No abstract available.

In addition to the central and the peripheral nervous system, calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI) has been identified throughout the enteric nervous system. Several functions of the CGRP in gastrointestinal (G-I) tract has been identified, but the effect of CGRP on G-I motility is unclear. The distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI) in the murine small bowel were studied by using immunohistochemistry, also analyzed functionally by using electrophysiological method. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that CGRP-LI is localized in both nerve fibers and myenteric ganglion cells in the whole-mount preparation of murine small intestine. Double labelling with CGRP and c-kit investigated by confocal microscope was shown that CGRP-LI enteric nerve fiber surrounded the c-kit positive interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). Electrophysiological finding revealed that treatment of CGRP inhibited electrical activity on culture ICC. Our results suggest a CGRP innervation of murine small bowel ICC. The released CGRP from enteric nerve terminals may induce relaxation of small bowel through the inhibition of ICC.
Animals ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide* ; Calcitonin* ; Enteric Nervous System ; Ganglion Cysts ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interstitial Cells of Cajal ; Intestine, Small* ; Mice ; Nerve Fibers ; Peripheral Nervous System ; Relaxation

Gallstone ileus is a well-known complication of cholelithiasis, but is relatively rare. Most ectopic gallstones are located in the small bowel; they are rarely found in the stomach and duodenum. We describe the imaging findings of a case of intragastric gallstone, as well as a case in which duodenal obstruction was caused by a large gallstone (Bouveret's syndrome).
Cholelithiasis ; Duodenal Obstruction ; Duodenum ; Gallstones* ; Ileus ; Stomach

Laryngeal schwannoma is extremely rare. We report the CT and MRI findings of a case occurring in a 65-year-oldwoman, and describe the pathologic correlation. Pre-contrast CT scanning revealed a right supraglot-tic mass witha slightly hyperdense central part and a hypodense peripheral part. Post-contrast CT scanning re-vealed anenhanced hyperdense central part and a rim-like hypodense peripheral part. The density of the pe-ripheral part waslower than that of muscle. The mass showed homogeneous low signal intensity on T1-weighted MR images, homogeneoushigh signal intensity on T2-weighted MR images, and an enhanced high signal intensity central part and a lowsignal intensity peripheral part on gadolinium enhanced T1-weighted images. The enhanced central part correlatedwith Antoni A areas and the peripheral part, showing low attenuation, correlated with Antoni B areas.
Gadolinium ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neurilemmoma* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to identify the factors influencing successful organ donation and families' consent to donate after brain death. METHODS: Medical records and data regarding organ donation counseling with the families of 107 brain-dead potential donors between September 2012 and March 2016 at a single tertiary medical center were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The final consent rate was 57.9% (62/107), and successful donation was performed in 40.2% (43/107) of cases. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that the independent factors associated with successful organ donation were age <60 years (odds ratio [OR], 3.384; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.350 to 8.484; P=0.009), systolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg (OR, 6.261; 95% CI, 1.418 to 27.653; P=0.015), and serum sodium level ≥150 mEq (OR, 4.215; 95% CI, 1.655 to 10.733; P=0.003). Family's consent to donate was significantly associated with head trauma (OR, 3.538; 95% CI, 1.104 to 11.334; P=0.033) and serum sodium level ≥150 mEq (OR, 3.392; 95% CI, 1.404 to 8.194; P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Successful organ donation was associated with patient age, systolic blood pressure and serum sodium level. Family's consent to donate was associated with head trauma and serum sodium level.
Blood Pressure ; Brain Death ; Counseling ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sodium ; Tissue and Organ Procurement* ; Tissue Donors

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is responsible for substantial proportions of cutaneous metastasis from internal malignancies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations and outcomes of cutaneous metastasis in Korean lung cancer patients. METHODS: On a retrospective basis, we analyzed medical records of all patients diagnosed with lung cancer from 2000 to 2006. RESULTS: Cutaneous metastases were found in 10 of 4,385 patients. The number of cases was highest for squamous cell carcinoma. However, there was no metastasis from 754 cases of small cell carcinomas. Cutaneous metastasis was detected during staging work-up in 4 patients and it was the presenting sign of recurrence post-operative in 2 patients. Average time from the diagnosis to discovery of cutaneous metastasis was 16.3 months and median survival was 8.5 months (range, 1.8~19.1 months). CONCLUSION: Physicians should be acquainted with clinical manifestations and outcomes of cutaneous metastasis from lung cancer to detect new, recurrent cancer, or disease progression, and to administer appropriate and prompt management.
Carcinoma, Small Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Medical Records ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Neoplasms

