• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2011

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) evoke pacemaker activities in many tissues. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between interstitial cell and pacemaker activity in the human ureter through the recording of spontaneous contractions. Spontaneous contractions of eight circular and longitudinal smooth muscle strips of the human ureter to acetylcholine (ACh) and/or norepinephrine (NE) were observed. Human ureteral strips were divided into proximal and distal groups, and each group was subdivided into circular and longitudinal groups. The proximal group showed spontaneous activities of 3~4 times within 5 minutes in the longitudinal group. ACh ($10^{-4}\;M$) augmented the frequency of the spontaneous contractions. The cumulative application of NE also augmented the frequency in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of NE application were inhibited by concomitant application of $10^{-5}\;M$ glibenclamide. Receptor tyrosine kinase (c-kit) staining revealed abundant ICCs only in proximal tissues. Therefore, spontaneous contractions of the human ureter might be modulated by ICC in the proximal region, and the actions might be related with the activation of cholinergic and/or adrenergic system mediated by a glibenclamide-sensitive pathway.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.288-291
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• 2007

Hypospadias is a malformation in which the urethra open on the ventral side of the penis and its frequency is about from 0.3% to 0.5% male birth in human. It is considered a disorder both genetic and environmental factors involves in pathogenesis. A KNC(Korean native calf) showing symptoms of fusion defect of the male ventral urethra, penile defect, bifid scrotum and low body weigh was born. To prevent an ascending urinary tract infection, dermatitis and loss of hair, surgical operation was performed to make a genitals like a female. After the operation, the KNC got a regenerative hair and normal urination. However the KNC became anorexia, loss in weight and weak. Seventy days after birth, the KNC died. The view of autopsy was a yellowish hepatomegaly, hydronephrosis, closed ureter and complex disorder in interanl organ. The symptoms of hepatomegaly and hydronephrosis could be due to a fluid therapy as a consequence of ureter obstruction. The normal urination of the KNC before it got sick, suggested that ureter obstruction in the case of this KNC was formed at its postnatal growth stage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1777-1786
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• 2009

Thymosin ${\beta}4$, a small protein containing 43 amino acids, has multi-functional roles in cell physiology. It was first identified as a thymic maturation factor and recently has been shown to accelerate wound healing, hair growth, angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis. It was also reported to play a key role in developing organs, including the nervous system and heart. Thymosin ${\beta}4$ induces the expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), laminin-5, and other important biologically active genes. Using tissue microarray analysis, we investigated the expression patterns of thymosin ${\beta}4$ and VEGF in various normal human adult tissues. Thymosin ${\beta}4$ was highly expressed in the liver, pancreas, ductal epithelium of the salivary gland, and heart, and moderately expressed in the skin, lung, spleen, lymph node, thymus, ureter, and blood endothelial cells in both the lung and adrenal gland. The expression of VEGF generally co-localized with thymosin ${\beta}4$ and VEGF was highly expressed in the pancreas, ureter, mammary gland, liver, esophagus, and blood endothelial cells in both the lung and adrenal gland. These results suggest that thymosin ${\beta}4$ plays an important role in the function of various organs and since the expression pattern of thymosin ${\beta}4$ co-localized with VEGF, part of that function may be to induce or maintain angiogenesis.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.343-350
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• 2010

We measured the radiation exposure for 55 persons (male: 36, female: 19) who was diagnosed with kidney and ureter stones and received ESWL. The absorbed dose was measured at the organ which is expected to absorb relatively much radiation (kidney, bladder, liver). The radiation dose measurement voltage 80kVp, current of 5mA as a fixed model of the human body by using the Rando phantom with Radiophotoluminescent Glass Dosimeter. Absorbed dose was measured for two times (5 minute and 10 minute, each) and converted to effective dose. Mean number of treatment was 1.8 times (1~4) per patient was the mean time of radiation exposure533 seconds (248-2516). For the treatment of right renal stone, the effective dose of right kidney, left kidney, liver and bladder was 2.458mSv, 0.152mSv, 1.404 mSv and 0.019mSv, respectively. For the treatment of left renal stone, the effective dose of right kidney, left kidney, liver and bladder was 2.496mSv, 0.252mSv, 0.178 mSv, and 0.017mSv, respectively. For the treatment of distal ureter stone, the effective dose of right kidney, left kidney and bladder was 0.009mSv, 0.01mSv and 3.742mSv, respectively.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.122-126
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• 2013

Cystinuria is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by impaired transport of cystine and dibasic amino acids in the proximal renal tubule, resulting in the formation of cystine stones. It is believed to account for about 1% of all kidney stones and up to 10% of pediatric stones. Here we report a case of cystinuria with multiple renal stones confirmed by genetic mutational analysis. An 8-month-old girl was admitted to AMC with persistent fever and multiple renal stones. A renal sonogram showed multiple stones at the right renal pelvis, right distal ureter, and left renal medullary portion. An approximately 1 cm renal stone was extracted spontaneously, and stone analysis revealed it to be composed entirely of cystine. Cystinuria was confirmed by increased urine dibasic amino acid levels, including cysteine, and genetic mutational analysis showed the patient to be a homozygote for the pathogenic c. 1820del (p.L607fs) of SLC3A1. Despite treatment with oral hydration and urinary alkalinization, and restricted intake of animal protein, the stones increased in size and number. The patient has since been treated with tiopronin.