PURPOSE: Relaxation of the penile cavernosum smooth muscle is a critical event in erection. Artemisia iwaymogi(AI) is a perennial herb growing in Korea. The aerial parts have been used in folk medicine. Bioassay-guided fractionation of an H2O extract of AI has furnished an inhibitory substance (PCLS-2). We investigated compound extracted in the rabbit corporal cavernosum smooth muscle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bioassay-guided fractionation of an H2O extract was used. A strip of rabbit corpus cavernosum was mounted in an organ chamber to measure the isometric tension. PCLS-2 compound induced relaxations were evaluated by in vitro study using muscarinic receptor blocker atropine (ATR), cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) ihibitor Nitro-L Arginine-Methyl Ester (NAME), guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin 1-one (ODQ), intrinsic neurotransmission inhibitor tetrodotoxin (TTX), or/and potassium channel blockers. RESULTS: PCLS-2 showed relaxation in a dose-dependent manner. Atropine, Indomethacin, NAME, ODQ, TTX, glibenclamide, tetraethylammonium, 4-aminopyridine, charybdotoxin, or apamin did not inhibit the relaxation induced by PCLS-2 compound. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that the PCL-2 compound has effect of relaxation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle and the relaxation was not involved muscarinic receptor, nitric oxide, prostaglandin, potassium channels and intrinsic neurotransmission. Other mechanisms may by involved in the PCLS-2 induced relaxation in the rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle.
4-Aminopyridine ; Apamin ; Artemisia ; Atropine ; Charybdotoxin ; Glyburide ; Guanylate Cyclase ; Indomethacin ; Korea ; Medicine, Traditional ; Muscle, Smooth* ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Potassium Channel Blockers ; Potassium Channels ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Receptors, Muscarinic ; Relaxation ; Synaptic Transmission ; Tetraethylammonium ; Tetrodotoxin

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is a pleomorphic sarcoma in adults, which occurs principally as a mass on an extremity or in the abdominal cavity or retroperitoneum. It typically involved deep fascia or skeletal muscle and only rarely was confined to the subcutis without fascial involvement. Malignant fibrous histiocytomas developed in the intraabdominal organs are very rare and only few cases have been reported until now. Here, we report a case of malignant fibrous histiocytomar developed in the stomach of a 46-year old male who showed clinical and histologic features of malignant fibrous histiocytoma without any identified etiologic factors. The patient was treated successfully with surgery, and has had no recurrence since, during the ensuring one and a half yars.
Abdominal Cavity ; Adult ; Extremities ; Fascia ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Recurrence ; Sarcoma ; Stomach*

We have studied 286 cases of intracranial aneurysm patients, who were admitted, surgically treated and registered at Korea University Medical Center between January, 1980 and February, 1989. This report resents an analysis of 286 cases of surgically treated intracranial aneurysms. The following results were obtained; 1) Intracranial aneurysm was the most common in the 6th decade(100 cases, 35.0%) and the next order was in the 5th decade(82 cases, 28.7%). 2) The male to female ratio was 1 : 1.53, but male predominant below 4th decade. 3) Aneurysmal size was the most common between 3mm and 10mm(264 cases, 85.2%). 4) The most frequent site was anterior communicating artery(102 cases, 32.9%) and the next order was posterior communicating artery(90 cases, 29.0%). 5) The incidence of multiple aneurysm was 6.6%(19 cases). 6) The incidence of single unruptured aneurysm was 7.6%(19 cases), its most common initial symptom was 3rd cranial nerve palsy. 7) The initial clinical status of patients seems to parallel the postoperative prognosis. 8) The degree of cerebral vasospasm on angiography seems to parallel the postoperative prognosis. 9) Postoperative mortality was 10.8%, but it was 3.8% in operation cases after January, 1986. 10) The most common cause of postoperative mortality was cerebral vasospasm(38.7%), and the next order was rebleeding(19.4%).
Academic Medical Centers ; Aneurysm ; Angiography ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality ; Prognosis ; Vasospasm, Intracranial

Micronutrient deficiencies in Crohn's disease (CD) patients are not uncommon and usually result in a combination of reduced dietary intake, disease-related malabsorption, and a catabolic state. Decreased serum thiamine levels are often reported in patients with CD. Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a severe form of thiamine deficiency that can cause serious neurologic complications. Although WE is known to occur frequently in alcoholics, a number of non-alcoholic causes have also been reported. Here, we report two cases of non-alcoholic WE that developed in two severely malnourished CD patients who were supported by prolonged total parenteral nutrition without thiamine supplementation. These patients complained of sudden-onset ophthalmopathy, cerebellar dysfunction, and confusion. Magnetic resonance imaging allowed definitive diagnosis for WE despite poor sensitivity. The intravenous administration of thiamine alleviated the symptoms of WE dramatically. We emphasize the importance of thiamine supplementation for malnourished patients even if they are not alcoholics, especially in those with CD.
Administration, Intravenous ; Alcoholics ; Cerebellar Diseases ; Crohn Disease* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Micronutrients ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total* ; Thiamine ; Thiamine Deficiency ; Wernicke Encephalopathy*

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystemic inflammatory autoimmune disease mediated by autoantibodies and immune complexes. In SLE, a splenectomy to control the thrombocytopenia does not increase the total risk of thrombosis, but tends to increase arterial events. We experienced a patient with lupus- anticoagulant positive SLE who developed a venous thrombosis after a splenectomy for the control of thrombocytopenia, which was a very rare case.
Antigen-Antibody Complex ; Autoantibodies ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Splenectomy ; Thrombocytopenia ; Thrombosis ; Venous Thrombosis

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess the concentration of urine cadmium and health risks of residents in the vicinity of abandoned metal mines in Gyeongsangbuk-do. METHODS: The concentration of cadmium in the soil, water, and agricultural crops was measured in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Butdeun and Suksan, which have abandoned metal mines. We measured the concentration of cadmium in the urine of residents from the following areas: 78 from village A, 99 from village C and 147 from control areas. Other health-risk assessments were performed on each resident, such as measuring the concentration of beta2-MG and a bone density test. RESULTS: In abandoned mine areas, the mean concentration of cadmium was higher in agricultural soil and in the crops than in that of control areas. The concentration of cadmium in the stream exceeded the guideline level. In regard to provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) of cadmium, the actual intake rate through crops was 33.81%, 72.74% in abandoned mine areas and 5.03%, 6.16% in control areas. Residents in abandoned mine areas, A village and C village had a geometric mean of urine Cd of 1.90 microgram/g cr and 1.45 microgram/g cr. These measurements were significantly higher than those of residents in control areas, B village and D village, 0.59 microgram/g cr and 0.65 microgram/g cr (p<0.01). Following adjustments for age, sex, smoking habit, and occupational history, the concentration of urine cadmium of residents in the Butdeun abandoned meta mine was higher by 1.62 microgram/g cr as compared with the control group (p<0.01). Residents from the Suksan abandoned metal mine also had a higher concentration by 1.07 microgram/g cr (p<0.01). A multiple linear regression analysis was performed for the factors associated with T-score, and this showed that the concentration of urine cadmium was not an influential factor. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these measurements, areas with abandoned metal mines contaminated streams, agricultural soil, and crops of the adjacent areas, with cadmium. Because residents in the adjacent areas intake contaminated crops, their urine cadmium was increased. Despite a lack of evidence demonstrating the detrimental effect of increased urine cadmium in residents, an additional study is needed to assess the health risks of residents in the vicinity of abandoned metal mines.
Bone Density ; Cadmium ; Crops, Agricultural ; Korea ; Linear Models ; Rivers ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Soil ; Water

Although a pathogenic mechanism of hemolytic anemia complicated with viral hepatitis is unknown, it is suggested that there are four mechanisms; 1) In the individual who has predisposition to hemolytic anemia, viral infection accelerates the red cell destruction & hemolysis become obvious. 2) Directly, virus itself injures to the red cell membrane. 3) The serious liver failure & hypersplenism induce the hemolysis. 4) Autoimmune hemolytic anemia because of immunological abnormality caused by viral infection. We experienced a case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in 33-year-old male patient who was diagnosed as chronic lobular hepatitis B with biopsy. Diagnosis was estabilished by clinical features, blood cell count, routine urinalysis, direct & indirect Coombs test, liver function test, immunoglobulin quantitations, hepatitis B marker, bone marrow aspiration, and liver biopsy. This case was treated with corticosteroid and transfusion. During follow-up, he has been well tolerated.
Adult ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune* ; Biopsy ; Blood Cell Count ; Bone Marrow ; Cell Membrane ; Coombs Test ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemolysis ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Hypersplenism ; Immunoglobulins ; Liver ; Liver Failure ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Urinalysis

BACKGROUND: Gallstone is the most common disease of the biliary system. Most cases of gallstone are asymptomatic and we incidentally found gallstones during a community health survey. Our study was designed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for gallstone in a population who underwent health screening. METHODS: We enrolled a total of 36,314 persons who visited the health promotion center in Kyungpook National University Hospital in Korea from 1998 to 2004. They had their gallbladder or biliary system examined with using ultrasonography. The body mass index and biochemical parameters from liver function tests, the lipid profiles and the fasting blood sugar were all measured. All the subjects were divided into several groups and the particular prevalence for gallstone disease for each group was calculated. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis assessed the risk factors for gallstone disease. RESULTS: Among 36,314 persons, (19,345 males (53.3%) and 16,969 females (46.7%)), gallstone was found in 735 persons (2.0%). On univariate analysis, the risk factors for gallstone disease were age, body mass index, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and serum aspartate aminotransferase. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, the the risk factors were high body mass index, older age and high fasting blood sugar. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors seem to show a common pathogenesis for gallstone disease. Although the relation between gallstone disease and metabolic syndrome has not been established, it appears to be associated with metabolic syndrome, but further study on a general population is required.
Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Biliary Tract ; Blood Glucose ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Fasting ; Female ; Gallbladder ; Gallstones* ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Health Promotion ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver Function Tests ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors* ; Triglycerides ; Ultrasonography