BACKGROUND: bFGF, a member of the fibroblast growth factor family, potently induces vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and decreased synthesis of the collagens. OBJECTIVE: For further investigation of the effect of bFGF on extracellular matrix homeostasis in the skin, we evaluated the expression of type I and type VII collagen gene at the transcriptional levels. METHOD: We examined that recombinant human bFGF affects the expression of genes involved in ECM synthesis and remodeling in human dermal fibroblasts cultures as judged by Northern blot analysis. RESULTS: The steady state levels of type I and VII collagen gene mRNA were decreased with age dependent pattern up to 0.13 and 0.44 folds respectively. The transcriptional levels of type I collagen mRNA were increased by TGF-B, treatment but markedly decreased by bFGF as well as TNF-a. But there were no synergistic effects bFGF and TNF-a on type I collagen gene expression. The levels of type VII collagen gene expression were increased by both bFGF and TGF-B,. The TNF-a showed slightly antagnostic effects on type VII collagen gene expression. CONCLUSION: The type I and VII collagen gene expression in dermal fibroblasts is clearly subjected to modulation by the cytokines including bFGF with uncoordinate regulatory pathway. In addition to its function of vascular proliferation, bFGF also may play a major role in physiologic skin condition and in repair process such as formation of a stable dermoepidermal junction during skin wound healing.
Blotting, Northern ; Cell Proliferation ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type VII ; Collagen* ; Cytokines ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; Fibroblasts* ; Gene Expression* ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Methods ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin ; Wound Healing

Sensation is the key element that allows the fingertip to participate effectively in virtually all hand functions. Therefore, it is very important to restore sensation as well as well padded, durable skin coverage following severe fingertip injuries. Many ingenious operations have been described to provide the fingertip with sensate coverage. Among them, the innervated cross-finger flap, reported by Cohen et al. in 1983, is very effective and successful in reconstruction of severe fingertip injuries, We report five cases of severe fingertip injuries treated with innervated cross-finger flap. The results are as follows : 1. The level of sensory return and the functional result is excellent in those fingertips reconstructed with the innervated cross-finger flap. 2. Mean time for flap detachment is 16 days post operative and local anesthesis at outpatient department is sufficient. 3. Four of five treated patients achieved excellent sensibility with measurable two-point discrimination(mean 5.0 mm) and ability to recongnize textures and objects.
Fingers ; Hand ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Sensation ; Skin

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Child ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory*

No abstract available.
Child ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory*

Heat stroke is defined as a core body temperature that rises above 40 degrees C accompanied by central nervous system abnormalities such delirium, convulsions or coma. Despite treatment with optimal cooling, heat stroke causes deaths by complications including rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, hepatic dysfunction, disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome, bowel ischemia, myocardial injury, and multiple organ failure. In some cases of survival, heat stroke it can cause irreversible CNS damage. Therefore, if exertional heat stroke is properly diagnosed in the emergency room, we must initiate early and aggressive treatment in order to prevent the multiorgan failure and high mortality associated with this condition. To our knowledge, case reports in the literature are rare describing that patients with multiple organ dysfunction and fulminant pneumonia following exertional heat stroke. This study reports on a relevant case, as well as findingsfrom the literature. The case history is presented of a 20- year-old man who presented with exertional heat stroke with sustained hyperpyrexia ongoing after the first day of admission despite optimal treatment including intensive fluid resuscitation. On the 3rd day of admission, chest infiltrated lesions were discovered. From the high-resolution computed tomography results, multifocal consolidations were discovered in both lungs. Blood cultures revealed Staphylococcus hominis. Treatment with proper antibiotics was begun after identifying the blood culture. The patient fully recovered and was discharged on the 10th day after admission.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Body Temperature ; Central Nervous System ; Coma ; Delirium ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ; Emergencies ; Heat Stress Disorders ; Heat Stroke ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Lung ; Multiple Organ Failure ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Pneumonia ; Renal Insufficiency ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Resuscitation ; Rhabdomyolysis ; Seizures ; Staphylococcus hominis ; Thorax

The incidence of tracheal stenosis is increased because of the longterm respiratory care with endotracheal intubation and tracheostomy. Present therapeutic modalities for the relief of an tracheal or bronchial stenosis include laser resection, radiotherapy, cryotherapy, bougienation, stent insertion, dilatation with balloon catheter and finally reconstruction surgery. However, reconstruction surgery have some problems in ventilation during anesthetic management. Small sized tube insertion through lesion, high frequency jet ventilation, cardiopulmonary bypass are served to resolve ventilatory problem. We experienced a case of severe tracheal stenosis due to tracheostomy. The stenotic lesion was 2.5 cm above the carina, 3 mm in diameter and length of the stenotic segment was 1 cm. We used bougienation with endotracheal tube replace obturator for the ventilation before the reconstruction surgery and the patient was successfully managed without complications.
Airway Management* ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Cryotherapy ; Dilatation ; High-Frequency Jet Ventilation ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Radiotherapy ; Stents ; Trachea ; Tracheal Stenosis* ; Tracheostomy ; Ventilation

No abstract available.
Humans ; Orthognathic Surgery*

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Fingers*

No abstract available.
Blood Coagulation*