Expression of beta-catenin, hMLH1, p53, Bcl-2, Bax and COX-2 in Serrated Adenomas of Colon / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Serrated adenoma of the colorectum is a recently proposed entity that is characterized by a saw-toothed structure of hyperplastic polyp and also the cytologic atypia of conventional adenoma. In contrast to conventional adenomas, the molecular features of serrated adenomas have been poorly studied. METHODS: The expression of beta-catenin and the DNA mismatch repair protein hMLH1, apoptosis regulating protein Bcl-2, Bax, p53 and COX-2 were analyzed in 28 serrated adenoma specimens and 28 tubular adenoma specimens. RESULTS: No differences were observed in the frequency of beta-catenin loss in the cell membrane between the serrated and tubular adenoma specimens. The frequency of hMLH1 loss was significantly higher in the serrated adenomas than in tubular adenomas (p 60 years old). In the tubular adenoma specimens, the frequency of p53 overexpression was increased in the dysplastic epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: The expressions of hMLH1, Bax and Bcl-2 were decreased in the serrated adenoma than in the tubular adenoma. Our data suggest that the serrated adenoma and tubular adenoma may have different pathway in their development. However, further studies including normal mucosa, hyperplastic polyp and cancer specimens are needed.

A Clinical Case Report of Hydatid Cyst of Liver / 영남의대학술지

In humans, echinococcal species produce cystic lesions primarily involving the liver and lung. Echinococcal infection is caused far more commonly by Echinococcus granulosa than by E. multilocularis, which accounts for less than 5 percent of all cases of hydatid liver disease. Hydatid disease occurs principally in sheep grazing areas, particularly in the Australia, New Zealand, Greece, Yugoslavia, Middle East, and South American countries, but with increasing migration and traveling, this disease now has a worldwide distribution. This disease is rare in Korea and only few cases have been reported. This is a clinical case report of hydatid cyst of liver caused by Echinococcus granulosus in a 52-year-old man who had been dispatched in the Vietnam from 1966 to 1968.

A case of pimary malignant melanoma originated from esophageal melanosis / 대한내과학회지

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus(PMME) is an extremely rare but aggressive disease that composes less than 0.1% of all primary malignant neoplasm of the esophagus. PMME was first reported in 1906 and nearly 180 cases of primary esophageal malignant melanoma have been published in the medical literature. Symptoms of the primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus mimic that of any malignant obstructing lesion of the esophagus and the metastatic spread by lymphatics and vascular routes are common. Resection of the tumor with an anastomotic procedure seems to be the treatment of choice, however prognosis is poor. At present, chemotherapy and immunotherapy have no major role in treatment. We report a case of 67-year-old man with primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus originated from esophageal melanosis with a review of the literature.

The Role of Radiotherapy in Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinomal(HCC) has been considered to be relatively radioresistant. The role of radiotherapy(RT) in the treatment of HCC is controversial. But RT has a role in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma as a single or combination modalities. The effect of radiotherapy on HCC was evaluated. Patients and METHODS: From January 1984 through January 2000, a total of 18 patients with unresectable HCC underwent radiotherapy alone or in conjunction with transarterial embolization(TAE). We reviewed the medical ecords of patients treated with RT and measured the tumor size using measured the tumor size using planimetry method. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate. RESULTS: The RT patients were 15 men and 3 women. The mean age was 51 years. four(22.2%) of them were accompanied with ascites. Eleven(61.1%) of them were accompanied with liver cirrhosis and their functions were 6, 3, 2 in each Child-Pugh A, B, C, respectively. A partial response(PR) was observed in 2 patients(11.1%), minimal response(MR) in 4 patients (22.2%) and no change(NC), in 11 patients(61.1%), whereas progressive disease(PD) was seen in 1 patients(6%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although the radiotherapy in HCC did not improve the survival rate. it decreased the tmor size. Radiotherapy strengthens the therapeutic efficacy when combined with TAE, but more studies are needed.

The Role of the Adenosine Receptor Subtypes and Protein Kinase C in Ischemic Preconditioning in the in Vivo Cat Heart

