No abstract available.
Adult* ; Esophageal Atresia* ; Fistula* ; Humans

PURPOSE: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA) with a balloon catheter is a standard method of treatment for membranous obstruction of inferior vena cava(MOIVC). But, correct therapeutic approach has not been established for MOIVC patients whose lesion is associated with extensive thrombotic IVC occlusion. We tried to treat MOIVC associated with or without thrombus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 13 cases of MOIVC(associated with thrombus in 7 cases, no thrombus in 6 cases) with PTA, thrombolysis and self-expandable metallic stents. RESULTS: PTA was successful in 8 cases, but failed in 5 cases. The recurred cases were retreated with PTA, but follow up study revealed recoiling restenosis in 4 cases and intimal hyperplasia in 1 case at previous PTA site which could be overcome with a self-expandable metallic stent. The complication were occurred in 3 cases which were hemothorax, hemopericardium, and hemoperitoneum respectively. However, those were resolved by conservative treatment only. CONCLUSION: Recanalization and dilatation could be done in MOIVC patients with or without thrombosis for improvement of patient's symptom. Gianturco self-expandable metallic stent is sueful in treatment of recurred MOIVC after balloon dilatation and preventing reocclusion of the IVC after PTA.
Catheters ; Dilatation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemoperitoneum ; Hemothorax ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Pericardial Effusion ; Stents* ; Thrombosis

This is to report the technique of reversed iliac leg stent-graft in endovascular treatment for isolated internal iliac artery (IIA) aneurysm, which had significant size discrepancy between the common iliac artery (CIA) and external iliac artery (EIA) in 3 patients from different hospitals. Three patients were a 85- and two 82-year-old men. Treated were right IIA aneurysms, sized 6.5x6.2 cm, 5.0x4.0 cm, and 4.1 cm in longest diameter, respectively. The diameters of the right CIA and right EIA measured 21 mm/11 mm, 15 mm/11 mm, and 20 mm/10 mm, respectively. In all cases, reversed iliac leg stent-grafts were prepared on-site; unsheathed and mounted upside-down manually, and deployed in each right CIA. Post-stent-graft angiograms showed complete exclusion of the aneurysms, except for minimal type 1 endoleak in one case. This technique is a useful treatment option in patients with isolated IIA aneurysm.
Aged, 80 and over ; Aneurysm* ; Endoleak ; Endovascular Procedures ; Humans ; Iliac Aneurysm ; Iliac Artery* ; Leg* ; Male

Rhizome of Alisma orientale has been used as a traditional medicine for treating kidney diseases in East Asian countries. Its inhibitory effects on hypersensitivity responses have been reported for methanol extracts, with alisol B 23-acetate (AB23Ac) being the most active constituent among six terpenes in inhibiting the direct passive Arthus reaction. However, whether AB23Ac has efficacy against allergic asthma has not been tested to date. The in vivo efficacy of AB23Ac in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma mouse model was evaluated by administrating AB23Ac before OVA sensitization or OVA challenge in BALB/c mice. AB23Ac suppressed antigen-induced degranulation of RBL-2H3 mast cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The administration of AB23Ac both before OVA sensitization and OVA challenge greatly lowered pulmonary resistance and the increase in immune cell counts and inflammatory responses around the peribronchial and perivascular regions. In addition, the inflammatory cytokine levels of Th1/Th2/Th17 cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid decreased in the AB23Ac-treated groups. AB23Ac reduced the number of PAS-stained cells in the lungs. Furthermore, a computer modeling study indicated that AB23Ac can bind tightly to spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). These results suggest that AB23Ac may ameliorate allergic asthma by suppressing immune responses in dendritic cells during sensitization and in mast cells during challenge periods.

Primary lymphoma of the kidney is rare, and in most cases is attributable to lymphomatous renal infilitration of systemic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or an extension from an adjacent site of the disease. Since the renal parenchyma is not a lymphoid organ, the mechanism by which renal lymphoma occur remains poorly understood. We report here a case of primary bilateral B-cell renal lymphoma in 26-year-old man who was treated successfully with combination chemotherapy.
Adult ; B-Lymphocytes* ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Humans ; Kidney ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery has emerged as a new approach to the conventional median sternotomy. The suggested advantages of the minimally invasive technique includes improved cosmesis, simplicity of opening and closing the chest, less postoperative pain, less risk of infection and bleeding, early rehabilitation, and reduced length of hospital stay. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between March 1997 and December 1997, we performed 36 cases of minimally invasive cardiac surgery via three different approaches ; right paramedian, transverse sternotomy and mini-sternotomy with upper sternal split. RESULT: There was no operative mortality. Postoperative complications were atrial fibrillation in 4 patients, bleeding that required reoperation in 1 patient, and delayed wound closure in 1 patient who underwent 3rd redo operation. Average length of skin incision was 9.1+/-0.9 cm. Average duration of stay in the intensive care unit was 48+/-29 hours and the patients were discharged 10+/-7 days after the operation. CONCLUSION: In spite of the difficulties in defibrillation, deairing, and cardiac decompensation, minimally invasive approaches will be applied increasingly because of the suggested advantages.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Length of Stay ; Mortality ; Pain, Postoperative ; Postoperative Complications ; Rehabilitation ; Reoperation ; Skin ; Sternotomy ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Thoracic Surgery* ; Thorax ; Wounds and Injuries

Isolated sphenoid sinusitis is a rare disorder. There are some difficulties in its diagnosis; therefore the first presentation of this disorder might be with complications. These complications are essentially due to the anatomical location of the sinus and its proximity to the intra-cranial and orbital contents, to which infection may easily spread. A case of isolated sphenoid fungal sinusitis with unilateral abducent nerve palsy is being reported which was successfully treated by parenteral antibiotic therapy and endonasal endoscopic sphenoidotomy.
Abducens Nerve Diseases* ; Abducens Nerve* ; Diagnosis ; Orbit ; Paralysis ; Sinusitis* ; Sphenoid Sinus ; Sphenoid Sinusitis

Type 1 Interferons (T1 IFN) play a pivotal role in innate immune responses against viral infection. Recently, this anti-viral cytokines are shown to be induced during bacterial infections via activation of various pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) including Toll-like receptors, RIG-I-like receptors, or NOD-like receptors. Signaling mediators such as MyD88, TRIF, MAVS, STING, or RIP2 of the receptor signaling pathways are also involved in T1 IFN responses depending on the bacterial species and their ligands. However, role of T1 IFN in anti-bacterial immunity is still obscure and its effect on immunological pathogenesis during bacterial infection has been controversial. It has been reported that T1 IFN could provide protective effect on several bacterial infections but it also aggravates pathogenic situation during some intracellular pathogens or secondary bacterial infection after respiratory viral infection. Here, we summarize recent findings how T1 IFN is induced by various bacterial pathogens and discuss the potential effect of T1 IFN responses on immune responses against bacterial infection.
Bacterial Infections* ; Bites and Stings ; Cytokines ; Immunity, Innate ; Interferon Type I* ; Interferons ; Ligands ; Receptors, Pattern Recognition ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptors

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to present methods and results for the modified Phemister operation, with a suture anchor added for augmentation of the conoid ligament in cases of acute dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 14 cases of acute dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint. This included 11 cases of Rockwood type 3, and 3 cases of type 5. The mean age of patients was 45.2 years. We operated on them using an anchor for augmentation of the conoid ligament in the modified Phemister operation. The average follow-up period was 14 months and post-operative clinical analysis was conducted using the Weitzman classification, VAS Score, Constant Score and KSS Score. RESULTS: According to Weitzman scores, 13 cases were evaluated as excellent, and one case was good. They had mean joint ranges of forward elevation of 170.7degrees, lateral elevation of 166.4, external rotation of 68.2, and internal rotation to the level of T7. The mean VAS Score was 1.9, mean Constant Score 90.8, and the mean KSS Score 91. Radiologic analysis indicated that all cases had a good result. CONCLUSION: The modified Phemister operation with a suture anchor added for augmentation of the conoid ligament is very effective clinically in acute dislocations of the acromioclavicular joint.
Acromioclavicular Joint ; Dislocations ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joints ; Ligaments ; Suture Anchors ; Sutures

Viral proteins of gamma-2 herpesviruses, such as LMP2A of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and Tip of herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) dysregulate lymphocyte signaling by interacting with Src family kinases. K15 open reading frame of Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV), located at the right end of the viral genome, encodes several splicing variants differing in numbers of transmembrane domains. Previously, we demonstrated that the cytoplasmic tail of the K15 protein interfered with B cell receptor signal transduction to cellular tyrosine phosphorylation and calcium mobilization. However, the detailed mechanism underlying this phenomenon was not understood. In the C-terminal cytoplasmic region of K15, putative binding domains for Src-SH2 and -SH3 were identified. In this study, we attempted to characterize these modular elements and cellular binding protein(s) by GST pull down and co-immunoprecipitation assays. These studies revealed that K15 interacted with the major B cell tyrosine kinase Lyn. In vitro kinase and transient co-expression assays showed that the expression of K15 protein resulted in activation of Lyn kinase activity. In addition, GST pull down assay suggested that the SH2 domain of Lyn alone was necessary for interaction with the C-terminal SH2B (YEEV) of K15, but the addition of Lyn SH3 to the SH2 domain increases the binding affinity to K15 protein. The data from luciferase assays indicate that K15 expression in BJAB cells induced NFAT and AP1 activities. The tyrosine residue in the C-terminal end of K15 required for the Lyn interaction appeared to be essential for NFAT/AP1 activation, highlighting the significance of the C-terminal SH2B of K15 as a modular element in interfering with B lymphocyte signaling through interaction with Lyn kinase.
Cell Line ; Herpesvirus 8, Human/genetics/*metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoprecipitation ; Membrane Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; NFATC Transcription Factors/genetics/*metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Binding ; Sarcoma, Kaposi/virology ; Transcription Factor AP-1/genetics/*metabolism ; Transfection ; Viral Proteins/genetics/*metabolism ; src-Family Kinases/genetics/*metabolism