This study was carried out to investigate the ultrastructural findings of rats after administration of 0.5% lead acetate with drinking water. The Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control and experimental groups. The control group was composed of 12 rats and was orally administered with 0.5% sodium acetate. The experimental group was composed of 36 rats and orally administered with 0.5% lead acetate. Two rats in the control group and four rats in the experimental group were sacrificed on day 2, and week 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 after administration. The kidney was extirpated and examined by electron microscopy. The results obtained were as follows: The blood lead concentration in the experimental group began to increase from the second day after administration and it increased gradually until the 6th week and it decreased at the 8 week. The urinary excretion of delta-ALA also increased from the secondary and gradually increased up to the 8th week. On electron microscopic examination, the proximal tubular cells showed fat droplets, dilatation of the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial swelling, increased numbers of secondary lysosomes and myelin figure-like residual bodies and intranuclear inclusion bodies. All these findings peaked at the eighth week after administration. Ultrastructural findings after Timm sulphide silver reaction revealed the lead granules in the proximal tubular lumen and between the microvilli of the proximal tubular cells without membrane-bounded. It can be concluded that most of the changes of micro-organelles are compatible with degenerative changes of lead exposure and passive diffusion of lead granules are involved in the proximal tubular cells.
Rats ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate possible menopause related changes in circulating insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) levels and their relationship with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) plasma levels, osteocalcin(Ost) and urinary deoxypyridinoline(Dpd) in either surgical menopause or natural menopause, METHOD: Seventy-two postmenopausal women (surgical menopause 48, natural menopause 24) were invited to participate in this study. In all subjects plasma IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels were measSURED by radioimmunoassay and Ost and Dpd were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). RESULTS: No difference was found between mean IGFBP-3 plasma levels in the two groups studied(3,522 +/- 926 vs 3,854 +/- 569 ng/ml), while mean IGF-1 levels were significantly lower in natural menopause as compared with surgical menopause (natural 126 +/- 44 vs surgical 163 +/- 66 ng/ml, p=0.007). No difference was found between mean Ost levels in the two groups studied (natural menopause 8.0 +/- 2.9 vs surgical menopause 8,9 +/- 2.1 ng/ml, p=0.113) and mean Dpd levels in the two studied (natural menopause 6.8 +/- 2.3 vs surgical menopause 7.8 +/- 3.4 mM, p=0.213). CONCLUSION: IGF-1 was significantly lower in natural menopause as compared with surgical menopause, but no significant difference was found in IGFBP-3, Ost, and Dpd levels
Biomarkers* ; Carrier Proteins* ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Menopause* ; Osteocalcin* ; Plasma ; Radioimmunoassay

The superior volume maintenance of membranous over endochondral bone grafts, which was shown in several studies has provided the basis for its preferred clinical use as an onlay grafting material on the craniofacial skeleton. The scientific rationale for this seeming embryological advantage, however, has never been proven, Since the cortical component of membranous bone is proportionally greater than that of endochondral bone, it follows that membranous grafts would show greater volume maintenance over time. Our hypothesis is that the pattern of onlay bone graft resorption is primarily determined by a graft's micro-architecture (relative cortical and cancellous composition) rather than its embryololgical origin(membranous versus endochondral). Fourty adult New Zealand white rabbits were used for this study. There were 8 animals in each of 4 groups. The rabbits of each group were sacrificed at 3, 8, and 16 weeks. Four types of grafts were placed subperosteally, onto each rabbit's cranium: a hydroxyapatite, a cortical bone graft of membranous origin, a cortical bone graft of endochondral origin and a cancellous bone graft of endochondral origin. Membranous bone grafts were obtained from the lateral mandible and endochondral bone grafts were obtained from the ileum. In order to determine post-sacrifice volume and density of the bone grafts, a caliper technique and bone densitometry(bone densitometer: LUNAR, DPX-L, U.S.A.) were performed on all of the bone grafts. Bone graft specimens were histologically examined at 3, 8, and 16 weeks.The measurement of volume and density show that there is a statistically greater resumption in the cancellous endochondral bone grafts for all parameter, compared to either the endochondral or membranous cortical bone grafts or hydroxyapatite at all time points(p< 0.05). In addition, there is no significant difference in the resorption rates between the endochondral and membranous cortical bone grafts for all parameters at all time points. By placing cortical bone grafts and cancellous bone grafts on the recipient sites separately, we have shown that the former grafts maintain their volumes, widths and projections significantly better than the latter grafts. Futhermore, we found no statistical difference in resorption rates between the two cortical bone grafts of different embryologic origins, a finding which has never been previously shown. Bone volume fraction, measured with bone densitometry, was shown to be higher in cortical bone than in cancellous bone at all time points, further illustrating the differences between cortical and cancellous bone.From our results, we believe cortical bone to be a superior onlay-graftiong material, independent of its embryololgic origin.
Adult ; Animals ; Biological Factors* ; Densitometry ; Durapatite ; Humans ; Ileum ; Inlays* ; Mandible ; Rabbits ; Skeleton* ; Skull ; Transplants*

Puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) nephropathy was induced in a group of Sprague-Dawley rat by a single dose of intraperitoneal injection to study an ultrastructural alteration of glomerular anionic sites by stain with polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a cationic probe and to examine whether proliferation of podocytes occur by immunohistochemical stain for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The experimental rats developed proteinuria three days after PAN injection. Electron microscopic studies of glomeruli showed the loss of epithelial foot processes, formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles, microvillous formation and increased numbers of lyso- somes in the cytoplasm of podocytes. PEI method seems to selectively stain heparan sulfate proteogly-can in basement membrane and has been widely used to evaluate the changes of basement membrane in human disease as well as in experimental work. The anionic sites on the basement membrane with foot process fusion were mostly indistinguishable from those seen in control rats, but focal areas of loss or disarray of anionic sites were noted. The anionic sites were not seen on the basement membrane where the overlying epithelium was detached. It is strongly suggested that proteinuria in PAN nephrosis may be primarily due to a glomerular epithelial lesion, leading to focal disarray of anionic sites or focal defects in the epithelial covering of the basement membrane. The loss of anionic s'ites in the basement mernbrane may be resulted partially from the foot process fusion and mostly from the epithelial detachment. The increased numbers of PCNA positive cells after the injection of PAN is suggestive of possibility of podocytic proliferation or regeneration.
Animals ; Basement Membrane* ; Cytoplasm ; Epithelial Cells* ; Epithelium ; Foot ; Heparitin Sulfate ; Humans ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Nephrosis ; Podocytes ; Polyethyleneimine ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Proteinuria ; Puromycin Aminonucleoside* ; Puromycin* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Regeneration ; Vacuoles

From Mar. 1984 to Mar. 1994, we carried out 18 revision operations in patients who received Girdlestone operation due to the infection of hip was 7 cases, tuberculosis of hip was 3 cases, deep infections after implant insertion of hip were 5 cases, and pyogenic sequela was 1 case. The mean conversion period was 27 months. The leg length discrepancy, range of motion of hip, and Trendelenberg gait were examined before and after conversion to a total hip arthroplasty. The last functional state was evaluated and radiological examination was performed. In summary and Conclusion; 1. The time of performing revision hip arthroplasty was assessed by clinical, radiologic and laboratory finding, and the average time of conversion to total hip arthroplasty was 7.6 months after Girdlestone operation. 2. There was no case of recurrence of infection after revision operations. 3. At last follow-up after revision hip arthroplasty, the mean Harris Hip Score was 87.2(69.6–92.2) point. 4. Six patients had no pain, 8 patients had mild pain, and 2 patients had moderate pain. Nine patients were able to walk without ambulatory aids and 7 patients needed crutch or cane for walking. 5. At the time of revision hip arthroplasty, the average shortening of the resected limb was 4.2cm(1.6–7.3cm), and after revision operation, the average shortening was reduced to 1.2cm(0.8–2.2cm) 6. The technical difficulties, such as increased bleeding, bone deficiency, scar tissue formation, and limb shortening were encountered in all cases. 7. The peroneal nerve injury was developed in one patient who had conversion hip arthroplasty at 13 months after Girdlestone operation.
Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Canes ; Cicatrix ; Extremities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gait ; Hemorrhage ; Hip ; Humans ; Leg ; Peroneal Nerve ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Recurrence ; Tuberculosis ; Walking

BACKGROUND: It is well known that excessive thyroid hormone in the body is associated with bone loss. However, the mechanism by which thyroid hormone affects bone cell metabolism remains unclear. It has been shown that thyroid hormones stimulate osteoclastic bone resorption indirectly via some unknown mediators secreted by osteoblasts, This study was undertaken to determine if interleukin-6 (IL-6) or interleukin-11 (IL-l1) could be the mediator (s) of thyroid hormone-induced bone loss. METHODS: We treated primary cultured human bone rnarrow stromal cells with 3,5,3-triiodo-thyronine (T) and measured basal and interleukin-l (IL-1)-stimulated IL-6/IL-ll production. We also investigated the possible modulating effect of 17B-estradiol (17B-E2.) on thyroid hormone action. RESULTS: T3 at 10 (-12) ~ 10 (-8) M concentration, significantly increased the basal IL-6 production in a dose-dependent manner, and also potentiated the stimulatory effect of IL-1 on IL-6 production. However, T failed to elicit a detectable effect on basal or IL-1-stimulated IL-11 production. Treat#ment with l7B-E2. inhibited IL-1-stimulated IL-6 production, but the effects of T3 on IL-6 production were not affected by 17/B-E. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that thyroid hormone may increase bone resorption by increasing basal IL-6 production and potentiating IL-1-induced IL-6 production from osteoblast-lineage cells, and these effects were independent of estrogen status.
Bone Marrow* ; Bone Resorption ; Estradiol ; Estrogens ; Humans* ; Interleukin-1 ; Interleukin-11* ; Interleukin-6* ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; Metabolism ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Osteoporosis ; Stromal Cells ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Hormones

