ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease that is usually observed in patients with an individual or familial history of atopic diseases, and AD is precipitated by environmental factors, including mite antigens. AD is known to be generated by an imbalance of both Th1 and Th2 cytokines. However, the exact etiology of AD is unclear. The leaves of Acer ginnala (AGL) have been demonstrated to have an anti-oxidant effect. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to investigate the effect of AGL on AD-like skin lesions and the other factors related to an immune response. METHODS: The AGL was applied to the AD-like skin lesions on the backs of NC/Nga mice. The efficacy of AGL in the NC/Nga mice was evaluated by the changes of severity of the skin lesions (a modified SCORAD). Blood was collected from the retro-orbital area and the abdominal vena cava. The levels of eosinophils, immunoglobulin (Ig) E and Th2-related cytokines in the blood were measured. RESULTS: The topical application of AGL suppressed the development of AD-like skin lesions. The percent of blood eosinophils was decreased after treatment with AGL. The serum IgE and Th2-related cytokine levels were decreased after treatment with AGL compared with those treated with base cream (the vehicle treated AD group). The IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 levels were lower than those of the vehicle treated AD group. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that AGL may exert an inhibitory effect on atopic dermatitis.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Mice , Acer , Antioxidants , Cytokines , Dermatitis, Atopic , Eosinophils , Immunoglobulin E , Immunoglobulins , Interleukin-13 , Interleukin-4 , Interleukin-5 , Mites , Skin , Skin DiseasesABSTRACT
Solitary plasmacytoma of bone, one form of plasma cell neoplasms, is relatively rare. We successfully treated two cases of solitary plasmacytoma of the spine. Both patients underwent surgery. In a 46-year-old female, the tumor of C7 vertebral body was removed completely and the patient received postoperative radiotherapy(5400 rad). After a follow-up period of 27 months, she had no local recurrence. In the other 42-yea-old male, the tumor of the T6 vertebral body was partially removed and the patient did not receive postoperative radiotherapy. After 20 months, the patient had local recurrence with serious neurological deficits(paraparesis). We removed the regrown tumor mass totally, and his symptoms and signs were improved clinically. Then he received radiotherapy(5000 rad). After the mean follow up period of 33 months, neither patient developed disseminated systemic myeloma. The outcome of solitary osseous plasmacytoma is relatively good with surgically excision followed by local irradiation. Close long term follow-up of solitary plasmacytoma of bone is needed to detect progression to multiple myeloma. We report two cases of solitary plasmacytome of bone with a brief review of the literature.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Follow-Up Studies , Multiple Myeloma , Neoplasms, Plasma Cell , Plasmacytoma , Radiotherapy , Recurrence , SpineABSTRACT
Solid hemangioblastomas of the medulla oblongata are benign vascular neoplasms located in a critical area. We experienced a case of solid hemangioblastoma originated in the medulla oblongata with the syrinx in the cervical spinal cord. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging provided precise anatomical location and radiologic features of the tumor, which facilitated its total removal. Cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders often complicate this type of surgery, and postoperative dysphagia is a frequent sequelae.
Subject(s)
Deglutition Disorders , Hemangioblastoma , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Medulla Oblongata , Spinal Cord , Vascular NeoplasmsABSTRACT
We have had the opportunity to investigate a case with traumatic middle cerebral artery occlusion. The patient was 47 years old male who developed right hemiplegia and aphasia after collision with a automobile vehicle. Cerebral arteriography demonstrated complete occlusion of the left Sylvian middle cerebral artery distal to the origin of the operculofrontal arteires. The computed tomographic scan of the brain revealed dense infarction on the left temporoparietoccipital lobe. With repeated studies on 6 weeks and 6 months after trauma, confirmed partial clearing of the previously occluded middle cerebral artery in cerebral arteriographies and on interval change in computed tomographic scans. Comparable reported cases and theories of pathogenesis are discussed.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Angiography , Aphasia , Automobiles , Brain , Hemiplegia , Infarction , Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery , Middle Cerebral Artery , ThrombosisABSTRACT
We had experienced 60 cases of chemonucleolysis with Discase(R)(chymopapain for injection) under careful patient selection of herniated lumbar discs and had followed up thereafter at least 3 months since July, 1984. Therapeutic results were generally favorable, with 90% of patients achieving either excellent or good(satisfactory) results. Three patients only had poor or failure results. There was no major anaphylatic reaction and no serious neurologic complications. Back spasm and stiffness/soreness were the most frequently encountered complications.
Subject(s)
Humans , Chymopapain , Intervertebral Disc Chemolysis , Patient Selection , SpasmABSTRACT
Cerebral rete mirabile, as an entity of particular disease, have been reported by many authors with various discussion in opinion. But, until now, despite of good agreement of its angiographic opinions, its exact pathogenesis and etiology has not been established. Authors have been experienced a pair of cerebral rete mirabile in identical twin girls, which were confirmed by cerebral angiography.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Cerebral Angiography , Twins, MonozygoticABSTRACT
Cerebral vasospasm is one of the most serious complication after subarachnoid hemorrhage due to aneurysmal rupture. To date, the treatment of vasospasm remains unsatisfactory in a large numbers of cases in spite of recent therapeutic advances. Prompt diagnosis of this complication, before the establishment of lasting ischemic damage, should obviously improve the results of treatment. The possibility of predicting which patients will develop vasospasm, constitutes a further advance in the management of this complication. In this study, the value of the computed tomographic scan for the prediction of vasospasm was investigated in a consecutive series of 67 patients submitted to computed tomography within 7 days of the most recent subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Subject(s)
Humans , Aneurysm , Diagnosis , Rupture , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage , Vasospasm, IntracranialABSTRACT
Spinal ependymomas originate in the ependymal lining and grow rather slowly which allows them to reach considerable size and length. The great majority of primary tumors of the cauda equina are ependymomas and show a rather marked predilection for the male. Histologically ependymomas are benign but merastasis and anaplasia have been reported. The basic architectural structures of the ependymoma are the ependymal rosettes and pseudo-rosettes. Intradural spinal arteriovenous malformmations are relatively rare lesions and found only at autopsy or incidentally during surgical operations before the advent of investigative procedure. Development of myelography and spinal angiography have shown that vascular malformations of the spinal cord are not rare. Male is more predominant than female. The etiology and pathophysiological mechanisms are uncertain but many authors have believed that congenital, trauma, inflammations, tumoral processes, vasculitis and abnormal posture are influenced on A-V malformations of the spinal cord. No reports have been noticed about giant ependymomas of the cauda equina combined with spinal A-V malformations. We have experienced a case of giant ependymomas of the cauda equina associated with thoracic intradural spinal A-V malformations in forty-two year-old male and reviewed the literatures.