PURPOSE: Cerebral cortical dysplasias are one of the important causes for epileptic seizures and developmental disabilities in children, particularly in diffuse or bilateral cases. These developmental malformations are generally regarded as a group of neuronal migration disorders, however, the classification system and pathogenetic mechanisms of cortical dysplasias are not yet entirely clear. Even a novel entity, congenital bilateral perisylvian syndrome, characterized by speech delay, pseudobulbar Palsy, intractable seizures, and bilateral perisylvian abnormalities on imaging studies, have rather diverse figures on morphology and symptomatology than initially considered. We have studied the clinical features and correlations of clinical outcomes 3nd magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) findings of bilaterally involved cortical dysplasias. METHODS: 20 cases of bilateral cortical dyspalsias were grouped into three categories on the basis of MRI findings; centroparietal dysplasias(6 cases), diffuse dysplasias with (5) or without white matter lesions(4), and schizencephaly(5). EEGs, motor and language development, epilepsy, and outcomes were reviewed in each groups. RESULTS: Language delay(100%), motor developmental delay(94.7%), motor deficit(65%), epilepsy(40%) were the main reasons for their initial hospital visits. A meaningful word expression was possible at the mean age of 2 years and 2 months(1 to 4 years of age). Hypotonia and spastic motor paralysis were evident in all the cases of diffuse dysplasia with white matter lesions and the schizencephaly groups. All but one case of centroparietal dysplasia showed motor developmental delay. Epilepsies were developed in 8 cases at the mean age of 5 years and 5 months(2 months to 12 years of age) and the seizures were relatively well controlled with anticonvulsants. EEG findings were variable; normal, focal or diffuse abnormalities. High amplitude diffuse fast activities were only noted in the diffuse dysplasia group. CONCLUSION: The severity of neurological deficits and developmental delay had correlated to the size of cortical abnormalities. The epilepsies were relatively well controlled during childhood and the EEG finding of high amplitude diffuse fast activities was specific for the diffuse cortical dysplasias. Bilateral centroparietal dysplasias should be included on consideration of the causes for developmental aphasia.
Anticonvulsants ; Aphasia ; Child ; Classification ; Developmental Disabilities ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Language Development ; Language Development Disorders ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Malformations of Cortical Development* ; Muscle Hypotonia ; Muscle Spasticity ; Neuronal Migration Disorders ; Paralysis ; Pseudobulbar Palsy ; Seizures

Epoxy resins,which are irritant and allergen, are now used for surface coatings, electrical insulations, adhesives, and construction industry throughout the world. However, epoxy resin contact dermatitis has not been reported in the Korean literature. We report two cases of epoxy resin contact dermatitis which were occupationally related. They have been in the same work, painting dye and resin mixtures on the glasses for decoration. They showed positive patch test reactions to epoxy resin 1, and their own materials containing resins and accelerators which were proved to be -countinue-
Adhesives ; Construction Industry ; Dermatitis, Contact* ; Eyeglasses ; Glass ; Occupations ; Paint ; Paintings ; Patch Tests

PURPOSE: This study was designed to find out whether protein kinase C (PKC) may affect telomerase activity in human ovarian cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To determine whether PKC modulators influence PKC activities, NIH: OVCAR-3 and CUMO-2, cells were treated with PKC inhibitors, G 6976 and bisindolyl maleimide I, and PKC activator, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA). Telomerase acti vity was determined by telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP). Analysis of the expres sion of each telomerase subunits, human telomerase RNA (hTR) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), was performed by RT-PCR. We also examined the alternative splicing of hTERT. RESULTS: G 6976 and bisindolylmaleimide I inhibited PKC activity. Telomerase activities appeared to be affected in a time-dependent manner by these two PKC inhibitors. PKC activities were increased in parallel with telomerase activity by TPA at the low dose (10 nM), but their activities were down-regulated at the high dose (1 micrometer). RT-PCR demonstrated the presence of hTR and hTERT mRNA before and after the treatment of PKC modulators, respectively, and showed the presence of one alternatively spliced transcript and full-length hTERT transcripts. CONCLUSION: These results showed that telomerase activity was affected by PKC and suggested PKC modulation may serve as an useful tool in the regulation of telomerase activity.
Alternative Splicing ; Cell Line* ; Humans* ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Protein Kinase C* ; Protein Kinases* ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Telomerase* ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

The aim of this stud y was to compare the epidermal thinning properties of four corticosteroid ointments applied under occlusion, using histology and histometry. The results were surnmerized as follows: 1.The stratum corneurn was dramatically thinned, appearing as a wispy layer of horny cells as apposed to the norrnal basket-weave configuration. this effect was prominent at sites treated with clobestasol propionate, fluocinonide, and fluocinolone acetonide. 2. With the histometry, visible epidermal thickness wa.s markedly reduced. This effect w is prominent in the following ascending order: fluocinolone acetonide, fluocienonide, clobestasol-17-propionate. Hydrocortisone was the least atrophogenic. 3. Clohestasol-17-propionate and fluocinonide caused significant flattening of dermo-epidermal junction, Fluocinolone acetonide and hydrocortisone caused less pronounced cbanges. 4. Marked capillary dilation af papilly dermis is caused by clobestasol-17-propionate, fluocinonide and fluocinolone acetonide.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones* ; Atrophy* ; Capillaries ; Dermis ; Diethylpropion ; Epidermis* ; Fluocinolone Acetonide ; Fluocinonide ; Humans* ; Hydrocortisone ; Ointments

This study evaluated the effect of dagassing on the ceramic bond strength of two Ni-Cr alloys under varying holding time at the upper limit temperature and atmospheric conditions. Metal specimens were divided into 5 groups for each alloy according to degassing conditions prior to porcelain application : no degassing, degassing under vacuum without hold, degassing under vacuum with hold for 5min. and 10 min. respectively at the upper limit temperature and degassing in air. Total number of metal ceramic specimens was eighty and each group had eight specimens : The ceramic bond strength was measured by four-point flexural test using Instron and the fractured surface was examined under SEM. The results obtained were as follows. 1. Degassing in air improved the ceramic bond strength of Ni-Cr alloys. 2. in degassing under vacuum, hold at the upper limit temperature was advantageous to the ceramic bonding of Ni-Cr alloys. 3. After ceramic metal bond test, metal surfaces were partially covered with the thin porcelain layer, and the cohesive failures in porcelain were predominant in groups showing higher ceramic bond strength.
Alloys* ; Ceramics* ; Dental Porcelain ; Vacuum

The various biomechanical responses such as stress distribution, facet contact force and nucleus pressure change in the lumbar spine under vertical static and dynamic loading conditions were. Investigated with a nonlinear three dimensional finite element model. Finite element model of one motion segment, consisted of two vertebral bodies(L3-4) with one disc, was developed from 1 mm thick transverse CT cross-sections. Geometrical nonlinearity was also considered for the large deformation on the disc. ABACUS package was used for calculation and its results were verified comparing with the existing in-vitro experimental data. Clinically useful results could be obtained with this analysis. Stress was concentrated on the endplate under static and dynamic loading condition, especially posterior and anterior aspect and central portion along midsagittal plane. The facet contact force showed some discontinuity when Δt/2=0.03 sec. This discontinuity was considered to de due to the vibration of upper vertebra. Relatively smooth contact force profile was detected when t/2=0.1342 sec. Intradiscal pressure and stress pattern changes on the vertebra were also analyzed.
Spine ; Vibration

No abstract available.
Electric Stimulation* ; Vocal Cords*

No abstract available.
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural*

Primary cilia are microtubule-based sensory and signaling organelles on the surfaces of most eukaryotic cells. Despite their early description by microscopy studies, islet cilia had not been examined in the functional context until recent decades. In pancreatic islets as in other tissues, primary cilia facilitate crucial developmental and signaling pathways in response to extracellular stimuli. Many human developmental and genetic disorders are associated with ciliary dysfunction, some manifesting as obesity and diabetes. Understanding the basis for metabolic diseases in human ciliopathies has been aided by close examination of cilia action in pancreatic islets at cellular and molecular levels. In this article, we review the evidence for ciliary expression on islet cells, known roles of cilia in pancreas development and islet hormone secretion, and summarize metabolic manifestations of human ciliopathy syndromes. We discuss emerging data on primary cilia regulation of islet cell signaling and the structural basis of cilia-mediated cell crosstalk, and offer our interpretation on the role of cilia in glucose homeostasis and human diseases.

OBJECTIVES: A meta-analysis of the literatures was conducted to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy by dietitians. METHODS: The 30 studies were identified from a computerized search of published research on MEDLINE, Science-Direct and the PQD database until May, 2002 and a review of reference lists. The main search terms were "dietitian", "dietary intervention", "nutrition intervention", "cost", "cost-effectiveness" and "cost-benefit analysis". The subgroup analysis was performed by publication year, study design, intervention provider, type of patient (in/out-patient) and type of cost (total cost/direct cost). Two reviewers independently selected trials for inclusion, assessed the quality and extracted the data. RESULTS: The 30 studies were identified using the electric database search and bibliographies. The 17 trials were eligible for inclusion criteria, then the systematic review and a meta-analysis were conducted on effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the quality assessment tool for observational studies. The quality score was 0.515+/-0.121 (range : 0.279-0.711, median : 0.466). The meta-analysis of 17 studies based on the random effect model showed that medical nutrition therapy was highly effective in treating the diseases (effect size 0.3092 : 95% confidence interval 0.2282-0.3303). The vote-counting method, one of meta-analysis methods, was applied to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy conducted by dietitians. Two criteria (method 1, method 2) for voting were used. The calculated p-values for method 1 (more conservative method) and method 2 (less conservative method) were 0.1250 and 0.0106, respectively. Medical nutrition therapy by dietitians was significantly cost-effective in the method 2. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis showed that the effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy was statistically significant in treating disease (effect size 0.3092), and that the cost-effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy was statistically significant in the method 2 (less conservative method) of vote counting.
Humans ; Nutrition Therapy* ; Nutritionists ; Politics ; Publications