No abstract available.
Arthritis* ; Arthritis, Juvenile

No abstract available.
Acidosis, Renal Tubular* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn*

A total of 23 human fetal hearts from 18 to 40 weeks of gestation were provided for histologic and morphometric studies. The fetuses were the products of spontaneous or artificial abortions and were found to have no congential anomalies or associated lesions at autopsy. Maxima thickness of the left anterior, left lateral, left posterior, right anterior, right lateral, right posterior ventricular wall, and of the interventricular septal wall were measured and the left / right wall thickness ratio was calculated. The cross-sectional area of each ventricle parallel to the base of the heart at about 3-5mm below from the origin of the aorta was measured under drawing attachment-equipped light microscope with the application of point counting or cut-and-weigh method. Data were analyzed by the Anderson-ell ABSTAT dBASE ll statistical package program. The ventricular wall consisted of endocardium, myocardium and epicardium. The myocardium showed epithelial character by stratification of barrel-shaped myocardial cells, but the epithelial character progressively changed to as in adult myocardial tissue from the myocardial area close to the epicardium with increasing fetal age. However, any significant histologic difference between the left and the right ventricular wall at the same fetal age was not found. The growth pattern of both ventricular wall, the interventricular septal wall, and of the cross sectional area were linear (p<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the wall thickness between the left and right ventricle at the same fetal age, and the left / right thickness ratio was nearly constant with increasing fetal age. The cross sectional area was greater in the right than in the left ventricle in the fetuses after 18 weeks of gestation (p<0.01), and there was no significant difference in the morphometric values between point counting and cut-and-weigh method (p>0.1).
Adult ; Aorta ; Autopsy ; Endocardium ; Fetal Heart* ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Heart ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans* ; Methods ; Myocardium ; Pericardium ; Pregnancy

A construct DNA containing the cDNA for rat tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) and another construct DNA containing the cDNA for bovine L-dopa decarboxylase(DDC) were made and those genes were transferred by calcium phosphate transfection method into the immortalized rat fibroblasts. A both TH- & DDC-positive clone was identified by immunocytochemical staining. These cells produced L-dopa and dopamine and released them into the cell culture medium in vitro, which was confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography. These results have general implications for the application of gene therapy and specific implications for Parkinson disease.
Animals ; Calcium ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Clone Cells ; DNA ; DNA, Complementary ; Dopamine* ; Fibroblasts* ; Genetic Therapy ; Levodopa* ; Parkinson Disease ; Rats* ; Transfection ; Tyrosine ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

A construct DNA containing the cDNA for rat tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) and another construct DNA containing the cDNA for bovine L-dopa decarboxylase(DDC) were made and those genes were transferred by calcium phosphate transfection method into the immortalized rat fibroblasts. A both TH- & DDC-positive clone was identified by immunocytochemical staining. These cells produced L-dopa and dopamine and released them into the cell culture medium in vitro, which was confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography. These results have general implications for the application of gene therapy and specific implications for Parkinson disease.
Animals ; Calcium ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Clone Cells ; DNA ; DNA, Complementary ; Dopamine* ; Fibroblasts* ; Genetic Therapy ; Levodopa* ; Parkinson Disease ; Rats* ; Transfection ; Tyrosine ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

The coronary artery fistula from right coronary artery to left ventricle is a rare disease among coronary artery anomaly. We experienced three cases of rare coronary fistula and report with literature review. Although symptoms of coronary artery fistula are associated with arteriovenous shunt and coronary steal phenomenon, many cases are asymptomatic. In this report, all patients had no symptom. but incidental murmur was noted (two are continuous, one is diastolic rumbling). The diagnosis was made by transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiogram and selective coronary angiography. Because patients were relatively young and the diameter of dilated coronary artery were huge, we perfomed operation on three patients.
Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels* ; Diagnosis ; Fistula* ; Heart Ventricles* ; Humans ; Rare Diseases

Statistical analysis according to W.H.O. classification for the patients admitted the Ped. Dept. of Han-Il Hospital was carried out during 4 years from Jan. 1974 to Dec. 1977. The following results were observed. 1. Total No. of patient during 4 years period were 1955, of which 1199 were male(61.33%, 756 were female(38.67%) and male to femal ratio was 1.57:1. 2. There was no significant variation. 3. According to age, preschool aged group as the most frequent group consistin of 488 cases(24.49%), school aged group and adolescent in the order of frequency. 4. On monthly distribution, there was no significant variation 5. Most frequent diseases in pediatric age group were respiratory tract one, 851 cases(39.29%) : infectious and parasitic ones, 553(25.53%) and neonatal disease, 204 cases(9.42%) in the order of frequency. 6. Among respiratory tract disease, pneumonia was the most frequent one, 587 cases(27.10%). 7. Among infectious and parasitic disease group, gastrointestinal infectious one was the most frequent, 224 cases(10.34%) : other viral disease and tuberculosis in the order of frequency. 8. Among neonatal diseases, prematurity was the most frequent one, 82 cases(3.79%).
Adolescent ; Classification ; Humans ; Male ; Parasitic Diseases ; Pneumonia ; Respiratory System ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; Tuberculosis ; Virus Diseases

Primary hyperparathyroidism is rarely encountered during pregnancy but its prompt diagnosis and treatment if encountered during pregnancy is important because it can carry considerable morbidity not only for the mother but also for the fetus. It tends to remain undiagnosed because 50~80% of the patients are asymptomatic. Even if they do demonstrate symptoms, those are often nonspecific. The other reason for non-diagnosis is masking of hypercalcemia due to the change of calcium homeostasis during pregnancy. Neonatal tetany can be a clue for the presence and diagnosis maternal hyperparathyroidism. The asymptomatic patient who is diagnosed postpartum when her newborn is symptomatic should undergo elective parathyroidectomy to avoid future complication. We experienced a woman with undiagnosed primary hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy whose two children suffered neonatal tetany. We report this case along with a review of literature on primary hyperparathyroidism in pregnancy and calcium homeostasis during pregnancy.
Calcium ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fetus ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Hyperparathyroidism* ; Hyperparathyroidism, Primary ; Infant, Newborn ; Masks ; Mothers ; Parathyroidectomy ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy* ; Tetany*

BACKGROUND: Following several decades of decline, the incidence of tuberculosis has recently begun to increase in many countries and the control of this disease has been impeded by the emergence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The development of rapid diagnostic methods and effective new drugs are needed to control MDR-TB. One of the new drugs for MDR-TB is rifabutin (RBU) which has been known to be effective in some patients with MDR-TB. A few reports showed that some types of mutaitions of the rpoB gene, which were known to be present in 96-98% of rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis, were associated with the rifampicin-resistant but RBU-susceptible phenotype. This study was performed to investigate the correlation between RBU susceptibility and the patterns of rpoB gene mutations in Korean MDR-TB. METHODS: Sixty-five clinical isolates of multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, gathered from patients two visited the Asan Medical Center from July 1997 to June 1999, were investigated. Clinical responses to rifabutin-containing regimen were evaluated. An RBU susceptibility test and sequencing analysis of rpoB gene were performed, and the result were analyzed to confirm which mutations correlated with RBU-susceptible MDR-TB. RESULTS: Fifty-three of 56 (95%) clinical isolates of MDR-TB had 60 mutations of the rpoB gene. The most frequent mutations were found at codon 531 (43%), and two mutations were combined in seven clinical isolates. Five of 53 (10%) clinical isolates showed the RBU-susceptible phenotype, and in them the characteristic patterns of point mutations were found at codon 509, 516, and 526. CONCLUSION: The frequency and pattern of mutations of the rpoB gene of Korean MDR-Tb isolates were similar to those in western countries, where the prevalence of tuberculosis is low, but some show RBU-susceptible phenotypes. RBU-susceptible MDR-TB isolates showed the characteristic pattern of mutations of the rpoB gene which could be used to rapidly diagnose RBU susceptibility.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Codon ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Phenotype ; Point Mutation ; Prevalence ; Rifabutin* ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant

The toxic effect of azalea extract, especially on cardiovascular system, in relatively unclear. The purpose of this study is to study the possible underlying mechanism and effect of toxic ingredient of azalea on cardiovascular system. The 71 healthy rabbits were divided into 10 groups: In group as preliminary study; 4 cc of normal saline was administered intravenously (N); 0.7 gm/kg and 1.0 gm/kg of azalea extract was administered respectively in the same route, volume (A1, A2); atropine was administered intravenously (A); after pretreatment with atropine (0.04 mg/kg) to block parasympathetic system, azalea extract was injected like the above groups (AA1, AA2); normal saline, 0.7 gm/kg and 1.0 gm/kg of azalea extract were administered respectively with 0.2 cc (1:1000) epinephrine (E0, E1, E2). We measured the following indices at I minute interval during first 10 minutes and then 10 minute interval during next 30 minutes: RR interval, QTc interval, maximal systolic and diastolic pressure drop with occurring time and presence of significant arrhythmia. The results were as follows: 1. The changes of RR interval, QTc interval were significantly increased in groups by Azalea extract. The blood pressure change was significantly decreased in groups by Azalea extract. There were no significant differences according to dosage of Azalea extract. 2. The changes of RR interval, blood pressure were significant differences between administration of atropine and Azalea extract after pretreatment with atropine, but not in the change of QTc interval. 3. There were no significant differences in the change of RR interval, ATc interval, blood pressure drop according to pretreatment with atropine. 4. The interaction between epinephrine and Azalea extract was not noted by the effect of epinephrine itself. 5. The ST change by 0.7 gm/kg, 1.0 gm/kg of Azalea extract was revealed in 1 case (14.0%), 7 case (100%), respectively. 6. Most of all cases with arrhythmia, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, were noted in the group by epinephrine, except on case by Azalea extract (1.0 gm/kg). It was idioventricular rhythm. In conclusion, azalea extract has negative inotropic and chronotropic effect with arrhythmogenic potential possibly through direct myocardial ischemia or injury but we can't be absolutely exclusive of actions of autonomic nervous system, especially parasympathetic nervous system.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atropine ; Autonomic Nervous System ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular System* ; Epinephrine ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Parasympathetic Nervous System ; Rabbits ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Ventricular Fibrillation