This study was aimed to examine whether biological characteristics of the cancer cell lines have any correlation with distinctive movement of the reconstituted basement membrane in modified Boyden chamber. The in vitro model consists of a chamber and basement membrane filter. Matrigel was applied on the upper surface of the filter and type IV collagen, fibronectin and laminin were also applied to the lower surface of the filter, respectively. The cancer invasiveness was measured by the number of the moved cells through basement membrane differing in component, thickness and incubation time. For chemoattractant study, serum free medium, medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 0.1% bovine serum albumin were used. The invaded cancer cells were counted under high-power field microscope and the morphologic feature of invading cancer cells on reconstituted basement membrane was examined with scanning electron microscopy. The effects of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and wild type tumor necrosis factor-alpha (wTNF-a) on invasiveness of three prostate cancer cell lines (hormone intermediate sensitive ALVA 101, and hormone refractory ALVA 41 and PPC-1) were investigated. The rate of movement of the cancer was reduced increasing thickness of the matrigel but increased in proportion to the incubation time (p<0.05). The components applied on the lower surface of the filter did not affect cancer cell invasiveness (p>0.05). TIMP-2 reduced the invasiveness of three kinds of cancer cell line at both the high and low concentration, indicating that this agent interferes the movement of the cells. Furthermore, this result suggests that TIMP-2 might repress metal-dependent enzymes, which are thought to elicit the invasiveness of the cancer cells. The wTNF-a did not show any effects on the invasiveness of three cell lines. The additive chemoattractant effect of 0.1% bovine serum albumin was not observed and serum free medium also did not induce the cancer cell invasion across the reconstituted basement membrane. The migration of the ALVA 41 and PPC-1 were more than the ALVA 101. The scanning electron microscopic examination showed the figures of migration of cancer cells through the pores on filter, supporting our experiments are performed in validness. The effect of protease inhibitor was distinct in different cancer cell lines studied. From this experiment, we conclude that the rate of movement of both ALVA 41 and PPC-1 cells with shorter doubling time and the hormone refractory was faster than that of ALVA 101 cells with longer doubling time and the hormone sensitive, suggesting biological characteristics of the cells are implicated in degree of cancer cell invasiveness and their malignancies.
Basement Membrane* ; Cell Line ; Collagen Type IV ; Fibronectins ; Laminin ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Population Characteristics ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Protease Inhibitors ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

The obliteration of a fat plane between the gastric carcinoma and the pancreas is a major criterion on CT scan for pancreatic invasion of gastric carcinoma. However, this sign is not always a reliable indicator of invasion, as the patients with gastric carcinoma are often emaciated. Producing a false positive CT findings. The purpose of our study is to improve the diagnostic accuracy of pancreatic invasion of gastric carcinoma in cases which the fat plane between the gastric carcinoma and the pancreas is obliterated in conventional CT scan. The authors performed lateral decubitus as well as supine CT scans and upper gastrointestinal series(UGIS) in 49 pathologically proven cases in which the fat plane was obliterated between the gastric carcinoma and the pancreas on conventional supine CT scan. Pancreatic invasion was suggested when the fat plane was obliterated persistently in the lateral decubitus view as well as the supine CT images and the involved gastric wall and adjacent pancreas maintained constant approximation despite postural change(CT+), and when the gastric tumor moved downward on the erect view of the UGIS no more than 1.5 time the height of the first lumbar vertevral body(UGIS+). Among 49 cases in which the fat plane between the gastric carcinoma and the pancreas was obliterated on supine CT scan, pancreatic invasion was confirmed pathologically in 11 cases(22.4%). Eight of 11 cases proven as pancreatic invasion were correctly diagnosed as pancreatic invasion by this combined analysis (CT+/UGIS+, 72.7%). Twenty seven of 38 cases proven as no pancreatic invasion were correctly diagnosed as no pancreatic invasion(CT-/UGIS-, 71.1%). Twelve cases showed CT +/UGIS-or CT-/UGIS+, so it was inconclusive whether there was invasion or not. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 71.4%. In conclusion, combined analysis with supine and lateral decubitus CT and UGIS is useful for improving diagnostic accuracy for pancreatic invasion by gastric carcinoma in patients of which the fat plane between the gastric carcinoma and the pancreas is obliterated on conventional supine CT.
Humans ; Pancreas ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Tumors of the urethra and periurethra are rare lesions accounting for less than 1% of tumors arising from the genitourinary tract. Routine examinations of the urethra are X-ray study and endoscopic examination. X-ray and endoscopic examination have the risk of radiation exposure to the reproductive organs or pain at study and they have the limitation on outlining the periurethral environments. In the last few years, diagnosis of disease by ultrasound has made tremendous advances. Many investigations of ultrasound examinations on the male and female lower urinary tract using transrectal, transvaginal and transpubic approaches have been reported. But there has been no report of the ultrasound examination on the urethra and periurethral tumor. We report our experiences with sonourethrography of 6 cases of urethral and periurethral solid tumors. And we concluded that sonourethrography is less expensive, non-invasive and can accurately image the outline of the urethra and periurethral tumor.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Ultrasonography ; Urethra ; Urinary Tract

