No abstract available in English.
Fatigue ; Fractures, Stress

We report a rare cause of lung cavities, occurring in a patient with intrapulmonary cystic teratoma. Computed tomography (CT) provided us more detailed informations about the tumor characteristics containing fat and calcification, which could not be distinguished on the plain radiographs. In addition, CTscans clearly demonstrated the dilated anterior segmental bronchus of the left upper lobe entering the posterior aspect of the cavity.
Bronchi ; Humans ; Lung* ; Teratoma*

Intexcellular adhesion molecule-10CAM- 1) is an important moleade in aehating immune and inflammatory responses. It is found on the surface of hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells. It can act as an adhesive ligand for integrins such as LFA-1 (CD1&/CD11a) and MAC-1 (CD18/ CD11b). ICAM-1 is basally expressed in sigaificant amount on a limited number of cell types, including monocytes and endothelial ceRs. But it is inducible or upregulated by INF-r, IL-1p and TNF-a on many cell types. IL-4, a pleiotropic cytokine and mast cell differentiation factor, is upregulated in human allergic disease and stimulates expression of vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in endothelial cells. IL-4 also promotes expression of surhce ICAM-1 in human mast cells and dermal fidroblasts. So in allergic rhinitis and asthma, IL-4 may be an important cytokine implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammation. We studied the effect of INF-r and IL-4 on expression of ICAM-1 in human nasal epithelial cells (HNEC). HNEC were prepared by primary culture method of monolayer culture of dissociated cells hom human inferior nasal turbinate mucosa. Nasal mucosa were obtained by partial turbinectomy of septal deviation patients. Primary cultured cells were charaterized as an epithelial cell type by indirect immuno-fluorescence assay using antilmdies against cytokeratin-pan, cytokeratin No. 8, vimentin and von Willebrand factor. Using fluorescence activated cell sorter (Coulter EI1TE), we analyzed the quantitative expression of ICAM-1 on HNEC. Treatment of HNEC with IFN-r (1ng/ml) for 24 hours caused about 8 fold increase of the surface ICAM-1 compared with constitutive expression by mean fluorescence intensity (MIF) but IL-4 had little effect. Theses foundings suggest that IFN-r is a potent ICAM-1 inducer in HNEC and further studies are necessary for the role of IL-4 on HNEC.
Adhesives ; Asthma ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines* ; Endothelial Cells ; Epithelial Cells* ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Integrins ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Interleukin-4 ; Keratins ; Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 ; Mast Cells ; Monocytes ; Mucous Membrane ; Nasal Mucosa ; Rhinitis ; Turbinates ; Vimentin ; von Willebrand Factor

A putative polypeptide hormone identified as amylin[islet amyloid polypeptide] is synthesized and co-localized with insulin in B cells of pancreatic islets in several animal species including man. However, there is growing evidence that somatostatin cells are also expressed and contained amylin in the pancreatic islets of the rat The aim of the present study was to investigate the immunocytochemical expression of the amylin within the endocrine pancreas of the man, rabbit and guinea pig, with special reference to the possible ability of islet cells other than insulin cells to synthesize amylin. For this purpose serial sections of the pancreatic islets were stainedimmunocytochemically using anti-amylin, anti-insulin, anti-glucagon, anti-somatostatin antisera. In serial sections of pancreatic islets of the man and rabbit, it was shown that amylin immunoreactivity occurred in insulin-reactive B cells predominantly located in interior of the islets. In contrast, amylin immunoreacivity appeared in glucagon-reactive A cells peripherally located in the islets of the guinea pig. These results suggest that in both the man and rabbit, amylin is synthesized by B cells for subsequent co-secretion with insulin, and that in guinea pig, amylin is synthesized by A cells for co-secretion with glucagon. It thus appears that amylin release may be mediated by different secretory mechanisms according to animal species.
Amyloid ; Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; Glucagon ; Guinea Pigs* ; Guinea* ; Immune Sera ; Immunohistochemistry ; Insulin ; Islet Amyloid Polypeptide* ; Islets of Langerhans* ; Rats ; Somatostatin-Secreting Cells

In this paper, acknowledgments section was omitted unintentionally.

We analyzed the mRNA expression patterns of major potassium channel genes to determine the mechanism of hypokalemia in familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis. We used quantitative RT-PCR to examine the mRNA levels of both inward (KCNJ2, KCNJ6, and KCNJ14) and delayed rectifi er (KCNQ1 and KCNA2) potassium channel genes in skeletal muscle cells from both normal and patient groups, prior to and after exposure to 4 mM and 50 mM potassium buffers. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed no changes in the mRNA levels of these genes in normal and patient cells on exposure to 4 mM potassium buffer. However, after exposure to 50 mM potassium buffer, which was used to induce depolarization, normal cells showed a signifi cant decrease in KCNJ2, KCNJ6, and KCNJ14 expression, but no change in KCNQ1 and KCNA2 expression. In contrast, patient cells showed no change in KCNJ2 and KCNJ6 expression, but an increase in KCNJ14 expression. Furthermore, KCNQ1 and KCNA2 showed decreased expression. We found that the expression levels of both inward and delayed rectifi er potassium channel genes in patient cells differ from those in normal cells. Altered potassium channel gene expression in patient cells may suggest a possible mechanism for hypokalemia in familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis.

No abstract available.
Amniotic Fluid* ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Female ; Obstetric Labor, Premature* ; Pregnancy

A 54-year-old male patient was admitted due to dyspnea with chest pain and reddish swelling in the right lteral neck and right upper which developed 2 or 3 days age. He was treated with acupuncture in the neck about one week ago prior to admission. CT scans of the chest showed density of air and abnormal soft tissue which suggested abscess of the anterior mediastinum and subcutaneous tissue. He underwent cervical and mediastinal drainage with closed thoracostomy and antibiotic therapy. Black-pigmente anaerobic nonspore-forming gram-negative bacilli were isolated from the mediastinal pus and were identified as Prevotella intermedia/nigrescens upon performing biochemical tests and API rapid ID 32A (bioMeriux, France) kit. He underwent decortication of the right side because of loculated empyema on 41st postoperative day. He was fully recovered and discharged on the 82nd hospital day. This was thought to be another case of descending necrotizing mediastinitis not caused by peritonsilar abscess but by cellulitis developed after acupuncture. Early deterction of mediastinits and aggressive drainage of mediastinal abscess are important.
Abscess ; Acupuncture* ; Cellulitis ; Chest Pain ; Drainage ; Dyspnea ; Empyema ; Humans ; Male ; Mediastinitis* ; Mediastinum ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Prevotella* ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Suppuration ; Thoracostomy ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Neonatal urologic urgencies are any genitourinary condition during the 1st month of life that jeopardizes the gonads, the kidneys, or the life of the infant if there is a delay in either diagnosis or treatment. Since 1991, we have experienced 41 cases of neonatal urologic urgencies. Of 41 cases, 23 were detected prenatally. Male to female distribution was 29 to 12. The initial symptoms or signs at presentation were antenatal hydronephrosis in 21, fever in 10, scrotal mass in 5. The rest 5 were 1 abdominal mass, 1 cystic adrenal mass, 1 absence of kidney, 1 abnormal micturition and 1 jaundice. The final diagnosis were 1 neuroblastoma, 2 multicystic dysplastic kidney, 1 multicystic dysplastic kidney and contralateral UPJO, 2 unilateral transient hydronephrosis, 3 bilateral transient hydronephrosis, 1 unilateral renal hypoplasia and contralateral hydronephrosis, 1 unilateral and 2 bilateral UPJO, 1 renal agenesis, 5 complete duplicate ureter, 3 primary megaureter, 1 unilateral UVJ0, 2 unilateral and 9 bilateral VUR, 1 PUV, 1 congenital megalourethra with bilateral hydronephrosis, 1 acute epididymitis, 3 torsion of spermatic cord, 1 cystic teratoma. Surgical treatment was performed in 26 and conservative management in 15. Since it has been reported 2/3 of all infant deaths occur during the 1st year of life, especially most are during the neonatal period, we believe it is crucial that urologists be involved in the care of newly born infants and be alert to the clues of underlying genitourinary abnormalities or diseases because the least easily recognizable urologic abnormality may be the one that requires the most immediate attention in the neonate.
Diagnosis ; Epididymitis ; Female ; Fever ; Gonads ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice ; Kidney ; Male ; Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney ; Neuroblastoma ; Spermatic Cord ; Teratoma ; Ureter ; Urination ; Urogenital Abnormalities

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study analyzing the results of chip PLIF with pedicle screw instrumentation for various spinal lesions. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical and radiologic results of chip PLIF and to compare the amount of blood loss and transfusion and operation time with the ordinary PLIF. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The ordinary PLIF has 86-95% of radiologic union rate and 80% of clinical satisfactory rate. The problems of ordinary PLIF were donor site morbidity, limited bone resources, prolonged operation time and excessive blood loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients were treated by chip PLIF utilizing cubical chip bone obtained from spinous process, facets and lamina from October 1995 to October 1997. Twenty-four patients, followed up over 12 months, were included in this study. Radiologic union, disc space collapse and change of kyphotic angle were assessed by simple X-ray and clinical results by improvement of back pain, radicular pain and change of neurological deficits. Twenty-nine patients treated by ordinary PLIF were compared concerning the operation time, amount of blood loss and transfusion. RESULTS: The mean age was 51.5 years(27-68 years) and mean follow-up was 20.7 months(12-30 months). Complete radiologic union rate was 47.6%, which was lower than ordinary PLlf. Satisfactory clinical result rate was 79%, which was similar with other fusion methods. Operation time, amount of blood loss and transfusion were less than the ordinary PLIF. There were three complications that were one dural tear ailed two pedicle screw breakages. CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between radiologic union rate and clinical satisfactory result after chip PLIF. Although operation time is relatively short and blood loss is less, it's not a good method to obtain nice bony union in spinal lesions.
Back Pain ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Tissue Donors