To examine the effects of Populus tomentiglandulosa (PT) extract on the expressions of antioxidant enzymes and neurotrophic factors in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region of the hippocampus at 5 min after inducing transient global cerebral ischemia (TGCI) in gerbils, TGCI was induced by occlusion of common carotid arteries for 5 min. Before ischemic surgery, 200 mg·kg PT extract was orally administrated once daily for 7 d. We performed neuronal nuclear antigen immunohistochemistry and Fluoro-Jade B staining. Furthermore, we determined in situ production of superoxide anion radical, expression levels of SOD1 and SOD2 as antioxidant enzymes and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) as neurotrophic factors. Pretreatment with 200 mg·kg PT extract prevented neuronal death (loss). Furthermore, pretreatment with 200 mg·kg PT extract significantly inhibited the production of superoxide anion radical, increased expressions of SODs and maintained expressions of BDNF and IGF-I. Such increased expressions of SODs were maintained in the neurons after IRI. In summary, pretreated PT extract can significantly increase levels of SODs and protect the neurons against TGCI, suggesting that PT can be a useful natural agent to protect against TGCI.
Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gerbillinae ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; administration & dosage ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Populus ; chemistry ; Pyramidal Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects

BACKGROUNDGlehnia littoralis, as a traditional herbal medicine to heal various health ailments in East Asia, displays various therapeutic properties including antioxidant effects. However, neuroprotective effects of G. littoralis against cerebral ischemic insults have not yet been addressed. Therefore, in this study, we first examined its neuroprotective effects in the hippocampus using a gerbil model of transient global cerebral ischemia (TGCI).

METHODSGerbils were subjected to TGCI for 5 min. G. littoralis extract (GLE; 100 and 200 mg/kg) was administrated orally once daily for 7 days before ischemic surgery. Neuroprotection was examined by neuronal nuclear antigen immunohistochemistry and Fluoro-Jade B histofluorescence staining. Gliosis was observed by immunohistochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1. For neuroprotective mechanisms, immunohistochemistry for superoxide dismutase (SOD) 1 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was done.

RESULTSPretreatment with 200 mg/kg of GLE protected pyramidal neurons in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) area from ischemic insult area (F = 29.770, P < 0.05) and significantly inhibited activations of astrocytes (F = 22.959, P < 0.05) and microglia (F = 44.135, P < 0.05) in the ischemic CA1 area. In addition, pretreatment with GLE significantly increased expressions of SOD1 (F = 28.561, P < 0.05) and BDNF (F = 55.298, P < 0.05) in CA1 pyramidal neurons of the sham- and ischemia-operated groups.

CONCLUSIONSOur findings indicate that pretreatment with GLE can protect neurons from ischemic insults, and we suggest that its neuroprotective mechanism may be closely associated with increases of SOD1 and BDNF expressions as well as attenuation of glial activation.

PURPOSE: Until now, there was no single standardized regional segmentation method of planar lung perfusion scan.We compared planar scan based two segmentation methods, which are frequently used in the Society of Nuclear Medicine, with reference to the lung perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) derived values in lung cancer patients.METHODS: Fifty-five lung cancer patients (male:female, 37:18; age, 67.8 ± 10.7 years) were evaluated. The patients underwent planar scan and SPECT/CT after injection of technetium-99 m macroaggregated albumin (Tc-99 m-MAA). The % uptake and predicted postoperative percentage forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ppoFEV1%) derived from both posterior oblique (PO) and anterior posterior (AP) methods were compared with SPECT/CT derived parameters. Concordance analysis, paired comparison, reproducibility analysis and spearman correlation analysis were conducted.RESULTS: The % uptake derived from PO method showed higher concordance with SPECT/CT derived % uptake in every lobe compared to AP method. Both methods showed significantly different lobar distribution of%uptake compared to SPECT/CT. For the target region, ppoFEV1% measured from PO method showed higher concordance with SPECT/CT, but lower reproducibility compared to AP method. Preliminary data revealed that every method significantly correlated with actual postoperative FEV1%, with SPECT/CT showing the best correlation.CONCLUSIONS: The PO method derived values showed better concordance with SPECT/CT compared to the AP method. Both PO and AP methods showed significantly different lobar distribution compared to SPECT/CT. In clinical practice such difference according to different methods and lobes should be considered for more accurate postoperative lung function prediction.
Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung ; Matched-Pair Analysis ; Methods ; Nuclear Medicine ; Perfusion Imaging ; Perfusion ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastric schwannomas are rare benign mesenchymal tumors that are difficult to differentiate from other mesenchymal tumors with malignant potential, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristic findings of gastric schwannomas via endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the EUS findings of 27 gastric schwannoma cases that underwent surgical excision at Pusan National University Hospital during 2007 to 2014. RESULTS: Gastric schwannomas were mainly located in the middle third of the stomach with a mean tumor size of 32 mm. All lesions exhibited hypoechoic echogenicity, and 24 lesions (88.9%) exhibited heterogeneous echogenicity. Seventeen lesions (63.0%) exhibited decreased echogenicity compared to the normal proper muscle layer. Distinct borders were observed in 24 lesions (88.9%), lobulated margins were observed in six lesions (22.2%), and marginal haloes were observed in 24 lesions (88.9%). Hyperechogenic spots were observed in 21 lesions (77.8%), calcifications were observed in one lesion (3.7%), and cystic changes were observed in two lesions (7.4%). CONCLUSIONS: During EUS, gastric schwannomas appear as heterogeneously hypoechoic lesions with decreased echogenicity compared to the normal proper muscle layer. These features may be helpful for differentiating gastric schwannomas from other mesenchymal tumors.
Busan ; Endosonography ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Neurilemmoma* ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach

Occipital condyle syndrome, which consists of unilateral occipital region pain associated with ipsilateral 12th cranial nerve paresis, is a rare, but stereotypic syndrome. Herein, we report a patient with occipital condyle syndrome associated with metastasis at the skull base from the hepatocellular carcinoma.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Cranial Nerves ; Humans ; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paresis ; Skull Base

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of attenuation correction (AC) and scatter correction (SC) on the quantification of PET count rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To assess the effects of AC and SC, 18F-FDG PET images of phantom and cat brain were acquired using microPET R4 scanner. Thirty-minute transmission images using 68Ge source and emission images after injection of FDG were acquired. PET images were reconstructed using 2D OSEM. AC and SC were applied. Regional count rates were measured using ROIs drawn on cerebral cortex including frontal, parietal, and latral temporal lobes and deep gray matter including head of caudate nucleus, putamen and thalamus for pre- and post-AC and SC images. The count rates were then normalized with the injected dose per body weight. To assess the effects of AC, count ratio of "deep gray matter/cerebral cortex" was calculated. To assess the effects of SC, ROIs were also drawn on the gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM), and contrast between them ((GM-WM)/GM) was measured. RESULTS: After the AC, count ratio of "deep gray matter/cerebral cortex" was increased by 17+/-7%. After the SC, contrast was also increased by 12+/-3%. CONCLUSION: Relative count of deep gray matter and contrast between gray and white matters were increased after AC and SC, suggesting that the AC would be critical for the quantitative analysis of cat brain PET data.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Brain* ; Cats* ; Caudate Nucleus ; Cerebral Cortex ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Head ; Putamen ; Rabeprazole ; Temporal Lobe ; Thalamus

Preretinal hemorrhage, which is located between the retina and vitreous face and is commonly developed on the macula, causes impaired central vision and if it persists, it may cause complications, such as epimacular membrane. A 49-year-old male who had dry type of age-related macular degeneration in both eyes and had an oval shaped premacular hemorrhage of unknown etiology in his left eye. We applied Q-switched Nd:YAG laser on membrane anterior to preretinal hemorrhage and ruptured it. Preretinal hemorrage was drained to inferior vitreous cavity and his central vision was rapidly improved.
Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Macular Degeneration ; Male ; Membranes ; Middle Aged ; Punctures* ; Retina

Injuries in the industries has been steadily increasing in this country in recent years. Injuries in the industries intricate in accoriance with the industrial environment, mechanism of injuries and the other factors of employees. In 6 years 201 patients with industrial injuries underwent treatment in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of the National Medical Center, and the result of treatment is reported in this paper. 1. 70 cases out of 201 cases were in the age group between 21 to 30 year. 186 cases were male and 15 were female. The incidence is remarkably higher in male. 2. In 80 cases the injuries were caused by machinery with pressor parts. The patients were chiefly manual workers in factories. 3. Of 280 injuries, 148 (62.8%) were upper extremities, 105 (37.5%) were lower extremities and 27 (96%) were trunks. The most common site of injuries was hand. 4 Of 146 injuries with fractures, 94 were treated by manual reduction and cast, and 52 were treated by open reduction. 5. Treatment for open wounds was debridement followed by delayed primary closure and/or skin graft. The primarily closed open wounds by local clinics were observed and treated according to wound condition. 6, 17 cases out of 22 phalangeal bone fractures were treated by manual reduction and splint. 5 cases were treated by K-wire internal fixation, among them 3 cases had to be treated by amputation. 7. Incidence of early camplication was considerably high with 137 sites out of 280 sites and the late complication was 79 sites after treatment of the early complications.
Amputation ; Debridement ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Skin ; Splints ; Transplants ; Upper Extremity ; Wounds and Injuries

Ninety-one cases of chronic prostatitis were studied endoscopically and the results were evaluated. Endoscopic appearance of the bladder neck in the presence of chronic prostatitis was classified as 1. Normal bladder neck, 16 cases (17.5 per cent) 2. Elevated posterior urethra, 8 cases (8.7 per cent) 3. Contracture of the neck, 19 cases (20.8 per cent) 4. Diffuse, irregular swelling and narrowing of the neck, 19 cases (20.8 per cent) 5. Reversed V-neck, 2S cases (31.8 per cent) In this study it was found that the bladder neck was abnormal in 82.1 per cent of the cases. In 36 instances or 39.5 per cent. the verumontanum appeared normal but abnormal in 55 cases or 60.5 per cent. Bilateral prostatic urethral walls were inflammatory in 57 cases and unilaterally inflammatory in 6 cases. Forty-two cases (46.1 per cent) revealed elevation of the posterior urethra and the prostatic urethral floor was hyperemic and edematous in 44 cases. In 40 cases (43.9 per cent), the normal bladder mucosa was observed, trabeculation and cellulation in 43 cases and trigonal and interureteric thickening in 7 cases were also observed. Decreased libido was present in 12 instances (33.3 per cent) of 36 cases having normal verumontanum and in 25 instances (45.4 per cent) of 55 cases having abnormal one. Urinary symptoms were most frequently positive in cases with bladder neck contracture. The results of treatment using Ultzmann's urethral syringe were evaluated as follows: Complete cure was obtained in 8 cases (19.5 per cent) almost complete cure in 14 cases (34.1 per cent), improvement in 15 cases (36.5 per cent) and no remarkable change in 4 cases (9.7 per cent). Five cases had transurethral resection and four achieved almost complete cure and one improved clinically. Subjective symptoms were completely relieved in 23 cases (56.1 per dent) and more than two thirds of the previous symptoms were gone in 18 cases (43.9 per cent) after treatment. In summary. endoscopic examination on chronic prostatitis is s worthwhile and important procedure in establishing therapeutic criteria.
Contracture ; Endoscopy ; Libido ; Mucous Membrane ; Neck ; Prostatitis* ; Syringes ; Urethra ; Urinary Bladder

Effect of cortisone on renal tuberculosis induced experimentally in rabbit and influence of the hormone on the effect of anti-tuberculous agents have been studied. Tubercle bacilli, bovine 123 strain. was inoculated into the rabbit kidneys to induce renal tuberculosis. In one group (A) bacilli were inoculated into the left kidney and into the both kidneys in another group (B). Treatments were started on the 10th post-inoculation day in the former group and on the 50th day in the latter group. Rabbits were divided into four experimental groupsas follows and treatments were continued for one month. After one week of observation animals were sacrificed and kidneys. lunge, livers, spleens and lymphnodes were studied on their tuberculous changes.1. Control. no treatment.2. Injection with cortisone acetate 10mg3. Injection with streptomycin 100mg. and INAH 23.6 mg.4. Injection with streptomycin 100mg. INAH 23.6 mg. and cortisone acetate 10mg.The animals were weighed and tubercle bacilli in the urine were studied every week during the experiment. The following results were obtained: 1) Body weight. Comparing with the control, animals receiving cortisone revealed marked decrease in body weight, while animals receiving anti-tuberculous agents increased their body weights. The animals receiving both cortisone and anti-tuberculous agents showed a decrease in body weight. 2) Urinary tubercle bacilli. After 4 weeks of inoculation, the bacilli were positive in urine. The control and the cortisone receiving animals in both groups A and B manifestated positive bacilli in urine and animals in group A receiving anti-tuberculous agents and both cortisone plus anti-tuberculous agents showed no bacilli in urine. In group B, bacilli were positive in animals receiving anti-tuberculous agents or both cortisone plus anti-tuberculous agents after 30 days of treatment. 3) Tuberculin test. Tuberculin test was weakened or negative after administering cortisone in tuberculous animals 4) Pathological histology. In group A, there was no significant changes between the control and the animals with cortisone. All showed wide-spread tuberculous lesions. Very slight changes were observed in animals receiving anti-tuberculous agents or both anti-tuberculous agents and cortisone, and the lesion showed improvement. Microscopically, animals receiving both anti-tuberculous agents and cortisone revealed cloudy swelling and simple necrosis throughout but no cellular infiltration in the kidney tissue. The affect of treatment was more apparent than in the animals receiving only anti-tuberculous agents. In the group B, lesions in the animals receiving cortisone was more marked than in the control animals. Macroscopically, no significant changes were observed both in the animals receiving cortisone and anti-tuberculous agents, and ones receiving only anti-tuberculous agents. However, microscopically, the former animals showed less fibrosis and calcification than the latters. Dissemination of tuberculous lesion to other organs was not influenced by administration of cortisone but prohibited by anti-tuberculous agents.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Cortisone* ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; Liver ; Lung ; Necrosis ; Rabbits ; Spleen ; Streptomycin ; Tuberculin Test ; Tuberculosis, Renal*