No abstract available.
Child* ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent* ; Humans

As measurement of glomerular size in the assessment of several renal diseases becomes increasingly important, it has become necessary to devise rapid simple methods for the assessment of glomerular size and to have on hand reference ranges. A few reports on glomerular size have been published in Western literature, but their body builds are different from Koreans. In this study, 100 glomeruli(50 glomeruli each from the outer cortical and the juxtamedullary area) were measured in sections taken from 74 kidneys(ages 3 days~73 years) obtained from autopsy utilizing the semi-automatic image analyser. The percentage of glomerular sclerosis was measured based on its location. The sphere diameter, maximum diameter, area and sphere volume of non-sclerotic glomeruli were measured and evaluated with respect to age, sex and the location of the glomeruli. The results were as follows; 1) Mean glomerular dimensions including sphere and maximum diameter, area and sphere volume increased until 40 years of age, then reached a plateau. The percentage of sclerotic glomeruli then increased slowly with age but without statistical significance. 2) The glomerular dimensions and sclerosis showed no significant differences according to sex. 3) Juxtamedullary glomeruli were larger than the outer cortical ones which was statistically significant in age groups of 0~10, 11~20 and 41~50 years. The percentage of sclerotic glomeruli was generally greater in the outer cortex. 4) Differences in the values of glomerular dimensions between outer cortical and juxtamedullary area were similar in all age groups. 5) All parameters of measurement showed consistent and similar trends between the different groups. 6) The measurements of the largest 12 glomeruli out of randomly-selected 50 glomeruli gave similar results when compared with those of 50 glomeruli. It was evident from our results that glomerular size is influenced by age and glomerular location, but not by sex. The method of assessing glomerular size used in this study will not necessarily give the true, absolute value of size but it may be a simple, practical and useful method of comparing glomerular size in different groups of patients.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of lower respiratory infection in infants and young children, but the pathogenesis of RSV-induced inflammation is not well defined. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In order to examine the potential interactions between virus-infected airway epithelial cells and neutrophils, we studied the ability of neutrophils to adhere to yirus-infected airway epithelial cell monolayers by myeloperoxidase assay. Also we measured the ability of airway epithelial cells to secrete interleukin-8(IL-8) and inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) in virus-infected airway epithelial cell cultures by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The degree of IL-8 and ICAM-1 gene expression in the RSV-infected BEAS-2B cell cultures were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). RESULTS: The RSV-infected BEAS-2B cell resulted in significantly enhanced level of neutrophil adherence compared to the uninfected control(p (0.001). IL-8 and ICAM-1 production significantly increased by RSV infection(p<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between neutrophil adherence and IL-8 level(r=0.73, p=0.002), and ICAM-1 level (r=0.843, p=0.001) in RSV-infected cells. The degree of both IL-8 and ICAM-1 mRNA expression increased in the RSV-infected cells compared with the uninfected ones. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that RSV infection significantly enhances the production of IL-8 and ICAM-1 in airway epithelial cells which then results in increased neutrophil adherence.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Child ; Epithelial Cells* ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Infant ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Interleukin-8 ; Neutrophils* ; Peroxidase ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses* ; RNA, Messenger

Eosinophilic leukemia is a rare variant of granulocytic leukemia. It has distinct clinical features to involve central nervous system, heart, lung and skin more frequently than other leukemia and laboratory findings to reveal persistent eosinophilia with immature tendency, leukocytosis, anernia, thrombocytopenia and usually negative philadelphia chromosome in cytogenetic study. We describe a 33 year-old male patient who has suffered from generalizid weakness exertional dyspnea and has had well defined, hen eggs ized, oval shaped and non-in-durated ulcerative lesions on the right thigh since about 4 months prior to admission. The laboratory findings were persistent leukocytosis, eosinophilia and immature tendency in peripheral blood, nearly 100% cellularity and eosinophilic tendency (70%) in bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, and negative philadelphia chromosome in cytogenetic study. A biopsy specimen from ulcer margin showed relatively intact epidermis and heavy cellular infiltration composed of eosinophilic cytoplasm, dark and indented nucleus in entire dermis. Normal appearing skin also revealed same cellular infiltration in dermis with perivascular and periadnexal pattern.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow ; Central Nervous System ; Cytogenetics ; Cytoplasm ; Dermis ; Dyspnea ; Eggs ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Epidermis ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome* ; Leukemia ; Leukemia, Myeloid ; Leukocytosis ; Lung ; Male ; Ovum ; Philadelphia Chromosome ; Skin ; Thigh ; Thrombocytopenia ; Ulcer

The pinch graft is one type of skin graft and is indicated in small, chronic stubborn wounds or ulcers where cosmetic results are not paramount. It is a common procedure for the rapid healing of leg ulcers in countries where these are very common, such as in western society. However, it is an unfamiliar procedure to dermatologists in Korea where leg ulcers are quite rare. We treated a case of leg ulcer in systemic sclerosis using pinch grafts with satisfactory results. The pinch graft may be a useful treatment method for skin ulcers in dermatologic surgery under adverse conditions.
Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Korea ; Leg Ulcer* ; Leg* ; Scleroderma, Systemic* ; Skin ; Skin Ulcer ; Transplants* ; Ulcer ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: To assess the effects and complications of balloon dilatation in the treatment of postoperative stricture at the gastrointestinal tract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 1991 to July 1993, balloon dilatation was performed under fluoroscopic guidance on 5 patients (age:l month to 64 yrs, male:female=2:3) who previously had undergone abdominal surgery because of stomach cancer (n=2), congenital tracheoesophageal fistula (n=l), lye stricture (n=l), and colon cancer (n=l). Causes of the stricture were all benign (n=4) except for one (recurrence of malignant tumor). We dilatated the stricture site with balloon catheter (8--25 mm in diameter) 3 to 4 times per session which was repeated 1 to 5 times in each patient. Follow-up periods ranged 8 to 15 months after the treatment. RESULTS: Two out of four benign strictures were relieved at one session, and the remaining two needed repeated sessions of balloon dilatation. Symptoms did not improve in the patient with malignant stricture in~pite of balloon dilatation, and feeding jejunostomy was reginred. Partial tear of anastomosis site occurred in one patient, however, it did not require any treatment. CONCLUSION: Balloon dilatation is relatively safe and effective in the treatment of postoperative stricture at the gastrointestinal tract.
Catheters ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Dilatation* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Tract* ; Humans ; Jejunostomy ; Lye ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Tracheoesophageal Fistula

The aim of this study was to clarify the role of Kupffer cells in the mechanism of endotoxin-induced liver injury. The study on fine structure of Kupffer cells was performed after the injection of endotoxin. The endotoxin(Escherichia soli lipopolysaccharide 026: B6, 1.5mg/100 g of body weight) was intraperitoneally injected in Sprague-Dewley rats. Animals were sacrificed at 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 72 and 120 hours after the injection of endotoxin. Livers were extirpated and processed to be examined by light and electron microscopy. The results obtained were summerized as follows: Early changes observed in liver after endotoxin injection included the increased number and hypertrophy of Kupffer cells, infiltration of neutrophils and presence of fibrin thrombi within the sinusoids. The coritinuous increase of the Kupffer cells in number with hypertrophy, congestion and infiltration of inflammatory cells within the sinusoids were observed. Hepatocytes showed* fatty change and occasional necrosis. At 72 hours the congestion decreased. At 120 hours the number of Kupffer cells was increased, but the morphology of Kupffer cells became similar to that of the control group. The numbers and sizes of primary and secondary lysosomes and amount of euchromatin of Kupffer cells increased. Swellings and increase in number of mitochondria, Golgi complex, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, rough endoplasmic reticulum were evident. Microthrombi were present within the sinusoids. The swelling of rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, decrease of glycogen particles, fatty change, hypoxic vacuoles, pyknotic nuclei and occasional necrosis were observed in hepatocytes. At 72 hours the number of secondary lysosomes in Kupffer cells decreased. At 120 hours the morphology of Kupffer cells became similar to that of the control group. According to these results, it was postulated that the endotoxin was initially taken up by pinocytosis into Kupffer cells and degraded in secondary lysosomes of activated Kupffer cells. Kupffer cells may play an important role in the defense mechanism of liver during endotoxemia. The dysfunction of Kupffer cells and ischemia by sinusoidal microthrombi may cause liver injury.
Animals ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Smooth ; Endotoxemia ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Euchromatin ; Fibrin ; Glycogen ; Golgi Apparatus ; Hepatocytes ; Hypertrophy ; Ischemia ; Kinetics* ; Kupffer Cells* ; Liver ; Lysosomes ; Microscopy, Electron ; Mitochondria ; Necrosis ; Neutrophils ; Pinocytosis ; Rats* ; Vacuoles

