No abstract available.
Myocardial Infarction*

BACKGROUND: Extracellular ATP, released from platelets and nerve endings, plays significant roles in the regulation of circulation. The effects of ATP depend on the location of the vessels and the species of experimental animals. Until now, studies were limited to arteries, so we compared the effects of ATP in rat vena cava with those in the aorta and attempted to identify the characteristics of their receptors. METHODS: Vascular rings were isolated from the rat inferior vena cava and descending thoracic aorta. Endothelial cells were preserved or removed by gentle rubbing. The isometric contractions were recorded on polygraph using a force transducer. RESULTS: In the vena cava ring precontracted by 100 nM norepinephrine (NE), ATP elicited relaxations in a dose-dependent manner. These effects were abolished by removal of the endothelium or pretreatment with a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. Relaxations to ATP in the vena cava (EC50 :9.9 microM) were less potent than those in the aorta (1.7 microM). The relative order of potencies was ADP>ATP>AMP>adenosine, but the maximal relaxation to ADP was smaller than to ATP. ATP-induced vasorelaxation was blocked by suramin, a nonselective antagonist for P2 purinoceptor and reactive blue-2, a P2Y blocker. At basal tension, ATP contracted the vena cava dose-dependently and these effects were potentiated by endothelium-removal. Contractions in the vena cava were also less potent than in the aorta, and the order of potencies was alpha, beta-MeATP>UTP>ATP>ADP>AMP=adenosine. ATP-induced vasoconstriction was blocked by suramin and alpha, beta-MeATP, a desensitizing antagonist of P2X purinoceptor, and potentiated by pretreatment with UTP. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that ADP and ATP acts on P2Y1- and P2Y2-purinoceptor in the endothelium, respectively and induces vasorelaxation of the vena cava, which is mediated by nitric oxide. Since ATP and UTP induced vasoconstriction in endothelium-denuded condition, it may be mediated by the activation of the P2X and P2Y4, 6 purinoceptor on smooth muscles, respectively.
Adenosine Diphosphate ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; Animals ; Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Arteries ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium ; Isometric Contraction ; Muscle, Smooth ; Nerve Endings ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Norepinephrine ; Rats* ; Receptors, Purinergic P2 ; Receptors, Purinergic P2X ; Receptors, Purinergic* ; Relaxation ; Suramin ; Transducers ; Uridine Triphosphate ; Vasoconstriction ; Vasodilation ; Vena Cava, Inferior*

Decreased cardiac contractility occurs in endotoxicosis, but little is known about the ionic mechanism responsible for myocardial dysfunction. In this study, we examined the changes in Ca2+ and K+ currents in cardiac myocytes from endotoxin-treated rat. Ventricular myocytes were isolated from normal and endotoxemic rats (ex vivo), that were treated for 10 hours with Salmonella enteritidis lipopolysaccharides (LPS; 1.5 mg/kg) intravenously. Normal cardiac myocytes were also incubated for 6 hours with 200 ng/ml LPS (in vitro). L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L) and transient outward K+ current (Ito) were measured using whole cell patch clamp techniques. Peak ICa,L was reduced in endotoxemic myocytes (ex vivo; 6.00.4 pA/pF, P<0.01) compared to normal myocytes (control; 10.90.6 pA/pF). Exposure to endotoxin in vitro also attenuated ICa,L (8.40.4 pA/pF, P<0.01). The amplitude of Ito on depolarization to 60 mV was reduced in endotoxin treated myocytes (16.51.5 pA/pF, P<0.01, ex vivo; 20.00.9 pA/pF, P<0.01, in vitro) compared to normal myocytes (control; 24.71.0 pA/pF). There was no voltage shift in steady-state inactivation of ICa,L and Ito between groups. These results suggest that endotoxin reduces Ca2+ and K+ currents of rat cardiac myocytes, which may lead to cardiac dysfunction.
Animals ; Depression* ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Muscle Cells ; Myocytes, Cardiac* ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats* ; Salmonella enteritidis

PURPOSE: The efficacy of 20-gauge and 23-gauge vitrectomy system was investigated in primary vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. METHODS: Eyes that underwent primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were followed up at least 6 months and were reviewed retrospectively. Anatomic results, functional outcomes, operation time and complications were compared between 20-gauge and 23-gauge groups. RESULTS: Among 59 eyes of 59 patients, the 20-gauge group had 29 eyes of 29 patients and 23-gauge group had 30 eyes of 30 patients. Anatomic success after a single operation was obtained in 23 eyes (79.3%) of the 20-gauge group and 28 eyes (93.3%) of the 23-gauge group. Recurrence occurred in 6 eyes (20.7%) in the 20-gauge and in 2 eyes (6.6%) in the 23-gauge group. Retinal reattachment in all of these eyes was obtained through reoperation. Visual acuity improved logMAR 0.2 or more in 19 eyes (65.5%) of the 20-gauge group and 20 eyes (66.7%) of the 23 gauge group (p=0.153, 0.215). The average operation time of the 23-gauge group was 80.2 minutes, which was significantly shorter than the 94.8 minutes of the 20-gauge group (p=0.008). Transient ocular hypertension and progression of lens opacity were the most common complications in the both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-three-gauge transconjuctival sutureless vitrectomy achieved outcomes comparable with 20-gauge vitrectomy, with significantly shorter operation time in repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. It is considered as a viable alternative to 20-gauge vitrectomy in selected cases.
Cataract ; Eye ; Humans ; Ocular Hypertension ; Recurrence ; Reoperation ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinaldehyde ; Retrospective Studies ; Scleral Buckling ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

