This study was designed to evaluate the potential application of MRI in differentiating static blood from thrombus, age-related changes of thrombus and the signal differences of the intravascular thrombus in various pulse sequences. External jugular vein was ligated at both upper and lower ends to form a static blood column, and thrombin was injected into the column to cause venous thrombosis in a total of 15 mongrel dogs. The MR images were obtained with T1-and T2-weighted spin echo and gradient echo techniques, immediately after the formation of static blood and after 2 hour, 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks of the formation of thrombus at a 2.0T MR unit. The signal intensities of the thrombus and adjacent muscles were compared stubjectively, and the signal intensity ratio was compared objectively by the measurement of the signal intensities using a cursor. The MRI findings were compared with histologic findings. The signal intensities of static blood were hyperintense in all pulse sequences, and those of 2-hour, 1-day and 1-week-old thrombi were hyperintense in all pulse sequences. The number of experimental thrombi which showed isointensity on T1-and T2-weighted image, and hypointensity on gradient echo image increased as thrombi aged. The signal intensities of 2-week-old thrombus were isointense on T1-weighted image, hyperintense on T2-weighted image, and hypointense on gradient echo image, while those of 4-week-old thrombus were isointense on T1-weighted and T2-weighted image, and hypointense on gradient echo image in most experimental thrombi. There was a tendency to decrease in a signal intensity ratio as thrombi aged on T1-weighted, T2-weighted and gradient echo images(P<0.01) Histologically, thrombus was not formed and lumen was filled with many red blood cells(RBCs) in 2-hour-old specimen, but fibrin mesh was visible and RBCs decreased in number in 1-day-old specimen. In 1-week-old specimen, vessel was contracted and lumen was filled with thombus, RBCs, platelets, many fibrins and capillary-like strucrutes. The histologic findings of 2-week-old thrombus were similar to those of 1-week-old one except calcification. In 4-week-old specimen, vessels were contracted and lumen was obliterated with fibrosis and organization of the thrombus. Therefore, it is possible to diagnose thrombus, and to assess sequential changes of MRI findings of thrombus by using all pulse sequences, and these results can be essential bases for the interpretation of MR images of patients with venous thrombosis.
Animals ; Dogs* ; Fibrin ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Muscles ; Thrombin ; Thrombosis ; Venous Thrombosis*

To elucidate iron utilization patterns of Staphylococcus aureus according to the growth, we checked the residual iron concentration and the production of siderophores at the indicated times while culturing S. aureus ATCC 6538 and 25923 strains in brain heart infusion broth. By using streptonigrin susceptibility test and investigating growth curves in three culture media of which iron concentration is 0.2, 20, 45 uM, respectively, we found out that iron metabolism of 6538 strain was more active than that of 25923 strain. In point of tendency of iron consumption, 6538 strain steeply consumed iron just before the onset of stationary phase, but 25923 strain did gradually iron throughout the growth phase. Nevertheless, total amount of iron consumed by each strain during the growth was almost no difference between the strains. CAS diffusion assay in detecting siderophores showed that siderophore production followed iron consumption. These results suggest that the siderophores play significant role in iron utilization in vitro.
Brain ; Culture Media ; Diffusion ; Heart ; Iron* ; Metabolism ; Siderophores ; Staphylococcus aureus* ; Staphylococcus* ; Streptonigrin

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of methylglyoxal (MG), intermediate metabolite of advanced glycation end products(AGE), on the induction of oxidative stress in human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMC). METHODS: Primarily cultured HTMC were exposed to at concentrations of 0, 30, 100, and 300 micrometer of MG for 18 hours, with or without co-exposure to N-acetyl-cysteine. Cellular survival and apoptosis were assessed by MTT assay and flow cytometry using annexin-PI double staining. Production of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed by Griess assay, cytochrome c assay, and dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay, respectively. RESULTS: MG did not affect cellular survival at concentrations under 100 micrometer, but induced apoptosis of HTMC at concentrations over 100 micrometer. MG decreased NO production, accompanied with increased superoxide production. In addition, MG increased ROS, which were abolished by N-acetylcysteine. CONCLUSIONS: MG induced oxidative stress by decreasing NO production, accompanied by increasing superoxide and ROS productions in HTMC. AGE could induce trabecular meshwork dysfunction.
Acetylcysteine ; Apoptosis ; Cytochromes c ; Flow Cytometry ; Glycosylation End Products, Advanced ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide ; Oxidative Stress ; Pyruvaldehyde ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Superoxides ; Trabecular Meshwork

No abstract available.