We present a case of pemphigus vulgaris developed during pregnancy. The clinical features of this patient were similar to those of hetpes gestationis. By immunofluorescence studies we found that the patient's serum contained autoantibodies to intercellular substance of epidermis. Direct immunofluorescence microscopy of a perilesional skin also demontrated immunoglobulin deposition in the intercellular areas. Additionally we did in vitro C3 staining for further confirmation of the diagnosis but it was negative in basement membrane zone. This patient was initially treated with corticosteroid and azathioprine. Several months later gold compound was given instead of azathioprine and corticosteroid with good therapeutic response.
Autoantibodies ; Azathioprine ; Basement Membrane ; Diagnosis ; Epidermis ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Microscopy ; Pemphigus* ; Pregnancy* ; Skin

Formalin is a 37 5pg aqueous solution of formaldehyde gas and formaldehyde may be present in products as an active ingredient, preservative or contaminant. This contamination may be from the container, the package material or in situ formation by degradation of the formaldehyde releasers. The free formaldehyde content was determined in the 50 kinds of Korean shampoos by quantitative analysis recently described, the lutidine method, which is simple, rapid and used for colored products which cannot be analysed by the chrornotropic acid method. Formaldehyde has been found in 46 out of the 0 samples, i.e., 90g., and the concentration ranged from 0. 1 to 78. 6 pg/ml(0. 1 78. 6 ppm).
Formaldehyde*

To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of mutated p53 protein and bcl-2 protein in the cutaneous melanocytic lesion, 15 cases of compound nevus, 10 cases of congenital melanocytic nevus, 15 cases of primary malignant melanoma(4 cases less than 1.5 mm thick and 11 cases more than 1.5 mm thick), and 10 cases of metastatic malignant melanoma(7 cases in lymph node and 3 cases in soft tissue) were examined. All cases of compound nevi and of congenital melanocytic nevi showed no immunoreactivity for p53 protein. p53 protein overexpression was observed in 75%(3/4) wth primary malignant melanoma less than 1.5 mm thick, 81%(9/11) with primary malignant melanoma more than 1.5 mm thick, and 100%(10/10) with metastatic malignant melanoma. The difference in p53 protein overexpression was statistically significant between benign nevi and malignant melanoma(p<0.01). Bcl-2 protein expression was observed in 73%(11/15) with compound nevus, 70%(7/10) with congenital melanocytic nevus, 75% (3/4) in primary malignant melanoma less than 1.5 mm thick, 54%(6/11) with primary malignant melanoma more than 1.5 mm thick, and 40%(4/10) with metastatic malignant melanoma. These findings suggested that mutation of p53 gene may be an important mechanism in the development of malignant melanoma. Although bcl-2 protein was expressed in cutaneous melanocytic lesion, no correlation was found between p53 protein and bcl-2 protein expression in malignant melanoma.
Genes, p53 ; Lymph Nodes ; Melanoma ; Nevus ; Nevus, Pigmented ; Skin*