To investigate recovery, growth, and activity of hepatocyte in primary culture after cell separation, the authors followed up the marker enzyme activities of golgi complex, mitochondria and biologic membrane. Thiamine pyrophosphatase, the marker enzyme of golgi complex, activity approached the level of long term culture at 4th day. Succinate dehydrogenase, the marker enzyme of mitochondria, activity decreased with time, then it maintained constant level after 4th day. Alkaline phosphatase, the marker enzyme of biological membrane, activity increased from 3rd day, and after 5th day it showed strong reaction. These data suggested that hepatocytes were stabilized and recovered normal activity 4 day after cell separation. But the main secretory function was speculated to be reduced in culture.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Cell Separation ; Golgi Apparatus ; Hepatocytes* ; Membranes ; Mitochondria ; Organelles* ; Rats* ; Succinate Dehydrogenase ; Thiamine Pyrophosphatase

PURPOSE: Current evidence indicates that ultrasonography of the breast is an important adjunct to mammography and clinical examination in the diagnosis of palpable breast abnormalities. An assessment of the value of office-based ultrasonography of a palpable breast mass performed by a breast surgeon was the aim of this work. METHODS: A 7.5 MHz linear probe was used to perform office-based ultrasonography in 109 consecutive female patients having a palpable solid breast mass between August 1998 and December 1999. Breast masses diagnosed histologically as fibroadenomas or breast cancer were included in this study. The clinical impression from the physical examination (PE), the result of officed-based ultrasonography done by a surgeon (OUSG), and comprehensive judgement engaging both PE and OUSG (PEUSG) were recorded in each patient's hospital record as benign or malignant at the first visit. The diagnostic values of PE, OUSG, PEUSG, mammography (MMG), and ultrasonography done by a radiologist (USG) were compared. RESULTS: Of 109 masses, a fibroadenoma was diagnosed in 73 patients while a carcinoma was established in 36 patients. The sensitivity, the specificity, the accuracy rate, and the kappa coefficient were 91.7%, 89.0%, 89.9%, and 0.780 for PE; 100%, 90.4%, 93.6%, and 0.862 for OUSG; 97.2%, 97.3%, 97.2%, and 0.938 for PEUSG; 90.4%, 89.4%, 90%, and 0.630 for MMG; and 88.9%, 90.9%, 90% and 0.798 for USG. The diagnostic accuracy of PEUSG was significantly higher than those of PE and MG (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that office-based ultrasonography of the breast performed by a surgeon is a useful adjunct to clinical evaluation of the breast mass and permits timely and cost-effective patient care.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Diagnosis* ; Female ; Fibroadenoma ; Hospital Records ; Humans ; Mammography ; Patient Care ; Physical Examination ; Prospective Studies* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography*

We report a case of nonsyphilitic isolated coronary ostial stenosis of the left main coronary artery observed by transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) in a 52-year-old woman with angina. The lesion was suspected during coronary angiography and it was not visualized by transthoracic echocradiography. Coronary ostial stenosis, which is potentially lethal as left main coronary artery disease, occurs rarely in the absence of other coronary artery disease. The diagnosis of ostial stenosis has been usually made by the use of coronary angiography, however, it may be difficult to diagnose at angiography if angiographic catheter is positioned across the stenotic lesion, and the unexpected serious complication during coronary angiography in such a patient may happen. The new ultrasonic imaging technique of TEE provides more detailed images of proximal coronary anatomy and coronary blood flow.
Angiography ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Humans

