To investigate the properties and mechanism of PAF and TNF on the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 in human amnion, primary monolayer culture method was used for human amnion cell incubation. Amnion cells were incubated with various concentrations of PAF or TNF in Ca++ containing medium for various duration. Then PG E2 concentrations were measured by RIA and analyzed for the effect of PAF and TNF on PG E2 production according to their doses and incubation time. To test the role of Ca++ in E2 production, Ca++ free medium, Ca++ -channel antagonist and cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor were substituted or added in incubation medium. Following results were obtained. The synthesis of PG E2 was significantly enhanced by PAF of 10(-6) mol/L. The TNF also stimulated PG E2 synthesis at concentration of 10(-6)g/ml. The maximal level in PAF(10-6mol/L)-stimulated release of PG E2 was observed after 16 hours in incubation. The TNF(10(-6)g/ml)-induced PG E2 release was maximal after 24 hours of incubation. Combined application of PAF and TNF produced positive effect in PG E2 production. PAF or TNF stimulated-PG E2 production in Ca++ -free media was much lower than that of Ca++ -containing media. The PAF-stimulated PG E2 release was significantly inhibited by Ca++ -channel antagonist but TNF-stimulated PG E2 release was not effected by Ca++ -channel antagonist or cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor. It is strongly suggested us that both PAF and TNF enhance PG E2 release by amnion cell, although Ca++ -channel opening is essential only for PAF stimulation.
Amnion* ; Blood Platelets* ; Dinoprostone* ; Humans* ; Platelet Activating Factor* ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*

Many types of meniscal anomalies were reported. Authors found a double-layered lateral meniscus, with one meniscus overlying another. The 39-year old male patient had torn medial and lateral menisci. We performed partial medial and lateral meniscectomy, and incidentally found that lateral meniscus was double-layered. It was characteristic that the upper small accessory meniscus was firmly connected from the posterior horn to middle segments of the lower main meniscus along its peripheral edge. We left it alone. The symptoms were gone, So, it was thought that this anomaly was not related to the patient's symptoms.
Animals ; Horns ; Humans ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial

The suprapatellar plica is a remnant of the embryonic septum separating the suprapatellar pouch from the knee joint. Complete type of suprapatellar plica is rarely reported and its clinlical significance is controversial. The purpose of this study is to verify the complete type of suprapatellar plica as an important cause of anterior knee pain and to evaluate the clinical results after arthroscopic excisien of it. From September 1991 to April 1997, we studied prospectively 54 patients, 90 knees which were diagnosed as cornplete type of suprapatellar plica preoperatively. The mean age was 32 years (15-57 years) and sex distribution was 14 males and 40 females. For the preoperative diagnosis, we checked clinical symptom, past history, physical finding and plain X-ray routinely and performed bone scan, double contrast arthrogram and MRI, if necessary. All patients complained vague anterior knee pain at standing, sitting, stair climbing and exercise for long times. All 90 knees were examined arthroscopically. Among them, 80 knees had complete type of suprapatellar plica and remaining 10 knees had other findings. After all, positive predictive value of preoperative diagnosis for complete type of suprapatellar plica was 89%. Among 36 patients diagnosed as bilateral preoperatively, 33 patients(92%) were confirmed as bilateral in arthroscopic examination. After arthroscopic excision of plica, clinical results were total relief of pain in 19 knees(24%), improvement in 55 knees(69%), no change in 6 knees(7%) and none of worsening. In conclusion, complete type of suprapatellar plica should be considered as an important cause of anterior knee pain especially which is vague, intermittent and bilateral.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Sex Distribution

Ligament injuries of the knee joint are very common among competitive athletes. Acrurate assessment ot the nature of these injuries is a prerequisite for appropriate therapy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the significance of MRI findings in assesing the status of ACL tear and associated injuries. 31 cases of ACL injuries were examined and reconstructed arthroscopically from Jan. 1997 to Sep. 1997 at Kyung Hee University Hospital. 1n all cases, we reviewed preoperative physical and MRI findings and performed postoperative radiologic assessments. Results were as follows; 1. Lachman test and Pivot shift test were positive in all 31 cases but anterior drawer test was positive in 29 case,s. 2. In MRI findings, 24 cases were interpretated as complete ACL tear and / cases as inccomplete ACL tear. But these 7 cases were confirmed as complete tear in mthroscopic exanunation with careful probing of ACL fiher. 3. MRI showed associated meniscal injuries in 19 cases(61%)-14 cases(74%) at medial meniscus, 5 cases(26%) at lateral meniscus. All cases were confirmed arthroscopically. In conc1usion, physical findings are more reliable than MRI findings in diagnosing the complete ACL tear and deciding the ACL reconstruction. But MRI findings are very helpful to assess the associated injuries and plan the treatments.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Athletes ; Equidae ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; Knee Joint ; Ligaments ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Menisci, Tibial

Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) with 2.0 Tesla superconductive magnet developed by Korea Advanced Institute ofScience was performed in 25 patients with various abdominal diseases and compared with x-ray CT. MRI was obtainedwith spin echo technique using a variety of pulse sequence and various slice orientation including axial, sgittaland coronal section in order to evaluate the diagnostic value, limitation and to determine the optimal pulsesequency in various abdominal diseases. MRI demonstrated the capability of detecting the lesions shown on CT inall cases and also detected one case of diffuse hepatocellular carcinoma which was not seen on CT. MRI showedcapability of differentiation of various liver mass including hepatocellular carcinoma, hemangnioma and simplecyst. MRI showed better anatomical resolution of tumor in retroperitoneum and pelvis, however CT delineatedalimentary tract disease better than MRI did.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pelvis

A wide variety of cancers metastasize to the ovaries. In a majority of instances the primary site is the gastrointestinal tract, breast, or other gynecologic organs. The best known tumor of this type is signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma. The gallbladder and bile duct are rare sources of these metastases. The authors have had an experience of a case that was presented of Krukenberg tumor metastatic from the gallbladder and report the case with brief review of literature.
Adenocarcinoma ; Bile Ducts ; Breast ; Female ; Gallbladder* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Krukenberg Tumor* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Ovary

PURPOSE: Since children under two years with suspected urinary tract infections (UTIs) cannot control urination, urine cultures in such children are usually performed via urine bags. This method is noninvasive but has a high contamination rate. We studied the contamination rate of bag urine culture in diagnosing UTIs in infants under two years and the factors responsible for contamination. METHODS: We examined patients under 2 years in whom urine culture through the urine bag method yielded over 105 colonies of a single pathogen. We defined UTIs by referring to the guidelines of The Korean Society of Pediatric Nephrology, 2005. We examined the factors responsible for contamination according to sex, duration of urine collection, and whether diarrhea took place with contamination rate. RESULTS: We examined 717 patients (412 males and 305 females). The contamination rate of one bag urine culture was 37.9%. Gender was not related to the contamination rate (P>0.05). Duration of urine collection showed an association with the contamination rate. The longer the duration of collecting urine, the higher was the contamination rate. Duration of urine collection was divided into three groups: first group, <2 hours; second group, 2-4 hours; and third group, > or =4 hours. The contamination rates were 30.0%, 42.2%, and 43.7% for the first, second, and third groups, respectively, with statistical significance (P=0 .001). Diarrhea at admission had no impact on the contamination rate (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The contamination rate of urine culture in the examined patients was 37.9%. Gender and diarrhea symptoms were not responsible for contamination. In infants with a suspected UTIs, urine should be collected within 2 hours through the urine bag method. If urine collection takes over 2 hours, the urine bag should be resterilized and reattached to the patient.
Child ; Diarrhea ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Infant ; Male ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Nephrology ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Urination ; Urine Specimen Collection

No abstract available.
Brain* ; Child* ; Humans

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA) has been widely accepted for the treatment of arterial stenosis. However, acute thrombosis, localized dissection or recoiling may occur as complication, resulting in acute occlusion. Restenosis is also a problem in long term follow up. Recent advance of metallic stent is considered as a good relief for the problems of PTA. PURPOSE: We analyzed 11 patients with metallic stent in the treatment of the iliac artery stenosis. METHOD: Subjects were male patients aged from 53 to 79 years old. All were suffered from claudication of lower extremities, pain and discolorization and diagnosed as atherosclerosis. Pelvic arteriography was performed to localize the stenotic lesion. Through the ipsilateral arterial puncture, metallic stent was inserted after PTA. The metallic stents were Wall stent in 7, Hanaro stent in 2, Palmaz stent 2 and Memotherm stent in 2 lesions. RESULT: The indications for metallic stent were long segment patients, in all cases, the stent was successfully inserted. The pressure gradient measured improved significantly after procedure. For the 3 to 24 months follow up, symptoms has not relapsed clinically. CONCLUSION: On the basis of our priliminary experience, Metallic stent is safe and effective for the treatment of iliac arterial stenosis in conjunction with PTA and surgery.
Aged ; Angiography ; Atherosclerosis ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Punctures ; Stents ; Thrombosis

PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous sclerotherapy or endovascular treatment of hemangioma and venous malformation. METHODS: 9 interventional procedures were performed in 7 patients whose age ranged from 16 years to 52 years. Five of these patients had arteriovenous malformation, the remaining had hemangioma and venous malformation. N-buty1-2-cyanoacrylate was injected percutaneously in 4 procedures and intraarterially in one procedure. Ethanol with lipiodol(10%) was injected percutaneously in 2 procedures. 1valon particle was embolized intraarterial in 1 procedure. RESULTS: N-buty1-2-cyanoacrylate injection, Contour arterial embolozation, Etanole with lipiodo1, sclerotherapy followed by physician and was judged beneficial in 7 of 7 patients. One pateint had minor complication(skin ulcer) but no long term sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous sclerotherapy and endovascular treatment, either or before surgery is a safe and effective method of managing hemangioma and arteriovenous malformations.
Arteriovenous Malformations ; Ethanol ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Sclerotherapy