Chicken calvarial bone is known to contain various cell types, but their exact composition is unknown. By characterizing the chicken calvarial bone biochemically, it can be used to study biochemical, histochemical actions of bone cells in general. Calvaria of I8-day-old white leg horn embryo was aseptically dissected and bone cell populations were isolated by sequential enzymatic digestion. Histochemical study for osteoclast-like bone cell population was performed with tartrate resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP) stain and for osteoblast-like bone cell population, alkaline phosphatase(ALP) stain was performed. Biochemical study for osteoblast-like bone cell population was performed using alkaline phosphatasetal.P) assay. Following conclusions were obtained from this study. 1. TRAP positive multi and mononuclear cells were mostly observed in group I and II, indicating that osteoclast-like bone cell population is mostly found in these groups. 2. All the cultured groups showed almost equal ALP activities and were positive for ALP stain, indicating that osteoblast-like bone cell population is evenly dispersed in all culture groups. 3. Experimental group treated with I,25(OH)2D3 showed increase in ALP activity in contrast to the control group, confirming previous studies that I,25(OH)2D3 increases ALP activities in vitro bone cultures. 4. Results from von Kassa's stain indicated that in vitro bone formation had occured after 3 weeks of culture with beta glycero phosphate.
Animals ; Chickens ; Digestion ; Embryonic Structures ; Horns ; Leg ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Osteogenesis ; Skull

Pneumocystis carinii causes serious pulmonary infection in immunosuppressed patients. This study was undertaken to observe the cytoskeletal proteins of P. carinii by immuno-electron microscopy. P. carinii infection was experimentally induced by immunosuppression of Sprague-Dawley rats for seven weeks, and their lungs were used for the observations of this study. The gold particles localized actin, tropomyosin, and tubulin. The actin was irregularly scattered in the cytoplasm of the trophic forms but was much more concentrated in the inner space of the cell wall of the cystic forms called the inner electron-lucent layer. No significant amount of tropomyosin was observed in either trophic forms or cystic forms. The tubulin was distributed along the peripheral cytoplasm and filopodia of both the trophic and cystic forms rather than in the inner side of the cytoplasm. Particularly, in the cystic forms, the amount of tubulin was increased and located mainly in the inner electron-lucent layer of the cell wall where the actin was concentrated as well. The results of this study showed that the cell wall of P. carinii cystic forms is a structure whose inner side is rich in actin and tubulin. The location of the actin and tubulin in P. carinii suggests that the main role of these proteins is an involvement in the protection of cystic forms from the outside environment by maintaining rigidity of the cystic forms.
Actins/analysis ; Animals ; Cytoskeletal Proteins/*analysis ; Fungal Proteins/*analysis ; Histocytochemistry ; Microscopy, Immunoelectron ; Pneumocystis/*chemistry/cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Tropomyosin/analysis ; Tubulin/analysis

The malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) was first introduced in 1963 to refer to a group of soft-issue tumors characterized by a storiform or cartwheel-ike growth pattern and predominantly fibroblastic appearance. It was postulated that they were derived from histiocytes that could assume the appearance and function of fibroblasts. MFH has been recognized to be the most common sarcoma in the soft tissue of late adult life which involves the deep fascia or skeletal muscles of the extremities or retroperitoneum. It has been noted in other organs, however, it rarely arises in the liver. We report two cases of primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver histopathologically confirmed after surgical resection-storiform pleomorphic and myxoid subtypes in the 55 year old male and 49 year old female patients, respectively, and describes the clinical courses, characteristics and pathologic aspects with review of the related literatures.
Adult ; Extremities ; Fascia ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Histiocytes ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous* ; Humans ; Liver* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Sarcoma

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome* ; Mycoplasma Infections* ; Mycoplasma*

BACKGROUND: Tuffier's line, which connect the two iliac crests, is the often used landmark in determining the level for the needle insertion into lumbar intervertebral space for the spinal and/or epidural blocks. However, the level of Tuffier's line varies depending on the observer. METHODS: Two methods were used to measure the level of Tuffier's line was measured on a simple abdominal X-ray taken in the supine position (study 1). Second, the level of Tuffier's line was also measured on fluroscopy of students in the sitting position (study 2). RESULTS: Overall, the level of Tuffier's line was most frequently observed along the L4-5 intervertebral space and second most frequently observed along the lower one-third of L4. In study 1 using abdominal X-ray, the level of Tuffiers line was most frequently observed along the L4-5 intervertebral space, however, the second most frequently observed level varied depending on the ages of the volunteers. In study 2 using fluoroscopy, the level of Tuffier's line was most frequently observed along the L4-5 intervertebral space and second most frequently observed along the upper one-third of L5. CONCLUSIONS: The level of Tuffier's line was most frequently observed along the L4-5 intervertebral space both in the supine and sitting positions. Further, the level of Tuffier's line went higher with age for women but stayed constant independent of age for men in the supine position.
Adult* ; Female ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Male ; Needles ; Supine Position ; Volunteers

Testicular torsion is rare in newborn infants. However, its frequency has increased, most of which are reported in full-term infants. We diagnosed and treated testicular torsion in an extremely low birth weight infant (ELBWI). A 2x2 cm red mass was palpable in the left groin of a 24-week-old, 745 g, male newborn at 23 days of age. Left testicular torsion was diagnosed, and emergent orchiopexy was performed. Careful physical examination is needed in cases suspicious of testicular torsion in ELBWIs with cryptorchidism. Moreover, early diagnosis and emergent exploration are necessary to prevent complications such as the risk of anorchia.
Cryptorchidism ; Early Diagnosis ; Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY ; Groin ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Orchiopexy ; Physical Examination ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; Testis

No abstract available.
Captopril* ; Child* ; Humans ; Nephrotic Syndrome*

No abstract available.
Captopril* ; Child* ; Humans ; Nephrotic Syndrome*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of CT features of appendiceal mucocele in the diagnosis and evaluation of complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed CT findings and compared with operative findings in 7 cases of pathologically proven appendiceal mucocele. CT findings such as location and extent of the lesion, Issue density, thickness or calcification of the wall, presence of adjacent inflammatory infiltration, and visualization of normal vermiform appendix were analyzed. RESULTS: Appendiceal mucocele was found as homogeneous low density cystic mass adjacent to the cecum, which has no surrounding inflammatory infiltration except in one case of perforation and one case of intussusception. Mean CT number measured in 4 cases was 21 Hounsfield unit. Thin curvilinear calcifications were noted along the cystic wall in 2 cases. Normal vermiform appendix couldn't be demonstrated in all cases. CONCLUSION: Appendiceal mucocele is characterized by homogeneously low density and thin walled cystic tumor adjacent to cecum without surrounding inflammatory infiltration, and absence of normal vermiform appendix on CT. Therefore, CT is valuable in preventing operative complications of appendiceal mucocele.
Appendix ; Cecum ; Diagnosis ; Intussusception ; Mucocele* ; Retrospective Studies