Nitric oxide (NO) has been emerged as an important intracellular and intercellular regulatory molecule having functions as diverse vasodilatation, neural communication, and host defense. In the immune system, NO produced by activated macrophage or neutrophil is known to kill tumor cells as a defense molecule. In addition, recent reports demonstrated that NO could interact with superoxide to generate peroxynitrite (ONOO-), an anion and a potent oxidant, in macrophages or other cellular systems. The production of peroxynitrite has been recognized to be associated with the activation and expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS). In this study, to evaluate the role of NO and peroxynitrite in murine bladder tumor cells, the author investigate the effect of NO and peroxynitrite on the viability, cytotoxicity, and DNA fragmentation of MBT-2 cells. The results are as followings: 1. Activated macrophages treated with INF-r, LPS, or INF-r+ LPS showed increment of nitrite (NO2) production and cytotoxicity against MBT-2 cells in a dose dependent manner. However, treatment with NGMMA, a NOS inhibitor, decreased NO2- production and cytotoxicity. 2. Treatment with SNP, a nitric oxide donor, increased NO2 production and DNA fragmentation (%), but decreased viability (%) of MBT-2 cells in a concentration dependent manner. 3. Treatment with peroxynitrite increased cytotoxicity and DNA fragmentation, but decreased viability of MBT-2 cells in a concentration dependent manner. 4. NO- and peroxynitrite-mediated increment of cytotoxicity in MBT-2 cells was corresponded to the programmed cell death, apoptosis. Taken together, these data indicate that NO and peroxynitrite elaborated from macrophages or other cellular systems may increase the cytotoxicity of MBT-2 cells via the mechanism of apoptosis.
Apoptosis* ; Cell Death ; Cell Line* ; DNA Fragmentation ; Humans ; Immune System ; Macrophages ; Neutrophils ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Nitric Oxide* ; Peroxynitrous Acid* ; Superoxides ; Tissue Donors ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder* ; Vasodilation

The investigation of systolic time intervals and hemodynamics was performed in 42 patients with liver cirrhosis by noninvascive methods. The patients were divided into four groups according to the presence or absence of anemia and/or ascites: i.e. group I; cirrhosis without anemia and ascites, group II; cirrhosis with ascites only, group III; cirrhosis with anemia only, and group IV; cirrhosis with ascites and anemia. In the resting state of the patients, the systolic time intervals and hemodynamic data were measured by the high speed simultaneous recordings of electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram, carotid and femoral arterial pulse tracings, and compared with those obtained from 155 normal adult subjects. 1. The pulse were increased considerably in group IV, and diastolic blood pressure was elevated in group II with significance. 2. The stroke volume and cardiac output were increased significantly in group III. 3. The peripheral resistance was reduced particularly in group III, and the volume elasticit coefficient was decreased in group IV. 4. The QS1 interval was prolonged significantly in group II and IV, but QS1 interval corrected by multiple regression equation proposed by our laboratory (illustrated in the text) did not show significant difference compared with that of normal subjects. 5. The left ventricular ejection time(LVET) and total electromechanical systole(QS 2) appeared to be shortened in group II and IV, but the corrected LVET and QS 2 were not different significantly from those of the normal subjects
Adult ; Anemia ; Ascites ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiac Output ; Electrocardiography ; Fibrosis ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Stroke Volume ; Systole ; Vascular Resistance

The investigation of systolic time intervals and hemodynamics was performed in 42 patients with liver cirrhosis by noninvascive methods. The patients were divided into four groups according to the presence or absence of anemia and/or ascites: i.e. group I; cirrhosis without anemia and ascites, group II; cirrhosis with ascites only, group III; cirrhosis with anemia only, and group IV; cirrhosis with ascites and anemia. In the resting state of the patients, the systolic time intervals and hemodynamic data were measured by the high speed simultaneous recordings of electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram, carotid and femoral arterial pulse tracings, and compared with those obtained from 155 normal adult subjects. 1. The pulse were increased considerably in group IV, and diastolic blood pressure was elevated in group II with significance. 2. The stroke volume and cardiac output were increased significantly in group III. 3. The peripheral resistance was reduced particularly in group III, and the volume elasticit coefficient was decreased in group IV. 4. The QS1 interval was prolonged significantly in group II and IV, but QS1 interval corrected by multiple regression equation proposed by our laboratory (illustrated in the text) did not show significant difference compared with that of normal subjects. 5. The left ventricular ejection time(LVET) and total electromechanical systole(QS 2) appeared to be shortened in group II and IV, but the corrected LVET and QS 2 were not different significantly from those of the normal subjects
Adult ; Anemia ; Ascites ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiac Output ; Electrocardiography ; Fibrosis ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Stroke Volume ; Systole ; Vascular Resistance

This is a very important differential diagnosis for postpartum hemorrhage following cesarean delivery because repeated life-threatening bleeding may induce multiple blood transfusion and require emergency surgery including hysterotomy. False or pseudoanuerysm can be acquired in association with trauma, previous surgery, trophoblastic disease, neoplasm, infection or diethylstilbestrol exposure. When a punctured or lacerated artery does not seal completely, blood may escape and dissects the adjacent tissues, and collects in perivascular areas. If this collection maintains in communication with the parent vessel, a pseudoaneurysm could result. Typically the lesion are discovered because the patients have symptoms related to delayed rupture of the pseudoaneurysms, causing hemorrhage. Radiographic techniques (angiography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging) have provided the opportunity to diagnose pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous malformation. We report a case of postpartum hemorrhage following cesarean delivery attributed to a pseudoaneurysm of the uterine pedicle and treated with arterial embolization. Angiographic study confirmed the diagnosis and embolization of the false aneurysm was successful in controlling the hemorrhage.
Aneurysm, False* ; Arteries ; Arteriovenous Malformations ; Blood Transfusion ; Cesarean Section* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diethylstilbestrol ; Emergencies ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hysterotomy ; Parents ; Postpartum Hemorrhage* ; Postpartum Period* ; Pregnancy ; Rupture ; Trophoblasts ; Ultrasonography ; United Nations

Ovarian cysts are common incidental findings in term infants and, if unusually large, may result in dystocia, torsion, or rupture. We report the case in which serial sonographic examination revealed changing pattern of cystic ovarian mass from hypoechogenic to well defined multiseptated echogenic during pregnancy. Postnatal T2-weighted MR images revealed a multilocular with high signal density. After delivery a laparotomy was performed, and a twisted ovary measuring 6.7x5x4.5 cm was removed. Ovarian torsion was left-sided and had been almost autoamputated. The resected specimens were nontense, thin walled cysts, filled with hemorrhage like fluid. Histological examination demonstrated the presence of lymphangioma with widespread hemorrhage and necrosis. The neonate did well after the procedure.
Dystocia ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidental Findings ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Laparotomy ; Lymphangioma ; Necrosis ; Ovarian Cysts* ; Ovary ; Pregnancy ; Rupture ; Ultrasonography*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Poroma* ; Tissue Donors*

Heterotopic pregnancy occurs when there are coexisiting intrauterine and ectopic pregnances. It occure, more often, due to assisted reproductive technology such as IVF-ET, GIFT and increased pelvic inflammatory diseases. We present a case of heterotopic pregnancy confirmed by surgical removal of ruptured left ovarian pregnancy and sonographic finding of the intrauterine pregnancy following natural conception.
Female ; Fertilization ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Pregnancy, Heterotopic* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Ultrasonography

To observe the influence of kidney transplantation (KT) on erectile and endocrine function, we evaluated the PBI, penile pulse volume plethysmography, RigiScan and endocrine study before and after KT in 21 patients. We also interviewed with these patients or their sexual partners before KT. at 3 months and 6 months after KT. 7 cases (33%) were improved, 8 cases (38%) were same and 4 cases(19%) were aggravated in sexual desire and erectile function and 2 cases (10% ) had been suffered from erectile dysfunction since 19 months and 6 years prior to KT. The PBI was changed from 0.97 +/- 0.09 to 0.95 +/- 0.16 and it was not a significant difference. The penile plethysmography was not a good screening test in the evaluation of erectile function in KF. But the Rigiscan could detect all of the tested aggravated cases and it was thought to be a good screening test. In the endocrine studies, testosterone and FSH were decreased and LH and prolactin were increased before KT but testosterone and LH were significantly decreased after KT. It was thought to be the influence of KT and immunosuppressive agent (cyclosporin A). In conclusion, sexual desire and erectile function may be improved by the KT and most reliable screening test was Rigiscan. Endocrine function may be affected by the KT and cyclosporin A.
Cyclosporine ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Kidney* ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Plethysmography ; Prolactin ; Sexual Partners ; Testosterone ; Transplantation

Today, Ureteroscopy is used for the diagnosis and treatment of various pathologies in the or urinary tract. From March 1987 to September 1996, we retrospectively evaluated our experiences with rigid ureteroscopy in 137 ureteral units in which therapeutic applications were 127 (92.7%) and diagnostic applications were 10 cases (7.3%). The causes ol therapeutic intervention were ureteral stones in 118 cases, upward migrated double J-stent in 6 cases, urethral foreign body (double J stent retention) in 2 cases and stenosis of ileoureteral anastomosis in 1 case. Success rate was 81.9% : 80.5% in the treatment of urethral stones, 100% in the treatment of urethral stenosis, 100% in the reposition or removal of retained catheter. Ureteroscopic stone extracton were performed in 77 cases (before introduction of ESWL) and in 41 cases (after introduction of ESWL). The latter was significantly decreased (78 of 288 or 32.4% versus 59 of 1588 or 3.7%). The success rate were 75.3% (58/77) before introduction of ESWL and 90.2% (37/41) after introduction of ESWL. The latter success rate was significantly increased. The causes of diagnostic intervention were upper tract bleeding in 2 cases, ureteral filling defect or delayed visualization at intravenous urography in 8 cases. The diagnostic results showed 1 case of ureteral transitional cell carcinoma, 1 case of ureteral stones, 1 case of urethral stricture, 3 cases of ureteral stones, 1 case of chronic ureteral inflammation and 3 cases of normal findings. Success rate was 90%. The frequency of diagnostic intervention increased from 1.3% for the 78 procedures done before introduction of ESWL to 15.3% for the 59 procedures done after introduction of ESWL. The minor complications (managed conservatively or with temporary stent drainage) occurred: flank pain in 35 cases (25.5%), gross hematuria in 10 cases (7.3%), high fever of over 38 degrees C in 5 cases (3.7%), ureteral perforations in 3 cases (2.2%) and urethral mucosal avulsion in 2 cases (1.5%). There were no major complications (all requiring an open surgery). In conclusion, after the introduction of ESWL the frequency of ureteroscpoic stone extraction decreased (p<0.05) and the frequency of diagnostic intervention increased (p<0.05). In the hands of experienced urologists the success rate of ureteroscopy increased.
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Fever ; Flank Pain ; Foreign Bodies ; Hand ; Hematuria ; Hemorrhage ; Inflammation ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Ureter ; Ureteroscopy* ; Urethral Stricture ; Urinary Tract ; Urography

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to establish the distribution and obstetric outcomes in women with congenital uterine malformations. METHODS: A review of the medical records from the department of obstetrics and gynecology from January 1995 to June 2004 were diagnosed 79 patients with congenital uterine malformations. All of the cases were divided into groups according to classification of ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine), which is based on the degree of failure of normal development of the female genital tact. The obstetric outcomes were compared between the groups. Statistical processing of the material was carried with Pearson chi square test. RESULTS: 79 patientss with congenital uterine malformations were diagnosed by operation or imaging studies. Symmetric congenital uterine malformations, consisting of bicornuate uterus (45.6%), septate uterus (19.0%), and uterus didelphys (31.6%), were the most common, constituting 96.2% of the malformations. Two patients (2.5%) had unicornuate uterus and one patient (1.3%) had arcuate uterus. No cases of the agenesis type and T-shaped uteri were found. 196 pregnancies occurred in the 74 patients. Only 43.4% of the pregnancies reached term, while 8.2% resulted in preterm delivery, and 48.4% terminated as miscarriages. CONCLUSION: Obstetric complications occur more frequently among women with congenital uterine malformations than among women in general. Knowledge concerning of congenital uterine malformations is important in recognizing and managing the obstetric complications that may result.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Classification ; Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Obstetrics ; Pregnancy ; Uterus