Human colon epithelial cells secrete an array of proinflammatory cytokines that includes IL-8, MCP-1, GM-CSF, TNF alpha and IL-6. This response may serve to attract neutrophils and macrophags to the site of infection. In addition to IL-8 and MCP-1, the chemokine family contains other members, which, alone or in combination, can recruit and/or activate inflammatory and lymphoid cells. In this study, we asked whether colon epithelial cells express a broader array of chemokines than previously described. The colon epithelial cell line, Caco-2, was stimulated for 3h with IL-1 alpha, or was infected with Salmonella dublin. RNA was extracted and chemokine mRNA levels were determined by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR using internal RNA standards. Ex pression of GRO alpha, GRO beta, GRO gamma and IP-10 increased by bacterial infection or IL-l alpha stimulation. These data strongly support the notion that epithelal cells are an important and integral component of the host's natural immune system.
Bacterial Infections ; Chemokines ; Colon* ; Cytokines ; Epithelial Cells* ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Humans* ; Immune System ; Interleukin-1alpha ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukin-8 ; Lymphocytes ; Neutrophils ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Salmonella

Muscular involvement of sarcoidosis is rare and occurs in two forms: nodular and myopathic. In the nodular variety, lesions are long and extend along muscle fibers. Axial MR imaging reveals a star-shaped central structure of decreased signal intensity. Sagittal and coronal MR images show three stripes: an inner stripe of decreased signal intensity and outer stripes of increased signal intensity. Longitudinal sonography shows an echogenic inner stripe and hypoechoic outer stripes. We report a case of nodulartype muscular sarcoidosis in a 53-year-old man, describing the findings of MRI and ultrasonography.
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Sarcoidosis* ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of ultrasound-guided mammotome biopsy for microcalcification and to suggest a new approach for the localization of microcalcifications which are not detected on ultrasound. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one calcific lesions in 21 women (aged 33-56 years) underwent ultrasound-guided, vacuum-assisted, mammotome biopsy and a mean of 14 specimens per lesion were obtained. Calcification retrieval was defined as identification of calcifications on specimen radiographs. In the 13 cases of calcifications which were not detected on ultrasound imaging, mammotome biopsy was performed after localization of one or two needles at the microcalcifications under mammography-guidance. Radiographs of the specimens and histologic findings were reviewed and scheduled follow-up imaging was performed for evaluation of the complications of biopsy. RESULTS: Ultrasound-guided, vacuum-assisted, mammotome biopsy removed all calcifications in 21 lesions. Eight (38%) lesions showed visible calcification on the ultrasound while 13 (62%) lesions were invisible, which underwent mammotome biopsy after needle localization under mammography-guidance. Surgery revealed DCIS in 1 (4.8%) of 21 lesions, infiltrating ductal carcinoma in two (9.5%), fibroadenomas with calcifications in 6 (28.6%), fibroadenomas with adenosis in 2 (9.5%), and fibrocystic change with calcifications in 10 (47.6%). Clinical significant complications did not occur on follow-up examination in any of the cases. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided, vacuum-assisted, mammotome biopsy was an effective method for microcalcifications on mammogram. The results suggested that mammotome biopsy after mammogram-guided, needle localization is a good alternative method for the diagnosis of microcalcifications which are undetectable in the ultrasound images.
Biopsy* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fibroadenoma ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Needles ; Ultrasonography

The simultaneous existence of intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancies is known as a heterotopic pregnancy. Spontaneous heterotopic pregnancy is a rare event although its incidence has increased since the recent development of treatment of infertile women with ovulation induction or in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET).The theoretical rate of this condition was estimated to be approximately 1 in 30,000 pregnancies. The early diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy is very difficult . So there is a high maternal morbidity and fetal loss. We reported a IVP - ET patient resulting in the successful delivery of live infant at 35weeks of gestational age from intrauterine pregnancy following surgical removal of ruptured concurrent extrauterine pregnancy.
Early Diagnosis ; Embryonic Structures ; Female ; Fertilization ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Ovulation Induction ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Heterotopic*

PURPOSE: This study is a descriptive research comparing the awareness of medical residents' power style, communication type and organizational effectiveness in nurses and technologists. METHODS: A standardized survey questionnaire was sent to 288 nurses, 85 radiological technologists, and 107 medical technologists working at 4 university hospitals in a metropolitan area. Collected data were analyzed using statistical methods including 2-test, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. RESULTS: There was a noticeable difference between the nurses and the technologists in their awareness of medical residents' power style and communication type. Power style and communication type correlates significantly with job satisfaction and organizational commitment. When residents exercised coercive power, downward communication took place between the residents and nurses and technologists. It also affected the overall amount of communication, job satisfaction and organizational commitment. CONCLUSION: To ensure active communication between medical residents and other allied health professionals and to promote mutually satisfying relationships, open and active communication channels should be provided. Communication skills training for every member of a hospital organization is needed to encourage effective horizontal communication.
Health Occupations ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Job Satisfaction ; Medical Laboratory Personnel ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: When organ transplantation or HLA-matched platelet transfusion is considered, accu-rate identification of HLA antibody specificity in the recipient's serum is very important. In this study, we report our experience in an international quality control program. METHODS: For external quality control in a HLA antibody test, the International Serum Exchange Program distributes serum samples, generally showing polyspecific reactivity for cross-reactive epitope groups (CREGs), to participating laboratories: 4 samples per survey, 10 surveys per year. Participating in the program from May 1998 to August 2000 (24 surveys), we performed HLA antibody identification of 96 serum samples by the AHG-CDC (anti-human globulin-complement dependent cytotoxicity) method using frozen lymphocyte trays (36 lymphocyte panels). We compared the results of our laboratory with those of the total participants (all methods combined, 72 to 92 laboratories per survey) using the analyzed survey results distributed by the program organizer. RESULTS: We analyzed the survey results for the antibodies to relatively common HLA antigens in Koreans (antigen frequency >1%). For the HLA antibodies detected in >or=20% of participants, our detection rate was higher by 10-15% than that of all laboratories (HLA-A, 76% vs 65%; HLA-B, 73% vs 57%). And for the HLA antibodies detected in >or=50% of the participants, our detection rate was as high as 88% for HLA-A and 87% for HLA-B. Our detection rate for a few antibody specificities was lower than that of all laboratories, namely HLA-A1, A3, B35, and B55. Among these, A1, A3, and B55 were of lower incidence antigens in Koreans (antigen frequency 3-4%), indicating that the low detection rate was due to a limitation in the composition of lymphocyte panels. CONCLUSIONS: In general, our detection rate of HLA antibodies was superior to the average detection rate of the total participant laboratories. We would be able to improve the low detection rate for a few antibody specificities to lower incidence antigens by refining the composition of lymphocyte panels.
Antibodies ; Antibody Specificity ; HLA Antigens ; HLA-A Antigens ; HLA-A1 Antigen ; HLA-B Antigens ; Incidence ; Lymphocytes ; Organ Transplantation ; Platelet Transfusion ; Quality Control ; Transplants

PURPOSE: This study aimed at exploring relationships among Internet addiction, smoking, and drinking and examining the effect factors on Internet addiction, smoking and drinking. METHODS: By using stratified sampling, 1,529 participants representing high school students in the Kangwon province were selected. Data was analyzed by SPSS 12.0. using chi-square, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression. RESULTS: One-fifth of the total participants were at the mild or moderate stage of Internet addiction. Regarding smoking, 22.7% of male subjects and 4.5% of female subjects were current smokers. Regarding drinking, the percentages of subjects who drank alcohol once or twice per month were 53.5% of male students and 40.7% of female students. Internet addiction positively correlated with depression, novelty seeking, harm avoidance and reward dependence, Internet addiction negatively correlated with persistence, self-directness, cooperativeness, and self-transcendence. Significant factors affecting Internet addiction were depression, gender, novelty seeking, and self-transcendence. Important factors influencing smoking were drinking, gender, school type, satisfaction with school, novelty seeking, and reward dependence. Significant factors affecting drinking were smoking, novelty seeking, school type and ages. CONCLUSION: This study shows the necessity of developing and implementing effective intervention programs in order to prevent adolescents from experiencing Internet addiction and health risk behaviors.
Adolescent ; Adolescent Behavior/*psychology ; Alcohol Drinking/*psychology ; Behavior, Addictive/*psychology ; Depression/psychology ; Female ; Humans ; *Internet ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Smoking/*psychology ; Students/psychology

No abstract available.
Ultrasonics*

PURPOSE: Chemokines are potent regulators of the host inflammatory or immune responses. Mucosal synthesis of chemokines may be important in the pathogenesis of mucosal inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC). We performed this study to investigate the expression of C-X-C chemokine genes in UC. METHODS: Mucosal tissues were obtained from six normal controls and six UC patients by endoscopic biopsies. In patients with UC, mucosal tissues were separately obtained from both involved and uninvolved regions. RNA was extracted and mRNA levels of five C-X-C chemokines were determined by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR using internal RNA standards. RESULTS: Mucosal mRNA levels of all chemokines tested increased in the involved region of UC compared with the uninvolved region of UC or normal controls. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that mucosal expression of C-X-C chemokines contributes to the pathogenesis of UC
Biopsy ; Chemokines ; Chemokines, CXC ; Colitis, Ulcerative* ; Colon* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Mucous Membrane* ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Ulcer*

Various anesthetic agents have successfully used for patients undergoing surgery for pheochromocytoma removal. A review of the literature on the anenthetic marnagement of pheochromocytoma discloses no general agreement regarding choice of an anesthetic agent. It would appear that the selection of the anesthetic agent is not as important as the proper management of the patient Previously the anesthetic experience of a case of pheochromocythma removal managed under methoxyflurane anesthesis has been reported by us. Thereafter we have had another five eases of pheochromocytoma removal operation under general anesthesia, employing methoxyflmrane as a primary anesthetic, with relatively satisfactory results.
Anesthesia, General ; Anesthetics ; Humans ; Methoxyflurane* ; Pheochromocytoma*