No abstract available.
Barium* ; Enema* ; Intussusception*

No abstract available.
Arteries* ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular*

To investigate effects of cytokines on rheumatoid synovial cells, proliferation and expression of cytokine and metalloproteinase genes were studied with the primary culture of rheumatoid synovial cells which was treated with TNF-alpha, GM-CSF, TGF-alpha, PDGF and IL-B. By [3H] thymidine incorporation assay, TGF-beta and PDGF increased proliferation of synovial cells by 1.5 and 2.5 folds respectively. Cytokine gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR. Rheumatoid synovial cells expressed constitutively TGF-beta and IL-B at a high level and IL-1B, GM-CSF, and MIP-1a at a relatively low level. TGF-beta, GM-CSF and PDGF increased IL-B expression. Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines was increased by GM-CSF and PDGF. Both GM-CSF and PDGF increased the expression of IL-1B, GM-CSF MIP-la and IL-8. In addition, GM-CSF enhanced expression of TNF-alpha. Stromelysin and collagenase are the major proteinases responsible for destruction ot joints in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These genes were expressed constitutivefy in rheumatoid synovial cells. In summary, PDGF and GM-CSF may piay an important role by inducing or increasing expression of IL-1B, TGF-beta and PDGF by increasing proliferation of rheumatoid synovial cells.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND: Superior migration of humeral head has been conventionally determined by measuring the acromiohumeral distance (AHD), We sought to devise a novel measurement system more reliably and accurately than AHD. We described a structural landmark called 'C-line'. In this study, we investigated the clinical usefulness of 'step-off of the C-line (SOC)' compared to that of AHD. METHODS: The C-line formed from the medial margin of the proximal humeral head continuing up to the inferior margin of the articular glenoid and then to the lateral border of the scapula. The superior migration of the humeral head triggered by a rotator cuff tear introduces a discontinuity in this C-line. We measured the distance of this discontinuity. We enrolled 144 patients who underwent a rotator cuff repair. We selected 58 controls who didn't have any cuff lesions apparent on magnetic resonance imaging. Using radiographs derived from standardized true anteroposterior views of the shoulder, we measured the SOC and the AHD. We used t-tests for statistical analyses. RESULTS: A rotator cuff tear was associated with an increase in SOC and a decrease in AHD. In control group, the mean SOC was 1.29 ± 1.71 mm and AHD was 9.71 ± 2.65 mm. In cuff tear group, the mean SOC was 3.15 ± 3.41 mm and AHD was 8.28 ± 1.76 mm. The mean SOCs of the patient group in relation to the mean SOC of the control group according to tear size, the SOCs of medium tear and lager groups showed statistically significant increase (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The SOC may be a similarly effective to diagnose cuff tears of medium size and larger compared with AHD.
Humans ; Humeral Head* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Methods* ; Rotator Cuff ; Scapula ; Shoulder ; Tears

No abstract available.
Child* ; Heart* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Pityriasis Lichenoides* ; Pityriasis*

No abstract available.
Pityriasis Lichenoides* ; Pityriasis*

The concept of biostimulation of wounds by low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is attracting considerable attention. Although its effect on whole tissues has been studied quite extensively, the biological and cellular mechanisms underlying LLLT have not been clarified. In an experimental radius fracture in rabbits, Tang and Chai reported that LLLT enhanced the activity of red blood cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, chondrocytes, and osteoclasts within the fracture area. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of LLLT with a GaAlAs diode laser device on bone healing in rabbit mandibular fractures. We use 12 rabbits for this study. All rabbits were fractured mandible angle area using saw in anesthetic condition. In control group(n=6), none treatment was performed at fracture site. In experimental group(n=6), LLLT with a GaAlAs diode laser was radiated at fracture site daily for 7 days. All rabbits were sacrificed at 6 weeks later from performed fracture day. We studied the immunohistochemical staining of CD34 and Vimentin and the histochemical analysis for calcium and phosphorus content. The results were as follows. 1. In the histological and immunohistological staining, after 6week, fibroblasts, osteogenic cells and collgen fibers were observed more in experimental group than in control group. 2. In the histochemical analysis, the amount of calcium and phosphorus contents of the experimental group were more than the control group. From the results obtained, we suggest that the bone healing is stimulated by low-level laser irradiation in bone fractures.
Calcium ; Chondrocytes ; Durapatite ; Erythrocytes ; Fibroblasts ; Fractures, Bone ; Low-Level Light Therapy ; Lasers, Semiconductor ; Macrophages ; Mandible ; Osteoclasts ; Phosphorus ; Rabbits ; Radius Fractures ; Vimentin

No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Hemangioma*

The authors report a case of a 45-year-old man who developed stupor and hyperammonemia during pharmacological therapy with valproate for bipolar affective disorder. He was found to have a significantly elevated ammonia level (>400 microgram/dl) without any signs of hepatic insufficiency such as hepatic failure. The patient showed severely increased serum ammonia level, but the serum valproate level was within the therapeutic range. And he didn't use any other mood stabilizer and have any risk factors for hyperammonemia such as hepatic dysfunction and metabolic abnormality. The authors conclude that the mental change and hyperammonemia in this case are attributable to valproate medication. The authors also reviewed current literatures on hyperammonemia caused by valproate therapy and treatment with carnitine. Clinicians should be cautious about the potential risk for hyperammonemic encephalopathy caused by valproate medication, and patients who are treated with valproate need to be monitored for blood level of ammonia, especially in the case which shows characteristic mental and/or behavioral change.
Ammonia ; Carnitine ; Hepatic Insufficiency ; Humans ; Hyperammonemia ; Liver Failure ; Middle Aged ; Mood Disorders ; Risk Factors ; Stupor ; Valproic Acid