BACKGROUND: The renin angiotensin syaimstem plays an important role in hypertension. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the comparison of responsiveness to angiotensin II (ANG II) in isolated renal proximal convoluted tubules of spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. METHODS: Intracellualr calcium concentration ([Ca2+i) was measured using Fura- 2/AM, inositol trisphosphate (IP3) accumulation was determined by radioimmuno assay and cellular ATP content measured using the microchemilunescene method in renal proximal tubule suspension or isolated renal proximal tubules. RESULTS: When measured the ANG II-induced [Ca2+i, the young rats showed a greater response to ANG II than adult rats in both strains. The ANG II (10-7 M)-induced [Ca2+i transient in the cortical tubule suspension from adult SHR was significantly lower than that in age-matched WKY. In isolated proximal tubule segments, ANG II-induced [Ca2+i increment was only observed in S1 segments. Comparing responsiveness to ANG II in SHR and WKY, similar phenomenon was observed as experiment using tubule suspension. IP3 accumulation by ANG II also attenuated in adult SHR. The 20-minutes incubation without any exogenous substrate in proximal convoluted tubule (S1) significantly decreased cellular ATP content and ANG II (10-7 M) inhibited decrement of cellular ATP level. The effect of ANG II on cellular ATP restoration was disappeared by the treatment with losartan. CONCLUSION: From these results, the responsiveness of ANG II to AT1A receptor is attenuated in the proximal convoluted tubules of adult SHR comparing the age- mached WKY.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Adult* ; Angiotensin II ; Angiotensins ; Animals ; Calcium ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Inositol ; Losartan ; Rats ; Renin

No abstract available.
Leukemia*

No abstract available.
Lung*

No abstract available.
Bone Conduction* ; Ear, Middle* ; Otitis Media* ; Otitis* ; Pathology* ; Temporal Bone*

PURPOSE: Phyllodes tumor is a rare fibroepithelial disease of the breast that is classified as benign, borderline malignant, or malignant according to the pathological characteristics. To clarify diagnostic criteria for these groups, we analyzed the clinico-pathological characteristics of phyllodes tumors and the risk factors for local recurrence after surgery. METHODS: Between January 1997 and March 2003, we included 70 cases of recurring, pathologically-confirmed phyllodes tumors after surgery. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively for clinical characteristics and pathologic findings. RESULTS: The mean follow up period was 69.3 months (range 45.4 to 119.3 months) and mean age, 39.4 years old (range 18 to 63 years old). Benign phyllodes tumors were present in 45 cases (64.3%), borderline malignant tumors in 15 cases (21.4%), and malignant tumors in 10 cases (14.3%). A local recurrence developed in 9 cases (12.9%), with three of these cases benign (33.3%), 5 cases were borderline malignant (55.6%), and 1 case was malignant (11.1%). Borderline malignant cases showed a higher local recurrent rate (6.7%, 33.3%, and 10.0%, P=0.027). The local recurrence rate between the tumor-positive or close (<1 mm) resection margins and non-involved cases was different for benign (7.7% vs. 6.3%, P=0.031) and borderline malignant cases (60.0% vs. 20.0%, ns). CONCLUSION: Pathologic classification and small resection margins are risk factors for local recurrence in phyllodes tumors. Therefore, borderline malignant phyllodes tumors require wide excision with a sufficient resection margin or a mastectomy to prevent local recurrence.
Breast ; Follow-Up Studies ; Mastectomy ; Medical Records ; Phyllodes Tumor ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Human sparganosis is caused by the larval tapeworm of genus Spirometra. This parasite commonly invades subcutaneous tissues and muscles. However, infection in the pleural cavity is rare. A 65-year-old male patient, who had undergone surgical excision of subcutaneous masses due to a parasite infection (presumed to have been sparganosis) approximately 10 years ago, showed pleural effusion and peripheral eosinophilia. The anti-sparganum specific IgG antibody levels in the serum and pleural fluid were significantly higher than the normal control levels. Three consecutive doses of praziquantel (75 mg/kg/day) were administered for control of pleural effusion and peripheral eosinophilia. In this patient, sparganosis was suspected, and the probable cause of the infection was ingestion of raw snakes and frogs. Immunoserologic tests using ELISA can be helpful in diagnosis of pleural sparganosis and praziquantel is suggested as an alternative treatment for surgically unresectable cases.
Cestoda ; Eating ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Male ; Muscles ; Parasites ; Pleural Cavity ; Pleural Effusion ; Pleurisy ; Praziquantel ; Snakes ; Sparganosis ; Sparganum ; Spirometra ; Subcutaneous Tissue

