We report the results of field operation of TELEACE system between Kyung-Pook National University Hospital and Ul-Jin Goon Health Care Medical Center from December, 1990 to September, 1991, which had been operated as a kind of Integrated Services Digital Nework projects by KOREA TELECOMMUNICATION Inc. Ul-Jin Goon Health Care Medical Center transmitted 414 plain radiographs to our hospital in speed of 9600BPS. Each image was composed of 1024X1024 pixelsX8 bits/pixel. In our hospital, the image files were displayed on high resolution monitor (1280×1024 pixets). Text files of image interpretations were transmitted to the health care medical center. The two radiologists who had interpreted the transmitted images, went to the health care medical center and read radiographic film with blind test method. We obtained the following results: false negative rate of 6.3%, false postitve rate of 2.4%, mean sensitivity of 81.4%, mean specificity of 96.3%, and mean accuracy of 91.3%. In predictive value of 0.05, there was no significant difference between results of these two types of radiographs. In conclusion, TELEACE system was valuable to the clinicians isolated from services of radiologists.
Delivery of Health Care ; Korea ; Methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Telecommunications ; X-Ray Film

The occurrence of the small intestinal adenocarcinoma is infrequent and the primary adenocarcinoma of the jejunum is rare. The survival of adenocarcinoma of the small bowel does not improve over the past three decades. Although symptoms appeared to be of long duration, most patients were diagnosed with advanced disease. All reports agree that these tumors are difficult to achieve good examination of the small bowel by both clinician and radiologist, so it cause a significant delay in diagnosis. The survival of these tumors appear to correlate with stage at presentation, and therefore early and aggressive diagnostic intervention seems to improve the outlook. We report a case of primary jejunal adenocarcinoma assoeiated with iron deficiency anemia with literatures review.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Jejunum

It is well known that nitric oxide (NO) mediates smooth muscle relaxation via an increase in cyclic GMP (cGMP) 1evels. Acetylcholine (ACh) and nitroprusside (SNP) are known to mediate relaxation of cavernous smooth muscle via increasing the levels of NO. In recent years, the role of K+ channels in the hyperpolarization induced by nitrates and ACh in smooth muscle have been investigated. In this study, we attempted to characterize the role of K+ channel in rabbit cavernous smooth muscle relaxation by ACh and SNP under organ bath. Changes in isometric tension of corporal strips were monitored. The results were as follows; 1. The relaxant effects of ACh and SNP on contracted smooth muscle induced by 80 mM K' were less than those by phenylephrine. The ACh-induced relaxation was almost abolished in rabbit cavernous smooth muscle which endothelium was denuded, but the that of SNP was not affected by removal of endothelium. 2. Ng-nitro-L-arginine(L-NOARG) (3x0.00001M) and methylene blue (3x0.00001M) significantly inhibited the relaxant effect of ACh in cavernous smooth muscle, but that of SNP was not influenced by these drugs. The inhibition of L-NOARG on the relaxant effect of Ach was reversed by the addition of L-arginine(3x0.0001M). 3. Charybdotoxin (ChTx, 0.0000001M), significantly inhibited the relaxant effects of ACh,SNP and 8-Br-cGMP, but glibenclamide (0.00001M) and apamin (0.00001M) did not influence those of ACh and SNP 4. ACh (0.0001M} and SNP (0.0001M) increased the tissue content of cGMP The effect of ACh on the tissue content of cGMP was significantly affected by L-NOARG (3x0.00001M) and methylene blue (3x0.0000lM), but that of SNP was not influenced by these drugs. ChTx (0.000000lM) did not attenuate the accumulation of cGMP induced by ACh and SNP. Above results suggest that the relaxing effect of Ach and SNP on the isolated rabbit cavernous smooth muscle is associated with an increase in the tissue content of cGMP. Furthermore, ChTx sensitive-K+ channel-mediated hyperpolarization by increased cGMP may play a part in the relaxation of rabbit cavernous smooth muscle by ACh and SNP
Acetylcholine* ; Apamin ; Baths ; Charybdotoxin ; Cyclic GMP ; Endothelium ; Glyburide ; Methylene Blue ; Muscle, Smooth* ; Nitrates ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitroprusside* ; Phenylephrine ; Relaxation*

BACKGROUND: we have evaluated the association of age, smoking, type of anesthesia, type of operation, duration of surgery, previous history of chronic pulmonary diseases with postoperative pulmonary complications and identified which parameter of preoperative spirometry was a predictor of postoperative pulmonary complications. METHOD: In 270 patients older than 60 years, the postoperative pulmonary complications were evaluated according to age, smoking, type of anesthesia, type of operation, duration of surgery, previous history of chronic pulmonary diseases and the parameters of preoperative spirometry were analyzed. RESULTS: The postoperative pulmonary complications rates were significant higher among patients older than 70 years, and among those with previous chronic pulmonary diseases or their smoking history. The pulmonary complications were increased among patients with general anesthesia or duration of surgery more than 2 hours. The pulmonary complications rates did not differ according to sex, type of operation. The patients with hypercarbia(PaCO2> 45mmHg) have more increased postoperative complications. The preoperative FEVl less than 1 liter, FVC, MMEFR & MVV less than 50% of predicted respectively were predictive of complications. CONCLUSION: Age 70, history of smoking,duration of operation more than 2 hours, general anesthesia, previous chronic pulmonary disease and hypercarbia (> or=45mmHg) on preoperative arterial blood gas analysis were predictivd of pulmonary complications. Among the parameters of spirometry, FEV1, FVC, MMEFR and MVV were indicator of predicting postoperative pulmonary complications.
Aged* ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Postoperative Complications ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spirometry

PURPOSE: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare but highly aggressive neoplasm with a dismal prognosis. However, a few patients survive for a long time after treatment. We tried to identify prognostic factors of this disease and analyzed treatment outcomes in patients with ATC. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 15 patients diagnosed with ATC in our institution between 1988 and 2003. The survival was compared by the Kaplan-Meier logrank test using SPSS program. RESULTS: The female-to-male ratio was 1.5:1 (9 women and 6 men), and the mean age at diagnosis was 63.9 years (range, 44~91). The mean tumor size was 6.3 cm (range, 4~10 cm). Extrathyroidal invasion was present in 12 cases and distant metastasis at diagnosis was present in 6 cases. Surgery was performed in 8 cases. Radiotherapy was used for 10 cases and chemotherapy for 5 cases. The mean overall survival time of the 15 patients was 237 days (range, 28~717 days). The 6~, 12~, 18~ and 24~ month survival rates were 33%, 26%, 13% and 0%. No association was found between survival and presenting symptoms, age, gender, tumor size, previous goiter history, extrathyroidal invasion, distant metastasis, surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. A significantly better outcome was observed in patients received triple modality treatment (surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy) than in those received single or dual modality treatment (P=0.05). CONCLUSION: Although most patients with ATC had a poor prognosis, a multimodal approach including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, might improve survival.
Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Goiter ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy ; Survival Rate ; Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic*

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare disease which arises from the mesothelial lining cells in the peritoneum and spreads to the peritoneal wall, omentum and other abdomina1 organs. Aabestos is one etiologic factor and the other factors are genetic cause, radiation, exposure to toxic materials and recurrent yeritonitis. We experienced a case of multiple small nodular peritoneal mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos for over 20 years. He was a sailor and had worked in the engine department of the ship, in which he wrapped up the pipe of engine in asbestos. This person came to our hospital because of inconvenience due to a distended abdomen. Tumor markers were all within normal limits and there was no evidence of tuberculosis in the abdomen and chest. The CT findings of the abdomen were as follows: There was abundant ascites in the abdominal cavity and multiple small nodules on the parietal peritoneum and especially on the lower abdomen. The omentum thickened diffusely. It was difficult to distinguish from peritoneal mesothelioma and peritoneal carcinomatosis or intestinal tuberculosis. The laparoscopic findings were as follows: There were multiple small nodules on the parietal peritoneum and omentum. The small nodules were a gray white color and uneven compared to tuberculous peritonitis. Therefore, we observed the malignant mesothelial cells by means of the light microscope and electron microscope and concluded that this case was peritoneal mesothelioma.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Cavity ; Asbestos ; Ascites ; Carcinoma ; Humans ; Mesothelioma* ; Military Personnel ; Omentum ; Peritoneum ; Peritonitis, Tuberculous ; Rare Diseases ; Ships ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis ; Biomarkers, Tumor

Rotor syndrome is a rare benign familial disorder characterized by chronic, fluctuating, nonhemolytic and predominantly conjugated hyperbilirubinemia with normal liver tissue. In contrast to Dubin-Johnson syndrome, there is no liver hyperpigmentation in Rotor syndrome, and BSP clearance does not show a secondary retention peak. The serum bilirubin in patients with Gilbert's syndrome is almost all unconjugated in contrast to Rotor syndrome. A 29-year-old male was admitted due to persistent jaundice. Physical examination revealed icteric sclera without hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory findings showed increased serum bilirubin with indirect bilirubin predominance. Urinary excretion of total coproporphyrin was markedly elevated, and coproporphyrin I was 66% of total urinary coproporphyrin. Oral cholecystography showed well visualized the gallbladder, but 99mTc-DISIDA scan showed markedly decreased hepatic uptake and poor visualization of the gallbladder and biliary tract. Histology of the liver showed no abnormal finding. We report the case with the review of literature.
Adult ; Biliary Tract ; Bilirubin ; Cholecystography ; Gallbladder ; Gilbert Disease ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Hyperbilirubinemia, Hereditary* ; Hyperpigmentation ; Jaundice ; Jaundice, Chronic Idiopathic ; Liver ; Lymphoma ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Sclera ; Skin Neoplasms ; Survival Rate ; Technetium Tc 99m Disofenin

Myelinated Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system express the p75 nerve growth factor receptor (p75NGFR) as a consequence of Schwann cell dedifferentiation during Wallerian degeneration. p75NGFR has been implicated in the remyelination of regenerating nerves. Although many studies have shown various mechanisms underlying Schwann cell dedifferentiation, the molecular mechanism contributing to the re-expression of p75NGFR in differentiated Schwann cells is largely unknown. In the present study, we found that lysosomes were transiently activated in Schwann cells after nerve injury and that the inhibition of lysosomal activation by chloroquine or lysosomal acidification inhibitors prevented p75NGFR expression at the mRNA transcriptional level in an ex vivo Wallerian degeneration model. Lysosomal acidification inhibitors suppressed demyelination, but not axonal degeneration, thereby suggesting that demyelination mediated by lysosomes may be an important signal for inducing p75NGFR expression. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been suggested to be involved in regulating p75NGFR expression in Schwann cells. In this study, we found that removing TNF-alpha in vivo did not significantly suppress the induction of both lysosomes and p75NGFR. Thus, these findings suggest that lysosomal activation is tightly correlated with the induction of p75NGFR in demyelinating Schwann cells during Wallerian degeneration.
Axons ; Cell Dedifferentiation ; Chloroquine ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Lysosomes ; Myelin Sheath ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Peripheral Nervous System ; RNA, Messenger ; Schwann Cells ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Wallerian Degeneration

In vivo electroporation has emerged as a leading technology for developing nonviral gene therapies, and the various technical parameters governing electroporation efficiency have been optimized by both theoretical and experimental analysis. However, most electroporation parameters focused on the electric conditions and the preferred vehicle for plasmid DNA injections has been normal saline. We hypothesized that salts in vehicle for plasmid DNA must affect the efficiency of DNA transfer because cations would alter ionic atmosphere, ionic strength, and conductivity of their medium. Here, we show that half saline (71 mM) is an optimal vehicle for in vivo electroporation of naked DNA in skeletal muscle. With various salt concentrations, two reporter genes, luciferase and beta-galactosidase were injected intramuscularly under our optimal electric condition (125 V/cm, 4 pulses x 2 times, 50 ms, 1 Hz). Exact salt concentrations of DNA vehicle were measured by the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) and the conductivity change in the tissue induced by the salt in the medium was measured by Low-Frequency (LF) Impedance Analyzer. Luciferase expression in-creased as cation concentration of vehicle dec-reased and this result can be visualized by X-Gal staining. However, at lower salt concentration, transfection efficiency was diminished because the hypoosmotic stress and electrical injury by low conductivity induced myofiber damage. At optimal salt concentration (71 mM), we observed a 3-fold average increase in luciferase expression in comparison with the normal saline condition (p < 0.01). These results provide a valuable experimental parameter for in vivo gene therapy mediated by electroporation.
Animals ; Comparative Study ; DNA/*administration & dosage/metabolism ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Electric Conductivity ; Electroporation/methods ; Escherichia coli/genetics ; Female ; Gene Therapy/*methods ; *Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genes, Reporter ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Luciferase/metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Muscle, Skeletal/drug effects/*metabolism/pathology ; Osmolar Concentration ; Plasmids/genetics/*metabolism ; Sodium Chloride/*pharmacology ; Transfection ; Vehicles/*administration & dosage ; beta-Galactosidase/metabolism

In vivo electroporation has emerged as a leading technology for developing nonviral gene therapies, and the various technical parameters governing electroporation efficiency have been optimized by both theoretical and experimental analysis. However, most electroporation parameters focused on the electric conditions and the preferred vehicle for plasmid DNA injections has been normal saline. We hypothesized that salts in vehicle for plasmid DNA must affect the efficiency of DNA transfer because cations would alter ionic atmosphere, ionic strength, and conductivity of their medium. Here, we show that half saline (71 mM) is an optimal vehicle for in vivo electroporation of naked DNA in skeletal muscle. With various salt concentrations, two reporter genes, luciferase and beta-galactosidase were injected intramuscularly under our optimal electric condition (125 V/cm, 4 pulses x 2 times, 50 ms, 1 Hz). Exact salt concentrations of DNA vehicle were measured by the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) and the conductivity change in the tissue induced by the salt in the medium was measured by Low-Frequency (LF) Impedance Analyzer. Luciferase expression in-creased as cation concentration of vehicle dec-reased and this result can be visualized by X-Gal staining. However, at lower salt concentration, transfection efficiency was diminished because the hypoosmotic stress and electrical injury by low conductivity induced myofiber damage. At optimal salt concentration (71 mM), we observed a 3-fold average increase in luciferase expression in comparison with the normal saline condition (p < 0.01). These results provide a valuable experimental parameter for in vivo gene therapy mediated by electroporation.
Animals ; Comparative Study ; DNA/*administration & dosage/metabolism ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Electric Conductivity ; Electroporation/methods ; Escherichia coli/genetics ; Female ; Gene Therapy/*methods ; *Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genes, Reporter ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Luciferase/metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Muscle, Skeletal/drug effects/*metabolism/pathology ; Osmolar Concentration ; Plasmids/genetics/*metabolism ; Sodium Chloride/*pharmacology ; Transfection ; Vehicles/*administration & dosage ; beta-Galactosidase/metabolism