Psoriasis is a disease caused by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes. Pathogenesis of psoriasis is still unclear, but many reports suggest that psoriatic keratinocytes themselves may have some factors of pathogenesis. The author developed artificial psoriatic skin by culturing keratinocytes of psoriasis skin over collagen lattice which was constructed with collagen and normal fibroblasts. After the keratinocytes had grown to full layers of stratification, expression patterns of differentiation marks and ultrastructural changes were investigated by immunohistochemistry and electron microscope. The results were very similar to those of psoriasis skin in vivo as follows. Cytokeratin (CK)10, marker of initiation of differentiation of keratinocytes, was expressed in the spinous layer. CK14, marker of basal cells of stratified squamous epithelium, was expressed in the basal and spinous layer. CK16 and CK17, markers of fast turnover of squamous epithelium, were expressed in the spinous layer. Involucrin, marker of terminal differentiation of squamous epithelium, was expressed weakely over the lower spinous layer. In immuno electron microscopical study, involucrin was expressed but confined to cornified cell envelops in the horney layer. Mitochondria, rER and ribosomes were abundant in the basal layer. They continued to appear in the upper spinous layer but intermediate filaments were scarce. Keratohyalin granules were visible in some parts of the granular layer zone, but the granules were smaller and fewer. In the horney layer, cells were thicker than normal and there were many lipid droplets within the cells. Intercellular spaces were enlarged at the basal layer but disappeared in the upper spinous layer. In these results, non systematic expression of differentiation markers and ultrastructural changes suggest that psoriasis is a disease caused by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes concurrent with unstable maturation and degeneration. Artificial psoriatic skin, in exclusion of systemic or dermal effects, showed very similar results with psoriasis skin in vitro. So it was concluded that psoriasis keratinocytes had some factors of pathogenesis and this kind of model on artificial psoriatic skin can be used for further studying of psoriasis.
Antigens, Differentiation ; Collagen ; Epithelium ; Extracellular Space ; Fibroblasts ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intermediate Filaments ; Keratinocytes ; Keratins ; Mitochondria ; Psoriasis* ; Ribosomes ; Skin ; Skin, Artificial

A Radical gastrectomy can affect the dumping syndrome, reflux gastritis, injury of the autonomic nervous system and the small capacity syndrome and can cause some problems in the quality of life for post-gastrectomy patients. To minimize these complications in the treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC), various gastric-reduced operations have been discussed by gastric surgeons. A pylorus preserving gastrectomy (PPG) is a kind of reduced-gastric operation which preserves the distal portion (1.5 cm) of the gastric antrum and reduces postoperative complications such as the dumping syndrome and reflux esophagitis. However, a limitation of this operation is that complete lymph node dissection of the suprapyloric lymph node is undesirable for preservation of the pyloric branch of the vagus nerve. Nowadays, some reports state that this operation may be applicable in EGC confined to the mucosa and located at the gastric mid-body. (Purpose) This study was designed to evaluate the gastric function after PPG by using solid foods to obtain the gastric emptying time. (Materials and Method) From June 1995 to December 1995, we performed PPGs on 7 patients (4 patients with mucosal cancer, 2 patients with gastric ulcer and 1 patient with a leiomyoma) and Billroth I reconstruction in 7 patients (5 patients with mucosal cancer, 1 patient with advanced gastric cancer and 1 patient with gastric ulcer). To compare the gastric function between these two subgroups, we analyzed the lag time, T1/2 and the residual food after 100 min using 99mTc-tin-colloid-steamed eggs to obtain the gastric emptying time for the PPG group (n=7), the Billroth I reconstruction group (n=7), and the normal control group (n=7). A statistical analysis was done by using the Kruskal-Wallis test (Chi-square approximation). (Results) There were no differences in the amount of transfusion, the hospital stay, the operation time, and the body weight loss after operation between the PPG group and the Billroth I reconstruction group. The severe dumping syndrome and reflux esophagitis were found in one of the patients after Billroth I reconstruction, but were not found in PPG group. Statistically, there was no difference in T1/2 between the Billroth I reconstruction group and the PPG group; however, both lag times were longer than that of the normal control group. We also found that the residual food 100 min after oral intake was greater in both the Billroth I reconstruction and the PPG groups than in the normal control group. (Conclusion) Though both PPG and Billroth I reconstruction showed delayed gastric emptying, we found that PPG is superior to Billroth I reconstruction in lag time and in the amount of residual food after 100 min. We conclude that PPG is superior to Billroth I reconstruction in gastric motility, and if this operation is applied in indicated gastric cancer patients, post-operative complications, such as the dumping syndrome and reflux esophagitis can be reduced and the quality of life in post-gastrectomy patients can be increased.
Autonomic Nervous System ; Body Weight ; Dumping Syndrome ; Eggs ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; Gastrectomy ; Gastric Emptying ; Gastritis ; Gastroenterostomy ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Mucous Membrane ; Ovum ; Postgastrectomy Syndromes* ; Postoperative Complications ; Pyloric Antrum ; Pylorus ; Quality of Life ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Stomach Ulcer ; Vagus Nerve

Several predetermined concentrations of beta-amyloid peptide, (betaA) were administered to the rat cardiac myocyte cultures for three days to determine the effects of betaA. Stainings with congo red and crystal violet were used to evaluate the deposition of betaA in the cardiac myocytes and MTT assay was used to elucidate the cytotoxic effects of betaA by anlaysis of cell viability. Beating rates and morphological changes were investigated with inverted microscope and TEM was used to study the fine structures. Administration of 0.5 microgram/ml of betaA to cardiac myocytes induced the reduction of beating rate, however, it did neither affect the viability nor fine structures. No significant differences in cell viability or fine structures were noted in the experimental groups which were exposed to 5 microgram/ml or higher concentration of betaA. Deposition of betaA was confirmed in the cytoplasm of betaA treated cardiac myocytes with congo red and crystal violet amyloid stains. The viability of cardiac myocytes exposed to betaA was found to be reduced significantly (19%) compared to control cultures with the MTT assay. Cardiac myocytes treated with betaA presented a reduced cytoplasmic area that appeared very condensed under inverted microscope. Mitochondrial abnormalities in betaA treated cardiac myocytes included their significant enlargement, vacuolization, disorganization or paucity of cristae, paracrystalline inclusion, and accumulation of amorphous material in mitochondrial space. Mitochondrial abnormalities were present sometimes in betaA treated cardiac myocytes without disorganization of myofibils or degeneration of other cell organelles. To understand the mechanism involved in amyloid deposit and its role in pathogenesis of the diseases such as Alzheimer and inclusion body myositis (IBM), a need for in vitro model is imperative. This model of betaA treated cultured cardiac myocytes represent a amyloidosis model, and it offers several advantages for future studies of betaA to help elucidate the pathogenesis of amyloid diseases. For example, cardiac myocytes can be easily accessible, and since cardiac myocytes can be cultured for quite a long time, it is possible to study morphological and physiological changes consequent to amyloid deposits.
Amyloid ; Amyloidosis ; Animals ; Cell Survival ; Coloring Agents ; Congo Red ; Cytoplasm ; Gentian Violet ; Myocytes, Cardiac* ; Myositis, Inclusion Body ; Organelles ; Plaque, Amyloid ; Rats

We studied the efficacy and safety of using topical mitomycin C(MMC) as an adjunct to glaucoma filtration surgery. Trabeculectomy was performed in 23 eyes of 19 patients with poor surgical prognosis. After the preparation of a scleral flap. 0.2mg or 0.4 mg/ml MMC was applied to the exposed tissue for 5 minutes. The wound was then irrigated with 250ml of normal saline. The follow-up period was from 2 to 12 months(mean 7.8 +/- 4.3 months). Preoperative mean intraocular pressure(IOP) was 33.8 +/- 7.1 mmHg, ranged from 25 to 51 mmHg. The mean IOPs after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months were 10.3 +/- 4.4, 12.5 +/- 6.9, 12.4 +/- 6.6 and 12.3 +/- 6.7 mmHg, respectively. Nineteen(82.6%) among 23 eyes were successfully controlled with the IOP below 20 mmHg without any antiglaucomatous therapies, and success rate was 0.747 by Kaplan-Meier method at Postoperative 12 months. There were early postoperative complications of aqueous leaking from conjunctival wound in 3 eyes(13.0%), shallow anterior chamber in 2 eyes, and hyphema in one eye and one eye had long-term hypotony lasting more than 3 months. Although MMC is simple to use and a potent adjunct to glaucoma filtration surgery, more work will be needed to determine the mechanism of action, indications, dosage and optimal exposure time of MMC.
Anterior Chamber ; Filtering Surgery* ; Filtration* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma* ; Humans ; Hyphema ; Mitomycin* ; Postoperative Complications ; Prognosis ; Trabeculectomy ; Wounds and Injuries

