Pulmonary Function tests are widely used in clinical practice in the assessment of a variety of patients. the values obtained in this test are obtained using the standard formula made by Morris et al based on the age and height of Caucasian population.

in this study, a comparison was made of the PFT results of 358 patients using both the Morris Standard formula and those made by Roa et al based on a filipino population, using the statistical program MICROSTAT. results revealed a statistically significant difference in practically all variables, except for the FEV% and the FVC in males, this means therefore that the filipino standard developed by Roa et al should be used since the final patient classification significantly changes.

The “Kokon Hoi” was compiled by Koga Tsugen and was the most widely used formulary in the Edo era. Here are the results of this author's examination of various “Kokon Hoi” editions.1) Koga Tsugen received the source book of “Kokon Hoi” from the publisher Umemura, and compiled “Sanpo Kokon Hoi”.2) The original edition of “Kokon Hoi” was published by Umemura in around1692. This edition was a lengthwise book and contained 1263 prescriptions, which is the fewest of all the editions examined here.3) Umemura published an expanded edition of the original “Kokon Hoi” around1696. This was an oblong book, and included almost all of the prescriptions of the original “Kokon Hoi” with an additional 273 prescriptions.4) At the request of Umemura, Koga Tsugen published “Sanpo Kokon Hoi” with an additional 348 prescriptions in 1733, and subsequently, “Jutei Kokon Hoi” with an additional 43 prescriptions in 1747. “Jutei Kokon Hoi” was then reprinted in the years 1780, 1808 and 1862.
Books ; Editions ; Comparative Study ; historical period ; seconds

Alcohol influences the neuroadaptation of brain cells where receptors and enzymes like protein kinase C (PKC) exist. Naltrexone acts on opioid receptors. However, other mechanisms of action remain unknown. We prepared SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, and fed them with 150 mM ethanol for 72 h followed by treatment with naltrexone for 24 h. We performed microarray analysis and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Our results showed that PKC epsilon increased 1.90 times and showed an overall decreasing pattern as time increased. Phosphorylated ERK also increased 2.0 times according to the change of PKC epsilon. Integrin alpha7 increased 2.32 times and showed an increasing pattern as time increased. In conclusion, naltrexone influences PKC epsilon neuronal signaling system and endothelial adhesion molecule integrin alpha7 in addition to the well-known opioid system.
Antigens, CD/*metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Comparative Study ; DNA, Complementary/genetics ; Humans ; Integrin alpha Chains/*metabolism ; Naltrexone/*pharmacology ; *Neuroblastoma/enzymology/metabolism/pathology ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Protein Kinase C-epsilon/*metabolism ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Time Factors

GITR (glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor) is a recently identified member of the TNF receptor superfamily. The receptor is preferentially expressed on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and GITR signals break the suppressive activity of the subset. In this study, we wanted to reveal the in vivo function of GITR in chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), a lupus-like autoimmune disease. A single injection of anti-GITR monoclonal antibody (DTA-1) was effective in blocking the progression of cGVHD in the parent-into-F1 model. Treatment of DTA-1 significantly decreased levels of IgG1 anti-DNA autoantibody, inhibited glomerulonephritis, and increased survival. The DTA-1-mediated inhibition of autoantibody production correlated with deletion of B cells and could occur independently of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. Our results indicate that anti-GITR monoclonal antibody may be used as a potential immunotherapeutic agent for preventing cGVHD.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use ; B-Lymphocytes/immunology ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/drug effects/immunology/transplantation ; Comparative Study ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Glucocorticoids/*pharmacology ; Graft vs Host Disease/*prevention & control ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred DBA ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/*immunology ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Transplantation, Homologous

The gastrointestinal functions of secretin have been fairly well established. However, its function and mode of action within the nervous system remain largely unclear. To gain insight into this area, we have attempted to determine the effects of secretin on neuronal differentiation. Here, we report that secretin induces the generation of neurite outgrowth in pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. The expressions of Tau and beta-tubulin, neuronal differentiation markers, are increased upon secretin stimulation. In addition, secretin induces sustained mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation and also stimulates the cAMP secretion. Moreover, the neurite outgrowth elicited by secretin is suppressed to a marked degree in the presence of either PD98059, a specific MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor, or H89, a specific protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor. Taken together, these observations demonstrate that secretin induces neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells through cAMP-MAPK pathway, and provide a novel insight into the manner in which secretin participates in neuritogenesis.
Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects ; Comparative Study ; Cyclic AMP/analysis/metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Immunoblotting ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/*metabolism ; Neurites/*drug effects ; Neurons/cytology/drug effects ; PC12 Cells ; Rats ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Secretin/*pharmacology

Although laparoscopic surgery has become more popular, its technical difficulties have limited the applications of this technique to liver surgery. We report here on our experience with liver resection with using the laparoscopy-assisted (Lap-Assist) and total laparoscopic (Total-Lap) methods. From April 2001 to June 2003, a total of 20 laparoscopic anatomical resections of the liver were retrospectively reviewed. These were comprised of 10 cases in which the Lap-Assist method was used (these were performed during the early study period), and 10 cases in which the Total-Lap was used (these were done in the later study period). In the Lap-Assist group, the following resections were performed: 7 cases of left lateral sectionectomy, a case of left hemihepatectomy, a case of right hemihepatectomy and a case of open conversion. In the Total-Lap group, 6 cases of left hemihepatectomy and 4 cases of left lateral sectionectomy were performed. The sizes of the incisions were 8.7 cm and 4.6 cm, respectively, (p=0.000). There were no differences in the operation times, the transfusion amounts, the starting days of the patients' diets, the complication rates or the durations of the hospital stay between the two groups. Both the laparoscopy-assisted method and the total laparoscopic method are feasible to use for performing anatomical liver resection.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/surgery ; Cholelithiasis/surgery ; Comparative Study ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy/*methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy/*methods ; Length of Stay ; Liver/pathology/*surgery ; Liver Neoplasms/surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Mesenchymal hamartoma (MH) of the liver is an uncommon benign lesion related to ductal plate malformation. It is usually cystic and mainly composed of myxoid mesenchymal tissue with tortuous or cystic bile ducts. In order to characterize the clinicopathological features of MH, the Korean Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group collected a total of 17 MH cases diagnosed in 7 hospitals from 1992 to 2002 and compared the clinicopathologic findings of cystic MH with those of solid variant. Among the 17 cases, 7 (41%) were solid. The solid form showed a higher serum level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), the smaller bile ducts, and more frequent proliferation of vessels. Serum AFP level was related to the amount of hepatocytes. Two of seven solid cases harbored a larger amount of evenly distributed hepatocytes and proliferation of small duct with focal hepatocyte-bile duct transition. These histologic findings are similar to those of mixed hamartoma. Therefore, the mixed hamartoma and the MH of both solid and cystic types could be the variants of one disease spectrum. And hepatocytes within MH might be rather a genuine tumor component than entrapped into the tumor. In conclusion, MH can show various clinicopathological features and recognition of these features will facilitate accurate diagnosis of MH.
Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Comparative Study ; Cysts/pathology ; Female ; Hamartoma/*pathology ; Humans ; Infant ; Liver/pathology ; Liver Diseases/*pathology ; Male

The effects of treatment with oral capecitabine vs. bolus 5-FU, administered concurrently with preoperative radiotherapy, were compared in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). One hundred and twenty-seven patients with LARC received concurrent preoperative chemoradiation using two cycles bolus 5-FU (500 mg/m2/day) plus leucovorin (LV, 20 mg/m2/day) (Group I). Another LARC group received concurrent chemoradiation using two cycles 1,650 mg/m2/day of oral capecitabine and 20 mg/m2/day of LV (Group II, 97 patients). Radiation was delivered to the primary tumor at 50.4 Gy in both groups. Definitive surgery was performed 6 weeks after the completion of chemoradiation. A pathologic complete remission was achieved in 11.4% of patients in Group I and in 22.2% of patients in Group II (p= 0.042). The down-staging rates of the primary tumor and lymph nodes were 39.0/ 68.7% in Group I and 61.1/87.5% in Group II (p=0.002/0.005). Sphincter-preserving surgery was possible in 42.1% of patients in Group I and 66.7% of those in Group II (p=0.021). Grade 3 or 4 leucopenia, diarrhea, and radiation dermatitis were statistically more prevalent in Group I than in Group II, while the opposite was true for grade 3 hand-foot syndrome. Preoperative chemoradiation using oral capecitabine was better tolerated than bolus 5-FU and was more effective in the promotion of both down-staging and sphincter preservation in patients with LARC.
Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Aged ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/administration & dosage/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Comparative Study ; Deoxycytidine/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Diarrhea/chemically induced ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Fatigue/chemically induced ; Female ; Fluorouracil/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Humans ; Leukopenia/chemically induced ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Postoperative Complications/therapy ; Rectal Neoplasms/*drug therapy/radiotherapy/surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

TNF-alpha mediated apoptosis of the hematopoietic cells has been thought to contribute to the ineffective hematopoiesis observed in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The combination of pentoxifylline (P) and ciprofloxacin (C) has been shown to reduce the serum levels of TNF-alpha, and an earlier trial of P and C with dexamethasone (D) provided good palliation for patients with MDS. The purpose of this study is to assess the hematologic response to PCD therapy for patients suffering with MDS. 21 of 25 patients who completed at least of 12 weeks of treatment were evaluable for the treatment efficacy. At baseline, the patient's median age was 60 yr (range: 18-75 yr). The diagnoses according to WHO classification included: RA (n=5), RCMD (n=10), RARS (n=1), RCMD/RS (n=1), RAEB (3), and CMML (n=1). 11 patients (52%) had at least single lineage response. 3 patients (11%) showed improvement of triple lineage cytopenia. There were no differences in the response rates between the FAB subtypes. The median time to response was 4 weeks (range: 2-12 weeks), and it is interesting that 9 of 11 patients who had a response remained without relapse for a median of 177 days (range: 78-634 days). These preliminary results indicate that anti-cytokine therapy with PCD is an effective and well tolerated palliative treatment for patients with MDS.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Infective Agents/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Apoptosis/*drug effects ; Ciprofloxacin/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Comparative Study ; Dexamethasone/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Erythrocyte Count ; Female ; Hematologic Agents/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes/*blood/drug therapy ; Nausea/chemically induced ; Pentoxifylline/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Platelet Count ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/*metabolism

Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is generally believed to be elevated after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) due to whole body inflammation. Aprotinin has an antiinflammatory action, and it was hypothesized that aprotinin would attenuate the PVR increase induced by CPB. Ten mongrel dogs were placed under moderately hypothermic CPB for 2 hr. The experimental animals were divided into a control group (n=5, group I) and an aprotinin group (n=5, group II). In group II, aprotinin was administered during pre-bypass (50,000 KIU/kg) and post-bypass (10,000 KIU/kg) periods. Additional aprotinin (50,000 KIU/kg) was mixed in CPB priming solution. PVRs at pre-bypass and post-bypass 0, 1, 2, 3 hr were calculated, and lung tissue was obtained after the experiment. Post-bypass PVRs were significantly higher than prebypass levels in all animals (n=10, p<0.001). PVR elevation in group II was less than in group I at 3 hr post-bypass (p=0.0047). Water content of the lung was lower in group II (74+/-9.4%) compared to that of group I (83+/-9.5%), but the difference did not reach significance (p=0.076). Pathological examination showed a near normal lung structure in group II, whereas various inflammatory reactions were observed in group I. We concluded that aprotinin may attenuate CPB-induced PVR elevation through its anti-inflammatory effect.
Animals ; Aprotinin/*pharmacology ; *Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Comparative Study ; Dogs ; Hemostatics/pharmacology ; Lung/*blood supply/metabolism/pathology ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Vascular Resistance/*drug effects ; Water/metabolism