In the present study, we investigated the effect of Tetaus toxin (TeT) on cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation using specific markers: 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) as an exogenous marker for cell proliferation, Ki-67 as an endogenous marker for cell proliferation and doublecortin (DCX) as a marker for neuroblasts in the mouse hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) after TeT treatment. Mice were intraperitoneally administered 2.5 and 10 ng/kg TeT and sacrificed 15 days after the treatment. In both the TeT-treated groups, no neuronal death occurred in any layers of the DG using neuronal nuclei (NeuN, a neuron nuclei maker) and Fluoro-Jade B (F-J B, a high-affinity fluorescent marker for the localization of neuronal degeneration). In addition, no significant change in glial activation in both the 2.5 and 10 ng/kg TeT-treated-groups was found by GFAP (a marker for astrocytes) and Iba-1 (a marker for microglia) immunohistochemistry. However, in the 2.5 ng/kg TeT-treated-group, the mean number of BrdU, Ki-67 and DCX immunoreactive cells, respectively, were apparently decreased compared to the control group, and the mean number of each in the 10 ng/kg TeT-treated-group was much more decreased. In addition, processes of DCX-immunoreactive cells, which projected into the molecular layer, were short compared to those in the control group. In brief, our present results show that low dosage (10 ng/kg) TeT treatment apparently decreased cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the mouse hippocampal DG without distinct gliosis as well as any loss of adult neurons.
Adult ; Animals ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; Cell Proliferation ; Dentate Gyrus ; Exotoxins ; Fluoresceins ; Gliosis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Neurogenesis ; Neurons ; Tetanus ; Tetanus Toxin

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the landmark for deciding the entry point for C1 lateral mass screws via the posterior arch by using 3-dimensional (3D) computed images. METHODS: Resnick insisted that the C1 posterior arch could be divided into pure posterior and lateral lamina (C1 pedicle). Authors studied where this transition point (TP) is located between the posterior lamina and the C1 pedicle and how it can be recognized. The 3D computed images of 86 cadaver C1s (M : F=45 : 41) were used in this study. RESULTS: The superior ridge of the C1 posterior arch had 2 types of orientation. One was in the vertical direction in the C1 posterior lamina and the other was in the horizontal direction in the C1 pedicle. The TP was located at the border between the 2 areas, the same site as the posterior end of the groove of the vertebral artery. On posterior-anterior projection, the posterior arch was sharpened abruptly at TP. We were unable to identify the TP in 6.4% of specimens due to complete or partial osseous bridges. A total of 93.8% of the TP were located between the most enlarged point of the spinal canal and the medial wall of the vertebral artery. CONCLUSION: The anatomic entry zone of C1 lateral laminar screws was clarified and identified based on the TP by using preoperative 3D computed images.
Cadaver ; Spinal Canal ; Vertebral Artery

BACKGROUND: The macrophages activated by lipopolisaccharide produce numerous molecules and proteins, such as tumor necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1beta, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and free radicals, associated with inflammation. The response was occurred by intracellular cascaded, NF-kappaB pathway. So, the regulation of this pathway is very important in control of inflammation. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of Sophora flavescens that is used empirically in oriental medicine and folk remedy were evaluated and the mechanism of the effects was studied. METHODS: By using the root extracts of Sophora flavescens, we performed experiment in LPS and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-activated Raw 264.7 cells. We measured the production of NO, PGE2 and expression of iNOS and COX-2 in activated Raw 264.7 cells with Sophora flavescens root extract. Also, we tested anti-oxidant effect of Sophora flavescens root extracts by ELISA kit in activated Raw 264.7 cells, and the free radical scavenging effect of material itself by DPPH assay. RESULTS: The Sophora flavescens root extracts decreased the production of NO (p<0.001) and PGE2 (p<0.01) in Raw 264.7 cells activated by LPS and IFN-gamma. The expression of proteins, iNOS and COX-2, suppressed along with the elevated concentration of Sophora flavescens root extracts. The result of DPPH assay was that the test material itself had scavenging effect for free radical (p<0.001). And the antioxidant activity in activated Raw 264.7 cells was increased with the level of the Sophora flavescens root extracts (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The Sophora flavescens root extracts suppressed the production of NO and PGE2 through the decreased expression of iNOS and COX-2. And the Sophora flavescens root extracts had the scavenging effect about free radicals itself and increased the antioxidant activity in activated macrophages.
Antioxidants ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Dinoprostone ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Free Radicals ; Inflammation ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-6 ; Macrophages ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; Medicine, Traditional ; NF-kappa B ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Proteins ; Sophora

BACKGROUND: In the studies of the distribution of time to death in trauma patients, the early deaths within several hours after injury were a large component of total trauma deaths. Due to the development of trauma system, overall mortality of trauma was decreased, but trauma is still the major cause of deaths. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 1994 to December 2003, trauma patients who had been admitted and had expired at tertiary hospital were enrolled. There was a total of 400 cases, a retrospective study was done to determine the distribution of trauma mortality according to the part of the body that were severely injured part and compared the difference between early deaths within 6 hours and late deaths after 6 hours. We also analysed the risk factors of early deaths due to trauma. RESULT: In severe injury to the head and abdomen, the distribution of mortality was bimodal. But, in severe chest injuries, the distribution was log-shape and most early deaths were almost of trauma related. The average of GCS were 5.86+/-4.15 for the early deaths and 8.24+/-5.02 for the late deaths (p <0.05). The AIS of thorax were 2.66+/-1.87 for the early deaths and 1.55+/-1.76 for late deaths. The risk factors for early mortality were non-EMS transportation (odds ratio 3.474), high AIS (odds ratio 1.491) and GCS (odds ratio 0.859). CONCLUSION: In trauma patients, the causes of early mortality were severe brain injury and massive hemorrhage. Also severe chest injuries were the major cause of the early deaths in truama. Early diagnosis of chest injury can frequently be missed in the acute trauma setting. Therefore, high index of suspicion, a careful examination, and aggressive surgical treatment are important in multiple trauma patients.
Abdomen ; Brain Injuries ; Cause of Death ; Early Diagnosis ; Head ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Mortality ; Multiple Trauma ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Thoracic Injuries* ; Thorax* ; Transportation

Subepidermal calcified nodule, a form of idiopathic calcinosis cutis, typically present as a hard, 3 to 11 mm, solitary lesion on the exposed area of the head and the extremities. Here we re-port an unusual case of subepidermal calcified nodule occurring on the buttock. A 15-year-old girl presented with a 6-month history of a 12 × 6 mm, oval, hard, erythematous nodule on the right buttock. Histopathologic examination of an excision biopsy specimen revealed extensive deposition of calcium in the whole dermis as large multilobulated masses.
Adolescent ; Biopsy ; Buttocks* ; Calcinosis ; Calcium ; Dermis ; Extremities ; Female ; Head ; Humans

We report seven cases of cutaneous sarcoidosis without systemic involvement. All cases showed specific skin lesions which were papules (2 cases), patches (2 cases), subcutaneous nodules (2 cases) and plaques (1 case), respectively. Histologic examinations of the specimens commonly showed typical noncaseating granulomas. Although we performed the various laboratory studies, there was no evidence of systemic involvement in any case. Treatment with intralesional and/or topical steroid resulted in good responses, but we experienced some relapses of the skin lesions after withdrawal of treatment. Excision was the choice of treatment for subcutanous nodules. During the follow-up periods (1 - 4 years), we could not find any evidence of systemic involvement. Our cases represent the unusual cases of cutaneous sarcoidosis without systemic involvement.
Follow-Up Studies ; Granuloma ; Recurrence ; Sarcoidosis* ; Skin

Bowen's disease is a premalignant condition, which may evolve into invasive carcinoma. Most invasive carcinomas arising from Bowen's disease show squamous differentiation, but rarely basaloid, pilar, pilosebaceous or sebaceous differentiation. We herein describe two cases of invasive carcinoma arising from Bowen's disease. First case, a 78-year-old male, presented with an erythematous plaque with ulcerated and fungating changes on his back. Biopsy specimen revealed Bowen's disease transformed into invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Second one, a 67-year-old male who had been diagnosed histologically as Bowen's disease on the right inguinal area 5 months ago, complained of enlargement and infiltration of the previous lesion. Biopsy specimen showed invasive carcinomatous change of basosquamous differentiation. Our cases represent unusual invasive changes of Bowen's disease into squamous cell carcinoma and carcinoma of basosquamous differentiation.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Bowen's Disease* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Humans ; Male ; Ulcer

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis(EPF) is a rare inflammatory follicular disorder of unknown etiology. EPF is characterized by recurrent clusters of pruritic, follicular, sterile papules and pustules on the seborrheic area of young men. Compared with classical adult type, infantile EPF reveals the distinctive clinical features, such as constant involvement of the scalp, self-healing recurrent crops, and the possibility of lasting until 3 years of age. We describe two patients with infantile EPF. Both patients commonly had recurrent crops of papules and pustules affecting the scalp only. Bacterial and fungal cultures were negative, and one patient showed an eosinophilia. Biopsy specimens revealed folliculitis with a predominant eosinophilic infiltrate. Clinical response to oral antihistamines and topical corticosteroids was noted, but the lesions have been recurrent during the long-term follow-up period of 1 year.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Adult ; Biopsy ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Folliculitis* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Histamine Antagonists ; Humans ; Male ; Scalp

Angioma serpiginosum is a rare vascular naevoid disorder due to progressive ectatic dilatation of capillaries in the papillary dermis. We report two cases of angioma serpiginosum. A 24-year-old woman presented with asymptomatic multiple deeply red macules arranged in a serpiginous pattern on the left posterior thigh. In the other case, an 8-year-old girl had asymptomatic red nonpalpable puncta that were grouped closely together in a linear pattern from the left lower abdomen to thigh. On the histopathological examination, both cases commonly showed grouped, dilated, ectatic vessels in the upper dermis. These clinical and histopathological findings were typical of angioma serpiginosum.
Abdomen ; Capillaries ; Child ; Dermis ; Dilatation ; Female ; Hemangioma* ; Humans ; Thigh ; Young Adult

We report a case of uncrossed complete ureteral duplication with the orifice of the upper system ureter opening in the cranial and lateral positionin the bladder. There was reflux only to the upper system of the duplex kidney and the orifice of the lower system ureter in caudal position was associated with a ureterocele, and the lower pole system was large and non-functioning. The patient was treated successfully by lower pole heminephrectomy and ureterectomy.
Humans ; Kidney ; Ureter* ; Ureterocele* ; Urinary Bladder