Phosphorylation levels of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) negatively correlated with psychomotor stimulant-induced locomotor activity. Locomotor sensitization induced by psychomotor stimulants was previously shown to selectively accompany the decrease of GSK3β phosphorylation in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) core, suggesting that intact GSK3β activity in this region is necessary for psychomotor stimulants to produce locomotor sensitization. Similarly, GSK3β in the NAcc was also implicated in mediating the conditioned effects formed by the associations of psychomotor stimulants. However, it remains undetermined whether GSK3β plays a differential role in the two sub-regions (core and shell) of the NAcc in the expression of drug-conditioned behaviors. In the present study, we found that GSK3β phosphorylation was significantly lower in the NAcc shell obtained from rats expressing amphetamine (AMPH)-induced conditioned locomotor activity. Further, we demonstrated that these effects were normalized by treatment with lithium chloride, a GSK3β inhibitor. These results suggest that the behavior produced by AMPH itself and a conditioned behavior formed by associations with AMPH are differentially mediated by the two sub-regions of the NAcc.

Isolated sudden hearing loss with vertigo is usually peripheral origin. We report two cases with anterior inferior cerebellar artery infarction (AICA) manifesting sudden hearing loss with vertigo as an isolated symptom. Patient 1 was a 64-year-old man presented with right sided sudden hearing loss and vertigo accompanying horizontal beating nystagmus to the left. He had no other neurologic symptoms. MRI showed right AICA infarction involving lateral pons and middle cerebellar peduncle. Patient 2 was a hypertensive 56-year-old man. Left sided sudden hearing loss with vertigo was as an initial manifestation. Two days later, left sided facial palsy developed and MRI showed acute infarction in left lateral pons, middle cerebellar peduncle, and cerebellum. AICA infarction can be presented the hearing loss and vertigo as an isolated symptom and mimic the syndrome of peripheral origin.
Arteries ; Cerebellum ; Cerebral Infarction ; Facial Paralysis ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; Humans ; Hydrazines ; Infarction ; Middle Aged ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Pons ; Vertigo

A 49-year-old male patient was admitted with chief complaint of hemoptysis. Preoperative chest PA and CT scan revealed air-filled large cavitary lesion at the right upper lobe with typical meniscus sign. Serum anti-fungus antibody for Aspergillus was positive and he was diagnosed as aspergilloma. We planned RULobectomy but it was impossible due to severe pleural adhesion in apex and mediastinal pleura. Therefore, we performed a cavernostomy and serratus anterior muscle flap transposition in one stage. The patient recovered without complication and was followed up for 8 months without recurrence of hemoptysis.
Aspergillus ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleura ; Recurrence ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The position of interventricular septum, which was measured by transitional zone of EKG, was compared with that measured by 2-D echocardiography in 51 patient. 1) The position of interventricular septum measured by 2-D echocardiography was very similar to that measured by transitional zone of EKG. 2) Extensive AMI (Anterior Myocardial Infarction) and LBBB showed moderate differences between two method. 3) RBBB and replaced mitral valve state showed severe differences between two methods. Transitional zone of EKG was helpful to define the position of interventricular septum except extensive AMI, bundle branch block and replaced mitral valve state.
Bundle-Branch Block ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography* ; Humans ; Mitral Valve

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the fracture strength of the IPS Empress ceramic crown according to the incisal reduction (2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm) and axial inclination (4degrees., 8.degrees, 12degrees.) of the upper canine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After 10 metal dies were made for each group, the IPS Empress ceramic crowns were fabricated and each crown was cemented on each metal die with resin cement. The cemented crowns mounted on the testing jig were inclined 30 degrees and the universal testing machine was used to measure the fracture strength. RESULTS: 1. The fracture strength of the ceramic crown with 3.0mm depth and 12degrees inclination was the highest (839N). Crowns of 2.0mm depth and 12degrees inclination had the lowest strength (559N). 2. There was no significant difference in the fracture strength by axial inclination in the same incisal reduction group. 3. The fracture mode of the crowns was similar. Most of fracture lines began at the loading area and extended through proximal surface perpendicular to the margin irrespective of incisal reduction.
Ceramics ; Crowns* ; Resin Cements

PURPOSE: Lymph node metastasis is one of the most important prognostic factors in breast cancer. Survival of patients with axillary node positive breast cancer is worse than that of patients with axillary lymph node negative breast cancer. Recently, some authors suggest that axillary dissection may be avoidable if sentinel nodes of the breast cancer do not harbour metastasis. However, 15-20 % of patients with lymph node negative breast cancer recurs within 10 years. Micrometastasis, which was missed or not detected in routine histologic examination, is thought to be one of the reasons for recurrence of axillary node negative breast cancer patients. METHODS: We investigated the frequency of micrometastasis and any clinical significance of micrometastasis in the breast cancer by immunohistochemical staining with anti-cytokeratin antibody from July, 1996 to November, 1990. 70 patients who underwent curative resection for axillary node negative breast cancer were studied retrospectively. We used paraffin blocks of lymph nodes which did not show metastasis by conventional pathological examination. After preparation of tissue blocks with a serial sectioning technique, specimens were stained by an immunohistochemical method using anti-cytokeratin antibody. Hematoxylin-eosin stainings were also repeated. We define metastasis less than 2mm as a micrometastasis. RESULTS: The results showed that micrometastasis were found in 8 of 70 cases(11.4%). There was a significant relationship between the micrometastasis and tumor size. With median follow-up of 20 months, we found 3 recurrences in 70 patients. : 2 recurrences(3.2%) in the 62 axillary node negative breast cancer patients and 1 recurrences(12.5%) in 8 micrometastasis patients. CONCLUSIONSThe results showed that micrometastasis of lymph node in breast cancer might increase the rick for development of breast cancer recurrence. But, there was no significant relationship between the micrometastasis and recurrence of breast cancer because of small numbers of recurrences and relatively short follow-up period. Long tern follow-up will be needed for further evaluation.
Animals ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Charadriiformes ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Micrometastasis* ; Paraffin ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

No abstract available.

Fibromatosis of the breast is a rare tumor. We describe here a case of mammary fibromatosis in a 37-year-old woman. The mass from the right breast was 3 cm at the greatest dimension. The lesion was poorly circumscribed, firm and white-gray on the cut surface. Histologically, the lesion infiltrated into the lobules of the breast, and the tumor was composed of relatively uniform fibroblasts and collagen. Neither mitotic activity nor cellular atypia was seen. On the immunohistochemistry, the cells were positive for vimentin and they were focally positive for smooth muscle actin. Staining results for estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor were negative.
Actins ; Adult ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Collagen ; Estrogens ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Fibroma* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Muscle, Smooth ; Receptors, Progesterone ; Vimentin

Atherosclerosis has more than 60% of the causes of arterial occlusive diseases. The abdominal aorta and lower extremity arteries are the most common sites of occlusion. We have treated surgically 2 cases who had intermittent claudication and were diagnosed as simultaneous aortobifemoral and bilateral femoropopliteal obstruction by angiography, but had ineffective results from medical treatment or angioplasty. Simultaneously aortobifemoral bypass using Hemashield Y graft and bilateral femoropopliteal bypass using autologous greater saphenous vein were done. After operations, the symptom disappeared and there were no specific postoperative complications except abdominal wound dehiscence. In postoperative angiography, we had obtained good patency of bypass graft. We are following up patients through the out patient department without recurrence up to 16 months.
Angiography ; Angioplasty ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; Arteries* ; Atherosclerosis ; Humans ; Intermittent Claudication ; Lower Extremity* ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence ; Saphenous Vein ; Transplants* ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: The current study was undertaken to investigate the results of a modification in the conventional Maze III Procedure devised by the authors. The aim of the technical modification was in improving the left atrial contractility. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between July 1997 and December 1998, 34 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation for more than 1 year duration underwent a modified Maze III procedure. The assessment of the left atrial function was made by various echocardiographic measurements and SA nodal recovery was evaluated by HRV Holter monitoring. RESULT: All 34 patients were in sinus rhythm. On echocardiography, right atrial contraction was detected in 32 patients(94.1%) and left atrial contraction in 33 patients(97.1%). The echocardiographic A wave at 1, 6, and 12 months or more were 50.5+/-31.5, 62.1+/-25.1, 66+/-20.6 cm/sec, respectively, and the E wave measurements at the same time points were 152+/-31.1, 134.4+/-35.2, 133+/-27.5 cm/sec. The corresponding A/E ratios were 0.32+/-0.13, 0.48+/-0.18, 0.5+/-0.15, showing a rising trend. Treadmill evaluation at 6 months showed a mean 82% increase in heart rate after excising, and the SDNN and SDANN upon HRV Holter at 1 and 3 months postoperatively were 65.3+/-28.1/87.8+/-27.2 ms, and 60.0+/-24.1/83.4+/-25.7 ms, respectively, showing a predoinant autonomic recovery in the parasympathetic system(PSDNN = 0.01, PSDANN =0.015). CONCLUSION: The results of our data suggest that the current modification in the conventional Maze III Procedure was efective in enhancing the postoperative left atrial contractility.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Atrial Function, Left* ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; Heart Rate ; Humans