Background: Nitric oxide(NO) has been reproted to play an important role in macrophage-mediated microbicidal capacity for a variety of intracellular pathogens. NO generation is used as an indicator of microbicidal function of macrophages. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose is to investigate the production of NO rom macrophages phagocytized with Mycobacterium leprae or M. leprae phenolic glycolipid-1(PGL-1) for the purpose of elucidating the pathogenesis of leprosy. METHODS: We used a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. Macrophages were incubated with dead M. leprae or PGL-1, respectively and then treated with interfer n-gamma(IFN-r) and/or tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-a). The release of NO was determined spectrophotometrically by measuring nitrite. RESULTS: M. Leprae and PGL-1 failed to stimulnte NO secretion execept at high bacteria-to-cell rations(50:1)and at the higheat concentrat,ion(100pg/ml) of PGL-1. IFN-r or IFN-r plus TNF-a markedly stimulated macrophages phagocyt,ized with M. leprae or PGL-1 to release NO . CONCLUSION: Defective IFN-r-dependent NO production of macrophages may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of leprosy.
Cell Line ; Cytokines* ; Leprosy ; Macrophages* ; Mycobacterium leprae* ; Mycobacterium* ; Necrosis ; Nitric Oxide* ; Phenol*

No abstract available.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Gonads* ; Steroids* ; Trophoblasts*

PURPOSE: To evaluate complications and refractive outcomes of implantation of a single-piece acrylic intraocular lens (SPA-IOL) in the ciliary sulcus during phacoemulsification complicated with posterior capsule tear (PCT). METHODS: This retrospective study included patients who visited our hospital from 2014 January to 2015 June with implantation of a SPA-IOL (RAYNER 920H Superflex) in the ciliary sulcus during phacoemulsification complicated with PCT. Patients had their IOL power reduced by 1 diopter (D) from that calculated for in-the-bag implantation. At 3 months after operation, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and a refraction test were performed. RESULTS: PCT requiring implantation of IOL in the ciliary sulcus occurred in 17 eyes. Postoperative complications included corneal edema (3 eyes), anterior segment inflammation (1 eye), intraocular pressure elevations (3 eyes). However, improvements resulting from proper management and no significant IOL decentration were observed. At 3 months after operation, the mean spherical equivalent was -0.79 ± 0.39 D (-0.25 to -1.5 D), the mean UCVA was 0.77 ± 0.22 (0.4 to 1.0), and the mean BCVA was 0.94 ± 0.08 (0.8 to 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: Sulcus implantation of a SPA-IOL (RAYNER 920H Superflex) has no clinically significant complication, and the mean spherical equivalent after 3 months with a power reduction of 1.0 D was -0.79 ± 0.39 D (-0.25 to -1.5 D).
Corneal Edema ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intraocular Pressure ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Phacoemulsification ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Tears ; Visual Acuity

Recently, BCG infection is known to induce nitric oxide(NO) production by macrophages through T cell mediated process and NO is known to be microbicidal and tumoricidal. There are several strains of BCG which are commercially available and vary in the number, pathogenicity, viability, and immunogenicity of organisms. Therefore, we wanted to know if there are any differences between three different strains of BCG(Pasteur, Connaught or Tice strain) on the induction of inducible NO synthase(iNOS) and the histological changes in vesical tissue after intravesical instillation of BCG in rats. Thirty two Sprauge-Dowley female rats were equally divided into 4 groups. In group 1, normal saline(0.85 ml/kg) was intravesically instilled one time. In group 2, 3, and 4, BCG of Pasteur strain(2mg/kg, normal saline 0.85ml/kg), Connaught strain(1.35mg/kg, normal saline 0.85ml/kg), Tice strain(0.21mg/kg, normal saline 0.85ml/kg) was instilled one time, respectively. The bladders were excised from each group on day 1, 3, 7, and 14 after BCG instillation. iNOS mRNA was not detected in the vesical tissues of control group, whereas it was strongly detected in group 2, 3, or 4. Also, iNOS mRNA was more strongly detected on day 1, 3, and 7 after intravesical BCG instillation than day 14 in the vesical tissues of group 2, 3, and 4. Histologic findings were well related with expression of iNOS mRNA. Our results indicate that intravesical BCG instillation of rat induces expression of iNOS mRNA in the vesical tissue accompanying the infiltration of inflammatory cells and suggest that all of the 3 strains of BCG including Pasteur, Connaught, and Tice are good at inducing expression of iNOS mRNA without significant differences between the strains.
Administration, Intravesical* ; Animals ; Female ; Gene Expression* ; Humans ; Macrophages ; Mycobacterium bovis* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II* ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger ; Urinary Bladder ; Virulence

Most of dural arteriovenous malformations(AVM's) of lateral and sigmoid sinuses are known to acquired lesions evolving from a previously thrombosed dural sinus. Their clinical symptoms and signs are variable and their natural history is usually that of gradual progression and hence surgery is frequent necessary. The preferred surgical treatment is complete isolation or excision of the lesion. The authors have experienced 1 case of AVM's of lateral and sigmoid dural sinuses associated with intracerebral hematoma which was treated with complete excision of involved sinus with good result.
Arteriovenous Malformations ; Colon, Sigmoid* ; Hematoma ; Natural History

Intravesical bacillus calmette-guerin( BCG) therapy for superficial bladder carcinoma is believed to exert its antitumor effects through immune mechanisms which have yet to be more clearly defined. Recently, BCG infection is known to induce nitric oxide(NO) production by macrophages through a T cell mediated process. NO is known to be microbicidal and tumoricidal. Therefore, we studied the effects of intravesical BCG instillation on the induction of inducible NO synthase(iNOS) which is responsible for the production of NO in the vesical tissue of rat Forty Sprauge-Dawley female rats were equally divided into 5 groups. In group 1, normal saline( 0.85 ml/kg) was intravesically instilled one time. In group 2 and group 3, BCG of Pasteur strain(2 mg/kg, normal saline 0.85 ml/kg) was instilled one time and 3 times weekly respectively. In group 4, 10-fold dose of the strain( 20 mg/kg, 0.86 ml/kg) and in group 5, 1/10-fold dose of the strain (0.2 mg/kg, 0.85 ml/kg) were instilled one time respectively. We sacrificed two rats to excise the bladders in each group 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after the instillation( after the last instillation in group 3). iNOS mRNA was not detected in the vesical tissues from the rats of group 1, whereas it was strongly detected in all the vesical tissues from the rats in group 2, 3. or 4. More iNOS mRNA was detected 14 days after the instillation in group 3 than group 2 or 4. In group 5, iNOS mRNA was weakly detected 1, 3, and 7 days and not detected 14 days after the instillation. Our results indicate that intravesical BCG instillation of rat induces the expression of iNOS mRNA in the vesical tissue and suggest that the duration and degree of iNOS mRNA expression is dependent on the dose of BCG and the frequency of the instillations. On the basis of these observations, we conclude that adequate dose and frequency are required for effective treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma in the intravesical BCG therapy.
Animals ; Bacillus ; Female ; Humans ; Macrophages ; Mycobacterium bovis* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II* ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger ; Urinary Bladder

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO), which in Korea is used chiefly for CO poisoning, can be used in many disorders in orthopaedic field through the action of increasing oxygen tension of peripheral tissue, Since June 1986, when the multiplace hyperbaric chamber was built in our hospital, we have experienced 197 cases of HBO in orthopaedic field and we are to analyze the result of treatment and suggest reasonable indications. The outline of results are as follows ;1. Crushing injuries and wounds caused or accompanied by circulatory disturbance were most frequent among the 197 cases we've experienced, and received 17.5 times of HBO on average. 2. Discernible effectiveness was found in split thickness skin graft, diabetic ulcer and Buerger's disease as compared to the control group. 3. Otalgia was the most common side effect, but not severe. 4. From the above results, it is thought that HBO has fair range of indications in orthopaedic field and is worth using as an adjuvant means to surgery.
Earache ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Korea ; Oxygen ; Poisoning ; Skin ; Thromboangiitis Obliterans ; Transplants ; Ulcer ; Wounds and Injuries

Purpose: Methotrexate (MTX) is an immunosuppressive agent used to treat noninfectious inflammatory eye conditions and is generally administered orally for ocular inflammatory diseases. When used in rheumatological diseases, subcutaneous administration has been reported to show higher efficacy than oral administration. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of subcutaneous MTX in patients with refractory uveitis or choroiditis who did not respond to other immunosuppressive agents. Methods: A retrospective case series study was performed between January and December 2018. Patients with uveitis or chorioretinitis who showed little to no treatment response for 6 months or more with conventional immunosuppressive agents were treated with MTX, administered subcutaneously. After 6 months of treatment, patients were evaluated to determine whether complete suppression of inflammation sustained for ≥28 days was achieved in both eyes and whether improvement can be confirmed by fluorescein angiography (FAG). Results: Subcutaneous MTX treatment was performed on 18 patients: 11 had intermediate uveitis and seven had posterior uveitis. In the intermediate uveitis patient group, five patients (50% of the group excluding one patient who dropped out) showed improvement in FAG and three patients (30%) showed complete suppression of inflammation. In the posterior uveitis group, two out of seven patients (excluding two patients who dropped out) showed an improvement, two patients in the group showed little change, and one patient showed aggravation of FAG findings. Conclusions The study confirmed that in patients with uveitis or chorioretinitis who had a refractory response to treatment with other immunosuppressive agents, subcutaneous MTX showed improved treatment efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the indications, clinical features, cytogenetic results and complications of amniocentesis and to determine the efficacy of antenatal genetic amniocentesis. METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively maternal age, gestational age, indications, transplacental puncture, frequency, discoloration of amniotic fluid, karyotype and complications in 325 cases of prenatal genetic amniocentesis performed at Chungnam National University Hospital from January 2000 to December 2002. RESULTS: The most common age group was from 30 to 34 (31.4%) and mean age was 32.7 years old. 85.3% of cases were performed at 16th-20th gestational weeks. Abnormal maternal serum markers were the most common indication of amniocentesis (56.0%) and the second most common indication was maternal age over 35 (33.2%). Abnormal karyotypes were found in 12 cases (3.6%) and normal variants were 21 cases (6.5%). Numerical aberration were 9 cases (2.7%) and structural aberration were 3 cases (0.3%). Among the autosomal aberrations, Down syndromes were 5 cases and Edward syndrome was 1 case. Among the sex chromosomal aberrations, 47,XXX were 2 cases and Turner syndrome was 1 case. As the increasing maternal age, the incidence of abnormal karyotype was increased. Procedure-related complications occurred in 11.7% of cases and fetal loss rate was 7.4%. No significant associations were found between procedure-related complications and maternal age, gestational age, transplacental puncture, frequency, discoloration of amniotic fluid, and antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSION: Amniocentesis is useful for prenatal genetic diagnosis in pregnancies with increasing risk of chromosome aberrations, such as advanced maternal age, abnormal maternal serum markers or abnormal US findings. Further studies are necessary to identify risk factors of complications after invasive procedure.
Abnormal Karyotype ; Amniocentesis* ; Amniotic Fluid ; Biomarkers ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Cytogenetic Analysis* ; Cytogenetics* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Karyotype ; Maternal Age ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Punctures ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Turner Syndrome

No abstract available.
Cellulitis ; Humans ; Lymphedema