Laminin-1 is biologically active and can effect cellular proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis. In the central nervous system, neuronal cells are rarely reported to give positive reaction by laminin antibody staining. However, the original cell type which can produce the laminin molecule has not been well established. Since the neuronal cells of brain are derived from neuroectoderm, we thought that the neuronal cells should be able to produce the laminin molecules as other epithelial cells. In this study we aimed to explore whether the neuronal cells express the laminin chain mRNAs, and further to identify which types of laminin isoform are expressed at the specific sites of the brain structure. We found that neuronal cell was the important cell type in mouse brain, which could produce laminin isoforms. Although immunostainings disclosed reactivity of laminins in the basement membrane of capillaries as well as neuronal cells, mRNA expressions of laminins were intense only in the neuronal cells. It was relatively weak in the endothelial cells. Among neuronal cells the cortical cells of cerebrum, pyramidal cells of hippocampus, and Purkinje cells of cerebellum showed pronounced expression of laminin chain mRNA. Glial cells, especially astrocytes, were negative for laminin subtypes both in immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Taken together, our data indicate that the neuronal cells of mouse brain actively produce laminin isoforms, and the resultant polymerized laminins are accumulated mainly in the basement membrane of capillaries. In conclusion, the results indicate that neuronal cells produce and utilize the different laminin chains to maintain the neurovascular environment of brain.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Astrocytes ; Basement Membrane ; Brain* ; Capillaries ; Cell Proliferation ; Central Nervous System ; Cerebellum ; Cerebrum ; Endothelial Cells ; Epithelial Cells ; Hippocampus ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Laminin* ; Mice* ; Neural Plate ; Neuroglia ; Neurons* ; Polymers ; Protein Isoforms ; Purkinje Cells ; Pyramidal Cells ; RNA, Messenger

Thoracic disc herniation is an uncommon cause of thoracic cord compression. Herniation in this region is of particular importance because of the serious disorders of nervous function which result from anterior compresstion of the spinal cord. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment are imperative because of the progressive and serious neurological deficit which results from delay. Numerous problems remain as to the safest surgical approach to the prolapsed thoracic intervertebral disc. We treated a case of herniated intervertebral disc occuring at Tll–T12 using the anterior approach. The result was favourable.
Early Diagnosis ; Intervertebral Disc ; Spinal Cord

The aims of treatment of children with CDH untreated until walking age should be to reestablish the mechanics of the hip joint and avoid complications, especially avascular necosis, thus delaying the devlopment of osteoarthritis. In the child who is first seen between the ages of one and three years, considerable controversy still exists as to the merit of closed versus operative management. The average 29.3 months follow-up results in fifty congenitally dislocated hips in forty-five children with were between six and thirty-six months old when treatment was begun have been reviewed at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, In Je University, College of Medicine, Paik Hospital from June, 1979 to Aug, 1989. The results of this study were as follows: 1. Factors affecting method of treatment were age, degree of dislocation and acetabular index; A. Age 1) The children below ages of 18 months were treatment by closed reduction. 2) The children below ages of 18 months were treatment by open reduction with concomittant procedures. B. Degree of dislocation: Open reduction was more frequently reguired in higher degree of dislocation. C. Acetabular index: It was little influenced on method of treatment. 2. The complications were persisten subuxation (3 cases), temporary irregular ossification (16 cases) and avascular necrosis (1 cases).
Acetabulum ; Child ; Dislocations ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Hip Joint ; Humans ; Mechanics ; Methods ; Necrosis ; Osteoarthritis ; Walking

We performed hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for a 67-year-old male with a 5.6 cm sized abdominal aortic aneurysm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in Korea. After an initial hand dissection of the abdominal aorta under laparoscopy, we performed proximal anastomosis and distal abdominal aorta suture ligation through a 6 cm abdominal incision. Distal anastomosis was done at the bilateral common femoral arteries. He resumed his oral intake 6 hours after the surgery and discharged at the 4th postoperative day.
Aged ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; Femoral Artery ; Hand ; Hand-Assisted Laparoscopy ; Humans ; Korea ; Laparoscopy ; Ligation ; Male ; Sutures

The effect of NDMA after oral administration (17 mg/ml) on the glycoconjugates of lingual von Ebner's gland and mucous gland were investigated with lectin histochemical methods. For lectin histochemical studies, the biotinylated lectins (DBA, PNA, SBA, BSL -1, sWGA, RCA -1, LCA, UEA -1, and ConA) were applied. Lectin binding patterns of glycoconjugates of lingual von Ebner's gland showed the decreased affinity for DBA, PNA, BSL -1 and sWGA in NDMA -treated group compared with control group. The remarkable decrease of binding affinity of NDMA -treated group was observed in PNA for 12 and 24 hours, DBA for 96 hours, BSL -1 for 72 hours, and sWGA for 3 hours, while the striking decrease of BSL -1 and sWGA binding was observed in NDMA -treated group for 12 hours. But these decreases of binding were tended to recover in PNA and sWGA after 72 hours of NDMA treatment, and in DBA after 120 hours. The binding affinity of SBA and RCA -1 was decreased in NDMA -treated group for 3 hours, while the other NDMA -treated group showed an increased affinity. Especially, the increase of SBA binding was remarkable. There was a little change in binding affinity of UEA -1, LCA and Con A in NDMA -treated group. Lectin binding patterns of glycoconjugates of lingual mucous gland showed decreased affinities for SBA, sWGA and UEA -1 in NDMA -treated group. The striking decreases of binding affinity for NDMA -treated group was observed in SBA and sWGA for 3 hours, and UEA -1 for 3 and 24 hours. And the remarkable decreases of binding affinity for NDMA -treated group was found in SBA for 24 and 48 hours, sWGA for 48, 72 and 96 hours, and UEA -1 for 48 hours. These decreases of binding affinity of NDMA -treated group were tended to recover in SBA and UEA -1 after 96 hours and in sWGA after 120 hours. The binding affinity for PNA and ConA showed a little but not remarkable increase in NDMA - treated group, and LCA binding showed a little decrease following a little increase in NDMA - treated group. The affinity of DBA binding was decreased in NDMA -treated group for 12 hours and 24 hours, while the other NDMA -treated group showed an increased affinity. Especially, there was a remarkable increase in NDMA -treated group for 96 hours. From these results, it is suggested that the toxicity of NDMA may be related with the carcinogen of the rat tongue, and glycoconjugates are concerned with the repaire of the destruction of the lingual mucous acini.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Dimethylnitrosamine* ; Glycoconjugates* ; Lectins ; Rats* ; Salivary Glands* ; Strikes, Employee ; Tongue ; von Ebner Glands

PURPOSE: To examine the danger zone of mesial root of mandibular first molar of patient without extraction using CBCT(cone -beam computed tomography) to avoid the risk of root perforation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 mandibular first molars without caries and restorations were collected. CT images were obtained by CBCT(PSR9000N TM, Asahi Roentgen Co., Japan), reformed and analyzed by V-work 5.0 (CyberMed Inc., Korea). Distance between canal orifice and furcation was measured. In cross sectional images at 3, 4 and 5 mm below the canal orifice, distal wall thickness of mesiobuccal canal (MB-D), distal wall thickness of mesiolingual canal (ML-D), distal wall thickness of central part (C-D), mesial wall thickness of mesiobuccal canal (MB-M) and mesial wall thickness of mesiolingual canal (ML-M) were measured. RESULTS: The mean distance between the canal orifice and the furcation of the roots is 2.40 mm. Distal wall is found to be thinner than mesial wall. Mean dentinal wall thickness of distal wall is about 1 mm. The wall thickness is thinner as the distance from the canal orifice is farther. But significant differences are not noted between 4 mm and 5 mm in MB-D and C-D. MB-D is thinner than ML-D although the differences is not significant. CONCLUSION: The present study confirmed the anatomical weakness of distal surface of the coronal part of the mesial roots of mandibular first molar by CBCT and provided an anatomical guide line of wall thickness during endodontic treatment.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography* ; Dentin ; Humans ; Molar*

PURPOSE: To examine the danger zone of mesial root of mandibular first molar of patient without extraction using CBCT(cone -beam computed tomography) to avoid the risk of root perforation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 mandibular first molars without caries and restorations were collected. CT images were obtained by CBCT(PSR9000N TM, Asahi Roentgen Co., Japan), reformed and analyzed by V-work 5.0 (CyberMed Inc., Korea). Distance between canal orifice and furcation was measured. In cross sectional images at 3, 4 and 5 mm below the canal orifice, distal wall thickness of mesiobuccal canal (MB-D), distal wall thickness of mesiolingual canal (ML-D), distal wall thickness of central part (C-D), mesial wall thickness of mesiobuccal canal (MB-M) and mesial wall thickness of mesiolingual canal (ML-M) were measured. RESULTS: The mean distance between the canal orifice and the furcation of the roots is 2.40 mm. Distal wall is found to be thinner than mesial wall. Mean dentinal wall thickness of distal wall is about 1 mm. The wall thickness is thinner as the distance from the canal orifice is farther. But significant differences are not noted between 4 mm and 5 mm in MB-D and C-D. MB-D is thinner than ML-D although the differences is not significant. CONCLUSION: The present study confirmed the anatomical weakness of distal surface of the coronal part of the mesial roots of mandibular first molar by CBCT and provided an anatomical guide line of wall thickness during endodontic treatment.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography* ; Dentin ; Humans ; Molar*

Inherited arrhythmia (IA) is one of the main causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people, and is reported to be a more prevalent cause of SCD in Asia than in Western countries. IAs are a group of genetic disorders caused by mutations in genes encoding cardiac ion channels, leading to electrophysiological characteristics that often occur in the absence of structural abnormalities. Channelopathies, such as long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome, carry a potential risk of life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias that predispose to SCD, although early prediction and prevention of the risk remain challenging. Recent advances in genetic testing have facilitated risk stratification as well as a precise diagnosis for IA, despite ongoing debates about the implications. Herein, we provide epidemiological data, a pathophysiological overview, and the current clinical approach to IAs related to SCD. In addition, we review the general issues arising from genetic testing for IAs.

Inherited arrhythmia (IA) is one of the main causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people, and is reported to be a more prevalent cause of SCD in Asia than in Western countries. IAs are a group of genetic disorders caused by mutations in genes encoding cardiac ion channels, leading to electrophysiological characteristics that often occur in the absence of structural abnormalities. Channelopathies, such as long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome, carry a potential risk of life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias that predispose to SCD, although early prediction and prevention of the risk remain challenging. Recent advances in genetic testing have facilitated risk stratification as well as a precise diagnosis for IA, despite ongoing debates about the implications. Herein, we provide epidemiological data, a pathophysiological overview, and the current clinical approach to IAs related to SCD. In addition, we review the general issues arising from genetic testing for IAs.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare aggressive primary neuroendocrine skin tumor. It is more prevalent in elderly patients and commonly occurs as a solitary lesion on the head and neck. This case reports an 84-year old female with an asymptomatic 1x1.5 cm sized erythematous nodule on the right side of the nose that had rapidly enlarged over a one-month period. Histopathologically, it is difficult to differentiate Merkel cell carcinoma from metastatic small cell lung cancer. Thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) staining was very useful to differentiate Merkel cell carcinoma from metastatic small cell lung cancer. This case was positive for cytokeratin 20, but negative for TTF-1. We report a case that was diagnosed as Merkel cell carcinoma by TTF-1 staining.
Aged ; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Keratin-20 ; Neck ; Nose ; Skin ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; Thyroid Gland