It had heen emphasized the necessity for upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations in patients. Who has had gastrectomy and presents persisting gastrointestinal symptoms. This study was conducted to evaluate endoscopic findings and clinical symptoms in patients following gastrectomy. (continue...)
Gastrectomy* ; Humans

Sclerocornea is an uncommon congenital anomaly characterized by non progressive, noninflammatory, and unilateral or bilateral opacities of the peripheral, central, or entire cornea with deep or superficial vascularization. Sclerocornea may be a part of the mesodermal dysgenesis syndrome. Many ocular and systemic abnormalities have been described in association with sclerocornea. The authors present a case of sclerocornea of both eyes in a 26-year-old male with familial tendency. In this patient cornea plana, esotropia, and amblyopia were associated with sclerocornea.
Adult ; Amblyopia ; Cornea ; Esotropia ; Humans ; Male ; Mesoderm

This case report describes a patient with semipedunclated granuylar cell tumor(granular cell myoblastoma) of the proximal ascending colon removed by endoscopic polypectomy. A 39-year old femalie was visited to our hospital for intermittent abdominal pain and loose stool. Colonoscopic examination showed a semipedunclated lesion covered with yellowish white smooth mucosa in the proximal ascending colon. The tumor was removed by endoscopic polypectomy. The collected specimen was 0.9x0.8 cm in size. The cut surface of the specimen showed a white round firm tumor covered with mormal epithelium of the colon. Using immunohistochemical study, the tumor cells were to be positively stained by S-100 protein and negatively stained by desmin, which supports the concept of the Schwann cell origin of granular cell tumor. In Korea, 2 cases of granular cell tumor of the colon and rectum, which were treated by surgical removal, have been reported. This case in the first endoscopic polypectomy of granular cell tumor of the colon and retum in Korea. The endoscopic polypectomy is thought to be useful for the therapy of small pedunclated or semipedunclated granular cell tumor, intracolonic type.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Colon ; Colon, Ascending* ; Desmin ; Epithelium ; Granular Cell Tumor* ; Humans ; Korea ; Mucous Membrane ; Rectum ; S100 Proteins

BACKGROUND: Cerebellar hemorrhage may present with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, from a benign course with little to no neurological deficit to a rapidly fatal course with hydrocephalus and brainstem compression. However, controversy remains concerning the management of patients with cerebellar hemorrhage. The aim of this study was to set the criteria for conservative or surgical treatment and predictive factors of poor outcomes. METHODS: During the 5-year period from July 1997 through July 2002, a series of 64 consecutive patients with spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage was evaluated. On admission, all patients underwent a standard neurological examination, and a computed tomography (CT) scan. The location and size of hematoma, hypertension, hydrocephalus, intraventricular hemorrhage and compression of quadrigeminal cistern on a CT scan were compared with the Glasgow coma scale (GCS) and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). RESULTS: Patients with GCS scores of 13 or more at admission and with a hematoma of less than 15 mL showed good outcomes. Patients with GCS scores of 10 or less at admission or with a hematoma measuring 15 mL or more had poor outcomes. Patients with intraventricular hemorrhage (p<0.05), compression of quadrigeminal cistern (p<0.05), and hydrocephalus (p<0.05) in the brain CT had poor outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In treating patients with spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage, an initial GCS and CT scan were quite helpful in determining treatment strategies. For patients whose CT scan show intraventricular hemorrhages, compression of the quadrigeminal cistern, and hydrocephalus, intensive therapy should be deemed necessary.
Brain ; Brain Stem ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Hypertension ; Neurologic Examination ; Prognosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Eclampsia and hypertensive encephalopathy share similar pathophysiological mechanisms, which present as vaso-genic edema and vasospasm. In majority of the patients, neurologic manifestations are reversible. A 31-year-old pregnant woman in her 40 weeks of gestation developed repeated attacks of seizure and confused mentality. As consciousness improved, multiple neurologic deficits were detected. Cerebral angiography a showed diffuse vasospasm. Six months later, neurologic manifestations were partially recovered. We report a rare case of eclampsia with irreversible neurologic deficits, in which cerebral vasospasm was confirmed by an angiography. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(5):537~540, 2001)
Adult ; Angiography ; Cerebral Angiography ; Consciousness ; Eclampsia* ; Edema ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertensive Encephalopathy ; Neuroimaging* ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Seizures ; Vasospasm, Intracranial

PURPOSE: To compare concentration of cytokines in the vitreous of rabbit eyes after photocoagulation using a short-pulse pattern scanning laser (PASCAL) or a conventional laser. METHODS: Laser photocoagulation was performed using PASCAL (duration 0.02 seconds) in the right eyes and a conventional laser (duration 0.1 seconds) in the left eyes of 13 pigmented rabbits. To obtain ophthalmoscopically similar mild burns, power was adjusted during the photocoagulation. The rabbits were sacrificed at 1, 3 or 7 days after photocoagulation to investigate histological changes. Levels of interleukins (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in the vitreous humors of ten rabbits were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before treatment and at 1, 3 and 7 days after photocoagulation. RESULTS: Histological changes were comparable between the two groups. IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were not detectable. IL-6 did not change significantly. IL-8 increased at day 3 and day 7, but no significant difference was observed between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: When ophthalmoscopically similar mild burn intensity was achieved, conventional and PASCAL treatments of rabbit eyes caused no difference in intravitreal concentration of inflammatory cytokines.
Burns ; Cytokines* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukin-8 ; Interleukins ; Light Coagulation* ; Rabbits* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Vitreous Body