Biomedical subjects

P Chou

Publications and source records attributed to P Chou.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Parkinson's disease in Kin-Hu, Kinmen: a community survey by neurologists.

A door-to-door survey by neurologists in Kin-Hu township, Republic of China, of a sample of the Chinese population of 683 persons aged 50 years and over was performed in August, 1992. A total of 482 subjects (70.6%) completed the study. Kin-Hu, a township of Kinmen, is predominantly rural with agriculture as the main occupation. Six subjects (5 men, 1 woman) were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD). Of these six, five were newly diagnosed; one of the five also had dementia. The crude prevalence rate per 1,000 persons over 50 years of age of PD in Kin-Hu was 6.2. The age-specific prevalence rates per 1,000 persons (95% confidence intervals) were 0 for age 50-59, 7.8 (0-22.9) for age 60-69, 17.5 (5.2-29.8) for age 70-79, and 25.4 (10.9-39.9) for age > or = 80. These rates are considerably higher than those reported in the People's Republic of China, and similar to rates found in Western countries. The higher prevalence of PD found in this pilot study suggests that environmental factors may be more important than racial factors in the pathogenesis of PD. If confirmed, the results suggest that epidemiologic studies looking for environmental risk factors might be of value.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

A population survey on the prevalence of diabetes in Kin-Hu, Kinmen.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of non-insulin-dependent-diabetes mellitus in Kin-Hu, Kinmen. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This is a community-based population survey. The target population are residents > or = 30 years of age in Kin-Hu, Kinmen, according to the official household registry in 1990. Face to face interviews were conducted by the Yang-Ming Crusade in 1991 using a structured questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were drawn by public health nurses, and a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed for definite diagnosis of diabetes. RESULTS: There were 4,097 eligible subjects (2,026 men and 2,071 women), and 3,236 had complete fasting plasma glucose data (1,536 men and 1,700 women). The response rate was 79% (76% for men and 82% for women). The age-specific response rates were 81% for the 30- to 39-year and 50- to 59-year age-groups, 84% for the 40- to 49-year age-group, and 69% for the > or = 60-year age-group. The crude prevalence of diabetes in Kin-Hu was 6.5% (2.0% previous and 4.5% new). With the standard world population of Segi, the age-adjusted prevalence rate was 4.9% (4.5% for men and 5.4% for women). The prevalence rate of diabetes increased significantly with age. The prevalence of previously diagnosed diabetes accounted for less than one third of the total rate. CONCLUSIONS: The population survey in Kin-Hu, Kinmen, had a high response rate of 79%. The crude prevalence rate of diabetes was 6.5%, and the age-adjusted prevalence rate was 4.9%. The low ratio of previously diagnosed to newly diagnosed diabetic cases may be due to lack of public awareness and medical services in this community.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[Factors related to the choice of clinic between Chinese traditional medicine and Western medicine].

The study applied Andersen's health-service utilization model to analyze the basic demographic, enabling and need factors related to the choice of traditional Chinese medicine clinic or modern Western medicine clinic by single-method-treatment (i.e. traditional Chinese medicine or modern Western medicine only) patients. During the period from August 1989 to October 1989, systemic sampling was done and a structured questionnaire survey was carried out among patients from the Out-patient Departments of 13 teaching hospitals accepting reimbursement by Labor Medical Insurance in Taiwan. The total number of valid respondents was 579: 378 (65.3%) were visiting modern Western medicine clinics and 201 (34.7%), traditional Chinese medicine clinics. There were 339 (58.6%) males and 240 (41.4%) females, aged from 15 to 85 years old, with a mean of 40.7 years. Under univariate analysis, the significant variables (p < 0.05) related to visiting the two types of clinics were: nativity, religious belief, career, general health condition, severity of illness of this episode, types of disorder as neuromusculoskeletal, digestive, circulatory, endocrine-metabolic and sense-and-skin. By logistic regression analysis, the significant variables (p < 0.05) relating to visiting two types of clinics were religion, career, and two kinds of disorders. Folk-religion believers, farmers and businessmen favored traditional Chinese medicine; and patients who suffered from musculoskeletal, sense organs or skin disorders were also likely to visit traditional Chinese medicine clinics.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Disruption of I kappa B alpha regulation by antisense RNA expression leads to malignant transformation.

NF-kappa B transcription factors regulate the expression of a variety of genes involved in immune regulation and cell growth. In most cell types NF-kappa B proteins are localized in an inactive form in the cytoplasm coupled to the inhibitory I kappa B proteins. Viruses, cytokines, lipopolysaccharides and other stimulating agents promote the dissociation of the cytosolic NF-kappa B/I kappa B complexes, via phosphorylation and degradation of I kappa B, resulting in the translocation of DNA binding, NF-kappa B complexes to the nucleus. To further understand the association of I kappa B with cell growth regulation, the effect of ectopic expression of sense and antisense I kappa B genes was examined in NIH3T3 cells. Overexpression of I kappa B alpha antisense RNA but not I kappa B gamma antisense RNA decreased the steady state levels of I kappa B alpha protein, altered NF-kappa B DNA binding and gene activity and, most importantly, induced malignant transformation as measured by saturation density, growth in soft agar and tumorigenicity in nude mice. In contrast, overexpression of I kappa B alpha resulted in decreased saturation density, a flattened cellular morphology and decreased NF-kappa B dependent reporter gene activity. These results indicate that overexpression of an I kappa B alpha antisense RNA may disrupt the NF-kappa B/I kappa B autoregulatory loop, leading to cellular transformation. Our results raise the interesting possibility that I kappa B alpha represents a potential tumor suppressor activity.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1994

[The knowledge and attitude of cancer prevention among junior high school teachers].

BACKGROUND: This study was to investigate the knowledge and attitude of cancer prevention among junior high school teachers. METHODS: This study was based on the data collected through personal interviews by the Yang-Ming Crusade, organized by students of National Yang-Ming Medical College, during the summer vacation in 1986. Arranged by 21 city/country Education Bureaus, the crusaders gave lectures on cancer prevention for junior high school teachers in every city and town throughout Taiwan area. RESULTS: Totally 8,568 questionnaires (male 44.3%, female 55.7%) were filled out immediately before the lecture meetings. The results show that the cognizance rate of cervical cancer as the leading cancer (by that time) and the most curable one for women in Taiwan were 69.3% and 37.0% respectively. Pap smear test was known by 96.8% of the interviewees. As to the first source of information of the test, TV ranked highest 47.1%, followed by newspaper and hospital. The effect of "early diagnosis and early treatment" was accepted by 92.4% of the interviewees. A periodical check-up for cancer was thought essential by 93.0% of the interviewees. The concept that "herbs are effective to cure cancers" was agreed by 54.8% and disagreed by 45.2% of the interviewees. Psychological fear (43.0%), physiological suffering (30.9%), and worry of interfering family (14.6%) were considered the most dreadful situations by the interviewees in case of having cancer. Female interviewees were superior to male ones in the accuracy rate of answering the question of "what is the leading cancer and the most curable one for women in Taiwan?" (by that time). It was also found that the older the respondents were, the lower the percentage of the cognizance of knowledge about cancers. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with the primary school teachers and the general population in Lu-Ku town, the results of the knowledge and attitude of cancer prevention for junior high school teachers found in this study were similar to those of the former and better than those of the latter.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Nevomelanocytic proliferations in the central nervous system of children.