BACKGROUND: It is well known that ischemic preconditioning protects the heart against infarction or arrhythmias from a subsequent ischemic injury. Recent laboratory data indicate that the adenosine during the ischemic period may trigger protection via A1 or A3 adenosine receptor and also protein kinase C(PKC) plays a central role. This study was designed to determine the role of adenosine receptor subtypes and PKC in the preconditioning protection. METHODS: All cat heart groups were subjected to 40min ischemia and 30min reperfusion. The preconditioning protocol consists of 4min ischemia and then 10min of reperfusion 4 times. The effects of ischemic preconditioning, nonselective adenosine receptor blocker(SPT), an A1 specific antagonist(DPCPX) and protein kinase C inhibitor(Polymyxin B), on ischemic preconditioning were determined by infarction size. There were 5 groups : (1) control group (Group 1, n=10)(2) Ischemic preconditioned group(Group 2, n=9)(3) DPCPX pretreatment group(Group 3, n=6)(4) SPT preteatment group(Group 3, n=6)(5) Polymyxin B pretreatment group(Group 5, n=6). SPT and DPCPX were given intravenously 5 min before ischemic preconditioning. Polymyxin B was administered to cats for 30min during ischemic preconditioning period. RESULTS: Ischemic preconditioning only or pretreatment with DPCPX prior to preconditioning demonstrated a significant reduction in infarct size(22.6+/-1.5, 25.4+/-0.9% infarction of the risk zone, respectively, p<0.05) with respect to control, SPT-pretreatment, and polymyxin B-pretreatment groups(44.0+/-1.7, 43.0+/-2.0 and 40.3+/-0.4% infarction of the risk zone, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic preconditioning protects heart from subsequent ischemia. Protection was blocked by SPT and protein kinase C inhibitor(polymyxin B), but not by A1 antagonist DPCPX. The cardioprotective effects by ischemic preconditioning in the in vivo cat heart appear to be dependent on A3 adenosine receptors and activation of protein kinase C.

Influence of Balloon Size and Morphology of Coronary Stenosis on Elastic Recoil after Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

BACKGROUND: The immediate result of coronary balloon angioplasty was influenced by plastic and elastic changes of the vessel wall. After successful coronary angioplasty, the minimal luminal diameter of the dilated coronary artery segment was generally smaller than the diameter of the largest balloon catheter at the maximal inflation pressure. Several mechanisms could explain this phenomenon, including vasoconstriction, subintimal or intraplaque bleeding or edema and platelet or thrombus deposition. In addition, whenever balloon inflation results in overdistension of elastic components of the arterial wall, some degree of elastic recoil may occur. METHODS: To evaluate magnitude of elastic recoil after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in relation to lesion morphology and other procedure-related variables, 141 coronary lesions were selected from patients with acute myocardial infarction, stable angina, unstable angina and post myocardial infarction angina undergoing successful coronary angioplasty. Coronary angiograms were recorded before and after angioplasty, and during dilatation of balloon. The computer measuring program was used for the assessment of balloon diameters and coronary luminal diameters. RESULTS: 1) Of all 141 coronary lesions, percent diameter stenosis before angioplasty averaged 74.2% and after angioplasty averaged 22.5%. 2) Residual diameter stenosis was directly related to the degree of elastic recoil, the greater the elastic recoil the more severe the residual lesion immediately after angioplasty. The increase in elastic recoil corresponded to a increase in the balloon/artery ratio(p<0.05). 3) The residual diameter stenosis tended to decrease in segments dilated with an oversized balloon than with an undersized balloon(p<0.05). 4) The elastic recoil increased significantly in the subgroups of coronary segments dilated with an oversized balloon, of eccentric lesion, and type C lesion(p<0.05). 5) Percent residual stenosis was more sever in eccentric stenosis dilated with undersized balloon than in concentric stenosis. 6) Elastic recoil was greater in type C coronary segment dilated with an oversized balloon than with an undersized balloon(<0.05). 7) The lesion dilated with oversize non-compliant balloon showed more elastic recoil than with oversize compliant balloon(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Factors such as oversized balloon, eccentric lesion, type C lesion, and non-compliant balloon significantly affected increase of the elastic recoil.

Effect of Stress on Cardiovascular Autonomic Nervous Activity in Recovering Myocardial Infarction Patients and Normal Controls Measured by Power Spectral Analysis

BACKGROUND: Mental stress prebably leads to disease by the effect on autonomic nervous system, especially on cardiovascular nervous system it leads deleterious effects ranging from the apperarence or worsenig of ischemia to lethal arrhythmia or sudden death. Especially after myocardial infarction this risks were increased. PURPOSE & METHODS: In order to assess the effect of postural change and arithmetic test on the state of autonomic nervous system in patients with AMI(acute myocardial infarction) autoregressive power spectral analyses were applied to 21 healthy subjects(51.9+/-6.5 years) and 20 AMI patients(55.3+/-7.4 years) during supine, standing and arithmetic test. RESULTS: R-R interval and systolic blood pressure decreased during standing compared with during supine position but there were no remarkable changes during arithmetic test compared with during supine position. In two groups, both during standing and during arithmetic test, compared with during supine position, the remarkable increase of LF(low frequency) spectral parameters(Nu, p<0.001) and decrease of HF(high frequency) spectral parameter(Nu, p<0.001) were observed. And during arithmetic test, compared with during standing, the remarkable increase of LF spectral parameter(Nu, p<0.01) and decrease of HF spectral parameter(Nu, p<0.01) were observed. LF/HF ratio and LFCCV/HFCCV ratio, so an index of sympatho-vagal balance, significantly increased during standing and during arithmetic test compared with during supine position and the increase was more prominent during arithmetic test(p<0.05). There was no significant difference of spectral parameters beteen two groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, sympathetic activity increased during standing and during arithmetic test. Especially, during arithmetic test it induced only sympathetic activity to increase remarkably without significant hemodynamic changes. The state of autonomic nervous system 7-10 days after AMI was not different from that of healthy subjects. Among the spectral parameters, Nu was more useful than either PSD or CCV in assessing autonomic nervous activity.

Determinants of Successful Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty / 영남의대학술지

In Order to evaluate determinants of successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), PTCA was performed for 172 coronary arterial lesions in 120 patients(89 male, 31 female) at Yeungnam university hospital from Sep. 1992 to Aug 1993. The corinary artery luminal diameter at the site of the original stenosis was eveluated from end-diastolic frames of identical projections of the preangioplasty and immediate post angioplasty. The coronary luminal and balloon diameters were measured with using of computer measuring system. Overall success rate of 172 attempted lesions was 87.2%. Success rate of female patients was 93.5% and higher than those of male patients. According to the clinical diagnosis, success rate in stable angina was 93.7% and higher than those of post myocardial infarction angina, unstable angina and acute myocardial infarcrion. Success rate of American Heart Association type C lesion was 65.5% and lower those of type A(95.7%), type B (89.%). There was significantly difference in preangioplasty luminal stenosis, elastic recoil and length of lesion between successful PTCA group and failed PTCA group. Success rate of lesion location at a bed >45° and presence of intracoronary thrombus were lower than than those of other angiographic findings. In coclusion, primary angioplasty success was affected by specific angiographic factors, Stenosis severity, thrombus, lesion location at a bend >45°, elastic recoil, and length of lesion were the principle of determinants of coronary angioplasty success rate.

Prevalene of Secondary Hypertension in Yeungnam University Hospital / 영남의대학술지

We studied the incidence and results of treatment of secondary hypertension in Yeungnam University Hospital. Nineteen hundred fifty patients with hypertension were included from march 1990 to march 1994. We analysed the prevalence of secondary hypertension and results of treatment. The incidence of secondary hypertension in Yeungnam University Hospital was six percent. The most common underlying causes of secondary hypertension was renal parenchymal disease. Patients with three forms of potentially reversible secondary hypertension, namely, renovascular hypertension, endocrine disease, exogenous hormone, were assed to determine whether surgery or withdrawal of the exogenous hormane had led to an improvement in blood pressure control. The incidence of secondary hypertension in Yeungnam University Hospital was low(6%), but some of these are curable. Thus it is very inportant that evaluate the secondary hypertension.

A Case of Disappearing Symptoms Developed Repetitively in a Complete Atrioventricular Block Patient Implanted Bipolar Permanent Pacemaker After Converting It into Unipolar System / 영남의대학술지

Pacemaker malfunctions are secondary to alterations of the preset pacing rate, irregular pacing failure of sensing, failure of cardiac capture or depolarization, and various combinations of these events. A 76 years old male patients was admitted due to pacemaker malfunction. 2 years ago, he was diagnosed as complete atrioventricular block. And then bipolar permanent pacemaker was implanted. Since then syncopal attack developed repetitivly. 12 lead ECG and 24 hour holter moniter monitoring, revealed pacing and sensing failure, thus we converted bipolar system into unipolar system. since then syncopal attack did not developed again.

Two cases report of bronchial carcinoid tumors / 영남의대학술지

Bronchial carcinoid tumor was a low grade malignant and it was regarded as predictable clinical course and good survivality after surgical resection. But despite of its low grade malignant potentiality, bronchial carcinoid tumor was clearly capable of metastasizing and causing death. We present 2 cases of bronchial carcinoid tumors. One of them was typical carcinoid tumor in 44 year-old female and another was atypical carcinoid tumor in 53 year-old male patient. Currative therapeutic procedure was performed by lobectomy and wedge resection.

A case of free-floating left atrial ball thrombus in mitral stenosis / 영남의대학술지

A free-floating ball thrombus in the left atrium is a rare complication of the mitral valvular disease. A 53-year-old man was admitted for pain and paresthesia on both legs. On admission he had auscultatory sign of mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation, and the roentgenogram of his chest revealed a slight pulmonary ve..ous congestion, enlargement of the pulmonary conus and cardiomegaly. Laboratory findings including complete blood counts, coagulation studies and blood chemistry were normal. An echocardiographic examination revealed a mitral stenosis and a free-floating ball thrombus in the left atrium. We performed the emergent open heart surgery for removal of the ball thrombus and mitral replacement successfuly with Duromedics 29 mm valve. The size of thrombus was 39 X 32 X 30 mm.