No abstract available.
Foreign Bodies* ; Granuloma, Foreign-Body* ; Lipectomy*

This study was undertaken to investigate the characterization and distribution patterns of MHC class II positive dendritic cells[DCs] and ED2 positive tissue macrophages throughout the estrous cycle and during pregnancy in the rat ovary. The immunohistochemical characterization of the cells was carried out using the monoclonal antibodies OX6 and ED2 in cryostat-cut sections. DCs were distributed in the theca cell layer of the growing and mature follicles,stroma and corpus luteum. Tissue macrophages were distributed in the theca externa of the growing and mature follicles, stroma and corpus luteum but they were smaller in number than DCs. None of DC and tissue macrophage was found in the ovum, granulosa layer and follicular cavity of the ovarian follicle. However, DCs and tissue macrophages were present in the granulosa layer and follicular cavity in the atretic follicles. Degenerating corpus luteum contained a vast number of OX6 positive cells. On the contrary, fewer tissue macrophages were founcl in the degenerating corpus luteum. More macrophages tended to be observed in the former follicular cavity and theca lutein cell layer than in the granulosa lutein cell layer of the corpus luteum. In stroma,DCs and tissue macrophages were more frequently found around the blood vessels than in the other region, however, DCs were relatively greater in number than tissue macrophages. There was no estrous cycle and pregnancy dependent variation in the numbers and distribution patterns of DCs and tissue macrophages. In conclusion, the rat ovary contains rich networks of MHC class II positive dendritic cells and ED2 positive tissue macrophages. These findings suggest the existence of a well-developed system of immunological surveillance in the rat ovary. The results of this study have potentially important implications for the understanding not only of the ovarian immune system and the pathogenesis of various ovarian diseases but also of various physiologic functions of the ovary.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Blood Vessels ; Corpus Luteum ; Dendritic Cells* ; Estrous Cycle ; Female ; Immune System ; Immunologic Surveillance ; Luteal Cells ; Macrophages* ; Ovarian Diseases ; Ovarian Follicle ; Ovary* ; Ovum ; Pregnancy ; Rats* ; Theca Cells

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the T2 value of the articular cartilage of the glenohumeral joint in rotator cuff disease displayed on 3.0T MRI and to apply it in clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved sixty-two patients who underwent shoulder MRI containing T2 mapping. The mean T2 value was measured by placing a free hand ROI over the glenoid or humeral cartilage from the bone-cartilage interface to the articular surface on three consecutive, oblique coronal images. The drawn ROI was subsequently divided into superior and inferior segments. The assessed mean T2 values of the articular cartilage of the glenohumeral joint were compared and evaluated based on the degree of rotator cuff tear, the degree of fatty atrophy of the rotator cuff, and the acromiohumeral distance. RESULTS: ICC values between two readers indicated moderate or good reproducibility. The mean T2 value for the articular cartilage of the glenoid and humeral head cartilage failed to show any significant difference based on the degree of rotator cuff tear. However, the mean T2 values of articular cartilage, based on fatty atrophy, tended to be higher in fatty atrophy 3 or fatty atrophy 4 groups while some sub-regions displayed significantly higher mean T2 values. There was no correlation between the acromiohumeral distance and the mean T2 values of the articular cartilage of the glenoid and humeral head. CONCLUSION: T2 mapping of the glenohumeral joint failed to show any significant difference in quantitative analysis of the degenerative change of the articular cartilage based on the degree of rotator cuff tear. However, it also offers quantitative information on the degenerative change of cartilage of the glenohumeral joint in patients with rotator cuff tear and severe fatty atrophy of the rotator cuff.
Atrophy ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Hand ; Humans ; Humeral Head ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Rotator Cuff ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Joint ; Tears

With increasing public concern about facial wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity due to aging, diverse devices have been proposed as treatment modalities for facial wrinkles and laxity. Recently, ultrasonography was introduced as a new treatment modality for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. High-intensity focused ultrasonography (HIFU) may be the best example of this technique. It is based on the principle of induction of tissue damage and regeneration of the target area selectively via coagulation by generating microthermal injury lesions through the accumulation of high-frequency ultrasonography beams at the specific tissue site without any damage to the epidermis and adjacent tissue. Current studies reveal that HIFU significantly improves facial wrinkles and skin contours, with generally mild and transient side effects. However, serious adverse events could occur when skillful techniques are not used. These events should be prevented and treated immediately upon presentation to avoid permanent complications. In this article, the authors reviewed the background, principle, treatment outcomes, and side effects of HIFU to improve its efficacy and safety as a new modality for facial rejuvenation.
Aging ; Elasticity ; Epidermis ; Regeneration ; Rejuvenation* ; Skin ; Ultrasonography*

Traumatic rupture of the corpus cavernosum of the penis is rare and has been reported infrequently. We experienced 4 cases of penile fracture for recent 2 years. They occurred during coitus(1 case), masturbation(2 cases), and through blunt trauma(1 case). The former 3 cases were treated with immediate surgical intervention about 12 hours after injury. When the last case patient visited hospital 5 days after injury, the penile abscess treated immediately with surgical intervention had developed. Surgery consisted of complete evacuation of the hematoma or pus and repairing of the tear at the tunica albuginea. The results were excellent, with complete early recovery of erectile function. Delayed wound healing was observed only in a patient who underwent surgery about 5 days after injury, but this did not cause any complication afterward. In our experiences, immediate surgical treatment is recommended in patients with fracture of the penis.
Abscess ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; Rupture ; Suppuration ; Wound Healing

Flavonoids including quercetin and rutin are a group of naturally occurring compounds widely distributed in plants, especially in buckwheat. Thus, cereal and the leaf of the plant have increasingly used as a source of nutritional and functional foods such as noodle, cake or soup in Korea, Japan and other countries. This study investigated comparative effects of dietary rutin rich in buckwheat and its aglycone, quercetin, on serum biomarkers and antioxidant parameters in rats treated with chronic ethanol. Rats were fed with the liquid diets prepared by the method of Lieber Decarli. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities increased significantly by alcohol feeding. Dietary flavonoids including rutin, quercetin and their mixtures (1/1, v/v) decreased significantly the activities of serum ALT whereas the feeding of quercetin decreased only the activity of serum AST. The concentration of serum malondialdehydes elevated by chronic alcohol feeding decreased markedly in all the experimental groups that were fed with the flavonoids; however, the combined administration of quercetin or rutin, but not that of rutin or quercetin alone decreased significantly the concentration of liver malondialdehydes to the normal range in rats fed without ethanol. Our results suggested that dietary combined mixture of rutin and quercetin might be effective in ameliorating adverse responses seen in rats exposed to ethanol chronically.
Alanine Transaminase ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Biomarkers ; Diet* ; Edible Grain ; Ethanol* ; Fagopyrum ; Flavonoids ; Functional Food ; Japan ; Korea ; Liver ; Methods ; Plants ; Quercetin* ; Rats* ; Reference Values ; Rutin*

BACKGROUND: Aprotinin, a serine protease inhibitor, has an anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effect and has been used to reduce perioperative blood loss and lung injury after cardiopulmonary bypass in cardiac surgery. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which results in clinical manifestations due to non-cardiogenic permeability edema is a fatal condition associated with a mortality rate of 50 to 80%. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of aprotinin on acute lung injury induced by bacterial endotoxin in rabbits. METHODS: Nineteen rabbits were anesthetized with intravenous xylazine, Ketamine and vecuronium and ventilated with a Harvard apparatus maintaining normocapnea. In 7 rabbits, 2 mg/Kg of lipopolysaccharide from E. coli was infused intravenously for 30 min (Toxin group) and in another 7 rabbits aprotonin loading with 200,000 KIU/Kg followed by a continuous infusion of 50,000 KIU/Kg/hr was performed 30 min before the endotoxin infusion throughout the experiment (Aprotinin group). At 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after endotoxin infusion, arterial blood gas, blood cell count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, and hemodynamic profiles were checKed. At four hours, the animals were dissected at which time the lungs were divided into three regions for wet/dry weight ratio (WW/DW), myeloperoxidase activity and microscopic examination. RESULTS: In the Aprotinin group, pulmonary vascular resistance, arterial oxygen partial pressure and coagulation function were well preserved compared with the Toxin group. Furthermore, lung WW/DW, myeloperoxidase activity, and inflammatory responses also increased less in the Aprotinin group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current data showed that aprotinin has prophylactic effects against acute lung injury and coagulation impairment induced by bacterial endotoxin in rabbits.
Acute Lung Injury* ; Animals ; Aprotinin* ; Blood Cell Count ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Edema ; Fibrinogen ; Hemodynamics ; Ketamine ; Lung ; Lung Injury ; Mortality ; Oxygen ; Partial Pressure ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Permeability ; Peroxidase ; Prothrombin Time ; Rabbits* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Serine Proteases ; Thoracic Surgery ; Vascular Resistance ; Vecuronium Bromide ; Xylazine

The purpose of this study was to assess the physical activity level of Korean farmers to establish their estimated energy requirements during busy farming season. 113 farmers (mean age 51.9 +/- 7.2 years, male 42, female 71) who own farmland area above 300 pyung participated in measurement of body weight and height and interviewing of one-day activity diaries. There was no significant difference in age, BMI between male and female. Obesity prevalence according to BMI among male and female farmers was 40.5% and 50.7% respectively. The farmers spent about 7 hours in sleeping and spent about 4 hours 35 minutes working on the farm and spent about 15 hours 30 minutes (64.6% of 24 hours) in "very light activities" and spent about 3 hours 31 minutes (14.7%) in "light activities". Physical activity level (PAL, activity coefficient) of male farmers was 2.63 which was significantly higher than that (2.19) of female farmers (p < 0.05). Estimated energy requirements (EER) for farmers who were different in age and gender were suggested. For example, the estimated energy requirements for male and female farmers were 3058 kcal/day and 2279 kcal/day, respectively. The results of this study suggest that estimated energy requirements (EER) of farmers should be differentiated according to seasonal workload and energy balance of farmers should be evaluated to prevent obesity.
Body Weight ; Energy Metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Light ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Seasons

OBJECTIVES: The present study assessed the effect of trazodone on the cerebral hemodynamics of male Sprague-Dawley rats. METHOD: The changes of regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) and pill arterial diameter were measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry and by a videomicroscopy, respectively. The changes in vascular tone and intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of isolated basilar artery were simultaneously measured using a small vessel myograph and a cation measurement system, respectively. RESULT: Both the rCBF and the pill arterial diameter were dose-dependently decreased by systemic administration of trazodone(0.3-10 mg/kg, i.v.), but not by topical application of trazodone(10-300 micrometer). Pretreatment with 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor antagonist(ketanserin or ritanserin, 1 mg/kg, i.v., respectively) significantly blocked the changes in rCBF induced by trazodone. m-Chlorophenylpiperazine(mCPP ; 0.1-3 mg/kg, i.v. or 5-500 micrometer topical), a major active metabolite of trazodone, also dose-dependently decreased the rCBF as well as the pial arterial diameter. The mCPP-induced decreases in rCBF were significantly blocked by ketanserin. Pretreatment with itraconazole(1 mg/kg, p.o.), a selective inhibitor of CYP3A4, a subfamily of cytochrome P450, markedly attenuated the trazodone-induced changes in rCBF. In an isolated rat basilar arterial strip loaded with fura-2/AM, mCPP(5-500 micrometer caused a vasoconstriction in association with increases in [Ca2+]i, in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment with 1 micrometerketanserin strongly blocked the effects of mCPP on the vascular tone as well as on the [Ca2+]i, of rat basilar artery. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that trazodone decreases rCBF through stimulation of 5-HT(2A/2C) receptors by its active metabolite, mCPP.
Animals ; Basilar Artery ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Ketanserin ; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; Male ; Microscopy, Video ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ritanserin ; Trazodone* ; Vasoconstriction

BACKGROUND: Twenty-nail dystrophy (TND) is an acquired idiopathic disease characterized by dull, thin, lusterless, and fragile nails with fissuring, small regular pits, and excessive longitudinal ridging. Although various treatment modalities have been performed in order to treat TND, the effects of these treatments are controversial. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of oral cyclosporine in TND. METHODS: A total of 38 patients with TND were treated with combination therapy using oral cyclosporine with a pantothenic acid complex-based dietary supplement (Pantogar®; Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Germany), whereas 44 patients were treated with the pantothenic acid complex-based dietary supplement alone. The therapeutic efficacy in each group was retrospectively evaluated using medical records and clinical photographs. RESULTS: The cyclosporine therapy group had significantly more patients whose improvement was rated as almost clear, marked, or moderate compared to the control group (p<0.001). While the mean CHATS (Color, Hyperkeratosis, Area, Thickness, Separation) score of the cyclosporine therapy group was decreased by 13.45 (from 30.95 to 17.5) after treatment, the mean CHATS score of the control group was only decreased by 8 (from 29.43 to 21.43, p<0.001). Moreover, greater Dermatology Life Quality Index changes after treatment were observed in the cyclosporine therapy group (p=0.085). CONCLUSION: Oral cyclosporine can be a valuable therapeutic option in patients with TND.
Cyclosporine* ; Dermatology ; Dietary Supplements* ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Pantothenic Acid ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies