19 cases of non-pineal intracranial germ cell tumors were reviewed retrospectively with both radiologic andclinical featurses. The results were as follows: 1. The age distribution was 8 to 32 year old (16 year old of meanage) and the sex distribution shows male predominence(15:4). 2. The histopathologic diagnosis included 11 cases ofgeminoma, 2 cases of mixed germ cell tumor, 1 case of embryonal cell carcinoma and 5 cases of unknown. 3. Thelocation of tumors was the suprasellar region in 8 cases, the left basal ganglia and thalamus in 5 cases, and theright frontal lobe in 1 case. Among 11 cases of geminoma, 6 cases involve the suprasellar region and 3 cases theleft basal ganglia and thalamus. 4. In clinical features, there were visual disturbance, diabetes insipidus,increased ICP signs, motor weakness, hormonal disorders, and personal changes in order. 5. In tumor marker studyof 6 cases of geminoma, 5 cases show increase in HCG, titie, but all 6 cases were normal in AFP titer. 6. In brainCT, most of all revealed well-defined homogeneous high density with or without small central low density andhomogenous enhancement at solid portion,and there was calcification in only case with mixed germ cell tumor.
Age Distribution ; Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Diagnosis ; Frontal Lobe ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Thalamus

The publication of this article unfortunately contained several mistakes.
Humans ; Orthognathic Surgery ; Publications ; Snoring

BACKGROUND: Two-jaw surgery including mandibular and maxillary backward movement procedures are commonly performed to correct class III malocclusion. Bimaxillary surgery can reposition the maxillofacial bone together with soft tissue, such as the soft palate and the tongue base. We analyzed changes of pharyngeal airway narrowing to ascertain clinical correlations with the prevalence of snoring after two-jaw surgery. METHODS: A prospective clinical study was designed including a survey on snoring and three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) in class III malocclusion subjects before and after bimaxillary surgery. We conducted an analysis on changes of the posterior pharyngeal space find out clinical correlations with the prevalence of snoring. RESULTS: Among 67 subjects, 12 subjects complained about snoring 5 weeks after the surgical correction, and examining the 12 subjects after 6 months, 6 patients complained about the snoring. The current findings demonstrated the attenuation of the largest transverse width (LTW), anteroposterior length (APL), and cross-sectional area (CSA) following bimaxillary surgery given to class III malocclusion patients, particularly at the retropalatal level. The average distance of maxillary posterior movements were measured to be relatively higher (horizontal distance 3.9 mm, vertical distance 2.6 mm) in case of new snorers. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that bimaxillary surgery could lead to the narrowing of upper airway at the retropalatal or retroglossal level as well as triggering snoring in subjects with class III malocclusion. Based on the current clinical findings, we also found that upper airway narrowing at retropalatal level may contribute to increasing the probability of snoring and that polysonography may need to be performed before orthognathic surgery in subjects with class III malocclusion.
Clinical Study ; Humans ; Malocclusion ; Orthognathic Surgery* ; Palate, Soft ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; Snoring* ; Tongue

OBJECTIVE: To report 18 months follow up results of radiofrequency myolysis and analysis the factors which effect the success rate of myolysis. METHODS: 153 patients who took radiofrequency myolysis between October 2004.~June 2006 in this hospital were enrolled this retrospective study. Except 14 patients which had incomplete data, total 139 patient's charts were reviewed. Sonographic evaluations were checked after a week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months after myolysis. Questions about complications like vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, feber and vaginal discharge were asked to patients in every visits. Volume of the myoma were checked via 3D ultrasonography. RESULTS: Reduction rate of the volume of myoma after 18 months were 73% and reoperation rate were 4.3%. Improvement rates of patients symptom were 87% (menorrhagea 95%, dysmenorrheal 75%, pelvic pain 60%) The patients who had myomas sized over 100 ml before treatments showed statistically higher rate of reoperation, and decreased rate of satisfaction. Reoperation rate and reduction rate of myoma showed no difference through pathologic diagnosis. The patients who had initial symptoms showed higher rate of satisfaction after myolysis. Total satisfaction rate were 62%, and no serious complications like bowel injury, bladder injury, sepsis and peritonitis were not reported. CONCLUSION: Satisfaction rate after radiofrequency myolysis was increased in symptomatic leiomyoma especially smaller than 6.5 cm in diameter.
Abdominal Pain ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; Myoma ; Pelvic Pain ; Peritonitis ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Bladder ; Uterine Hemorrhage ; Vaginal Discharge

When the circumstance of a death seems to be related with electric shock, most of the forensic pathologists tend to diagnose the cause of death as electrocution if they see the electric mark(s) with the notincompatible histology, and find no other definite causes of death at autopsy. But admittedly forensic pathologists know that the so-called electric mark(s) and its histology is not pathognomonic to diagnose electrocution, so the diagnosis should be confirmed by the appropriate investigation of the death scene and the electric devices. We present a case of a man who had a likely current mark that could be diagnosed as natural by ruling out the possibility of electrocution with the examination of the electric lamp which had been under the dead body at the scene. This case gives us the importance of appropriate probe about scene evidences supplied by forensic science in diagnosing and ruling out the electrocution.
Autopsy ; Cause of Death ; Diagnosis ; Forensic Sciences ; Shock

Transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) on astrocytes prevents ongoing degeneration of nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) neurons in MPP⁺-lesioned rats via ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). The present study determined whether such a beneficial effect of astrocytic TRPV1 could be achieved after completion of injury of DA neurons, rather than ongoing injury, which seems more relevant to therapeutics. To test this, the MPP⁺-lesioned rat model utilized here exhibited approximately 70~80% degeneration of nigrostriatal DA neurons that was completed at 2 weeks post medial forebrain bundle injection of MPP⁺. TRPV1 agonist, capsaicin (CAP), was intraperitoneally administered. CNTF receptor alpha neutralizing antibody (CNTFRαNAb) was nigral injected to evaluate the role of CNTF endogenously produced by astrocyte through TRPV1 activation on DA neurons. Delayed treatment of CAP produced a significant reduction in amphetamine-induced rotational asymmetry. Accompanying this behavioral recovery, CAP treatment increased CNTF levels and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), and levels of DA and its metabolites in the striatum compared to controls. Interestingly, behavioral recovery and increases in biochemical indices were not reflected in trophic changes of the DA system. Instead, behavioral recovery was temporal and dependent on the continuous presence of CAP treatment. The results suggest that delayed treatment of CAP increases nigral TH enzyme activity and striatal levels of DA and its metabolites by CNTF endogenously derived from CAP-activated astrocytes through TRPV1, leading to functional recovery. Consequently, these findings may be useful in the treatment of DA imbalances associated with Parkinson's disease.
Animals ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; Astrocytes ; Capsaicin ; Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor ; Dopamine ; Dopaminergic Neurons ; Medial Forebrain Bundle ; Models, Animal ; Neurons ; Parkinson Disease ; Pars Compacta ; Rats ; Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

Axonal swellings or retraction balls are the major histologic hallmark of diffuse axonal injury in craniocerebral trauma. However, traditional histologic methods have proven of limited use in identifying reactive axonal change early in the posttraumatic course. In the present study, we try to compare conventional histologic and immunohistochemical methods, and transmission electron microscopy for demonstrating axonal swellings in 18 cases of head trauma. Brain regions such as corpus callosum, cerebral cortex, and brain stem were examined with immunohistochemical markers for beta-Amyloid precursor protein (beta-APP), neurofilament, ubiquitin, and CD68. The result was as follows: In 2 out of 18 cases, eosiniophilic spheroid axon balls were demonstrated with hematoxylineosin stain. Ultrastructurally, the axon balls exhibited misalignment, clumping or loss of neurofilaments, and accumulation of organelles. The organelles consisted of mitochondria, dense membranous bodies, and SER. The overlying thin myelin sheath was distended. In 6 cases with no axonal swellings at the histologic section, electron microscopic examination revealed axonopathy as evidenced by disintegration of neurofilaments and aggregated organelles. Immunostaining with an antibody to beta-APP disclosed varying positive reaction in axonal swellings and axon balls, suggestive for injured axons. However, the axons which did not appear obviously swollen at short survival times disclosed beta-APP negativity. Our findings suggest that transmission electron microscopy was very useful to identify the early axonal events in the posttraumatic course, while the immunostain was of limited value. The pathogenesis of axonal swellings in injured axons was discussed.
Axons ; Brain Stem ; Brain* ; Cerebral Cortex ; Corpus Callosum ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Diffuse Axonal Injury* ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Mitochondria ; Myelin Sheath ; Organelles ; Ubiquitin

Stroke causes systemic immunosuppression. T lymphocytes are involved in infarct size in the early stages of stroke. However, the phenotypes of T lymphocytes and their functions in peripheral immune organs and the brain have not been well analyzed in the acute and chronic phases of stroke. Here, we investigated pathological phenotypic alterations in the systemic immune response, especially changes in T lymphocytes, from one day to six months after ischemic stroke in mice. Impairment in thymocyte numbers, development, proliferation, and apoptosis were observed for up to two weeks. The number of mature T cells in the spleen and blood decreased and showed reduced interferon-γ production. Increased numbers of CD4-CD8-CD3+ double-negative T cells were observed in the mouse brain during the early stages of stroke, whereas interleukin (IL)-10+Foxp3+ regulatory T lymphocytes increased from two weeks during the chronic phase. These phenotypes correlated with body weight and neurological severity scores. The recovery of T lymphocyte numbers and increases in IL-10+Foxp3+ regulatory T lymphocytes may be important for long-term neurological outcomes. Dynamic changes in T lymphocytes between the acute and chronic phases may play different roles in pathogenesis and recovery. This study provides fundamental information regarding the T lymphocyte alterations from the brain to the peripheral immune organs following stroke.

Stroke causes systemic immunosuppression. T lymphocytes are involved in infarct size in the early stages of stroke. However, the phenotypes of T lymphocytes and their functions in peripheral immune organs and the brain have not been well analyzed in the acute and chronic phases of stroke. Here, we investigated pathological phenotypic alterations in the systemic immune response, especially changes in T lymphocytes, from one day to six months after ischemic stroke in mice. Impairment in thymocyte numbers, development, proliferation, and apoptosis were observed for up to two weeks. The number of mature T cells in the spleen and blood decreased and showed reduced interferon-γ production. Increased numbers of CD4-CD8-CD3+ double-negative T cells were observed in the mouse brain during the early stages of stroke, whereas interleukin (IL)-10+Foxp3+ regulatory T lymphocytes increased from two weeks during the chronic phase. These phenotypes correlated with body weight and neurological severity scores. The recovery of T lymphocyte numbers and increases in IL-10+Foxp3+ regulatory T lymphocytes may be important for long-term neurological outcomes. Dynamic changes in T lymphocytes between the acute and chronic phases may play different roles in pathogenesis and recovery. This study provides fundamental information regarding the T lymphocyte alterations from the brain to the peripheral immune organs following stroke.