No abstract available.
Ambulatory Care Facilities* ; Humans ; Outpatients* ; Pharynx*

Liposarcoma is the malignant tumor that can be originated from any adipose tissue. Spermatic cord liposarcoma are very rare. They are less than 4% of primary malignant tumor of spermatic cord. Radical orchiectomy appears to be adequate treatment. We report a case of liposarcoma of the left spermatic cord in 54 years old man which has presented as a slowly growing scrotal mass without metastatic evidence and radical orchiectomy were performed as a treatment. The iteratures were reviewed briefly.
Adipose Tissue ; Humans ; Liposarcoma* ; Middle Aged ; Orchiectomy ; Spermatic Cord*

BACKGROUND: Calcipotrol, topical vitamin D analogue, has been demonstrated to have an effect for the treatment of psoriasis with good tolerability. It is required to have comparative studies with the other topical agents which are widely used for the treatment of psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose is to compare calcipotriol with desoxymethasone ointemtn in their therapeutic efficacy and ability to affect dermal inflammatory cellular events. METHODS: This study was a randomized, double blind, right/left comparison over 8weeks in 10 patients. The ointments were applied twice daily to the lesions of psoriasis. Clinical efficacy, as measured by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(PASI) was assessed at 2, 4, 6 and 8weeks after starting treatments. The changes in the numbers of dermal immunocytes were assessed on frozen and paraffin-embedded sections by using immunohistochemical stain methods before and after the treatemtns. RESULTS: Reduction of PASI was statistically significant at all time points for both of the treatments (P<0.01) but there was no significant defference between the two treatment modalities. At the completion of 8 weeks of treatments, the mean PASI reduction was 65 percents and 67 percents for calcipotriol and desoxymethasone ointments, respectively. On immunohistochemical staining, the numbers of LCA and HLA-DR positive cells were decreased significantly(P<0.05), and IL-2R and CD4 positive cells were not significaltly reduced in each group after the treatment. CONCLUSION: Calcipotriol ointment was as effective as desoxymethasone ointment, judged by the PASI and the dermal inflammatory cellular events on immunohistochemical staining.
Dermatitis, Atopic ; Desoximetasone* ; HLA-DR Antigens ; Humans ; Ointments* ; Psoriasis* ; Vitamin D

It was well known that atrial myocytes systhesize atrial natriuretic peptide[ANP], and secrete it into the atrial lumen through the atrial endocardium. But the mechanism for regulation of ANP secretion has not been clearly elucidated, because there was little information of the atrial morphology concerning basal lamina. Basal lamina is surmised as one of barriers that control the movement of ANP, a large molecule. This study was attempted to elucidate the morphological characteristics of basal lamina and connective tissue fibers of atrial endocardial layer by scanning electron microscopy. Basal lamina was exposed by removal of the overlying endothelium. This was achieved by using OsO4 maceration, immersion in aqueous boric acid or EDTA treatment. After removal of the endothelial cell, the specimens were exposed to ultrasonic vibration in case of need. The external surface of basal lamina showed a fairly smooth appearance on the whole, although a few irregular folds are often encountered. Fenestrations, 0.1-1 micrometer in diameter, were randomly observed on the basal lamina, and they were circular to oval in shape. Margin of fenestrations was somewhat distinct and some was divided into two parts by linear structures. The structural differences of fenestrations between right and left atria were not found. The fibroreticular lamina under the basal lamina was revealed by removal of the endothelial cells and their basal lamina. This layer was consisted of interwoven fine fibers. These fine fibers were repeatedly divided and fused, forming reticular network. Some fine fibers connected with basal lamina. Some connective tissue fibers below fibroreticular layer were collected into thick bundles running parallel to myocytes. Above results may serve as a basis for the physiological and morphological studies of atrium.
Animals ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; Basement Membrane* ; Connective Tissue ; Edetic Acid ; Endocardium* ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium ; Immersion ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Muscle Cells ; Rats* ; Running ; Ultrasonics ; Vibration

Heel cord advancement(HCA), which has been applied for the correction of equinus deformity in spastic cerebral palsy, has some theoretical advantages. However, HCA has also theoretical disadvantage that the procedure remove the tensile force exerting to the calcaneal apophysis. In order to evaluate the effect of HCA on the calcaneal growth, we compared the changes of calcaneal and foot lengths between the operated feet and non-operated feet after HCA. Among the 54 patients who had been treated with HCA at Seoul National University Childrens Hospital from March 1990 to August 1995, we excluded the cases who had been treated bilaterally, and also excluded hemiplegic patients in whom the ipsilateral feet were already shortened and the growth rates are different between the ipsilateral and contralateral foot. Seven patients who met the criterior of this study were included for the evaluation. There were 3 diplegics and 4 paraplegics, and average age at operation was 10 years and 6 months(range; 7 year 8 months-16 year 5 months). Average follow-up period was 3 years and 5 months(range; 2 years-4 years 9 mos). Total calcaneal lengths, anterior and posterior part of calcaneal lengths were measured on the standing lateral radiographs of the foot and ankle. Ratios of the operated limb over the non-operated limb were calculated for the three parameters. Ratios of posterior part of calcaneal lengths decreased significantly(P=0.031). Ratios of total calcaneal lengths decreased and ratios of anterior part of calcaneal lengths increased. However, the changes of two ratios were not significant. Ratios of posterior part calcaeal lengths over total calcaneal length decreases significantly(P=0.016). In conclusion, HCA can cause calcaneal growth retardation, especially posterior part of calcaneus, due to removal of physiologic tensile force of Achilles tendon.
Achilles Tendon ; Ankle ; Calcaneus ; Cerebral Palsy* ; Child ; Equinus Deformity ; Extremities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Heel* ; Humans ; Muscle Spasticity* ; Seoul

Changes in the number, the immunoreactivities and the ultrastructures of sero- tonin immunoreactive mucosal mast cells[MMCs] in rat gastrointestinal tracts after vagus nerve stimulation were investigated by using light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical methods. The vagus nerves were electrically stimulated with a square wave pulse generator for a duration of 5 minutes each, a total of 8 times at 2 minute intervals. Serotonin immunoreactive cells of the connective tissues of the gastrointestinal tract were mainly located in the lamina propria, and a small number of the cells were also scattered in the submucosa. By using electron microscopic immunocytochemistry and Wright stain, the serotonin immunoreactive cells of the lamina propria and the submucosa were identified to be MMCs. A few large-sized serotonin immunoreactive connective tissue mast cells [CTMCs], showing strong metachromasia with the Wright stain, were located together with the MMCs in the submucosa of the stomach. In most of the gut regions of the control group, the majority of the MMCs did not show any serotonin immunoreactivities and only a few MMCs showed weak serotonin immunoreactivities. After stimulation of the vagus nerves, the number and the immnu- noreactivities of the serotonin immunoreactive MMCs dramatically increased in all gut regions observed, especially in the small intestines. In the samples treated with the electron microscopic immnunocytochemical methods, hardly any serotonin immunoreactivities were detected in the MMCs of the control group. However, the serotonin imrnunoreactivities of the MMCs were significantly increased after vagus nerve stimulation. The serotonin immnunoreactive products were localized, following vagal stimulation, both in the peripheral matrix of the granules and in the cytoplasm. Also, it was confirmed ultrastructurally that the Golgi complexes were expanded in the MMCs of the vagal stimulation group. The above results suggest that vagus nerve stimulation may activate serotonin biosynthesis in MMCs.
Animals ; Connective Tissue ; Cytoplasm ; Gastrointestinal Tract* ; Golgi Apparatus ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intestine, Small ; Mast Cells* ; Mucous Membrane ; Rats* ; Serotonin* ; Stomach ; Vagus Nerve Stimulation* ; Vagus Nerve*

This study was undertaken to investigate the ultrastructure of the neurons, neuroglial cells and capillaries in the area postrema[AP] of the Oriental discolured bat, Vespertilio superans. The AP of the bat was a single midline structure at the most caudal portion of the fourth ventricle. Most neurons in the AP were small cells, but their ultrastructure were similar to the typical neurons located elsewhere in the central nervous system. Astroglial cells and oligodendrocytes were also observed and showed their typical ultrastructure. Ultrastructural features of neurons, astroglial cells and oligodendrocytes were not changed during hibernating cycles. However, microglial cells were only found in the hibernating AP ; these cells were located in the parenchyma and near the blood vessels of the AP. Since the microglial cytoplasm was filled with phagocytotic inclusions, the nuclei of the these cells were eccentrically located. Phagocytotic cytoplasmic inclusions were shown to be composed of a dense irregular peripheral region and the pale round central region. A Large vacant space was often found in the electron lucent central region. Continuous and fenestrated capillaries surrounded by pericytes were found in the bat`s AP. Especially, Phagocytotic inclusions were found in the pericyte cytoplasm of the hibernating AP, and this result supports suggestion that pericytes might be phagocytotic cells. On the basis of the distributions of phagocytotic tells[pericytes and microglial cell], ultrastructure of these cells, morphology of their cytoplasmic inclusions, and the appearance of phagocytotic activity of the pericytes during the hibernating stage when microglial cells were observed, it can be concluded that pericytes may also participates in the formation of rrlicroglial cells. Tanycytes were also found in the bat AP.
Area Postrema* ; Blood Vessels ; Capillaries ; Central Nervous System ; Cytoplasm ; Ependymoglial Cells ; Fourth Ventricle ; Inclusion Bodies ; Microglia ; Neuroglia ; Neurons ; Oligodendroglia ; Pericytes

The management of the femoral neck fractures remains a major challenge to the orthopaedic surgeons because there are many critical complications such as non-union and avasular necrosis in spite of the advanced technics of treatment. The posterior comminution of this fracture is known to be an important comtributing factor of these complications as the most important cause of the instalility of reduction after internal fixation as well as difficulty of stable reduction, Authors reviewed 61 cases of the femoral neck fractures which were able to identify the presence or absence of posterior comminution on x-ray or operative findings and were managed at Daegu Fatima Hospital during the 10 years from 1975 to 1984 and the following results were obtained. 1. The incidence of posterior comminution in 61 femoral neck fractures was 56% in x-rays of lateral view and operative findings. 2. Open reductions were performed in 31% of 39 cases in which reductions were necessary for internal fixation and 43% of the fractures with posterior comminution were unstable to reduce by closed method while 88% of the fractures without postrior comminution were reduced by closed method. 3. The positions of reductio were in valgus in 46% and anatomic in the rest of cases and valgus reductions were more common in the cases of posterior comminution. 4. Loss of the reduction after internal fixation noted in 48% of the fractures with posterior comminution and 9% without posterior comminution. 5. 77% of the fractures united including 14% of mal-union and the late complication of non-union noted in 14% and avascular necroris in 9% in 35 cases which were followed for over 1 year. 6. The normal unions were more common in the fractures without posterior comminution, the cases of open reduction and the reduction in valgus position. 7. Most of the mal-unions and non-unions noted in the fractures with posterior comminution, the cases of closed reduction and the reduction in anatomic position. 8. These results suggest that the posterior comminution of the femoral neck fracture causes considerable instability and the better results could be expected in the femoral neck fractures with posterior comminution by the reduction in valgus and by the open reduction if necessary.
Clinical Study ; Daegu ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Incidence ; Methods ; Necrosis ; Surgeons

Purpose: Edible insect extracts have been used as an alternative source for medicinal supplements due to their significant antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity. Recent studies have reported that anti-microbial peptides from insects have neuroprotective effects on dopamine toxins. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective functions of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) extract (MWE) on N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)–induced cellular toxicity in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Methods: Cellular toxicity induced by the MPTP toxin and the impact of MWE on cell survival were analyzed using MTT assays. DAPI staining was performed to observe apoptotic phenomena caused by MPTP. Changes in caspase-3 activity and protein expression were observed using enzyme activity assays and western blot assays, respectively. Results: MWE exerted significant antioxidant activity, which was measured by both DPPH and ABTS radical assays, with a dose-dependent relationship. Furthermore, MWE resulted in cellular proliferation in SH-SY5Y cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, MWE pretreatment significantly inhibited MPTP-induced cytotoxicity, with a dose-dependent relationship. The morphological characteristics of apoptosis and increased reactive oxygen species induced by MPTP were also significantly reduced by MWE pretreatment. Conclusion MWE treatment significantly attenuated MPTP-induced changes in the levels of proteins associated with apoptosis, such as caspase-3 and PARP. These findings suggest that MWE exerts neuroprotective effects on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells subject to MPTP-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration.

BACKGROUND: Recently, a lower incidence of late potentials has been reported in patients with acute myocardial infarction after successful thrombolysis when compared with conventionally treated patients. In another recent study, however, no significant effect of thrombolytic therapy on any abnormal signal average electrocardiography was found at 13 days after acute myocardial infarction. The present study was designed to determine the prognostic significance of the signal average electrocardiography and to evaluate the possible value of this technique as a noninvasive tool for monitoring of coronary occlusion and reperfusion. METHODS: Signal averaging was performed by using a signal average electrocardiography with bidirectional filterings before coronary artery occlusion, at 5 minutes after coronary occlusion and on reperfusion in 20 cats. Three of them died due to malignant ventricular arrhythmia during reperfusion. In all cats, approximately 250 beats were averaged. All data were analysed at filter frequency 25 to 250Hz, 40 to 250Hz and 80 to 250Hz. The following quantitative high resolutional electrocardiographic variables were calculated by computer : 1) filtered total QRS duration, 2) duration of HFLA(high frequency low amplitude) signals under 40uV, 3) RMS voltage of terminal 40ms, 4) mean Voltage of terminal 40ms, 5) average noise voltage. RESULTS: At the filter frequency of 40 to 250Hz and 80 to 250Hz, the filtered QRS duration and duration of HFLA signals 40uV were significantly prolonged at 5 minutes after coronary artery occlusion than before coronary occlusion(p<0.01). At the filter frequency of 40 to 250Hz and 80 to 250Hz, the RMS voltage(terminal 40ms) and mean voltage(terminal 40ms) were significantly prolonged at 5 minutes after coronary artery occlusion than before coronary occlusion(p<0.01, p<0.01 respectively). At the filter frequency of 80 to 250Hz, the filtered QRS duration and at the filter frequency of 25-250Hz, the duration of HFLA signals at 40uV were significantly shortened during reperfusion than at 5 minutes after coronary artery occlusion(p<0.01, p<0.05 respectively). At the filter frequency of 40 to 250Hz and 80 to 250Hz, the RMS voltage(terminal 40ms) and mean Voltage(terminal 40ms) were significantly shortened during reperfusion than at 5 minutes after coronary artery occlusion(p<0.01, p<0.01 respectively). There was no significant change of the filtered QRS duration, duration of HFLA signals 40uV,RMS voltage(terminal 40ms) and mean Voltage(terminal 40ms) after reperfusion compared with those of control at the filter frequency of 25 to 250Hz, 40 to 250Hz and 80 to 250Hz respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the signal average electrocardiography could be a valuable tool for monitoring the state of coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion.
Animals ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Cats* ; Coronary Occlusion ; Coronary Vessels* ; Electrocardiography* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Myocardial Infarction ; Noise ; Reperfusion* ; Thrombolytic Therapy