To investigate the effect of diazepam on the contractility of the intestinal smooth muscle, longitudinal muscle strip isolated from rat ileum was prepared for myography in isolated organ bath. 1) Basal tone of ileal muscle was reduced by diazepam concentration-dependently. 2) Higher concentrations (30 and 100 microM) of diazepam inhibited (p<0.05, p<0.001) The carbachol-induced contraction in a concentration-dependent manner; but lower concentration of diazepam (10 microM) enhanced (p<0.05). 3) Histamine-induced contraction was inhibited by pretreatment with diazepam in a concentration-dependent manner. 4) Ca⁺⁺-induced tension recovery in calcium-free solution was inhibited in the presence of diazepam concentration-dependently. These results suggest diazepam reduces the contractility of the longitudinal muscle isolated from rat ileum via interference with influx of calcium into the muscle cells.
Animals ; Baths ; Calcium ; Carbachol* ; Diazepam* ; Ileum* ; Muscle Cells ; Muscle, Smooth ; Myography ; Rats*

Apocrine carcinoma is an uncommon, poorly characterized type of breast tumor. The histologic characteristics of apocrine epithelium in malignant breast lesion were first noted by Krompecher(1916), while the first detailed description of an apocrine carcinoma is credited to Ewing in 1928. The reported incidence of apocrine carcinoma is approximately 0.4% of breast cancers. Apocrine carcinoma has distinct histologic and ultrastructural features that distinguish it as a specialized form of infiltrating ductal carcinoma. The finding of a uniform pattern of apocrine differentiation with dense granularity typifying the majority of cells characterizes this variant. We experienced two cases of invasive apocrine carcinoma of the breast and report with a review of the related literature.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Epithelium ; Incidence

BACKGROUND: Reperfusion of ischemic myocardium is clinically encountered during thrombolytic therapy of acute myocardial infarction, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty(PTCA), and coronary artery bypass graft(CABG). Reperfusion results in endothelial dysfunction characterized by a reduced release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor(EDRF) in animal studies. Studies with experimental animals have emphasized the role of oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxidation in pathophysiology of reperfusion injury and myocardial stunning. The object of this study is to determine whether endothelial dysfunction was developed after open heart surgery and to evaluated the role of oxygen free radical and lipid peroxidation in reperfusion injury. METHODS: The study group was comprised 13 patients who underwent open heart surgery(male/female : 2/11, mean age : 43+/-4 year, Atrial septal defect in 4, Ventricular septal defect in 1, Mitral regurgitation in 2, Tetralogy of Fallot in 1, and Aortic stenosis and Regurgitation with Mitral stenosis in 5 patients). The endothelial function was evaluated with the vasomotor response to acetylcholine and nitroglycerin by change of arterial diameter during the continous infusion of acetylcholin, from 10(-9) to 10(-6) molar concentration to the coronary artery and intracoronary injection of 200microg nitroglycerin after acetylcholine infusion. The infusion study was performed before and 10 days after surgery. For analysis of the role of oxygen free radical and lipid peroxidation in reperfusion injury, blood samples for malondialdehyde and neutrophil respiratory burst test(hydrogen peroxide amount of neutrophils) were obtained in pre-declamping of aorta and 5 min, 10 min, and 20 min after declamping of aorta from coronary sinus. RESULTS: 1) The vasoconstrictor response to acetylcholine, 10(-9) to 10(-6)M concentration, at proximal and distal left anterior descending coronary artery, were increased significantly in post-operation infusion study but there was no singnificant difference in vasodilator response to nitroglycerin. 2) The mean absorbance value of malondialdehyde(MDA) in pre-declamping and 5min, 10min, and 20min after reperfusion were 96+/-12, 73+/-12, 89+/-11 and 77+/-12, respectively. There was no significant difference in plasma MDA level and hydrogen peroxide amount of neutrophils after reperfusion(aortic declamping). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that endothelium dependent vascular relaxation is impaired in patients with open heart surgery and post-ischemic reperfusion injury may be responsible for the abnormal response. But we did not determine the role of lipid peroxidation and oxygen free radical in reperfusion injury.
Acetylcholine ; Animals ; Aorta ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Sinus ; Coronary Vessels ; Endothelium ; Free Radicals ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Heart* ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Lipid Peroxidation* ; Malondialdehyde ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Molar ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Stunning ; Myocardium ; Neutrophils ; Nitroglycerin ; Oxygen* ; Plasma ; Relaxation ; Reperfusion Injury* ; Reperfusion* ; Respiratory Burst ; Tetralogy of Fallot ; Thoracic Surgery* ; Thrombolytic Therapy

BACKGROUND: Reperfusion of ischemic myocardium is clinically encountered during thrombolytic therapy of acute myocardial infarction, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty(PTCA), and coronary artery bypass graft(CABG). Reperfusion results in endothelial dysfunction characterized by a reduced release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor(EDRF) in animal studies. Studies with experimental animals have emphasized the role of oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxidation in pathophysiology of reperfusion injury and myocardial stunning. The object of this study is to determine whether endothelial dysfunction was developed after open heart surgery and to evaluated the role of oxygen free radical and lipid peroxidation in reperfusion injury. METHODS: The study group was comprised 13 patients who underwent open heart surgery(male/female : 2/11, mean age : 43+/-4 year, Atrial septal defect in 4, Ventricular septal defect in 1, Mitral regurgitation in 2, Tetralogy of Fallot in 1, and Aortic stenosis and Regurgitation with Mitral stenosis in 5 patients). The endothelial function was evaluated with the vasomotor response to acetylcholine and nitroglycerin by change of arterial diameter during the continous infusion of acetylcholin, from 10(-9) to 10(-6) molar concentration to the coronary artery and intracoronary injection of 200microg nitroglycerin after acetylcholine infusion. The infusion study was performed before and 10 days after surgery. For analysis of the role of oxygen free radical and lipid peroxidation in reperfusion injury, blood samples for malondialdehyde and neutrophil respiratory burst test(hydrogen peroxide amount of neutrophils) were obtained in pre-declamping of aorta and 5 min, 10 min, and 20 min after declamping of aorta from coronary sinus. RESULTS: 1) The vasoconstrictor response to acetylcholine, 10(-9) to 10(-6)M concentration, at proximal and distal left anterior descending coronary artery, were increased significantly in post-operation infusion study but there was no singnificant difference in vasodilator response to nitroglycerin. 2) The mean absorbance value of malondialdehyde(MDA) in pre-declamping and 5min, 10min, and 20min after reperfusion were 96+/-12, 73+/-12, 89+/-11 and 77+/-12, respectively. There was no significant difference in plasma MDA level and hydrogen peroxide amount of neutrophils after reperfusion(aortic declamping). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that endothelium dependent vascular relaxation is impaired in patients with open heart surgery and post-ischemic reperfusion injury may be responsible for the abnormal response. But we did not determine the role of lipid peroxidation and oxygen free radical in reperfusion injury.
Acetylcholine ; Animals ; Aorta ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Sinus ; Coronary Vessels ; Endothelium ; Free Radicals ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Heart* ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Lipid Peroxidation* ; Malondialdehyde ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Molar ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Stunning ; Myocardium ; Neutrophils ; Nitroglycerin ; Oxygen* ; Plasma ; Relaxation ; Reperfusion Injury* ; Reperfusion* ; Respiratory Burst ; Tetralogy of Fallot ; Thoracic Surgery* ; Thrombolytic Therapy

PURPOSE: Obesity has become a pandemic and especially the prevalence of childhood obesity has increased remarkably over the past years. Childhood obesity is often accompanied by the expected morbidities such as hyperlipidemia, fatty liver and glucose intolerance. We evaluated the pattern of alteration in the body mass index (BMI), serum adiponectin concentration, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and complication rates after one year follow-up. METHODS: Forty two obese children (age: 8-15 years, 95th percentile of BMI for age and sex) were examined twice annually on June, 2004 and July, 2005. The body mass index (BMI) and sexual maturity rating (SMR) were determined annually by the same examiner and serum fasting glucose, liver enzyme, lipid profiles, adiponectin, insulin and HOMA-IR were measured and annual results were compared. Upper abdominal sonography was performed to detect fatty liver. RESULTS: BMI (25.3+/-2.9 kg/m2 vs. 26.0+/-2.9 kg/m2) and HOMA-IR (3.6+/-1.8 vs. 4.7+/-1.9) have increased significantly after one-year follow-up. The serum adiponectin concentration (17.2+/-5.2 g/mL vs. 12.6+/-5.2 g/mL) has decreased after one year. The prevalence of hyperlipidemia and fatty liver were not changed significantly but that of hyperinsulinemia increased after one-year. HOMA-IR showed a positive correlation with BMI and SMR, but was negatively correlated with serum adiponectin concentration. CONCLUSION: Obese children in our study showed significant increment of insulin resistance during one year. These results suggest that well-organized and continuous obesity control is required especially for obese adolescent to prevent complication of obesity.
Adiponectin* ; Adolescent* ; Body Mass Index ; Child* ; Fasting ; Fatty Liver ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Glucose ; Glucose Intolerance ; Humans ; Hyperinsulinism ; Hyperlipidemias ; Insulin Resistance* ; Insulin* ; Liver ; Obesity ; Pandemics ; Pediatric Obesity ; Prevalence

PURPOSE: In the treatment of breast cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is useful to reduce breast cancer size before surgical intervention. Patients who achieve a pathologic complete response (pCR) to NAC have improved overall survival (OS). However, the relationship between prognosis and partial response is yet unclear. In this study, we evaluated prognostic factors and the tumor response ratio (TRR) method among patients who received NAC. METHODS: Clinicopathologic factors were evaluated to predict OS. The TRR was calculated by dividing pathologic tumor size by clinical tumor size. TRRs were then categorized into four groups, and the survival times for the different TRR groups were compared using statistical evaluation. RESULTS: Clinical N stage (p=0.02), overall stage (p=0.04), pathologic N stage (p=0.03), hormone receptor status (p=0.01), and lymphovascular invasion (p=0.02) were significantly associated with OS. Pathologic overall stage and TRR did not correlate with OS. Patients with a pCR exhibited the best survival rates using the current staging system and the TRR method. CONCLUSION: Clinicopathologic factors can be easily applied to predict OS, and clinicians could use these parameters until an accurate, simple, and highly discriminatory methods is developed to assess breast cancer patients with a partial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Buckwheat is considered one of the most important food allergens in Korea. Although a very small amount is ingested or inhaled, it can cause serious allergic reactions. However, the major allergens of buckwheat still remain to be elucidated. The aim of our study was to identify and characterize the major allergen of buckwheat seed. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Dialysis membrane with a cut-off MW 1kD was used for the preparation of crude buckwheat seed allergen extract. SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and IgE immunoblotting were performed using sera from 15 buckwheat sensitive subjects. Isoelectric focusing and lectin blotting assay were done. RESULT: Western blot analysis showed more than 15 IgE-reactive buckwheat proteins. Among them, a 24kD protein was shown to be the most frequently bound to sera from allergic subjects (54%). Isoelectric point of 24kD protein was around 5.9. In lectin blotting assay, 24kD protein did not bind to Con A nor five other lectins. CONCLUSION: A 24kD protein was the most frequently recognized allergenic component in buckwheat seed. Isoelectric point was around 5.9. Glycosylation was not detected in 24kD of buckwheat protein.
Allergens ; Blotting, Western ; Dialysis ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Fagopyrum* ; Glycosylation ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoglobulin E ; Isoelectric Focusing ; Isoelectric Point ; Korea ; Lectins ; Membranes

Silicone implants are widely used in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery. Silicone lymphadenopathy is a well-known rare complication of implant insertion. Silicone leakage from a rupture or silicone bleeding can accumulate in lymph nodes. Foreign body reactions in the affected lymph nodes may be misdiagnosed as metastasis or malignant lymphadeno pathy upon initial presentation if silicone lymphadenopathy is not considered in the initial diagnosis. We report a case of siliconoma with extensive involvement of multiple lymph nodes mimicking malignant features to emphasize that clinicians should carefully evaluate each patient's medical history and disease status during differential diagnosis.
Breast Implants* ; Breast* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Foreign Bodies ; Hemorrhage ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Rupture ; Silicon* ; Silicones*

Silicone implants are widely used in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery. Silicone lymphadenopathy is a well-known rare complication of implant insertion. Silicone leakage from a rupture or silicone bleeding can accumulate in lymph nodes. Foreign body reactions in the affected lymph nodes may be misdiagnosed as metastasis or malignant lymphadeno pathy upon initial presentation if silicone lymphadenopathy is not considered in the initial diagnosis. We report a case of siliconoma with extensive involvement of multiple lymph nodes mimicking malignant features to emphasize that clinicians should carefully evaluate each patient's medical history and disease status during differential diagnosis.
Breast Implants* ; Breast* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Foreign Bodies ; Hemorrhage ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Rupture ; Silicon* ; Silicones*

BACKGROUND: The major value of mammography lies in the detection of nonpalpable breast carcinomas and the mammographic appearance of clustered microcalcifications, and its predictive value in carcinomas of the breast has long been a subject of interest. Since the introduction of the fine needle localization biopsy, surgeons have performed biopsies for nonpalpable breast lesions, but there are many controversies over determining the guidelines for biopsy with only the findings of mammography. METHODS: We reviewed the correlations between the type of mammographic appearance and the histopathologic diagnosis in 74 women who had nonpalpable breast lesions that appeared only as microcalcifications on the mammograms. We subdivided the types of microcalcifications into a casting type, a crushed-stone-like type and an amorphous type. The casting type has linear and branching patterns of microcalcifications, the crushed-stone-like type has clusters of granular microcalcifications, and the amorphous type has small punctuate powdery microcalcifications arranged irregularly. RESULTS: The patients ages ranges from 25 to 82 years and 15 cases (20.3%) of breast cancer were detected among the 74 cases. Four (4) cases (28.6%) of breast carcinoma were detected in the 14 casting type cases, 8 (24.2%) in the 33 crushed-stone-like type cases, and 3 cases (11.1%) in the 27 amorphous type cases. The mean sizes of the benign and the malignant lesions were 13.11+/-11.72 mm and 12.47+/-9.46 mm, respectively, but there was no difference in size between breast carcinomas and benign lesions. CONCLUSION: We conclude that women who have microcalcifications on their mammography should undergo biopsy, especially in cases of casting type or crushed-stone-like type microcalcifications to detect breast carcinomas at an early stage.
Biopsy ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Mammography ; Needles