No abstract available.
Animals ; Listeria* ; Listeriosis* ; Mice*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Stiffening of the aorta is a potential risk factor for increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Increased aortic stiffness can be associated with an increased left ventricular (LV) mass and diastolic dysfunction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship of the aortic stiffness to the LV hypertrophy (LVH) and diastolic dysfunction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 188 consecutive patients, without overt cardiovascular disease or symptoms, were included. The LV mass and diastolic filling patterns were assessed. The aortic strain and distensibility were indirectly obtained from the aortic diameters, using echocardiography and blood pressure measurements. RESULTS: Of the 188 patients (92 males, 54+/-14 years old), hypertension was found in 57 and diabetes in 29, with both found in 32 patients. The aortic strain (3.77+/-2.42 vs. 5.13+/-4.27, p<0.001) and distensibility (0.11+/-0.09 vs. 0.22+/-0.21, p<0.001) were significantly lower, but the LV mass index (112.5+/-39.2 vs. 87.8+/-19.0 gm/m2, p<0.001) higher, in the hypertensive compared to normotensive patients. Also, the aortic strain (3.07+/-2.42 vs. 5.18+/-4.01, p<0.001) and distensibility (0.10+/-0.12 vs. 0.21+/-0.20, p<0.001) were lower in patients with LVH. The E/E' ratio was higher in the hypertensive patients (10.9+/-5.0 vs. 8.1+/-3.1, p<0.001) and in those with LVH (10.8+/-5.6 vs. 8.4+/-3.2, p<0.001). In a multivariate analysis, the parameters closely related with aortic strain were age (standardized coefficient beta=-0.240, p=0.001), LV mass index (beta=-0.158, p=0.025) and IVRT (beta=-0.155, p=0.035). The parameters significantly related with aortic distensibility were age (beta=-0.344, p<0.001) and LV mass index (beta=-0.224, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Increased aortic stiffness is associated with an increased LV mass and diastolic abnormality.
Aorta ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Male ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Vascular Stiffness*

Ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) are known to be one of the most benign cardiac arrhythmias when they occur in structurally normal hearts. We experienced a 32-year old man who presented with dyspnea, palpitations and very frequent VPCs (31% of the total heart beats). Echocardiography revealed a dilated left ventricle (LV 66 mm at end-diastole and 57 mm at end-systole) and a decreased ejection fraction (34%). Very frequent VPCs had been detected 10 years previously and he underwent a failed radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) procedure at that time. The patient had been treated with heart failure medications including betablockers, ACE inhibitors and spironolactone for the two most recent years. Six months after we eliminated these VPCs with a second RFCA procedure, the heart returned to normal function and size. Long standing and very frequent VPCs could be the cause of left ventricular dysfunction in a subset of patients who suffer with dilated cardiomyopathy, and RFCA should be the choice of therapy for these patients.
Ventricular Premature Complexes/*complications ; Tachycardia, Ventricular/*etiology/therapy ; Male ; Humans ; *Catheter Ablation ; Cardiomyopathies/*etiology/therapy ; Adult

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is important in both diabetic complications and the development and the progression of type 2 diabetes via the effects on the pancreatic beta-cells. EGCG (epigallocatechin galleate), a major constituent of green tea, has been known to have beneficial effects on various diseases through the mechanisms of antioxidant and cell signaling modulation. But, very small numbers of studies were published about the direct effects of EGCG on the pancreatic beta cell lines. We performed this study to see the protective effect of EGCG on pancreatic beta cell line under H2O2 and the mechanisms of this phenomenon. METHODS: We used INS-1 cells and hydrogen peroxide as an oxidative stressor. Their viabilities were verified by MTT assay and FACS. The activity of glutathione peroxidase was assessed by total glutathione quantification kit. Western blot and semi-quantitative RT-PCR for the catalase, SOD (superoxide dismutase), PI3K and Akt were performed. Functional status of INS-1 cells was tested by GSIS (glucose stimulated insulin secretion). RESULTS: The biological effects of EGCG were different according to its concentrations. 10 micrometer EGCG effectively protected hydrogen peroxide induced damage in INS-1 cells. The expression and the activity of SOD, catalase and the glutathione peroxidase were significantly increased by EGCG. EGCG significantly increased PI3K and Akt activity and its effect was inhibited partially by wortmannin. GSIS was well preserved by EGCG. CONCLUSION: EGCG in low concentration effectively protected INS-1 cells from the oxidative stress through the activation of both antioxidant systems and anti-apoptosis signaling. Further studies will be necessary for the more detailed mechanisms and the clinical implications.
Androstadienes ; Blotting, Western ; Catalase ; Diabetes Complications ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Insulin ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; Oxidative Stress ; Tea

