Necrotizing colitis associated with carcinoma of the colon, Known also as obstructive colitis, is a disordercharacterized by anulceration and inflammation of the colon proximal to an obstructive lesion, especiallycarcinoma of the rectosigmoid colon, and in rare instances, leads to actual gangrene of the colon. The authorsanalysed radiologic findings in four cases of necrotizing colitis associated with carcinoma of the colon. Bariumenema disclosed mucosal edema, nodular filling defects, irregularity of the colonic controur and typicalthumbprinting appearance of involved colon proximal to an obstructing carcinoma of the colon. The mechanism ofnecrotizing colitis was briefly reviewed.
Colitis ; Colon ; Edema ; Gangrene ; Inflammation

Spontaneous extrahepatic rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare but serious complication that occurs with an incidence of between 5 and 15% of patients with HCC. It is thought to be preceded by rapid expansion due to intratumoral bleed-ing. Extrahepatic rupture of HCC has been reported as a rare complication of tran-scatheter arterial embolization (TAE). Although there have been reports of extrahepatic rupture of HCC after TAE, but there is no report regarding intratumoral hemor-rhage into HCC during TAE. We report a unique case of intratumoral hemorrhage into HCC during TAE presumably triggered by TAE. Although a rare complication, intratumoral hemorrhage into HCC after TAE should be considered in any patient with TAE due to HCC.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*blood supply ; Catheterization/*adverse effects ; Embolization, Therapeutic/*adverse effects ; Hemorrhage/*diagnosis/*etiology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/*blood supply ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rupture, Spontaneous/diagnosis/etiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on adriamycin-induced apoptosis of gastric cancer cells in vitro.

METHODSAn eukaryotic expression plasmid (pIRES2-EGFP) containing HGF (pIRES2-EGFP-HGF) was constructed. Human gastric cancer cell line MKN-45 cells were transfected in vitro with pIRES2-EGFP containing HGF or not. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the target gene expression. Function of HGF was determined by MDCK cell scattering assay. Cell viability was tested by MTT assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by DNA fragmentation assay as well as flow cytometry using PI staining.

RESULTSThe HGF transfected MKN45 cells could stably express HGF mRNA, and secrete HGF protein to the cell culture median which was detected to exhibit normal function. The cell inhibition rate induced by adriamycin in HGF-transfected cells was decreased as compared to that of parental and mock transfected cells. When treated with adriamycin at 0.1 microg/ml, the parental and mock transfected cells present typical apoptotic ladder on DNA electrophoresis while HGF transfected cell did not. The apoptotic rate was decreased in HGF transfected cells as compared with that of parental and mock transfected cells.

CONCLUSIONHGF gene transfection may suppress adriamycin-induced apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; DNA Fragmentation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Humans ; Plasmids ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transfection

Although trivalent subunit vaccine has been available, the influenza vaccine has been under-utilized because of cumbersome route of vaccination and low level of protection. Therefore, there has always been a great need to develop live attenuated influenza vaccine which can be administered through nasal route and elicit better immunogenicity. Through conventional repeated passage at low temperature, a live influenza vaccine carrier could be established. By reassortant formation between the 'cold- adapted' vaccine carrier and virulent strains, a prototype of trivalent live influenza vaccine is developed. Influenza A virus was adapted to replicate at low temperature. Serial passage at progressively lower temperature (30degrees C, 27degrees C and 24degrees C)resulted in the generation of cold-adapted (ca), temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant and attenuation (att) phenotype. This strain was evaluated for their ability to protect mice from challenge with same subtype and different subtype of influenza A virus. The study showed that vaccination of mice with live attenuated influenza virus provided complete protection against homologous and heterologous virus challenge. We also evaluated therapeutic potential of ca influenza virus. The mice infected with ca virus before challenge with wild type viruses or infected with simultaneously showed reduced clinical symptoms suggesting potential therapeutic effects.
Animals ; Influenza A virus ; Influenza Vaccines ; Mice ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Phenotype ; Serial Passage ; Vaccination

