No abstract available.

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Gaucher Disease* ; Humans ; Siblings*

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of Hwangyun, Hwangyunhaedogtang, and Kumeunhwa on the lymphocyte activity in allergic contact dermatitis induced by contact allergen 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB) of Balb/c mouse. For examination of a contact hypersensitivity, MEST (mouse ear swelling test) and lymphocyte proliferation assay measured by [(3)H]-methylthymidine incorporation were done. Cytokine mRNA in the draining lymph node cells were examined by RT-PCR. Contact hypersensitivity was more effectively induced by 0.25% DNCB treatment than 1% DNCB treatment. Local lymph node cell proliferation from DNCB-sensitized mouse was most highly elicitated with 100 ug/ml DNBS stimulation in vitro. The cytokine profiles of lymph node cells from DNCB-sensitized and DNBS-stimulated mouse were strong expression of IL-2 and IFN-r, weak expression of LT and IL-4, and no expression of IL-6 and IL-10. This lymphocyte proliferation was significantly inhibited in mice administered Korean medical drug for 10 days and sensitized with DNCB at day 5 (88.22%, 65.14%, and 52.29% in Hwangyun, Hwangyunhaedogtang, and Kumeunhwa, respectively). But Kumeunhwa was not effective in the inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation when administered after DNCB-sensitization. The cytokine expressions were also inhibited especially IL-2 and IFN-r in Hwangyun administered- mice. These inhibitions of lymphocyte activity by Korean medical drugs were also observed when stimulated with ConA (1 ug/ml). Conclusively, immune responses of contact hypersensitivity induced by DNCB are involved in local lymph node T cells mainly Th1 type cells, and Korean medical drugs especially Hwangyun suppressed allergic contact dermatitis via inhibition of the activity of these cells.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact* ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dinitrochlorobenzene ; Ear ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-6 ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphocytes* ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger ; T-Lymphocytes

BACKGROUND: Previous case-control studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding the association between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. We investigated these associations using meta-analysis. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library in April 2011. Two evaluators independently reviewed and selected articles, based on pre-determined selection criteria. RESULTS: Out of 737 articles meeting our initial criteria, 5 case-control studies, which involved 120,091 participants (9,514 cases and 110,577 controls), were included in the final analyses. The overall use of PPI (used vs. never or rarely used) was not significantly associated with the risk of CRC in a fixed-effects model meta-analysis of all 5 case-control studies (odds ratio [OR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96 to 1.20; I2 = 3.5%). Also, in sensitivity meta-analysis by cumulative duration of PPI use, there was no association between PPI use of 1 year or longer and the risk of colorectal cancer in a fixed-effects meta-analysis (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.22; I2 = 0%). CONCLUSION: Although hypergastrinemia could be an important factor in the pathogenesis of some colorectal cancers, our study suggests that this does not lead to significant clinical risk for most PPI users. Further prospective studies or randomized controlled trials related to PPI use and colorectal cancer risk are needed to investigate this association.
Case-Control Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; Proton Pumps ; Protons

Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is characterized by pauci-immune necrotizing small vessel vasculitis without clinical or pathological evidence of necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. The kidney is the most often affected organ in the majority of patients with MPA, and renal manifestations are usually the first symptoms. Glomerular capillaries are affected most often, resulting in necrotizing glomerulonephritis, usually in a crescent formation, with no or few immune deposits able to be demonstrated at the sites of vasculitis and glomerulonephritis. We report a case of microscopic polyangiitis in both legs with pitting edema in a 50-year-old female. Laboratory findings showed hematuria, proteinuria, and a positive peripheral antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody. A renal biopsy revealed pauci-immune splitting and necrotizing capillary loop walls necrotizing vasculitis and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). With a diagnosis of MPA, she has been managed with high dose steroid and cyclophosphamide. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of MPA with MPGN.
Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic ; Biopsy ; Capillaries ; Cyclophosphamide ; Edema ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Kidney ; Leg ; Microscopic Polyangiitis ; Middle Aged ; Proteinuria ; Vasculitis

BACKGROUND: It is well established that vascular contraction is caused by not only an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ level but also activations of Ca2+-sensitizing mechanisms including protein kinase C (PKC) and low molecular GTP binding protein. However, the roles of PKC and RhoA, a low molecular GTP-binding protein, on the receptor agonist-mediated contraction in swine pulmonary artery has not been clarified. In the present study, we examined the contribution of PKC isoform and RhoA to the arterial stimulants-induced contraction in swine pulmonary artery. METHOD: The large (> 5 mm), medium (1-3 mm) and small (< 1 mm in outer diameter) sized pulmonary arteries were excised and the contractions were recorded isometrically. The contents and subcellular distribution of PKC isoforms and RhoA were detected using immunoblotting. RESULTS: In medium pulmonary artery, norepinephrine (NE, 10 nM-30micrometer) led contraction in a dose-dependent manner. In large and small pulmonary arteries, however, NE failed to induce a contraction. Adding of 12-deoxyphorbol 13-isobutyrate (DPB, 1micrometer), a PKC activator, developed muscle force in 1 mM EGTA-contained Ca2+-free physiological salt solution. The expressions of PKC alpha, elsilon were significantly increased in medium pulmonary artery. NE (10micrometer) evoked the translocation of RhoA from cytosol to the membrane but not those of PKC isoforms. In Ca2+-free physiological salt solution, DPB (1micrometer) caused a translocation of PKC isoforms. CONCLUSIONS: These results support that NE induces contraction via RhoA pathway but not PKC pathway in swine pulmonary artery.
Cytosol ; GTP Phosphohydrolases* ; GTP-Binding Proteins ; Immunoblotting ; Membranes ; Norepinephrine ; Protein Isoforms ; Protein Kinase C* ; Protein Kinases* ; Pulmonary Artery* ; Swine*

Purpose: To determine the differences in the radiographic findings of miliary tuberculosis between patients with and without associated acute respiratory failure (ARF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 32 patients in whom miliary tuberculosis had been diagnosed, and assigned them to one of two groups: with ARF (n=10), and without ARF (n=22). Chest radiographic findings such as the presence of miliary nodules, cosolidation, ground-glass opacity (GGO), pleural effusion, small calcified nodules and linear opacities were assessed, the size and profusion of nodules in each of four zones were analyzed and scored using the standard radiographs of the International Labor Organization, and the extent of consolidation and GGO were scored according to the percentage of involved lung. We compared the radiologic findings between the two groups. RESULTS: Ground-glass opacity, consolidation, and pleural effusion were seen more frequently in miliary tuberculosis patients with ARF than in those without ARF. Although the size and profusion of nodules were similar in both groups (p>0.05), consolidation and ground-glass opacity in cases of miliary tuberculosis with ARF were significantly more extensive than in those without ARF (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: GGO and consolidation were more extensive in miliary tuberculosis patients with ARF. A finding of ground-glass opacity in miliary tuberculosis patients might be an early indication of developing ARF.
Humans ; Lung ; Pleural Effusion ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Respiratory Insufficiency* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis, Miliary* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary