PURPOSE: In adriamycin(ADR)-induced cardiomyopathy, several different mechanisms are suggested. However, little information is available regarding the role of apoptosis. In the present study, we examined the induction of apoptosis on ADR treatment and anti-apoptotic effects of probucol, a lipid-lowering drug, and we also studied the changes of bcl-2 expression in order to see the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of probucol. METHODS: Cardiac myocytes were isolated from 3-day-old rats, and cultured in low(1 pM) or high doses(10pM) of ADR for 24 hours. Probucol(50 pM) was added 30 minutes before ADR administration. Apoptosis was determined by TUNEL staining, and bcl-2 expression was estimated by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: The number of TUNEL-positive cells significantly increased in both groups treated with ADR. However, anti-apoptotic effect of probucol was evident only in low dose. In addition, the expression of bcl-2 was significantly increased only in the low-dose ADR treatment group and its expression was inhibited by pretreatment of probucol. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that apoptosis might play an important role in ADR-induced cardiotoxicity, and ADR-induced apoptosis was partially prevented by pretreatment of probucol. And ADR-induced apoptosis was not related with depression of bcl-2. Additionally, inhibition of bcl-2 gene expression of low-dose ADR treatment group by probucol suggests that another cell survival mechanism could be implicated in the action of probucol. (J Korean Pediatr Soc 2000;43:746-754)
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Cardiomyopathies ; Cell Survival ; Depression ; Doxorubicin ; Genes, bcl-2 ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Myocytes, Cardiac* ; Probucol* ; Rats*

Fluorescence enhancement reaction of flavoxate hydrochloride (FX) in strong alkali solution was studied, the mechanism of the reaction was investigated, and a novel fluorimetric method for analysis of FX in drug sample was established. FX has no intrinsic fluorescence, but it can slowly produce fluorescence in strong alkali solution. Heating can promote the fluorescence enhancement reaction. In 3D fluorescence spectra of the decomposition product of FX, two fluorescence peaks, located respectively at excitation wavelengths λex/ emission wavelength λem =223/410 nm, and 302/410 nm, were observed. Using quinine sulfate as a reference, fluorescence quantum yield of the decomposition product was measured to be 0.50. The structural characteriza- tion and spectral analysis of the decomposition product reveal that ester bond hydrolysis reaction of FX is firstly occurred during heating process, forming 3-methylflavone-8-carboxylic acid (MFA), then a cleavage reaction of the γ-pyrone ring of MFA occurred, producing α, β-unsaturated ketone. This product includes adjacent hydroxyl benzoic acid group in its molecule, which can form intramolecular hydrogen bond under alkaline condition, so that increase the conjugate degree and enhance the rigidity of the molecule, and thereby cause fluorescence enhancement. Based on this fluorescence enhancement reaction, a fluorimetric method was proposed for the determination of FX. A linear calibration curve covered the concentration range 0.020 3-0.487 µg · mL. The regression equation was I(F) = 23.9 + 5357.3 c, with correlation coefficient r = 0.999 7 (n = 8), detection limit D = 1.1 ng · mL(-1). The method was applied to the analysis of FX tablets, with a spiked recovery rate of 100.2%. The reliability of the method was verified by a UV-spectrophotometric method.
Alkalies ; Calibration ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Flavoxate ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Fluorescence ; Limit of Detection ; Reproducibility of Results ; Solutions ; Tablets

PURPOSE: For the early diagnosis of Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP) presenting with acute abdominal pain preceding skin rash. METHODS: The clinical, endoscopic and radiological records of 23 cases of HSP, presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms preceding skin rash were reviewed. RESULTS: The intervals from the onset of abdominal pain to the development of the skin rash were one day to 30 days(median five days), most of them were within two weeks. The presenting abdominal symptoms were abdominal pain(23 cases), vomiting(16 cases), hematochezia or melena(eight cases) and hematemesis(three cases). The abnormal endoscopic findings include coalescing erythematous lesions, areas of submucosal hemorrhage and superficial erosions and ulcers. The upper gastro intestinal endoscopy showed the abnormalities in 21 of 23 cases, which were observed in the duodenum(21 cases), the stomach(12 cases) and the esophagus(one case). Duodenitis with hemorrhage and/or erosions in the descending duodenum was the sole endoscopic abnormality in two cases and was the most marked finding in three cases. Sigmoidoscopy showed the abnormalities in six of eight cases. The abdominal ultrasonogram showed abnormalities in 12 of 17 cases, which included small bowel wall thickening(eight cases) and intramural hemorrhage(three cases). Recurrences after three months of symptom free intervals developed in four cases; three of them had persistent nephritis beyond one year. CONCLUSION: The erosive hemorrhagic duodenitis in the descending duodenum in the upper endoscopy and the small bowel wall thickening in the abdominal ultrasonogram can be useful findings in the diagnosis of HSP presenting with acute abdomen.
Abdomen, Acute ; Abdominal Pain* ; Diagnosis ; Duodenitis ; Duodenum ; Early Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Exanthema* ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hemorrhage ; Nephritis ; Purpura* ; Recurrence ; Sigmoidoscopy ; Skin* ; Ulcer ; Ultrasonography