To identify the presence of inwardly rectifying K+ channels and its characteristics, membrane currents were measured using a whole-cell patch clamp from isolated gastric myocytes of guinea-pig. Change of external K+ concentration from 5 to 90 mM induced an inward current at a holding potential of 80 mV. The high K+-induced inward current was blocked by Ba2+ and Cs+, but not by glibenclamide. With 90 mM K+ in bath, the Ba2+- and Cs+-sensitive currents showed strong inward rectification. Ten mM TEA weakly blocked the inward current only at potentials more negative than 50 mV. With 90 mM K+ in bath, hyperpolarizing step pulses from 10 mV induced inward currents, which were inactivated at potentials more negative than 70 mV. Reduction of external K+ to 60 mM decreased the amplitudes of the currents and shifted the reversal potential to more negative potential. The inactivation of inward K+ current at negative clamp voltage was not affected by removing external Na . These results suggest that the inwardly rectifying K+ channels may exist in gastric smooth muscle.
Baths ; Glyburide ; Membranes ; Muscle Cells* ; Muscle, Smooth ; Tea

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are the pacemakers in gastrointestinal slow wave, and also transduce signal inputs from the enteric nervous system to smooth muscle. The abnormal motility corresponded to a lack or decreasing of ICC and a disruption of electrical slow waves. So we developed partial obstruction model in murine small intestine and investigated changes in the ICC networks and electrical activity in the obstructed bowel using c-kit immunohistochemistry and intracelluar electrophysiological techniques. Two weeks following the onset of a partial obstruction, the small intestine increased in diameter and muscular hypertrophy was developed oral to the obstruction site. ICC were absent or only weak at 1 ~25 mm oral to the occlusion site, and this disruption was accompanied by the loss of electrical slow wave. ICC networks and slow waves were normal appearance aboral to the clip. In conclusion, The present results showed that partial intestinal obstruction induced the loss of ICC networks and slow waves. These result will provide a valuable aid for understanding pathogenesis of intestinal motility disorder, and this model may be an important tool for evaluating genetic or molecular factor for the therapeutic opportunities of motility disorder in human.
Animals ; Enteric Nervous System ; Gastrointestinal Motility* ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interstitial Cells of Cajal* ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Intestine, Small ; Mice ; Muscle, Smooth

We demonstrate that KIOM-79, combined extracts isolated from Magnolia officinalis, Pueraria lobata, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and Euphorbia pekinensis, inhibits LPS-induced expression of iNOS gene in RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with KIOM-79 inhibited LPS-stimulated nitric oxide production in a doserelated manner. Immunohisto-chemical staining of iNOS and RT-PCR analysis showed that the decrease of NO was due to the inhibition of iNOS gene expression. Immunostaining of p65 and EMSA showed that KIOM-79 inhibited NF-kappa/Rel nuclear translocation and DNA binding, respectively. Collectively, this series of experiments indicates that KIOM inhibits iNOS gene expression by blocking NF-kappa/Rel. Due to the critical role that NO release plays in mediating inflammatory responses, the inhibitory effects of KIOM-79 on iNOS suggest that KIOM-79 may represent a useful anti-inflammatory agent.
DNA ; Euphorbia ; Gene Expression ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; Macrophages ; Magnolia ; Negotiating ; Nitric Oxide ; Pueraria

Two cases are herein reported involving patients with ectopic gallstones which were discharged into the stomach and duodenum through a cholecystoduodenal fistula and successfully removed by endoscopic therapy. In the first case, a 75-year-old man was admitted with epigastric pain. Simple abdomen film demonstrated a round laminated calcification and air biliarygram in the RUQ. Endoscopic examination revealed a fistula on the posterior wall of the duodenal bulb and a brown stone (about 5 cm in diameter) was found in the second portion of the duodenum, It was demolished through endoscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EEH1) and discharged with the stool. In the second case, a 55-year-old man was admitted with epigastric pain. A CT scan revealed an ovoid laminated calcification in the dependent portion of the stomach. Endoscopic examination revealed a fistula on the anterior wa11 of' the duodenal bulb and a black pigmented stone (about 2.5 cm in diameter) was found in the stomach. This stone was removed orally by an endoscopic snare. These patients were discharged and remained asymptomatic.
Abdomen ; Aged ; Duodenum ; Fistula ; Gallstones* ; Humans ; Intestinal Fistula ; Lithotripsy ; Middle Aged ; SNARE Proteins ; Stomach ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed