Protozoa of the genus Cryptosporidium are small coccidian parasite known to infect the mucosal epithelium of a variety of animals including human, causing fatal course in immunodeficient patients as well as self-limited illness in healthy individuals. Various life cycle stages including trophozoite, meront, merozoite, gametocyte and oocyst in infected mucosa are a diagnostic feature. Electron microscopy (EM) provides sufficient findings for genus and species identification of this parasitic organism. The authors presented scanning and transmission EM findings of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in two children: one with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and the other without any evidence of immune compromise.
Animals ; Child ; Cryptosporidium parvum ; Cryptosporidium* ; Epithelium ; Humans* ; Intestines* ; Life Cycle Stages ; Merozoites ; Microscopy, Electron ; Mucous Membrane ; Oocysts ; Parasites ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Trophozoites

Intracranial nerve sheath tumors unrelated to the cranial nerve roots are extremely rare, and the origin of the tumors are debatable. We report a case of pathologically-proven neurofibroma inside the lateral ventricle. A 49-year-old man presented with headache of 6 months duration, urinary incontinence, visual disturbance and right hemiplegia. Brain CT scan showed a well defined isodense mass with homogenous contrast enhancement and marginal calcification. At surgery the tumor was found to be a 4cm-sized lobulated mass attached only to the choroid plexus. Histologically, the tumor masses consisted of fasciculating bundles of wavy spindle cells, with a considerable collagen laydown.
Brain ; Choroid Plexus ; Collagen ; Cranial Nerves ; Headache ; Hemiplegia ; Humans ; Lateral Ventricles ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Sheath Neoplasms ; Neurofibroma* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Urinary Incontinence

OBJECTIVE: It is known that mouse embryos before implantation develop in a low oxygen environment of 3- 8% concentration and with antioxidant materials such as vitamins, antioxidant enzymes, ferrous binding proteins, and albumin in follicular and tubal fluids. However, the 20% oxygen culture condition with chemically defined media might be produce an abundance of ROS, and leads to developmental delay or developmental block in vitro. In this study, we attempt to elucidate the relationship between intracellular H2O2 production and embryo development in different oxygen culture conditions of mouse embryos. METHODS: Prenuclear embryos from C57BL/CBA Fl hybrid and ICR mouse were cultured in incubators which provided 5% carbon dioxide, 20% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide, 5% oxygen. Measurement of H2O2 level in a embryo was performed with DCHFDA(2, 7 -dichlorodihydroflourescein diacetate)and analyzed with Quanti-cell 700, and the number of blastomeres was counted with DAPI( 4, 6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole). RESULTS: Oxygen concentration of the culture medias was significantly higher in the 20% oxygen environment compared to that of 5% oxygen environment. Culture of mice embryos in high oxygen condition leads to high HO concentrations at 2 cell stage and developmental delay or ""2-cell block"" regardless of the strain. But in a 5% oxygen environment, which is similar to in-vivo conditions HO production was suppressed continuously through out culture and development of embryos was definitely improved. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that there is a difference in the production of ROS or protective mechanism according to the mouse strains and stage of development, and it is thought that in-vitro culture in 5% oxygen environment provides stable in vivo equilibrium but in a 20% oxygen environment there is production of ROS which overcome the protective mechanism which leads to cellular damage and embryo developmental delay.
Animals ; Blastomeres ; Carbon Dioxide ; Carrier Proteins ; Culture Media ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Incubators ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Oxygen* ; Pregnancy ; Vitamins

No abstract available.
Animals ; Ethanol* ; Metabolism* ; Phenobarbital* ; Rats* ; Trichloroethylene*

Multicore myopathy is a rare congenital myopathy. The multicores consist of numerous small areas of decreased oxidative enzyme activity. The long axis of the lesion is perpendicular or parallel to the long axis of the muscle fiber. These cores are usually smaller than central cores. For this reason they are also called minicores. Although the multicores represent a nonspecific change in that they can be observed in malignant hyperthermia, muscular dystrophy, inflammatory myopathy, etc. Muscular weakness dating from early infancy is combined large proportion of the muscle fibers. In about half of the reported cases the muscular weakness has not been progressive, while in the others a slow progression has occurred. This 9-year-old boy presented with congenital nonprogressive myopathy associated with thoracic scoliosis and bilateral equinovarus deformity. The serum creatine phosphokinase and lactic dehydrogenase levels were normal. Electromyography showed "myopathic" features. The biopsy revealed a marked size variation in myofibers, ranging from 10 microns to 100 microns. A few small angular fibers and slight endomyseal fibrosis were also noted. There was type I fiber predominance. NADH-TR reaction disclosed more well-defined cores with loss of intermyofibrillary mitochondrial activity. These cores were usually located with loss of intermyofibrillary mitochondrial activity. These cores were usually located in the peripheral portions of the myofibers and the core size measured 10-30 microns in diameter. Electron microscopic examination revealed circumscribed areas of disintegrated Z band material and disorganized sarcomeric units near the sarcolemma. A decrease in the number of mitochondria and glycogen particles was noted.
Biopsy ; Child ; Histocytochemistry ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Muscles/pathology/ultrastructure ; Muscular Diseases/*pathology

Squamous cell carcinoma of the ovary is very rare malignant tumor originating from the malignant transfomation of mature cystic teratoma, usually being reported in about 1-3% of cases. Of malignant transformation, squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type and its prognosis is poor. Because of its rarity, the clinicopathologic characteristics are not well established. We have experienced a case of squamous cell carcinoma arising in mature cystic teratoma of ovary and present it with brief review of the literature.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Female ; Ovary* ; Prognosis ; Teratoma*

Eighteen cases of osteonecrosis of the femoral head associated with macromolecular polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) deposition were analysed on the basis of clinical, radiologic and pathologic features. The cases were observed during 8 years period from January, 1974 to December, 1981. The pathogenesis of the osteonecrosis of the femoral head due to PVP storage in reticuloendothelial system were discussed in detail. Parenteral administration of high-molecular PVP in repeated, long duration led to osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Storage of PVP in the histiocytes of the bone marrow resulted in osteonecrosis of the femoral head followed by microciculation disturbance. PVP-induced osteonecrosis were manifested as multiple foci of necrosis involving not only the femoral head, other long bones around joints, but also the visceral reticuloendo-thelial system characterized by infiltrates of histiocytes laden with PVP. The patients with PVP induced osteonecrosis complianed multiple joint pain in their early course of the disease. On roentgenogram, osteonecrosis were often noted in the hip, shoulder, knee, and ankle in order or frequency. Foamy histiocytes laden with PVP were characteristic on hematoxylin-eosin stain diagnostic on Weigert's elastica, phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin, and Congo red stains. As far as rationale of the treatment concerning a number of staging systems for Osteonecrosis, the choice of surgical procedures were similar to those given by W.F. Enneking et al. In the series, we have performed two hips in total surface replacement, 26 hips in total hip replacement mostly for 3rd generation-configuration of Charnley prosthesis. In addition, one case for free vascularized fibula graft and trans-trochanteric rotational osteotomy after Sugioka were also included for this study. The result of treatment was rather optimistic. However, complications have occured in 4 hips of 3 patients which required removal of whole prosthetic components. Therefore, we underwent revisional surgery in three out of four hips subsequently during the short post-poerative follow-up. These will be published in the future.
Ankle ; Arthralgia ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Bone Marrow ; Coloring Agents ; Congo Red ; Fibula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Hematoxylin ; Hip ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee ; Mononuclear Phagocyte System ; Necrosis ; Osteonecrosis ; Osteotomy ; Phosphotungstic Acid ; Povidone ; Prostheses and Implants ; Rubber ; Shoulder ; Transplants

OBJECTIVES: Fibronectin is a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein found in the plasma and extracellular matrix. The presence of fetal fibronectin in cervicovaginal secretion of pregnant women during the second and the third trimester has been suggested as a means of identifying women in preterm labor who be delivered prematurely. Therefore, our purpose was to determine the clinical efficacy of the presence of fetal fibronectin in cervicovaginal secretion of patient in full term as biochemical predictor of Time of Induction. METHODS: Fetal fibronectin was obtained at external os and posterior vaginal fornix in 30 women in full term who had no uterine contraction with intact membrane. The cervix was assessed by digital vaginal examination and scored with a modified Bishop score. RESULTS: There was a good correlation in delivery time after induction between the fetal fibronectin and the modified Bishop score (r=0.695,P<0.005) CONCLUSION: The presence of fetal fibronectin is better than Bishop score that is dependent on clinical experience as biochemical predictor of Time of Induction.
Cervix Uteri ; Extracellular Matrix ; Female ; Fibronectins* ; Glycoproteins ; Gynecological Examination ; Humans ; Membranes ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Plasma ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Pregnant Women ; Uterine Contraction

A 74-year-old woman underwent posterior lumbar decompressive fusion at L4-5 for treating spondylolisthesis, with the patient under general anesthesia and she was in the prone position. Following attempts to transfuse blood using a pressurized bag, the intravenous infusion site of the left hand along with the noninvasive blood pressure cuff was changed. Swelling and several bullae on the left forearm and hand were visible. Removal of intravenous catheter, hyaluronidase injection, wet dressing were subsequently performed. In postanesthesia recovery unit, the patient did not complain of pain, and the radial pulse and oxygen saturation of the left appeared normal. Three days after the incident, the edema on the patient's forearm and hand subsided, and the patient was discharged without any complications two weeks afterwards. Impending compartment syndrome should be given close attention, and particularly when performing pressurized infusion in patients who are unable to express pain because they are under general anesthesia.
Aged ; Anesthesia, General ; Bandages ; Blister ; Blood Pressure ; Catheters ; Compartment Syndromes ; Edema ; Female ; Forearm ; Hand ; Humans ; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Oxygen ; Prone Position ; Spondylolisthesis

OBJECTIVES: The study was performed to investigate the changes of urinary thiodiglycolic acid (TDGA) concentration in workers exposed to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) according to the time of sampling urine. METHODS: The personal exposure to airborne VCM was assessed and urinary TDGA concentration was sampled in 31 workers employed in a VCM and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) manufacturing factory. Urinary TDGA was sampled three times: before the start of the shift after 3 days off (TDGA1), after the end of the first-day shift (TDGA2) and before starting the following day shift after completing the oneday shift (TDGA3). Urinary TDGA in 30 workers who had not been exposed to airborne VCM was sampled after the end of the shift. A gas chromatography/pulsed flame photometric detector (GC/PFPD) was utilized to analyze TDGA concentration in urine after the urine was methylated with trimethylsilyldiazomethane(2.0M in diethyl ether). RESULTS: The creatinine level was 0.179+/-0.271 mg/g in the control workers and 0.218+/-0.443 mg/g in the workers before the start of the shift after 3 days off (TDGA1), showing no significant difference (p=0.7035). Urine samples were compared according to sampling time in order to investigate the change of urinary TDGA concentration in the case of continuous exposure to airborne VCM. In VCM-exposed workers, urinary creatinine concentration was 0.434+/-0.623 mg/g in TDGA2 and 0.767+/-1.056 mg/g in TDGA3, which indicated a gradual but significant increase (p=0.024). In terms of the statistical correlation between airborne VCM and urinary TDGA to evaluate exposure dose per day, of the three urinary TDGA concentrations, TDGA3 showed the highest degree of regression (R(2)=0.4215) with 8h-TWA airborne VCM concentration. CONCLUSION: Based on this result, the excretion half-life of urinary TDGA was assumed to be less than 3 days, because the concentration of urinary TDGA at 3 days after exposure to airborne VCM was decreased to the level of urinary TDGA concentration in the control workers. The concentration of urinary TDGA increased in the case of continuous shift, due to the accumulation of residual metabolites of TDGA. It was considered that TDGA3 can be applied as a useful biological index to evaluate the exposure dose of airborne VCM during one day because TDGA3 showed the highest correlation with the exposure dose of airborne VCM in the previous shift day.
Creatinine ; Half-Life ; Humans ; Polyvinyl Chloride ; Vinyl Chloride*