LPS and IFN-r induce nitric oxide synthase in macrophages and the resultant NO causes apoptotic cell death in the activated macrophages. NO production and apoptosis were inhibited by N-monomethyl L-arginine (NMMA), a competitive inhibitor of NO synthase. To study the role of BCL-X proteins, RAW 264.7 cells were transfected with the expression vectors with human bcl-Xl or bcl-Xs cDNAs, respectively. Stable transfectants were selected and confirmed by RT-PCR. NO production in response to LPS and IFN-r caused apoptosis in RAW 264.7 cells and vector transfected control cells within 24 hr. Both NO production and apoptosis were inhibited by N(G)-monomethyl L-arginine (NMMA). In contrast, bcl-Xs transfectant appeared slightly susceptible and bcl-X(L)< transfectant appeared slightly resistant, although NO production was similar to control cells. These results suggest that bcl-X proteins play roles in both positive and negative regulation of apoptosis induced by NO.
Apoptosis* ; Arginine ; bcl-X Protein* ; Cell Death ; DNA, Complementary ; Humans ; Macrophages* ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase

Renal angiomyolipoma is composed of mature fats, smooth muscles and abnormal blood vessels which arises mainly from renal parenchyme and compresses the calyx or protrudes the renal cortex, but which extends into the renal cyst is rare. Recently it can be easily diagnosed preoperatively by several diagnostic modalities such as ultrasonography, computed tomography and several clinical signs associated with tuberous sclerosis, although it`s clinical and radiological features are similar with renal cell carcinoma. We report a case of renal angiomyolipoma without tuberous sclerosis, extending into the renalcyst, which was confused with renal pelvis tumor in a 73 years old male.
Aged ; Angiomyolipoma* ; Blood Vessels ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Fats ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Pelvis* ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; Tuberous Sclerosis ; Ultrasonography

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis occurs in approximately 5% of patients with cancer. The most common cancers involving the leptomeninges are breast, lung cancer and melanoma. However, gastric adenocarcinoma has been rarely reported with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. The presenting manifestations are usually headache, visual disturbances and seizures. We report a case of leptomeningeal metastasis that presented as a gastric cancer. A 49-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with the symptoms of headache and melena for 10 days. The endoscopy showed a thickening of the folds of the stomach compatible with the diagnosis of a Borrman type IV gastric cancer. The biopsy revealed a signet ring cell carcinoma. The MRI of brain showed no abnormal findings; however, the patient complained of an intractable persistent headache, nausea and vomiting on admission day 6. The cytology examination of the cerebrospinal fluid supported the diagnosis of metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Mannitol ; Meningeal Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Middle Aged ; Stomach Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery

OBJECTIVE: The use of decompressive craniectomy for treating massive cerebral infarction is attracting much attention because conventional medical treatment is associated with high mortality. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the surgical treatment results and prognostic factors for patients suffering with malignant cerebral infarction. METHODS: We analyzed 9 consecutive patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy with or without temporal lobectomy after malignant cerebral infarction from 2000 to 2008. We reviewed the medical records, the radiological finding and the pre-operative clinical assessment using the Glasgow Coma scale (GCS). The postoperative functional outcome was assessed as the Barthel-Index (BI) and the modified Rankin scale (mRS). RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 3.5:1. The mean age was 50 years (range: 36-68). Eight patients (89%) showed involvement of the entire middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory and the concomitant anterior cerebral artery (ACA) or posterior cerebral artery (PCA) territory. The preoperative mean GCS was 8.3 (range: 5-12) and the mean time to surgery after the onset of symptoms was 47.7 hours (range: 4-168 hours). All the patients underwent decompressive craniectomy and duroplasty. Among them, four patients (45%) underwent temporal lobectomy. The mean followup period was 7.3 months (range: 1-26 months) and five patients died within this period. CONCLUSION: Decompressive craniectomy with or without lobectomy for patients with malignant cerebral infarction decreases the mortality rate and it improves the functional outcome. In the survived group, comparison of the two surgical modalities didn't show any statistically significant difference. However, the decompressive craniectomy with lobectomy group demonstrated a high survival rate (75%). Future studies are needed to investigate the proper treatment modalities for malignant cerebral infarction.
Anterior Cerebral Artery ; Cerebral Infarction ; Decompressive Craniectomy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Posterior Cerebral Artery ; Retrospective Studies ; Stress, Psychological ; Survival Rate

Most chordomas show extradural extension and bone destruction. A 32-year-old man presented with neck pain and progressive paraparesis. He had been diagnosed a clival chordoma and underwent an operation seven years ago. Radiological studies revealed that the tumor was recurred in a retroclival area and invaded into intradural region. We removed the tumor by two staged operations. After surgery, satisfactory resluts were achieved.
Adult ; Chordoma* ; Cranial Fossa, Posterior ; Humans ; Neck Pain ; Paraparesis

Most chordomas show extradural extension and bone destruction. A 32-year-old man presented with neck pain and progressive paraparesis. He had been diagnosed a clival chordoma and underwent an operation seven years ago. Radiological studies revealed that the tumor was recurred in a retroclival area and invaded into intradural region. We removed the tumor by two staged operations. After surgery, satisfactory resluts were achieved.
Adult ; Chordoma* ; Cranial Fossa, Posterior ; Humans ; Neck Pain ; Paraparesis

No abstract available.
Cell Line* ; Cell Proliferation* ; Cytokines ; Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute*

No abstract available.
Cell Line* ; Cytokines* ; Nitric Oxide*

BACKGROUND: The use of autogenous cartilage has the problem of donor site morbidity and limited supply in reconstructive surgery. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to increase the size and the volume of the autogenous small cartilage by the new three dimensional culture technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chondrocytes from biopsied human septal cartilage were subcultured. The increased cells were encapsulated with calcium alginate and were injected to the subcutaneous tissue of the athymic nude mouse for in vivo 3-dimensional culture. RESULTS: After 8 weeks of the injection, the implanted subcutaneous nodule was seemed to be the natural cartilage and the histoarchtectures revealed characteristics of the hyaline cartilage. CONCLUSION: This results suggest that the small biopsied cartilage can be expanded by the techniques of subculture and the 3-dimensional culture., and can potentially overcome the limited availability of autogenous donor cartilage.
Animals ; Calcium ; Cartilage* ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Chondrocytes* ; Culture Techniques ; Humans* ; Hyaline Cartilage ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Tissue Donors

No abstract available.
Humans* ; Leukemia*