This study was undertaken to document the effect of transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-beta2(TGF-beta2) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the proliferation of pig retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE). Whereas bFGF increased the proliferation, TGF-beta2 showed the inhibitory effect on the proliferation The inhibitory effect of TGF-beta2 disappeared in RPE subcultured with 10ng/ml of bFGF. Both TGF-beta2- and bFGF-specific antisense oligonucleotides blocked the autocrine effect of the growth factors. PLC-71 -specific antisense oligonucleotide inhibited the effect of TGF-beta2 and bFGF. Genistein inhibited the effect of TGF-beta2 and bFGF in dose-dependent man, ner. The data suggest the involvement. of in PLC-/1 and tyrosine kinase in signalling.
Epithelial Cells* ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; Genistein ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Retinaldehyde* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta2*

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of 2% dorzolamide(Trusopt(R)) on the ocular blood flow and retinal microcirculation. To creat an experimental glaucoma model in rabbits and to study the effects of elevated intraocular pressure(IOP), ocular blood flow, retinal effects of elevated intraocular pressure(IOp), ocular blood flow, retinal microcirculation on rabbits eyes, we treated trabecular meshwork of 6 adult pigmented rabbits with Q-switched Nd;YAG laser. And then we investigated the IOP lowering effect, ocular blood flow, and the microcirculation on retina of 2% dorzolamide(Trusopt(R)) in experimental glaucoma model. The IOP, ocular blood flow and the microcirculation were measured with applanation pneumotonography(Alcon, Texas), pneumotonometric probe linked to Langham ocular blood foow system(OBF, Blue mountain) and Heidelberg Retina Flowmeter(HRF). During sustained IOP elevation, 2% dorzolamide(Trusopt(R)) was instilled in one eye and normal saline in the fellow eye. The IOP and ocular blood flow were measured 1, 2, 4 and 8 hours after instillation. The retinal microcirculation was measured 2 and 8 hours after instillation. The retinal microcirculation was measured 2 and 8 hours after instillation at 200micrometer apart from the superior optic disc margin. There were statistically significant reductions in IOP in both 2% dorzolamide(Trusopt(R)) and normal saline-treated eyes(P<0.05). Maximal reduction of IOP was observed 2 hours after single-drop of 2% dorzolamide(Trusopt(R)), with significant reduction of IOP up to 4 hours duration(P<0.05) There was no statistically significant incrsment in ocular blood for even though incrsment was observed 2 hours after single-drop of 2% dorzolamide(Trusopt). There were no change in volume, flow and velocity of blood flow in the peripapillary retina after single-drop of 2% dorzolamide(Trusopt(R))(P>0/1). From the above results, we concluded that 2% dorzolamide(Trusopt(R)) reduced the IOP but did not alter ocular blood flow and peripapillary retinal microcirculation.
Adult ; Glaucoma* ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Microcirculation ; Rabbits* ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde ; Trabecular Meshwork

Lung cancer is the most common fatal malignant lesion in both sexes. Detection of the solitary pulmonary nodule is important because surgical series up to a third of solitary pulmonary nodules are bronchogenic carcinoma. Bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma is a rare primary lung cancer and surgery is treatment of choice in brochioloalveolar cell carcinoma. We experienced a case of broschioloalveolar cell carcinoma in solitary pulmonary nodule with cavitary lesion in chest CT scan, which is an uncommon finding in brochioloalveolar cell carcinoma.
Carcinoma, Bronchogenic ; Lung Neoplasms ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The effects of topical Betoptic(R) 0.5% and Mikelan(R) 2% on the ophthalmic artery blood pressure and perfusion pressure were investigated in 30 healthy subjects using ophthalmodynamometer and Goldmann applanation tonometer. The subjects were divided into two groups and each has 15 healthy subjects. In a randomized, double-blind study, one eye of each subject received one drop of Betoptic(R) 0.5% or Mikelan(R) 2%, and fellow eye was received a drop of placebo. Diastolic ophthalmic artery blood pressure (OABPd), systolic artery blood pressure (OPBPs), and intraocular pressure (lOP) were measured just before and 2 hours after the instillation of the drugs. Mean ophthalmic arery blood pressure (OABPm) was calculated as OABPm = OABPd + 1/3 (OABPs - OABPd) and the perfusion pressure (PP) was calculated as PP = OABPm - lOP. The perfusion pressure (pp) was Betoptic(R)-treated group was increased by 9%, and that of Mikelan(R)-treated group was increased by 13%, these increasement were statistically significant (Both group P<0.01).
Arteries ; Blood Pressure ; Double-Blind Method ; Intraocular Pressure ; Ophthalmic Artery ; Perfusion*

The incidence of traumatic rupture of the tracheobronchial tree has been increased considerably with advent of widespread mechanization and high speed era. Rupture of the bronchus is an unusual result of nonpenetrating trauma to chest. Early diagnosis and primary repair not only restore normal lung function but also avoid difficulties and complications associated with delayed diagnosis and repair. These complications are pneumonia, atelectasis and lung abscess secondary to the bronchial obtruction. We experienced a case of partial rupture on left main bronchus caused by nonpenetrating blunt chest trauma with rib fractures 1 year ago. He was suffered from progressively developing dyspnea on exercise and treated as bronchial asthma at other hospital. Bronchoscopic finding was the narrowed lumen of left main bronchus at 1cm from carina by web-like membrane. We confirmed by bronchogram and repaired by end to end anastomosis, which is rare delayed finding in bronchial rupture without pulmonary complications. We report a case of nonpenetrating traumatic bronchial rupture, manifested by bronchial web in bronchoscopy.
Asthma ; Bronchi ; Bronchoscopy* ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Early Diagnosis ; Incidence ; Lung ; Lung Abscess ; Membranes ; Pneumonia ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Rib Fractures ; Rupture* ; Thorax* ; Trees

Dermatomyositis is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic muscle inflammation that results in specific dermatological signs and decreased muscle strength. It is known to have a strong association with malignancy. Most neuroendocrine tumors arise from the gastrointestinal tract, with less than 1% of cases occurring at the ampulla of Vater. While cases of dermatomyositis associated with neuroendocrine tumors have been reported internationally, to date there have been no cases reported in Korea. This case report presents a 33-year-old male who had undergone pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for a neuroendocrine tumor located at the ampulla of Vater, and had been followed at the hospital after his procedure. Three years post-surgery, the patient developed serious muscle weakness in his upper-right and lower-left extremities, and was subsequently diagnosed with dermatomyositis. This paper presents the first domestic case of dermatomyositis developing in the context of a neuroendocrine tumor at the ampulla of Vater. A literature review on this subject follows in the discussion.
Adult ; Ampulla of Vater* ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Dermatomyositis* ; Extremities ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Male ; Muscle Strength ; Muscle Weakness ; Neuroendocrine Tumors* ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Traumatic aortic transection after blunt chest injury is highly lethal and has high operative mortality. Recently, the diagnostic and therapeutic method of this injury is advanced, especially in spinal cord protection during aortic cross-clamping. We have experienced two cases of traumatic aortic transection with left hemothorax after blunt chest injury, which was diagnosed in operative field. The transected aorta was primarily repaired with clamp and sew method and postoperative paraplegia had not occured. The patients were dischraged without any significant complications. We report these cases with a review of literature.
Aorta ; Hemothorax ; Humans ; Mortality ; Paraplegia ; Spinal Cord ; Thoracic Injuries

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The recurrence rate of patients with Graves' disease (GD) is estimated to be 50-55% after withdrawal of antithyroid drug therapy, and relapse is frequent in the first year after discontinuing the medication. Follow-up examination of these patients frequently reveals laboratory findings consistent with subclinical thyrotoxicosis in the first year after stopping the antithyroid agents. We investigated the risk of recurrence of GD among patients with resurfacing subclinical thyrotoxicosis state after remission of initial GD with antithyroid treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the patients diagnosed with GD who visited the Department of Endocrinology at two tertiary medical centers: Wonju Severance Christian Hospital and Gangneung Asan Hospital. We enrolled patients whose GD was completely treated after initial treatment with antithyroid agents who then developed subclinical thyrotoxicosis after discontinuation of antithyroid agents. RESULTS: We reviewed a total of 44 patients (29 females, 15 males; age, 48.93±18.04; range, 17-85 years). The recurrence rate was 27.3% (12/44 patients), and recurrence occurred 3 months to 12 months later resurfacing of subclinical thyrotoxicosis. Patients with recurred GD was significantly older than non-recurred patients (44.63±17.75 years vs. 58.58±15.48 years, p=0.02). Other clinical parameters measured at the time of initial diagnosis were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The recurrence rate of GD in patients with resurfacing subclinical thyrotoxicosis after initial remission of the disease was less than 30%. A close monitoring is recommended in these subgroup patients, especially in older patients.
Antithyroid Agents* ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Endocrinology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gangwon-do ; Graves Disease* ; Humans ; Male ; Recurrence* ; Thyrotoxicosis*

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a medically fatal condition in poorly controlled hyperglycemia or newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus. Severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is an uncommon complication of DKA and can be associated with acute pancreatitis (AP). We present the clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and management of AP associated with HTG in a 14-year-old girl with DKA. The patient, with a 7-year history of type 2 diabetes presented with epigastric pain, 1 month after stopping insulin injection. DKA, severe HTG, and AP were diagnosed based on the laboratory and imaging tests. She recovered from DKA after conventional treatment for DKA, and her triglyceride (TG) level was reduced from 10,867 mg/dL to the normal range after 7 days of admission without antilipid medication. Given that her C-peptide level was not too low and considering her negative diabetes-related antibodies and high TG level, targeted gene panel sequencing was performed on the genes associated with diabetes and HTG. We identified a heterozygous mutation, c.4607C>T (p. Ala1537Val), in ABCC8 related to maturityonset diabetes of the young (MODY) 12. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of HTG-induced AP with DKA in a patient with MODY. In addition, we reviewed the literature for pediatric cases of HTG with DKA. In patients with DKA, timely awareness of severe HTG related to insulin deficiency is crucial for improving the consequences of AP. We recommend considering AP in all DKA patients presenting with severe HTG to ensure early and proper management.

Background: s/Aims: The enhancing capsule (EC) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis has received varying degrees of recognition across major guidelines. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic utility of EC in HCC detection. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent pre-surgical computed tomography (CT) and hepatobiliary agent-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (HBA-MRI) between January 2016 and December 2019. A single hepatic tumor was confirmed based on the pathology of each patient. Three radiologists independently reviewed the images according to the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) v2018 criteria and reached a consensus. Interobserver agreement for EC before reaching a consensus was quantified using Fleiss κ statistics. The impact of EC on the LI-RADS classification was assessed by comparing the positive predictive values for HCC detection in the presence and absence of EC. Results: In total, 237 patients (median age, 60 years; 184 men) with 237 observations were included. The interobserver agreement for EC detection was notably low for CT (κ=0.169) and HBA-MRI (κ=0.138). The presence of EC did not significantly alter the positive predictive value for HCC detection in LI-RADS category 5 observations on CT (94.1% [80/85] vs. 94.6% [88/93], P=0.886) or HBAMRI (95.7% [88/92] vs. 90.6% [77/85], P=0.178). Conclusions The diagnostic value of EC in HCC diagnosis remains questionable, given its poor interobserver agreement and negligible impact on positive predictive values for HCC detection. This study challenges the emphasis on EC in certain diagnostic guidelines and suggests the need to re-evaluate its role in HCC imaging.