Aspergillosis is a rare disease of fungal infection produced by the genus Aspergillus in immunocompromised patients. It mainly involves the lung and may disseminate by invasion of biood vessels into the gastrointestinal tract. Brain and kidney. We report a case of the disseminated aspergillosis in malignant lymphoma affecting the lung. Brain and thyroid gland.
Aspergillosis* ; Aspergillus ; Brain ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Immunocompromised Host ; Kidney ; Lung ; Lymphoma* ; Rare Diseases ; Thyroid Gland

BACKGROUND: Tracheal tubes are different on the flexibility, material and bevel angle according to the manufacturers. These may affect the success rate of blind tracheal intubation through laryngeal mask airway (LMA). In addition, using straight-tip exchanger or curved-tip introducer, we tried to compare the success rate of tracheal tube insertion through LMA. METHODS: After receiving informed consents, 30 patients were enrolled. Blind tracheal intubation was tried with reinforced tracheal tube (M group), or one of two kinds of conventional tracheal tube (P group and B group). Tracheal tube was selected in random order and advanced into the trachea through LMA one by one. If all the three attempts was unsuccessful, we considered the blind tracheal intubation through LMA a failure. We also compared the success rate of blind tracheal insertion through LMA using straight-tip exchanger or curved-tip introducer. The first trial was performed on the neutral head position. The exchanger or introducer was rotated during the second trial. If the second attempt was unsuccessful, the exchanger- or intubator-guided intubation was performed on the sniffing position and, as a last and fourth trial, while mandible was being elevated with hands. RESULTS: Success rate of blind tracheal intubation through LMA was 50% (15/50) in group P and 36.7% (11/30) in group M, 33.3% (10/30) in group B (P=0.05). By using curved-tip introducer, intubation through LMA was successful in 80% (16/20), while it was successful only in 35% (7/20) via straight-tip exchanger. CONCLUSION: Blind tracheal intubation through LMA was dependent on the types of tracheal tube. Also, curved tip introducer may be a more valuable aid in performing blind tracheal intubation through LMA. Its use seems to be better technique than directly inserting tracheal tube through LMA.
Hand ; Head ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Laryngeal Masks* ; Mandible ; Pliability ; Trachea

