To investigate relationship between alpha1-acrenoceptors and nicardipine, an 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, effects of nicardipine, on phenylephrinne(PE)-induced vasoconstriction in isolated arterial rings and pressor response of rabbits were observed. In normal physiological salt solution(NPSS), 35mM KCI produced persistent contractions of thoracic aorta and carotid artery and the contractions were dose-dependently inhoboted by cumulative admini-stration of nicardipine in the range of doses from 10(-10)M to 10(-4)M, IC50s of nicardipine in the thoracic aorta and carotid artery were 3.3x10(-7)M and 4.6x10(-7)M, respectively and there was no difference between both values. Constant contractions induced by 10(-5)M PE in both rings were inhibited by the same doses of nicardipine in a dose-dependent fashion. The IC50s were 2.8x10(-4)M in thoracic aorta and 2.9x10(-5)M in carotid artery respectively, and the former was about 10 times greater than the latter. In Ca2+ free PSS, KCI did not produce any contractionn. Though constant and reproducible in NPSS, PE-induced contraction was transient and not reproducible in Ca2+ free PSS. The contraction in both rings were weakened to about 70% of those in NPSS. Pretreatment with nicardipine in the range of doses from 10-8M to 10-5M hardly affected the PE-induced contraction and the largest dose 10(-4)M slightly inhibited the contraction. Intravenous injection of nicardipine 10 to 1000microg/kg decreased blood pressure and heart rate of rabbits in a dose-dependent manner. The % decrease of heart rate was much smaller in comparison with the %decrease of blood presseure. Pressor effect of 30microg/kg PE was dose-dependently inhibited after treatment with nicardipine 10 to 1000microg/kg and ID50 was 314microg/kg(6.1x10(-7)mole/kg). Above results suggest that nicardipine blocks extracellulr Ca2+ influx by membrane depolarization and in a part by alpha1-adrenceptors, then relaxes arterial smooth muscles in rabbits.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Blood Pressure ; Calcium ; Carotid Arteries ; Heart Rate ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Injections, Intravenous ; Membranes ; Muscle, Smooth ; Nicardipine* ; Rabbits ; Vasoconstriction

No abstract available.
Dilatation* ; Mammary Arteries* ; Transplants*

No abstract available.
Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels*

No abstract available.
Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Echocardiography*

We performed this study to evaluate the therapeutic responses of bone marrow transplantation and immunosuppressive therapy for aplastic anemia in 103 cases (68 severe and 35 moderate). Among them, 15 cases with severe aplastic anemia having HLA-identical sibling donor underwent bone marrow transplantation, and cases(53 severe and 35 moderate cases)without available HLA-identical sibling donor had received immunosuppressive therapy using antilymphocye globulin and cyclosporin-A. The results were as follows; 1) For cases given bone marrow transplantation, successful engraftment was accomplished in all cases, but 2 cases showed rejection and 1 case died of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), resulting 80% disease-free survival rate. acute graft-versus-host disease above grade II was noted in 2 cases and chronic graft-versus host disease was seen in other 2 cases. The most common pathogenic organism in post-transplantation infection was Herpes zoster (6 cases), and one each cases of Herpes simplex, candidiasis, measles and hemorrhagic cystitis developed. 2) Among 88 cases of receiving immunsouppressive therapy, complete response was seen in 26 cases (29.5%) and partial respones in 37 cases (42.0%), resulting 71.6% of overall response rate and recurrence rate was 19.5% (12 cases). In 53 severe cases, complete response was seen in 9 cases (17.0%) and partial response in 25 cases (47.2%), resulting 64.2% of overall response rate. In 35 moderate cases, complete response was seen in 17 cases (48.6%) and partial response in 12 cases(34.3%), overall response rate was 82.9%. All initial responses were seen within 6 months post-treatment period, and the time interval to initial response was 8 to 162 days (median; 53 days). There was no sex difference concerning response rate, however, partial response was predominant in male and more complete response in female. The complications of immunosuppressive therapy were thrombocytopenia (93.2%), fever (67.7%), hypertension (50.0%), skin eruption (45.8%), gingivitis (17.0%). In conclusion, our date suggest that bone marrow transplantation is preferred initial treatment modality to immunosuppressive therapy in severe aplastic anemia patient with HLA-identical sibling donor, and immunosuppression is a satisfactory alternative therapy for children with severe aplastic anemia in the absence of HLA-identical sibling and for whom with moderate aplastic anemia.
Anemia, Aplastic* ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Candidiasis ; Child ; Cystitis ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Fever ; Gingivitis ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Herpes Simplex ; Herpes Zoster ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Immunosuppression ; Male ; Measles ; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic ; Recurrence ; Sex Characteristics ; Siblings ; Skin ; Thrombocytopenia ; Tissue Donors

