PURPOSE: To investigate whether Imatinib mesylate (IM) could inhibit the transdifferentiation of the lens epithelial cells (LECs) into fibroblasts using the capsular bag model. METHODS: In the capsular bag model, LECs were cultured by exposure to IM at various concentrations for 3 min. The effect of IM was analysed by observing the covering area, numbers of alpha-SMA positive cell, and BrdU incorporated proliferating cells. The same analysis was performed in the culture of LECs with TGF-beta. RESULTS: The covering area was significantly decreased by the treatment of 30 micro M IM, and the positive cells for alpha-SMA and BrdU were also decreased by IM treatment in a dose dependent manner. In addition, increasing TGF-beta concentration accelerated transdifferentiation, but suppressed the acceleration of the transdifferentiation induced by TGF-beta. CONCLUSIONS: In the capsular bag model, IM effectively inhibited not only the transdifferentiation of LECs into fibroblasts but also the TGF-beta induced acceleration of the transdifferentiation.
Acceleration ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; Epithelial Cells* ; Fibroblasts* ; Mesylates* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Imatinib Mesylate

No abstract available.

Recently, percutaneous epidural neuroplasty has become widely used to treat radicular pain caused by spinal stenosis or a herniated intervertebral disc. A 19-year-old female patient suffering from left radicular pain caused by an L4-L5 intervertebral disc herniation underwent percutaneous epidural neuroplasty of the left L5 nerve root using a Racz catheter. After the procedure, the patient complained of acute motor weakness in the right lower leg, on the opposite site to where the neuroplasty was conducted. Emergency surgery was performed, and swelling of the right L5 nerve root was discovered. The patient recovered her motor and sensory functions immediately after the surgery. Theoretically, the injection of a large volume of fluid in a patient with severe spinal stenosis during epidural neuroplasty can increase the pressure on the opposite side of the epidural space, which may cause injury of the opposite nerve by barotrauma from a closed compartment. Practitioners should be aware of this potential complication.
Barotrauma ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Emergencies ; Epidural Space ; Female ; Hemiplegia ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Leg ; Lower Extremity* ; Sensation ; Spinal Stenosis ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cardiac troponins are associated with increased mortality, even among patients with no coronary artery disease. Elevated cardiac troponin levels are frequently observed in patients without significant coronary lesions, although the mechanism underlying this finding is unclear. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between the levels of cardiac troponin and coronary flow reserve (CFR). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We evaluated serum cardiac troponin-I in 19 patients (9 female; age 61.9+/-10.9 year-old). All patients had an ejection fraction >40% and angiographically normal coronary arteries. Simultaneous measurements of fractional flow reserve (FFR), the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR), and CFR measurements using an intracoronary temperature- and pressure-sensing guidewire under basal conditions and during maximal hyperemia were performed in three vessels: the left anterior descending artery (LAD), left circumflex artery (LCX) and right coronary artery (RCA). RESULTS: All patients were followed for a median of 13 months. FFR, IMR, and CFR measurements were performed successfully in all subjects. Mean CFRs of LAD, LCX, and RCA were 1.98+/-1.20, 2.75+/-2.11, and 4.44+/-2.51, respectively. Mean IMRs of LAD, LCX and RCA were 33.28+/-18.78, 29.11+/-26.70, and 30.55+/-23.65, respectively. There was a poor correlation between CFR and troponin-I values in each vessel. In selecting the lowest value of CFR in each patient as the corresponding value, the lowest CFR was not associated with troponin-I levels (r=-0.219, p=0.367). CONCLUSION: In patients without significant coronary lesions, the correlation between CFR and troponin-I level was not significant using a thermodilution technique. Further study of a larger population with longer-term follow-up may be needed to more fully understand microvascular dysfunction.
Arteries ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Microvessels ; Mortality ; Thermodilution* ; Troponin I ; Troponin* ; Vascular Resistance

Recently, various studies evaluating percutaneous cervical nucleoplasty have reported good results. Percutaneous cervical nucleoplasty has been commonly used for treating contained herniated disc or protrusion, but a posterolateral extruded disc has not been considered to be an indication. The tip of the L'DISQ(R) wand can be curved to the desired angles by the rotation of the control wheel. Therefore, L'DISQ(R) can directly access the extruded disc. We report the application of percutaneous cervical nucleoplasty by using the L'DISQ(R) in three patients with an extruded disc. Decompression was successfully performed, and the symptoms improved immediately. In one patient, a 6-month follow-up magnetic resonance imaging study showed disappearance of the extruded cervical disc. Percutaneous cervical nucleoplasty using the L'DISQ(R) can be an effective, low complication, minimally invasive procedure for treating cervical disc herniation.
Decompression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A 38-year-old woman with twin pregnancy was referred after detection of hydrocephalus in one fetus at 23+1 weeks' gestation. Sonography showed hydrocephalus, a scalloping of the frontal bone giving a lemon-like configuration, and meningocele. The affected twin was terminated by ultrasonographically guided intracardiac injection of 4 ml (8 mEq/L) potassium chloride solution at 24+5 weeks' gestation. Chromosomal analysis of the other fetus showed normal findings (46, XX). Serial ultrasound scans and coagulopathy tests were unremarkable. Preterm premature rupture of the membrane was developed at 33+3 weeks' gestation, and emergency Cesarian section was done. A healthy 1360 g female was born, with Apgar scores of 7 and 8 at one and five minutes, respectively.
Adult ; Arnold-Chiari Malformation* ; Emergencies ; Female ; Fetus ; Frontal Bone ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Membranes ; Meningocele ; Pectinidae ; Potassium Chloride ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Rupture ; Twins, Dizygotic* ; Ultrasonography

Twenty eight patients with negative but technically satisfactory four-vessel angiography-admitted to our department from 1985 to 1995 were followed for long term evaluation. The aim of this retrospective study of patients with SAH of unknown etiology was to evaluate the clinical features, long-term prognosis in mortality rate and risk of rebleeding, and the daily functional capacity. Twenty eight out of 1035(2.7%) spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage patients were found to have subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) of unknown etiology. Twenty eight patients were confirmed as SAH, by computed tomography or lumbar puncture. CT scan was undertaken in all cases(in 28 cases within 5 days of hemorrhage). SAH of unknown etiology classified as Hunt and Hess grade I was 60.7% of cases, but there were no patients with Grade V. Arterial hypertension was present on admission in 35.7% of cases. We only performed the angiogram once in 16 of 28 patients, but there were no rebleedings caused by aneurysm. The period of follow-up ranged from 2 to 11 years, with the mean of 4.3 years. Only one of 28 patients(3.6%) experienced late rebleeding, and again had normal cerebral panangiography. Two patients(7.1%) showed a moderate disability in activities of daily living, one patient(3.6%) was mild disabled, and two(7.1%) had died of pneumonia. Based on the ADL grade, Grade I was 28.6% at the time of discharge however, during follow-up, increased up to 81.5%.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aneurysm ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Mortality ; Pneumonia ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Puncture ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Since oxidative stresses are involved in gastroenteritis and diarrhea, we investigated antioxidative and antidiarrheal activities of persimmon flesh extract (PFE) and persimmon calyx extract (PCE) in vitro and in vivo, respectively. PCE significantly scavenged 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate and 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) from 500 microg/mL, although PFE was ineffective. In addition, PFE and PCE exhibited strong nitric oxide-scavenging effects from 1 microg/mL, in which PCE was superior to ascorbic acid (50 microM). Furthermore, PFE and PCE significantly inhibited FeCl3-induced lipid peroxidation as well as Cu2+/H2O2-induced protein oxidation from 10 microg/mL. In vivo charcoal-propulsion assay, in contrast to a negligible effect of PFE, treatment with PCE (160-500 mg/kg) markedly inhibited intestinal motility. The results indicate that extracts of persimmon, especially PCE, possess antioxidative, antiinflammatory and antidiarrheal activities. Therefore, it is suggested that persimmon extracts could be used for the relief of gastroenteritis and diarrhea.
Ascorbic Acid ; Biphenyl Compounds ; Diarrhea ; Diospyros ; Gastroenteritis ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Oxidative Stress ; Picrates