No abstract available.
Aneurysm*

In order to evaluate the accuracy of endoscopic findings in the diagnosis of gastric can the endoscopic findings of gastric lesion were compared with the macroscopic and pathologic findings of excised identical lesion. 105 operated gastric cancer paitients (advanced cancer 95 cases, early cancer 10 cases) who were diagnosed endoscopically at Pusan National University Hospital from January 1983 to August 1987 were studied. The results were as follows; 1) The accuracy of endoscopic findings were 94.7% in the advanced gastric cancer, and 45.5% in the early gastric cancer. 2) The accuracy of gross findings endoscopic and pathologic in advanced gastric cancer were 50.0% in Borrmann type I, 45.0% in Borrmann type II, 73.2% in Borrmann type III, and 66.7% in Borrmann tyye IV. 3) The accuracy of the endoscopy ia morphologic classification of advanced gastric cancer according to pathologic tumor location were 60.0% in C (upper 1/3), 43.9% in M(middle 1/3),76.3% in A (lower 1/3), 55.6% in the anterior wall, 50.0% in the posterior wall, 66.7% in the greater curavature, and 67.2% in the lesser curvature. 4) The accuracy of endoacopy in morphologic classification of gastric cancer to tumor size ware 54.5% in below 2 cm, 54.5% in from 2.1 cm to 4 cm, 65.4% in from 4.1 cm to 6.0 cm, 80% in from 6.1 cm to 8 cm, 75.0% in above 8.1 cm. 5) The accuracy of endoscopy in the morphologic classification according to the pathologic tumor stage in advanced gastric cancer were 55.6% in TNM stage I, 52.0% in TNM stage II, 65.4% in TNM stage III, and 73,7% in TNM stage IV.
Busan ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Stomach Neoplasms*

The following experiment was performed to clarify distributional change of the Mac1-positive cells at 1, 4, 8 ,12 and 40 weeks after birth. Thymuses, spleens and lymph nodes were removed and immunocytochemical staining using the specific Mac1 antibody was performed The results obtained from the present experiment were as follows : 1. Mac1-positive cell was absent at 1 week, they were increased by 4 weeks and decreased at 40 weeks in the thymus after birth. 2. There was no Mac1-positive cell in the marginal zone of the spleen at 4, 40 weeks, but they were shown at 8 weeks. 3. Mac1-positive cells were increased at 4 weeks in the subfollicular area of lymph nodes. There was no change of distribution in the lymph nodes. From the above results, we suggest that the age-related decrease of the immunity might be caused by decrease of Mac1-positive cells in the antigen-presenting area.
Animals ; Lymph Nodes* ; Mice* ; Parturition ; Spleen* ; Thymus Gland*

Administration of kainate (KA) results in the induction of epileptiform activity and limbic motor seizures. Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous messenger that plays a role in neural transmission, long term potentiation, depression and cerebral blood flow. NO is formed by NO synthase (NOS) from arginine. NO mediates the increase in cerebral blood flow during seizure activity. However, the production site of NO has not been clearly defined. Recent report showed that constitutive NOS may be induced under certain conditions. Therefore, the present study was aimed to investigate the change of NOS and calbindin D28k in the rat cerebral cortex following seizure. Rats were injected with KA and killed at 6 hours, 1, 3, 6 and 12 days after seizure. Expressional change of nNOS and calbindin D28k was assessed by histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR in the rat brain. Induced NADPH-d positive neurons were observed in the cerebral cortex of 1, 3, 6 and 12 days after seizure and found in specific cortical areas, such as motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, auditory cortex, visual cortex, ectorhinal cortex and perirhinal cortex. The level of nNOS mRNA increased at 1, 3, 6 and 12 days after seizure compared with control group. Induced calbindin D28k positive neurons were observed in motor cortex and somatosensory cortex 1 and 3 days after seizure. The level of calbindin D28k mRNA in the cerebral cortex was slightly decreased at 1 day after seizure. Therefore, in this study, the induced NADPH-d, calbindin D28k positive neurons and upregulated NADPH-d positive neurons may influence the cerebral blood flow and neuronal activity in the cerebral cortex during post-seizure period.
Animals ; Arginine ; Auditory Cortex ; Brain ; Calbindin 1* ; Calbindins* ; Cerebral Cortex* ; Depression ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kainic Acid ; Long-Term Potentiation ; Motor Cortex ; Neurons* ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger ; Seizures ; Somatosensory Cortex ; Synaptic Transmission ; Visual Cortex

PURPOSE: We wanted to determine and report on the outcome of combined gemcitabine/cisplatin chemotherapy for patients suffering with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 1999 and December 2004, 43 selected patients were enrolled in this study. Group 1 (the adjuvant chemotherapy group) had undergone radical surgery with removal of evident tumor from the following primary sites: bladder (n=8), renal pelvis (n=7) and ureter (n=3). Group 2 (the salvage chemotherapy group) had undergone palliative surgery with a remnant tumor at the following primary sites; bladder (n=23) and renal pelvis (n=2). All the patients were given gemcitabine/ciplatin and they evaluated for the therapeutic effect and toxicity. The patients were initially treated with gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 intravenously for 30 minutes on days 1, 8 and 15 of a 28-day cycle, and cisplatin 70 mg/m2 was administered intravenously on day 1 using prehydration measures. RESULTS: Group 1: The median follow-up period was 16.5 months. The mean age was 63 years (males: 15 cases, females: 3 cases), and eleven patients (61%) remained alive. The estimated median relapse-free survival period and 2-year survival rate were 24 months and 63%, respectively. Group 2: the median follow-up period was 20 months, the mean patient age was 63.8 years (males: 22 cases, females: 3 cases), and nine patients (36%) remained alive. The overall response and 2-year survival rates were 36% and 43%, respectively. Toxicities: Grade 3 toxicities developed in 14 cycles during the total 232 cycles. Grade 4 toxicity did not occur. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm that adjuvant and salvage chemotherapy with using gemcitabine and cisplatin is tolerable and safe.
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cisplatin ; Drug Therapy* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Pelvis ; Palliative Care ; Survival Rate ; Ureter ; Urinary Bladder ; Urologic Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is characterized by the structural miniaturization of androgen-sensitive hair follicles in susceptible individuals and is anatomically defined within a given pattern of the scalp. Oral finasteride and topical minoxidil are the only drugs whose effect and safety were demonstrated and approved by the FDA. However, the treatment result of these medications are not always satisfactory. Here, we report the result of a clinical trial of the new topical agent, Scalp med(R) to patients with AGA. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to test Scalp med(R), the solution including minoxidil, retinol, polysorbate 80 and phytosterol in the treatment of AGA. METHODS: Included in this study were males between the ages of 20 and 60 years, in good health, with mild to moderate AGA. Efficacy was evaluated by terminal hair count per 1 cm2 and hair thickness. RESULTS: The results of this clinical trial showed a highly positive response to treatment. After 24 weeks of treatment, a significant improvement in hair count and hair thickness was demonstrated in all the patients. CONCLUSION: This clinical study establishes the effectiveness and safety of Scalp med(R) in the treatment of AGA.
Alopecia ; Finasteride ; Hair ; Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Male ; Miniaturization ; Minoxidil ; Polysorbates ; Scalp ; Vitamin A

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important cause of organic impotence in man. The exact pathogenesis remains debatable although it has been focused on cavernosal neuropathy and/or endothelial dysfunction. This study was designed to investigate the effect of DM on penile erection, especially in association with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in corpus cavernosum of diabetic rats. NOS studies of rat penis were performed in diabetic (DM was induced for 3, 6, 9, 12 weeks, respectively, by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin, 60mg/kg), in control and neurotomy group (3 weeks after bilateral cavernous nerve transection). The experiments consisted of nicotinamide dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase activity with spectrophotometric assay for NOS catalytic activity, NADPH diaphorase staining for the identification of NOS containing nerve fibers, and Western blotting analysis with anti-brain NOS antibody for the expression of neuronal NOS. Finally, these results were compared with erectile response to cavernous nerve stimulation in diabetic and in control rats. In assay of NADPH diaphorase activity, NOS activity decreased significantly in penis of diabetic rat as compared to that of controls. Between the diabetic groups, NOS activity was not seen significantly different, and in neurotomy groups it was similar to that of diabetic groups. On histochemical staining of penile tissues, the number of NADPH-positive nerve fibers in control group (a mean of 127+/-6 fibers recorded in 4 random fields on each corporal side) contrasted significantly with that of the bilateral cavernous nerve ablation group (a mean of 12+/-2). In diabetic group, the number of NOS-containing nerve fibers was gradually reduced along with duration of diabetes (from 92+/- 3 at 3 weeks to 28+/-3 at 12 weeks). In addition, analysis of blot density of neuronal NOS by Western blotting showed similar findings: 16% at 3 weeks and 8% at 12 weeks in diabetic group, 5% in neurotomy group and 27% in controls, based on the density of the rat cerebellum. Furthermore, erection response to cavernous nerve stimulation was also decreased in diabetic rats along with DM duration. The results, indicated that reduction of cavernous NOS, particularly, its neuronal form at the level of NO production plays an important role on the pathogenesis of erectile impotence in diabetic rats although the role of endothelial N0S in DM remains to be elucidated. Furthermore, cavernosal NADPH diaphorase staining and/or NOS activity may allow to characterize certain pathological condition, which comprise neurogenic impotence.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cerebellum ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Male ; NADPH Dehydrogenase ; Nerve Fibers ; Neurons* ; Niacinamide ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I* ; Penile Erection* ; Penis ; Rats* ; Streptozocin

No abstract available.
Esophagus* ; Granular Cell Tumor*

PURPOSE: Previously, we developed a new method to calculate the flow rate in the hemodialysis vascular conduit based on Bernoulli's theory for surveillance of the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) function. However, the calculated flow rate would be different from the true flow rate because due to various factors. To compare the true flow rate, with intra- conduit pressure, and the calculated flow rate, an ex vivo experimental model was developed. METHODS: The arterial end of the vascular conduit was connected to a saline-filled bottle, with the venous end connected to a flow meter to control the flow rate. By monitoring the change in the true flow rate (Q) with the flow meter, each arterial and venous static pressure (pA, pV) and total pressure (pT) were observed. Using these parameters, the intra-conduit flow rates (QA, QV) were calculated by Bernoulli's equation. Finally, we compared the pA or pV with Q, and calculated the difference between the QA or QV and Q. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between any of the pressure measurement during the 5 consecutive 5 experiments (P<0.05). The static pressure (pA or pV) was closely correlated with Q (pA, R2=0.950, P=0.000; pV, R2= 0.952, P=0.000). The calculated flow rate (QA or QV) was not in complete in accord with Q, but was closely correlated (QA, R2=0.961, P=0.000; QV, R2=0.961, P=0.000). CONCLUSION: The pressure measurement and calculated flow rate indicate the nature of the true flow rate in the vascular conduit.
Arteriovenous Fistula ; Models, Theoretical* ; Renal Dialysis

This study was primarily undertaken to assess the value of continuous spinal anesthesia for total hip replacements (Charnley's low friction arthroplasty), which had been done under the Filtered Air Flow System for the prevention of wound contamination due to long term exposure. The results were as follows: 1. Preoperative diagnosis was in 4 cases hip joint tuberculosis,in 2 cases avascular necreosis, in 2 cases femur fracture, and in 2 cases osteoarthritis of the hip joint. 2. Average blood loss was 2, 800 ml for a one side operation and 5, 000 ml for a bilateral one. Overall average blood loss with continuous spinal anesthesia was 2, 600 ml and with general anesthesia was 1, 725 ml, and with amount of difference being 1. 175 ml more in the spinal anesthesia group (p<0. 025). 3. In 4 eases (40%) the hypotensive range was over 30% of the preoperative level, but recovery occurred soon after administration of Effortil. 4. Practically management of a patient with continuous spinal anesthesia is easier' thai with general anesthesia for total hip replacement, with fieeing of the anesthesio1ogist'a hands for better care of the patient during anesthesia.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Spinal* ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip* ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Diagnosis ; Etilefrine ; Femur ; Friction ; Hand ; Hip Joint ; Humans ; Osteoarthritis ; Wounds and Injuries