The expression of c-fos and c-jun in the brain of the rat after capsaicin treatment was investigated by in situ hybridization, dot blot hybridization and immunocytochemical methods. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats[200g] were used for this study. The first set of rats received a single subcutaneous injection of capsaicin[50mg/Kg] dissolved in 10% Tween-80 and 10% ethanol in saline. The rats were decapitated 1, 3, 5, 10, 24, 72 hours and 1 week after capsaicin treatment. The control set of rats were treated with saline instead of capsaicin. In situ hybridization and dot blot hybridization were carried out. O1igonucleotide probe complimentary to c-fos mRNA sequences were used for this study and labeling of oligonucleotides was accomplished using the DNA tailing kit. The expression of c-fos mRNA on the nucleus of neurons in in situ hybridization was observed throughout the brain, and was especially abundant in the olfactory cortex, nucleus of diagonal band of Broca, habenular nuclei, periaqueductal gray, parabrachial nucleus, entopeduncular nucleus, ventral posterolateral nucleus of the thalamus and cerebellum. Compared to the control rats, c-fos mRNA were increased 24 hours after capsaicin injection and gradually decreased after 72 hours, returning to the normal control level 1 week after capsaicin injection. c-fos mRNA was detected only 1 week after capsaicin injection in the various areas of the brain. The fos protein-like immunoreactivity was initially somewhat decreased at 24 hours, but increased at 72 hours and reactions was maximally observed at 1 week after capsaicin treatment. But Jun protein immunoreactivity was not increased, on the contrary, it was even decreased both in numbers of reactive cells and immunoreactivity 1 week after capsaicin injection. From the above results, c-fos gene expression was pronounced in the nucleus concerned with pain, olfaction and taste such as VPL nucleus of the thalamus, olfactory cortex and parabrachial nucleus, in the limbic system concerned with stress and emotion such as nucleus of diagonal band of Broca, periaqueductal gray and habenular nucleus, in the structure concerned with somatic motor function such as entopeduncular nucleus and cerebellum. Also, the c-fos gene was activated by the capsaicin early in the course of effects, then the fos protein increased as a results of c-fos activation. On the other hand, c-jun did not respond to capsaicin treatment early in the course, but Jun protein decreased late in the course of capsaicin effects.
Adult ; Animals ; Brain* ; Capsaicin* ; Cerebellum ; DNA ; Entopeduncular Nucleus ; Ethanol ; Genes, fos ; Habenula ; Hand ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Limbic System ; Male ; Neurons ; Olfactory Pathways ; Oligonucleotides ; Periaqueductal Gray ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA, Messenger ; Septal Nuclei ; Smell ; Thalamus ; Ventral Thalamic Nuclei

No abstract available.
Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures* ; Humans ; Nutrition Assessment* ; Postoperative Complications*

PURPOSE:Most but not all intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR) children has catch-up growth postnatally. However, nothing is known about the predictive parameters on the catch-up growth. The aim of this study was to describe serum IGF-I, free IGF-I, IGFBP-1, and IGFBP-3 levels in IUGR children and to correlate these hormone values with auxologic parameters to investigate their value on the postnatal growth pattern. METHODS:Among children with IUGR born at Ewha Womans University from Jan. 1995 to Aug. 1998, 16 children with IUGR at 3 years of age and 12 age-matched normal controls were studied for auxologic and biologic parameters. We measured height, weight, and serum levels of insulin-like growth factor(IGF)-I, free IGF-I, IGF binding protein(BP)-1, IGFBP-3 using immunoradiometric kits. RESULTS: 1)Among 16 children with IUGR at 3 years of age, 13 children had catch-up growth(81.3%), but 3 children remained short stature(18.7%). The height standard deviation score(SDS) in children with IUGR and control were -0.3+/-0.8 and 0.8+/-0.7, respectively(P<0.05) and weight SDS were -0.7+/-0.9 and 1.1+/-1.1, respectively(P>0.05). 2)Serum IGF-I levels in children with IUGR at 3 years of age and normal control were 90.9+/-35.4ng/mL and 68.4+/-24.4ng/mL, respectively(p>0.05) and free IGF-I were 0.9+/-0.5ng/mL and 0.6+/-0.3ng/mL(p>0.05), IGFBP-1 were 50.5+/-30.5ng/ mL and 52.3+/-23.2ng/mL(p>0.05), IGFBP-3 were 4,116.7+/-1,062.2ng/mL and 4,058.4+/-808.5ng/mL(p>0.05), respectively. 3)In children with IUGR at 3 years of age, height SDS in IUGR children with catch-up growth and those without catch-up growth were 0.002+/-0.6 and -1.5+/-0.7, respectively(P<0.001), but there were no differences in weight SDS, body mass index, IGF-I, free IGF-I, IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3. 4)There were no significant correlations between height gain and any growth factors. CONCLUSION: The results show that there is no difference in the levels of IGF-I, free IGF-I, IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 in IUGR children at 3 years of age compared to age-matched normal control, suggesting that other factors rather than IGF-I, free IGF-I, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-3 may cause short stature in IUGR.
Body Mass Index ; Child* ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation* ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I* ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins

No abstract available.
Dexamethasone* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Meningitis, Bacterial*

