Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with infundibular stenosis treated by alcohol ablation therapy

This report describes an uncommon case of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) accompanying infundibular stenosis of the right ventricle treated by alcohol ablation therapy, in a 28-yr-old male patient presenting with dyspnea on exertion. HOCM with infundibular stenosis was detected by echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization and patient has dynamic obstructions of both ventricular outflow tracts. We performed alcohol ablation therapy to improve clinical symptoms and to relieve dynamic obstructions of both ventricular outflow tracts. This is the first case in which HOCM with infundibular stenosis of the right ventricle was treated by alcohol ablation therapy.     

Effect of stretch on calcium channel currents recorded from the antral circular myocytes of guinea-pig stomach

The effect of membrane stretch on voltage-activated Ba²⁺ current (I _Ba) was studied in antral circular myocytes of guinea-pig using the whole- cell patch-clamp technique. The changes in cell volume were elicited by superfusing the myocytes with anisosmotic solutions. Hyposmotic superfusate (202 mosmol/l) induced cell swelling and increased peak values of I _Ba at 0 mV (from −406.6 ± 45.5 pA to −547.5 ± 65.6 pA, mean ± SEM, n = 8) and hyperosmotic superfusate (350 mosmol/l) induced cell shrinkage and decreased peak values of I _Ba at 0 mV (to −269.5 ± 39.1 pA, n = 8). Such changes were reversible and the extent of change was dependent on the osmolarity of superfusate. The values of normalized I _Ba at 0 mV were 1.43 ± 0.04, 1.30 ± 0.06, 1.23 ± 0.04, 1.19 ± 0.04, 1 and 0.68 ± 0.06 at 202, 220, 245, 267, 290 and 350 mosmol/l, respectively (n = 8). I _Ba was almost completely blocked by nicardipine (5 μM) under hyposmotic conditions. The values of steady-state half-inactivation voltage (−37.7 ± 3.3 and −36.5 ± 2.6 mV, under control and hyposmotic conditions, respectively) or the half-activation voltage (−13.6 ± 2.3 and −13.9 ± 1.9 mV) of I _Ba were not significantly changed (P > 0.05, n = 6). Cell membrane capacitance was slightly increased from 50.00 ± 2.86 pF to 50.22 ± 2.82 pF by a hyposmotic superfusate (P < 0.05, n = 6). It is suggested that cell swelling increases voltage-operated L-type calcium channel current and that such a property is related to the response of gastric smooth muscle to mechanical stimuli. Received: 14 November 1995/Received after revision and accepted: 8 January 1996     

Serum hepatitis B virus DNA in healthy HBsAg-negative Chinese adults evaluated by polymerase chain reaction

Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was assayed using polymerase chain reaction, in 107 HBsAg-negative normal Chinese subjects. The results showed that eight subjects (7.5%) had HBV DNA. In the subgroup with antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) and to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), 7.3% (5/68) were positive for HBV DNA; HBV DNA was not detected in six individuals with anti-HBs only and in nine with anti-HBc only. In four persons with anti-HBc and anti-HBe, one had HBV DNA. In 20 subjects negative for all hepatitis B serological markers, two (10%) were found to have HBV DNA. This study indicates that serological markers are not adequate to rule out HBV infection, and it further implies that present blood donor screening methods may need improving.     

Bizarre leiomyoma of the scrotum

Scrotal leiomyomas with atypical bizarre nuclei are rare, which might be misdiagnosed as malignant tumor. We describe a case of scrotal bizarre leiomyoma in a 65-yr-old man. The tumor was a 1 cm-sized, well circumscribed, oval mass arising from the tunica dartos muscle. Histologically, it was formed by whorling bundles of fusiform cells with occasional atypical, pleomorphic nuclei and pseudo-inclusions. Mitosis was not found. Although morphologically atypical, scrotal bizarre leiomyomas take on a biologic behavior not different from that of conventional leiomyoma, they should be distinguished from leiomyosarcoma to avoid unnecessary treatment.     

A novel missense mutation (I344K) in the SPG4gene in a Korean family with autosomal-dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia

 Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders characterized by slowly progressive spasticity and weakness of the lower extremities. Among eight loci linked with autosomal-dominant (AD)-HSP, the SPG4 locus on chromosome 2p22 accounts for about 40% of all patients. Recently, mutations in a new member of the AAA protein family, called spastin, have been identified as responsible for SPG4-linked AD-HSP. Here, we describe a novel missense mutation (c.1031T>A; I344K) in exon 7 of the SPG4 gene identified in a Korean family with typical clinical features of pure AD-HSP. The mutation affects the third amino acid of the highly conserved AAA cassette domain, which is the most fore part of the domain altered by a missense mutation reported so far. Clinical presentations of affected individuals carrying the I344K mutation were not different from those of pure AD-HSP with SPG4 mutations reported previously. However, it is noteworthy that neither urinary dysfunction nor involvement of upper extremities was noticed in this family. To our knowledge, this is the first report of genetically confirmed AD-HSP in Korea. Received: February 20, 2002 / Accepted: May 21, 2002     

Persistent infection of SARS coronavirus in colonic cells in vitro

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) can produce gastrointestinal symptoms. The intestinal tract is the only extrapulmonary site where viable viruses have been detected. This study examined seven established human intestinal cell lines, DLD-1, HCT-116, HT-29, LoVo, LS-180, SW-480 and SW-620, for their permissiveness to SARS-CoV infection. The results showed that only LoVo cells were permissive to SARS-CoV infection as evident by positive findings from indirect immunofluorescence staining for intracellular viral antigens, in situ hybridization for intracellular viral RNA, and electron microscopy for intracellular viral particles. In contrast to Vero cells, SARS-CoV did not produce cytopathic effects on LoVo cells. However, LoVo cells were found to be highly permissive for productive infection with a high viral titre (>3 x 10(7) viral copies/ml) produced in culture supernatant following a few days of incubation. SARS-CoV established a stable persistent chronic infection that could be maintained after multiple passages. Being a cell line of human origin, LoVo cells could be a useful in vitro model for studying the biology and persistent infection of SARS-CoV. Our results on the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a recently identified cellular receptor for SARS-CoV, in these cell lines indicated that it might not be the sole determinant for cells to be susceptible to SARS-CoV infection.     

Ovarian stimulation by clomiphene citrate and hMG in combination with cetrorelix acetate for ICSI cycles

BACKGROUND: The introduction of GnRH antagonists such as cetrorelix acetate has made possible the simplification of ovarian stimulation. However, the most effective protocol for their administration has not yet been clearly defined. METHODS: Forty women with male-factor infertility undergoing 40 ICSI cycles were included in the study. Clomiphene citrate at 100 mg a day was given from cycle day 3 through day 7. hMG at 150 IU was given on cycle days 4, 6 and 8, and was adjusted from day 9 according to the follicular and hormone responses. Cetrorelix acetate at 2.5 mg was administered when the leading follicle reached 14 mm. The remaining 0.5 mg was divided into two 0.25 mg injections for possible later use. Serum FSH, LH, estradiol and progesterone levels were measured daily from the day of cetrorelix acetate injection until hCG was given. RESULTS: Serum LH level was suppressed effectively for 4 days. Four patients (10%) needed one or two additional injections of 0.25 mg cetrorelix acetate. No premature LH surge was detected in any of the women treated. Sixteen women became pregnant (40%), of which 14 pregnancies (35%) were ongoing at the time of writing. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that this new protocol is feasible for couples with male-factor infertility undergoing ICSI.     

Depression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: clinical and biochemical correlates

BACKGROUND: We assessed the prevalence of mood disturbance among women with prospectively documented polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Thirty-two women with PCOS completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Rating Scale (CES-D). Clinical and biochemical characteristics were assessed. RESULTS: Sixteen women had CES-D scores indicative of depression. Depression was associated with greater insulin resistance (P=0.02) and higher body mass index (P=0.05). Women receiving oral contraceptives for the treatment of PCOS were less depressed than patients not receiving treatment (P=0.03). LIMITATIONS: Possible selection bias, use of a screening tool alone without further diagnostic evaluation of depression, small samples size and lack of direct comparison with an age matched control group, should be considered in interpretation of these results. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest a high prevalence of depression among women with PCOS, and an association between depression and PCOS markers.     

The effect of Jeo Dang-Tang on cytokines production in the patients with cerebral infarction

The herbal formulation "Jeo Dang-Tang" (JDT) has long been used for various cerebrovascular diseases. However, very little has scientific investigation been carried out. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of JDT on the production of various cytokines in the patients with cerebral infarction (CI). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from the patients with CI were cultured for 24h in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phytohemagglutinin (PHA). The amount of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-1beta, in culture supernatant, was significantly increased in the JDT, LPS or PHA treated cells compared to unstimulated cells (P < 0.05). We also show that increased IL-4, and IL-10 level by LPS or PHA was significantly inhibited by JDT in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal inhibition rate of IL-4 and IL-10 production by JDT was 45 +/- 2% and 51 +/- 5% for LPS-stimulated cell and 41.5 +/- 3% and 70.8 +/- 2% for PHA-stimulated cells, respectively (P < 0.05). On the other hand, JDT significantly increased the LPS or PHA-induced TGF-beta1 production (P < 0.05). These data suggest that JDT has a regulatory effect on the cytokines production, which might explain its beneficial effect in the treatment of CI.     

Prevalence and risk factors of urinary stones in Koreans.

To estimate the prevalence of urinary stone disease in Koreans, and to determine the inter-relationships between urinary stone disease and various epidemiological factors, 1,521 controls and 1,177 cases with urinary stones were evaluated. Of special interest in this study were: 1) proportion of past urinary stone history among controls; 1.9% 2) the point prevalence rate of urinary stones among controls; 0.2% 3) the recurrence rate of urinary stones (the proportion of past history of urinary stone) among cases; 56.8% 4) high incidences (76.3%) in the thirties to the fifties among cases 5) the risk factors for urolithogenesis; obesity [higher than 25 of BMI (body mass index, weight/height2)], more than 10 year-experience as a production worker, past stone history, familial stone history, low physical activity (< 2,000 Kcal/day), and low intake of fruit. However, the well-known risk factors for urinary stones; over intake of meat or fish and milk or dairy products, perspiration, amount and kind of drinking water, and stress unexpectedly were not significantly different between the controls and the cases.