O1igodendrocytes are known to be responsible for the synthesis and maintenance of myelin sheath in the central nervous system, and their functional disturbance leads to defect in myelination. But, the fine mechanism of myelination by oligodendrocytes is not yet known, and iron metabolism in central nervous system is suspected to be related with myelination process by oligodendrocytes. Carbonic anhydrase-II[CA-II], transfe-rrin, and ferritin are known to be present at oligodendrocytes and suspected to play a role in iron metabolism of central nervous system. In this study, demyelination and remyelination of ICR mouse brains were induced using cuprizone, the copper-chelating agent, and immunohistochemical changes of CA-II-, transferrin-, and ferritin-immunoreactive oligodendrocytes at corpus callosum were observed. During demyelination by cuprizone feeding, the numbers of CA-II- and transferrin-immunoreactive oligodendrocytes were decreased. Especially, the decrease ratio of CA-II-positive cells was great. In contrast, the number of ferritin-positive oligodendrocytes was increased during demyelination by cuprizone feeding. Cessation of cuprizone feeding leaded remyelination and the numbers of CA-II-, transferrin-, and ferritin-immunoreactive oligodendrocytes were returned to normal level. In conclusion, the derangement of iron metabolism in oligodendrocytes may be related to demyelination mechanism of central nervous system, and the CA-II is suspected to have an important role in iron metabolism of oligodenrocytes in relation to demyelination and remyelination induced with cuprizone.
Animals ; Brain ; Carbon* ; Central Nervous System ; Corpus Callosum ; Cuprizone* ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Ferritins ; Iron ; Iron-Binding Proteins* ; Metabolism ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Myelin Sheath ; Oligodendroglia ; Transferrin

Decreased number of the Neuropeptide-Y[NPY] immunoreactive neurons in the corpus striatum and primary motor cortex of aged rat was detected by the immunohistochemical method. The animals were categorized into control and aged group and we used 10 Sprague-Dawley rat weighing 250-300gm for control group. 10 Sprague-Dawley rat weighing over 600gm for aged group. The number of NPY-immunoreactive neurons in corpus striatum and primary motor cortex were counted under the light microscope and the following results were obtained. 1. The NPY-immunoreactive neurons were evenly distributed in corpus striatum and in the primaty motor cortex, the NPY-immunoreactive neurons were concentrated within the layer II, III and layer V, VI. The typical NPY-immunoreactive perikarya was multipolar shape. 2. Decreased number of NPY-immunoreactive neurons were detected in some areas of corpus striatum and primary mortor cortex of the aged rat. 3. Decrease of NPY-immunoreactive neurons were most prominent in the caudate-putamen and there were moderate decrease of NPY-immunoreactive neurons in the primary motor cortex, mild decrease of NPY-immunoreactive neurons in the nucleus accumbens but the NPY-immunoreactive neurons were not observed in the globus pallidus in both control and aged rat. NPY is supposed to act as a neurotransmitter of local circuit neurons in the striatum and may exert its potent vasoconstrictor effects on cerebral vessels which influences on the microcirculation of cerebral cortex and striatum. So our results seems to provide an important data on change of the function in the striatum and primary motor cortex of aged rat brain.
Aging ; Animals ; Brain ; Cerebral Cortex ; Corpus Striatum* ; Globus Pallidus ; Microcirculation ; Motor Cortex ; Neurons* ; Neuropeptide Y* ; Neuropeptides* ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Nucleus Accumbens ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure (ARF) is a common postoperative complication after the cardiac surgery. Postoperative ARF have various causes, and are combined with other complications rather than being the only a complication. It deteriorates the general condition of the patient, and makes it difficult to manage the combined complications by disturbing the adequate medication and fluid therapy. We have planned this study to evaluate the effects of postoperative ARF after the on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) on the recovery of patients and identify the risk factors. Method and Material: We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass by a single surgeon from Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2002. We checked the preoperative factors; sex, age, history of previous serum creatinine over 2.0 mg/dL, preoperatively last checked serum creatinine, diabetes, hypertension, left ventricular ejection fraction, intraoperative factors; whether the operation is an emergent case or not, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross clamp time, the number of distal anastomosis, postoperative factors; IABP. Then we have studied the relations of these factors and the cases of postoperative peak serum creatinine over 2.0 mg/dL. RESULT: There were 19 cases with postoperative peak serum creatinine over 2.0 mg/dL in a total 97 cases. Dialysis were done in 3 cases for ARF with pulmonary edema and severely reduced urine output. There were 8 cases (42.1%) with combined complications among the 19 patients. This finding showed a significant difference from the 5 cases (6.4%) in the patients whose creatinine level have not increased over 2.0 mg/dL. The mortalities are different as 1.3% to 10.5%. The risk factors that are related with postoperative serum creatinine increment over 2.0 mg/dL are diabetes, the history of previous serum creatinine over 2.0 mg/dL and left ventricular ejection fraction. CONCLUSION: Postoperative ARF after the on-pump CABG is related with preoperative diabetes, the history of previous serum creatinine over 2.0 mg/dL and left ventricular ejection fraction. Postoperative ARF could be the reason for increased rate of complications and mortality after on-pump CABG. Therefore, in the patients with these risk factors, the efforts to prevent postoperative ARF like off-pump CABG should be considered.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Creatinine ; Dialysis ; Fluid Therapy ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; Pulmonary Edema ; Risk Factors ; Stroke Volume ; Thoracic Surgery

