Animal models for human chronic pain syndromes were developed and widely used for pain research. One of thsese neuropathic pain model by Kim and Chung[1992] has many advantages for operation and pain elicitation. We have examined the c-fos protein, substance P, CGRP immunoreactivity in dorsal root ganglia and dorsal horn in this neuropathic model. About 50 Sprague-Dawley rats were used for this study. L5 and L6 spinal nerve were ligated tightly to produce neuropathic pain model. After 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 hours and 1 week of surgery, rats were anesthesized and sacrificed by perfusion through the left ventricle with saline followed by 0.1M phosphate buffer[pH 7.4] containing 3% paraformaldehyde, 3% glutaraldehyde, and 0.1% picric acid. After confirmation of the roots transected by the surgery, the L5 and L6 dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord were removed and processed for immunohistochemistry. All tissue sections were immunohistochemically stained for substance P, CGRP and c-fos by using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase[PAP] method. Count the number of immunostained substance P and CGRP dorsal root ganglion cells and c-fos immunoreactive dorsal horn cells and analyzed statistically with Mann-Whitney U test. The results are as follows. 1. The number of c-fos protein immunoreactive neurons in the superficial layer of dorsal horn were increased markedly at 2 hours after operation, gradually decreased to normal level 1 week after operation. 2. The number of c-fos protein immunoreactive neurons in the deep layer of dorsal horn were gradually increased to the peak 24 hours after operation, decreased to normal level 1 week after operation. 3. The number of substance P and CGRP immunoreactive L5 and L6 dorsal root ganglion neurons were decreased markedly at 1 week after pain model operation. In conclusion, after neuropathic pain model operation, c-fos protein were immediately expressed in the superficial layer of spinal dorsal horn, thereafter c-fos protein in the deep layer of spinal dorsal horn were expressed. CGRP and substance P immunoreactive neurons were decreased markedly 1 week after neuropathic pain model operation.
Animals ; Chronic Pain ; Ganglia, Spinal* ; Glutaral ; Heart Ventricles ; Horns* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Models, Animal ; Neuralgia ; Neurons* ; Perfusion ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases* ; Posterior Horn Cells ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Nerve Roots* ; Spinal Nerves ; Substance P

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

PURPOSE: Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a symptom complex of vomiting and diarrhea caused by non-IgE mediated allergy to cow's milk and/or soy in young infants. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta has been reported to protect the epithelial barrier of the gut from foreign antigens. We studied the expression of type 1 and 2 TGF-beta receptors in the mucosa of small intestine to investigate their roles in the pathogenesis of FPIES. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients, aged 7 to 120 days (mean 49 days) who were diagnosed with FPIES by clinical criteria and challenge tests were included. Immunohistochemical stainings for type 1 and 2 TGF-beta receptors were performed on endoscopic duodenal biopsy specimens. RESULTS: Type 1 and 2 TGF-beta receptors were expressed in the villous and crypt epithelial cells but nearly absent in the lamina propria in both patients and controls. Type 1 TGF-beta receptor expression was significantly lower in the patients who had villous atrophy than in the patients who had not and in controls. The expression of type 1 TGF-beta receptor was negatively correlated with the severity of villous atrophy. Type 2 TGF-beta receptor expression showed no significant difference between the patients and controls. CONCLUSION: Our results suggests that the decreased activity of type 1 TGF-beta receptor is implicated in the pathogenesis of FPIES in young infants.
Atrophy ; Biopsy ; Diarrhea ; Enterocolitis* ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Infant ; Intestine, Small ; Milk ; Mucous Membrane ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Transforming Growth Factors ; Vomiting

OBJECTIVE: It was to analyze two failed arterial embolization cases in the treatment for pseudoaneurysm followed by D&C. METHODS: Two failure cases out of eight cases were gained in the transarterial embolization treatment for eight years.(1. 1. 1992 - 12. 31. 1999) To search for the factors of failure, we went through obstetrical history and biopsy. RESULTS: Eight cases of transarterial embolization were performed to the treatment for pseudoaneurysm appeared after undergoing D&C. Six cases were successfully treated without complications. However, laparotomy was done due to the continuous bleeding in the other two cases. According to tissue biopsy, they showed the cervical pregnancy in one case and placenta accreta in the other. CONCLUSION: Transarterial embolization is proved to be more preferable to operate in the treatment of pseudoaneurysm than laparotomy, and transarterial embolization therapy failure rate is higher in case of existing remnant villi than not.
Aneurysm, False* ; Biopsy ; Dilatation and Curettage* ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Hysterectomy ; Laparotomy ; Placenta Accreta ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to suggest factors related with the job satisfaction of interviewers who participated in Community Health Survey (CHS) in Jeonbuk province. METHODS: An interview survey was carried out, targeting all 70 interviewers who were working at Jeonbuk CHS from Oct. 20 to Oct. 31. 2011. RESULTS: As a result of carrying out a univariate analysis of job satisfaction factors by general characteristics, this study found out that interviewers at the age below 40 showed a higher emotional factor-related score than interviewers at the age over 40, and interviewers having participated a statistic survey more than 6 times showed a higher emotional factor-related score than interviewers having participated a statistic survey less than 5 times. As a result of carrying out a multiple regression analysis of factors by general characteristics, this study found out that as interviewers were older, they showed a lower emotional factor-related satisfaction score and job performance factor-related satisfaction score, and their job satisfaction score was higher when a single interviewer conducts a survey than when more than 2 interviewers conduct a survey. CONCLUSIONS: The interviewer's job satisfaction score was relatively low. This results strongly suggest that it is necessary to understand their job performance environment and work environment most of all. It is expected that the results of this study will be used as basic data needed to increase the job satisfaction of interviewers from CHS and improve the quality of survey data.
Health Surveys* ; Interviews as Topic ; Jeollabuk-do ; Job Satisfaction*

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are nanomaterials that have been employed in generating diverse materials. We previously reported that CNTs induce cell death in macrophages, possibly via asbestosis. Therefore, we generated CNT-attached polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), which is an established polymer in membrane technology, and then examined whether CNT-attached PVDF is immunologically safe for medical purposes compared to CNT alone. To test this, we treated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages (RAW cells) with CNT-attached PVDF and analyzed the production of nitric oxide (NO), a potent proinflammatory mediator, in these cells. RAW cells treated with CNT-attached PVDF showed reduced NO production in response to lipopolysaccharide. However, the same treatment also decreased the cell number suggesting that this treatment can alter the homeostasis of RAW cells. Although cell cycle of RAW cells was increased by PVDF treatment with or without CNTs, apoptosis was enhanced in these cells. Taken together, these results indicate that PVDF with or without CNTs modulates inflammatory responses possibly due to activation-induced cell death in macrophages.
Apoptosis ; Asbestosis ; Cell Count ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Death* ; Fluorides* ; Homeostasis ; Inflammation ; Macrophages* ; Membranes ; Nanostructures ; Nanotubes, Carbon ; Nitric Oxide ; Polymers

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Pregnancy*

PURPOSE:Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to play an important role in the process of angiogenesis and chronic inflammation. Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) are main regulators of the plasmin system. The functions of these components are shown to be closely associated and recent studies have reported their potential roles in the asthmatic airways. We determined plasma levels of soluble VEGF (sVEGF), PAI-1, tPA and endothelin (ET)-1 in children with recurrent early wheeze. Our purpose was to examine whether there would be any difference in these biomarkers in relation to the relapse rate of wheezing. METHODS:Fifty-eight children aged 2-6 years who were admitted with acute wheezing were enrolled. They were divided into two groups: patients with more than three relapses of wheezing (group 1, n=34) and those with less than one relapse (group 2, n=24). Plasma levels of sVEGF, PAI-1, ET-1 and tPA on admission were measured using ELISA in the two patient groups and controls (n=16). RESULTS:PAI-1, sVEGF and tPA significantly increased during acute wheezing episode. The levels of these biomarkers were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (P<0.01). ET-1 showed no significant difference between the patient groups and controls. CONCLUSION:Our study showed significantly elevated plasma levels of sVEGF and plasmin system regulators in children with recurrent early wheeze, which was even higher in the group with more frequent relapses. Our results suggest that these biomarkers may be associated with airway inflammation and may contribute to the later development of asthma in these children.
Asthma ; Biomarkers ; Child ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; Endothelins ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fibrinolysin* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Plasma* ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; Plasminogen Activators ; Recurrence ; Respiratory Sounds ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

PURPOSE:Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to play an important role in the process of angiogenesis and chronic inflammation. Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) are main regulators of the plasmin system. The functions of these components are shown to be closely associated and recent studies have reported their potential roles in the asthmatic airways. We determined plasma levels of soluble VEGF (sVEGF), PAI-1, tPA and endothelin (ET)-1 in children with recurrent early wheeze. Our purpose was to examine whether there would be any difference in these biomarkers in relation to the relapse rate of wheezing. METHODS:Fifty-eight children aged 2-6 years who were admitted with acute wheezing were enrolled. They were divided into two groups: patients with more than three relapses of wheezing (group 1, n=34) and those with less than one relapse (group 2, n=24). Plasma levels of sVEGF, PAI-1, ET-1 and tPA on admission were measured using ELISA in the two patient groups and controls (n=16). RESULTS:PAI-1, sVEGF and tPA significantly increased during acute wheezing episode. The levels of these biomarkers were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (P<0.01). ET-1 showed no significant difference between the patient groups and controls. CONCLUSION:Our study showed significantly elevated plasma levels of sVEGF and plasmin system regulators in children with recurrent early wheeze, which was even higher in the group with more frequent relapses. Our results suggest that these biomarkers may be associated with airway inflammation and may contribute to the later development of asthma in these children.
Asthma ; Biomarkers ; Child ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; Endothelins ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fibrinolysin* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Plasma* ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; Plasminogen Activators ; Recurrence ; Respiratory Sounds ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

PURPOSE: Maternal premature rupture of membrane(PROM) over 24 hours is a risk factor in neonatal sepsis and a main cause of administration to neonatal intensive care unit. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines were studied to diagnose and treat early in newborn infants with sepsis and with a history of maternal PROM. METHODS: Interleukin-1beta(IL-1beta), Interleukin-6(IL-6), Interleukin-8(IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha) were checked using ELISA kits in neonatal infants who were admitted to the Catholic University of Daegu from May, 2002 to Feb, 2003. We divided them into three sets of groups; sepsis group(n=26), PROM group(n=20), and control group(n=24). RESULTS: Levels of IL-1beta, IL-8, and TNF-alpha in the sepsis group were all significantly statistically different from the PROM and the control group, but there was no significant difference between the PROM group and the control group. Levels of IL-6 in the sepsis, the PROM, and the control group were all significantly statistically different from each other. CONCLUSION: Levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha in the sepsis group increased but only levels of IL-6 in the PROM group increased. Thus we can use cytokines as a marker of neonatal sepsis, especially, in neonatal infants with a history of maternal PROM.
Cytokines* ; Daegu ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Interleukin-1beta ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukin-8 ; Necrosis ; Risk Factors ; Rupture ; Sepsis* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha