Effects of Ultratiolet (UV) light was studied in isolated thoracic aortae of rabbits and porcine coronary arteries. The following results were obtained. 1) Radiation of UV light did not affect both arterial rings in resting tension. 2) Both arterial preparations contracted with various vasoconstrictors (KCI,NE,PE,BayK 8644 and (+S202 etc.) were relaxed by UV light radiation in a radiation time-dependent fashion. 3) The magnitudes of the relaxation were not significantly different in both the rings with or without intact endothelium. 4) MB and LY markedldy reduced the UV light-induced relaxation in both the rings. 5) PP significantly attenuated the UV light-induced relaxation of rabbit thoracic aorta, but did not affect that of porcine coronary artery. 6) The UV Light-induced relaxation of porcine coronary artery was significantly attenuated by DT or NF, while that of rabbit thoracic aorta was not. 7) (+)S202 significantly potentiated the UV light-induced relaxation of porcine coronary artery contracted with KCI or Hist. Above results suggest that the UV light-induced relaxation of vascular smooth muscles is independent on the endothelium, and the relaxation results from primarily activation of guanylyl cyclase and is in part related to adenylyl cyclase and calcium metabolism. In adddition, a dihydropyridine calcium agonist, (+)S202, may sensitize vascular smooth muscle to the relaxing effect of UV light through some unknown mechanism.
Adenylyl Cyclases ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Calcium* ; Coronary Vessels ; Endothelium ; Guanylate Cyclase ; Metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth* ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Rabbits ; Relaxation* ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Vasoconstrictor Agents

A case of multiple hamartomas of the unilateral chest wall in a four month old infant is presented. There have been a few reports on the CT findings of the chest wall hamartoma in infancy. We describe bone changes of the ribs and mineralization of this rare tumor on the CT scan, and the locations of two separate masses.
Hamartoma ; Humans ; Infant ; Miners ; Ribs ; Thoracic Wall* ; Thorax* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Humans ; Lymphocytes* ; Siblings* ; Sister Chromatid Exchange* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

No Abstract Available.
Arthroplasty* ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Humans ; Knee*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical utility of multiplanar reformation images of helical CT in the evaluation of pancreatic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Helical CT scans of the pancreas were obtained in 30 patients with pancreatic diseases. Helical CT was performed with 5mm collimation at 5mm/sec table speed during rapid injection of intravenous contrast agent using power injector. After scanning, helical volume data were reconstructed at 2mm interval and then multiplanar reformation of the pancreas and adjacent structures was done. In both prospective reconstructed axial images and multiplanar reformation images, detection of pancreatic lesion, extent of lesion, and vascular and bile ductal changes were analyzed with a grading system of 1,2, 3. RESULTS: The mean grade of detection of pancreatic lesions was 2.37 in the prospective axial image and 2.83 in multiplanar reformation image, extent of diseases was 2.40 in prospective axial image and 2.97 in multiplanar reformation image, and vascular and bile ductal changes was 2.00 in the prospective axial image and 2.97 in multiplanar reformation image. All the differences were statistically significant (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Multiplanar reformation images of helical CT are useful in the evaluation of pancreatic diseases and especially in the demonstratibn of complex anatomic relationships between the pancreas and surrounding structures.
Bile Ducts ; Humans ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Diseases* ; Prospective Studies ; Tomography, Spiral Computed*

No abstract available.
Angiofibroma ; Carbon ; Carbon Dioxide ; Lasers, Gas

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate MR signal intensity(SI) of calcification and to assess the capability of MRI in detection of various intracranial calcifications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MR findings and ROI value of experimental model of calcium carbonate suspension according to each concentration (20, 35, 50%) and diameter (1-10 mm) and hydroxyapatite suspension according to each concentration (10, 20, 30, 40, 50%) were analyzed. A specimen of calcification in cranio-pharyngioma was analyzed for its composition by XRD(X-ray diffractometer) and ICP(inductively coupled plasma) methods. MRI of 34 patients with intracranial calcifications were retrospectively analyzed for signal intensity of the calcification and its capability to detect calcifications according to size, location, and contrast with adjacent lesion. RESULTS: The calcium carbonate phantom with larger diameter and low concentration showed lower signal intensity on T2 than TlWl. Hydroxyapatite phantom showed high signal intensity in 10-30% concentration and low signal intensity in 40-50% concentration on T1 weighted image. The 5 cases of 34 intracranial calcifications showed high signal intensity on T1 weighted image. The capability of MRI in the detection of intracranial calcifications decreased in the circumstances such as small size(<2.5mm) and intraventricular location. Although the size of calcification was small, the detection was easy in the good contrast with adjacent lesion. However, the detection of the small sized calcification was easy if the contrast with adjacent lesion was good. CONCLUSION: lntracranial calcification shows generally low signal intensity on T1 and T2 weighted image with the exception of occasional high SI on TlWl. Detection of intracranial calcification in MRI is affected by its composition, size, location, and contrast with adjcent lesion.
Calcium Carbonate ; Durapatite ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Models, Theoretical ; Retrospective Studies

Between 1975 and 1981, 171 patients(pts) had ventricular septal defect, as isolated one or one part of various multiple congenital malformations, at catheterization. Ninety of these pts(52.5%) had isolated VSD, and 45(26%) had tetralogy of Fallot. Other associated anomalies include ASD, PDA, AI, MI, TGA, DOLV, COA, PS, sinus valsalva rupture, tricuspid atresia, pulm. atresia, single atrium and bilat. SVC. Fifty-two VSD patients were operated upon with conventional extracorporeal circulation. In these operated cases, Kirklin's type II VSD were most common(24/52, 46%); followed by type I(12/52), type III(11/52), type IV(1/52), multiple VSD(2/52) and LV-RA shunt(1/52). The hospital mortality was 7.7%(4/52). Transient complete heart block occurred in 3 pts. Of the survivors, 44% had RBBB(21/48) and 7 of them had associated left anterior hemiblock(LAH). In all 7 pts with immediate post-operative LAH, left axis deviation become normalized within 5 months after operation(post-op. 1 day-5Mo.). We also analized pre-operative ECG, chest PA and hemodynamic data of VSD, which showed us the close correlation between ventricular hypertrophy patterns in ECG and hemo dynamic datas(LVH with Qp/Qs, and RVH with peak systolic pressure of pulmonary artery or Pp/Ps), and then correlation with post-operative results.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Blood Pressure ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Electrocardiography ; Extracorporeal Circulation ; Heart Block ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular* ; Hemodynamics ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Pulmonary Artery ; Rupture ; Survivors ; Tetralogy of Fallot ; Thorax ; Tricuspid Atresia

PURPOSE: As growth hormone was reported to improve cavernosal nerve regeneration, we studied the action mechanism of growth hormone(GH) on the regeneration of nitric oxide synthase(NOS)-containing penile nerves after unilateral cavernous nerve neurotomy in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male rats were divided into three groups: sham operation(n=10); unilateral neurotomy of a 5mm segment of the cavernous nerve(n=10) and unilateral neurotomy with GH injection(n=10). Electrostimulation of the intact cavernous nerve was performed at 1 and 3 months after operation. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH) diaphorase staining was used to identify nNOS in penile nerve fibers of the mid-shaft segment. The gene expression for nNOS, insulin like growth factor(IGF)-I and nerve growth factor(NGF) were investigated in corporal tissue by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) using specific oligonucleotide primers. RESULTS: Electrostimulation in the GH-treated group revealed a greater maximal intracavernosal pressure and a shorter latency period than in those given neurotomy alone at 3 months after operation. One month after unilateral neurotomy, both neurotomy alone and the GH-treated groups showed a significant decrease in NOS-containing nerve fibers in the dorsal and intracavernosal nerves on the side of neurotomy, however mRNA expression of nNOS and IGF-I showed a significant increase in GH-treated group. At 3 months, the number of NOS-containing nerve fibers in the neurotomy alone group did not increase while the GH-treated group showed a significant increase. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that GH significantly enhances the regeneration of NOS-containing fibers in the dorsal and intracavernosal nerves after unilateral cavernous nerve injury via IGF-I.
Animals ; DNA Primers ; Gene Expression ; Growth Hormone* ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Latency Period (Psychology) ; Male ; NAD ; Nerve Fibers ; Nerve Regeneration ; Nitric Oxide ; Rats* ; Regeneration* ; RNA, Messenger

An esophageal perforation is a condition requiring emergency treatment. Although previously spontaneous ruptures were the most common etiology, as endoscopic and radiologic diagnosis and treatment have developed recently, iatrogenic ruptures due to instrumentation have increased to become the most common cause of esophageal perforations. Generally, the treatment of esophageal stenosis is composed of esophageal dilatation using a Maloney or a Mercury dilator and medical treatment for reflux esophagitis. Recently, balloon-catheter dilatation of the esophagus has produced safe and excellent results, and self-expansible metallic stents has been very useful in controlling malignant strictures of the esophagus with low mortality and morbidity. We experienced an esophageal perforation after balloon dilatation and the insertion of a self-expanding silicone-covered Gianturco stent to the site of the esophageal stenosis which was due to reflux esophagitis. The abdomen was opened through an upper midline incision. There was a 3-cm-long longitudinal laceration on the distal esophagus which was closed transversely as with a Heinecke-Mikulicz pyloroplasty after a debridement. To reinforce the site of esophageal laceration and to prevent esophageal reflux, the gastric fundus was pulled and sutured over the esophageal sutures, and the second-layer mattress suture was made 1 cm proximal to the first sutures, including central ligaments of the diaphragm. To prevent bile reflux, we converted from a Billroth-II to a Roux- en-Y gastrojejunostomy. We followed up for 30 months and found no signs of any esophageal stenosis or gastroesophageal reflux.
Abdomen ; Bile Reflux ; Catheters* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Debridement ; Diagnosis ; Diaphragm ; Dilatation ; Emergency Treatment ; Esophageal Perforation* ; Esophageal Stenosis* ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; Esophagus ; Gastric Bypass ; Gastric Fundus ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Lacerations ; Ligaments ; Mortality ; Rupture ; Rupture, Spontaneous ; Stents* ; Sutures