No abstract available.
Leprosy*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As previously reported, unstable angina is usually related to characteristic coronary artery lesion's morphology analyzed by coronary angiogram. This takes the form of an eccentrically placed convex stenosis with a narrow neck due to one or more overhanging edges or irregular, scalloped borders, or both. Although most studies were done for lesions with high degree stenosis(>50%), recent studies emphasized the role of vulnerability of plaque in acute coronary syndrome and even mild degree stenotic lesions may progress rapidly to evoke acute coronary syndrome. Therefore in this study, we analyzed the morphological characteristics of coronary artery lesions with mild degree stenosis as well as severe stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 96 patients with angina pectoris (42 of stable patients and 54 of unstable patients) who underwent coronary angiography. Each lesions with 25% or greater diameter stenosis were categorized into simple and complex lesion(convex intraluminal obstruction with a narrow neck or irregular borders, diffuse irregularities, ulceration, thrombus). Calcification of coronary artery, extents of lesions were analyzed and stenosis grade and location were categorized by AHA classification. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the stable angina and unstable angina in risk factors and vessel involvement, numbers of lesions, calcification and total obstruction. In morphologic analysis, complex lesions were more frequent in unstable angina than stable angina (49% vs 33%, p<0.05). The mean of percent diameter stenosis was not signigicantly different between two groups, but severe stenotic lesions with 90% or more stenosis were more frequent in unstable angina (34% vs 22%, p<0.05). Locations of involved vessels were similar between the angina groups. Complex lesions were distributed more frequent in RCA and simple lesions were more in LAD and LCX (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The lesions with both complex morphology and severe degree stenosis are closely implicated in unstable angina.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Angina Pectoris ; Angina, Stable ; Angina, Unstable* ; Classification ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels* ; Humans ; Neck ; Pectinidae ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: To evaluate the anatomic and functional change in acutely obstructed kidneys, and the probability of functional recovery after resolving the obstruciton. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 5 animal groups(6 rabbits in each group)-normal control group, 4 acute ureteral obstruction group. Each of the latter group was imaged with Gd-DTPA enhanced dynamic MR 2, 6, 24, and 48 hours after ligation of the left proximal urter, respectively. We compared the findings of dynamic MR imaging and histopathological findings. RESULTS: We could observe centripetal movement of dark band pattern which could be defined as 3 phasesrenal cortex, outer medulla, and inner medulla in normal rabbits. The appearance of the dark band pattern was delayed or absent in ureteral obstruction group with a linear relationship to the duration of the obstruction. CONCLUSION: Gd-DTPA enhanced MR can be used to differentiate acute obstructive nephropathy from other causes of nephropathy and foretell the prognosis of the obstruction.
Animals ; Gadolinium DTPA* ; Kidney ; Ligation ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Prognosis ; Rabbits* ; Ureter* ; Ureteral Obstruction*

Sensitivity to estrogen has been described previously. The clinical picture is varied with pruritus, either generalized or localued or as urticaria. The hallmark of estrogen dermatitis is the cyclic premenstrual flare. The patient reported here had cyclic erythema multiforme-like lesions and showed a positive intradermal skin test to estrogen. A 20-year-old female patient presented with a periodic 5 year duration of skin lesions on both hands. The eruption commenced in the second half of the menstrual cycle, worsened through the luteal phase but the lesion almost disappeared during menstruation. An intradermal skin test to estrone showed positive results. However, a skin test with medroxyprogesterone acetate was negative. After systemic steroid and antihistamine therapy, the lesions were found to be significantly improved.
Dermatitis* ; Erythema ; Erythema Multiforme ; Estrogens* ; Estrone ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Luteal Phase ; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ; Menstrual Cycle ; Menstruation ; Pruritus ; Skin ; Skin Tests ; Urticaria ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: The epidermal permeability barrier necessary for terrestrial life resides in the intercellular spaces of the stratum corneum and is composed of lipids. OBJECTIVE: Since strrtum corneum lipid may be important for the permeability barrier, we studied the differences and effects of experimentally altered barrier function using acetone and tape-stripping technique. METHODS: The permeability barrier of hairless mouse was disrupted by tape-stripping and acetone treatment and the recovery rate was assessed by histochemical staining, electron microscopic examination and lipid analysis. RESULTS: Although the transepidermal water loss recovered completely by 48 hours in both of the acute models, acetone treated samples seem to have on over-all better recovery rate than tape-stripped samples. The return of barrier function to normal in both tape-stripped and acetone-treated skin was accompanied by a comparable return of normal nile red and ruthenium tetroxide staining. The amount of lipid in stratum corneum paralleled both the return of barrier function towards normal and the extent of prior damage to the barrier in acetone treated skin, yet, the lipid synthesis in tape-stripped skin showed a slower return of lipid content. CONCLUSION: The difference in the recovery rate of the two acute models may be due to the fact that acetone mainly extracts intercellular lipids, whereas, tape-stripping has a prolonged effect by removal of comeocyte in addition to the intercellular lipids. This shows the importance of comeocytes as well as the intercellular lipid bilayer in the recovery of normal barrier function.
Acetone* ; Animals ; Extracellular Space ; Lipid Bilayers ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Permeability ; Ruthenium ; Skin ; Water

No abstract available.
B-Lymphocytes* ; Herpesvirus 4, Human* ; Humans*

No abstract available.
B-Lymphocytes* ; Herpesvirus 4, Human* ; Humans*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Atherosclerosis* ; Diabetic Foot*

No abstract available.