OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychological characteristics of the patients with bruxism by Minnesota Multiphase Personality Inventory(MMPI). METHODS: MMPI was administered to 87 patients(46 bruxism group and 41 control group) who had visited a local dental clinic from January to August 1998. RESULTS: The bruxism group had a higher score than control group in Masculinity-Femininity(Mf) scale. There were no differences between bruxism group and control group on the distribution of Depression(D), Psychopatic Deviate(Pd), Paranoia(Pa), Psychasthenia(Pt) scales. The bruxism group with the family history showed higher score than the bruxism group without family history in Pd scale. Male bruxism group had a higher score than female bruxism group in Defensiveness(K) scale and female bruxism group had higher score than male bruxism group in Pa scale. The bruxism group of clenching type had higher score than the bruxism group of mixed type in Social Introversion(Si) scale. There were no differences in MMPI score between those who had and did not have symptoms such as masticatory musle pain, neck pain and headache. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that individualized approach may be effective to the evaluation of psychological disturbances which might be related to sex, family history and, type of bruxism, while we did not find significant differences in personality charateristics between the bruxism and control groups.
Bruxism* ; Dental Clinics ; Female ; Headache ; Humans ; Male ; Minnesota ; MMPI* ; Neck Pain ; Weights and Measures

OBJECTIVE: Embryonic stem cells (ES cells) are pluripotential, and are therefore used to construct gene knock-out mice and to study cell differentiation and early developmental processes in mice. This study was designated to examine apoptotic processes in ES cells according to culture conditions and to study roles of extracellular matrix on the process. METHODS: Apoptosis was determined by DNA fragmentation and kinase activity during apoptotic process was measured. RESULTS: The apoptosis of mouse ES cells was induced when the cells were dispersed as single cells, whereas this process was suppressed when they proliferated in aggregates. Single cell suspension culture did not affect expression of bcl-2 and bax mRNA. Single cell suspension culture activated stress-activated protein kinase/c-jun-N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK), but not p38 kinase. The apoptosis of ES cells was repressed when the cells were cultured on feeders prepared from mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF), or on the petri dishes coated with fibronectin or laminin, but not with collagen or poly-L-lysine. Culture supernatants from MEF cells did not block the apoptosis of ES cells, which suggests that a direct interaction between ES cells and MEF cells is required for the suppression of apoptosis. Activation of SAPK/JNK by single cell suspension was protected by interaction of cells with laminin or fibronectin, but not with collagen or poly-L-lysine. CONCLUSION: The suspension of ES cells as single cells causes serious damage and induces apoptosis, and the apoptotic process is mediated by the activation of SAPK/JNK and is inhibited by the interaction of ES cells with extracellular matrix.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Cell Differentiation ; Collagen ; DNA Fragmentation ; Embryonic Stem Cells* ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts ; Fibronectins ; Laminin ; Mice* ; Mice, Knockout ; Phosphotransferases ; RNA, Messenger

Direct operation for ruptured aneurysm should be the choice of treatment in elderly patients same as in younger cases. The early operation is an effective and reliable method to reduce the occurrence of rebleeding, vasospasm, ischemic complication, medical complication & to shorten lengths of hospitalization. To evaluate the risk of early operation of elderly patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysm. conducted a retrospective analysis 81 elderly patients with ruptured aneurysms who were over aged 60 years between Jan 1985 to June 1988. Of these, 47 case were performed early operation in which the direct intracranial operation was carried out within 3 days after last subarachnoid hemorrage. 77 % had favorable outcome and 13% died.
Aged* ; Aneurysm, Ruptured* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Retrospective Studies

A case of Moya-Moya disease with AVM is reported. It is well known that Moya-Moya disease sometimes is accompanied by cerebral aneurysm. However, only four case of Moya-Moya disease with AVM have previously been published in the world. A 36-year-old women suffered from sudden onset of mental deterioration & left hemiparesis, Brain CT scan showed intraventricular hemorrage in both lateral & 3rd ventricle. Enhanced CT scan revealed irregular enhancing area in the right posterior parietal cortex. Cerebral angiography showed an arteriovenous malformation fed by basal Moya-Moya vessels & posterior meningeal artery. Emergeny external ventricular drainge was done. 2 weeks later, the patient had operation for excision of AVM & encephalomyosynangiosis.
Adult ; Arteriovenous Malformations* ; Brain ; Cerebral Angiography ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Meningeal Arteries ; Moyamoya Disease* ; Paresis ; Rabeprazole ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Carcinoid is the most common tumor in the appendix and most often occurs in young patient. A case of mesoappendiceal invasion of carcinoid of appendix in presented and the literature review for indications for right hemicolectomy. A 38-year-old man was admitted to hospital after 3 day with right lower quadrant pain. The appendectomy was performed. At gross pathologic examination the appendix measured 7.5 cm in length and 1.6 cm in diameter. The serosal surface is congested and covered with yellow white fibrinoid material. The cut surface revealed a focal thickening of wall, measured 0.7 x 0.5 cm at 2 cm from tip of the appendix. Light microscopy revealed a typical carcinoid tumors infiltrating periappendiceal fat tissue. The patient was readmitted 4 weeks postoperatively for an elective right hemicolectomy. At exploratory laparotomy, there were no palpable lymph nodes. Exploration of the distal ileum, small bowel, and remaining abdomen did reveal any other carcinoid tumors.
Abdomen ; Adult ; Appendectomy ; Appendix ; Carcinoid Tumor* ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Humans ; Ileum ; Laparotomy ; Lymph Nodes ; Microscopy

