Ginseng root, as a folk medicine, has been used in for eastern countries for thousands of years. Ginseng extract has been shown to have a variety of effects on the activity of the central nervous system, promoting simulation as well as inhibition of the cortical activity. A survey of the relevant literatures has indicated that the putative anxiolytic activity of red ginseng has not been scientifically investigated. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess anxiolytic effect of ginseng total saponinis(GTS). The putative anxiolytic effects of several fractions of GTS were investigated in mice using an elevated plus maze paradigm. Single dose administration of TS Fr.- I showed anxiolytic action in mice. Anxiolytic effect induced by TS Fr.-I was similar to that induced by diazepam. TS Fr.-II, TS Fr.-III and TS Fr.-IV did not show the anxiolytic action compared with that of TS Fr.-I. It was suggested that regulation of GABAergic neurotransmission may be important in the action of GTS. The Interaction of GTS fractions with benzodiazepine receptor was performed using rat cortical membranes. GTS inhibited the binding of [3H] Rp 15-1788 on the benzodiazepine receptor. Among from TS fractions, the binding activity of GTS in the TS Fr.-IV was highest, which did not show the anxiolytic activity. From these results, we conclude that GTS has anxiolytic action, and the is not related to benzodiazepine receptor binding activity.
Animals ; Anti-Anxiety Agents* ; Central Nervous System ; Diazepam ; Medicine, Traditional ; Membranes ; Mice ; Panax* ; Rats ; Receptors, GABA-A ; Saponins* ; Synaptic Transmission

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 protein is known to be one of putative envelope proteins. To develop a sensitive detection method for HCV infected tissues and cells, monoclonal antibodys (MAbs) to the E2 protein of HCV were prepared from mice immunized with recombinant baculovirus-expressing E2 protein (Bac-E2). Several hybridoma clones secreting various levels of MAb were isolated and isotypes of these MAb were determined. One clone (L.2.3.3) was used for ascites production and the E2-MAb was purified and characterized. The L.2.3.3 reacted well with both Bac-E2 and E. coli expressed glutathione-5-transferase-E2 (GST-E2) fusion proteins. Using HCV patient sera, E2 envelope protein was found to be localized in the cell membrane boundary both in CHO cells and insect cells which express HCV E2 protein. Similar result was obtained when same cells were treated with the MAb L.2.3.3. These results demonstrated that Bac-E2 protein is capable of eliciting high titer antibody production in mice.
Animals ; Antibody Formation ; Ascites ; Cell Membrane ; CHO Cells ; Clone Cells ; Cricetinae ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Hybridomas ; Insects ; Mice

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, canal down mastoidectomy tends to be more frequently selected for complete eradication of the lesion and prevention of recurrence. Therefore, the problems attendant to the open mastoid continue to be of concern. Although various techniques have been used to solve the cavity problems, no single procedure has yet been devised that entirely accomplished this purpose. We evaluated the effects of partial mastoid obliteration using inferior based musculoperiosteal flap and autogenous conchal cartilage chips. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four cases were performed with mastoid obliteration using inferior based musculoperiosteal flap and autogenous conchal cartilage chips obtained from meatoplasty. There were 11 cases for control which were performed with canal down mastoidectomy without obliteration. We compared these two groups in the duration of epithelialization, accumulation of debris, presence or absence of drainage, shape of remodeled canal and caloric response and evaluated survival or atrophy of flap and absorption of cartilage chips. RESULTS: Obliteration group showed more rapid healing and epithelialization and less accumulated epithelial debris. Atrophy of flap or absorption of cartilage was not observed. There was no draining ear but vertigo with nystagmus on caloric stimulation developed in both groups. CONCLUSION: This partial mastoid obliteration technique used easy and quick application instead of complete restoration of canal wall, and it may be also valuable in providing rapid epithelialization and reducing mastoid bowl volume with relatively round canal shape. Furthermore, epitympanic obliteration using cartilage chips may be an effective method to prevent formation of attic retraction pocket.
Absorption ; Atrophy ; Cartilage* ; Drainage ; Ear ; Methods ; Recurrence ; Vertigo

The most common cause of orbital in/fection is a sinusitis, and if this orbital complication is not provided with appropriate and intensive treatments, serious status such as visual loss or life-threatening may occur. Osteomyelitis rarely results from sinusitis, and in cases where it happens, the frontal sinus is the most frequently involved site. However, zygomatic osteomyelitis has not been reported so far. We present a case of maxillary sinusitis which was initiated by oroantral fistula, and developed to preseptal and postseptal abscess, penetrating into the orbital septum. The case was complicated by zygomatic osteomyelitis. This case was successfully treated by draining pus by endonasal endoscopic sinus surgery, infraorbital incision, and was followed by antibiotic therapy for about 8 weeks.
Abscess* ; Frontal Sinus ; Maxillary Sinus ; Maxillary Sinusitis ; Orbit ; Oroantral Fistula ; Osteomyelitis* ; Sinusitis ; Suppuration

Subperiosteal abscess of the mastoid region and Bezold's abscesses have become very rare since introduction of antibiotics. Subpriosteal abscess is usually seen in children who have acute mastoiditis. Its occurrence in adults or in associated with chronic otitis media is even more unusual. Bezold's abscess, a complication of acute otitis media in adult who has well pneumatized air cells in the tip of the mastoid, is also rarely seen in the current era of antibiotics. This paper reports a case of postauricular subperiosteal and Bezold's abscess complicating chronic suppurative otitis media with cholesteatoma in a 37-year old woman with review of literatures.
Abscess* ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Child ; Cholesteatoma* ; Female ; Humans ; Mastoid ; Mastoiditis ; Otitis Media ; Otitis Media, Suppurative*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to analyze the morphologic features of the nose in the human embryo from 4th to 8th developmental weeks according to the Carnegie stage. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A total of 27 cases of embryos, ranging from Carnegie stage of 13 to 23, were analyzed. The external morphology was observed with a stereomicroscope, photographed and analyzed. The histologic features were observed with a light microscope in the horizontally-transected specimens stained with hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS: The nasal placode was observed at the stage 13, and it became flat or even concave at the stage 14. At the stage 15, the nasal pit was formed. At the stage 16, the nasal sac and nasal fin were observed. At the stage 17, the oronasal membrane was formed by thinning of the nasal fin. At the stage 18, the primitive choana was established by rupture of the oronasal membrane. At the stage 19, the lateral palatine process projected vertically below the level of the tongue. The cartilaginous nasal capsule was formed at the stage 20. At the stage 21, the olfactory area was localized to the upper portion of the lateral nasal wall and the nasal septum. At the stage 22, the lateral palatine process developed in a somewhat horizontal orientation. At the stage 23, the premaxilla and primitive choana were formed. CONCLUSION: The development of the nose is most active from the Carnegie stage of 13 to 19, which corresponds to the end of the 4th embryonic week to the end of the 7th week. Thus, this period is considered to be the most important period in human nasal embryonic development.
Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Humans* ; Membranes ; Nasal Septum ; Nose* ; Pregnancy ; Rupture ; Tongue

A 1D point-prevalence study was performed to describe the characteristics of conventional mechanical ventilation in intensive care units (ICUs). In addition, a survey was conducted to determine the characteristics of ICUs. A prospective, multicenter study was performed in ICUs at 24 university hospitals. The study population consisted of 223 patients who were receiving mechanical ventilation or had been weaned off mechanical ventilation within the past 24 hr. Common indications for the initiation of mechanical ventilation included acute respiratory failure (66%), acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory failure (15%) (including tuberculosis-destroyed lung [5%]), coma (13%), and neuromuscular disorders (6%). Mechanical ventilation was delivered via an endotracheal tube in 68% of the patients, tracheostomy in 28% and facial mask with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in 4%. NIV was used in 2 centers. In patients who had undergone tracheostomy, the procedure had been performed 16.9+/-8.1 days after intubation. Intensivists treated 29% of the patients. A need for additional educational programs regarding clinical practice in the ICU was expressed by 62% of the staff and 42% of the nurses. Tuberculosis-destroyed lung is a common indication for mechanical ventilation in acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory failure, and noninvasive ventilation was used in a limited number of ICUs.
APACHE ; Acute Disease ; Aged ; Data Collection ; Education, Professional, Retraining ; Female ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; *Intensive Care Units ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; *Respiration, Artificial/instrumentation ; Respiratory Insufficiency/therapy ; Tracheostomy

