PURPOSE: The effects of pain on brain is not well known. Also, differences between somatic and visceral pains have not been fully elucidated. This study was conducted to investigate changes in the expression of c-Fos protein after somatic and visceral pains were induced by formalin. METHODS: Male rats(n=65) were underwent one of three procedures : (i) Control group, rats were left undisturbed in their cages; (ii) Somatic pain group, rats were injected subcutaneously with 0.1 ml of 10% formalin in the plantar surface of right hindpaw; (iii) Visceral pain group, rats were administered with same amount of formalin, as described above, in the rectum. Rats were sacrificed at increasing times(30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 6 hours, 1 day, 3 days and 7 days) after noxious formalin stimuli to hindpaws and rectums. Rat brains were removed and sliced in rat brain matrix. Brain slices were coronal sectioned at interaural 5.70-6.70mm. Serial sections were immunohistochemically reacted with polyclonal c-Fos antibody. The numbers of c-Fos protein immunoreactive neurons in cingulate cortex, primary somatosensory area, and hippocampus were examined and analyzed statistically with Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: 1) The numbers of c-For protein immunoreactive neurons in cingulate cortex, primary somatosensory area and hippocampus peaked at 2 hours after somatic pain stimuli and reached almost normal conditions at 7 days. 2) The numbers of c-Fos protein immunoreactive neurons in cingulate cortex, primary somatosensory area and hippocampus peaked at 1 day after visceral pain stimuli and reached almost normal conditions at 7 days. 3) The numbers of c-Fos protein immunoreactive neurons of somatic pain groups were higher than that of visceral groups at all times and the difference of numbers peaked at 2 hours after pain stimuli. CONCLUSION: Reactions of somatic pain stimuli influenced more changable than visceral pain stimuli to brain. Conduction velocities of somatic pain were more faster than those of visceral pain. Higher numbers of c-Fos protein immunoreactive neurons were found in specific regions. These results provide some basic knowledge in understanding the mechanism and control of pain.
Animals ; Brain* ; Formaldehyde* ; Gyrus Cinguli ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Male ; Neurons* ; Nociceptive Pain ; Rats* ; Rectum ; Visceral Pain

PURPOSE: Recently, in an experiment using animals, radiation therapy using a laser or Tending Diancibo Pu (TDP) has been shown to be effective in treating scars on the skin by increasing the production of fibroblast cell and collagen and by accelerating the process of epithelization. The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of TDP radiation therapy in treating human burn injuries in terms of the frequency of treatment, the timing of eschar separation, and the duration of treatment. METHODS: In the treatment group, the burn area of the patients was first sterilized with saline solution and potadin solution and covered with one vaseline gauze. Then, the burn area was radiated every other day by using TDP for 20 minutes at distance of 20-25 cm, at radiant plate temperature of 250-280oC. In the cases of control group, the burn area of the patients was first sterilized with saline solution and potadin solution and covered with one vaseline gauze. Then, the area was covered with one burn gauze and bandaged. The treatment was conducted every other day. RESULTS: In cases of superficial second degree burn injuries, the difference between the treatment and the control groups was 1.34 in terms of the frequency of treatment. In the cases of both superficial and deep second degree burns, the differences between the treatment and the control groups were 3.47 in terms of the frequency of treatment, 0.63 weeks in terms of the timing of eschar separation, and 6.03 days in terms of the duration of treatment. All these differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: From the experiment, it can be concluded that TDP radiation therapy is more effective in treating human burn injuries than conventional treatment in terms of the of the frequency of treatment, the timing of eschar separation, and the duration of treatment.
Animals ; Burns* ; Cicatrix ; Collagen ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Petrolatum ; Skin ; Sodium Chloride

