Zerumbone, Sesquiterpene Photochemical from Ginger, Inhibits Angiogenesis

Here, we investigated the role of zerumbone, a natural cyclic sesquiterpene of Zingiber zerumbet Smith, on angiogenesis using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Zerumbone inhibited HUVECs proliferation, migration and tubule formation, as well as angiogenic activity by rat aorta explants. In particular, zerumbone inhibited phosphorylation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 and fibroblast growth factor receptor-1, which are key regulators of endothelial cell function and angiogenesis. In vivo matrigel plug assay in mice demonstrated significant decrease in vascularization and hemoglobin content in the plugs from zerumbone-treated mice, compared with control mice. Overall, these results suggest that zerumbone inhibits various attributes of angiogenesis, which might contribute to its reported antitumor effects.

A case of Bdhcet's disease presented with recurrent, multiple arterial aneurysms / 대한내과학회지

Bdhcet's disease is a systemic vasculitis with a variety of clinical manifestations and occasionally involves arterial and venous system. The vascular involvement occurs in approximately 7~35% of patients with Bdhcet's disease and classified into venous thrombosis, arterial thrombosis and arterial aneurysm. The aneurysmal formation is more common than occlusion, though the two may coexist. Arterial aneurysm has been reported in both small and large vessels including the thoracic and abdominal aorta, carotid, common iliac, pulmonary, coronary, subclavian, peripheral arteries and occasionally involves multiple vessels. We experienced a 40-year-old male patient with Bdhcet's disease presented with recurrent, multiple aneurysms of right subclavian artery, innominate artery and left radial artery. We present here an unusual case with a brief review of the literatures and the other case reports of Bdhcet's disease with multiple aneurysms in Korea.

A Case of Hydrochloric Acid Induced Hyperkalemia / 대한신장학회잡지

Significant disturbances of potassium homeostasis may cause considerable morbidity and mortality. Prompt recognition and appropriate treatment of these disturbances after acid ingestion could be life- saving. The administration of the mineral acid, HCl to experimental animal is associated with elevation in plasma potassium concentration which have been attributed to shift of the cation from the intracellular to the extracellular space. Authors experienced a case of hyperkalemia after ingestion of 10% HCl 400 mL for suicide in 51-year-old male.

Intrathoracic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in von Recklinghausen's disease

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is defined as any malignant tumor arising from or differentiating toward the cells of the peripheral nerve sheath. MPNST accounts for about 5-10% of all soft tissue tumors and is often associated with neurofibromatosis type I (NF-1, von Recklinghausen's disease). It is one of the malignant tumors associated with von Recklinghausen's disease. Its common site is the lower and upper extremities, trunk, head and neck. But intrathoracic manifestations are very rare. We report a case of a 40 year-old man with multiple neurofibromatosis who was presented with an intrathoracic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor

Effect of target cell nitric oxide synthesis on the sensitivity to lymphokine-activated killer cell cytotoxicity

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO), a cytotoxic molecule is produced in various tissues including tumor cells during interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy . Lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells are induced during IL-2 therapy, and have cytotoxic activity against tumor cells. The current study investigated the effects of NO synthesized in target cells or exposure of target cells to NO on the sensitivity of target cells to LAK cell cytotoxicity. METHODS: Cytotoxicity was measured using 4 h chromium release assays. LAK cells which were induced by a 4 day incubation of BALB/c mouse splenocytes with IL-2 (6,000 IU/mL) were employed as effector cells. RD-995 skin tumor cells originated from a C3H/HeN mouse were employed as target cells. NO synthesis in target cells was induced by a 24 h incubation of RD-995 cells with IFN gamma (25 U/mL), TNF (50 U/mL) and IL-1 (20 U/mL). S-nitrosyl acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), an NO donor, was used to expose target cells to NO. N(G) -monomethyl-L-arginine (MLA) and carboxy-PTIO were added during cytotoxicity assays to inhibit NO synthesis, and to scavenge NO produced by target cells, respectively. RESULTS: Sensitivity of NO-producing RD-995 cells to LAK cell cytotoxicity was decreased by addition of MLA and carboxy-PTIO during cytotoxicity assays. However, the two reagents had no effect on the sensitivity of non-NO-producing RD-995 cells. Pretreatment of RD-995 target cells with SNAP increased the sensitivity in comparison with untreated cells. CONCLUSIONS: Sensitivity of target cells to LAK cell cytotoxicity is increased by target cell NO synthesis or exposure to NO. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether these in vitro results have relevance to in vivo phenomena.

Comparisons of Pyogenic Liver Abscesses Caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Non-K. pneumoniae Pathogens / 감염

BACKGROUND: There are increasing reports of hepatic abscess cause by K. pneumoniae, especially in Asia and its more frequent occurrence in diabetes mellitus but the reason remains unclear. This study was conducted to clarify the different clinical presentations between patients with K. pneumoniae (KP group) and those with non-K. pneumoniae (non-KP group) hepatic abscess. METHODS: A retrospective clinical survey was done from April 1997 to February 2001. The medical records of 20 adults with culture-confirmed pyogenic liver abscess who had attended Chonbuk National University hospital were reviewed. RESULTS: Hepatic abscess caused by K. pneumoniae accounted for 10 (50%) of 20 patients with pyogenic liver abscesses. Compared to KP group, non-KP group showed higher proportions of polymicrobial infections (50% vs 20%) including E. coli, Proteus sp., Enterobacter sp., Citrobacter sp., P. aeruginosa, viridans streptococcus, Enterococcus, and Bacteroides sp.. Although, the clinical presentations of the two groups were similar, but KP group showed higher association with diabetes mellitus, lower hepatobiliary diseases, and larger abscess formation than non-KP group. CONCLUSION: K. pneumoniae was one of the most important causative organism in pyogenic liver abscess. Clinical findings were similar between K. pneumoniae heatic abscess and non-K. pneumoniae-induced abscess, though, K. pneumoniae-induced hepatic abscess was more frequently associated with diabetes mellitus and single large abscess.

A Case of Orbital Cavernous Hemangioma with Multiple Intra c ranial Lesions

Cavernous hemangioma is the most common primary orbital tumor in adults. This tumor is usually unilateral and single.The authors experienced a young male patient who complained of postural variations of proptosis and was diagnosed as an orbital cavernous hemangioma associated multiple intracranial lesions. The diagnosis was based on histopathological examination and various radiologic studies including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). So we report a rare case of cavernous hemangioma which occurred multiplly with a brief review of the literature.

Clinical Analysis of Low Vision Patients

We retrospectively evaluated the 130 low vision patients on the basis of medical recordings. Men(58.5%) were more than women. The patients in teen-age(11-20yr) were most common(23.9%). Etiologies were aphakia due to congenital cataract(21.5%), macular degeneration(15.4%), and optic atrophy(13.8%) in that order. Low vision aids were prescribed for rehabilitation of the low vision. High-power plus glasses(25.4%), magnifiers(24.6%), and telemicroscope(7.9%) were low vision aids commonly prescribed for near vision, while hand-held telescope(23.8%) was the most popular for distance vision aids. High-power plus glasses were actually worn by 31 of 32 patients prescribed for them.

Right precordial electrocardiographic and coronary angiographic findings in acute inferior myocardial infarction / 대한내과학회지

No abstract available.

Clinical significance of the patterns of left ventricular hypertrophy in idiopathic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy / 대한내과학회지

No abstract available.

A Case of Carotico-Cavernous Fistula Treated by Intraluminal Occlusion

A case of carotico-cavernous fistula was managed by intravascular occlusion using a Fogarty catheter and ligation of the carotid artery. The fistula was obliterated by the procedure and neurologic deficits improved progressively without further recurrence. The radiological feature, symptomatology and surgical management were discussed.