BACKGROUND: The studies on cryopreserved arterial allograft have been focused on cooling methods, pre-treatment, cryoprotectant agents, and preservation temperature. But recently, several studies have reported that thawing methods also play an important role in the occurrence of macroscopic and microscopic cracks. This study was designed to investigate the cell injury after thawing, using a rabbit model to clarify the effect of thawing methods on cryopreserved arteries. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Segments of the rabbit aorta were obtained and divided into 3 groups (n=60) according to whether the specimens were fresh (control, n=20), cryopreserved and rapidly thawed (RT) at 37oC (n=20), or cryopreserved and subjected to controlled, automated slow thawing (ST)(n=20). Cell damage was established using the TUNEL method and the morphological changes were also evaluated. RESULT: In the group that was rapidly thawed, the expression of TUNEL (+) cells increased significantly more than in the slowly thawed group. In addition, the endothelial denudation, microvesicles and edema were significant in the rapidly thawed group compared with those changes in the slowly thawed group. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the rapid thawing method may be one of the major causes of cellular damage and delayed rupture in cryopreserved arterial allografts. The expression of TUNEL (+) cells and structural changes were significantly low in the slowly thawed group, which might have contributed to the improvement of graft failure after transplantation.
Allografts ; Aorta* ; Arteries ; Cryopreservation ; Edema ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Rupture ; Transplants

When tracheal invasion of a malignant tumor or tracheal stenosis of a benign origin exists at the lower or anterior part of the trachea, tracheal intubation or conventional tracheostomy may be difficult, and in these cases a modified tracheostomy through the lower or lateral part of the trachea would be necessary. We present 6 cases of modified tracheostomy performed with satisfactory results in severe tracheal stenosis that developed in the lower or anterior part of the trachea.
Intubation ; Trachea ; Tracheal Stenosis* ; Tracheostomy*

BACKGROUND: Interstitial pneumonia is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer but the outcome of surgical resection in this setting is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between pre-operative interstitial pneumonia (IP) and post-operative respiratory failure. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective review of 672 patients with lung cancer who underwent curative pulmonary resection at the Hospital of Catholic University Medical College between 1997 and 2005 was undertaken. The patients were divided into two groups according to preexisting interstitial pneumonia and not by the pre-operative chest HRCT or findings of pathologic papers. The pre-operative data and cancer-related findings were analyzed between the IP group and non-IP group, and between the respiratory failure group and non-failure group in IP patients. RESULT: Twenty-eight patients (4.2%) of the developed post-operative respiratory failure and this proved to be fatal in 21 of these patients. We could find preoperative interstitial pathology in 53 patients (7.9%) among the 672 patients. The incidences of respiratory failure were 11.3% (6/53 cases) and 3.6% (22/619 cases) in IP group and non-IP group respectively. CONCLUSION: Interstitial pneumonia was considered one of the risk factors for developing postoperative acute respiratory failure in patients with lung cancer.
Humans ; Incidence ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial* ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Pathology ; Pneumonia ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thorax

PURPOSE: Since acute respiratory failure was one of the most fatal postoperative complications in lung cancer surgery, to know its incidence, and predisposing factors is very important. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between pre-operative interstitial pneumonia (IP) and post-operative acute respiratory failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 672 patients with lung cancer who underwent curative pulmonary resection at the Hospital of Catholic University Medical College between 1997 and 2005 was undertaken. The patients were divided into two groups according to preexisting interstitial pneumonia or not by pre-operative chest HRCT or findings of pathologic papers. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (4.2%) developed post- operative respiratory failure and this proved to be fatal in 21 of these patients. We could find preoperative interstitial pathology in 53 patients (7.9%) among the 672 patients. The incidences of respiratory failure were 11.3% (6/53 cases) and 3.6% (22/619 cases) in IP group and non-IP group respectively. CONCLUSION: Interstitial pneumonia considered of one of the risk factors for developing postoperative acute respiratory failure in patients with lung cancer.
Causality ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial* ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Pathology ; Postoperative Complications ; Respiratory Insufficiency* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thorax

No abstract available.
Cell Line, Tumor* ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones* ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Gonads*

PURPOSE: Recent progress in the surgical therapy for lung cancer is one of the best examples of the successful evolution of clinical medicine. We reviewed our experience to evaluate the surgical outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed clinical records of 236 consecutive patients with proven primary non-small cell lung cancer who underwent complete removal of the primary tumor together with hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes from 1995 to 2005. The clinical characteristics, surgical methods, and recurrence patterns were analysed. RESULTS: The patients of stage III and IV were 71 cases (35.9%) and 2 cases (1.0%) respectively, and neoadjuvant therapy was done in 62 patients. Lobectomy was the most common procedure (69.7%) performed and pneumonectomy was the least (5.6%). In 81 patients (40.9%) the recurrence was noted and the regional recurrence (27 cases, 13.6%) was less than systemic recurrence (54 cases, 27.3%). The main sites of regional recurrence were hilum (11 cases, 40.7%) and ipsilateral mediastinum (9 cases, 33.3%). CONCLUSION: These data indicated that our surgical methods were useful and effective
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Clinical Medicine ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lymph Nodes ; Mediastinum ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Pneumonectomy ; Recurrence*

Pericardial cysts are uncommon benign congenital mediastinal lesions and they are most often found in either cardiophrenic angle. We present here one case of atypically located pericardial cyst that was located in the subpulmonary region. The clinicians should take into consideration this entity in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesion of the mediastinum. The diagnostic difficulties that are encountered and the utility of video-assisted thoracoscopy are described.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Mediastinal Cyst* ; Mediastinum ; Pericardium ; Thoracoscopy