Although lymphoma may involve any part of gastrointestinal tract either primary or secondary, esophageal involvement is rare. Secondary esopahgeal involvement of lymphoma is showing an incidence between 0% and 6% with autopsy series and lesser then 1% in living patients. The occurrence of a tracheoesophageal fistula(TEF) in patient with lymphoma is even more rare. We describe one case of TEF due to secondary esophageal invasion of T-cell lympboma and review the literature, with particular attention to chest CT and esophagoscopic finding, and endoscopic biopsy result.
Autopsy ; Biopsy ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, T-Cell* ; T-Lymphocytes* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tracheoesophageal Fistula*

OBJECTIVES: Patients with chronic renal failure have increased hemorrhagic tendency due to an uremic platelet dysfunction and complications from anticoagulants used in hemodialysis. They are also prone to have thrombotic complications in the cerebral vessels, coronary arteries and A-V fistula, due to hypercoagulability from changes in various factors. Recently, deficiencies in plasma protein C and S, which are physiological anticoagulants, have been reported to cause thrombosis. In chronic renal failure, plasma protein C and S activities are known to be decreased. METHODS: In the present study, activities and antigen concentrations of plasma protein C and S, as well as AT-III activities were investigated in three groups; the normal control group, the predialysis group of chronic renal failure patients treated conservatively, and the hemodialysis group. The findings were analyzed for their relationship to hypercoagulability. RESULTS: 1) The activities of plasma protein C, S and antithrombin-III were significantly lower in the predialysis chronic renal failure group as compared to the control. Antithrombin-III concentrations in the hemodialysis group assayed immediately prior to dialysis were significantly lower than those of the control group. But, protein C antigen concentrations in the hemodialysis group assayed immediately prior to dialysis were significantly higher than those of the control group. There was no significant difference between these groups in plasma protein C activities, and plasma protein S activities and antigen concentrations. 2) In the hemodialysis group, antithrombin-III activities, antigen concentration and activities of plasma protein C were significantly higher than after dialysis as compared to those before the dialysis. 3) There were no significant difference in plasma protein C, S and antithrombin-III activities and plasma protein C and S antigen concentrations in hemodialysis patients between with and without thrombosis at arterio-venous fistula site. However, plasma protein C and antithrombin-III activities were significantly lower in those with thrombosis as compared to those of the normal control group. There were no significant difference in plasma protein C and S activities and antigen concentrations in those without thrombosis as compared to those of the normal control group. 4) There were no significant diffrences in plasma protein C, protein S and antithrombin-III activities and antigen concentrations in dialysis patients with and without recombinant erythropoietin treatment. 5) There were no significant correlations between serum creatinine and creatinine clearance, and plasma antithrombin-III, protein C and protein S activities and antigen concentrations in predialysis group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the decrease in plasma antithrombin-III, protein C and S could be the factors causing hypercoagulability in chronic renal failure patients, and the decreased activities of these factors may return to normal by dialysis. In the hemodialysis group, there were no significant diffrences in plasma protein C and S and antithrombin-III activities and antigen concentrations between the group which showed clinical thrombosis and the group which did not. However, in those who had thrombosis, plasma protein C and antithrombin-III activities are significantly lower than the control group. Administration of recombinant human erythropoietin does not appear to affect the activities of plasma protein C and S and antithrombin-III. In predialysis chronic renal failure patients, there was no significant relationship between renal function and plasma protein C and S and antithrombin-III.
Anticoagulants ; Arteries ; Blood Platelets ; Coronary Vessels ; Creatinine ; Dialysis ; Erythropoietin ; Fistula ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Plasma ; Protein C* ; Protein S ; Renal Dialysis ; Thrombophilia ; Thrombosis