No abstract available.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: AT-1 cells have been derived from the left atrial tissue in which the ANF promoter targeted SV40 large T antigen expression. When cultured, clusters of spontaneously contracting cells were observed after 4-5 days and contiguous sheets of synchronously beating cardiomyocytes were formed after 10 days. In this study, expression of several cell cycle regulatory genes were monitored through Northern blot analyses in AT-1 cells during beating and after formation of beating sheets (BS). MATERIALS AND METHOD: AT-1 RNAs were obtained in 3 days after plating, during beating and after formation of BS, and used for Northern blot analyses. RESULTS: alpha-Cardiac myosin heavy chain expression was prominent in beating cells, as would be expected for this contractile protein isoform but ANF was decreased after beating. Gax was not expressed in cultured AT-1 cells but in AT-1 tumor and murine heart. p53 and p21 were decreased after beating which indicate transcription level of p53 and p21 correlated well in AT-1 cells. In contrast, pRB and p107 were increased after beating but p68 (2.4 kb) which arose by alternative splicing of p107 and lacks the pocket domain B was decreased in beating cells. pTCS2, murine tuberous sclerosis gene, represented similar levels during beating but a little was decreased after formation of BS. mRAD50, the murine homologue of yeast DNA recombinational repair gene RAD50, was increased in beating cells, a similar pattern to p107 and pRB. But the p50 arose by alternative splicing of mRAD50 and has 3' half of mRAD50 had unexpectedly appeared and maintained after beating. CONCLUSION: The expression of cell cycle regulatory genes after beating and formation of BS in AT-1 cells showed gene-specific pattern and the p50 which has homology to the mRAD50 may participate in differentiation of cardiomyocytes.
Alternative Splicing ; Antigens, Viral, Tumor ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; Blotting, Northern ; Cell Cycle* ; Genes, Regulator* ; Heart ; Myocytes, Cardiac* ; Myosin Heavy Chains ; Recombinational DNA Repair ; RNA ; Tuberous Sclerosis ; Yeasts

BACKGROUND: Waist circumferences are widely used to diagnosis and assessment of obesity but various standards of the measuring waist circumference originate the confusion on diagnosis and assessment of obesity. According to this, this study is willing to light up standards of measuring waist circumference what is intimate with body mass index(BMI) and have a precision of intra observer and inter observers in repeated measurements of the waist. METHODS: Measuring of waist circumference by the 4 different standards(anterior superior iliac crest(ASIC), umbilicus, above 3 cm to ASIC, the thinnest area in the waist by the range of seeing) were performed on 102 people visiting Health Promotion Center of one medical collage hospital by two observers in each 2 times, total 16 times. Each data were analyzed by the relativity between the BMI and the each means of measuring waist circumference and by ANOVA test in intra observer and inter observer bias. RESULTS: The relation between BMI and data in measuring standard of ASIC of the waist circumference is the highest. (r=0.900) and the following umbilicus(r=0.896), above 3 cm to the anterior superior iliac crest(r=0.888), the thinnest area in the waist by the range of seeing(r=0.877), It is the lowest in intra observer bias that the thinnest area in the waist by the range of seeing, and ASIC in inter observer. CONCLUSION: It is desirable that ASIC is the standard of measuring waist circumference in the diagnosis of obesity and in measuring that by different two person, because of the highest relativity in BMI and the lowest inter observers bias. But the thinnest area in the waist by the range of seeing is desirable in measuring by same person because of intra observer bias.
Anthropometry ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Body Constitution ; Body Mass Index ; Diagnosis ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Obesity ; Observer Variation ; Umbilicus ; Waist Circumference*

Tumor-draining lymph node (TDLN) lymphocytes contain immunologically sensitized to tumor but functionally deficient T cells. The 30 kDa protein antigen, a major secreted protein antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, exhibits strong T cell stimulatory effect. In this study, it examined that the feasibility of using M tuberculosis 30 kDa antigen to stimulate tumor-draining lymph node cells for the generation of specific immune effector cells. Freshly isolated TDLN lymphocytes could directly respond to the 30 kDa antigen alone and their proliferative responses were markedly augmented by stimulation with rIL-2. TDLN cells were stimulated with the 30 kDa antigen for various time intervals and examined for the induction of IFN-r and IL-4 mRNA using RT-PCR. The expression of IFN-r mRNA was greatly augmented after 1 wk, whereas IL-4 mRNA is markedly decreased after 1 wk. Cytotoxic T cell activities induced by the 30 kDa antigen was also evaluated. TDLN cells stimulated with the 30 kDa antigen alone were able to generate remarkable cytotoxic response to K562 or Daudi cell lines after 6 days of culture. And their cytotoxic effects were highly augmented by stirnulation with rIL-2. These results suggest that the 30 kDa antigen of M. tuberculosis may selectively activate Thl cells of TDLN lymhocytes and induce the cytotoxic T cell activities. In conclusion, the 30 kDa antigen can be used as a biologic response modifier in tumor immunology.
Allergy and Immunology ; Cell Line ; Interleukin-4 ; Lymph Nodes* ; Lymphocytes* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; RNA, Messenger ; T-Lymphocytes ; Th1 Cells* ; Tuberculosis

Acute pyogenic arthritis in renal transplant patient is one of the serious problem resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this paper is to analyze seven patients in whom acute pyogenic arthritis developed following renal transplantation. Pyogenic arthritis developed in seven (0.7%) out of 958 renal transplant patients whose transplanted kidney functioned well for more than two years. The age of the patients ranged from 37 to 65 years with a mean of 48 years. All patients were male. Pyogenic arthritis developed between the period of one and 12 years (mean: 4.5+/-4.2 years) following transplantation. Causative organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (three), E. coli (two), Salmonella (one) and Acinetobacter bananii (one). Involved joints were four knees, one hip, one elbow and one finger. Two patients improved on a conservative regimen of bed rest and antibiotics and five patients required open drainage. However, pyogenic arthritis recurred in three years, four years and seven years after renal transplant in one patient. Looking at the probable risk factors of age, sex, immunosuppresants, diabetics and acute graft rejection, diabetics and older age (over 40 years old) are highly associated with post renal transplant pyogenic arthritis.
Acinetobacter ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Arthritis* ; Bed Rest ; Drainage ; Elbow ; Fingers ; Graft Rejection ; Hip ; Humans ; Joints ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Knee ; Male ; Mortality ; Risk Factors ; Salmonella ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Transplantation*

The renal function is under regulatory influence of central nervous system (CNS), in which various neurotransmitter and neuromodulator systems take part. However, a possible role of central GABA-benzodiazepine system on the central regulation of renal function has not been explored. This study was undertaken to delineate the renal effects of diazepam. Diazepam, a benzodiazepine agonist, administered into a lateral ventricle (icv) of the rabbit brain in doses ranging from 10 to 100 microgram/kg, elicited dose-related diuresis and natriuresis along with improved renal hemodynamics. However, when given intravenously, 100 mug/kg diazepam did not produce any significant changes in all parameters of renal function and systemic blood pressure. Diazepam, 100 mug/kg icv, transiently decreased the renal nerve activity (RNA), which recovered after 3 min. The plasma level of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) increased 7-fold, the peak coinciding with the natriuresis and diuresis. Muscimol, a GABAergic agonist, 1.0 mug/kg given icv, elicited marked antidiuresis and antinatriuresis, accompanied by decreases in systemic blood pressure and renal hemodynamics. When icv 0.3 microgram/kg muscimol was given 3 min prior to 30 mug/kg of diazepam icv, urinary flow and Na excretion rates did not change significantly, while systemic hypotension was produced. These results indicate that icv diazepam may bring about natriuresis and diuresis by influencing the central regulation of renal function, and that the renal effects are related to the increased plasma ANP levels, not to the decreased renal nerve activity, and suggest that the effects may not be mediated by the activation of central GABAergic system.
Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; Benzodiazepines ; Blood Pressure ; Brain ; Central Nervous System ; Diazepam* ; Diuresis ; Hemodynamics ; Hypotension ; Lateral Ventricles ; Muscimol ; Natriuresis* ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Plasma ; Rabbits*

Carbamylated hemoglobin (CarHb) is formed by the reaction of hemoglobin with cyanate derived from the spontaneous dissociation of in vivo urea. Previous studies have shown that formation of CarHb depends upon both the severity and the duration of renal failure. To study the clinical significances of CarHb in Korean patients with chronic renal failure, we measured CarHb levels by high-performance liquid chromatography in 159 CRF patients and 46 normal controls. Patients with CRF had a higher CarHb concentration than normal controls (107.9+/-58.8 vs 35.1+/-14.2 microgramVH/gHb; P<0.001). In patients with CRF, nondialysis group had a higher value than dialysis group (129.8+/-77.9 vs 98.7+/-46.1 microgramVH/gHb; P<0.05). There were no siginificant difference in CarHb levels between hemodialysis (92.0+/-35.8microgramVH/gHb) and peritoneal dialysis (106.7+/-55.3microgramVH/gHb) groups. CarHb levels were not different between diabetic and nondiabetic patients in predialysis and hemodialysis groups. Although there was a significant difference in peritoneal dialysis group, the BUN levels were also lower in diabetic patients than nondiabetic patients. There were no correlation between CarHb and HbA1c percentage in patients with diabetes. CarHb levels were positively correlated with BUN (r=0.489; P<0.001) and creatinine (r=0.458; P<0.01) concentrations. There were negative correlations between CarHb and both Kt/V (r=-0.358; P<0.05) and URR (r=-0.415; P<0.05) in hemodialysis patients. In conclusion, CarHb may be a useful index of uremic control in patients with chronic renal failure, and are independent of the mode of dialysis and the presence of diabetes.
Chromatography, Liquid ; Creatinine ; Dialysis ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Urea

The presence of A-V shunting in hepatocellular carcinoma is an important factor for deciding the prognosis and in the management with transarterial chemoembolization. Twenty-four patients with hepatocellular carcinoma performed with CO2-DSA and iodinated-DSA were reviewed for the evaluation of visibility of A-V shunting. It was classified by the visibility into clearly visible, faintly visible and invisible. Also the authors evaluated neovascularity and tumor staining. And we checked side effects after the injection of CO2 gas during CO2-DSA. A-V shunting was noted in 19 cases(63%), which were clearly visible in 15 of 19 cases(79%) on CO2-DSA and in 7 of 19 cases(37%) on iodinated-DSA. In 3 cases, A-V shunting was noted only on CO2-DSA. CO2-DSA(17%)was inferior to iodinated-DSA in detection of neovasculaity and tumor staining. Side effects from CO2-DSA were abdominal pain(1 case) and chest discomfort(1 case) but improved within several minutes. In conclusion, CO2-DSA is a sensitive and effective method for the detection of A-V shunting in hepatoma.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Humans ; Methods ; Prognosis ; Thorax

Thirteen patients were operated for cubital tunnel syndrome and followed for an average of 26 months postoperatively. Ten patients had a history of relevant trauma and three patients had degenerative osteoarthritis of the elbow. The average duration of symptoms was 18 months (range, 2 to 96 months). Diagnosis was made by physical examination, electromyography and nerve conduction study. Among these, nerve conduction study was found to be the most valuable diagnostic method for the patients with atypical clinical findings. Most of the operations were performed by anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. At the most recent follow-up, the result was excellent in two patients, good in eight, and fair in three; thus ten patients(77%) showed satisfactory results. The rating system for ulnar neuropathy based on sensory, motor dysfunction and pain was useful for evaluating the operative results. The postoperative gain of score for pain and sensory function were larger than that of motor function. Factors known to influence the result of the operation (age, duration of symptom, history of trauma, method of operation) did not effect the outcome in this study. For successful operation, the ulnar nerve must be thoroughly examined, all possible levels of compression must be released and new foci of compression must be created.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ; Diagnosis ; Elbow ; Electromyography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Methods ; Neural Conduction ; Osteoarthritis ; Physical Examination ; Sensation ; Ulnar Nerve ; Ulnar Neuropathies

BACKGROUND: Hysteroscopy is considered to be the gold standard not only for visualizing the cervical canal and the uterine cavity, but also for treating many different types of benign pathologies localized to those regions. The advent and evolution of endoscopic imaging and surgery during the last two decades has added new dimensions to the armamentarium of a gynecologist to combat intrauterine lesions. Office hysteroscopy is increasingly being used as a first line investigation for abnormal uterine bleeding and other diseases involving the uterine cavity. The aim of our study is to assess the diagnostic and operative efficacy of office hysteroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our department, 140 patients underwent a hysteroscopy examination and 18 of these underwent an office based hysteroscopy examination from September 1995 to March 2005. The cases who underwent an office based hysteroscopy examination were reviewed in order to assess the clinical usefulness and significance in the management of intrauterine lesions. RESULTS: Major indication was abnormal uterine bleeding (12 cases, 66.7%). The others were a missed IUD and infertility. The hysteroscopic findings were a normal uterine cavity (6 cases, 33.3%), IUD in situ, polyp, submucosal myoma, endometrial hyperplasia and a placenta remnant. CONCLUSION: Office hysteroscopy is a safe, quick and effective method for making an intrauterine evaluation. In addition, it provides immediate results, offers the capacity of direct targeted biopsies of suspicious focal lesions, and offers the direct treatment of some intrauterine conditions.
Biopsy ; Endometrial Hyperplasia ; Female ; Humans ; Hysteroscopy* ; Infertility ; Myoma ; Pathology ; Placenta ; Polyps ; Uterine Hemorrhage