It is not clear whether glomerular hypertrophy is related to the pathogenesis of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). We analyzed renal biopsies from 20 adults with FSGS by morphometry, and the data were compared with those from age- and sex-matched patients with minimal lesion. Mean glomerular volume in the FSGS group was significantly larger than that in the minimal lesion group[(3.4 + 1.1 vs 2.5 0.5)x10(6) micrometer3, P<0.01]. The percentage of glomeruli with global and segmental sclerosis in FSGS group was significantly correlated with the mean glomerular volume (r=+0.66, P<0.001). Relative interstitial volume of renal cortex in the FSGS group was correlated with the serum creatinine concentration(r=+0.5, P<0.05). These results suggest that glomerular hypertrophy observed in our patients with FSGS was related to nephron loss caused by glomerulosclerosis. The interstitial fibrosis may lead to obliteration of postglomerular interstitial capillary network with secondary elevation of glomerular capillary pressure resulting in progressive loss of renal function.
Adult ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Biopsy

To examine the usefulness of cardiac MRI in assessing patients (pt) with congenital heart diseases(CHD), informations obtained from MRI and echocardiogrphy (echo) were compared in 91 consecutive pt with CHD and was correlated with findigs at cardiac catheterization (53pt) and at surgery (71pt). Pt were studied with 1.5 Tesla MRI unit and multiplanar images of the heart and great vessels were obtained using ECG-gated multislice spin-echo technique. Age ranged from newborn to 22 years. We obtained the following results. MRI was vary useful in providing important diagnostic informations in 19pt, provided informations which was not crucial to the clinical decision in 28pt, and did not provide additional informations in 44pt. MRI was very useful in assessing complex lesions, particularly in identifying atrial situs, rudimentary ventricular chamber, criss-cross atrioventricular connection, total anomalous pulmonary venous connection, anatomy of ventricular septal defect in double outlet right ventricle, anomalous ventricular muscles, aortopulmonary collateral artery and distal pulmonary artery anatomy. En face view of the ventricular septum was very useful in clearly outlining the ventricular septal defect. MRI gave false information in 17pt. Diagnostic accuracy of MRI was poor for coarctation of the aorta in neonates and small infants, patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonary stenosis. Cardiac MRI is recommended for preoperative planning in selected pt with CHD, particularly with complex lesions.
Aortic Coarctation ; Arteries ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Double Outlet Right Ventricle ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Echocardiography* ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Heart* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Muscles ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis ; Ventricular Septum

PURPOSE: The pharmacologic effect of atropine on HPS can be considered to control pyloric muscle spasm. Therefore, we studied the effects of intravenous atropine sulfate on the clinical course of HPS, and periodically observed the ultrasonographic appearance of the pyloric muscles after atropine treatment. METHODS:From April 1998 to May 1999, 14 infants who were diagnosed with HPS were treated with intravenous atropine sulfate. Intravenous atropine sulfate was administered at an initial dose of 0.04mg/kg/day, which was divided into 8 equal doses. The daily dose was increased by 0.01 mg/kg/day until vomiting was controlled for an entire day while infants received unrestricted oral feeding. Ultrasonographic examinations were performed during hospitalization and repeated at least every 2 months until normalization of pyloric muscles was confirmed. RESULTS: Intravenous atropine was effective in 12 of 14 infants with HPS and the conditions of 9 of them improved. Two infants who were not free from vomiting despite a week of intravenous atropine sulfate treatment underwent pyloromyotomy. A series of ultrasonographic examinations were done after vomiting had improved with intravenous atropine sulfate. The ultrasonographic findings showed good passage of gastric contents through pyloric canals despite thickening of the pyloric muscles. CONCLUSION: Intravenous administration of atropine sulfate is an effective therapy for HPS and can be an alternative to pyloromyotomy. (J Korean Pediatr Soc 2000;43:763-768)
Administration, Intravenous ; Atropine* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Infant ; Muscles ; Pyloric Stenosis, Hypertrophic* ; Spasm ; Vomiting

Stage IV-S neuroblastoma, characterized by a primary tumor plus disseminated tumors in liver, skin and bone marrow, has a favorable clinical prognosis when compared to metastatic Stage IV neuroblastoma. This favorable outcome also characterized mice receiving tumor transplants to these "IV-S" sites. We report the testing of the hypothesis that enhanced anti-tumor immunity in "IV-S" site neuroblastoma recipients explains this improved survival. A million murine C1300 neuroblastoma cells were inoculated into 256 A/J mice to either "IV-S" sites of skin, liver, peritoneal cavity, or to the disseminated stage "IV" sites of subcutaneous tissue, muscle, kidney and lung. After 21 and 28 days of tumor growth, spleen cells from tumor bearing mice were harvested and analyzed by a 51 Cr release lymphocytotoxicity assay. Cytotoxic T cell activity was consistently higher at day 28 than day 21. In the liver and in the peritoneal cavity, cytotoxic T cell activity was higher than in other organs, and at day 28 these values were significantly higher than Stage "IV" sites. On the other hand, skin is not a immunologically privileged site in vivo study.
Animal ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred A ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neuroblastoma/*immunology/pathology/secondary ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology

Transfusion complications include ABO/Rh incompatibility, sepsis, febrile reaction, immunosuppression, and viral transmission. We experienced a case of anaphylactic reaction in a 40-year-old male scheduled for laminectomy. Anesthesia was induced by intravenous (I.V.) thiopental sodium and maintained with enflurane / N2O / oxygen. Vital signs were stable until 2 hours into surgery, when patient developed sudden profound hypotension (systolic pressure 60 mmHg) with tachycardia, skin flushing and bronchial wheezing shortly after infusion of only a few milliliters of 4th unit of whole blood. Blood transfusion was immediately stopped, anesthetic agents were discontinued, and 100% oxygen was administered. Rapid administration of I.V. fluids was begun and I.V. hydrocortisone along with pheniramine were administered. Patient was successfully treated and eventually discharged from the hospital. In conclusion, besides hemolytic transfusion reaction, anaphylactic transfusion reaction may cause severe hypotension. One should be aware of the potential for adverse effects including anaphylaxis, should recognize them immediately and treat them appropriately.
Adult ; Anaphylaxis ; Anesthesia ; Anesthetics ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; Blood Transfusion ; Enflurane ; Flushing ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hypotension ; Immunosuppression ; Laminectomy ; Male ; Oxygen ; Pheniramine ; Respiratory Sounds ; Sepsis ; Skin ; Tachycardia ; Thiopental ; Vital Signs

Six cases of a rare variant of endocervieal adenocarcinoma (Adenoma maligum, AM) were collected for clinicopethologic analysis. The everage age of six patients was 49.3 years, and their chief com plaints were persis(ent mucid or watery discharge and intermittent vaginal spotting, The clinical im presaion was carcioma of The uterine cervix in faur out, of six cases. All except one were pathologically confirmed by initia1 biupey. two cases by colposcopic biopsies, two by cone biopsies, one by cone biopsy after suggested AM in calposcopic hiopsy. One case was incidentally found from hysterectnmised speeimen, which waas suspected as adennmyosis. On gross examination, the cervix usualty appeared either firm or indurated with thickening af the wall excepl one which was presented es a fungnting mass. The characteristic histologic feetures were ext,ensive arborizing endeervical glands with marked variation in size and shape, and the glands lined by mucin conyaining columnar epithelial cells with basal bland looking nuclei but with occasional cytologic atypia and rare mitose. The nenplasi.ic glands were characterized by deep stronml invasion be yond normal enddcervical glands, assosiated with loose edematous periglandular desmaplastic stromal reaction in moat cases. Immunohistochemical stainnings for carcinoembryonie antigen (CEA) revealed ey- toplasmic positivity in five cases. The clinical stage for all exeept one incidental case were : four Ib and one II b. In three cases, the radical hysterectomy with unilateral salpingooophorectomy plus dissection of bilateral pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes was performed, and in one case radiotherapy was done prior to radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingoophorectomy plus the dissection of left pelvic lymph nodes followed by chemotherapy. Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingooophorectomy plus Burch's operation followed by radiation therapy was performed in on case. The remaining one case was treated with radiation therapy. Metastasis to the left obturator lymph node was discovered in one case with state IIb, and the patient expired 29 months after the radiotherapy. The remaining five cases are being carefully followed up. From our experience, we conclude that the early diagnosis of AM can be made based on comprehensive analysis concerning the clinical features, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings. The early diagnosis and proper therapy can lead to the better prognosis.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenoma* ; Biopsy ; Cervix Uteri* ; Drug Therapy ; Early Diagnosis ; Epithelial Cells ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Lymph Nodes ; Metrorrhagia ; Mucins ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy

Some species of traditional herbal medicine has a history of use, most traditional natural herbs have been used for various diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Among them, Passiflora incarnata L. is a traditional natural medicine, flowers as well as berries, roots, and leaves have been used as a medicine. It has been used as a natural medicine for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety for a longtime in Europe, and it has been used primarily for sedation tea in North America. Moreover, Passiflora incarnata L. is widely used anti-asthmatic, analgesic and sedation in Brazil. In other words, Passiflora incarnata L. has been used to treat a sedative, dysmenorrhea, insomnia, cancer, etc. in many countries. Present review of the plants showed a wide range of pharmacological activity in anxiolytic relax the clinical disease, such as anti-inflammatory, anxiety and antioxidant. In addition, Passiflora incarnata L. affects menopause symptoms such as vasomotor symptoms, insomnia, and depression. This review aims to provide the latest information on specific functional components of Passiflora incarnata L. especially the results of clinical trials will provide new insights into opportunities for the future development of natural medicines and doors will be used for purposes of analysis.
Anxiety ; Brazil ; Depression ; Dysmenorrhea ; Europe ; Female ; Flowers ; Fruit ; Herbal Medicine ; Hypertension ; Menopause ; North America ; Obesity ; Passiflora* ; Plant Extracts ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Tea

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after occupational physical injuries and the risk factors in occupational accident patients for PTSD. METHODS: Forty-seven occupational accident patients with physical injuries were administered BDI, STAI I and II, SCL-90-R, IES and questionnaires for risk factors and Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale(CAPS). RESULTS: 1) 12 patients(25%) were diagnosed as PTSD. 2) The BDI, STAI I and II and IES scores are significantly high(<0.05) in PTSD group than non-PTSD group. 3) The subscales of SCL-90-R, with an exception of PAR subscale, showed higher scores(<0.05) in PTSD group. 4) The loss of consciousness(LOC) was only significant risk factor in the occupational accident-related factors(<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study show the development of PTSD among occupational accident patients. The loss of consciousness(LOC) was the only signiticant risk factor for PTSD in occupational accident patients.
Accidents, Occupational* ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic*

BACKGOUND: Postoperative complications in the geriatric patients undergoing radical neck dissection are generally considered to be more severe than young patients. The incidence of carotid sinus hypersensitivity in elderly patients is also considered to be higher than the young. The comparison between old (above 65 years) and young (below 65 years) aged groups about intraoperative carotid sinus hypersensitivity and postoperative complication is necessary for safe anesthesia. METHODS: Sixty five adult patients, of either sex, regardless of age, given radical neck dissection from January 1990 to January 1998, were investigated for the incidence of intraoperative carotid sinus hypersensitivity and postoperative hypertension by way of retrospective chart review. The authors also examined the postoperative complications such as high fever, pulmonary, cardiac and renal complications, cerebrovascular diseases and neurologic injuries. RESULTS: The incidence of intraoperative carotid sinus hypersensitivity were 28% in elderly patients (n=25), 10% in young patients (n=40) but there was no statistical significance. The incidence of postoperative hypertension were 79.1% in patients with hypertension history, 34.1% in patients without hypertension history and there was statistical significance between the two groups (P=0.001). The incidence of postoperative pulmonary complication were 44% in elderly patients, 20% in young patients, and there was also statistical significance between the two groups (P=0.038). There was no statistical significance in the incidence of postoperative high fever above 38.5degrees C between the two groups (p=0.059). CONCLUSION: After the radical neck dissection, the geriatric patients had a greater incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications than young patients and the most relating factor to postoperative hypertension was previous history of hypertension. Therefore optimal preoperative preparations for the hypertensive patients and the prevention and immediate treatment of the postoperative pulmonary complications in geriatric patients are very important during the radical neck dissection.
Adult ; Aged ; Anesthesia ; Blood Pressure ; Carotid Sinus* ; Fever ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Neck Dissection* ; Postoperative Complications* ; Retrospective Studies*

PURPOSE: Haemophilus influenzae, one of the normal flora of the upper respiratory tract, can cause such infections as otitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, and meningitis in children. The oropharyngeal flora has therefore mainly been analyzed as a reservoir for pathogens. This study was performed to reveal the colonization rate of H. influenzae in the upper respiratory tract, their biotypes, their antimicrobial resistance and production of beta-lactamase in healthy children. METHODS: The specimens for H. influenzae were obtained through oropharyngeal swab from 209 healthy children, younger than 5 years of age in 4 day care centers from March 1998 to June 1998. These isolates of H. influenzae were tested for their biotypes, in vitro susceptibility to seven antimicrobial agents(ampicillin, ampicillin/sulbactam, aztreonam, chloramphenicol, cefotaxime, tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamedoxazole) by disc diffusion method and production of beta- lactamase. RESULTS: The carriage rate of H. influenzae in the day care center children was 13.4%(28/209). Of 24 isolates, 8 isolates(33%) were biotype II and 6 isolates(25%) were biotype I. The overall rates of resistance of 15 isolates are as follows; ampicillin 46.7%, tetracycline 28.6%, trimethop rim-sulfamedoxazole 14.3%, ampicillin/sulbactam 6.7%. The prevalence of beta-lactamase producing isolates was 65.2%. All beta-lactamase producing isolates were resistant to ampicillin. The resis tance rates of beta-lactamase producing isolates to tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamedoxazole, and ampicillin/sulbactam were 44.4%, 25.0%, and 11.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Children in day care centers in Seoul have high rates of H. influenzae carriage. The antimicrobial resistance of H. influenzae from the oropharyngeal specimens of healthy children was higher than expected.
Ampicillin ; Aztreonam ; beta-Lactamases ; Cefotaxime ; Child* ; Chloramphenicol ; Colon ; Day Care, Medical ; Diffusion ; Haemophilus influenzae* ; Haemophilus* ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; Meningitis ; Otitis ; Pneumonia ; Prevalence ; Respiratory System ; Seoul ; Sinusitis ; Tetracycline