Actinomycosis is a chronic, granulomatous suppurative disease caused by Actinomyces species. Actinomyces is an anaerobic, gram positive organism that requires special techniques for culture and isolation. Actinomycosis is characterized by formation of multiple abscesses, draining sinuses, abundant granulations (sulfur granule) and dense fibrous tissue. The three major clinical presentations include the cervicofacial, thoracic, and abdominal regions. Since A. israelii is a normal inhabitant of the oral cavity, to make a definitive diagnosis it must be recovered from closed tissue spaces, draining sinuses, or abscesses, or it must be shown to be invasive in histopathologic sections. The drug of choice is penicillin. Because of the dense fibrous tissue surrounding the colonies of organisms and the concentration of organisms in clusters, high doses of pharmacologic agents must be used for long periods, and radical surgical excision should accompany antibiotic therapy if possible. We report three cases of abdominal actinomycosis, preoperatively impressed as appendicitis and pelvic abscess, which was diagnosed by a histological study of operative specimens. The possible pathogenic mechanisms causing clinical symptoms are discussed.
Abscess ; Actinomyces ; Actinomycosis* ; Appendicitis ; Diagnosis ; Mouth ; Penicillins

The first case of chyle ascites in childhood was reported by Morton in 1683. Its reported incidence varies between 1 in 50,000 to 100,000 in hospital admissions. The clinical picture is similar to that of acute diffuse peritonitis, and is most commonly mistaken as perforated appendicitis. Paracetesis, if performed, is the most useful diagnostic option. Treatment modalities fall into four areas-: Exploratory laparotomy with either direct ligation or drainage, A medium chain triglyceride diet, NPO and hyperalimentation or Venoperitoneal shunting. An 11-years old boy was admitted with RLQ pain. He had diffuse abdominal guarding. The initial diagnosis was perforated appendicitis, and appendectomy was performed. During the operation, the abdomen was found to contain 750cc of a thin, milky fluid. It was later diagnosed as chyle ascites. The small bowel mesentery and transverse colon were thickened and edematous, with a pale white subserosal exudate. The laboratory analysis of the ascites was as follows-: protein 4.6 g/dL, albumin 3.0 g/dL, triglyceride 700 mg/dL, cholesterol 113 mg/dL, glucose 209 mg/dL, LDH 848 U/L, and amylase 32 U/dL, with a pH of 9.0. An appendectomy was performed, and two drains placed in the pelvic cavity. In the postoperative-work-up from the abdominal CT scan, the results were normal. The patient-recovered and was discharged without complication 21 days postoperatively.
Abdomen ; Amylases ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis* ; Ascites* ; Child ; Cholesterol ; Chyle* ; Colon, Transverse ; Diagnosis ; Diet ; Drainage ; Exudates and Transudates ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Incidence ; Laparotomy ; Ligation ; Male ; Mesentery ; Peritonitis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Triglycerides

Hemangioblastoma is an uncommon tumor of the central nervous system, accounting for only 1 % to 2.5% of all intracranial neoplasms. Hemangioblastoma can occur either sporadically or as a manifestation of von Hippel-Lindau diseasean inherited disorder of the autosomal dominant trait-characterized by tumors or tumor-like lesions developing in several organs including angioma of retina, pheochromocytoma, cyst or carcinoma in kidney and pancreas. We have encountered a family in which two male members were histologically diagnosed as suffering from von Hippel-Lindau disease and another male member was clinically suspected of suffering from spinal hemangioblastoma. The pathophysiology and genetic aspect of von Hippel-Lindau disease are discussed with review of literatures.
Brain Neoplasms ; Central Nervous System ; Hemangioblastoma ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Kidney ; Male ; Pancreas ; Pheochromocytoma ; Retina ; von Hippel-Lindau Disease*

Intracranial cavernous hemangioma is one of vascular malformations composed of thin walled sinusoidal spaces lined with endothelium. The authors described 7 cases of cavernous hemangioma that were verified histologically and 5 lesions that were diagnosed only with symptoms, radiological and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) findings. The clinical features are as follows:7 patients had seizures, 3 focal neurological signs and 2 intracaranial hematomas. Computed tomography(CT) usually demonstrated nodular or irregular hyperdense lesions without significant mass effect. MRI usually revealed central area of mixed signal intensity and peripheral rim of low signal intensity. Angiography usually showed an avascular area or normal angiographic appearance. The combination of a clinical history with CT, angiography and MRI findings would suggest cavernous hemangioma. Four epilepsy patients underwent surgical procedures, resulting in improved seizure control and/or lessened neurological deficit.
Angiography ; Endothelium ; Epilepsy ; Hemangioma, Cavernous* ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Seizures ; Vascular Malformations

A rare case of idiopathic subcortical intracerebral hematoma superimposed on the subarachnoid hemorrhage due to the rupture of an ipsilateral middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysm is reported and pertinent literatures are reviewed.
Aneurysm* ; Hematoma* ; Middle Cerebral Artery* ; Rupture ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage*