A clinical study was carried out in 15 patients with cryptococcosis who were seen at Severance Hospital from June, 1974 to September, 1983 and the following results were obtained. Age of patients ranged from 13/12 to 72 years (mean 23.9) with the peak incidence in child and adolescence. Common symptoms at admission were headache, fever, chilling etc. Initial impression at admission were Tbc. Meningitis, Aseptic Meningitis, Cryptococcal Meningitis, lymphoma and hepatitis etc. in that order. Involved organs were meninges in 14 patients (93.3%), lymphnodes 4 (26.6%), lung 2, liver 2, skin 1, Brain 1, adrenal gland 1. Variable findings were obtained in initial CSF study, but all cases except two were positive in initial CSF india ink preparation. In our study, the prognosis was better in patients without coexisting disease than with coexisting disease.
Adolescent ; Adrenal Glands ; Brain ; Child ; Cryptococcosis ; Fever ; Headache ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Incidence ; India ; Ink ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymphoma ; Meninges ; Meningitis ; Meningitis, Aseptic ; Meningitis, Cryptococcal ; Prognosis ; Skin

Mucormycosis is a fungal disease in which normal saphrophytic molds produce an acute and often rapidly fatal infection. Patients with orbital mucormycosis commonly present with abrupt visual loss, orbital pain and facial hypoaethesia. In our case, mucormycosis was confirmed by histopathological examination and it was mainly treated with daily intravenous amphotericin B for 42 days. As medical treatment was successful, no orbital exenteration has been necessitated.
Amphotericin B ; Fungi ; Humans ; Mucormycosis* ; Orbit*

Mucormycosis is a fungal disease in which normal saphrophytic molds produce an acute and often rapidly fatal infection. Patients with orbital mucormycosis commonly present with abrupt visual loss, orbital pain and facial hypoaethesia. In our case, mucormycosis was confirmed by histopathological examination and it was mainly treated with daily intravenous amphotericin B for 42 days. As medical treatment was successful, no orbital exenteration has been necessitated.
Amphotericin B ; Fungi ; Humans ; Mucormycosis* ; Orbit*

In an attempt to assess the evidence of abnormal central vision before the development of either overt retinopathy or a reduction in visual acuity in patients with diabetes mellitus, hue discrimination and ccntrast sensitivity were tested in diabetic patients with background diabetic retinopathy(N=57) or no-retinopathy(N=28). The results were as follows: 1. There were statistically significant differences in the mean square root of total error score, blue-yellow and red-green partial error score between the normal controIs, the no-retinopathy group and the background diabetic retinopathy groups, respectively(P<0.001). 2. In the no-retinopathy group contrast sensitivity was decreased in high spatial frequency only in comparison with the normal controls. On the other hand, in the background diabetic retinopathy group contrast sensitivity was decreased in all spatial frequency in comparison with the normal controls and the no-retinopathy group(P<0.05). 3. The proportion of diabetic patients with statistically significant color vision and contrast sensitivity deficits in the no-retinopathy and the background diabetic retinopathy groups were 3.6% and 38.6% respectively.
Color Vision ; Contrast Sensitivity* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Discrimination (Psychology)* ; Hand ; Humans ; Visual Acuity

This study was designed to examine the effects of two antidepressant drugs on the expression of c-fos mRNA in cultured embryonic rat hippocampal neurons. The drugs used were imipramine and amitriptyline. On the fourth day of culture, hippocampal neurons were treated with variable concentrations of each drug. Competitive RT-PCR(Reverse Transcriptase-PCR) analysis was used to quantify the c-fos mRNA expression induced by each drug. Experimental results showed that acute and direct treatment with imipramine and amitriptyline with relatively low concentrations(imipramine < or =10micrometer, amitriptyline < or =10micrometer) had no inductive effect on the expression of c-fos mRNA in the rat hippocampal neurons. However, after treatment with relatively high concentrations(imipramine > or =100micrometer, amitriptyline > or =100micrometer) c-fos mRNA was not detected. These findings suggest the followings. Firstly, the action mechanisms of these drugs on the hippocampal neurons might not be mediated by c-fos but by other immediate-early genes(IEGs). Secondly, their actions may be mediated indirectly via other areas of the brain. Thirdly, the expression of c-fos might be inhibited by high concentrations of these drugs, or the high concentrations could induce cell death. Finally, though cell death remains to be confirmed, the inhibition of c-fos induction or cell death could play a role in the cognitive impairments known to be adverse effects of some antidepressants. This study is believed to be a first step toward understanding the mechanisms of learning and memory. Further studies are needed to investigate the expression of various IEGs and changes in the hippocampal neurons of rat resulting from chronic treatment with antidepressant drugs.
Amitriptyline ; Animals ; Antidepressive Agents* ; Brain ; Cell Death ; Imipramine ; Learning ; Memory ; Neurons* ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger*

Melatonin could be used as an anticancer agent to suppress the proliferation of tumor cells and induce the differentiation of cancer cells. HeLa, HepG2, A549, L929, and NIH/3T3 cell lines were cultivated in alpha-MEM with 0.2 mM/2 mM melatonin. The influences of melatonin on quantitative changes of glycoprotein, fibronectin, laminin and actin related to the metastasis of tumor cells investigated with PAS or PAP at light microscopic level. To elucidate the possibility of antitumor actions of melatonin, the changes of cell organelles were observed under transmission electron microscope. Cell proliferation was suppressed after treatment with 2 mM melatonin for 2 or 3 days. Compared with control groups, the amounts of glycoprotein, fibronectin, laminin and actin in all cell lines at 1st, 2nd and 3rd day after treatment with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin were generally increased. Heterochromatin in the nucleus formed clumps in all cell lines at 2nd and 3rd day after treatment with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin. The numerical increase of rough endoplasmic reticulum and golgi complex observed in HeLa and L929 cells treated with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin at 1st, 2nd and 3rd day. The number of lysosomes increased in HeLa, A549, and L929 cells treated with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin at 3rd day. The number of vesicles increased in all cell lines treated with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin at 1st, 2nd and 3rd day. Taken together, antimitotic effect of melatonin can be expected at least 2day after treatment with 2 mM melatonin. The production of fibronectin and laminin in all cell lines treated with 0.2 mM or 2 mM melatonin increased. Therefore, the increase of amounts of extracellular matrix proteins in the extracellular space can be expected. And the increase of amounts of actin connected to the extracellular matrix proteins through the integrin of plasma membrane seemed to strengthen cell attachment. In order to metastasize of cancer cells, it is important for them to secrete various enzymes to pass through the extracellular matrix proteins. Hence, it will be more difficult for the cells to metastasize into other regions due to the increase of the extracellular matrix proteins. It was postulated that the clumps of heterochromatin and the numerical increase of vesicles induced by treatment with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin could be represented for the actions of melatonin as morpholgical criteria.
Actins ; Cell Line* ; Cell Membrane ; Cell Proliferation ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins* ; Extracellular Matrix* ; Extracellular Space ; Fibronectins ; Glycoproteins ; Golgi Apparatus ; Heterochromatin ; Laminin ; Lysosomes ; Melatonin* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Organelles

Hemangioma is one of the most common congenital tumors in the region of the face and neck. Although histologically benign, these facial masses are clinically malignant for their deforming and inexorable growth, especially in so-called cavernous hemangioma. Today, hemagiomas have been treated by various methods; steroids, electrocoagulation, injection of sclerosing agent, cryotherapy, radiation therapy, laser therapy, and surgical treatment, etc. The response of treatment varies with the types, surgical skills, regions of hemangioma, the age of patient, but the appropriate method of the treatment has not been yet established. In the case of massive hemangioma, which involves most part of the face and neck, we prefer surgical treatment and consistently obtain better result than other treatment modalities. Wide excision and proper reconstruction of the face helps the patient for their better life aesthetically and functionally.
Cryotherapy ; Electrocoagulation ; Hemangioma* ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Neck* ; Steroids

Anodic spark deposition method(ASD) surface treated titanium implant possesses a considerable osteoconductive potential that promoting a high level of implant osseointegration in normal bone. The purpose of this study was to observe the ASD implant's osseointegration in the osteoporosis-induced animal model. Twenty four rats, 10 weeks of age, were ovarectomized and 5 weeks later divided into two groups : ASD implant group and control implant group. Titanium screw implants (diameter; 2.0 mm, length, 3.5 mm; pitch-height, 0.4 mm) were designed for this study. Experimental implants were ASD treated and no treatment on control implants. ASD implants and control implants were placed in to left tibiae of rats. The rats were sacrificed at different time interval(1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after implantation) for histopathologic observation and immunohisto -chemistrical observation, with collagen type I, fibronectin, integrin alpha2beta1 and integrin alpha5beta1 antibodies. The results obtained from this study were as follow: 1. Histopathologic findings, overall tissue response and the pattern of bone formation in both groups were similar. In ASD group, more newly formed bone was seen at 1 week and 2weeks than control group. 2. The levels of type I collagen and fibronectin expression were the most abundant at 2weeks and decreased gradually in both groups. Fibronectin and type I collagen expression in ASD group were stronger than control group but no significance. 3. The levels of integrin alpha2beta1 and Integrin alpha5beta1 expression were most abundant at 2 weeks and decreased gradually in both groups. No significant difference was observed in both groups. From this results, anodic oxidized titanium implants were more advantages in early stage of bone formation than control group, but have no significance in tissue responses and late bone formations. It could be stated that although anodic oxidized titanium implant possesses considerable osteoconductive potential but in osteoporotic bone condition dental implant procedure should performed after improving or treating the osteoporotic bone condition.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Collagen Type I ; Dental Implants ; Fibronectins ; Implants, Experimental ; Integrin alpha2beta1 ; Integrin alpha5beta1 ; Models, Animal ; Osseointegration ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis ; Rats ; Tibia ; Titanium

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of the transradial artery approach (TRA) for treating malfunctioning arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) in patients on hemodialysis. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted in this single-center study of TRA endovascular procedures in 73 patients (43 male and 30 female; mean age of 67.4 years (range, 42–92 years) with malfunctioning AVFs, between January 2008 and April 2019. Patients’ baseline and lesion characteristics, technical and clinical success, and complications were evaluated, and functional patency was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Radial artery approaches were successful in all patients. Angioplasty performed using the TRA achieved technical and clinical success rates of 98.6%(72/73) and 91.7%(67/73), respectively. The median primary patency time was 18.8 ± 15.9 months. The primary functional patency rates at 3, 6, and 12 months were 82.1%, 68.6%, and 63.9%, respectively. There were no major complications or adverse events, such as hand ischemia, related to the radial artery approach. Conclusion In selected cases, the TRA can be used complementary to the transvenous approach to treat malfunctioning AVFs.

A 24-year-old male visited our hospital because of pain in both flanks. His biochemistry profile showed an elevated serum creatinine level and low serum uric acid level. History taking revealed that he had undertaken exercise prior to the acute kidney injury (AKI) event, and he stated that family members had a history of urolithiasis. His renal profile improved after hydration and supportive care during hospitalization. Although the patient was subsequently admitted again due to AKI, his status recovered with similar treatment. Since the diagnosis of the patient was familial renal hypouricemia with exercise-induced AKI, we performed genotyping of SLC22A12, which encodes human urate transporter 1. The diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of a homozygous mutation of W258X. We herein, report a case of familial renal hypouricemia confirmed by genotyping of SLC22A12, and review the relevant literature.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Biochemistry ; Creatinine ; Diagnosis ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Male ; Uric Acid ; Urolithiasis ; Young Adult