It is not clear whether glomerular hypertrophy is related to the pathogenesis of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). We analyzed renal biopsies from 20 adults with FSGS by morphometry, and the data were compared with those from age- and sex-matched patients with minimal lesion. Mean glomerular volume in the FSGS group was significantly larger than that in the minimal lesion group[(3.4 + 1.1 vs 2.5 0.5)x10(6) micrometer3, P<0.01]. The percentage of glomeruli with global and segmental sclerosis in FSGS group was significantly correlated with the mean glomerular volume (r=+0.66, P<0.001). Relative interstitial volume of renal cortex in the FSGS group was correlated with the serum creatinine concentration(r=+0.5, P<0.05). These results suggest that glomerular hypertrophy observed in our patients with FSGS was related to nephron loss caused by glomerulosclerosis. The interstitial fibrosis may lead to obliteration of postglomerular interstitial capillary network with secondary elevation of glomerular capillary pressure resulting in progressive loss of renal function.
Adult ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Biopsy

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) are weakly expressed in normal glomerular cells and vascular endothelial cells, but not in tubules. Granzyme B is a cytotoxic granule present in activated cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells. To determine the effect of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression and granzyme B-positive cells on histologic grade of rejection, we performed the immunohistochemical study on 19 renal biopsy specimens and one nephrectomy specimen from 14 patients with acute renal allograft rejection using monoclonal antibodies against theses proteins. According to severity of rejection based on Banff classification, three biopsies were classified as borderline, 4 grade I, 12 grade II, and 1 grade III. In all the cases with acute rejection, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were expressed in the tubular epithelial cells. The numerical score of ICAM-1 in the tubular epithelial cells was 1.0 in borderline cases, 1.3 0.4 in grade I cases, 2.2 0.8 in grade II cases, and 3.0 in grade III case. The staining intensity of ICAM-1 in the tubular epithelial cells was increased in accordance with histologic rejection grade (P<0.05). The staining intensity of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the renal tubular epithelial cells was increased in accordance with the number of T lymphocytes in the renal parenchyme (r=0.46; P<0.05, r=0.61; P<0.01). The number of granzyme B-positive cells was 6.4 1.6/HPF in borderline cases, 8.1 2.5 in grade I cases, 19.6 11.7 in grade II cases, and 53 in grade III case. The number of T lymphocytes and granzyme B-positive cells was also increased in accordance with histologic rejection grade (P<0.05). These results suggest that ICAM-1 and granzyme B-positive cells may play an important role in the induction of renal allograft rejection and that the grading of severity of these parameters may be useful to predict the prognosis of renal allograft.
Allografts* ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Biopsy ; Classification ; Endothelial Cells ; Epithelial Cells ; Granzymes* ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Nephrectomy ; Prognosis ; T-Lymphocytes ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

Glomerulosclerosis represents a pathological hallmark of progressive glomerular injury. Mesangial cell proliferation and accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the mesangial area frequently precede the formation of glomerulosclerosis. To understand the role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and ECM in the development of glomerulosclerosis, we examined the expression of type IV collagen, laminin, fibronectin, and PDGF in 45 renal biopsies diagnosed with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) using a standard peroxidase antiperoxidase (PAP) technique. Normal control specimens were obtained from four nephrectomy specimens diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma. As compared with normal controls, type IV collagen increased in 68%, fibronectin in 73%, laminin in 51%, and PDGF in 36% of patients with IgA nephropathy. The staining intensity of PDGF, type IV collagen, and fibronectin increased significantly in cases with moderate to severe mesangial cell proliferation than cases without. In the areas of glomerulosclerosis, the staining intensity of type IV collagen, laminin, and PDGF decreased, whereas that of fibronectin increased. These results suggest that mesangial cell proliferation in relation to increased PDGF expression in IgAN could stimulate the expression of type IV collagen, laminin and fibronectin leading to mesangial expansion. They also suggest that ECM decreased in advanced glomerulosclerosis. Deposition of fibronectin, which originates mainly from the blood stream, increases during the course of progressive glomerulosclerosis, whereas other ECM components decrease in advanced glomeruloslresosis.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Collagen Type IV ; Extracellular Matrix* ; Fibronectins ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A* ; Laminin ; Mesangial Cells ; Nephrectomy ; Peroxidase ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor* ; Rivers

Accumulation of leukocytes within the glomerulus is a key event in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis. This process is mediated by pairs of adhesion molecules. We have examined the expression pattern of selectins (E and P), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in 30 renal biopsies with IgA nephropathy, diffuse crescentic glomerulonephritis, and minimal change disease. Normal controls were obtained from four nephrectomy specimens with renal cell carcinoma. ICAM-1 expression was significantly increased in the glomerular endothelial and mesangial cells in cases with IgA nephropathy compared with normal controls. VCAM-1 was expressed in glomerular mesangial cells in all cases with IgA nephropathy and diffuse crescentic glomerulonephritis, but faintly expressed in 3 cases with minimal change disease and not expressed in normal controls. P-selectin was faintly expressed in the glomeruli in cases with IgA nephropathy and diffuse crescentic glomerulonephritis. E-selectin was only expressed in the vascular endothelium in one case with IgA nephropathy and in the other with diffuse crescentic glomerulonephritis. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were strongly expressed in the crescents. However, selectin was not expressed in the crescent. These results suggest that adhesion molecules, particularly ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, play an important role in the pathogenesis of glomerular damage and crescent formation in primary glomerular diseases.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; E-Selectin ; Endothelium, Vascular ; Glomerulonephritis* ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA* ; Immunoglobulin A* ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Leukocytes ; Mesangial Cells ; Nephrectomy ; Nephrosis, Lipoid* ; P-Selectin ; Selectins ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristics of CT findings in differential diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated CT findings of histopathologically proved 32 cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis, 12 cases of nodal lymphoma, 29 cases of metastasis from March 1986 to Dec. 1992, retrospectively. We analyzed age and sex distribution, location of lymphadenopathy, internal nodal density, feature of contrast enhancement, extracapsular spread and nodal calcification. RESULTS: Tuberculous lymphadenitis was more preponderant in young female (mean;32) and CT showed internal low density(91%) with irregular thick marginal enhancement(46.9%), predilection for spinal accessory node(71.9%), and nodal calcification(5/32). Nodal lymphoma showed predilection for internal jugular chain (100%) and had conglomerated homogeneous internal node structures(83%). Metastasis showed old male preponderance (mean :52 years), predilected at internal jugular chain(89.7%),internal low density(93.3%) with regular thin marginal enhancement(44.8%), extracapsular spread(41.4%), and nodal calcification(2 cases of nodal metastasis of papillary type thyroid cancer). CONCLUSION: We concluded that CT evaluation of the chracteristics of lymphadenopathy is helpful for differential diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy.
Diagnosis, Differential* ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases* ; Lymphoma ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Thyroid Gland ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node

Dried specimens of the genus Inocybe collected from mountain areas throughout the Korean country from 1982 to 1998 and preserved in NIAST were investigated. Out of them, Inocybe hystrix were confirmed as an unrecorded species in Korea. In 1991 Lee et al., previously recorded Inocybe kasukayamensis only with its scientific name and korean common name. In this study we report it with full descriptions of morphological characteristics and diagnosis of micro-structures of this species.
Diagnosis ; Korea* ; Porcupines

Background: Recent studies have shown that oral administration of probiotics may improve the immune imbalance caused by dysbiosis of the gut microbiome in atopic dermatitis (AD). This study aimed to investigate the clinical and immunological effects of Lactobacillus pentosus in children with mild to moderate AD. Methods: Children aged 2–13 years with AD were randomized to receive either 1.0 × 1010 colony-forming units of L. pentosus or placebo, daily, for 12 weeks. The clinical severity of AD and transepidermal water loss were evaluated. Blood eosinophil counts, serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), and cytokine levels were measured. The diversity and composition of the gut microbiota were also analyzed. Results: Eighty-two children were recruited, and 41 were assigned to the probiotics intervention group. The mean scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) indices at baseline were 30.4 and 34.3 for the probiotics and placebo groups, respectively. At week 12, the mean indices were 23.6 and 23.1 for the probiotics and placebo groups, respectively. Clinical severity decreased significantly over time in both groups, with no significant difference between the two groups. In both groups, there were no significant differences in cytokine levels, microbial diversity, or the relative abundance of the gut microbiota at week 12 compared with the corresponding baseline values. The mean subjective scores of SCORAD indices after intervention for the probiotics group were significantly lower than those for the placebo group in IgE sensitized AD (P = 0.019). Conclusion Our results show improved symptoms in the probiotics and placebo groups, and we could not find additional effects of L. pentosus in AD. However, the mean subjective scores of SCORAD indices for the probiotics group are significantly improved compared with those for the placebo group in allergen-sensitized AD.

No abstract available.
Sarcoma*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CT findings of thyroglossal duct cysts MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with pathologically proved thyroglossal duct cysts were included in the study. CT scans were assessed'retrospectively for shape, size, location, density of the central portions, septations, rim enhancement, changes in the adjacent fascial planes and investment within the strap muscles in the infrahyoid cysts. RESULT: Thirteen cases of thyroglossal duct cysts were seen as round or oval cystic masses, two cases of them were seen as irregular-shaped Iobulated cystic masses, and one case was seen as ovoid soft tissue mass. The cysts were from 1.4 to 5.7cm in diameter(mean, 2.6cm). The cyst was infrahyoid in 15 cases and suprahyoid in one case. The cyst was located in midline in eight cases, off midline in four cases, and both midline and off midline in four cases. The density of the central portions ranged from 15 to 82HU(mean, 32HU). Septations were noted in four cases. Rim enhancement was seen in 14 cases(93%), and heterogenously enhancing soft tissue mass was seen in one case. In four cases, abnormal fascial planes were observed. All but one of the infrahyoid cysts(14/15) were embedded within the strap muscles, and one case of them was located anteriorly to strap muscles. CONCLUSION: CT permits one to make the diagnosis a thyroglossal duct cyst with a high degree of accuracy, as it can differentiate thyroglossal duct cysts from the other anterior neck masses by their typical location, characteristic morphology, and investment within the strap muscles.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Investments ; Muscles ; Neck ; Thyroglossal Cyst* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Cryopreservation* ; Humans* ; Spermatozoa*