BACKGROUND: Many anesthesiolosists feel that epidural anesthesia is unsuitable for spinal sugery. However, several articles have been published in which epidural anesthesia is viewed as a good alternative to general anesthesia for spine surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate effectiveness and complications of epidural anesthesia for spine surgery. METHODS: Eighty-two patients undergoing epidural anesthesia for spine surgery was studied prospectively. Epidural anesthesia was performed using 18-gauge Tuohy needles inserted at the L1-2 interspace. A test dose of lidocaine 3 ml was injected to check for a subarachnoid puncture. After a 2 - 3 minute waiting period, 0.5% bupivacaine 12 ml was slowly injected for 3 minutes. The pain at the operation site and roots, extension of anesthesia, motor blockade and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Pain at the operation site was minimal in 83% of the patients; however, 44% of the patients complained of moderate to severe root pain. No patient had a new neurologic deficit as a result of the epidural technique. Perioperative complications were minimal and could be easily treated. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that proper administration of epidural anesthesia for spine surgery is a safe and reliable procedure and a good alternative to general anesthesia.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Epidural* ; Anesthesia, General ; Bupivacaine ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Needles ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Prospective Studies ; Punctures ; Spine*

PURPOSE: To examine factors affecting long-term care hospital patients' intention of transfer to a nursing home. METHOD: A questionnaire survey was conducted in Aug. 2007 that included 655 patients from 49 long-term care hospitals. The survey aimed to assess the patients' health status, family status, cost and intention of transfer to a nursing home. Institutional characteristics were analyzed from the nationwide database of Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service. The affecting factors were examined by employing chi-square test and logistic regression using SAS 8.2. RESULT: Of the subjects, 32.4% had intention of transfer to a nursing home. The intention of transfer to a nursing home was affected by moderate or severe pain, living together with the primary carer, high cost uncovered by insurance, and recognition of nursing home. CONCLUSION: For appropriate service utilization, a higher level of care is needed to satisfy patients at nursing homes and a balanced fee schedule is needed between long term care hospitals and nursing homes. It is desirable to encourage transfer to a nursing home at which nurses support patients and their families by giving information, coordination, and to make efforts to establish a reference system.
Caregivers ; Fee Schedules ; Humans ; Insurance ; Insurance, Health ; Intention* ; Logistic Models ; Long-Term Care* ; Nursing Homes* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The Freeman-Sheldon syndrome (FSS) is a rare congenital myopathy. Main manifestations are "whistling face", camptodactyly with ulnar deviation of the finger and talipes equinovarus. Myopathic fibrotic circumoral musculature result in microstomia with the characteristic protruding pursed "whistling lip" and mandibular and laryngeal development may also be abnormal. Thus the patients with FSS are expected to difficult intubation and the use of muscle relaxant should not be expected to improve intubating condition. We report a children with the Freeman-Sheldon syndrome who was intubated with fiberoptic laryngoscope and discuss anesthetic consideration.
Child ; Clubfoot ; Fingers ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Laryngoscopes ; Microstomia ; Muscular Diseases

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Vitamin K Deficiency* ; Vitamin K* ; Vitamins*

Hairy cell leukemia is an uncommon lymphoreticular disorder which primarily involves bone marrow, spleen, and peripheral blood. Patients, mostly men, present with splenomegaly and pancytopenia usually. A 62-year-old man was admitted with an abdominnal mass which had grown slowly for 20 years. On physical examination, an enlarged spleen was palpated without tenderness. An abdominal CT scan showed a diffusely enlarged spleen, which measured 20 cm in greatest dimension. In the peripheral blood, many atypical lymphocytes with abundant, delicate, surface projections were noted. They had tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP) activity. Thrombocytopenia (60,000/mm3) was observed in the complete blood counts, Other laboratory data were within normal limits. He underwent splenectomy. The submitted spleen measured 26x15x5 cm and weighed 2150 gm. It was well encapsulated and the outer surface was smooth. Cut surfaces were diffusely dark-red. White and red pulps were indistinct. There was no mass-like lesion. Microscopically, the spleen consisted of monotonous mononulcear cells which involved red pulp. The white pulp was diminished, and could be barely recognized. Cells had small round nuclei and abundant cytoplasm. Ultrastructurally, cells with numerous slender surface projections were noted. In Korea, hairy cell leukemia is exceedingly rare. We report a case of hairy cell leukemia with characteristic pathologic features of spleen as well as those of peripheral blood.
Male ; Humans

BACKGROUND: The distribution of solutions injected into the epidural space has not been well determined. The aim of this study was to compare the difference in extension of sensory blockade between the thoracic and lumbar regions in epidural analgesia. METHODS: Forty-five female patients scheduled for postoperative pain control were enrolled. In group 1 (n = 22), the Tuohy needle was inserted at T6 10 levels and in group 2 (n = 23), it was inserted at T12 L2 levels. The catheter was introduced 3 4 cm into the epidural space and 3 ml of 1.5% lidocaine with epinephrine (1:200,000) was injected. The extension of sensory anesthesia to loss of cold sensation and pinprick test was measured every 5 minute for 15 minutes. RESULTS: Fifteen minutes after epidural injection, the mean sensory block extension in group 1 (7.8 +/- 2.0 dermatomes) was significantly wider than in group 2 (4.7 +/- 2.2 dermatomes) but cranial and caudad spread of sensory blockade in relation to the puncture level was the same in both groups. CONCLUSION: The mean dose of local anesthetic required for analgesia was smaller in the thoracic region than in the lumbar region.
Analgesia ; Analgesia, Epidural ; Anesthesia ; Catheters ; Epidural Space ; Epinephrine ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Epidural ; Lidocaine* ; Lumbosacral Region ; Needles ; Pain, Postoperative ; Punctures ; Sensation