BACKGROUND: Protein kinase C represents an important component of a signal transduction pathway that regulates vascular smooth muscle contraction. This study was performed with an inhibitor and activators of protein kinase C to determine their effects on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) in isolated rat lung model. METHODS: Isolated lungs from Sprague-Dawley rats were ventilated with a normoxic gas (21%O2-5%CO2-balanced N2) and a hypoxic gas (3%O2-5%CO2-balanced N2) alternatively, and then perfused with constant pulmonary blood flow. Baseline hypoxic pressor responses (delta PAP) were measured as the difference of pulmonary artery pressure between normoxic ventilation and hypoxic ventilation. After baseline delta PAP had obtained, rats were randomly divided into a chelerythrine group, an phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (PDBu) group, and a farnesylthiotriazole (FTT) group. The different concentrations of each drug were added into the perfusate sequentially. delta PAP in the different concentrations of each drug were calculated as a percentage of the delta PAP in each concentration of drug to the baseline delta PAP in the absence of drug (%delta PAP). RESULTS: The %delta PAP of chelerythrine were 83.7 +/- 19.2%, 71.5 +/- 24.1% and 68.4 +/- 28.3% at 0.1, 1, and 10micrometer, respectively (P < 0.05). The %delta PAP of PDBu were 111.3 +/- 10.1%, 144.4 +/- 37.8% and 168.4 +/- 89.1% at 20, 100, and 300 nM, respectively (P < 0.05). The %delta PAP of FTT were 80.1 +/- 25.1%, 61.0 +/- 17.2% and 30.1 +/- 18.4% at 1, 10, and 30micrometer, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that regulator of protein kinase C influence HPV.
Animals ; Lung* ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Protein Kinase C* ; Protein Kinases* ; Pulmonary Artery ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Vasoconstriction* ; Ventilation

No abstract available.
Chromosome Aberrations*

This report describes a rare case of postoperative hyperventilation attack after an endoscopic third ventriculostomy in a 46-year-old woman. About 60 min after the termination of the operation, an intractable hyperventilation started with respiratory rate of 65 breaths/min and EtCO2, 16.3 mm Hg. Sedation with benzodiazepine, thiopental sodium, fentanyl, and propofol/remifentanil infusion was tried under a rebreathing mask at a 4 L/min of oxygen. With aggressive sedative challenges, ventilation pattern was gradually returned to normal during the 22 hrs of time after the surgery. A central neurogenic hyperventilation was suspected due to the stimulating central respiratory center by cold acidic irrigation solution during the neuroendoscopic procedure.
Benzodiazepines ; Cold Temperature ; Female ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Hyperventilation ; Masks ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen ; Respiratory Center ; Respiratory Rate ; Thiopental ; Ventilation ; Ventriculostomy

The purpose of this study is to monitor genetically modified bean sprouts at traditional markets in Seoul and to investigate perception of traditional market merchants and high school students on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). We analyzed 30 bean sprouts that were selected at 11 traditional markets in Seoul using the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Also, we compared perception of GMOs between merchants (n = 30) and students (n = 126). Knowledge test about GMOs was performed by students. The result of PCR, 16.7% of bean sprouts were confirmed as GM bean sprouts (n = 5). Students had significantly more exposure to information about GMOs than merchants (p < 0.05). Major information sources about GMOs were from mass media (television, newspaper and radio). About half of subjects were not aware that they eat GMOs and GMOs are sold to consumers. Only 17.3% of subjects had constant eating intent for GMOs after perceiving foods that he/she usually eats are GMOs. 51.3% of subjects had willingness to purchase GMOs if GMOs have same quality and lower cost than natural foods. 37.2% of subjects thought that GMOs would be harmful to humans. Students had more positive perception of GMOs' side effects than merchants (p < 0.01). There was no merchant who knew labeling of GMOs. 19.1% of students knew labeling of GMOs. Students' mean percentage of correct answers of six questions about GMOs was 45.2%. Therefore, providing adequate information about GMOs is needed for consumer's choice whether to purchase GMOs or not.
Eating ; Humans ; Mass Media ; Periodicals ; Organisms, Genetically Modified ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVE: To classify complete spinal cord injury (SCI) patients based on the preservation of desire to void and to make clear the difference between each group METHOD: This study was performed retrospectively on 117 complete SCI patients with lesions above T11 who were referred to the urodynamic laboratory. Patients were classified according to the preservation of desire to void during conventional urodynamic study. The clinical and urodynamic characteristics of each group were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 37 patients (31.6%) with the preservation of desire to void. There were significantly lower compliance of bladder and longer duration from onset to examination in the sensory preservation group than the nonpreservation group (p<0.05). There were no significant difference in clinical features such as voiding method, the presence of autonomic dysreflexia between each group. CONCLUSION: The presence of desire to void was noted in 31.6% of complete SCI patients observed.
Autonomic Dysreflexia ; Compliance ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Cord* ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic ; Urodynamics

PURPOSE: To report a case of recurrent endophthalmitis due to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus hemolyticus after phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. CASE SUMMARY: A 76-year-old female visited our outpatient clinic with decreased vision 40 days after uncomplicated cataract surgery in her right eye. At the visit, anterior chamber inflammation and cloudy fluid between the posterior capsule and IOL were observed. Uveitis due to residual cortex of lens or capsular block syndrome was suspected, so YAG laser capsulotomy and subconjunctival injection of dexamethasone were performed. Two days later, hypopyon and vitreous opacity were seen. The patient underwent an emergency vitrectomy and intravitreal antibiotic injection with suspicion of bacterial endophthalmitis. The culture was negative. Twenty days after the vitrectomy, anterior chamber inflammation and vitreous opacity developed. The recurrence of endophthalmitis was suspected due to infection by bacteria in the surrounding tissue of the IOL, so the patient underwent an IOL and lens capsule removal with intravitreal antibiotic injection. At this time, the culture revealed methicillin resistant staphylococcus hemolyticus. Systemic and topical vancomycin was then administered, resulting in decreased inflammation. Twenty days after the IOL removal, decreased vision, anterior chamber inflammation, and vitreous opacity developed. Endophthalmitis was decreased by intravitreal antibiotic injection and topical antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Methicillin resistant staphylococcus hemolyticus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic recurrent endophthalmitis after cataract surgery.
Aged ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Anterior Chamber ; Bacteria ; Cataract ; Dexamethasone ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Emergencies ; Endophthalmitis ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin ; Phacoemulsification ; Recurrence ; Staphylococcus ; Uveitis ; Vancomycin ; Vitrectomy

Objectives: . Noise exposure leads to an increase in the macrophage population. This increment is thought to be caused by the transformation of infiltrated monocytes into macrophages rather than by proliferation of the cochlear resident macrophages. However, studies on infiltrated monocytes in the cochlea are scarce. Thus, we aimed to investigate the infiltration of monocytes and their transformation into macrophages after noise exposure. Methods: . In wild-type and CX3CR1+/GFP C57/B6 mice, inflammatory monocytes were identified by immunofluorescence of mouse cochlear cells. The findings were confirmed and quantitated by flow cytometry. Results: . One day after noise exposure, monocytes were identified in the spiral ligament. Flow cytometric analysis confirmed that the monocyte population peaked on post-noise exposure day 1 and decreased thereafter. On day 3 after noise exposure, amoeboid-type macrophages increased in the crista basilaris, and on day 5, they spread to the basilar membrane. Conclusion . Infiltrated monocytes were successfully observed 1 day after noise exposure, preceding the increase in the macrophage population. This finding supports the proposal that infiltrated monocytes transform into macrophages.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS; MIM 175200) is an autosomal dominant multiple-organ cancer syndrome. It is characterized by brown macules distributed in the perioral skin, oral mucosa, hands and feet, and hamartomatous gastrointestinal polyps that can eventually lead to intestinal obstruction, abdominal pain, bleeding, and anemia. Patients with PJS are at a higher risk of ovarian, testicular, breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers. This predisposition is due to the pathogenic variant in serine/threonine kinase 11 (STK11) gene located on chromosome 19p13.3. Here, we present the dermoscopic findings, histopathologic features of acral pigmentation, and DNA sequencing results of the patient with PJS. We also report a successful removal of acral pigmentation using the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (QSNYL) treatment. Our results suggest that QSNYL therapy could be a treatment option for acral pigmentation in patients with PJS.

Purpose: Mesenchymal epithelial transition (MET) is a proto-oncogene that encodes a heterodimerictransmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase for the hepatocyte growth factor. Aberrant METsignaling has been described in several solid tumors—especially non-small cell lung cancer—and is associated with tumor progression and adverse prognosis. As MET is a potentialtherapeutic target, information regarding its prevalence and clinicopathological relevanceis crucial. Materials and Methods: We investigated MET expression and gene amplification in 113 gallbladder cancers usingtissue microarray. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate MET overexpression, andsilver/fluorescence in situ hybridization (ISH) was used to assess gene copy number. Results: MET overexpression was found in 37 cases of gallbladder carcinoma (39.8%), and geneamplification was present in 17 cases (18.3%). MET protein expression did not correlatewith MET amplification. MET amplification was significantly associated with aggressive clinicopathologicalfeatures, including high histological grade, advanced pT category, lymphnode metastasis, and advanced American Joint Committee on Cancer stage. There was nosignificant correlation between any clinicopathological factors and MET overexpression. Nodifference in survival was found with respect to MET overexpression and amplification status. Conclusion Our data suggested that MET might be a potential therapeutic target for targeted therapyin gallbladder cancer, because MET amplification was found in a subset of tumors associatedwith adverse prognostic factors. Detection of MET amplification by ISH might be a usefulpredictive biomarker test for anti-MET therapy.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms are potentially life-threatening. They are caused by atherosclerosis, most commonly of the descending aorta. Clinical manifestations are due to the compression or erosion of adjacent structures, dissection, or rupture. Thoracic aortic aneurysms account for 50 to 60 percent of aortobronchopulmonary fistulas. Symptoms of aortobronchopulmonary fistulas include constant chest or back pain, cough, and dyspnea, as well as hemoptysis, which occurs in over 95 percent of cases. Recently, aortobronchial fistula, caused by thoracic aortic aneurysms, has been successfully treated with an endovascular stent graft. We report a patient with aortobronchial fistula presenting with hemoptysis, who was successfully treated with an endovascular stent graft.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic* ; Atherosclerosis ; Back Pain ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis* ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Fistula* ; Hematemesis ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Rupture ; Stents* ; Thorax