The neurotoxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in rodents was investigated by measuring the locomotor activity and the changes of brain biogenic amines in MPTP-treated C57BL/6 mice. The mice showed a typical curved spine posture 24 hours after MPTP treatment. Total locomotor activity was reduced and the ratios of stereotyped activity/total locomotor activity were increased 24 hours after MPTP treatment. However no significant changes were observed 7 days after MPTP treatment. MPTP-induced changes of biogenic amines were evident only in corpus striatum, not in frontal lobe, midbrain and hippocampus; the levels of dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were reduced by 94%, 76.3% and 60.2% after 24 hours, and 81.9%, 61.3% and 26.1% after 6 days compared to control values respectively. The ratios of DOPAC/dopamine, HVA/dopamine and HVA/DOPAC were increased 24 hours and 7 day after MPTP treatment compared to control valuse in corpus striatum, but the degree of the 7 days was less than the 24 hours. The ratios of 5-HIAA/5-HT were incresed 24 hours and 7 days after MPTP treatment in corpus striatum, but there were no significant changes in the levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and 5-hydroxtryptamine (5-HT). In conclusion, MPTP produced parkinsonism-like behavioral and biochemical changes in C57BL/ 6 mice.
1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine* ; Animals ; Biogenic Amines* ; Brain ; Corpus Striatum ; Dopamine ; Frontal Lobe ; Hippocampus ; Homovanillic Acid ; Mesencephalon ; Mice* ; Motor Activity* ; Posture ; Rodentia ; Spine

The isolation of fetal cells from maternal circulation has the potential to allow relativelyself prenatal diagosis for all pregnant women. The present technology, however, has notreached the accuracy required for clinical diagnosis because of maternal cell contaminationSo we published a new method for enrichment of nRBC in a fetal cell isolation(1996).In this study, attempted to FISH analysis of nRBC which was isolated by our ownmethods. We evaluated the efficiency of FISH.As the results, we have successfully used FISH on enriched nRBC.We were able to identified 2 abnormal fetus which were confirmed by conventionalcytogenentic study as Down syndrome(Fig.1) and Klinefeltre syndrome(Fig.2). And thesensitivity and specificity for FISH was 86%(49/57) and 92.3%(36/39), respectively.According to our results, fetal cell analysis by FISH can be reliable used for prenatalaneuploidy diagnosis. However, the problems of enrichment of the fetal cell and FISH probeor condition should be over come before analyze.
Aneuploidy ; Diagnosis ; Erythroblasts* ; Female ; Fetus ; Fluorescence* ; Humans ; Pregnant Women ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Although lymphoma may involve any part of gastrointestinal tract either primary or secondary, esophageal involvement is rare. Secondary esopahgeal involvement of lymphoma is showing an incidence between 0% and 6% with autopsy series and lesser then 1% in living patients. The occurrence of a tracheoesophageal fistula(TEF) in patient with lymphoma is even more rare. We describe one case of TEF due to secondary esophageal invasion of T-cell lympboma and review the literature, with particular attention to chest CT and esophagoscopic finding, and endoscopic biopsy result.
Autopsy ; Biopsy ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, T-Cell* ; T-Lymphocytes* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tracheoesophageal Fistula*

Hypoxic insult increases the level of extracellular glutamate, which leads to the influx of toxic Ca++ through the activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA) receptors. The neuroprotective action of NMDA antagonist against hypoxic insult has been demonstrated in vitro. It has been demonstrated that the concentration of 50hydrox-ytryptamine(5-HT) also increased after ischemia in rat hippocampus. However, there is paucity of studies concerning the funtional relationships between the spontaneous release of 5-HT and NMDA receptor activity during hypoxia in vitro. Therefore, the present study was aimed to investigate whether hypoxia and/or NMDA was able to stimulate the release of 5-HT from the hypoxia-sensitive rat hippocampl slices.The hippocampus was obtained from the rat brain and sliced 400um thickness with manual chorpper. After 30 min's preincubation in the normal buffer, the slices were incubated for 20 min in a buffer containing 3H-5HT(0.1uM, 74uCi) for uptake, and washed. To measure the release of 3H-5-HT into the buffer, the incubation medium was drained off and refilled every ten minutes through a sequence of 14 tubes. Administration of NMDA or induction of hypoxia (gassing it with 95% N2/5% CO2) was done in the 6th and 7th tube, and APV was added 10 minutes prior to these manipulations. The radioactivities in each buffer and the tissue were counted using liquid scintillation counter and the results were expressed as a percentage of the total radioactivity. When slices were exposed to hypoxia for 20min, 3H-5-HT release was markedly decreased and a rebound release of 3H-5-HT was observed on the post-hypoxic period. NMDA(1mM) incereased 3H-5-HT release in the control group. NMDA also incereased rebound release of 3H-5-Htrelease. When 2-amino-5-hposphonovaleric acid (APV, 30uM or 60 uM) were added to the incubation media, NMDA-induced increase of 3H-5-HT release were blocked does-dependently. The rebound release of 3H-5-HT during post-hypoxic period was also blocked by APV. These results suggest that the spontaneous release of 3H-5HT decreases during hypoxic period, but 20min hypoxic exposure causes rebound increase of 3H-5-HT release during post-hypoxic period which is mediated by the increased activity of the NMDA receptor.
Animals ; Anoxia* ; Brain ; Glutamic Acid ; Hippocampus ; Ischemia ; N-Methylaspartate* ; Radioactivity ; Rats* ; Scintillation Counting ; Serotonin*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the biofeedback balance training using Interactive Balance System (IBS) in acute stroke patients. METHOD: We recruited 40 acute stroke patients who were able to stand independently. The patients were divided into two groups. One group received conventional balance training (control group) and the other group received biofeedback balance training using IBS (case group) for 2 weeks. After training, the effects were evaluated using 3 parameters: indices from IBS (stability score, weight distribution index, and distance form zero point to body's center of pressure (COP) in coordinate), balance assessments (Berg balance scale and postural assessment scale for stroke patients), and functional outcome (the Korean version of modified Barthel index). RESULTS: There were no differences in age and time since onset between the two groups. All parameters were significantly improved in both groups after training. However, the distribution of COP of the case group was significantly closer to the zero point than that of the control group in coordinate after training (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Biofeedback balance training using IBS has a better effect on the symmetry in static condition on evaluation using IBS than conventional balance training for acute stroke patients.
Biofeedback, Psychology ; Humans ; Stroke

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of predicted birth weight percentile and large for gestational age(LGA) fetuses by the gestation-adjusted projection method using estimated fetal weight. METHODS: From 462 low-risk pregnancies with singleton fetus, fetal biometry including fetal biparietal diameter(BPD), head circumference(HC), abdominal circumference(AC), and femur length(FL) was made from 30 weeks of gestation until term. Estimated fetal weight(EFW) by combinations of fetal biometry were made by Campbell, Hadlock1, Hadlock2, and Shepard formulas respectively. The diagnostic accuracy according to 4 formulas was assessed by correlation between EFW percentile and birth weight percentile, prediction of LGA fetuses, and prediction error(percentile difference between birth weight and EFW). RESULTS: The mean gestational age on ultrasound and on birth, and birth weight were 33.21 +/- 2.08(30-40) weeks, 38.43 +/- 1.72(30-42) weeks, and 3.14 +/- 0.47(0.99-4.38) Kg, respectively. The diagnostic accuracies of gestation-projection method using EFW were similar result to predict birth weight percentile and LGA fetuses according to 4 formulas. Correlation between EFW percentile and birth weight percentile(correlation coefficient, r) were Campbell: 0.644(p <0.001), Hadlock 1: 0.682(p <0.001), Hadlock 2: 0.681(p <0.001), Shepard: 0.638(p <0.001), respectively. Youden's index(sensitivity + specificity - 1) in prediction of LGA fetuses were Campbell: 0.532, Hadlock1: 0.525, Hadlock2: 0.520, Shepard: 0.549, respectively. Prediction error were Campbell: 18.14+/-16.56, Hadlock1: 16.19+/-14.35, Hadlock2: 16.10+/-14.29, Shepard: 19.68+/-17.00, respectively. The prediction error was increased according to increasing of lapse time(p <0.001), gestational weeks on ultrasound, and estimated fetal weight percentile, and decreasing birth weight percentile(p <0.001)(R square=0.411, (p <0.001). But, amniotic fluid index did not affect to prediction error(p=0.199). CONCLUSION: Our study presented relatively accurate prediction for birth weight percentile and LGA fetuses from remote sonographic examination. If LGA fetuses was suspected by antenatal ultrasound, adequate therapy and periodic observation are recommended for good perinatal outcome.
Amniotic Fluid ; Biometry ; Birth Weight* ; Female ; Femur ; Fetal Weight* ; Fetus* ; Gestational Age* ; Head ; Parturition* ; Pregnancy ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography

Background: Nosocomial pneumonia in an intensive care unit (ICU) is associated with a high mortality rate. Diagnosing a respiratory tract infection in critically ill patients is still difficult but detailed information for the pathogens is needed to establish an adequate antimicrobial treatment. This study examined the causative organisms and their antimicrobial resistance using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from patients suspected of having pneumonia in the ICU. Methods: From January 2004 to June 2006, ICU patients with diffuse lung infiltration were prospectively enrolled. The BAL was used to diagnose the respiratory infection, with 104 > or = organisms considered a positive result. The most common organisms and their antimicrobial resistances were analyzed from the quantitative BAL cultures in the burn ICU and non-burn ICU. Results: A total 72 patients were included, 35 (M 29, F 6) in the burn ICU and 37 (M 26, F 11) in the non-burn ICU. 27 patients (77.1%) in the burn ICU and 22 patients (59.5%) in the non-burn ICU met the criteria for a positive BAL culture. The major pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All strains (100%) of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from BAL (9 cases) were methicillin-resistant (MRSA) in the burn ICU, but 5 strains (71.4%, 7 cases) were MRSA in the non-burn ICU. Regarding Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the rate of resistance to amikacin, ciprofloxacin, cefepime, imipenem, ceftazidime, piperacillin/tazobactam in the burn and non-burn ICU ranged from 45.5% to 90% and 25% to 50%, respectively. In addition, the rate of resistance of Acinetobacter species to the above drugs in the burn and non-burn ICU ranged from 81.8% to 100% and 62.5% to 100%, respectively. Conclusions: These results are expected to provide useful guidelines for choosing the effective empirical antimicrobial therapy in patients with lung infiltrations in the burn and non-burn ICU.
Acinetobacter ; Amikacin ; Bacteria* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage* ; Burns* ; Ceftazidime ; Ciprofloxacin ; Critical Illness ; Humans ; Imipenem ; Intensive Care Units* ; Critical Care* ; Lung* ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Mortality ; Pneumonia ; Prospective Studies ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Staphylococcus aureus

Peroxiredoxin I (Prx I) is a member of the peroxiredoxins (Prxs) family, which are antioxidant enzymes that regulate various cellular process via intracellular oxidative signal pathways. In order to investigate the correlation between Prx I and the gamma-secretase complex, which causes Alzheimer's disease (AD), the expression level of Prx I was firstly evaluated in an animal model for AD. NSE/hPen-2 transgenic (Tg) mice, which were used as animal model in this study, showed a high level of Pen-2 expression and accumulation of Abeta-42 peptides in the hippocampus of brain. The expression level of Prx I was significantly higher on the mRNA and protein level in the brain of this model, while not change in Prx VI expression was observed. Furthermore, to verify the effect of Prx I on the gamma-secretase components in vitro, the expression level of these components was analyzed in the Prx I transfectants. Of the components of the gamma-secretase complex, the expression of PS-2 and Pen-2 was lower in the transfectants overexpressing Prx I compared to the vector transfectants. However, the expression of APP, NCT and APH-1 did not change in Prx I transfectants. Therefore, these results suggested that the expression of Prx I may be induced by the accumulation of Abeta-42 peptides and the overexpression of Prx I in neuroblastoma cells may regulate the expression of gamma-secretase components.
Alzheimer Disease ; Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases ; Animals ; Brain ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Neuroblastoma ; Peptides ; Peroxiredoxins ; RNA, Messenger ; Signal Transduction

BACKGROUND: Recently, multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii has been implicated for a significant proportion of nosocominal pneumonia in many intensive care units (ICUs), and its acquisition may increase mortality and the length of stay in the ICU. Aerosolized colistin has been successfully used in patients with cystic fibrosis, but there is a lack of data regarding the use of aerosolized colistin in patients with nosocomial pneumonia. METHODS: We conducted the present study to assess the effectiveness of aerosolized colistin for the treatment of MDR A. baumannii nosocomial pneumonia. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 10 patients who had been hospitalized in the medical ICU and had received aerosolized colistin as a therapy for MDR A. baumannii pneumonia. RESULTS: The mean duration of aerosolized colistin therapy was 12.7+/-2.4 days. Nine (90%) of 10 patients showed a favorable response to the therapy. Follow-up cultures were available for all patients, and the responsible pathogen was completely eradicated. One patient suffered from bronchospasm, which resolved after treatment with nebulized salbutamol. CONCLUSION: Our results corroborate previous reports that aerosolized colistin may be an effective and safe choice for the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia caused by MDR A. baumannii. Larger prospective controlled clinical studies are warranted to validate further the effectiveness and safety of aerosolized colistin therapy.
Acinetobacter ; Acinetobacter baumannii ; Albuterol ; Bronchial Spasm ; Colistin ; Cystic Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Length of Stay ; Medical Records ; Pneumonia ; Retrospective Studies

The Global Initiative of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines define chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in subjects with FEV1/FVC <0.7. However, the use of this fixed ratio may result in over-diagnosis of COPD in the elderly, especially with mild degree of COPD. The lower limit of normal (LLN) can be used to minimize the potential misclassification. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different definitions of airflow obstruction (LLN or fixed ratio of FEV1/FVC) on the estimated prevalence of COPD in a population-based sample. We compared the prevalence of COPD and its difference diagnosed by different methods using either fixed ratio (FEV1/FVC <0.7) or LLN criterion (FEV1/FVC below LLN). Among the 4,816 subjects who had performed spirometry, 2,728 subjects met new ATS/ERS spirometry criteria for acceptability and repeatability. The prevalence of COPD was 10.9% (14.7% in men, 7.2% in women) by LLN criterion and 15.5% (21.8% in men, 9.1% in women) by fixed ratio of FEV1/FVC among subjects older than 45 yr. The difference of prevalence between LLN and fixed ratio of FEV1/FVC was even higher among subjects with age > or =65, 14.9% and 31.1%, respectively. In conclusion, the prevalence of COPD by LLN criterion was significantly lower in elderly compared to fixed ratio of FEV1/FVC. Implementing LLN criterion instead of fixed ratio of FEV1/FVC may reduce the risk of over-diagnosis of COPD in elderly people.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Prevalence ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Risk ; Spirometry