The increased susceptibility in patients of chronic renal failure to infection has been reported to be attributed to defects in granulocyte and lymphocyte function and proliferative activity of hematopoietic cells. The definite cause of the frequent infection in uremic patients, however, is still controversial. The effect of uremic plasma on the aspect of the hematopoietic cells has been scarcely been studied. In the present study, mouse bone marrow was cultured with uremic plasma, to evaluate the effect of uremic plasma on the proliferative activity and morphological features of CFU-GM. The results obtained were as follows. 1) The number of colonies in group co-cultured with uremic plasma was more reduced than that of normal plasma group. 2) There was no difference between the group cultured with predialytic uremic plasma and that of postdialytic plasma in number of colonies, macroclusters and microclusters. 3) The forms of colony were granulocytic and monocytic forms at 5 day of culture. Electron microscopically, granulocytes disclosed electron dense azurophilic granules and electrolucent specific granules in the cytoplasm, and monocyte showed numerous vesicles and vacuoles in the cytoplasm which had finger-like projections. 4) The molecular weight of inhibitory factor in the uremic plasma was supposed to be less than 50,000 daltons.
Mice ; Animals

The experiment was designed to investigate type-selectivity of the involved muscle fibers and changes in the component ratios of the fiber types following the progression of disuse atrophy in the skeletal muscle. After inducing disuse atrophy of the skeletal muscle by applying cast on the hind limb, we used histological and histochemical stains in the sections of the rat Tibialia anterior muscles. The results were as follows. 1. Even 8 weeks after immobilization of the hind limb, differentiation of muscle fiber types by histolo gical and histochemical staining methods in the Tibialis anterior muscle could be possible. 2. Atrophy of muscle fibers was more pronounced in type IIB and type I fibers than in type IIA fibers. 3. Central migration of sarcolemmal nuclei and ring fiber appeared after 6th and 8th weeks of immobilization respectively, in the H&E and trichrome preparations. Ac-pase or Alk-pase positive fibem were not noted throughout the experimental periods.
Animals ; Atrophy ; Coloring Agents ; Extremities ; Immobilization ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscles ; Muscular Disorders, Atrophic ; Rats

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-beta) has multiple regulatory effects on cells of the immune system, and it has been suggested that differentiation of lymphoid cells is influenced by low concentra tions of this cytokine. OBJECTIVES: The aim or this study was to investigate the role of TGF-beta in regulation of T cell growth and differentiation, and to compare this effect with that of other cell signals known to be important in T cell ontogeny. METHODS: We used the CTLL-2 cell line in the presence of IL-2. Surface phenotype expression was analysed to see whether these cells could be switched to the other subtype of cells. RESULT: Treatment of CTLL-2 cells with TGF-beta resulted in dose dependent growth inhibition and morphological changes. Curing routine passage, less than 5% of cells were CD8alpha positive, whereas 38% of cells expressed CD8alpha when treated with IL-2 plus TGF-beta. However, TPA plus calcium ionophore, IFN-gamma, or TNF-alpha caused no significant changes in the proportion of CD8 cells. CONCLUSION: Our results show that this experiment can be a useful model for investigating CD8 precursor potentials in populations of CD4-CD8-(double negative) cells, and such a model may offer a way to study the molecular regulation of CD8 gene expression.
Calcium ; Cell Line* ; Gene Expression ; Immune System ; Interleukin-2 ; Lymphocytes ; Phenotype ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

No abstract available.
Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Receptors, Androgen*

BACKGROUND: Wheezing which is defined as a continuous sound with a musical quality is commonly auscultated in patients with chronic obstructive airway diseases. The correlation between wheezing and airway obstruction is unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the relationships among wheezing, severity of airway obstruction, and pulmonary function tests. METHOD: Forty-one subjects were examined by the same observer. Wheezing during normal breathing and maximal forced exhalation, was auscultated respectively. Posterior lung bases were auscultated bilaterally with the seated patient taking repeated inspiratory capacity breaths through an open mouth. To quantify wheezing intensity, a regional score was assigned for each area after a minimum of 3 breaths, according to the following scale: zero, no wheezing heard: one, faint or intermittent wheezes: two, moderate wheezing during every expiration: three, loud wheezing during every expiration. The lung function tests by standard pneumotachograph were performed by skilled technicians. RESULTS: Wheezing was auscultated more in forced exhalation than in normal breathing in patients with asthma and COPD [8/9(88%) vs 1/9(11%), p<0.01 ll/15(73%) vs 1/15(6%), p<0.05)]. Forced expiratory wheezes group (n=25) compared to no wheezes group (n=16) had significantly lower FEVl (75+-5.8% vs 95.6+-6.6%, p<0.05). Compared to no wheezes group, the group with forced expiratory wheezes had lower FEV1 and FEV1/FVC (50.4+- 21.3% vs 81.15+-27.7%, 70.4+-22.4% vs 92.5+-19.3%, respectively, p<0.05). Bronchial asthma compared with COPD tended to have higher wheezing scores (Wheeze scores Bronchial asthma 3.5 vs COPD 2.4, p=0.08). Wheezing scores were correlated to FEV1 (normal breathing: r=-0.35, p<0.05: forced exhalation: r=-0.45, p<0.05), but no differences were found in wheezing incidence according to severity of airway obstruction. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that wheezing on maximal forced exhalation may be a useful physical indicator for evaluating the severity of airway obstruction.
Airway Obstruction ; Asthma ; Exhalation ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inspiratory Capacity ; Lung ; Mouth ; Music ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* ; Respiration ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory Sounds*

No abstract available.
Craniocerebral Trauma* ; Head*

In general, the three major oral functions of edentulous patients-mastication, phonation, esthetics-can be rehabilitated by the complete dentures, and both the resin based complete denture and the metal based complete denture are commonly used by many clinicians today. For the sake of many advantages such as the excellent thermal conductivity, low volumetric change, high strength, low risk of fracture and the better patient's adaptation, the metal based complete dentures are indicated to the several cases. But, there are common failures of these type of dentures mainly by the fracture or the debonding between the resin structures and the metal frameworks which is caused by the discrepancies by the discrepancies of the flexural strength and the coefficient of thermal expansion. This is aggravated by the water contamination of the interface when exposed to the oral environment and results in the failure of complete denture treatment. So, the purpose of this study is to compare the bond strength and the fracture patterns of the gold alloy based and the Co-Cr alloy based complete dentures using the PMMA resins and the 4-META adhesive resins. The results of this study were as follows. 1. Both to th PMMA resin and the 4-META resin, the flexural bond strength of gold alloy is lower than that of Co-Cr alloy(p<0.05). 2. To the Co-Cr alloy, the bond strength of the 4-META resin is significantly higher tan that of PMMA resin(P<0.05). 3. The flexural strength of the group with the mechanical retention form is significantly higher than that of the group without retention form(P<0.05). 4. Comparing with the other groups, the fracture patterns of the group 3 are quite different from the group 1, 2, 5.
Adhesives ; Alloys* ; Denture Bases* ; Denture, Complete ; Dentures* ; Phonation ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Thermal Conductivity ; Triacetoneamine-N-Oxyl

The autogenous fascia graft has been used for various surgical purposes because it has good durability, a gliding capacity, elasticity and a high survival rate. However, few studies have reported histological changes of the graft in various situations. This study attempted to determine histomorphologic changes after autogenous fascia graft in various surgical conditions. The results revealed were as follows: 1. The tension applied to grafts plays the key role in the survival rate of autogenous fascia grafts. 2. Rolling the fascia reduced the volume and weight after autogenous graft due to fibrosis and central fatty degeneration. 3. Autogenous fascia graft covering silicone blocks showed its fascial structure and reduction of the formation of fibrous capsule around the silicone.
Elasticity ; Fascia ; Fibrosis ; Silicones ; Survival Rate ; Transplants*

Endoscopic ACL reconstruction using bone-patellar tendon-bone has been considered the gold standard in the field of reconstructive ACL surgery. Technically, graft must be placed at isometric point. But it is difficult to evaluate the placement of graft postoperatively. The purpose of this study is to determine the radiological ideal position of graft by comparing postoperative results with the graft placement. Seventy cases of endoscopic ACL reconstruction were reviewed and classified according to the femoral and tibial graft position on radiologic imaging. The femoral graft position was classified in relation to angle of graft on anterior position view and distance from posterior margin of graft to the inner surface of posterior cortex on lateral view. The tibial graft position was classified in relation to intercondylar eminence on anterior posterior view and lateral view. Knee score (modified Marshall, Lysholum), manual anterior instability test (Lachman test, Pivot shift test) and arthrometer measurement were checked to evaluate postoperative results in each case. The results of this study implicate that knee joint in which femoral graft was oriented at direction of 11 o clock centring around 68 degree respect to tibial joint and placed within 3mm from posterior cortex showed higher knee score and lesser laxity. In cases of tibial side, the graft oriented to intercondylar eminence (AP view) and placed anterior to intercondylar eminence (lateral view) showed higher knee score and lesser laxity.
Joints ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Patellar Ligament* ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Extremities* ; Ilizarov Technique*