Higher incidence of sperm granuloma in the epididymis of C57BL/6N mice / 한국실험동물학회지

C57BL/6N mice are inbred strains widely used in biomedical research. Hence, a large amount of basic data has been accumulated. However, in the field of histopathology, spontaneous data for relatively younger mice that are used more frequently are not yet abundant, in contrast to data for older mice and their neoplastic lesions. To acquire the essential background data required by various research and toxicological assessments, 120 mice of the C57BL/6N strain (10 and 13 weeks of age) were collected from two institutions (From Korea and Japan) and subjected to histopathological analyses of the major organs (liver, spleen, kidney, thymus, heart, testis, epididymis). The results showed significantly higher incidence of sperm granulomas in the epididymides (10-56%) of these mice, compared with that in other strains or species of lab animals. Upon closer inspection, oligospermia/clear cell hyperplasia, cellular debris, and tubular vacuolation were also observed in the epididymides with sperm granulomas. Moreover, diseased organs were significantly heavier than healthy ones. Immunohistochemical staining showed a significant increase in the chromatic figures of cysteine-dependent aspartate-directed proteases-3 (caspase-3) and cleaved-poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (c-PARP), and damages to the tubule due to spontaneous apoptosis, which may have led to the sperms leaking out of the tubule, causing the granuloma. To conclude, spontaneous sperm granuloma can occur in 10- and 13-week-old C57BL/6N mice and may thus affect the results of various studies using these mice. Therefore, sperm granuloma in epididymis needs to be carefully considered as an important factor when design the study using C57BL/6N.

Reference values of clinical pathology parameters in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) used in preclinical studies / 한국실험동물학회지

Nonhuman primates are increasingly used in biomedical research since they are highly homologous to humans compared to other rodent animals. However, there is limited reliable reference data of the clinical pathology parameters in cynomolgus monkeys, and in particular, only some coagulation and urinalysis parameters have been reported. Here, we reported the reference data of clinical chemical, hematological, blood coagulation, and urinalysis parameters in cynomolgus monkeys. The role of sex differences was analyzed and several parameters (including hematocrit, hemoglobin, red blood cell, blood urea nitrogen, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine kinase, gamma-glutamyl tranferase, and lactate dehydrogenase) significantly differed between male and female subjects. In addition, compared to previous study results, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine kinase, and aspartate aminotransferase showed significant variation. Interstudy differences could be affected by several factors, including age, sex, geographic origin, presence/absence of anesthetics, fasting state, and the analytical methods used. Therefore, it is important to deliberate with the overall reference indices. In conclusion, the current study provides a comprehensive and updated reference data of the clinical pathology parameters in cynomolgus monkeys and provides improved assessment criteria for evaluating preclinical studies or biomedical research.

Nasal and Pulmonary Toxicity of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in Rats

In recent decades, titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles have been used in various applications, including paints, coatings, and food. However, data are lacking on the toxicological aspects associated with their use. The aim of this study was to assess the inhalation toxicity of TiO2 nanoparticles in rats by using inhalation exposure. Male Wistar rats were exposed to TiO2 nanoparticles for 2 weeks (6 hr/day, 5 days/week) at a mean mass concentration of 11.39 +/- 0.31 mg/m3. We performed time-course necropsies at 1, 7, and 15 days after exposure. Lung inflammation and injury were assessed on the basis of the total and individual cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and by biochemical assays, including an assay for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Furthermore, histopathological examination was performed to investigate the lungs and nasal cavity of rats. There were no statistically significant changes in the number of BALF cells, results of biochemical assays of BALF and serum, and results of cytokine analysis. However, we did observe histopathological changes in the nasal cavity tissue. Lesions were observed at post-exposure days 1 and 7, which resolved at post-exposure day 15. We also calculated the actual amounts of TiO2 nanoparticles inhaled by the rats. The results showed that the degree of toxicity induced by TiO2 nanoparticles correlated with the delivered quantities. In particular, exposure to small particles with a size of approximately 20 nm resulted in toxicity, even if the total particle number was relatively low.

Microchimerism of Fetal Origin in Ovarian Tissues from Women with Pelvic Endometriosis / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether fetal microchimeric cells were detected in ovarian tissues with pelvic endometriosis. METHODS: Ovarian tissues with endometriosis were obtained from five women who had at least one live-born son and who underwent enucleation of endometriotic cyst or oophorectomy after a diagnosis of endometriotic cyst. Control tissues were obtained from five women with endometriosis who had no pregnant history. Tissue sections were analyzed with fluorescence in situ hybridization for the presence of fetal cells, defined by X and Y chromosome. RESULTS: Fluorescence in situ hybridization using paraffin-embedded ovarian specimens was performed successfully. Male cells were found in ovarian tissues from all five patients. No male cells were found in ovarian tissues from all five controls. CONCLUSION: Fetal microchimeric cells, possibly from feto-maternal cell trafficking were detected in ovarian tissues with endometriosis were obtained from women who had prior male pregnancies. Further study is necessary to understand the role of persistent fetal microchimeric cells in the progression of endometriosis.

Endoscopic diagnosis of the depth of invasion in early gastric cancer / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: In order to decide on a strategy of the treatment against gastric cancer, an accurate preoperative evaluation of the depth of tumor invasion is essential. We have studied the depth of invasion in early gastric cancer by endoscopic findings.METHODS: The preoperative endoscopic diagnosis of the depth of invasion was compared with pathologic findings in a total of 108 cases with early gastric cancers (EGC) which were confirmed pathologically in resected specimen. RESULTS: Of one hundred eight EGCs, forty-one were elevated type, others were flat-depressed type. There was no relationship between the depth of invasion and macroscopic type of EGC. All of the elevated typed EGCs were differentiated carcinoma. In the depressed typed EGCs, Forty-five percent was differentiated carcinoma and fifty-five percent was undifferentiated carcinoma. The incidence of lymph node metastasis in submucosal cancers (14.8%) was significantly more than in mucosal cancers (1.6%). Among the submucosal cancers, the incidence of nodal metastasis in double lesions (100%) was significantly more than in single lesions (14.8%). In the elevated typed EGCs, mucosal cancers were small in size less than 3.0 cm (83%), and contained whitish patches, and showed uneveness and erosion. Submucosal cancers were large in size, and contained ulcers, and showed submucosal tumor-like shapes and bridging folds. In the depressed typed EGCs, it was difficult to determine endoscopically the depth of invasion. Submucosal cancers showed the fusion of converging folds and unevenness of the depressed base. The regularity of the depressed base without ulcer was primarily found in mucosal cancer. CONCLUSION: When the tumor was elevated, the endoscopic diagnosis for the depth of invasion was determined easily by size of the lesion and features of the elevated surface. For the depressed tumor, diagnostic clues were the pattern of the base of the depression and the converging fold, and the endoscopic diagnosis of the depth of invasion was much more difficult than the elevated type EGC.

A Clinical Study of the Uncut Roux-en-Y Gastrojejunostomy Using a Short Roux Limb after Subtotal Gastrectomy

PURPOSE: The restoration of intestinal continuity following subtotal gastrectomy for gastric malignancy as well as benign gastric disease is an important area for research. The aim of this study was to compare the uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction using a short Roux limb (20 to 30 cm) with the uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction using a long Roux limb (more than 40 cm). METHODS: 48 patients (33 men and 15 women) underwent uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction using a short Roux limb (short Roux limb group), and 32 patients (19 men and 13 women) had the Roux-en-Y operation using a long Roux limb (long Roux limb group). We assessed the outcome of these operations on the occurrence of Roux stasis syndrome, the endoscopic findings, and the required period for the nasogastric tube. RESULTS: Roux stasis syndrome occurred in 9 patients (18.8%) in the short Roux limb group, and in 10 patients (31.3%) in the long Roux limb group (p value 0.201). Pathological endoscopic finding were observed in 5 patients (10.4%) in the short Roux limb group, and in 6 patients (18.8%) in the long Roux limb group (p=0.292). CONCLUSION: Comparing the short Roux limb group with the long Roux limb group in uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction after subtotal gastrectomy, We can conclude that uncut Roux-en-Yreconstruction using a short Roux limb is an effective reconstruction procedure to alleviate Roux stasis syndrome, reflux gastritis and esophagitis.