Dinoprostone* ; Membranes* ; Rupture* ; Suppositories*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECT: Immunostimulatory CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (ISS CpG-ODN) up-regulate the TH1-type immune response and down-regulate the TH2-type response. This study was performed to investigate the immune response changes resulting from ISS CpG-ODN on bronchial hyperrestponsiveness, eosinophilic inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in rat asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 10 normal controls(NC) and 26 asthmatic rats, which were generated by ovallbumin(OVA) sensitization and challenge, were studied. The asthmatic rats were randomized into 11 asthma controls(AC) and 15 in the asthma-CpG treatment group(CpG). The CpG group was administered ISS CpG-ODN intramuscularly and the AC group was administered a placebo(0.9% NaCl)on day 15 and 20. After CpG-ODN or placebo administration, we measured the IFN-(TH1-type cytokine) and IL-4(TH2-type cytokine) levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF), the specific airway resistance(sRaw), eosinophilic fraction in BALF, eosinophilic infiltration, goblet cell dysplasia and MUC5AC gene expression in the lung tissue. RESULTS: In the BALF of the CpG group, the IFN-γ concentration was significantly high and the IL-4 concentration was significantly low when compared with the AC group. Both the sRaw and eosinophilic fraction, and infiltration into the BALF and lung tissue significantly lower in the CpG group when compared with the AC group. However, little difference in goblet cell dysplasia and MUC5Ac gene expression was observed between the CpG group and the Ac group. CONCLUSION: ISS CpG-ODN decreases bronchial hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilic inflammation in the rat asthma model through the up-regulation of the TH1-type immune response with the down-regulation of the TH2-type response. However, the effect of these immune response changes on mucus hypersecretion was is not remarkable in this study.
Animals ; Asthma* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Down-Regulation ; Eosinophils ; Gene Expression ; Goblet Cells ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-4 ; Lung ; Mucus ; Rats* ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVE: A 10-year retrospective lumboperitoneal(LP) shunt surgery was reviewed in order to verify the several prognostic factors including the etiology, the findings of brain computed tomography(CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), and the effect of lumbar drainage which have been implicated in the result of LP shunt. PATIENTS AND MEHTODS: A series of 32 patients who underwent LP shunt surgery between March 1988 and May 1998 for the management of communicating hydrocephalus was reviewed. RESULTS: The etiology of communicating hydrocephalus was subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) in 19 cases(59.4%), head trauma in 10 cases(31.2%), intracerebral hemorrhage in 2 cases(6.3%), meningitis in 1 case(3.1%), tumor in 1 case(3.1%), and idiopathic in 2 cases(6.3%). The mean follow-up period was 1.2 years(range, 2 week to 8.5 year). Among them, twenty four patients(75%) were clinically improved after shunt operation. The result of LP shunt was not related to the etiologies and many findings of brain CT/MRI such as ventricular index, Evan's index, periventricular low density, obliteration of cerebral sulci and cortical atrophy. However, the result of LP shunt was significantly related to the effect of preoperative lumbar drainage(p=0.0184). CONCLUSION: This result suggests that the effect of preoperative lumbar drainage has a significant role in predicting the result of LP shunt in patients with communicating hydrocephalus.
Atrophy ; Brain ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Drainage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus* ; Meningitis ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Influenza-associated myositis (IAM) is a rare and poorly recognized complication of influenza infection in children, and is characterized by acute onset of severe pain in the lower extremities and a refusal to ambulate walk. We sought to understand the association between IAM and influenza B infection and to investigate its clinical and laboratory characteristics in affected children. METHODS: Influenza B-associated myositis (IBAM) cases diagnosed in the pediatrics department of Wonkwang University Hospital from January 2010 and March 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Medical records of affected children were examined, and clinical characteristics and laboratory findings were recorded. Of the 536 children diagnosed with influenza B infection, 47 children complained of bilateral calf pain with or without gait disturbance. All children exhibited elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level. The median serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, reportedly elevated in myositis, were 2,597 IU/L and 678 IU/L, respectively. While the immunofluorescence test results were negative for some patients, the polymerase chain reaction test results indicated influenza B infection in all 47 children. At the time of hospital discharge, the patients' symptoms had resolved, and their CK levels had improved. CONCLUSION: IBAM was generally benign and short, and although the blood AST, CK, and LDH levels were markedly high, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels were normal. Further, the duration of IBAM symptoms correlated with the duration of fever. The IBAM-associated clinical and laboratory findings are highly characteristic and may allow its rapid diagnosis during the influenza season.
Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Child ; Creatine Kinase ; Diagnosis ; Fever ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Gait ; Humans ; Influenza B virus ; Influenza, Human ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Lower Extremity ; Medical Records ; Myalgia ; Myositis ; Pediatrics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to obtain information on MIS levels in normal and RDS neonates and to investigate the relationship between the RDS prevalence and MIS level in preterm and term neonates. METHODS: Total 131 male neonates were selected randomly and they were consisted of 50 term normal neonates, 15 term neonates with RDS, 50 prematurely born normal neonates, and 16 prematurely born neonates with RDS. Total 131 female neonates were also selected like male neonates. The venous blood was collected from all subjects and measured the level of MIS using ELISA. The ANCOVA was conducted to evaluate any influence of adjusted value of gestational age and body weight on MIS level between normal neonates and neonates with RDS. RESULTS: 1) The MIS levels of female neonates were significantly lower than those of male neonates with no overlap. 2) The MIS levels of normal female neonates were not significantly different from those of female neonates with RDS. 3) There were significant negative relationships between MIS concentration and gestational age (r=-0.777, p<0.001), and birth weight(r=-0.728, p<0.001) in normal rnale neonates. 4) There were significant negative relationships between MIS concentration and gestational age (r=-0.726, p<0.001), and birth weight(r=-0.725, p<0.001) in male neonates with RDS. 5) After adjusting the value of gestational age, the MIS level of male neonates with RDS was significantly higher than that of normal male neonates(p<0.001). 6) After adjusting the value of body weight, the MIS level of male neonates with RDS was significantly higher than that of normal male neonates(p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Male neonates with RDS had higher MIS levels than normal male neonates of the same body weight or same calculated gestational age. The results of this study suggest that MIS may play a causative or important ancillary role in the sexual dimorphism that characterizes the neonatal RDS and may be used as a predictive marker of RDS in male neonates.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone* ; Body Weight ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Male ; Parturition ; Prevalence

BACKGROUND: The automated border detection(ABD) echocardiography has the ability of recognizing the endocardial-blood interface, and therefore, on-line estimation of the left ventricular(LV) volume every cardiac cycle. Compared with the off-line conventional 2-dimensional echocardiographic method that requires tracing the endocardial border manually, the ABDd system can be a convenient and objective method in the estimation of the LV volume and the ejection fraction(EF). The purpose of this study is to compare the LV volume and EF between the on-line ABD system and the convertional off-line echocardiographic method. METHODS: In two weeks, 83 adult patients older than 16 years of age were referred to our echocardiographic laboratory. Among these 83 patients, 64 patients who had a normal sinus rhythm were included to our study. Using the Hewlett-Packard SONOS 1500, a 2.5 MHz transducer was placed dat the cardiac apex. Patients with an apical 4 chamber view of the LV in which at least 75% of the endocardium was clearly seen were selected for study. On that view, the ABD system was turned on, and the reansmit power and the time-gain compensation controls were adjusted in order to approximate the automated border to the visually apparent endocardial surface. The LV end-diastolic volume(LVESV) and LV end-systolic volume(LVESV) were calculated by the method of disc. LVEDV, LVESV, and EF were displayed every cardiac cycle. Also the off-line estimation of the LV volume was performed by the method of disc, after manually tracing the endocardial border on the apical 4 chamber view. RESULTS: 44 patients(69%) of 64 patients had > or =75% of the LV endocardium visualized. LVEDV, LVESV, and Ef with the ABD system were highly correlated with those with the off-line, manually traced method(r=0.95, 0.8, respectively), but LVEDV and EF with toe ABD system were significantly less than those with the latter(p<0.01). The limits of agreement between tow methods(off-line, manually traced method-ABD system) were somewhat wide. Those of LVEDV, LVESV and EF were +22~-10ml(mean 6ml), +15~-14ml(mean 0.1ml), and +19~-12%(mean 3.8%), respectively. CONCLUSION: LVEDV,LVESV, and EF measurements by the ABD system and the off-line manually traced methods thve a strong correlation, The ABD system should habe clinical applications in setting, in which measurements of LV volume and Ef are important, But, the comparison with a more reliable method is necessary.
Adult ; Compensation and Redress ; Echocardiography* ; Endocardium ; Humans ; Toes ; Transducers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fulminant invasive fungal sinusitis (IFS) is an aggressive, destructive disease most commonly affecting the immunocompromised hosts. This study aimed to investigate the clinical features of invasive fungal sinusitis and to determine its prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Fifteen cases of invasive fungal sinusitis were retrospectively reviewed. Prognosis was analyzed according to predisposing factors including the underlying disease, the extent of disease, the mycotic species, and treatment modalities. RESULTS: Overall 5-year survival rate of the patients with IFS was 60%. There was significant survival gain in the group for which underlying disease was well controlled (p=0.04). There was no difference in survival in terms of mycotic species and extent of disease at presentation. No statistically significant difference in survival was observed between the conservative surgery and the radical surgery group. CONCLUSION: Survival is usually determined at the very early period of treatment. The most important prognostic factor is not the surgical modalities including wide surgical resection or conservative debridement, but the optimal control of underlying disease.
Causality ; Debridement ; Fibrinogen ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sinusitis* ; Survival Rate