The purpose of this study was to investigate any relationship between the geometric factors of synaptic contacts of muscle spindle afferent terminals and masseteric motor neurons in the trigeminal motor nucleus. Terminals from the masseteric muscle spindle afferents were stained with intra-axonal injection of HRP and were examined electronmi-croscopically with serial sections at the central and peripheral regions of trigeminal motor nucleus of the cat. The number of terminals examined were 76 in peripheral and 105 in central region. The results obtained were as follows. 1. Most of the labeled terminals showed simple synaptic connectivity. Each terminals in peripheral and central region made synaptic contact with 1 to 5 neuronal profiles. Two or three labeled terminals were occasionally seen to make synaptic contact with the same dendrite. 2. The average number of postsynaptic proximal dendrite per labeled terminal was higher in the central region than in the peripheral region. In contrast, that of postsynaptic distal dendrite per labeled terminal was higher in the peripheral region than in the central region. 3. The average diameter of postsynaptic dendrites in the central region was larger than that in the peripheral region. This imply terminals in the peripheral region contacted with further distal part of the distal dendrite than that in the central region. These results indicate that synaptic connectivity associated with the spindle afferents from masseteric muscle is different according to their geometric location within the trigeminal motor nucleus and suggest that there will be precise interrelationship between the morphology, pattern of synaptic connectivity and functions of muscle spindle afferents.
Animals ; Cats* ; Dendrites ; Motor Neurons ; Muscle Spindles* ; Neurons

PURPOSE: To correlate signal intensities of hepatocellular carcinomas on MR images with applied field strength, tumor vascularity, history of transarterial chemoembolization, and their histopathologic findings. MATERIALS & METHODS: Twenty-two tumors in 18 patients with histologically proved hepatocellular carciomas were examined by MRI at 0.5T(14), 1.5T(5), or 2.0T(3). Tumor size ranged from 1 cm to 10 cm. We analyzed the signal intensities, presence of pseudocapsule and mosaic pattern of hepatocellular carcinomas on TI-, T2- and heavily T2-weighted images, and correlated them with histologic type and grade, as well as tumor vascularity on hepatic arteriography. RESULTS: Signal intensities of the tumors were hyperintense(6), isointense(11), or hypointense(5) on Tl-weighted images, hyperintense(21) or isointense(1) on T2-weighted images, and hyperintense(15) or isointense(3) on heavily T2-weighted images. There were hypointense tumors(3/13) on Tl-weighted MR images at 0.5 T, whereas they were absent at 2.0 T(0/4). Only one tumor was avascular which was hyperintense on Tl-weighted images. Capsules were present in 13 cases and Tl-weighted images depicted them in 10 cases, while T2-weighted images depicted them in 8 cases. Mosaic patterns with inhomogeneous signal intensity were present in 15 cases, and were seen in 7 cases on Tl-weighted images whereas 11 cases on T2-weighted images. Mixed trabecular and pseudoglandular patterns of histologic growth were seen in 5 tumors. On MR images, trabecular portion was seen as hypointense area on Tl-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. Pseudoglandular portion was seen as isointense or hyperintense area on Tl-weighted images and as marked hyperintense and on T2-weighted images. Mixed cytologic feature of classic and clear cell was found in 4 tumors and three of these 4 cases were hyperintense on Tl-weighted images. Four of the six tumors with grades I-II were hyperintense on Tl-weighted images. Tumors with grades II-Ill, Ill-IV were 14 cases, and only two of these cases showed hyperintensity on Tl-weighted images. Peliotic change was present in one case, and was seen as hyperintense foci on T2, & heavily T2-weighted images. CONCLUSION: Pathologic correlation suggest that hyperintensity on Tl-weighted images might be due to pseudoglandular pattern, low grade of malignancy or clear cell portion of hepatocellular carcinoma. Marked hyperintensity on T2-weighted images may be due to pseudoglandular pattern or peliotic change.
Angiography ; Capsules ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging*

The present study was aimed to investigate the ultrastructure of the primary afferent terminals and whether glutamate may be a transmitter in these terminals within the trigeminal nucleus principalis and oralis of the rat. Labeling of primary afferent terminals was performed by the injection of the CTB-HRP into the trigeminal ganglion. Ultrastructural analysis and assessment of the glutamate like immunoreactivity by the immunogold technique was performed with the 66 peroxidased labeled boutons in the nucleus principalis and 62 in the nucleus oralis. Labeled boutons were presynaptic to dendritic shafts of the secondary neurons and postsynaptic to the pleomorphic vesicles containing endings (p-endings). Most of the labeled boutons made synaptic contact with the dendritic shafts. A little labeled boutons in the nucleus oralis but no in the nucleus principalis was observed to make synaptic contact with the soma or proximal dendrite. Most of the labeled boutons made synaptic contact with one to three neurofiles, but labeled boutons showing complex synaptic connections, such as those with five or more neurofiles, were more in principalis than in oralis. The average diameter of p-endings were smaller than that of labeled boutons (p<0.05). The diameter of the postsynaptic dendritic shafts were smaller in nucleus principalis than in nucleus oralis, thus indicated that the labeled boutons made synaptic contact with more distal portion of the postsynaptic dendrite in the nucleus principalis than in the nucleus oralis. The gold particle density over the labeled boutons were significantly higher than that over the p-endings and average tissue particle density. They were ranged from 110 to 430% of the average tissue particle density. These findings indicate that synaptic connection of the primary afferent terminals is organized in different manner in nucleus principalis and oralis, and suggest that glutamate is involved as neuroactive substance in the primary afferent terminals of the trigeminal system.
Animals ; Carisoprodol ; Dendrites ; Glutamic Acid* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Neurons ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Rats* ; Trigeminal Ganglion ; Trigeminal Nuclei*

BACKGROUND: Wear debris-induced osteolysis leads to periprosthetic loosening and subsequent prosthetic failure. Since excessive osteoclast formation is closely implicated in periprosthetic osteolysis, identification of agents to suppress osteoclast formation and/or function is crucial for the treatment and prevention of wear particle-induced bone destruction. In this study, we examined the potential effect of pentamidine treatment on titanium (Ti) particle-induced osteolysis, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis. METHODS: The effect of pentamidine treatment on bone destruction was examined in Ti particle-induced osteolysis mouse model. Ti particles were implanted onto mouse calvaria, and vehicle or pentamidine was administered for 10 days. Then, calvarial bone tissue was analyzed using micro-computed tomography and histology. We performed in vitro osteoclastogenesis assay using bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) to determine the effect of pentamidine on osteoclast formation. BMMs were treated with 20 ng/mL RANKL and 10 ng/mL macrophage colony-stimulating factor in the presence or absence of pentamidine. Osteoclast differentiation was determined by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Pentamidine administration decreased Ti particle-induced osteoclast formation significantly and prevented bone destruction compared to the Ti particle group in vivo. Pentamidine also suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and actin ring formation markedly, and inhibited the expression of nuclear factor of activated T cell c1 and osteoclast-specific genes in vitro. Additionally, pentamidine also attenuated RANKL-mediated phosphorylation of IκBα in BMMs. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that pentamidine is effective in inhibiting osteoclast formation and significantly attenuates wear debris-induced bone loss in mice.
Acid Phosphatase ; Actins ; Animals ; Bone and Bones ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; In Vitro Techniques ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Macrophages ; Mice ; Osteoclasts ; Osteolysis ; Pentamidine ; Phosphorylation ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Skull ; Titanium

This study is based on grounded theory methodology by Strauss & Corbin(1998). Ten hospitalized subjects were interviewed for data collection. In the process of data analysis, 'acceptance' is found to be the causal condition, while 'health professionals' skillfulness', 'ward environment', 'history of hospitalization', and 'general conditions' were identified as context, 'felling of relief' as the core phenomenon, 'self-efficacy', 'support of others', and 'life style' as the intermediate situation, 'passive reaction', 'alternative reaction' and 'active reaction' as the strategy and 'stabilization', 'satisfaction', 'hope' and 'carrying out' as consequences. 'Feeling of relief' is found to go through the three stages of recognition-generation-maintenance after the five different patterns. 1) In case the health professionals are skillful, the ward environment is favorable, the general conditions of the patients improved and as a result the feeling of relief is strong, during the first hospitalization, the self-efficacy of the subjects tends to be strong. They proceed toward the goal set for themselves with a renewed hope and active or alternative reaction toward the feeling of relief. 2) The subjects tend to proceed toward the goal set for themselves with a renewed hope and active and alternative reaction toward the feeling of relief in case health professionals are skillful, the ward environment is favorable the general conditions of the subjects improved, self-efficacy is strong, and lifestyle is autonomous, during the second hospitalization even though support of others is merely superficial. 3) The subjects tend to stabilize, and satisfy themselves with the given situation with passive and alternative reaction to the feeling of relief in case health professionals are skillful and the ward environment is favorable but the general conditions worsened and accordingly the feeling of relief, is weak and life style is dependent during the second hospitalization although the subjects' self-efficacy is strong and support of others is specific. 4) The subjects tend to stabilize and satisfy themselves with the given situation with passive and alternative reaction to the feeling of relief in case health professionals are unskillful the ward environment is unfavorable, the general conditions improved, support of others is specific but life style is dependent and self-efficacy is weak during the first hospitalization. 5) The subjects tend to stabilize and satisfy themselves with the given situation in case health professionals are unskillful the ward environment is unfavorable but the general conditions improved support of others is specific and as a result self-efficacy is strong but life style is dependent.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Health Occupations ; Hope ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Life Style ; Statistics as Topic

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the effects of a neuropeptide, secretoneurin (SN), on bone regeneration in an experimental mouse model. METHODS: The effects of SN on cell proliferation, osteoblast marker genes expression, and mineralization were evaluated using the CCK-8 assay, quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and alizarin red S staining, respectively. To examine the effects of SN on bone regeneration in vivo, bone defects were created in the calvaria of ICR mice, and 0.5 or 1 lg/ml SN was applied. New bone formation was analyzed by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histology. New blood vessel formation was assessed by CD34 immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: SN had no significant effect on proliferation and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells. However, SN partially induced the gene expression of osteoblast differentiation markers such as runt-related transcription factor 2, alkaline phosphatase, collagen type I alpha 1, and osteopontin. A significant increase of bone regeneration was observed in SN treated calvarial defects. The bone volume (BV), BV/tissue volume, trabecular thickness and trabecular number values were significantly increased in the collagen sponge plus 0.5 or 1 lg/ml SN group (p < 0.01) compared with the control group. Histologic analysis also revealed increased new bone formation in the SN-treated groups. Immunohistochemical staining of CD34 showed that the SN-treated groups contained more blood vessels compared with control in the calvarial defect area. CONCLUSION SN increases new bone and blood vessel formation in a calvarial defect site. This study suggests that SN may enhance new bone formation through its potent angiogenic activity.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the effects of a neuropeptide, secretoneurin (SN), on bone regeneration in an experimental mouse model. METHODS: The effects of SN on cell proliferation, osteoblast marker genes expression, and mineralization were evaluated using the CCK-8 assay, quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and alizarin red S staining, respectively. To examine the effects of SN on bone regeneration in vivo, bone defects were created in the calvaria of ICR mice, and 0.5 or 1 lg/ml SN was applied. New bone formation was analyzed by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histology. New blood vessel formation was assessed by CD34 immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: SN had no significant effect on proliferation and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells. However, SN partially induced the gene expression of osteoblast differentiation markers such as runt-related transcription factor 2, alkaline phosphatase, collagen type I alpha 1, and osteopontin. A significant increase of bone regeneration was observed in SN treated calvarial defects. The bone volume (BV), BV/tissue volume, trabecular thickness and trabecular number values were significantly increased in the collagen sponge plus 0.5 or 1 lg/ml SN group (p < 0.01) compared with the control group. Histologic analysis also revealed increased new bone formation in the SN-treated groups. Immunohistochemical staining of CD34 showed that the SN-treated groups contained more blood vessels compared with control in the calvarial defect area. CONCLUSION SN increases new bone and blood vessel formation in a calvarial defect site. This study suggests that SN may enhance new bone formation through its potent angiogenic activity.

OBJECTIVE: To compare multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and MRI for lesion conspicuity, as well as the detection and characterization of small solid pancreatic lesions (SPLs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 193 patients with small SPLs (< 3 cm) and 52 patients with normal pancreas who underwent both multiphasic MDCT and gadobutrol-enhanced MRI were included in our study. Two radiologists blinded to the pathologic diagnoses independently reviewed those images, and determined the detection of "SPL per se" and "SPL in consideration of secondary features", the lesion conspicuity, the probability of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and the most likely specific diagnosis. RESULTS: The sensitivity of MRI for "detection of SPL per se" was significantly higher than that of CT in both reviewers: 92.7% (179/193) and 97.9% (189/193), respectively, for reviewer 1 (p = 0.031) and 90.7% (175/193) and 99.5% (192/193), respectively, for reviewer 2 (p < 0.001). In addition, MRI provided better lesion conspicuity than MDCT for both reviewers (p < 0.001). However, CT and MRI did not show significant difference in sensitivity for "detection of SPL in consideration of secondary features", specificity for SPL detection, and differentiation of PDAC vs. non-PDAC (p > 0.05). The accuracies of CT and MRI for making a specific diagnosis were as follows: 85.7% (210/245) vs. 86.9% (213/245), respectively, for reviewer 1 (p = 0.736), and 91.8% (225/245) vs. 93.5% (229/245), respectively, for reviewer 2 (p = 0.454). CONCLUSION: MRI showed better lesion conspicuity than MDCT, but did not show significantly different diagnostic performance compared with MDCT for detecting and characterizing small SPLs.
Adenocarcinoma ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Although dietary protein restriction may protect against progression of renal failure, it is important to consider whether protein restriction can be attained without inducing malnutrition. We assessed the calculated dietary protein intake(cDPI) by 24 hour urinary collection and food intake, biochemical nutritional indices and the results of anthropometric measurement in 83 predialysis patients with different stages of chronic renal failure(CRF) and 84 controls. Dietary interventions were minimal. We categorized patients into three groups according to whether their creatinine clearance(Ccr) was greater than 25(group A), 10 to 25(group B), or less than 10ml/min(group C). 1) The mean(+/-SD) cDPI was significantly lower in group C(0.77+/-0.17g/kg/day) and group B(0.84+/- 0.16g/kg/day) than in group A(1.04+/-0.21g/kg/day) and controls(1.14+/-0.22g/kg/day)(P<0.05). The mean (+/-SD) high biologic value protein intake was significantly lower in group C(0.29+/-0.25g/kg/day) and group B(0.39+/-0.27g/kg/day) than in group A (0.48+/-0.35g/kg/day)(P<0.05). The cDPI(r=0.50, P< 0.05), high biologic value protein intake(r=0.39, P< 0.05) were positively correlated with the Ccr. 2) The mean (SD) total lymphocyte count (TLC) was significantly lower in group C(1,554+/-368/mm3) and group B(1,972+/-470/mm3) than in group A(2,111+/-540/mm3) and controls(2,177+/-589/mm3)(P<0.05). The TLC was positively correlated with the Ccr(r= 0.28, P<0.05). The levels of albumin and transferrin were lower in patients with CRF than in controls (P<0.05). There was no difference in the levels of albumin, transferrin, prealbumin, insulin-like growth factor-1, cholesterol and anthropometric measurements among the different stages of CRF. CONCLUSION: In predialysis patients with CRF, the dietary protein and high biologic value protein intake spontaneously decreases as renal function declines. Several nutritional indices, such as TLC, albumin and transferrin were lower in predialysis patient with CRF than controls. Therefore objective measurement of DPI should be considered to educate a low protein diet in predialysis patients with CRF.
Cholesterol ; Creatinine ; Diet, Protein-Restricted ; Dietary Proteins* ; Eating ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Lymphocyte Count ; Malnutrition ; Nutrition Assessment* ; Prealbumin ; Renal Insufficiency ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* ; Transferrin

No abstract available.
Adult ; Biomarkers/analysis ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Goiter/complications/diagnostic imaging/immunology/*surgery ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/*analysis ; Pain/diagnosis/*etiology ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Thyroid Gland/diagnostic imaging/immunology/pathology/*surgery ; *Thyroidectomy ; Thyroiditis/complications/diagnostic imaging/immunology/*surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography