therapy produces clinical improvement in patients with nasal polyposis, but there are lots of controversy about the pathogenesis of nasal polyps and the mode of action of steroid therapy. OBJECTIVES: To examine the mechanism of steroid effect, we investigated the histological change in apex, body and stalk of nasal polyps individually after topical steroid therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with nasal polyposis were treated with budesonide nasal spray, 100ng(50ng/puff) twice daily in each nostril for 4 weeks. we quantified the number of inflammatory cell types and compared the histologic types and structures in each portion of nasal polyps from the patients. RESULTS: Administration of topical corticosteroid over 2 weeks caused changes in each portion of nasal polyps histologically. The histologic changes showed decreased edema and increased fibrosis under light microscope and it was evident with longer administration of the topical corticosteroid. The number of plasma cells in body portion was decreased after treatment. Electron microscopy showed that the number of degranulated granules of mast cell was increased in 2 weeks after treatment and then decreased in 4 weeks at pedicle portion of nasal polyps. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the administration of topical corticosteroid may cause activation of healing process histologically.
Budesonide ; Edema ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Mast Cells ; Microscopy, Electron ; Nasal Polyps* ; Plasma Cells