Although trivalent subunit vaccine has been available, the influenza vaccine has been under-utilized because of cumbersome route of vaccination and low level of protection. Therefore, there has always been a great need to develop live attenuated influenza vaccine which can be administered through nasal route and elicit better immunogenicity. Through conventional repeated passage at low temperature, a live influenza vaccine carrier could be established. By reassortant formation between the 'cold- adapted' vaccine carrier and virulent strains, a prototype of trivalent live influenza vaccine is developed. Influenza A virus was adapted to replicate at low temperature. Serial passage at progressively lower temperature (30degrees C, 27degrees C and 24degrees C)resulted in the generation of cold-adapted (ca), temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant and attenuation (att) phenotype. This strain was evaluated for their ability to protect mice from challenge with same subtype and different subtype of influenza A virus. The study showed that vaccination of mice with live attenuated influenza virus provided complete protection against homologous and heterologous virus challenge. We also evaluated therapeutic potential of ca influenza virus. The mice infected with ca virus before challenge with wild type viruses or infected with simultaneously showed reduced clinical symptoms suggesting potential therapeutic effects.
Animals ; Influenza A virus ; Influenza Vaccines ; Mice ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Phenotype ; Serial Passage ; Vaccination

PURPOSE: To compare, in terms of their feasibility and normal range, 99mTc-DTPA renal perfusion imaging and renal perfusion imaging using harmonic ultrasound (US) with a microbubble contrast agent for the evaluation of renal perfusion after renal transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a six-month period, thirty patients who had received a renal transplant underwent both 99mTc-DTPA renal perfusion imaging and renal perfusion imaging using harmonic US with a microbubble contrast agent. Sonographic renal perfusion images were obtained before and after a bolus injection of the microbubble contrast agent LevovistTM (SH U 508A; Schering AG, Berlin, Germany) every 3 seconds for 3 minutes. Sonographic renal perfusion images were converted into a renal perfusion curve by a computer program and Tpeak of the curve thus obtained was compared with that of the 99mTc-DTPA curve. RESULTS: Average Tpeak of the 99mTc-DTPA renal perfusion curve was 16.2 seconds in the normal group and 39.6 seconds in the delayed perfusion group, while average Tpeak of the sonographic renal perfusion curve was 23.7 seconds and 46.2 seconds, respectively. Tpeak of the sonographic renal perfusion curve showed a good correlation with that of the 99mTc-DTPA curve (correlation coefficient=0.8209; p=0.0001). The cut-off value of Tpeak of the sonographic renal perfusion curve was 35 seconds (sensitivity=90%, specificity=95%). CONCLUSION: In patients who have received a renal transplant, the findings of renal perfusion imaging using harmonic US with a microbubble contrast agent show close correlation with those of 99mTc-DTPA renal perfusion imaging. The optimal cut-off value of Tpeak of the sonographic renal perfusion curve was 35 seconds.
Berlin ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Microbubbles ; Perfusion Imaging ; Perfusion* ; Reference Values ; Ultrasonography*

No abstract available.
Pneumonia*

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the brain is one of the important pathologic conditions which cause intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage, epilepsy, or chronic cerebral ischemia. The spontaneous regression of cerebral AVM is reported to be very rare and more likely to occur when the AVM is small, is accompanied by hemorrhage, and has fewer arterial feeders. We report a case of right occipital AVM which at follow-up angiography performed four years later showed near-complete spontaneous regression.
Adult ; Case Report ; Cerebral Angiography ; Human ; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations/*radiography ; Male ; Remission, Spontaneous ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical features and characteristics of childhood periodic syndromes (CPS) in Korea using the new criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)-II. METHODS: The study was conducted at pediatric neurology clinics of five urban tertiary-care medical centers in Korea from January 2006 to December 2007. Patients (44 consecutive children and adolescents) were divided into three groups (cyclic vomiting syndrome [CVS], abdominal migraine [AM], and benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood [BPVC]) by recurrent paroxysmal episodes of vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and/or vertigo using the ICHD-II criteria and their characteristics were compared. RESULTS: Totally, 16 boys (36.4%) and 28 girls (63.6%) were examined (aged 4-18 yr), with 20 CVS (45.5%), 8 AM (18.2%), and 16 BPVC (36.4%) patients. The mean age at symptom onset was 6.3+/-3.6 yr, 8.5+/-2.7 yr, and 8.5+/-2.9 yr in the CVS, AM, and BPVC groups, respectively, showing that symptoms appeared earliest in the CVS group. The mean age at diagnosis was 8.0+/-3.4 yr, 10.5+/-2.6 yr, and 10.1+/-3.2 yr the CVS, AM, and BPVC groups, respectively. Of the 44 patients, 17 (38.6%) had a history of recurrent headaches and 11 (25.0%) showed typical symptoms of migraine headache, with 5 CVS (25.0%), 2 AM (25.0%), and 4 BPVC (25.0%) patients. Family history of migraine was found in 9 patients (20.4%): 4 in the CVS group (20.0%), 2 in the AM group (25.0%), and 3 in the BPVC group (18.8%). CONCLUSION: The significant time lag between the age at symptom onset and final diagnosis possibly indicates poor knowledge of CPS among pediatric practitioners, especially in Korea. A high index of suspicion may be the first step toward caring for these patients. Furthermore, a population-based longitudinal study is necessary to determine the incidence and natural course of these syndromes.
Abdominal Pain ; Child ; Dizziness ; Headache ; Headache Disorders ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Longitudinal Studies ; Migraine Disorders ; Neurology ; Resin Cements ; Vertigo ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical features and characteristics of childhood periodic syndromes (CPS) in Korea using the new criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)-II. METHODS: The study was conducted at pediatric neurology clinics of five urban tertiary-care medical centers in Korea from January 2006 to December 2007. Patients (44 consecutive children and adolescents) were divided into three groups (cyclic vomiting syndrome [CVS], abdominal migraine [AM], and benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood [BPVC]) by recurrent paroxysmal episodes of vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and/or vertigo using the ICHD-II criteria and their characteristics were compared. RESULTS: Totally, 16 boys (36.4%) and 28 girls (63.6%) were examined (aged 4-18 yr), with 20 CVS (45.5%), 8 AM (18.2%), and 16 BPVC (36.4%) patients. The mean age at symptom onset was 6.3+/-3.6 yr, 8.5+/-2.7 yr, and 8.5+/-2.9 yr in the CVS, AM, and BPVC groups, respectively, showing that symptoms appeared earliest in the CVS group. The mean age at diagnosis was 8.0+/-3.4 yr, 10.5+/-2.6 yr, and 10.1+/-3.2 yr the CVS, AM, and BPVC groups, respectively. Of the 44 patients, 17 (38.6%) had a history of recurrent headaches and 11 (25.0%) showed typical symptoms of migraine headache, with 5 CVS (25.0%), 2 AM (25.0%), and 4 BPVC (25.0%) patients. Family history of migraine was found in 9 patients (20.4%): 4 in the CVS group (20.0%), 2 in the AM group (25.0%), and 3 in the BPVC group (18.8%). CONCLUSION: The significant time lag between the age at symptom onset and final diagnosis possibly indicates poor knowledge of CPS among pediatric practitioners, especially in Korea. A high index of suspicion may be the first step toward caring for these patients. Furthermore, a population-based longitudinal study is necessary to determine the incidence and natural course of these syndromes.
Abdominal Pain ; Child ; Dizziness ; Headache ; Headache Disorders ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Longitudinal Studies ; Migraine Disorders ; Neurology ; Resin Cements ; Vertigo ; Vomiting