A case of histiocytosis X with the involvement of pituitary stalk in a 5 year old boy was described. He presented with diabetes insipidus and the endocrinological study showed growth hormone deficiency. On computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, the pituitary stalk was abnormally thick. Overlooking of the skull lesion on plain X-ray film led to an erroneous diagnosis of germ cell tumor'. Gross total removal of the lesion and chemotherapy were performed. In the differential diagnosis of suprasellar masses, this disease entity should be included. The importance of histological diagnosis of the infundibular lesion in cases of central diabetes insipidus is also emphasized.
Child, Preschool ; Diabetes Insipidus ; Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drug Therapy ; Germ Cells ; Growth Hormone ; Histiocytosis* ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Pituitary Gland* ; Skull ; X-Ray Film

No abstract available.
Sensation* ; Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer*

Pheochromocytomas can arise wherever chromaffin cells are found, and most of them(90%) are in one or both adrenal glands. But they may be located anywhere along the sympathetic chain and rarely in aberrant sites. One of the common extra-adrenal sites from which these tumors can arise is a collection of para-aortic and para-ganglion cells around the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery. We experienced a case of extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma located at the organ of Zukerkandl in a 21-year-old female patient with abdominal colic and paroxysmal hypertension, whose symptoms and blood pressure returned to normal after successful surgical excision of the tumor.
Adrenal Glands ; Blood Pressure ; Chromaffin Cells ; Colic* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior ; Pheochromocytoma* ; Young Adult

Adrenal cortical carcinoma is a rare disease both in adults and in children. Most of these tumors are functional, especially in children, producing endocrine syndromes such as virilization, Cushing syndrome, hyperaldosteronism or feminization. We experienced a case of adrenal cortical carcinoma in a 7yr old boy who showed features of virilization such as rapid growth rate, penile enlargement, and pubic hair. This case was diagnosed with typical hormonal findings and abdominal MRI and confirmed by pathologic findings. He was successfully treated by total left adrenalectomy and has been followed up without problem over eight months.
Adrenalectomy ; Adrenocortical Carcinoma* ; Adult ; Child ; Cushing Syndrome ; Feminization ; Hair ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Rare Diseases ; Virilism

To validate the diagnostic significance of red cell indices in non-anemic iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, complete blood count, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, and serum ferritin were measured in 208 middle school girls between 13 and 15 years of age. We used Reciever Operatin Characteristic (ROC) curve to compare the diagnostic significances of various red cell indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW). We also established the ideal cutoff values of red cell indices for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia. The results were as follows: 1) The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and non-anemic iron deficiency were 4.8% and 11.1% respectively. 2) For the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, MCV had the highest diagnostic capacity, and MCH was the secondly useful one. 3) For the diagnosis of non-anemic iron deficiency. MCV had the highest diagnostic capacity, but the sensitivity and specificity of the 4 red cell indices(MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW) were so low that they could not be used as screening or confirmative tests. 4) The sensitivity and specificity of MCV were 1 for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia(cutoff value: MCV=79 fl). In case of MCH, the sensitivity was. 1 and the specificity was 0.995 for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia(cutoff value: MCH=25pg). In case of MCHC, the sensitivity was 1 and the specificity was 0.69 for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia (cutoff value: MCH-33g/dl). In case of RDW, the sencitivity was 0.9 and the specificity was 0.96 for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia(cutoff value: RDW=13.5%). With above results, we could conclude that MCV and MCH were very useful screening tests for iron deficiency anemia and MCV could be used as a confirmative test of iron deficiency anemin.
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency* ; Blood Cell Count ; Diagnosis ; Erythrocyte Indices* ; Female ; Ferritins ; Humans ; Iron* ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence ; ROC Curve* ; Sensitivity and Specificity