OBJECT: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of pentoxifylline on in vitro fertillization and developmen of preimplantation stage of mouse embryos. MATERIAL AND METHODS:F1 hybrid mice was superovulated with PMSG/hCG and mouse oocytes were recruited. After the normal sperms were incubated with PTX before in vitro fertilization, it was observed whether the fertilization and embryo development was affected or not by the sperm preparation(washing, dilution and no washing or no dilution). And after 1-cell and 2-cell stage of mouse embryos were incubated with PTX, the development to hatching blastocyst was also observed. RESULTS: When in vitro fertilization was revealed by using the washed normal sperms after 0, 3.6 and 7.2 mM PTX incubation, the fertilization rates were 92.5%, 48.8%, 36.8%, respectively. So 3.6 and 7.2 mM groups presented significantly low fertilizatin rate, but the development rates were 93.9%, 85.0%, 95.2%, respectively. Therefore, there were no significant difference between each group. When in vitro fertilization was revealed by using the diluted normal sperms after 0, 3.6, and 7.2 mM PTX incubation, the fertilization rates were 58.6%, 5.4%, 9.4%, respectively. So 3.6 and 7.2 mM groups presented significantly low fertilization rate. The developmental rates were 88.2%, 100%, 100%. And there were no significant difference between each group. When in vitro fertilization was revealed by using the not washed and not diluted normal sperms after 0, 3.6 and 7.2 mM PTX incubation, the fertilizatin rates were 61.2%, 5.7%, 3.8%, respectively. 3.6 and 7.2 mM group presented significantly low fertilization rate. The development rates were 73.3%, 0%, 0%, respectively. So 3.6, 7.2 mM group presented significantly low developmental rate. After 1-cell stage of mouse embryos were incubated in 0, 5, 10, 50 nM of PTX, the development rates were not significantly different among them. After 2-cell stage of mouse embryos were incubated in 0, 5, 10, 50 nM of PTX, the development rates were not significantly different among them. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, when PTX is used in in vitro fertilization program with normal sperms, it may affect the fertilization and embryo development in high concentration. And if PTX concentration is very low, the developmental rate would not be affected. So PTX must not be used to normal sperms and where use of PTX is indicated, it is recommended that remainder PTX must be removed as completely as possible.
Animals ; Blastocyst ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Mice* ; Oocytes ; Pentoxifylline* ; Pregnancy ; Spermatozoa*

Eight strains of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella typhi were isolated from Kyonggi area during January-February,1997. They were resistant to ampiciUin, amoxicillin, carbeniciillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim. Eight strains had one plasmid respectively which size was approximately M.W 220 kb and showed same restriction pattern by endonuclease HindIII. The plasmid was similar to the plasmid in size that was related to multidrug resistant S. typhi isolated from southeast Asia. It were transferred by conjugation to recipient E, coli K-12 in frequency of 2.43 x10-4 - 1.73 x 10-2 and transconjugant showed same drug-resistant pattem with donor cells. All of 8 strains produced B-lactamase that was assummed to TEM-1 type by isoelectric focusing and PCR.
Amoxicillin ; Asia, Southeastern ; Chloramphenicol ; Deoxyribonuclease HindIII ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Isoelectric Focusing ; Korea* ; Plasmids* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Salmonella typhi* ; Salmonella* ; Tetracycline ; Tissue Donors ; Trimethoprim

It is constant controversy that exercise influence muscle regeneration in peripheral neuropathy. The aim of this experiment is to show that treadmill running exercise under well-controlled conditions is to improve of regeneration in rat gastrocnemius muscles after sciatic nerve crushing injury. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (1 month old, weight 150~180 g) were submitted to bouts of exercise on a treadmill up a 10 degrees decline and speed is 20 m/min for 60 min per day and gastrocnemius muscles were analysed at different exercise periods (5, 10, 15, 20 and 40 days) by immunohistochemistry in comparison with injured non-exercised muscles. Rats were sacrificed at 12th (5 days exercise), 19th (10 days exercise), 26th (15 days exercise), 33rd day (20 days exercise), 61st day (40 days exercise) after sciatic nerve crushing injury. It showed that type II myofibers (target fibers) on center area had reinnervation at sciatic nerve crush injury at 26th day in exercise rats, as at 33rd day appeared giant type II myofibers, myofibers grouping observed in regenerative muscle character, component ratio of closed normal muscle showed at 61st day. Giant type II myofibers showed at 33rd day in non-exercise rats, however did not nearly normal muscle at 61st day. Therefore we concluded that treadmill running exercise is able to improve regeneration processes in gastrocnemius muscles after sciatic nerve crushing injury of rats.
Animals ; Benzeneacetamides ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Muscles ; Myosins ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Piperidones ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Regeneration ; Running ; Sciatic Nerve

PURPOSE: The intermediate filament proteins, desmin and vimentin, are specific components of the cytoskeleton of striated muscle fibers and of mononuclear cells of mesenchymal origin including myoblasts, respectively. Desmin has also been found in presumptive myoblasts of mammals. The aim of this experiment was attempted to observe the phenotypic changes of intermediate filaments in skeletal muscle fibers during early stages of sciatic nerve crushing injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sciatic nerves of rats were surgically crushed by hemostat and serial cryosections of soleus and extensor digitorum longus(EDL) muscles were prepared at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20 and 27 days after nerve injury. Serial cryosections were immunolabelled with desmin, vimentin and laminin and were histochemically reacted with NADH-TR. RESULTS: 1) Firstly, desmin positive fibers were appeared in fast-twitch type C fibers of both muscles at 6 days after nerve crushing, but were not reacted for vimentin. 2) Co-expressions of desmin and vimentin were firstly detected in fast-twitch type A fibers of EDL muscles at 8 days after nerve injury. In soleus muscles, co-expressions of desmin and vimentin were firstly seen in slow-twitch type B fibers at 10 days after nerve injury. Many atrophic fibers, that contained several central nuclei like myotubes and co-expressed desmin and vimentin, were appeared in EDL muscles at 10 days after nerve injury. Although whole regions of fibers were regenerated in EDL muscles, only peripheral regions of fibers were regenerated in soleus muscles at 15 days after nerve injury. Many atrophic fibers, co-expressed of desmin and vimentin, were appeared in EDL muscles at 20 days after nerve injury. These whole fibers represented various degrees of regenerating stages. Most of mature fibers containing several central nuclei, only expressed vimentin slightly, were seen in soleus muscles at 20 days after nerve injury. Most fibers of both muscles were matured at 27 days after nerve injury, but some fibers in EDL muscles were still in processing of degeneration and regeneration. No expressions of desmin and vimentin indicated that muscle fibers were almostly matured in soleus muscles at 27 days after nerve injury. 3) Targetoid or target fibers which informed reinnervation, were appeared firstly in soleus muscles at 20 days and were seen in both muscles at 27 days after nerve injury. All targetoid and target fibers were type B fibers. CONCLUSION: Desmin was revealed in processes of degeneration and regeneration and vimentin was appealed in regeneration process. At the same time, positive immunoreactivity of desmin and vimentin showed specific differences in degree of degeneration and regeneration according to different muscles and muscle fibers.
Animals ; Cytoskeleton ; Desmin ; Intermediate Filament Proteins* ; Intermediate Filaments* ; Laminin ; Leg* ; Mammals ; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal ; Muscle, Striated ; Muscles* ; Myoblasts ; Nerve Crush ; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated ; Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated ; Rats* ; Regeneration* ; Sciatic Nerve* ; Vimentin

PURPOSE: The intermediate filament proteins, desmin and vimentin, are specific components of the cytoskeleton of striated muscle fibers and of mononuclear cells of mesenchymal origin including myoblasts, respectively. Desmin has also been found in presumptive myoblasts of mammals. The aim of this experiment was attempted to observe the phenotypic changes of intermediate filaments in skeletal muscle fibers during early stages of sciatic nerve crushing injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sciatic nerves of rats were surgically crushed by hemostat and serial cryosections of soleus and extensor digitorum longus(EDL) muscles were prepared at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20 and 27 days after nerve injury. Serial cryosections were immunolabelled with desmin, vimentin and laminin and were histochemically reacted with NADH-TR. RESULTS: 1) Firstly, desmin positive fibers were appeared in fast-twitch type C fibers of both muscles at 6 days after nerve crushing, but were not reacted for vimentin. 2) Co-expressions of desmin and vimentin were firstly detected in fast-twitch type A fibers of EDL muscles at 8 days after nerve injury. In soleus muscles, co-expressions of desmin and vimentin were firstly seen in slow-twitch type B fibers at 10 days after nerve injury. Many atrophic fibers, that contained several central nuclei like myotubes and co-expressed desmin and vimentin, were appeared in EDL muscles at 10 days after nerve injury. Although whole regions of fibers were regenerated in EDL muscles, only peripheral regions of fibers were regenerated in soleus muscles at 15 days after nerve injury. Many atrophic fibers, co-expressed of desmin and vimentin, were appeared in EDL muscles at 20 days after nerve injury. These whole fibers represented various degrees of regenerating stages. Most of mature fibers containing several central nuclei, only expressed vimentin slightly, were seen in soleus muscles at 20 days after nerve injury. Most fibers of both muscles were matured at 27 days after nerve injury, but some fibers in EDL muscles were still in processing of degeneration and regeneration. No expressions of desmin and vimentin indicated that muscle fibers were almostly matured in soleus muscles at 27 days after nerve injury. 3) Targetoid or target fibers which informed reinnervation, were appeared firstly in soleus muscles at 20 days and were seen in both muscles at 27 days after nerve injury. All targetoid and target fibers were type B fibers. CONCLUSION: Desmin was revealed in processes of degeneration and regeneration and vimentin was appealed in regeneration process. At the same time, positive immunoreactivity of desmin and vimentin showed specific differences in degree of degeneration and regeneration according to different muscles and muscle fibers.
Animals ; Cytoskeleton ; Desmin ; Intermediate Filament Proteins* ; Intermediate Filaments* ; Laminin ; Leg* ; Mammals ; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal ; Muscle, Striated ; Muscles* ; Myoblasts ; Nerve Crush ; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated ; Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated ; Rats* ; Regeneration* ; Sciatic Nerve* ; Vimentin

PURPOSE: Traumatic brain injury is a multifaceted injury that involves direct mechanical damage, intraparenchymal and subarachnoid hemorrhage, breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, excitotoxicity, and ischemia. Even though much investigations were performed, acceptable mechanical informations were rare. The aim of this study was to reveal the expression pattern of intermediate filament proteins associated with gliotic scars in cerebral cortex of rats after cryoinjury. METHODS: A total of 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300 g, 2 months old, were used throughout the experiments. To injure the brain, rats were anesthetized for surgery with 3.5% chloral hydrate(1 mL/100 g, intraperitoneally); the frontal bones were exposed by elevating the skin; and craniectomies were performed adjacent to the central suture, midway between lambda and bregma. A cryoinjury was then created by applying a cold probe(3-mm-diameter steel rod chilled in liquid nitrogen) to the left frontal cortex(ipsilateral cortex) for 1 min. Rats were sacrificed at 1, 4, 7 and 14 days postsurgery(n=3, per time point), and three rats were sacrificed as normal controls. Serial brain cryosections were made by cryostat. For immunohistochemistry, brain tissue sections were allowed to react with mouse anti-rat GFAP antibody(1:200), mouse anti-rat vimentin antibody(1: 200), and mouse anti-rat nestin antibody(1:200). RESULTS:Reactive astrocytes expressing GFAP, vimentin and nestin appeared for the first time at 6 hours after cryoinjury. Proliferation of GFAP and nestin positive cells started at 1 day after cryoinjury, reached its maximum on day 4, and returned to normal level after the 7th post-injured day. Proliferation of vimentin positive cells started at 1 day after cryoinjury, reached its maximum on day 4, and returned to normal level after the 14th post-injured day. Characteristic morphological changes in reactive astrocytes were seen at 4 days after cryoinjury. CONCLUSION: The above results suggest that GFAP, vimentin and nestin positive cells attend in the formation of gliotic scars.
Animals ; Astrocytes ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Brain ; Brain Injuries ; Cerebral Cortex ; Chloral Hydrate ; Cicatrix ; Cold Temperature ; Frontal Bone ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; Intermediate Filaments ; Ischemia ; Male ; Mice ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Steel ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Sutures ; Vimentin

No abstract available.
Stroke*

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and safety of the anterosuperior deltoid splitting approach for fixation of displaced proximal humeral fractures by analyzing the surgical outcomes. METHODS: Twenty-three patients who could be followed-up for at least 8 months after the treatment of displaced proximal humeral fractures through the anterosuperior deltoid splitting approach were enrolled. We evaluated the reduction of the fractures and surgery-related complications at the last follow-up using X-ray results and clinical outcomes comprising the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) scoring system and the Korean Shoulder Society (KSS) score. RESULTS: At the last follow-up of patients treated using the anterosuperior deltoid splitting approach for internal fixation of proximal humeral fractures, we found 22 cases (95.6%) of bone union, a mean UCLA score of 28.3 (range, 15 to 34) and a mean KSS score of 82.1 (range, 67 to 95). Various surgery-related complications were noted; a case of varus malunion after fracture displacement, a case of nonunion, a case of delayed union, two cases of impingement, and a case of partial axillary nerve injury, which recovered completely through the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Plate fixation using the anterosuperior deltoid splitting approach could be another reliable option for treating displaced proximal humeral fractures.
California ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humerus ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Fractures*