BACKGROUND: Calcipotrol, topical vitamin D analogue, has been demonstrated to have an effect for the treatment of psoriasis with good tolerability. It is required to have comparative studies with the other topical agents which are widely used for the treatment of psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose is to compare calcipotriol with desoxymethasone ointemtn in their therapeutic efficacy and ability to affect dermal inflammatory cellular events. METHODS: This study was a randomized, double blind, right/left comparison over 8weeks in 10 patients. The ointments were applied twice daily to the lesions of psoriasis. Clinical efficacy, as measured by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(PASI) was assessed at 2, 4, 6 and 8weeks after starting treatments. The changes in the numbers of dermal immunocytes were assessed on frozen and paraffin-embedded sections by using immunohistochemical stain methods before and after the treatemtns. RESULTS: Reduction of PASI was statistically significant at all time points for both of the treatments (P<0.01) but there was no significant defference between the two treatment modalities. At the completion of 8 weeks of treatments, the mean PASI reduction was 65 percents and 67 percents for calcipotriol and desoxymethasone ointments, respectively. On immunohistochemical staining, the numbers of LCA and HLA-DR positive cells were decreased significantly(P<0.05), and IL-2R and CD4 positive cells were not significaltly reduced in each group after the treatment. CONCLUSION: Calcipotriol ointment was as effective as desoxymethasone ointment, judged by the PASI and the dermal inflammatory cellular events on immunohistochemical staining.
Dermatitis, Atopic ; Desoximetasone* ; HLA-DR Antigens ; Humans ; Ointments* ; Psoriasis* ; Vitamin D

In order to observe the development of ventricular arrhythmia during regional myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, especially under the presence or absence of ST-T electrical alternans on epicardial EKG. The proximal left descending coronary artery(LAD) was ligated for 20 minutes and then reperfused suddenly in twenty-three cats. Standard lead EKG(Lead??, chest lead EKG and epicardial lead EKG were recorded simultaneously during the occlusion and reperfusion respectively. During the ligation of LAD, STEA was observed in thirteen cats(56.5%). In occlusion period, the incidence of ventricular tachycardia in STEA positive group was significantly higher than in the negative group(p<0.01) and arrhythmic score was significantly higher(p<0.005) also In the reperfusion period the incidence of vefntricular fibrillation in STEA positive group was significantly higher than in the negative group(p<0.025). But there was the tendency to be higher in arrhythmic score of STEA positive group. There were no differences in heart rate, systolic left ventricular pressure, ST elevation and ST width in both groups. Most forms of ST-T of sinus rhythm before and after development of ventricular premature beat was low form(L). It was concluded that at the presence of STEA on EKG, the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia was more prevalent. So, STEA can be available as a marker of ventricular arrhythmia and prognostic factor.
Animals ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac* ; Cardiac Complexes, Premature ; Cats ; Electrocardiography* ; Heart Rate ; Incidence ; Ligation ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Reperfusion ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Thorax ; Ventricular Pressure

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The myocardial protective effect of ischemic preconditioning is well known. However, the mechanism is remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of adenosine, protein kinase C, KATP channel and the change of monophasic action potential duration on cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning in cat. Materials AND METHODS: In this experiment, 66 cats were allocated into 7 groups:control (n=10), ischemic preconditioning (n=10), adenosine pre-treated (n=10), SPT (8-p-sulfophenyl theophylline) pre-treated (n=9), polymyxin B pre-treated (n=9), glibenclamide pre-treated (n=9) and nicorandil pre-treated (n=9) groups. Ischemic preconditioning was performed in ischemic preconditioning, SPT pre-treated, polymyxin B pre-treated and glibenclamide pre-treated groups by 3 episodes of 5 minutes ischemia and 10 minutes reperfusion. All animals were subjected to 40 minutes of ischemia and 40 minutes reperfusion. Monophasic action potential duration at 50% repolarization (MAP50) was measured in the ischemic and non-ischemic area respectively by epicardial probe throughout the experiment. The effect of ischemic preconditioning was determined by infarct size (% area at risk). RESULTS: Ischemic preconditioning, adenosine pre-treatment and nicorandil pre-treatment groups demonstrated a significant reduction in infarct size (26+/-4%, 25+/-4% and 34+/-8% infarction of the risk zone, respectively, p<0.01, p<0.01 and p<0.05 vs. control) with respect to control (41+/-8% infarction of the risk zone). However, pretreatment with SPT, polymyxin B or glibenclamide abolished the effect of ischemic preconditioning. Ischemic preconditioning group exhibited a significant reduction of MAP50 duration in the ischemic area during preconditioning;at the first preconditioning 128+/-11 msec vs. 144+/-10 msec control, at the second preconditioning 110+/-10 msec vs.147+/-10 msec control (p<0.01), at the third preconditioning 114+/-10 msec vs. 145+/-11 msec control (p<0.05). But, pretreatment with SPT, polymyxin B and glibenclamide prevented the reduction of MAP50 in the ischemic area during ischemic preconditioning. During 40 minutes ischemia, the shortening of MAP50 was more pronounced in the preconditioned group than in control group;at 5 minutes 112+/-13 msec vs. 124+/-10 msec control, at 10 minutes 89+/-12 msec vs. 133+/-11 msec control (p<0.05 ), at 20 minutes 93+/-12 msec vs. 136+/-11 msec control (p<0.05), and at 30 minutes 107+/-19 msec vs. 144+/-14 msec control (p<0.05). In adenosine pre-treated group, the MAP50 was significantly shortened than control group throughout 40 minutes occlusion period;at 5 minutes 90+/-8 msec (p<0.05), at 10 minutes 77+/-9 msec (p<0.05), at 20 minutes 92+/-8 msec (p<0.05), and at 30 minutes 103+/-8 msec (p<0.05). Nicorandil pretreatment pronounced the ischemic shortening of MAP50 in ischemic area and the effect was significant during early ischemic period;at 10 minutes 98+/-22 msec (p<0.05 vs. control). In pretreatment groups with SPT, polymyxin B or glibenclamide, the ischemic preconditioning of MAP50 measured in non-ischemic area was not significantly different compared with control group. MAP50 measured in ischemic area during reperfusion was not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, adenosine receptor-protein kinase C-KATP channel activation and monophasic action potential duration shortening during ischemia play an important role in myocardial protection during ischemic injury.
Action Potentials* ; Adenosine* ; Animals ; Cats* ; Glyburide ; Infarction ; Ischemia ; Ischemic Preconditioning* ; Nicorandil ; Phosphotransferases ; Polymyxin B ; Protein Kinase C* ; Protein Kinases* ; Receptors, Purinergic P1* ; Reperfusion

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the expression levels of p65 and S100 in the rat masseter muscle after the injection of different concentrations of botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A). METHODS: We injected either 5 or 10 U of BTX-A into both masseter muscle of rats. As a control group, the same volume of saline was injected. After 14 days, the animals were sacrificed. Subsequently, a biopsy and immunohistochemical staining of the samples were performed using a p65 or S100 antibody. RESULTS: The cross-sectional area of each myofibril was significantly reduced by BTX-A injection (P < 0.001). The expression of p65 and S100 increased significantly with increasing concentrations of BTX-A (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The injection of BTX-A into the masseter muscle induced muscle atrophy. Subsequently, p65 and S100 expression in myoblasts were increased for the protection of muscle cells.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Biopsy ; Masseter Muscle* ; Muscle Cells ; Muscular Atrophy ; Myoblasts ; Myofibrils ; Rats

Gastric tuberculosis is rare even in the endemic areas of tuberculosis, and can mimic neoplasm by causing elevation of the mucosa with or without ulceration. Here, we report a case in which a 54-year-old female patient admitted for resection of early gastric cancer was found to have coexisting histopathologically and bacteriologically confirmed gastric cancer and tuberculosis.
Female ; Humans ; Hydrazines ; Mucous Membrane ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal ; Ulcer

Gastric tuberculosis is rare even in the endemic areas of tuberculosis, and can mimic neoplasm by causing elevation of the mucosa with or without ulceration. Here, we report a case in which a 54-year-old female patient admitted for resection of early gastric cancer was found to have coexisting histopathologically and bacteriologically confirmed gastric cancer and tuberculosis.
Female ; Humans ; Hydrazines ; Mucous Membrane ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal ; Ulcer

Thymic carcinoid tumor is a rare mediastinal tumor, which was firstly described by Rosai and Higa in 1972. A carcinoid tumor of the thymus has recently been regarded as a distinct tumor from thymoma, and is probably Kultschizky cell origin. The pathologic diagnosis of thymic carcinoid is made from findings from light microscopy, immunohistochemical studies and electron microscopy. About 50% of thymic carcinoids were seen with endocrinopathies. Recurrences and extrathoracic metastasis are characteristics of thymic carcinoids. Surgical removal of the intial and tumor recurred are considered to be the most effective treatment today. However, the role of the adjuvant radiotherapy and the chemotherapy is still uncertain. Herein we report a case of thymic carcinoid tumor, which was confirmed by operation and pathologic study.
Carcinoid Tumor* ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Recurrence ; Thymoma ; Thymus Gland ; Thymus Neoplasms

PURPOSE: Effective chest compressions may improve the return of spontaneous circulation and positive neurologic outcomes in cardiac arrest victims. Out of concern for rescuer fatigue, guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) recommend that the individual applying chest compressions should be switched every 2 minutes, but there is little evidence to support this recommendation. In this study, we investigated whether or not changing the individual who is applying chest compressions every 2 minutes during cardiopulmonary resuscitation is appropriate or not. METHODS: We recruited health personnel working at one university hospital on a volunteer basis. On a randomly assigned day, we compared the effectiveness of the use of multiple rescuers following the 2 minute guideline, versus single rescuer (rescuer-limited) in performance of CPR. The resulting data was collected by use of CPR recording technology, and chest compression quality variables including compression rate, compression depth, proportion of adequate compression depth, and proportion of incomplete recoil were recorded. RESULTS: There were statistically significant improvements in the rescuer-limited trial outcome including average compression depth (p=0.013), proportion of adequate compression depth (p=0.027), and difference in reported fatigue (0.007). CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that a rescuer-limited method is more effective than the multiple rescuer method in terms of subjective fatigue and chest compression quality metrics.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Fatigue ; Health Personnel ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Thorax

Plummer-Vinson syndrome is a complex syndrome characterized by upper esophageal webs, dysphagia, and iron deficiency anemia. This syndrome develops principally in middle-aged women, and only rarely in patients over age 80. We present a case of Plummer-Vinson syndrome occurring in an 82-year-old woman who visited the hospital because of progressive dysphagia. Esophagogram and endoscopic examination showed an upper esophageal web, and laboratory examination revealed iron deficiency anemia. Dysphagia improved after endoscopic balloon dilatation, and iron deficiency anemia improved after iron supplementation. Even Plummer-Vinson syndrome can be improved by sufficient amounts of oral ferrous sulfate and endoscopic balloon dilatation, it is important to identify the cause of iron deficiency anemia and to check for the presence of malignant disease. The common causes of anemia differ between middle-aged and elderly women, and the clinician needs to look for malignancy-induced chronic gastrointestinal tract blood loss and chronic inflammatory diseases. We report a rare case of Plummer- Vinson syndrome in a woman over 80 years of age.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anemia ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Deglutition Disorders ; Dilatation ; Female ; Ferrous Compounds ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Iron ; Plummer-Vinson Syndrome

Proteomic tools allow large-scale, high-throughput analyses for the detection, identification, and functional investigation of proteome. For detection of antigens from Haemaphysalis longicornis, 1-dimensional electrophoresis (1-DE) quantitative immunoblotting technique combined with 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) immunoblotting was used for whole body proteins from unfed and partially fed female ticks. Reactivity bands and 2-DE immunoblotting were performed following 2-DE electrophoresis to identify protein spots. The proteome of the partially fed female had a larger number of lower molecular weight proteins than that of the unfed female tick. The total number of detected spots was 818 for unfed and 670 for partially fed female ticks. The 2-DE immunoblotting identified 10 antigenic spots from unfed females and 8 antigenic spots from partially fed females. Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) of relevant spots identified calreticulin, putative secreted WC salivary protein, and a conserved hypothetical protein from the National Center for Biotechnology Information and Swiss Prot protein sequence databases. These findings indicate that most of the whole body components of these ticks are non-immunogenic. The data reported here will provide guidance in the identification of antigenic proteins to prevent infestation and diseases transmitted by H. longicornis.
Animals ; Antigens/*analysis/*immunology ; Arthropod Proteins/*analysis/*immunology ; Electrophoresis ; Immunoblotting ; Ixodidae/*chemistry ; Mass Screening ; *Proteomics ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization