This experiment was performed to study the morphological responses of the thymic cortex of the mice after administration of BCG. Healthy adult mice weighing 25gm each were divided into normal and experimental groups. BCG[0.03X108-0.32X108 CFU] were injected subcutaneously to the animals every other day, and animals were sacrificed at 4 days, 1 week, 2 weeks and 8 weeks following the first injection. Thymus were removed immediately after sacrifice and transferred to cold phosphate buffered 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformaldehyde solution[pH 7.3], and cut into small pieces. Tissue samples were fixed for 2-3 hours in the same fixative, postfixed with phosphate buffered 1% osmium tetroxide solution[pH 7.3], dehydrated in a graded series of alcohol, and embedded in araldite mixture. Ultrathin sections stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate were observed with a JEM 100CX-II electron microscope. The observed results were as follow : 1. In the early BCG treated groups, a few eosinophile leucocytes were observed, but more eosinophils were observed in later groups. Some elongated and bar-shaped lysosomes with eletron lucent gap were often obserced in the macrophages. 2. Cortical population of thymocytes in the thymus were reduced, whereas territoris of the epithelial reticular cells were expanded especially in 2 weeks and 8 weeks groups. Some portion of the thymic cortex exhibited large intercellular spaces, and a few nuclear bodies filled with materials of medium density were observed in the epithelial reticular cells. 3. In the 8 weeks groups, macrophages, plasma cells and eosinopile leucocytes and developing eosinophile leucocytes were often observed in the thymic cortex. Distended cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticula and newly forming prosecretory granulses in the Golgi complex were ovserved in som plasma cells. From the above results, it was suggested that repeated treatment with BCG could induce disturb the maturation and differentiation of the T lymphocytes. In turn, BCG, if repeatedly injected, may disturb the immunological medchanism.
Adult ; Animals ; Citric Acid ; Eosinophils ; Extracellular Space ; Golgi Apparatus ; Humans ; Lysosomes ; Macrophages ; Mice* ; Mycobacterium bovis* ; Osmium Tetroxide ; Plasma Cells ; T-Lymphocytes ; Thymocytes ; Thymus Gland

We report a case of ruptured mycotic aneurysm involving innominate artery requiring an urgent surgical treatment. A 62-yr-old woman presented with fever and dyspnea. Previously, she was diagnosed with colon cancer and received right hemicolectomy and one cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy. On echocardiogram, pericardial effusion was noted and emergency pericardiocentesis was performed. CT scan revealed aortic aneurysm involving ascending aorta and innominate artery, and thrombi surrounding those structures. Patch repair of the defect in the ascending aorta and ringed Goretex graft to bypass the innominate and ascending aorta were performed. We believe that this is the first case of ruptured mycotic aneurysm involving innominate artery.
Aneurysm, Infected/*surgery ; Aorta/pathology ; Aortic Aneurysm/surgery ; Brachiocephalic Trunk/pathology ; Colonic Neoplasms/drug therapy/surgery ; Female ; Human ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism is associated with varying degrees of pulmonary vascular obstruction. This study was undertaken to establish whether the extent of perfusion defect in lung scintigraphy can be predicted from analysis of echocardiographic measurements in patients with pulmonary embolism. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 28 patients who presented with clinical evidence of pulmonary embolism. In order to compare the extent of perfusion defect in lung scintigraphy, we devised a scoring system (echocardiographic severity index, ESI) for various echocardiographic parameters, which include right ventricle size, area, shape, systolic function, and pulmonary artery pressure. [ESI=sum of scores/number of parameters measured]. RESULTS: The mean values (+/-SD) of each parameter were as follow; right ventricular end-diastolic dimension (RVedD), 34.5+/-5.7 mm; LVedD, 40.9+/-5.2 mm; ratio of RVedD to LVedD, 0.87+/-0.2; right ventricular end-diastolic area (RVedA), 24.7+/-9.5 cm2; right ventricular end-systolic area (RVesA), 17.8+/-7.8 cm2; fractional area change, 28.8+/-9.7%; angle between IVS and RV, 96.0+/-14.8degrees; RV hypokinesia, absence or mild in 29%, moderate in 50%, severe in 21%; TR grade, absence or mild in 25%, moderate in 43%, severe in 32%; pulmonary artery systolic pressure, <30 mmHg in 21%, 30 to 50 mmHg in 68%, >50 mmHg 11% of patients. The echocardiographic severity index (ESI) in patients with pulmonary embolism was 0.52+/-0.24, and the perfusion defect score was 0.21+/-0.14. There was a close correlation between the ESI and the extent of perfusion defect (r=0.622, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The echocardiographic severity index may reflect the extent of the perfusion defects in patients with pulmonary embolism, therefore it is potentially applicable in clinical practice for evaluating patients with pulmonary embolism and furthermore in their follow-up over a period of time.
Blood Pressure ; Echocardiography* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypokinesia ; Lung ; Perfusion ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Retrospective Studies