Correspondence of Endoscopic Findings with Histologic Differentiation in Early Gastric Cancer / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the endoscopic findings of early gastric cancer according to histological differentiation. METHODS: One hundred eight cases of early gastric cancer (EGC) which had been confirmed surgically over a 1 year and 7 month period, were studied to assess the relationship between histological differentiation and endoscopic findings. RESULTS: All elevated types of EGC (41 cases) were found to be differentiated carcinoma. 48.2% (30/67 cases) of the depressed type EGC was determined to be differentiated carcinoma, while the others (51.8%) were undifferentiated carcinoma. Twenty-four of thirty cases with differentiated depressed type EGC showed a reddish discolored surface (80%), and the others manifested a whitish or mixed colored surface of red and white. In the undifferentiated depressed type EGC, 73% (27/37 cases) revealed a whitish or mixed colored surface, while the others (27%) showed a reddish discoloration. In the differentiated depressed type EGC, the character of the depressed surface was mainly regular and soft or fine granular (77%), while that of the undifferentiated cases appeared as uneven large granules (43.2%) or fine granules (43.2%), sclerotic (2.8%) and/or elevated (10.8%). The margin of the depressed type EGC with differentiated carcinoma was mainly of a shoaling beach type (83.3%), and that of the undifferentiated carcinoma was not uniform and existed as a cliff type (60%), Riasis coast type (11.4%) and shoaling beach type (28.6%). CONCLUSIONS: All elevated types of EGC showed differentiated types, and histological differentiation of depressed type EGC was macroscopically determined by the size of lesions, color, and character of the depressed surface and margin of the depression.

Gastroduodenal Lesion Accompanied in Obstructive Biliary Disease / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Various gastric and duodenal lesions with gastrofiberscopy were observed in patients with obstructive biliary disease. METHODS: A clinical analysis of the endoscopic findings was carried out on 88 patients with obstructive biliary disease, from February 1994 to January 1998, in the department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital. RESULTS: 1) In the 88 patients, sex distribution showed predominance in the males (47/41) and most of the cases involved those in their 60's. 2) The obstructive biliary diseases were included, common bile duct stones (53.4%), common bile duct cancer (18.2%), pancreatic cancer (18.2%), Klatskin tumor (4.5%) and common hepatic duct cancer (3.4%). 3) The gastroduodenal lesions involved in the obstructive biliary diseases were, erosive gastritis (22.7%), duodenal ulcer (8.0%), gastric ulcer (5.7%), and acute duodenitis (3.4%) in orders. CONCLUSIONS: Significant upper gastrointestinal lesions were found in obstructive biliary disease.

A Comparison Between Savary - Gilliard and Balloon Dilatation in Benign Esophageal Stricture / 대한소화기내시경학회지

The balloon dilatation or Savary-Gilliard dilatation was performed in 59 patients with benign esophageal stricture in Chungnam National University Hospital from September 1990 to August 1995. We reviewed the effect and the safty of each therapeutic method and the results were as foillows: 1) The cause of stricture were corrosive stricture(28 cases, 49,4%), anastomotic stenosis after gastroesophageal surgery(26 cases, 44.1%), stricture after endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy(3 cases, 5.1%), esophageal web(1 case, 1.7%) or stricture complicated by reflux esophagitis(l case). 2) The overall cure rate of balloon dilatation was 50%(l2/24 cases) and that of Savary-Gilliard dilatation was 77.1%(27/35 cases). The Savary-Gilliard dilatation group had a better result than the balloon group. 3) The perforation after Savary-Gilliard dilatation occurred in 4 cases~(6.7%). One case was treated surgically and three cases wiere treated medically. But there was no fatal complication. 4) The overall cure rate of anastomotic stenosis was 84.6%(32/38 cases) and that of corrosive stricture was 46.4%(13/28 cases). 5) The cure rate of Savary-Gilliard dilatation in corrosive esophageal stricture was 64.7%(ll/17) and that of balloon dilatation was 18.1%(2/11). 6) According to site of stricture, the cure rate of dilatation was 84.2% (32/38) in thoracic esophagus, 42.8%(3/7) in cervical esophagus and 28,5%(4/14) in multiple or long segmented stricture.(continue...)