Micrognathia, cleft palate and glossoptosis, a combination of anomalies known as Pierre Robin syndrome, causes severe respiratory and alimentary difficulties in affected infants. With appropriate care and treatment, mental development can be made normal. But about 10~25% of children become retarded. We have experienced above case in a female infant, aged 6 months. She was acmitted on account of respiratory difficulty for days. The family history was not contributory. The child was born at full term, with a normal delivery, weighing 3.8kg. Cyanotic attack was not noticed since birth. Examination on admission showed small mandile, glissoptosis, cleft palate and low set ear. On auscultation of chest wall, fine moist rales were audible over right middle lung field. Marked supra and substernal retraction during respiration were noted also. She was treared under the impression of aspiration pueumonia. But frequent cyanotic attack was noticed during the course of hospitalization in spite of prone position. 9 th hospital day, tracheostomy was perfoermed. She was expired on the 10 th hospital day.
Auscultation ; Child ; Cleft Palate ; Ear ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Infant ; Lung ; Parturition ; Pierre Robin Syndrome* ; Prone Position ; Respiration ; Respiratory Sounds ; Thoracic Wall ; Tracheostomy

Micrognathia, cleft palate and glossoptosis, a combination of anomalies known as Pierre Robin syndrome, causes severe respiratory and alimentary difficulties in affected infants. With appropriate care and treatment, mental development can be made normal. But about 10~25% of children become retarded. We have experienced above case in a female infant, aged 6 months. She was acmitted on account of respiratory difficulty for days. The family history was not contributory. The child was born at full term, with a normal delivery, weighing 3.8kg. Cyanotic attack was not noticed since birth. Examination on admission showed small mandile, glissoptosis, cleft palate and low set ear. On auscultation of chest wall, fine moist rales were audible over right middle lung field. Marked supra and substernal retraction during respiration were noted also. She was treared under the impression of aspiration pueumonia. But frequent cyanotic attack was noticed during the course of hospitalization in spite of prone position. 9 th hospital day, tracheostomy was perfoermed. She was expired on the 10 th hospital day.
Auscultation ; Child ; Cleft Palate ; Ear ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Infant ; Lung ; Parturition ; Pierre Robin Syndrome* ; Prone Position ; Respiration ; Respiratory Sounds ; Thoracic Wall ; Tracheostomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiologic features of endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary. MATERIALS AND METHODS:The radiologic findings of eight patients with pathologically-proven endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary wereretrospectively evaluated for bilaterality, size, margin, architecture, septa, local invasion, distant metastasis,ascites and lymphadenopathy ; serum alpha-FP was also evaluated. RESULTS: All endodermal sinus tumors were unilateralwith irregular septa and ascites ; the longest diameter was 7-18(mean, 12.6)cm. Four of eight tumors had smoothmargins and four, lobulated. Four were predominantly cystic in internal architecture, one was purely cystic, andthree were predominantly solid. There was local invasion or distant metastasis in three patients, andretroperitoneal lymphadenopathy in one ; in seven cases, alpha-FP level was more than 1.000ng/ml. CONCLUSION: Endodermal sinus tumors of the ovary appeared as nonspecific large complex abdominal masses and it was difficultto differentiate them from other malignant ovarian tumors. This tumor should be included in the differentialdiagnosis of a large complex abdominal mass in girls and young women, especially in patients with a predominantlycystic mass and markedly elevated serum alpha-FP.
Ascites ; Endoderm* ; Endodermal Sinus Tumor* ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ovary*

A case of a patient diagnosed as the chronic spinal epidural hematoma in the lumbar region is reported. There was no history of trauma except the repeated epidural block for controlling the lower back pain at the pain clinic. The symptoms were occurred after epidural block and were exaggerated by repeated injections. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a spinal epidural mass located dorsolaterally at the level of L3-L4. After removal of the hematoma, the symptoms were completely relieved. The diagnosis of a chronic spinal epidural hematoma was confirmed with both operative and histological findings.
Hematoma ; Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Lumbosacral Region ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pain Clinics

PURPOSE: Phospholipase C(PLC) isozymes play significant roles in signal transduction mechanism. PLC-gamma1 is one of the key regulatory enzymes in signal transduction for cellular proliferation and differentiation. Ras oncoprotein, EGFR, and PKC are also known to be involved in cell growth. The exact mechanisms of these signal transduction following irradiation, however, were not clearly documented. Thus, this study was planned to determine the biological significance of PLC, ras oncoprotein, EGFR, and PKC in damage and regeneration of rat intestinal mucosa following irradiation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were irradiated to entire body with a single dose of 8Gy. The rats were divided into 5 groups according to the sacrifice days after irradiation. The expression of PLC, ras oncoprotein, EGFR and PKC in each group were examined by the immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. The histopathologic findings were observed using HandE stain, and the mitoses for the evidence of regeneration were counted using the light microscopy and PCNA kit. The phosphoinositide(PI) hydrolyzing activity assay was also done for the indirect evaluation of PLC-gamma1 activity. RESULTS: In the immunohistochemistry, the expression of PLC-beta was negative for all groups. The expression of PLC-gamma1 was highest in the group III followed by group II in the proliferative zone of mucosa. The expression of PKC-sigma1 was strongly positive in group I followed by group II in the damaged surface epithelium. The above findings were also confirmed in the immunoblotting study. In the immunoblotting study, the expressions of PLC-beta, PLC-gamma1, and PLC-sigma1 were the same as the results of immunohistochemistry. The expression of ras oncoprotein was weakly positive in groups II, III and IV. The of EGFR was the highest in the group II, III, followed by group IV and the expression of PKC was weakly positive in the group II and III. CONCLUSION: PLC-gamma1 mediated signal transduction including ras oncoprotein, EGFR, and PKC play a significant role in mucosal regeneration after irradiation. PLC-sigma1 mediated signal transduction might have an important role in mucosal damage after irradiation. Further studies will be necessary to confirm the signal transduction mediating the PLC-sigma1.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Epithelium ; Hand ; Immunoblotting ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intestinal Mucosa* ; Isoenzymes ; Microscopy ; Mitosis ; Mucous Membrane ; Negotiating ; Phospholipases ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Radiotherapy ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Regeneration ; Signal Transduction* ; Type C Phospholipases

Helicobacter pylori plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric cancer, and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. In Korea, the guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of H. pylori infection in adults were revised in 2013. The European Helicobacter and Microbiota Study Group and Consensus panel released the fifth edition of the Maastricht Consensus Report for the management of H. pylori infection in 2015, and the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and the North American Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition released the updated joint guidelines for children and adolescents in 2016. Considering these recommendations and recent progress in our research and that of other research teams, this study aimed to discuss the diagnostic strategies for H. pylori infection in children and adolescents.
Adolescent* ; Adult ; Child* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis* ; Gastritis ; Gastroenterology ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Joints ; Korea* ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; Microbiota ; Peptic Ulcer ; Stomach Diseases