BACKGROUND: Melanocytic proliferations affecting the central nervous system (CNS) of children may be classified as meningeal melanocytosis, primary melanoma, or metastatic melanoma. Meningeal melanocytosis often is associated with giant congenital pigmented nevi (preferentially involving the midline, the head and neck) representing the lethal condition neurocutaneous melanocytosis. Primary or metastatic melanomas, although extremely rare in children, can occur in the brain and its coverings and are associated with a poor prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective study of five patients with nevomelanocytic proliferations of the CNS was performed. RESULTS: There was characteristic enhancement in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium contrast, abnormal cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) cytology with neoplastic cells showing cytoplasmic prolongations, and nevomelanocytic proliferation in the meninges expressing HMB45 positivity and exhibiting ultrastructural features of melanocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the rarity of these lesions, awareness of their existence is crucial for their recognition. Clinical, radiologic, and cytologic, correlation may allow an opportune diagnosis, which would allow avoidance of brain biopsy. Melanin production is not restricted to melanocytic neoplasms, and other CNS tumoral lesions occasionally may feature melanin as part of their histologic findings.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Pulmonary changes following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: autopsy study of 23 cases.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has become an established mode of therapy in many centers for potentially fatal neonatal respiratory failure refractory to conventional therapy. We reviewed the findings of 23 autopsies of patients placed on ECMO therapy during the period from 1988 to 1992 at our institution in order to document the pulmonary histopathologic changes and to correlate such changes with the duration of treatment. Interstitial and intra-alveolar hemorrhages, as well as hyaline membrane formation, were the most common findings during the first few days of therapy. Reactive epithelial hyperplasia (bronchial and type II pneumocytes), squamous metaplasia, and smooth muscle hyperplasia were observed as early as 2 to 3 days after initiation of ECMO therapy. Interstitial fibrosis was noted only after 7 days of ECMO therapy. In three patients treated for 15, 19, and 21 days there was replacement of the terminal airways and alveoli by tall columnar and mucin-producing epithelium. Alveolar and bronchiolar calcifications were noted in seven of the 23 cases in this series. Pulmonary vascular changes were seen in association with persistent fetal circulation, meconium aspiration, and respiratory distress syndrome. These changes are most likely due to the compounded effect of ECMO and the underlying pulmonary insult.

Cadaver↗

PubMed1993

Response of the newborn ureteropelvic junction complex to induced and later reversed partial ureteral obstruction in the rabbit model.

The clinical controversy regarding the timing of surgery for asymptomatic newborns with obstructed hydronephrosis was addressed using a model of reversible partial ureteral obstruction in the newborn rabbit. The histomorphometric changes in the ureteropelvic junction complex (for example, pelvis, ureteropelvic junction and upper ureter) and kidney in 44 normal cases were determined and compared with the effects of 47 cases of ongoing partial obstruction and timed reversal of partial obstruction at 1 week in 9 cases, at 2 weeks in 10 or at 4 weeks in 10 (end of the study at age 8 weeks). After partial obstruction hydronephrosis appeared by 1 week postoperatively. There were progressive increases in the thickness of the lamina muscularis and mass index of smooth muscle and collagen (all p < 0.001). However, since the per cent surface area of smooth muscle did not change significantly in comparison to normal, there was disproportionately more collagen. For reversals at 1 week the muscle and collagen in the lamina muscularis were not significantly different from normal. For reversals at 2 weeks the mass index of collagen was greater than normal (p < 0.05) and reversal at 1 week (p < 0.05). For reversals at 4 weeks the lamina muscularis was thicker, and the mass index of collagen and muscle was greater than the earlier reversal groups and normal (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, partial ureteral obstruction causes progressive thickening of the lamina muscularis by collagen and muscle with a disproportionately greater increase in collagen than muscle. The earlier the obstruction can be reversed, the more normal is the ureteropelvic junction complex histology. The functional significance of these changes needs to be determined.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

A randomized controlled trial on the treatment for acute partial ischemic stroke with acupuncture.

The effectiveness of acupuncture in acute stroke remains largely untested and unproved. A randomized, controlled trial was carried out to study the feasibility of acupuncture in combination with conventional supportive treatment for acute stroke patients. A total of 30 patients, aged 46-74, with the onset of symptoms within 36 h were enrolled into the study after appropriate screening. All patients gave informed consent. Basing on the same supportive treatment, patients were randomly assigned to a treatment with or without acupuncture. The procedure and acupoint selection were discussed and decided through several meetings of a group of senior acupuncture doctors in Taiwan. Acupuncture was applied 3 times/week for 4 weeks. During the study period, there were no problems in conducting this trial in terms of patient availability and acceptance, and physician cooperation. A significantly better neurologic outcome was observed in the acupuncture group on day 28 and day 90. The improvement in neurologic status was greatest in patients with a poor neurologic score at baseline. There were no important side effects except for one episode of dizziness related to acupuncture treatment. The data and results of this study will be used as a guideline for planning a full-scale clinical trial, e.g. sample size calculation, method of randomization with stratification of prognostic factors, choosing acupuncture points and technique of acupuncture.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed1993

Community-based epidemiological study on hyperuricemia in Pu-Li, Taiwan.

A community-based survey to study the prevalence and factors associated with hyperuricemia was carried out by the Yang-Ming Crusade from 1987 to 1988 in Pu-Li Township, Taiwan. A total of 1,738, out of 2,573 registered residents over 30 years of age, were contacted for at least one of the two home-visit interviews or for a fasting blood test. The prevalence of hyperuricemia (> or = 458.2 mumol/L for men; > or = 392.7 mumol/L for women) was 17.3%. The prevalence increased with age. Men had a higher prevalence than women (20.3% vs 14.6%). To study the significant correlates of hyperuricemia, univariate analyses and logistic regression were used. The logistic regression analysis showed that after simultaneously controlling the covariates, four variables were significantly correlated with hyperuricemia: blood pressure, creatinine, triglyceride and organ meat consumption.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Community-based study on the relationship between serum cholesterol/triglyceride and dietary habits/life styles in Pu-Li, Taiwan.

This is a community-based study on the relationship between serum cholesterol (CHO)/triglyceride (TG) and dietary habits/life styles of persons living in a central Taiwan Town. Door-to-door interviews were carried out by the Yang-Ming Crusade, and fasting blood for CHO and TG tests was drawn by public health nurses from Pu-Li Health Station. Univariate analysis found that significant variables correlated with CHO were age (+), locality, non-fish seafood (+) and pungent food (+). Significant variables correlated with TG were age (+), sex, locality, smoking (+), alcohol (+) and physical activity (-). Stratified by age (> or = 50 and < 50) and by sex respectively, only one significant interaction item--age x organ meat consumption--was found; those who consumed organ meat more frequently had higher TG, if they were less than 50 years of age. This was not true for those aged 50 and over. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression revealed that after controlling for all of the other covariates, significant variables correlated with CHO were age (OR = 1.92, 95% C.I. = 1.37-2.69), pungent food (OR = 1.91, 95% C.I. = 1.26-2.89); locality (OR = 0.53, 95% C.I. = 0.35-0.80 for sub urban area; and OR = 0.74, 95% C.I. = 0.50-1.08 for rural area); sea food consumption (OR = 1.50, 95% C.I. = 0.94-2.40); and smoking (OR = 0.69, 95% C.I. = 0.48-0.99).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Program description and preliminary health survey data in Kin-Hu, Kinmen.

The study subjects were those over 30 years of age in Kin-Hu, Kinmen. From January to February 1991, demographic data, physical data, life style and blood chemistry parameters were collected from 2929 respondents (1368 men and 1561 women) out of 4475 eligible subjects. The study, conducted by the Yang-Ming Crusade, used a structured questionnaire and venipuncture technique. After clarifying missing values, a total number of 2868 (64.1%; 1334 men and 1534 women) subjects had completed the data set. Of the total subjects, 32.3% were 30-39 years of age, 24.3% were 40-49 yrs, 22.4% were 50-59 yrs, and 21.0% were above 60 years old. Fifty-two percent of men and 2.8% of women, were current smokers. Most of the surveyed subjects described themselves as having infrequent physical activity (men vs. women, 66.4% vs. 81.0%, p < 0.001). Men had significantly lower body mass index (BMI) and higher waist-hip ratio (W/H) than women (BMI: 22.9 +/- 3.2 vs. 23.2 +/- 3.7, p < 0.01; W/H: 0.89 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.84 +/- 0.07, p < 0.01). Men also had higher fasting plasma glucose (FPG), systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) than women (FPG: 99 +/- 25.3 vs. 95.7 +/- 25.3 mg/dl, p < 0.0001; SBP: 132.1 +/- 19 vs. 126.4 +/- 21.5 mmHg, p < 0.0001; DBP: 80.4 +/- 12.5 vs. 76.5 +/- 12.3 mmHg, p < 0.0001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Factors related to the choice of different hospitals providing Chinese traditional medicine].

A structured questionnaire was answered by patients who used the Outpatient Departments of two types of Chinese traditional medicine clinics: clinics associated with western-style teaching hospitals, and regular Chinese medicine clinics which were area-matched with, but not located in the teaching hospitals. The study applied the Andersen behavior model and discussed the factors related to the choice of one type or the other clinic by one-method-treatment (i.e. traditional only, not mixed with western, medicine) patients. The total number of valid questionnaires was 362. Under the analysis of logistic regression, the variables which were significantly related to the choice of the types of the hospitals were age, insurance status, first visit or follow-up, general health condition, severity of illness, musculoskeletal and neurological disorders. The older the patients, the more likely they were to visit teaching hospitals. First-visit or uninsured patients also favored teaching hospitals. Patients with perceived stable conditions or more serious illness were likely to use teaching hospitals. Patients with musculoskeletal or neurological disorders favored regular clinics.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Analysis of factors related to treatment and prognosis of leprosy patients in southern Taiwan.

This study was undertaken to investigate certain factors of leprosy, using bacterial indices, disability and regular treatment as outcome variables. One hundred and fifty seven leprosy patients were interviewed, face to face personally, using a standard questionnaire, and examined in order to grade these disabilities. Their clinic charts were reviewed and summarized. Percentage, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Most patients (88%) were of low educational level; 57% were regularly treated in 1985. About half of the patients were diagnosed within one year. Dapsone was used at first diagnosis, while multiple drug therapy was in present use. The mean correct answer rate of the knowledge of leprosy was 0.49. Interaction with family members was not unusual. The major reason for neglecting treatment of the disease was that "the time is not available". Many patients did not appreciate the severity of the disease. Univariate analysis found that both "drug usage at first diagnosis" and "current drug usage" were related to "bacterial index". Only one factor "time-to-diagnosis" was related to "disability". The factors related to "regular treatment" were the "the time is not available", and "religion". Multiple logistic regression analysis found that the results were the same as those in univariate analysis, except that two more significant continuous variables were also related to regularity of treatment: duration of disease and a score of "beliefs about leprosy", neither analyzed in univariate analysis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

[Comparison between the effects of epidural and spinal anesthesia for selective cesarean section].

This study is proposed to compare the analgesic and side effects of different types of anesthesia used for Cesarean section (CS). Based on the use of CS inpatients, of whom 27 were without and 20 with previous CS experience, 47 cases were randomized into two groups: 21 epidural and 26 spinal anesthesia. Visual analogue scale was used to measure the pain score in seven stages (p1-p7): skin incision, peritoneum incision, abdominal wall retraction, delivering neonate, uterus exteriorization, checking bleeding and suturing skin, respectively. Significantly higher pain scores were found in epidural than spinal anesthesia during p1 to p4. However no significant differences were found during p5 to p7. This may be due to post-delivery intravenous injection of other analgesics and sedatives. No significant differences in hypotensive rate were found between epidural and spinal anesthesia (RR = 1.04, 95% C.I. = 0.93-1.17). There were also no significant differences in occurrence of tachycardia either according to definition (PR > or = 100 beats/min or 120% of baseline pulse rate) or clinical judgement (tachycardia resulted from hypotension). (According to definition:RR = 1.08, 95% C.I. = 0.91-1.27; clinical judgement:RR = 0.83, 95% C.I. = 0.35-1.95). If clinical judgement is used as the gold standard, sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 12.5% respectively. The rate of nausea and vomiting in the epidural group was only half of that of spinal group, but was not statistically significant (RR = 0.5, 95% C.I. = 0.18-1.36). Based on the above, no significantly better effects on blood pressure and pulse rate in epidural, rather than spinal, anesthesia were found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Follow-up study on screening positives of hypertension and diabetes--results of follow-up by the Yang-Ming Crusade in 1990].

This study was to follow-up the screening positives of hypertension and diabetes screened in 1989 by the Yang-Ming Crusade. The purposes were to understand the control situation of hypertensive and diabetic positives, to understand the continuing situation of diagnosis and treatment by local health center, and to understand the medical attitude and behavior of the screening positives. A total of 768 positives were screened in 1989 and 462 (60.2%) were interviewed. Among them, 44.4% were male and 55.6% were female; 27.7% were aged 50-59 and 28.4% were aged 60-69; 337 positives were hypertensive, 97 were diabetic and 28 had both conditions. The results of follow-up in 1990 showed that, 34.2% of 462 interviewees had gone to the local health center for testing, 37.7% had regular treatment and 19.7% (91 persons) had become normal. The leading methods of treatment were western doctor (35%), local health center (27.2%) and pharmacies (18.7%). Most patients pursued a regular treatment. The reasons not to have a regular treatment were that it was unnecessary because of lack of symptoms (37.2%), lack of time (18.1%), and that it was unnecessary because of cure (3.5%). The results showed that patients lacked knowledge of chronic diseases. Health education is important to let patients have proper information about regular treatment. Logistic regression analysis showed that two factors, "age" and "geographic area", were significantly related to submitting to testing in the local health center. The results of logistic regression also indicated that three factors, "whether having submitting to testing in the local health center or not", "age", and "geographic area", were significantly related to regular treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Epidemiology of isolated systolic hypertension in Pu-Li, Taiwan.

The clinical significance of isolated systolic hypertension (systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 160 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg) has long been recognized, but its prevalence and correlates have not been well characterized. A community-based study was carried out by the Yang-Ming Crusade in 1987-1988 in Pu-Li Town, Taiwan. Of the 2573 registered residents over 30 years old, 1738 were interviewed, and their fasting blood samples were drawn and tested. The prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension was 2.1%. Age-specific prevalence increased with age. No significant difference was found between men and women. No trend was found at the urbanizational level. To study the significant correlates of isolated systolic hypertension, univariate analyses were applied first. Stratified analyses by age and by sex were used for interaction assessment. Based on the above findings as well as from the clinical point of view, logistic regression was used for multivariate analyses. Logistic regression analysis showed that after controlling the covariates simultaneously, four variables were significantly correlated with isolated systolic hypertension: age (greater than or equal to 50 vs. less than 50 years, OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.6-7.2); diabetes (yes vs. no, OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.2-4.7); blood urea nitrogen (greater than or equal to 25 vs. less than 25 mg/dl, OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.2-3.9); and physical activity (frequent vs. infrequent, OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.0-3.1). In comparison with definite (greater than or equal than 160/95 mmHg) and borderline (140/90-160/95 mmHg) hypertension as defined by WHO, the different sets of predictors and the possible adverse effect of frequent physical activity on isolated systolic hypertension were found and discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Microanatomy and morphometry of the hydronephrotic "obstructed" renal pelvis in asymptomatic infants.

There has been limited histological study of the obstructed ureteropelvic junction in patients less than 1 year old. We present our prospective studies on the histomorphometry of the ureteropelvic junction complexes of 35 infants, of whom 23 underwent pyeloplasty for obstruction and 12 were age matched autopsy normals. Qualitatively, the major abnormalities of the pelvic microanatomy in the hydronephrotic obstructed kidneys included a lamina muscularis that was significantly thicker than normal and the presence of collagen fibers between muscle fascicles. Additionally, variable amounts of elastin were present in the adventitia and lamina muscularis. At the ureteropelvic junction the abnormalities were an increase in the number of inner longitudinal muscle bundles, collagen between muscle bundles (p less than 0.016) and elastin in the adventitia. Quantitatively, for the pelvis the lamina muscularis was significantly thicker in 18 obstructed kidneys compared to 7 controls (1,075 +/- 79 mu. versus 420 +/- 63 mu., mean +/- standard error of mean, p less than 0.001). The percentage area density of smooth muscle in the obstructed versus normals was increased (45.1% versus 35.2%, p less than 0.039). The percentage area density of collagen in the obstructed specimens versus normal showed an upward trend (38.6% versus 27.6%), which was not significant. In conclusion, the obstructed ureteropelvic junction complexes of kidneys in asymptomatic infants show significant qualitative and quantitative differences from normal.

Humans↗