The ryanodine receptor/channel (RyR) mediates the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in both skeletal and cardiac muscle cells. There are three isoforms of the RyR: RyR1, RyR2, and RyR3. RyR1 is specifically expressed in skeletal muscles and RyR2 in cardiac muscles. RyR3 is yet another isoform found in non-muscle cells such as neuronal cells. Single channel recordings of RyR1 and RyR2 reconstituted in artificial lipid bilayer show that the characteristics of two isoforms are very distinct. RyR1 has a shorter mean open time and is activated at a higher concentration of Ca2+ than RyR2. In this study, we isolated the heavy SR membranes from canine latissimus dorsi muscles and investigated the single channel activities from the heavy SR membrane fraction using Cs+ as a charge carrier. Two different types of activities were observed. The fast-gating type (FG) with the mean open time of 0.9 ms was more frequently recorded (n = 12) than the slow-gating type (SG) with the mean open time of 269.2 ms. From the I-V relation, the slope conductance of the FG was calculated to be 514.7 pS and the SG, to 625.6 pS. The activity of the fast gating type increased by raising the concentration of Ca2+ in the cis-solution up to 100 microM. The appearance of the SG in the canine heavy SR membrane fraction suggests a possibility that two types of RyR isoform are co-expressed in mammalian skeletal muscle as well as in avian, amphibian and piscine fast twitch muscles.
Animal ; Calcium Channels/*metabolism ; Dogs ; *Ion Channel Gating ; Lipid Bilayers ; Microsomes/metabolism ; Muscle Proteins/*metabolism ; Muscle, Skeletal/*metabolism ; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum/*metabolism ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Thorax ; Time Factors

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes and normal ranges of the artery-bronchus ratio (ABR) during respiration MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed HRCT of 10 healthy adults. The HRCT findings of ten healthy adults were analysed. CT scanning was performed with 1 mm collimation at 3 mm intervals during full inspiration and full expiration, with a range during inspiration from 2 cm to 4 cm above the carina and from 4 cm above to 2 cm below the right hemidiaphragm. The range during expiration was from 1 cm to 3 cm above the carina and from 4 cm above to 2 cm below the right hemidiaphragm. ABiR (defined as the diameter of pulmonary artery divided by the inner diameter of the bronchus), ABoR (defined as the diameter of pulmonary artery divided by the outer diameter of the bronchus) and BLR (defined as the inner diameter of the bronchus divided by the outer diameter of the bronchus) were measured on the display console. RESULTS: The mean inner diameter of the bronchi was 2.04+/-0.73 mm during inspiration and 1.68+/-0.51 mm during expiration, while the mean diameter of the arteries was 3.95+/-1.03 mm during inspiration and 4.37+/-1.09 mm during expiration. The diameters of the bronchi were thus seen to increase during inspiration, and the diameters of the pulmonary arteries, to decrease. The mean thickness of the bronchial wall was 1.07+/-0.19 mm during inspiration and 1.06+/-0.24mm during expiration; thus, no change in thickness was seen during respiration (p<0.05). Mean ABiR was 2.01+/-0.60 (range 1.15-4.58) during inspiration and 2.59+/-0.74(range 1.16-4.9) during expiration, and in all cases the inner diameter of the bronchus was less than that of the accompanying pulmonary artery. Mean ABoR was 0.91+/-0.19 during inspiration and 1.09+/-0.22 during expiration. while for BLR, the corresponding fingures were 0.46+/-0.06, and 0.44+/-0.09. CONCLUSION: HRCT is a useful tool for evaluating changes in the pulmonary arteries and bronchi during respiration.
Adult ; Arteries ; Bronchi ; Humans ; Pulmonary Artery ; Reference Values ; Respiration* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: Several studies suggest that tumor angiogenesis is a significant prognostic factor in carcinoma of the breast, lung, prostate, oral cavity, and colon. We assessed whether intensity of tumor angiogenesis, as measured by microvessel counts in histologic sections, correlates with prognosis in patients with stage III gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paraffin-embedded sections from 49 patients (23 stage IIla, 26 stage IIIb) with primary gastric cancer that had been completely removed were analyzed for angiogenesis. Vessels were stained with anti-factor VIII polyclonal antibody, and areas with the most discrete microvessels were counted in a 200X field. RESULTS: Patients with stage IIIa gastric cancer had fewer microvessels than those with stage IIIb gastric cancer (32.8+-14.5 vs. 40.3+-16.1, P=0.106). The mean microvessel count from patients who were alive were significantly lower than that from patients who had died at the time of follow-up (24.8+-10.0 vs. 42.9+- 14.5, P=O.OOO). The 5-year survival rate of patients with count less than 33 microvessels was higher than that of patients with count more than 33 microvessels (59.9% vs. 11.6%, P= 0.000). On multivariate analysis by Cox proportional hazards model, the microvessel count was a significant prognostic factor of stage III gastric cancer. CONCLUSION: Tumor angiogenesis assessed by microvessel count may be a significant prognostic factor of stage III gastric cancer and may prove valuable in selecting patients with stage III gastric cancer for aggressive adjuvant therapy and closer postoperative follow-up.
Breast ; Colon ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; Microvessels ; Mouth ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis* ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prostate ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Survival Rate

The immunomodulatory and antitumor effects of lactic acid bacteria (LABs) were investigated. Cytoplasmic fraction of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium longum were tested for the antiproliferative activity in vitro to SNUC2A, SNU1, NIH/3T3 and Jurkat cell lines by crystal violet assay. All cytoplasmic fraction suppressed proliferation of tumor cells, though L. casei and B. longum were more effective. From these results, cytoplasmic fraction of L. casei and B. longum with Y400 as a control were administered as dietary supplements to Balb/c mice for 2, and 4 consecutive wks. Administration for 4 wks enhanced the number of total T cells, NK cells and MHC class II+ cells, and CD4-CD8+ T cells in flow cytometry analysis. To determine of antitumor activity of LABs preparation in vivo, F9 teratocarcinoma cells were inoculated on mice at 14th day. Body weight was decreased with increased survival rate in all groups with the cytoplasm of LABs. Our results showed that cytoplasmic fraction of LABs had direct antiproliferative effects on tumor cell lines in vitro, effects on immune cells in vivo, and antitumor effects on tumor-bearing mice with prolonged survival periods.
3T3 Cells ; Animals ; *Bifidobacterium ; Body Weight ; Cell Division/physiology ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Jurkat Cells ; Killer Cells, Natural/immunology ; *Lactobacillus casei ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neoplasms, Experimental/immunology/*therapy ; Probiotics/*pharmacology ; Survival Analysis ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology

BACKGROUND: Measles is a highly infectious disease throughout the world and has not yet been eradicated with aggressive vaccination in Korea since 1960's. Recently, measles outbreaks have occurred periodically every 2 to 4 years. Unlike measles in children, few clinical studies on the measles of adult in our domestic area were carried out. In this study, we analyzed epidemiologic and clinical features of adult measles patients. METHODS: From January to June in 2001, 23 adult measles patients were admitted in Sun general hospital in Daejeon. Epidemiologic findings, clinical course, and laboratory findings were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Measles was predominant in male patients (M : F=2.3 : 1). Many of the patients were late teenagers and early twenties. Major symptoms were fever (100%), cough (100%), rash (100%), diarrhea (69.6%), vomiting (60.9%), headache (60.9%), rhinorrhea (30.4%), and sore throat (30.4%). Koplik spot was observed in 11 (47.8%) patients. Rash appeared 1-6 days after the onset of fever. Fever lasted for 5-9 days and cough lasted for 10-14 days. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were elevated in 12 (52.2%) and 9 (39.1%) patients, respectively. Only 14 (60.9%) patients were seropositive for measles specific IgG antibody, but all the patients were seropositive for measles specific IgM antibody. No fatal complication was observed. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal symptom and hepatic dysfunction were the clinical characteristics of adult measles outbreak in Daejeon, 2001. Different from previous studies, all patients were seropositive for measles specific IgM antibody.
Adolescent ; Adult* ; Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Child ; Communicable Diseases ; Cough ; Diarrhea ; Disease Outbreaks ; Exanthema ; Fever ; Headache ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Korea ; Male ; Measles* ; Pharyngitis ; Retrospective Studies ; Solar System ; Vaccination ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND: Measles is a highly infectious disease throughout the world and has not yet been eradicated with aggressive vaccination in Korea since 1960's. Recently, measles outbreaks have occurred periodically every 2 to 4 years. Unlike measles in children, few clinical studies on the measles of adult in our domestic area were carried out. In this study, we analyzed epidemiologic and clinical features of adult measles patients. METHODS: From January to June in 2001, 23 adult measles patients were admitted in Sun general hospital in Daejeon. Epidemiologic findings, clinical course, and laboratory findings were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Measles was predominant in male patients (M : F=2.3 : 1). Many of the patients were late teenagers and early twenties. Major symptoms were fever (100%), cough (100%), rash (100%), diarrhea (69.6%), vomiting (60.9%), headache (60.9%), rhinorrhea (30.4%), and sore throat (30.4%). Koplik spot was observed in 11 (47.8%) patients. Rash appeared 1-6 days after the onset of fever. Fever lasted for 5-9 days and cough lasted for 10-14 days. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were elevated in 12 (52.2%) and 9 (39.1%) patients, respectively. Only 14 (60.9%) patients were seropositive for measles specific IgG antibody, but all the patients were seropositive for measles specific IgM antibody. No fatal complication was observed. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal symptom and hepatic dysfunction were the clinical characteristics of adult measles outbreak in Daejeon, 2001. Different from previous studies, all patients were seropositive for measles specific IgM antibody.
Adolescent ; Adult* ; Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Child ; Communicable Diseases ; Cough ; Diarrhea ; Disease Outbreaks ; Exanthema ; Fever ; Headache ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Korea ; Male ; Measles* ; Pharyngitis ; Retrospective Studies ; Solar System ; Vaccination ; Vomiting

Objectives: . Using tissue-engineered materials for esophageal reconstruction is a technically challenging task in animals that requires bioreactor training to enhance cellular reactivity. There have been many attempts at esophageal tissue engineering, but the success rate has been limited due to difficulty in initial epithelialization in the special environment of peristalsis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of an artificial esophagus that can enhance the regeneration of esophageal mucosa and muscle through the optimal combination of a double-layered polymeric scaffold and a custom-designed mesenchymal stem cell-based bioreactor system in a canine model. Methods: . We fabricated a novel double-layered scaffold as a tissue-engineered esophagus using an electrospinning technique. Prior to transplantation, human-derived mesenchymal stem cells were seeded into the lumen of the scaffold, and bioreactor cultivation was performed to enhance cellular reactivity. After 3 days of cultivation using the bioreactor system, tissue-engineered artificial esophagus was transplanted into a partial esophageal defect (5×3 cm-long resection) in a canine model. Results: . Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the electrospun fibers in a tubular scaffold were randomly and circumferentially located toward the inner and outer surfaces. Complete recovery of the esophageal mucosa was confirmed by endoscopic analysis and SEM. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and computed tomography also showed that there were no signs of leakage or stricture and that there was a normal lumen with complete epithelialization. Significant regeneration of the mucosal layer was observed by keratin-5 immunostaining. Alpha-smooth muscle actin immunostaining showed significantly greater esophageal muscle regeneration at 12 months than at 6 months. Conclusion . Custom-designed bioreactor cultured electrospun polyurethane scaffolds can be a promising approach for esophageal tissue engineering.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to find the optimal volume of local anesthetics needed for a successful ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (SGB) to treat head and neck pathology. METHODS: Fifteen female and fourteen male sensory-neural hearing loss patients received 4 times SGBs with 0.2% ropivacaine in volumes of 6, 4, 3 and 2 ml at 1 to 3 day intervals. Using the transverse short-axis view of the neck that showed Chassaignac's tubercle at the C6 level, a 25-gauge, and 4 cm needle was inserted via the lateral paracarotid approach with out-of-plane targeting between the prevertebral fascia and the ventral surface of longus colli muscle (subfascial injection). A successful block was confirmed with the onset of ptosis (Horner's syndrome). RESULTS: There were no significant statistical differences between the presence of Horner's syndrome and the volume of local anesthetics given. However, Horner's syndrome was present in all trials for the 4 ml and 6 ml groups. Six (20.7%) and three out (10.4%) of twenty-nine trials in the 2 ml and 3 ml groups, respectively, failed to elicit Horner's syndrome. The duration of action was significantly different in the 2 ml group compared to that of the 6 ml group, but there was no significant difference between the other groups, including the 4 ml vs. 6 ml groups. The side effects were not different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This data suggests that the optimal volume of 0.2% ropivacaine for ultrasound-guided SGB to treat the head and neck pathology in daily practice is 4 ml.
Amides ; Anesthetics, Local ; Fascia ; Female ; Head ; Hearing Loss ; Horner Syndrome ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles ; Neck ; Needles ; Stellate Ganglion

Seizure associated with antiemetics is rare. We report seizure associated with a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist in a 38 years old female. The patient underwent ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy due to left upper ureter stone. After operation, the patient complained of nausea in the postanesthetic recovery unit. In order to subside symptom, the patient was administrated 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, palonosetron, 0.075 mg intravenously. Shortly after administration of that, the patient developed generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The symptom was subsided after midazolam and thiopental sodium were injected. But 40 minutes later, seizure recurred and subsided with midazolam again. The patient recovered completely without any specific sequelae.
Antiemetics ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Isoquinolines ; Lithotripsy ; Midazolam ; Nausea ; Quinuclidines ; Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3 ; Seizures ; Thiopental ; Ureter

Clinical application of the cartilage formed by tissue engineering is of no practical use due to the failure of long-term structural integrity maintenance. One of the important factors for integrity maintenance is the biomaterial for a scaffold. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the difference between polylactic-co-glycolic acids (PLGA) and chitosan as scaffolds. Human auricular chondrocytes were isolated, cultured, and seeded on the scaffolds, which were implanted in the back of nude mice. Eight animals were sacrificed at 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24 weeks after implantation respectively. In gross examination and histological findings, the volume of chondrocyte-PLGA complexes was decreased rapidly. The volume of chondrocyte-chitosan complexes was well maintained with a slow decrease rate. The expression of type II collagen protein detected by immunohistochemistry and western blots became weaker with time in the chondrocyte-PLGA complexes. However, the expression in the chondrocyte-chitosan complexes was strong for the whole period. Collagen type II gene expressions using RT-PCR showed a similar pattern. In conclusion, these results suggest that chitosan is a superior scaffold in cartilage tissue engineering in terms of structural integrity maintenance. It is expected that chitosan scaffold may become one of the most useful scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cartilage* ; Chitosan* ; Chondrocytes ; Collagen Type II ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Tissue Engineering*