PURPOSE: Many stresses produce reactive oxygen species and bring about mechanism of antioxidant reaction. Cytokine and a neurotransmitter through the cell membrane, as well as signal transduction through the cell membrane, are used for various pathological condition of the brain, such as neurodegenerative disease. There are several antioxidant enzymes in cells (superoxcide dismutase, glutathion peroxidasae, peroxiredoxin catalase, etc.) METHODS: This study used single- or double-label immunohistochemical techniques to analyze mouse spinal neuron cells expressing Prx I and Prx III after acute mobilization stress. RESULTS: Prx I was observed in dendritic cell of the gray matter of the spinal cord, and Prx III was observed in the cytoplasm of the GM of the spinal cord. CONCLUSION: The results of this study will help to explain differences of expression in the distributions of the peroxiredoxin enzymes of the spinal cord.
Animals ; Brain ; Catalase ; Cell Membrane ; Cytoplasm ; Dendritic Cells ; Immobilization* ; Mice ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neurons ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Peroxiredoxins* ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Signal Transduction ; Spinal Cord*

PURPOSE: Many stresses produce reactive oxygen species and bring about mechanism of antioxidant reaction. Cytokine and a neurotransmitter through the cell membrane, as well as signal transduction through the cell membrane, are used for various pathological condition of the brain, such as neurodegenerative disease. There are several antioxidant enzymes in cells (superoxcide dismutase, glutathion peroxidasae, peroxiredoxin catalase, etc.) METHODS: This study used single- or double-label immunohistochemical techniques to analyze mouse spinal neuron cells expressing Prx I and Prx III after acute mobilization stress. RESULTS: Prx I was observed in dendritic cell of the gray matter of the spinal cord, and Prx III was observed in the cytoplasm of the GM of the spinal cord. CONCLUSION: The results of this study will help to explain differences of expression in the distributions of the peroxiredoxin enzymes of the spinal cord.
Animals ; Brain ; Catalase ; Cell Membrane ; Cytoplasm ; Dendritic Cells ; Immobilization* ; Mice ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neurons ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Peroxiredoxins* ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Signal Transduction ; Spinal Cord*

Hyperplastic gastric polyps (HPPs) are the most common type of gastric polyps. They are assumed to be caused by chronic inflammation and regenerative proliferation, although this has not been clearly investigated yet. Many studies suggested the development of fundic gland polyps and carcinoid during long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, but the relationship between PPIs and HPPs is still unclear. We encountered a patient who showed aggravation of HPPs after long-term use of PPIs. A 58-year-old male patient with liver cirrhosis visited our hospital because of hematemesis. We started PPI medication after confirming esophageal variceal bleeding and duodenal ulcer with blood clot in its base via emergency endoscopy. He took PPIs for three years because of an intractable duodenal ulcer. There was a marked increase in the size of the pre-existing polyps and in the development of new polyps. We presumed that the PPIs caused the aggravation of the HPPs, so we stopped their administration. After five months, the HPPs shrank and the polyps were partially degraded. More prospective studies are needed to investigate the relationship between HPPs and PPIs.
Carcinoid Tumor ; Duodenal Ulcer ; Emergencies ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Hematemesis ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyps* ; Proton Pump Inhibitors* ; Proton Pumps* ; Protons*

Distal thumb injuries are a common and difficult problem for hand surgeons. Coverage of soft tissue on the fingers may be difficult due to the size of the defect or the limitation of local flap mobilization. However, the variable anatomy of the dorsal hand vascular system sometimes prevents successful flap harvest. The purpose of this study was to clarify the vascular anatomy of the dorsal side of the thumb and the first web for the flaps. Twenty six hands (13 right and 13 left hands) from Korean embalmed cadavers were dissected. A catheter was inserted into the radial artery in the forearm, and the red colored latex (Latex 671, Dupont Industry, France) was injected until the dorsum of the hand was colored. The arrangement of the first dorsal metacarpal artery (FDMA) and its branches were vary and classified into three categories according to their branching patterns; Both dorso-ulnar thumb branch (DUTB) and dorso-radial index branch (DRIB) arose from the FDMA (10 cases, 38.5%). Each DUTB and DRIB arose separately from the radial artery (5 cases, 19.2%). The DUTB and the DRIB originated from the princeps pollicis artery and the radial artery, respectively (11 cases, 42.3%). The typical course of the FDMA and its branches ran overlying the first dorsal interosseous muscle in 17 cases of the 26 specimens (65.4%). However, in nine cases (34.6%) the DRIB ran on the first dorsal interosseous muscle and the DUTB had a deep course within the substance of the first dorsal interosseous muscle. The FDMA flap represents a good option to cover defects for the thumb. These anatomical findings in the present study could provide useful knowledge of flaps for dorsal aspect of the thumb and the first web.
Arteries ; Cadaver ; Catheters ; Fingers ; Forearm ; Hand ; Latex ; Muscles ; Radial Artery ; Thumb