PURPOSE: Dopamine plays a critical role in promoting sexual drive and penile erection through dopamine receptors. This study was performed to investigate whether the cavernousal nerve controls the expression of peripheral dopamine D1 receptors in rat penile tissues after cavernousal nerve injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male rats (n=20) were divided into two groups: a control group consisting of sham-operated rats (n=10) and an experimental group consisting of rats that underwent incision of the bilateral cavernous nerve (n=10). Three months later, the intracavernous pressure response was monitored using an intracavernous papaverine injection of 300 microgram. The expression of dopamine D1 receptor mRNA were studied using an RT-PCR method, and dopamine D1 receptor protein expression by Western blot analysis and immuno-histochemical staining in each group. The expressed band density of the RT-PCR and Western blot were measured by a densitometer. RESULTS: Erectile functions, as studied by intracavernosal papaverine injection at three months, were similar in both groups. The dopamine D1 receptor mRNA and protein expressions were significantly lower in the neurotomy group. The immuno-histochemical staining also showed a reduction in the dopamine D1 receptor expression in the neurotomy group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that dopamine D1 receptors in penile tissues were down-regulated following cavernousal nerve injury. These findings suggest that cavernousal nerve injury affects directly the reduction of dopamine D1 receptor expression, and that the action of dopamine on the cavernousal dopamine receptor will be affected in cavernousal nerve injured rats.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Dopamine* ; Down-Regulation* ; Humans ; Male ; Papaverine ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; Rats* ; Receptors, Dopamine ; Receptors, Dopamine D1* ; RNA, Messenger ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: One of the most serious risks of epidural anesthesia is total spinal blockade from unintentional dural puncture. We evaluated the glucose test and the thiopental precipitation test to differentiate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from local anesthetics (LA). METHODS: (1) Experiment 1: CSF from twenty patients was serially diluted with 2% lidocaine or 0.5% bupivacaine. The ratio of CSF to LA-CSF mixture (CSF/(LA+CSF)) was from 0 to 1.0 at an interval of 0.1. We measured the glucose level of each sample with blood sugar meter. (2) Experiment 2: CSF from a hydrocephalus patient was serially diluted and its glucose level of each sample was measured in the same way as Experiment 1. We performed a urine stick test with each sample. Ten anesthetists blinded to the nature of the sample were asked to identify the results of the tests. (3) Experiment 3: Two milimeters of 2.5% thiopental was respectively mixed with local anesthetics, the amount of which was from 0.1 to 1.0 ml at an interval of 0.1 ml. Sixteen anesthetists blinded to the nature of sample were asked to identify the results of the tests. RESULTS: (1) Experiment 1: We can measure glucose level at CSF/(LA +CSF) of 0.5 in 2% lidocaine group and 0.6 in 0.5% bupivacaine group. (2) Experiment 2: We can detect glucose at lower level of CSF/(LA +CSF) by glucose meter than urine stick test (p<0.05). (3) At least 0.35 ml of 2% lidocaine and 0.29 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine was needed respectively to detect precipitation. CONCLUSION: We suggest that blood glucose meter be used instead of glucose test strip. For thiopental precipitation test, we have to adjust the amount of thiopental depending on the amount of test fluid.
Anesthesia, Epidural* ; Anesthetics, Local* ; Blood Glucose ; Bupivacaine ; Cerebrospinal Fluid* ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Lidocaine ; Punctures ; Thiopental

BACKGROUND: One of the most serious risks of epidural anesthesia is total spinal blockade from unintentional dural puncture. We evaluated the glucose test and the thiopental precipitation test to differentiate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from local anesthetics (LA). METHODS: (1) Experiment 1: CSF from twenty patients was serially diluted with 2% lidocaine or 0.5% bupivacaine. The ratio of CSF to LA-CSF mixture (CSF/(LA+CSF)) was from 0 to 1.0 at an interval of 0.1. We measured the glucose level of each sample with blood sugar meter. (2) Experiment 2: CSF from a hydrocephalus patient was serially diluted and its glucose level of each sample was measured in the same way as Experiment 1. We performed a urine stick test with each sample. Ten anesthetists blinded to the nature of the sample were asked to identify the results of the tests. (3) Experiment 3: Two milimeters of 2.5% thiopental was respectively mixed with local anesthetics, the amount of which was from 0.1 to 1.0 ml at an interval of 0.1 ml. Sixteen anesthetists blinded to the nature of sample were asked to identify the results of the tests. RESULTS: (1) Experiment 1: We can measure glucose level at CSF/(LA +CSF) of 0.5 in 2% lidocaine group and 0.6 in 0.5% bupivacaine group. (2) Experiment 2: We can detect glucose at lower level of CSF/(LA +CSF) by glucose meter than urine stick test (p<0.05). (3) At least 0.35 ml of 2% lidocaine and 0.29 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine was needed respectively to detect precipitation. CONCLUSION: We suggest that blood glucose meter be used instead of glucose test strip. For thiopental precipitation test, we have to adjust the amount of thiopental depending on the amount of test fluid.
Anesthesia, Epidural* ; Anesthetics, Local* ; Blood Glucose ; Bupivacaine ; Cerebrospinal Fluid* ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Lidocaine ; Punctures ; Thiopental