A case of prominent pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia (PEH), that was misdiagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on the frozen section occured in the nasal mucosa of a patient suffering with nasal type NK/T cell lymphoma. To prevent misdiagnosis of this lesion, pathologists should be aware that NK/T cell lymphoma may be associated with overlying mucosal PEH, and so the physician must adhere to strict diagnostic criteria for making the diagnosis of SCC. The pathogenesis of PEH associated with NK/T cell lymphoma is not still clear, but it may be related to the production of growth factors, especially epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor, by the underlying tumors.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Errors ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Frozen Sections ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Hyperplasia* ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Lymphoma* ; Nasal Mucosa ; Transforming Growth Factors

Wegener's granulomatosis is a disease of unknown etiology that is characterized by the clinicopathologic complex of necrotixing granulomatous vasculitis of the upper and lower respiratory tract, glomerulonephritis, and variable degrees of small vessel vasculitis. Recently Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA) has been reported to be a highly specific test for the diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis. We have experienced a patient of Wegener's granulomatosis in a 11 year old girl who was admitted with complaints f arthralgia, hematuria, convulsion and associated with otitis media and sinusitis. Serologic test of C-ANCA was positive and histologic findings of the kidney showed crescentic glomerulonephritis with sclerosis and surrounding infiltration of multinucleated giant cells. Patient was treated with pulse methylprednisolone without improvement. The clinical course progressed rapidly and expired due to the renal failure, gastrointestinal bleeding and status epilepticus. A brief review of literatures was made.
Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic* ; Arthralgia ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Giant Cells ; Glomerulonephritis ; Hematuria ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Kidney ; Methylprednisolone ; Otitis Media ; Renal Insufficiency ; Respiratory System ; Sclerosis ; Seizures ; Serologic Tests ; Sinusitis ; Status Epilepticus ; Vasculitis ; Wegener Granulomatosis*

No abstract available.
Nephritis, Hereditary*

Inadvertent application of ionizing radiation, a valuable tool in diagnostic radiology and radiotherapy, results in injury and death of adjacent normal cells, inducing gene mutations or even producing latent cancers. Captopril, an angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, has been reported to prevent the structural and functional changes in variable organs, such as lung and kidney, from radiation injury in different experimental animal models. An experiment was carried out to elucidate the radiation-induced histomorphologic changes of small intestine, especially jejunum, and to determine whether captopril can reduce or prevent the radiation-induced injuries in jejunum. Twenty-six healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Experimental group (n=24) was divided into two large groups: the first one (n=16) was treated with two different single dose (9 Gy, 17 Gy) irradiation only and was sacrificed at 12 hours and at 8 weeks following irradiation; the second one (n=8) received captopril 500 mg/l per oral continuously after same doses of irradiation and was sacrificed at 8 weeks. The control group (n=2) was maintained on a stock diet in a same period of experimental group and sacrificed coincidentally. On light and electron microscopy, the 9 Gy and 17 Gy 12 hours groups revealed frequent apoptosis and necrosis but extremely decreased mitotic figures of the crypt cells. However, the 9 Gy and 17 Gy 8 weeks groups and the combined irradiation with captopril groups showed extremely reduced apoptosis and necrosis with increased mitotic figures. There was good correlation between experimental groups in apoptotic count and mitotic count (p<0.05). In the 9 Gy and 17 Gy 12 hours groups, the mucosal surface was focally or diffusely fragmented and the villi were slightly to moderately distorted. Collagen deposition was very mild and confined to the lower portion of the lamina propria. The 9 Gy and 17 Gy 8 weeks groups showed more severe mucosal surface fragmentation even with foci of erosion, short and distorted villi, and more intense collagen deposition. In contrast, the combined irradiation with captopril groups revealed complete regeneration of the mucosal surface epithelium and absent collagen deposition. These findings suggest that the acute radiation injuries to small intestine occur principally in the mucosal crypt cells. Captopril, the ACE inhibitor, might provide a useful intervention in the radiation injuries of intestinal mucosa.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Captopril ; Collagen ; Diet ; Epithelium ; Intestinal Mucosa* ; Intestine, Small ; Jejunum ; Kidney ; Lung ; Microscopy, Electron ; Models, Animal ; Mucous Membrane ; Necrosis ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Radiation Injuries ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Radiotherapy ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Regeneration