Melanoacanthoma is an extremely rare pigmented benign mixed epithelial tumor of both melanocytes and keratinocytes. A 52-year-old female presented an asymptomatic, slightly elevated, 1. 2 cm x 0. 8 cm, dark black-colored plaque on her right buttock of 2 years' duration. Histopathologic finding of the plaque shows hyperkeratosis, focal parakeratosis, follicular plugging, acanthosih, papillomatosis and pseudo-horn cyst in the epidermis. The tumor is composed of basaloid and squarnous cells with many foci of clusters and whorls of melanin pigment-laden cells. Electron microscopic finding reveals many scattered melanocytes in the entire epidermis. Melanin granules are found mostly in the melanocytes but can also be found in a few keratinocytes.
Buttocks ; Epidermis ; Female ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; Melanins ; Melanocytes ; Middle Aged ; Papilloma ; Parakeratosis

The purpose of educational effort for career planning in medical school is to help students develop identity as a competent physician and to assist them in selecting their future career properly. To achieve the above, the specific education programs for career plan together with an individual counselling and problem solving approach are required. We proposed an education model for career planning in Gachon Medical School which would be directed by cooperative system consisted of medical school, faculty mentor and student counselling office. Career education should not be limited to several lectures or short-term counselling, but it requires a continuous and consistent program implemented throughout 6 years of medical school life. At the same time, an opportunity to explore future career and to consult their problems in accord with needs and characteristics of individual students must be provided. Further study should be directed to examine the usefulness and problems of this education model. In addition, a persistent attention to the problems in career planning of medical students and efforts to solve them is needed.
Education* ; Humans ; Lectures ; Mentors ; Problem Solving ; Schools, Medical* ; Students, Medical

Objective To compare clinical features,pulmonary functions,chest imaging and prognosis between combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema syndrome (CPFE) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF) without emphysematous changes in elderly patients.Methods 88 elderly IPF patients in Beijing hospital from January 2000 to October 2012 were divided into CPFE (n=30) and IPF (n =58) groups according to the CT imaging.Clinical features,blood gas analysis,pulmonary function,chest CT and survival time were compared between the two groups.Results 30 CPFE patients with the mean age of(75.5 ±7.6) years and 58 IPF patients without emphysema with the mean age of(73.7±6.8) years were enrolled.The proportions of male patients,smoking history and mortality were higher in CPFE patients than in IPF group(86.7％ vs.63.8％,28 vs.36,76.7％ vs.43.1％,x2 =5.09,9.74,8.98,P＜0.05 or 0.01).CPFE patients had a higher force vital capacity(FVC) and total lung capacity(TLC) as compared with IPF group [(2.6±0.9) L vs.(2.1± 0.5) L,(5.4±1.9) L vs.(4.4±1.1) L,t=2.69,2.35,P＜0.01 or 0.05].There were no significant differences in forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1) and the diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide(DLCO) between the two groups.The main type of emphysema by HRCT scan were centrilobular emphysema in CPFE patients.There were lower median survival time in CPFE group than in IPF group [(3.0±0.2) years vs.(4.0±1.0) years,x2=4.50,P＜0.05].Conclusions The majority of elderly CPFE patients are males and smokers.The lung volume is increased in elderly CPFE patients as compared with IPF patients.Centrilobular emphysema is the primary type in CPFE patients.The prognosis is worse in elderly CPFE patients than in IPF patients.

No abstract available.
Osteotomy*

Diagnosing pseudoaneurysms of the popliteal artery is usually straightforward in physical examinations and imaging findings. However, when a pseudoaneurysm shows a soft tissue mass with adjacent osseous change, it can mimic a bone tumor or a soft tissue sarcoma. We present a case of a 65-year-old man who had a pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery showing soft tissue mass and insinuating into the intramedullary cavity of the tibia. This presented case emphasizes the importance of considering pseudoaneurysms in the differential diagnosis of an apparent soft tissue mass with pressure erosion in adjacent bone.
Aged ; Aneurysm, False ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Hydrazines ; Physical Examination ; Popliteal Artery ; Sarcoma ; Tibia

The objective was to identify the correlation between the sign of lower limb swelling and unilateral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with brain lesions. A total of 194 patients, between May 12th, 2011 and December 30th, 2015, who had initially elevated plasma D-dimer level (> 0.55 mg/L) and underwent enhanced DVT computed tomography (CT) were recruited in this study. The circumference of bilateral lower limbs in CT image, below 10 cm and above 15 cm from the prominence of tibial tuberosity, were measured by a single intra-observer using NIH ImageJ software. The difference of 2 cm or more between both sides was considered as significant swelling. We also evaluated patients' range of mobility and cognitive function and its relation to lower limb swelling in DVT in patients with brain lesions. Thirty-five patients were diagnosed with DVT. The presence of lower limb swelling was not statistically significant between patients with DVT and those without DVT in the proximal limb (p = 0.330) and distal limb (p = 0.405). In DVT patients (n = 35), there was no statistically significant correlation between lower limb swelling and other covariates of the patient group. There was no statistically significant correlation between lower limb circumference and DVT.
Brain* ; Cognition ; Extremities ; Humans ; Lower Extremity* ; Plasma ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Venous Thrombosis*