BACKGROUND: Many kinds of method have been tried for the management of allergic rhinitis. However, there is no completely satisfactory modality of treatment. Recent studys are reporting that laser vaporization on the inferior turbinate for the treatment of allergic rhinitis may be a valuable surgical method with safety, less morbidity and good efficasy. But, long term effects are unkown as yet. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to observe histopathologic changes of nasal mucosal membrane about 2 years after laser surgery and to investigate relationships between improvement in subjective symptoms, frequency of surgery, and histopathologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The inferior turbinates of 24 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were vaporized by Contact ND: YAG laser. About 2 years after surgery, specimens obtained from the inferior turbinate were examined under the light microscopy. RESULTS: 1. Common findings of histopathologic change in all cases: 1) Fibrous proliferation and scar formation in the superficial layer of the submucosa. 2) Decreased number and atrophy of goblet cells, glands and vessels. 3) Complete regeneration of ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium. 2. Generally, grade of fibrosis in the submucosal superficial layer tend to increase as the frequency of surgery increase. but there is no relation, statistically. The higher grade of fibrosis do not induce the better subjective improvement. 3. Significant subjective improvement(Good and excellent results) was 75%. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that allergic symptoms may be inhibited by fibrous scar formation of the submucosal superficial layer and by decreased number and atrophy of overproliferation of cells leading to allergic reaction. In addition laser surgery may be a safe and effective method with good regeneration of ciliated epithelium and high rate of improvement for treatment of allergic rhinitis. However, further study is necessary to proper explanation for result that grade of fibrosis have not a relation with subjective improvement and for long term effect of the laser surgery.
Atrophy ; Cicatrix ; Epithelium ; Fibrosis ; Goblet Cells ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Laser Therapy ; Lasers, Solid-State* ; Membranes ; Microscopy ; Regeneration ; Rhinitis* ; Turbinates

No abstract available.
Nipples*

PURPOSE: To examine the putative seizure-protective properties of ketamine in lithium-pilocarpine induced status epilepticus (LPSE). METHODS: Lithium chloride followed 24 h later by pilocarpine was administered for seizure induction. Ketamine (40 mg/kg) or phenytoin (50 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 10 min or 60 min after the onset of continuous ictal discharge. Then the seizure behavior and EEG were observed and histological changes were compared through Nissl stain at 72 hours. RESULTS: The antiepileptic effect of ketamine, injected during the early stages of LPSE (10 min after the onset of continuous ictal discharge), was comparable to that of phenytoin. Ketamine was more effective than phenytoin in decreasing spike frequency, when administered on the plateau of LPSE (injection 60 min after onset of continuous ictal discharge electrographically). Anticonvulsant action of ketamine was confirmed by a less neuronal injury in hippocampus compared with control rats injected with phenytoin. CONCLUSIONS: In prolonged status epilepticus rat model, ketamine was effective as an antiepileptic, but phenytoin was not. Ketamine was also neuroprotective on the neuronal injury in the hippocampus. These results suggest that ketamine might be useful as an antiepileptic drug when standard antiepileptic drugs fail in the treatment of the refractory cases of status epilepticus.
Animals ; Anticonvulsants ; Electroencephalography ; Hippocampus ; Ketamine* ; Lithium Chloride ; Models, Animal* ; Neurons ; Neuroprotective Agents* ; Phenytoin ; Pilocarpine ; Rats* ; Seizures ; Status Epilepticus*