To delineate the coronary anatomy and left ventricular function during early myocardial infarction, coronary arteriography and left ventriculogrphy were performed, prospectively in 23(22%) of 105 patients who were admitted to the coronary care unit at Masan Koryo Hospital from June 1986 to June 1988 within 4 weeks after the onset of symptoms(medium:21 days, range:18 days to 25 days). 1) Among 23 patients, male is 20 patients and female is 3 patients. The ratio of male to female was 6.6:1. The mean age was 55.4+/-10.3 years(range:34-77 years). 2) Coronary artery narrowing state which related to myocardial infarction was as follows; 2 patients(7%) had normal, 1 patients(4%) had insignificant narrowing(below 50%) 5 patients(22%) had moderate narrowing(50-75%), 10 patients(43%) had severe narrowing(75-99%), 5 patients(22%) had complete occlusion(100%). 3) The range of coronary artery disease was as follows; 9 patients had one vessel disease, 10 patients had two vessel disease, 1 patients had three vessel disease, and ejection fraction had no significant difference among 3 groups but lowest in three vessel disease. Among 23 patients, 13 patients had anterior infarction, 10 patients had inferior infarction. 4) Left ventricular ejection fraction and multiple vessel disease had no significant difference between i) the young(under 45 years old) and the old(over 45 years old) age groups, ii) presence or non presence of previous angina, iii) Killip classification I, II and III, IV) anterior infarction and inferior infarction. 5) In left ventriculography, akinesis and dyskinesis were shown at similar ratio in anterior infarction and inferior infaraction. Dyskinesis was shown in 27% of patients who have 0-1 vessel disease, 50% of patients who have 2-3 vessel disease, 62% of patients who have collateral circulation, 26% of patients who dose not have collateral circulation. 6) Collateral circulation was found in 8 patients(35%). Age and left ventricular ejection fraction were high in patients without collateral circulation than with collateral circulation, but there is no significant difference and collateral circulation exists regardless of infarction site and range of coronary artery disease. 7) As for the complication of angiocardiography in this study, there was ventricular tachycardia in 3 patients(13%) without mortality. It is concluded that coronary arteriography can be safely performed in early stage after acute myocardial infarction. Also good prognosis is anticipated since three vessel disease and complete occlusion were low in acute myocardiaol infarction of Korean People. Since these are not much case performed study, however more study on this area is required.
Angiocardiography ; Angiography* ; Classification ; Collateral Circulation ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Care Units ; Coronary Vessels ; Female ; Humans ; Infarction ; Male ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Stroke Volume ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Ventricular Function, Left

Livedo vasculitis is thought to be a thrombogenic disorder that is related to the autoimmune disease. It clinically shows purplish mottling and recurrent painful ulcers in the lower extremities, leaving atrophie blanche after healing of the ulcers. Histopathologic finding are thrombotic occlusion in the mid-dermal vessels without necrotizing vasculitis. The therapeutic approach has largely been made by the use of drugs that stimulate endogenous fibrinolytic activitiy, that inhibit thrombus formation, or that cause vasodilation, but surgical intervention by excision and skin graftion has rarely been reported as a primary treatment.In our experience, two patients with livedo vasculitis, who had been unresponsive to various medications, were treated with wide excision and several times of skin grafting. And they experienced complete healing without recurrence.
Autoimmune Diseases ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Skin Transplantation ; Thrombosis ; Ulcer ; Vasculitis* ; Vasodilation

