BACKGROUND: Genomic instability has been reported as a novel mechanism of tumorigenesis. Microsatellites are short tandemly repeated nucleotide sequences throughout the human genome. Widespread somatic mutations in these sequences due to the loss or gain of one or more repeated units are termed as microsatellite instabilites (MI). MI have been found to be the result of numerous replication errors due to mutations in mismatched repair genes. Recently, MI have been recognized as the causes of the increased mutation rates of cancer cells. An elevated mutation rate manifested by MI may also affect various genes that are essential for normal cell function and growth, thus contributing to tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. We investigated the frequency of MI in a series of 44 gastric carcinomas in an attempt to clarify the role of these genetic alterations in gastric carcinogenesis and to see whether the cases with MI displayed any clinical significance and morphologic features and/or whether they showed distinctive relations with any clinicopathologic characteristics. METHODS: We analyzed 44 gastric carcinomas and paired samples from non-neoplastic mucosa of Korean patients who had undergone a gastrectomy. The samples were immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at 70oC until use. High molecular weight DNAs were isolated by standard methods only from cases whose were composed of more than 50% tumor cells. Ten loci of microsatellites were used in this study: D3S1766, D3S1339, D3S1029, D9S162, D9S171, INF-a, D11S925, D11S1818, D11S35, and D11S1284. The MI analysis was performed by Polymerace Chein Reaction (PCR) with 33P-labelled primers. PCR products were separated on 6% polyacrylamide gel containing 7M urea, and autoradiographed. H-E stained sections were used to review the pathologic features. The relationships between MI incidence and clinicopathologic findings were statistically tested. RESULT: Analysis of the 44 cases at the 10 loci of microsatellites allowed us to identify 19 instabilities (43%): 15 cases at 1 locus, 2 cases at 2 loci, and 2 cases at multiple loci. The incidence of MI was remarkably increased in cases with poor differentiation and node metastasis (p=0.067 and p=0.007, respectively). Comparing the histologic type (diffuse vs. intestinal type), the diffuse type of carcinoma had a higher incidence; however, there was no statistical significance (55% vs. 33%, p=0.108). There was no significant correlation between MI and other prognostic variables including location, tumor size, and distant metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that the mutator phenotype plays in a certain role gastric carcinogenesis. The gastric cancers with MI were correlated with the worse prognostic variables of poor differentiation and node metastasis, suggesting that MI appear to be useful as possible indicators of the worst prognosis and represent important genetic alterations associated with tumor progression in gastric carcinogenesis.
Base Sequence ; Carcinogenesis ; DNA ; Gastrectomy ; Genome, Human ; Genomic Instability ; Humans ; Incidence ; Microsatellite Instability* ; Microsatellite Repeats* ; Molecular Weight ; Mucous Membrane ; Mutation Rate ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nitrogen ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prognosis ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Urea

Recent in vitro studies have revealed that a certain Mycobacterium can survive and multiply within freeliving amoebae. It is believed that protozoans function as host cells for the intracellular replication and evasion of Mycobacterium spp. under harmful conditions. In this study, we describe the isolation and characterization of a bacterium naturally observed within an amoeba isolate acquired from a contact lens storage case. The bacterium multiplied within Acanthamoeba, but exerted no cytopathic effects on the amoeba during a 6-year amoebic culture. Trasnmission electron microscopy showed that the bacteria were randomly distributed within the cytoplasm of trophozoites and cysts of Acanthamoeba. On the basis of the results of 18S rRNA gene analysis, the amoeba was identified as A. lugdunensis. A 16S rRNA gene analysis placed this bacterium within the genus Mycobacterium. The bacterium evidenced positive reactivity for acid-fast and fluorescent acid-fast stains. The bacterium was capable of growth on the Middlebrook 7H11-Mycobacterium-specific agar. The identification and characterization of bacterial endosymbionts of free-living protozoa bears significant implications for our understanding of the ecology and the identification of other atypical mycobacterial pathogens.
Acanthamoeba/genetics/isolation & purification/*microbiology ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Contact Lens Solutions ; *Contact Lenses ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/methods ; Mycobacterium/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; Symbiosis

BACKGROUN: Many studies have shown that diabetes mellitus does not modify the clinical features and treatment outcomes. However, to our knowledge, those surveys for clinical features and treatment outcomes in pulmonary tuberculosis with diabetics were performed 15 years ago and have not been confirmed by more recent reports. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of diabetes mellitus on microbiologic findings in far advanced stage of pulmonary tuberculosis and so to make some suggestions for the management of pulmonary tuberculosis with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This study population was composed of 47 patients with far advanced stage of culture-proven pulmonary tuberculosis hospitalized in our department from 2000 through 2002. None of patients was intractable. Patients were divided into 4 groups; group1;nondiabetics with initial treatment, group2;diabetics with initial treatment, group3;nondiabetics with retreatment, group4; diabetics with retreatment. Treatment regimens were individualized on the basis of susceptibility results. A retrospective review of the records of all 47 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus was carried out. The clinical features, bacteriologic, radiographic findings and treatment outcomes were compared among 4 groups. RESULTS: Time to negative conversion of AFB in sputum smear was significantly increased in diabetics group than nondiabetics, but time to negative conversion of AFB in sputum culture was not significant. Also time to negative conversion of AFB in sputum smear or culture was not affected by treatment pattern. The effect of antituberculosis medication significantly delayed response in diabetics with retreatment and resistance rate was higher in diabetics or retreatment. Time to negative conversion of AFB in sputum smear was related to cavitary size in radiographic findings, but time to negative conversion of AFB in sputum culture was related to drug sensitivity. Natural course of cavity on radiographic findings after antituberculosis therapy was not significant. CONCLUSION: It seems that diabetes mellitus does not affect bacteriological negative conversion rates except negative conversion rate of AFB in sputum smear, which chiefly related to cavitary size, in far advanced stage of pulmonary tuberculosis. Therefore, because the presence of AFB in sputum smear after 5th months of therapy is not necessarily a treatment failure in far advanced stage of pulmonary tuberculosis with diabetics, any decision regarding prologation or change in therapy maybe required based on the results of culture and drug susceptibility tests.
Bacteriology ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Humans ; Retreatment ; Retrospective Studies ; Sputum ; Treatment Failure ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary*

No abstract available.
Albendazole/therapeutic use ; Anthelmintics/therapeutic use ; Biopsy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; *Cysts/diagnostic imaging/parasitology/therapy ; *Echinococcosis, Hepatic/diagnostic imaging/parasitology/therapy ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; *Liver/diagnostic imaging/drug effects/parasitology/surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

Major pelvic ganglia (MPG) neurons are classified into sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons according to the electrophysiological properties; membrane capacitance (Cm), expression of T-type Ca2+ channels, and the firing patterns during depolarization. In the present study, function and molecular expression of ATP-sensitive K+ (K(ATP)) channels was investigated in MPG neurons of male rats. Only in parasympathetic MPG neurons showing phasic firing patterns, hyperpolarizing changes were elicited by the application of diazoxide, an activator of K(ATP) channels. Glibenclamide (10microM), a K(ATP) channel blocker, completely abolished the diazoxide-induced hyperpolarization. Diazoxide increased inward currents at high K+ (90 mM) external solution, which was also blocked by glibenclamide. The metabolic inhibition by the treatment with mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitors (rotenone and antimycin) hyperpolarized the resting membrane potential of parasympathetic neurons, which was not observed in sympathetic neurons. The hyperpolarizing response to metabolic inhibition was partially blocked by glibenclamide. RT-PCR analysis revealed that MPG neurons mainly expressed the K(ATP) channel subunits of Kir6.2 and SUR1. Our results suggest that MPG neurons have K(ATP) channels, mainly formed by Kir6.2 and SUR1, with phenotype-specificity, and that the conductance through this channel in parasympathetic neurons may contribute to the changes in excitability during hypoxia and/or metabolic inhibition.
Animals ; Anoxia ; Diazoxide ; Electron Transport ; Fires ; Ganglia ; Ganglion Cysts* ; Glyburide ; Humans ; Male* ; Membrane Potentials ; Membranes ; Neurons* ; Rats*

PURPOSE: The major pelvic ganglia (MPG) function as a relay center for autonomic pathways to the urogenital organs, such as the urinary bladder, vas deference, and penis. It is well known that adenosine acts as an important neuromodulator in various neuronal tissues. Several studies have suggested that some of these actions are coupled with potassium conductances. However, the exact mechanisms are unclear. Therefore, the roles of adenosine on the various potassium channels, in MPG neurons, were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single neurons of the MPGs, located on the lateral surfaces of the prostate gland, from male rats were enzymatically dissociated. Ionic currents were recorded using the whole-cell variant patch-clamp technique. RESULTS: Two types of voltage-dependent outward potassium channels were isolated in the MPG neurons using whole-cell voltage protocols. One was the transient outward potassium current (type A-current, IA), the other was the delayed rectifier potassium current (IKDR). The IA and IKDR were recorded in both adrenergic and nonadrenergic neurons, which were distinguished by the existence of T-type calcium currents. Both the adrenergic and nonadrenergic neurons had the same kind of outward potassium currents. Application of adenosine (10(-4)M) increased the IA reversibly. N-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA, 10(-5)M), an A1 selective agonist, produced the same effect. However, the delayed rectifier components were not affected by the adenosine or CPA. The effects of adenosine and CPA on the IA were mostly prevented by pretreatment with DPCPX, an A1 selective antagonist. CONCLUSIONS: Adenosine increased the IA only, via the selective activation of A1 adenosine receptors. The augmentation of A-currents by adenosine may reduce neuronal firings, and then contribute to regulation of neuronal excitability in male rat MPG neurons.
Adenosine* ; Animals ; Autonomic Pathways ; Calcium ; Fires ; Ganglia* ; Ganglia, Autonomic ; Humans ; Male* ; Neurons* ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Penis ; Potassium ; Potassium Channels ; Prostate ; Rats* ; Receptors, Purinergic P1 ; Urinary Bladder

BACKGROUND: It is necessary to reduce hyperexcitable sensations induced by painful stimulus by preventing central sensitization, so called preemptive analgesia. We observed the effect of butorphanol on postoperative pain after hysterectomy so as to direct analgesic action based on elucidation of the preemptive effect. METHODS: We selected thirty-six patients undergoing elective total abdominal hysterectomy, ASA Physical Status I or II, and employed a double-blind cross-over design. Patients were randomly allocated to one of both groups, receiving intravenous butorphanol 2 mg, either preincisionally or postoperatively. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental and maintained with isoflurane. Patients received meperidine on request for postoperative pain. Patients checked the VAS of spontaneous incisional pain and movement-associated pain by themselves.The time of first demand for postoperative meperidine and the amount of postoperative meperidine for the first 6 hours and 6 to 48 hours were recorded. RESULTS: At 5 hours after surgery, the postoperative VAS score of the preincisional group was lower than that of the postoperative group, and at 24 hours after surgery, the former was also lower than the latter. The first time of demand for postoperative meperidine was earlier in the postoperative group than in the preincisional group. The amount of meperidine for the postoperative first 6 hours was less in the preincisional group than in the postoperative group. CONCLUSIONS: Preincisional intravenous butorphanol reduced the intensity of spontaneous incisional pain and movement-associated pain, regarded as a preemptive effect of butorpahnol, in the early postoperative period.
Analgesia* ; Anesthesia ; Butorphanol* ; Central Nervous System Sensitization ; Cross-Over Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy* ; Isoflurane ; Meperidine ; Pain, Postoperative ; Postoperative Period ; Sensation ; Thiopental

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is of benefit to reduce postoperative pain but many patients suffer from considerable pain after the surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the preoperative infiltration of bupivacaine at the trocar site reduced the intensity of the postoperative pain or not. METHODS: Sixty patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were selected. In a randomozed study, patients were divided into three groups. General anesthesia was induced with pentothal and succinylcholine, and maintained with vecuronium and isoflurane. After induction, the preincisional group (n = 20) received 0.25% bupivaciane 20 ml infiltration before skin incision and the postoperative group (n = 20) was given 0.25% bupivacaine 20 ml after peritoneal closure. The control group (n = 20) did not receive bupivacaine at any time. The first time of demand for analgesics and the amount of analgesics given during postoperative 48 hours were checked and recorded. The degree of postoperative pain was assessed hourly by visual analogue scale (VAS) score until 9 hours and checked once more at 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: The first times of demand for analgesics were significantly delayed in the preoperative group (12.1+/-6.0 hours) as compared with the control (2.9+/-1.6 hours) and postoperative groups (6.2+/-3.9 hours). The demand for analgesics until 9-hour postoperation by the preincisional group (10.5+/-14.7) was significantly less than that of the control (42.0 20.4) and postoperative groups (31.5+/-22.8). The VAS score of the preoperative group was lower than that of the control or postoperative groups during the postoperative 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Local infiltration of 0.25% bupivacaine into the trocar site preincisionally could reduce the early postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Analgesia* ; Analgesics ; Anesthesia, General ; Bupivacaine* ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* ; Humans ; Isoflurane ; Pain, Postoperative ; Skin ; Succinylcholine ; Surgical Instruments ; Thiopental ; Vecuronium Bromide

BACKGROUND: Although visual analogue scale (VAS) is a good self-assessment method for postoperative pain, faces pain scale (FPS) may be also used as objective assessment method in patients with unavailable of VAS. We investigated the usefulness of facial rating scale (FRS), the variants of VAS and FPS, compared with VAS in postoperative adult patients. METHODS: One hundred and six, ASA 1 or 2, patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia were educated VAS (10 cm) and FRS. One hour after operation, patients' self-reported VAS and FRS were measured in the recovery room. The scores were analyzed by Spearman's correlation and Intraclass correlation. RESULTS: Correlations indicated a highly significant relationship between VAS and FRS (Spearman's correlation coefficient = 0.84, Intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.92, both of P < 0.01). CONCLSIONS: FRS may be useful for self-reported pain assessment instead of VAS in postoperative adult patients.
Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Humans ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative* ; Recovery Room ; Self-Assessment

BACKGROUND: Urinary retention after anorectal surgery is thought to be a mild complication but has a high incidence. Since anal pain and distention can contribute to the urethral spasm reflex which may cause urinary retention, we investigated the effect of absorbable gelatin sponge (Gelfoam(R)) used for anal packing postoperatively on urinary retention after hemorrhoidectomy under spinal anesthesia. METHODS: One hundred and nineteen ASA Physical Status I patients scheduled for hemorrhoidectomy were selected. Patients were randomly divided into Group A, postoperative anal packing free group and Group B, postoperative anal packing group and studied prospectively. Spinal anesthesia was performed with the bevel of 25 gauge Quincke needle parallel to dura fibers at lumber 3 4 intervertebral space and the injection of hyperbaric 0.5% tetracaine 6 mg (1.2 ml) to patients in sitting position. After hemorrhoidectomy, all patients were permitted to ambulate as soon as possible and urinate spontaneously. If urinary retention occurred, urinary catheterization was done temporarily. The number of patients who received urinary catheterization were recorded. Surgical technique and the total amount of intravenous fluid during the operation were controlled. RESULTS: The incidence of urinary retention in Group A (11/57, 19.3%) was similar to that in Group B (10/62, 16.1%) (P = 0.651, chi 2 = 0.205, degree of freedom = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Our study did not indicate the clue that the absence of anal packing helped to reduce the incidence of urinary retention after hemorrhoidectomy under spinal anesthesia.
Anesthesia, Spinal* ; Freedom ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; Hemorrhoidectomy* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Needles ; Prospective Studies ; Reflex ; Spasm ; Tetracaine ; Urinary Catheterization ; Urinary Catheters ; Urinary Retention*