Background: Spontaneous pneumopericardium is a very rare condition. Spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum have been reported to be associated with an idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, spontaneous pneumopericardium has not yet been reported in association with IPF. Here we report a case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium in a patient with acute exacerbation of IPF with a review of the relevant literature.
Humans ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis* ; Mediastinal Emphysema* ; Pneumopericardium* ; Pneumothorax

BACKGROUND: IL-8 is a potent chemotactic cytokine that plays an important role in the host defense mechanism against M. tuberculosis by recruiting inflammatory cells to the site of the infection. Lung epithelial cells, as well as alveolar macrophages are known to preduce IL-8 in response to M. tuberculosis. IL-8 gene expression is mainly regulated on the level of transcription by NF-κB. This study investigated whether or not A549 cells produce IL-8 in NF-κB dependent mechanism in response to macrophages phagocytosing M. tubersulosis. METHODS: Peripheral blood monocytes that were obtained from healthy donors were cultured for 24 h with M. tuberculosis and a conditioned medium(CoMTB) was obtained. As a negative control, the conditioned medium without M. tuberculosis (CoMCont) was used. A549 cells were stimulated with M. tuberculosis, CoMCont and CoMTB and the IL-8 concentration in the culture media was measured by ELISA. The CoMTB induced IL-8 mRNA expression in the A549 cells was evaluated using RT-PCR, and CoMTB induced IκBα degradation was measured using western blot analysis. CoMTB induced nuclear translocation and DNA binding of NF-κB was also examined using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA), and the CoMTB induced NF-κB dependent IL-8 transcriptional activity was measured using a luciferase reporter gene assay. RESULTS: CoMTB induced IL-8 production by A549 cells(46.8±4.8 ng/ml) was higher than with direct stimulation with M. tuberculosis (6.8±2.9 ng/ml). CoMTB induced IL-8 mRNA expression increased after 2 h of stimulation and was sustained for 24 h. IκBα was degraded after 10 min of CoMTB stimulation and reappeared by 60 min. CoMTB stimulated the nuclear translocation and DNA binding of NF-κB. The CoMTB induced NF-κB dependent IL-8 transcriptional activity(13.6±4.3 times control) was higher than either CoMCont(2.0±0.6 times control) or M. tuberculosis (1.4±0.6 times control). CONCLUSION: A conditioned medium of peripheral blood monocytes phagocytosing M. tuberculosis stimulates NF-κB dependent IL-8 production by the lung epithelial cells.
Blotting, Western ; Culture Media ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; DNA ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epithelial Cells* ; Gene Expression ; Genes, Reporter ; Humans ; Interleukin-8* ; Luciferases ; Lung* ; Macrophages ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; Monocytes* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; RNA, Messenger ; Tissue Donors ; Tuberculosis

In order to assess the efficiency of Percoll gradient centrifugation(PGC) as a method of sperm selection, we have examined morphological characteristics of spermatozoa from 40 teratozoospermic patients attending the Infertility Clinic of Inchon Gil Gerneral Hospital. Patients were divided into three groups according to percentage normal morphology in the fresh sample : group A(n=5), < 5% normal morphology : group B(n=21), 5~14% normal morphology : and group C(n=14), > 14% normal morphology. Morphology slides were perpared using Diff-Quik staining techniques and evaulated by Kruger strict criteria, under oil immersion at a magnification of X 1000, specific defects, head, neck and tail were assesed individualy. The results were as follows. 1. Following PGC, sperm samples with enhanced morphology were recovered for all groups. 2. For group A, PGC did not select a sample with significantly improved morphological characteristics. 3. Usually, sperm defects affected by PGC was head and neck. No significant difference was found for tail abnormality. In conclusion, Percoll gradient centrifugation is an efficient sperm preparation technique when the semen sample exhibits teratozoospermia, especially head or neck abnormality. However, in sample with < 5% normal form or tail abnormality, There is not significant improvement following PGC.
Centrifugation* ; Equidae ; Head ; Humans* ; Immersion ; Incheon ; Infertility ; Neck ; Semen ; Spermatozoa*

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Colon* ; Colonic Polyps* ; Female* ; Humans ; Urethra*

Peyronie's disease is characterized by localized fibrosis in the tunica albuginea of the corpus cavernosum with no confirmed etiology. We report 2 cases of Peyronie's disease, in which surgical1y corrected with the dermal graft technique. One patient is performed with the penile prosthesis be. cause of sexual impotence after correction of penile curvature.
Erectile Dysfunction ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Induration* ; Penile Prosthesis ; Transplants*

No abstract available.
Brain* ; Central Nervous System Diseases* ; Central Nervous System* ; Child* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Brain* ; Central Nervous System Diseases* ; Central Nervous System* ; Child* ; Humans

Eccrine nevus is an unusual entity with various clinical manifestations. Histologically the eccrine apparatus appears simply increased in number and/or size, but structurally normal. We present a case of eccrine nevus on the dorsum of the left 3rd and 4th fingers in a 20 year-old female. The lesions were 3 × 2cm sized, well demarcated, smooth surfaced, brownish plaques with mild hyperhidrosis. Histological examination revealed hyperkeratosis in the stratum corneum and hyperpigmentation of basal layer, and an increased number of eccrine sweat glands and many eccrine coils in the dermis was seen.
Dermis ; Female ; Fingers ; Humans ; Hyperhidrosis ; Hyperpigmentation ; Nevus* ; Sweat Glands

Authors examined 40,000 minifilms(boys and girls each 10,000 in junior and senior high schools) which were taken for survey of pulmonary tuberculosis for junior and senior high school students and checked the prevalence of scoliosis. It was considered lateral curvature of spine more than 10 degrees as nonpostural scoliosis, which were analyzed prevalence rate, degree of curvature, distribution of size of curvature, pattern of curve and direction of curvature. Following results were obtained. 1. The overall prevalence rate was 1.56; male 1.38. and female 1.70%(Junior high school 1.06%, Senior high school 2.05%). 2. Scoliosis secondary due to bony abnormality was found in 5 cases. 3. The most common pattern of curvature was the thoracic curve. 4. In sihgle curve, right to left ratio was 1.7, especially senior high school girls had more right curve and junior high school boys had more left curve. 5. The prevalence of senior high school students was greater than that of junior high school students and the degree of curvature was also severe in senior high school students than in junior high school students.
Busan ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Prevalence ; Scoliosis ; Spine ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Many opthalmologists prefer to treat the eyes operated on with drops containing corticosteroids and antibiotics for a few days of a few weeks after strabismus surgery. But no controlled studies are available to support the rationale for such therapy. Therefore, we conducted a prespective double-blind masked trial to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the drops containing antibiotics and steroid on 40 patients. There are no singnificant difference between the drug and the placebo groups.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Humans ; Masks ; Strabismus*