Broussonetia papyrifera and Lonicera japonica have long been used in the treatment of inflammatory disorders in Chinese medicine, especially respiratory inflammation. Previously, a new phytoformula (BL) containing B. papyrifera and L. japonica was found to exert strong anti-inflammatory activity against several animal models of inflammation, especially against an animal model of acute bronchitis. In the present investigation, the effects of BL on animal models of septic inflammation and chronic bronchitis are examined. Against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic inflammation in mice, BL (200-400 mg/kg) reduced the induction of some important proinflammatory cytokines. At 1 h after LPS treatment, BL was found to considerably inhibit TNF-alpha production when measured by cytokine array. At 3 h after LPS treatment, BL inhibited the induction of several proinflammatory cytokines, including IFN-gamma and IL-1beta, although dexamethasone, which was used as a reference, showed a higher inhibitory action on these biomarkers. Against chronic bronchitis induced by LPS/elastase instillation in rats for 4 weeks, BL (200-400 mg/kg/day) significantly inhibited cell recruitment in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Furthermore, BL considerably reduced lung injury, as revealed by histological observation. Taken together, these results indicate that BL may have a potential to treat systemic septic inflammation as well as chronic bronchitis.
Animals ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biomarkers ; Bronchitis ; Bronchitis, Chronic* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Broussonetia* ; Cytokines ; Dexamethasone ; Humans ; Inflammation* ; Lonicera* ; Lung Injury ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Rats ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a benign, normolipaemic, self-healing condition and a type of histiocytosis that occurs most frequently in infants and children, although adults may also be affected. This condition usually presents with a solitary or multiple cutaneous lesions and occasionally with extracutaneous lesions, especially the eye, lung, liver, kidney and pericardium. Histologically, JXG represents an accumulation of histiocytes lacking Birbeck granules (non-Langerhans cell), which can be differentiated from the Langerhans cells by specific staining techniques. The lesions may be excised for diagnostic, cosmetic or symptomatic reasons. We report a case of juvenile xanthogranuloma that occurred in the nasal cavity and testis for the first time.
Adult ; Child ; Histiocytes ; Histiocytosis ; Humans ; Infant ; Kidney ; Langerhans Cells ; Liver ; Lung ; Nasal Cavity* ; Pericardium ; Testis* ; Xanthogranuloma, Juvenile*

Schwannoma or neurilemmoma is a benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor that arises from Schwann cells. Approximately 25–45% of all schwannomas occur in the head and neck regions, and the intraoral presentation of these is only 1%. We report a rare case of a patient presenting tongue base schwannoma with characteristic imaging features on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Head ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neck ; Nerve Sheath Neoplasms ; Neurilemmoma ; Peripheral Nerves ; Schwann Cells ; Tongue

Purpose: Corosolic acid (CA), also known as 2α-hydroxyursolic acid, is present in numerous plants, and is reported to exhibit anti-cancer and anti-proliferative activities in various cancer cells such as osteosarcoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, and colon cancer. However, the anti-cancer activity of CA on human breast cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the anticancer effects of CA in the human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. Methods: Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptosis marker protein expression, migration, invasion rate, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were assessed by treating MDA-MB-231 cells to increasing concentrations of CA. Results: The results showed that CA significantly inhibited the cell proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner. To assess the effect of CA on apoptosis, nuclei of MDA-MB-231 cells were stained with DAPI solution. Chromatin condensation, which indicates apoptosis, was observed to increase dose-dependently. In addition, western-blot analysis revealed elevated levels of the apoptosis marker proteins (Bax and cleaved caspase 3) subsequent to MDA-MB-231 exposure to CA. ROS production was also increased in the CA-induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 treated cells. Interestingly, CA exposure resulted in significantly decreased migration and invasion rates in the MDA-MB-231 cells. Data further revealed that exposure to CA markedly decreased the VEGF concentration, thereby contributing to a reduction in angiogenesis. Conclusion Our results determined that exposure to CA induces anti-proliferation, apoptosis, and ROS production, and suppresses cell migration and invasion rate in MDA-MB-231 cells. Taken together, these results indicate the potential of CA to be applied as an effective chemotherapeutic agent for treating breast cancer.

Growth factors are polypeptide molecules that regulate cell growth and function by binding with high affinity to specific receptor molecules in the plasma membrane and stimulating receptor mediated action of intracellular signal transduction pathway.Epidermal growth factor(EGF) and their receptors(EGFR) regulate normal cellular growth, proliferation, and differentiation of various cells in vivo and in tissue cultures. And also may contribute directly to oncogenesis.Overexpression of EGFR and autocrine stimulation of growth involving this receptor system has been identified in several types of human neoplasia. There is evidence that the EGF and receptor system is involved in the regulation of follicular cell growth in the thyroid gland especially with immunohistochemical technic. But there was a challenge about the validity of previously performed immunohistochemical studies.In the study we investigated the relationship between EGFR mRNA expression and tumorigenesis by rapid in situ hybridization method. Formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissue sections of 10 normal, 17 nodular hyperplasia, 6 follicular adenoma, and 15 papillary cancer were examined. The results were as follows:1) EGFR mRNA positivity were 20%(2/10) in normal thyroid, 70%(12/17) in nodular hyperplasia, and 100% in follicular adenoma and papillary cancer.2) There was a significantly increased EGFR mRNA expression in papillary cancer compare to normal and nodular hyperplasia(p<0.05). But no difference was found with papillary cancer and follicular adenoma.3) There was a significantly increased EGFR mRNA expression in follicular adenoma compare to normal (p<0.05). But no difference was found with follicular adenoma and nodular hyperplasia. These results suggest that an overexpression of EGFR mRNA may play an important role in the tumorigenesis of thyroid tissue.
Adenoma ; Carcinogenesis ; Cell Membrane ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; In Situ Hybridization ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Methods ; Paraffin ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; RNA, Messenger ; Signal Transduction ; Thyroid Gland

A lymphatic cyst of the stomach is rare benign tumor which is composed of thin-walled lymphatic space lined by benign-appearing endothelial cells. It rarely manifests clinical symptoms, so it is found incidentally in most cases. Recently, a case of submucosal lymphatic cyst associated with early gastric cancer was experienced. An endoscopy revealed a slightly elevated, edematous lesion adjacent to the malignant ulcer. This case is herein reported with a brief review of related literature.
Endoscopy ; Endothelial Cells ; Lymphocele* ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND: While many studies have shown the good efficacy and safety of exenatide in patients with diabetes, limited information is available about exenatide in clinical practice in Korean populations. Therefore, this retrospective cohort study was designed to analyze the effects of exenatide on blood glucose level and body weight in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: We reviewed the records of the patients with diabetes who visited Seoul St. Mary's Hospital and for whom exenatide was prescribed from June 2009 to October 2011. After excluding subjects based on their race/ethnicity, medical history, whether or not they changed more than 2 kinds of oral hypoglycemic agents with exenatide treatment, loss to follow-up, or whether they stopped exenatide therapy within 6 months, a total of 52 subjects were included in the final analysis. RESULTS: The mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level and weight remarkably decreased from 8.5+/-1.7% to 6.7+/-1.0% (P<0.001) and from 82.3+/-15.8 kg to 78.6+/-16.3 kg (P<0.001), respectively. The multiple regression analysis indicated that the reduction in HbA1c level was significantly associated with a shorter duration of diabetes, a higher baseline HbA1c level, and greater weight reduction, whereas weight loss had no significant correlation with other factors. No severe adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a 6-month exenatide injection therapy significantly improved patients' HbA1c levels and body weights without causing serious adverse effects in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes.
Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Cohort Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; Peptides ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Venoms ; Weight Loss

PURPOSE: To describe chest radiographic and CT findings of silicosis, and to compare their findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten coal miners and six stonemasons were included in this study. All were male and their mean age was 53.1. The mean duration of dust exposure was 15.2 years(range, 5-30 years) in coal miners and 25.3years(range, 15|35 years) in stonemasons. Chest radiographs(n=16), conventional CT scans(n=4), and high resolutionCT(HRCT) scans(n=13) were evaluated. Parenchymal abnormalities were interpreted on the basis of ILO standardfilms(1980) in chest radiographs and on the basis of CAP(College of American Pathologists, 1979) in CT(HRCT)films. RESULTS: Chest radiographs revealed large opacities(n=8), small opacities(n=6), and normal findings(n=2).Type r(n=4) and category 1/1(n=2) were most common for small opacities, while for large opacities, category B(n=4) and category c(n=4) were most common. These small and large opacities were located predominantly in the area of the upper and middle lung. Associated findings were emphysema(n=7), eggshell nodal calcifications(n=3), pneumothorax(n=3), C-P angle blunting(n=4), and pleural thickening(n=1). CT scans revealed micronodules(n=16), nodules(n=3), and progressive massive fibrosis(PMF, n=8). All these lesions were located in the upper and middlelungs, especially in the central portion of the posterior lung. PMF showed diffuse and homogenous(n=3) andpuntate(n=2) calcifications, cavitations(n=5), air bronchograms(n=3), and necrosis(n=1). Peripheral paracicatricalemphysema was associated with PMF(n=8). Other findings were pneumothorax(n=4), emphysema(n=10), hilar andmediastinal nodal enlargement(n=11), bronchial wall thick-enings(n=6), bronchiectasis(n=1), pleuralthickening(n=7), parenchymal fibrosis(n=1), and pulmonary tuberculosis(n=2). CONCLUSION: Small and large opacities in chest radiographs and micronodules, nodules, and PMFs in CT(HRCT) films were located predominately inthe upper and middle lungs, especially in the central portion of the posterior lung in CT films. CT was superiorto plain chest radiographs in the following ways : (1) in the early detection of small opacities, including subpleural micronodules, and in the precise evaluation of their concentration and topography ; (2) in the detection of cavitation or calcification within conglomerate large opacity lesions ; (3) in the detection of hilarand mediastinal nodal enlargements ; and (4) in quantitative assessment of the severity of emphysema.
Coal ; Dust ; Emphysema ; Humans ; Lung ; Male ; Pneumoconiosis ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Silicosis* ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed