The effects of morphine HCI on the rat mesenteric mast cells were studied with the electron microscopy. The materials were prepared for electron microscopy by osmium tetroxide fixation and embedding in Epon. The rat mesenteric mast cells showed no distinct morphological changes due to morphine HCl, but the mast cell granlues were changed in various ways. For instance, they formed dusters, showed granular lysis, and an appearance of electron transparency. Frequently, some granules appeared in the extracellular space and the boundary of the granules was not evident. From the results mentioned above, it was suggested that rat mesenteric mast cell granules were affected by morphine HCl in the shape, the granular matrix, and the granular boundaries.
Animal ; Cell Nucleus/ultrastructure ; Cytoplasm/ultrastructure ; Cytoplasmic Granules/drug effects ; Cytoplasmic Granules/ultrastructure ; Golgi Apparatus/ultrastructure ; Male ; Mast Cells/drug effects ; Mast Cells/ultrastructure* ; Mesentery/drug effects ; Mesentery/ultrastructure* ; Microscopy, Electron ; Mitochondria, Muscle/ultrastructure ; Morphine/pharmacology* ; Rats

The results of 17 fractures of tibial shaft treated with Rush nails under the image intensifier and early weight bearing are reported. Thirteen of these fractures were closed. All fractures were united between 12 and 21 weeks clinically, 17 and 26 weeks radiologically after operation. All cases were healed without significant complications, such as fracture disease. The advantages of this method were as follows; 1) normal knee motion and early weight bearingare possible during healing. 2) There is a relatively rapid restoration of bone continuity. This method of treatment for tibial shaft fractures were indicated as follows; 1. Mid-shaft fracture. 2. Segmental fracture of shaft. 3. Expectation of compression force at fracture surface by weight bearing. 4. Open fracture of shaft.
Fractures, Open ; Knee ; Methods ; Tibia ; Weight-Bearing

Common peroneal neuropathy during normal delivery is associated with instrumentation and prolonged time spent in a certain position. We report a case of unilateral common peroneal neuropathy in a vaginal delivery patient under labor analgesia with the combined spinal-epidural technique. A 29-year-old woman complained of weakness and numbness of the left foot two days after vaginal delivery. Neurologic examination and electrodiagnostic testing confirmed left common peroneal neuropathy. The patient was referred for rehabilitation, which substantially improved her mobility and function, and prevented secondary damage. The patient had not fully recovered at three months after the delivery. The possible etiology of the postpartum common peroneal neuropathy was most likely prolonged and excessive pressure around the knee by assistants. Excessive compression during delivery should be minimized or avoided. Patient education and awareness among the labor and delivery team will prevent this complication. Neurologic complications related to epidural analgesia should also be ruled out in these patients.
Adult ; Analgesia* ; Analgesia, Epidural ; Female ; Foot ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Knee ; Labor, Obstetric ; Neurologic Examination ; Patient Education as Topic ; Peroneal Neuropathies ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Rehabilitation

When fabricating definitive implant-supported fixed prostheses in upper and lower completely edentulous patients, it is crucial to get information about the vertical dimension, jaw relationship, implants, abutments and gingival contour.In this case, temporary prostheses were used to take the information. The temporary prosthesis was scanned outside of the mouth so that it increased the efficiency of scanning it. During the scan of the prosthesis, a scan zig which connected both posterior parts of the prosthesis was used to minimize the scan errors. We report this case because we obtained satisfactory functional and esthetic results by using the digital technology.

Degranulation of the mast cell has been reported by the injection of histamine liberators and other chemical agents. Chlorpheniramine maleate (1.2mg./kg. and 0.3mg./kg. comprising 1/74and 1/290 of LD50 respectively), which is an antihistamine agent, in physiological saline solution for intravenous injection and in Tyrode solution for intraperitoneal injection were given in single dose. The mesenteric mast cells stained in Pugh solution, as applied by Lee (1968), were counted according to the classification of An (1964) in 4 types; the typical normal mast cell, the Grade I type of mast cell, the Grade II type of mast cell and the Grade III type of mast cell. In the experimental rats given 1.2mg./kg. of chlorpheniramine intravenously, more mesenteric mast cells were s1ightly degranulated than those cells of the rats given 0.3mg./kg. of chlorpheniramine and the control rats. In the experimental rats given 1.2mg./kg. and 0.3 mg./kg. of chlorpheniramine intraperitoneally, more mesenteric mast cells were slightly degranulated than those cells of the control rats. However, in this intraperitoneal study the degree, or severity, of degranulation of the mesenteric mast cell was not in direct proportion to the dosage of this antihistamine. Consequently it is deduced that the experimental dosage of the antihistamine chlorpheniramine maleate, applied 1/74 and l/290 of LD50, caused an evient degranulation of mesenteric mast cells of the albino rats associated with probable histamine liberation.
Animal ; Chlorpheniramine/pharmacology ; Cytoplasmic Granules* ; Female ; Histamine H1 Antagonists/pharmacology* ; Male ; Mast Cells/drug effects* ; Rats

To elucidate the possibility whether an elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in rabbit coronary artery myocytes during ischemic cardioplegic period may serve as one of the mechanisms of the "no-reflow' phenomenon or not, the changes in [Ca2+]i were measured under ischemic cardioplegia conditions using a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, fura 2/AM. When single cells were perfused with cardioplegic or ischemic cardioplegic solutions, [Ca2+]i was significantly increased and the degree of [Ca2+] elevation was further augmented by the ischemic cardioplegic solution. Pretreatment of a sarcoplasmic reticulum emptying agent, 20 mM caffeine, had no effect on ischemic cardioplegia-induced [Ca2+]i changes, but application of a Ca2+ channel blocker, 5 x 10 (-1)M nifedipine, or an antagonist of Na+/Ca2+ exchange, 5 mM Ni2+, significantly inhibited the [Ca2+]i elevation, respectively. The magnitude of ischemic cardioplegia-induced [Ca2+]i elevation was dependent on the Ca2+ concentration of perfusate in the range of 0 and 25 mM. When Ni2+ was added to the reperfusion solution, recovery of ischemic cardioplegia-induced [Ca2+]i elevation was very rapid compared with the controls. It is concluded that ischemic cardioplegia-induced [Ca2+]i elevation may serve as one of the mechanisms of the "no-reflow' phenomenon in rabbit coronary artery smooth muscle cells. We propose that Na+/Ca2+ exchange may serve as a key function in ischemic cardioplegia-induced [Ca2+]i elevation.
Animal ; Arteries/metabolism ; Calcium/*metabolism ; Coronary Vessels/*metabolism ; Female ; *Heart Arrest, Induced ; Intracellular Membranes/*metabolism ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/*metabolism/pathology ; Myocardial Ischemia/*metabolism/pathology ; Osmolar Concentration ; Rabbits ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Histological studies were carried out on the degranulation of mesenteric mast cells of white rats caused by injections of morphine and nalorphine hydrochloride intravenously and the following conclusions were obtained. 1. By the injection of morphine hydrochloride fairly significant degranulation of the mesenteric mast cell was observed. 2. In various experimental doses of morphine hydrochloride the cytological change of the degranulation was not proportional to the doses of it in cases given more than 12mg./kg. of body weight. 3. The degranulating effect of the mesenteric mast cell by the injection of morphine hydrochloride was significantly inhibited by an adrenalectomy.
Adrenalectomy ; Animal ; Male ; Mast Cells/drug effects* ; Mesentery/drug effects* ; Morphine/antagonists & inhibitors ; Morphine/pharmacology* ; Nalorphine/pharmacology ; Rats

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: To directly examine the function of the endothelial cell(EC) and smooth muscle cell in umbilical arteries acquired from preeclampsia patients between June 1998 to November 1999, using a conventional tension measurement and bioassay experiment. RESULTS: Relaxation responses to EC-dependent relaxing agents including bradykinin and A23187 in human umbilical artery rings were significantly decreased in preeclampsia(p<0.01). Relaxation responses to EC-independent agents(SNP and SNAP) were also inhibited in umbilical artery rings acquired from preeclampsia patients(p<0.01). To test the change of endothelial cell function in preeclampsia without involvement of smooth muscle dysfunction, we used human umbilical artery and rabbit femoral artery as a donor and detector, respectively, in bioassay experiment. Relaxation responses to EC-dependent agents(A23187 and bradykinin) showed similar results to conventional tension measurement (p<0.01). Relaxation responses to 8-bromo-cGMP in human umbilical artery rings were also significantly decreased in preeclampsia(p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that increased vascular resistance in preeclampsia is not only due to the disturbance of endothelial function, but also to smooth muscle dysfunction.
Biological Assay ; Bradykinin ; Calcimycin ; Endothelial Cells ; Femoral Artery ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Pre-Eclampsia* ; Relaxation* ; Tissue Donors ; Umbilical Arteries* ; Vascular Resistance

BACKGROUND: Surgical stress and anesthesia can cause postoperative immunosuppression. T helper lymphocytes play a central role in the immune response. Cytokines secreted from T helper type-1 (Th1) and Th2 influence patients' morbidity. The purpose of the current study was to compare the effect of spinal anesthesia with epidural anesthesia on the T helper cell and cytokine secretions following cesarean section. METHODS: Forty-four patients were randomly divided into two groups. Total lymphocytes, T helper cells, and T helper type-1 and type-2 cytokines, interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), and IL-4 and IL-10 in the supernatant of CD4 cells stimulated with phytohemagglutinin were identified by using an enzyme-linked immune assay. Blood samples were obtained before surgery, 1, 3, and 24 h after the start of surgery. RESULTS: Significant decreases in lymphocytes and CD4 cells at 3 and 24 h after the start of surgery were seen in epidural anesthesia. The Th1 response, IFN-gamma and IL-2 secretions were detected in 9 patients, in the spinal group, and 9 and 14 patients in the epidural group, respectively. There were no differences in the Th1 responses between the groups as well as within the groups. Th2 cytokine, IL-10 response in the higher concentration group receiving spinal anesthesia decreased significantly over the three time points studied, but decreased only at 24 h in the epidural group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show a possible different immune response profile between the spinal and epidural group: a decreased CD4 level in the epidural group and decreased IL-10 levels in the spinal group according to the time period after surgery.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Epidural* ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Cesarean Section* ; Cytokines ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Interferons ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Lymphocytes ; Pregnancy ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

Aniskiasis is caused by the accidental infestation of human by larvae of marine mammals found in saltwater fish and squid. The clinical picture may be severe enough to stimulate an acute surgical abdomen. More commonly, colicky pain, diffuse abdominal tenderness, nausea, vomiting, fever, and leukocytosis are seen. Gastroscopically, 2-to 4-cm larvae can be seen penetrating the mucosa. More characteristically, the larvae burrow into the mucosa of the stomach. Here they produce eosinophilic granulomatous tumors with edema, thickening, and induration which may be mistaken for gastric canceer. The pathalogic changes are thought to be the result of a hypersensitivity reaction. We report a case of chronic gastric anisakiasis, which was diagnosed as submucosal tumor with massive bleeding.
Abdomen ; Anisakiasis* ; Abdominal Pain ; Decapodiformes ; Edema ; Eosinophils ; Fever ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Larva ; Leukocytosis ; Mammals ; Mucous Membrane ; Nausea ; Stomach ; Vomiting