PURPOSE: Although the aging process does not mean a morbid state, it is reported that the incidence of male erectile dysfunction is higher in the aged than in the young. One of important causes seems to be the functional changes of hormonal, vascular and nervous system. In addition the functional change of the sensory perception of penis can be another major cause of the erectile dysfunction in the aged male. We investigated the changes of the penile sensory perception function in the aged male. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected 90 men from age 20 to 76(average 43.6+/-17.0) who had no neuronal defect in past medical history and physical examination and measured the sensory perception threshold after giving the stimuli of vibration using the Biothesiometer and the stimuli of 5Hz, 250Hz, 2000Hz electrical currents using the Neurometer to the penile glans, penile shaft, scrotum, thigh and the index finger. RESULTS: All sensory perception thresholds of electrical stimuli in penile glans and penile shaft had no significant correlation with age(p>0.05). On the other hand, the sensory perception threshold of vibratory stimuli had a significant correlation with age in all of scrotum(r=0.59, p=0.0001), penile glans(r=0.58, p=0.0001), penile shaft(r=0.54, p=0.0001), thigh(r=0.43, p=0.0002) and index finger(r=0.38, p=0.0015), in which the stimuli threshold increased in proportion to age. The vibratory stimuli threshold had a higher significant correlation with age in penis, scrotum, penile glans than in thigh and index finger. CONCLUSIONS: The sensory perception threshold of vibratory stimuli elevated significant in the penile glans, penile shaft and scrotum. However, the sensory perception threshold of electrical stimuli showed no increase by the age. It is supposed that increased vibratory threshold of penile glans, shaft and scrotum may contribute to the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction in aging male.
Aging ; Electric Stimulation ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Fingers ; Genitalia* ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Nervous System ; Neurons ; Penis ; Physical Examination ; Scrotum ; Thigh ; Vibration

Animal study was performed to determine the changes in rat lung permeability in hyperoxic condition. 3 groups of rats (n=8 each) were exposed to 100% oxygen for 24 hr(group 2), 48 hr(group 3) and 72 hr(group 4), respectively, and compared with control (group 1 at room air, n=8). The time course of development of solute flux was evaluated by the clearance of 99mTc-labeled diethylenetriamine pentaacetate ( 99mTc-DTPA) from the lung, Afterwards, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed to measure the concentration of albumin and determine the evidence of cell injury and inflammation in lung. BAL fluids were analyzed to determine several markers of cell injury and inflammation including total and differential cell counts, lactate dehydrogenase (LD), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), extracellular potassium (K+) and globulin (total protein minus albumin). 99mTc-DTPA clearance was significantly increased by exposure for 48 hours of hyperoxia. Albumin concentration ratio (BAL albumin concentration divided by serum albumin concentration) was increased sharply after 48 hr. Significant changes in WBC counts and differential counts were not found until 48 hr of hyperoxia. Elevated LD concentration was observed at 48 hr and thereafter, and ALP, K+, and globulin concentration ratio (BAL globulin /serum globulin) was significantly high only in group 4. Mortality was not observed until 72 hr when 3 of 8 rats were dead. It is concluded that significant 99mTc-DTPA clearance, and cellular and biochemical findings of BAL could not be observed until 48 hr in rats exposed to 100 % oxygen.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Cell Count ; Hyperoxia ; Inflammation ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Lung* ; Mortality ; Oxygen* ; Permeability ; Potassium ; Rats* ; Serum Albumin ; Therapeutic Irrigation*