Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease(CJD) is characterized clinically by rapidly progressive dementia with pyramidal, extrapyramidal, and cerebellar symptoms and signs, and histologically by spongiform change, neuronal loss and reactive gliosis. We have experienced 2 cases of CJD. Case 1 was a 36-year-old male who had suffered from myoclonus and cerebellar symptoms including sluggish speech, gait and balance disturbance. Case 2 was a 70-year-old female who had showed cognitive dysfunction, ataxic gait and disturbance of extraocular movement. Both patients, underwent brain biopsy. Case 1 revealed marked cortical atrophy, 2mm in thickness, with neuronal loss and astrocytic proliferation extending into white matter. The spongiform change, made up of many small, usually rounded or oval, vacuoles was noted mainly in the neuropil. Case 2 revealed remarkable spongiform change throughout the cortex and cytoplasmic vacuoles compressing the nuclei of neuronal cells were numerous. Neuronal loss and gliosis were also found without considerable change in the white matter. On double immunostaining against GFAP and PrP(Prion Protein), there was a weak positive reaction for PrP in the perinuclear cytoplasm in case 1, and a strongly positive reaction in case 2. The electron microscopic examination showed numerous membrane-bound vacuoles in neuropil and perikarya of neurons. The majority of the vacuoles were multiseptated by thin membranous structures. They demonstrated curled, or disrupted membrane, that had foldings and protrusions into the vacuolar clear spaces. There were neither identifiable virus-like particles nor amyloid deposition.
Female ; Male ; Humans

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes about the cellular activity on DNA synthesis in the periodontal ligament of dog, in which experimental tooth movement was performed. A control and 5 experimental dogs, one and half year in age, were studied, Light force (50-75g) was applied by placing open-coil spring between left mandibular premolars; heavy force (250-300g), between right mandibular premolars, Experimental dogs were sacrificed after infusion of bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU), at 12 hours, 1, 3 ,7 and 14 days after force application, respectively. And the histologic and the immunohistochemical evaluation were performed on the obtained periodontal tissue around mandibular premolars, using anti-bromodeoxyuridine antibody, which can indicate proliferating cells. The results were as follows: 1. The tearing of periodontal ligament and the vascular dilatation at tension side were observed in 12 hours, increasing until 3 days. After then it decreased; Such a finding was more evident in heavy force group than in light force group. 2. The hyalinization of the periodontal ligament and the activity of osteoclast at pressure side were observed in 12 hours, increasing until 3 days. But from 7 days on, it decreased; Such a finding was more evident in heavy force group than in light force group. 3. The BrdU expression in the control group was positive, mainly in the oral epithelium and the fibroblasts in the periodontal ligament, but negative in bone cells in periodontal ligament. 4. The BrdU expression in the experimental group was more positive in tension side than in pressure side; The expression was a little more positive in the periapical area than in the cervical area of tooth. 5. The BrdU expression in light force group was the highest in 1 day, after which it decreased; In heavy force group, it was the highest in 12 hours, after which it decreased. But in 14 days, there was no difference between the experimental group and control group.
Animals ; Bicuspid ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; Dilatation ; DNA* ; Dogs* ; Epithelium ; Fibroblasts ; Hyalin ; Osteoclasts ; Periodontal Ligament ; Periodontium* ; Tooth Movement* ; Tooth*

Bone is a dynamic tissue which is constantly remodelled by subsequent cycles of bone resorption and formation. Glucocorticoid and vitamine D3 are known as regulating substances in bone metabolism. In vitro experiments using bone tissue, it was suggested that glucoccorticoid inhibits bone resorption, whereas the effect of glucocorticoid on bone formation are complex- increasing or decreasing effect. The active form of vitamin D3, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1.25-(OH)2D3], has been reported to stimulate osteoblastic activities including the production of ALP, type I collagen, and osteoclacin. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of admixture of vitamin D3 and dexamethasone, one of glucocorticoids, on osteblastic cell line(MC3T#-E1). Alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and MTT assay were conducted in the cultivated cells with 1, 10, 100nm/ml of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and/or 10nM/ml, 100nM/ml, 1micrometer/ml of dexamethasone. The observed results were as follows. 1. The activity of osteoblastic cells with 1micrometer/ml of dexamethasone was significantly increased at 1-day cultivation with comparison to control group, but was decreased afterwards. But the activity of ALP was greatest in 1micrometer/ml of dexamethasone and increased with time lapsed. 2. The activity of osteoblastic cells with vitamin D3 was significantly increased dose-dependently at 1-day cultivation, but was significantly decreased in 10nM/ml or 100nM/ml at 2-day or 3-day cultivation, and was greatest in 100nM/ml at 3-day cultivation. 3. In case of admixture of dexamethasone and vitamin D3 at 2-day cultivation, but was increased again at 3-day cultivation, which was greater than that in control or dexamethasone only group. The activity of ALP was decreased at 1-day cultivation, but was increased in the admixture of 10nM/ml or 100nM/ml of dexamethasone with 100nM/ml of vitamin D3 at 2-day cultivation, and was again decreased at 3-day cultivation.
Bone and Bones ; Bone Resorption ; Calcitriol ; Cholecalciferol ; Collagen Type I ; Dexamethasone* ; Glucocorticoids ; Metabolism ; Osteoblasts* ; Osteogenesis ; Vitamins*

No abstract available.
Knee Joint* ; Knee*

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between insomnia severity, depression, anxiety, and anxiety sensitivity and to find out the explanatory variables that account for the insomnia severity among depression, anxiety, and anxiety sensitivity in general population. 95 mentally healthy volunteers who visit health promotion center of Kangbuk Samsung hospital for their regular medical examination were requested to complete Athens Insomnia Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Anxiety Sensitivity Index. Association between total scores of Athens Insomnia scale and other variables (total scores of Beck Depression Inventory excluded item 16, total scores of State Anxiety, total scores of Trait Anxiety, and total scores of Anxiety Sensitivity Scale) was assessed individually with partial correlations adjusted by age and then together using multiple regression analysis. The total scores of Athens Insomnia Scale were significantly associated with total scores of Beck Depression Inventory excluded item 16(r = 0.541, p<0.001), total scores of Trait Anxiety(r = 0.642, p<0.001), total scores of State Anxiety(r = 0.267, p<0.05), and total scores of Anxiety Sensitivity Index(r = 0.312, p<0.01). Total scores of trait anxiety showed the highest correlation with the total scores of Athens Insomnia Scale and was the significant predictor to total scores of Athens Insomnia Scale among the other predictor variables (p<0.001). These results show that insomnia severity is positively correlated with depression, anxiety, and anxiety sensitivity. The correlation was strongest with trait anxiety. In addition, our results suggest that trait anxiety is associated with insomnia severity in general populations.
Anxiety* ; Depression* ; Health Promotion ; Healthy Volunteers ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders*

We report a 18 years old man of brainstem encephalitis with acute ataxia, areflexia and gaze evoked vertical and horizontal nystagmus which is mimicking Miller Fisher syndrome. He had evidences of both peripheral neuropathy in nerve conduction studies and a brainstem encephalitis in MR findings. The possible relationship of the Miller Fisher syndrome and brainstem encephalitis are discussed with brief review of literature.
Adolescent ; Ataxia ; Brain Stem* ; Encephalitis* ; Humans ; Miller Fisher Syndrome* ; Neural Conduction ; Nystagmus, Pathologic ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases

High dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy can improve the clinical course of several immune mediciated diseases. We evaluated clinical effects and side effects of IVIg in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). 19 Patients with GBS were studied prospectively in a placebo-controlled trial. 11 Patients were received high dose IVIg (400mg/kg for 5 days) and controls received only conservative treatment. The disability scores using modified Rankin scores before and after treatment of each group were compared. Four weaks later, mean Rankin Score of IVIg group was 2.5 + 0.7 and control group was 3.3+ 0.5which showed significant difference(p<0.05). There were no serious advers effer of promote early improvement with safety in acute phase of Guillan-Barre syndrome.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome* ; Humans ; Immunization, Passive* ; Immunoglobulins* ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to investigate the pattern of stress coping strategies and the effects of stress coping strategies on quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: Stress coping strategies and quality of life were examined using Ways of Coping Checklist and Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale for 98 patients with schizophrenia. Stress coping strategies were composed of problem-focused coping, social support seeking, emotion-focused coping, and wishful thinking. Among these, problem-focused coping and social support seeking were active coping strategies while emotion-focused coping and wishful thinking were passive coping strategies. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) were also administered. RESULTS: Active coping scores were higher than passive coping scores in patients with schizophrenia. Quality of life was higher in the active coping group compared to the passive coping group. Active coping usage was a significant predictor of higher quality of life even after controlling for gender, age, PANSS, and BDI scores. CONCLUSION: Patients with schizophrenia used more active coping strategies than passive coping strategies, which showed significant association with higher quality of life. A treatment program to provide education on use of active coping strategies in a proper and flexible way might contribute to enhanced quality of life in patients with schizophrenia.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Checklist ; Depression ; Education ; Humans ; Quality of Life* ; Schizophrenia* ; Stress, Psychological ; Thinking

The present study was designed to examine the effect of d-amphetamine on CA release from the isolated perfused model of the rat adrenal gland, and to establish its mechanism of action. D- amphetamine (10~100microM), when perfused into an adrenal vein of the rat adrenal gland for 60 min, enhanced the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh (5.32x10-3 M), excess K+ (5.6x10-2 M, a membrane depolarizer), DMPP (10-4 M, a selective neuronal nicotinic Nn-receptor agonist) and McN-A-343 (10-4 M, a selective M1-muscarinic agonist) only for the first period (4 min), although it alone has weak effect on CA secretion. Moreover, d-amphetamine (30microM) in to an adrenal vein for 60 min also augmented the CA release evoked by BAY-K-8644, an activator of the dihydropyridine L-type Ca2+ channels, and cyclopiazonic acid, an inhibitor of cytoplasmic Ca2+ ATPase only for the first period (4 min). However, in the presence of high concentration (500microM), d-amphetamine rather inhibited the CA secretory responses evoked by the above all of secretagogues. Collectively, these experimental results suggest that d-amphetamine at low concentrations enhances the CA secretion from the rat adrenal medulla evoked by cholinergic stimulation (both nicotininc and muscarinic receptors) as well as by membrane depolarization, but at high concentration it rather inhibits them. It seems that d-amphetamine has dual effects as both agonist and antagonist at nicotinic receptors of the isolated perfused rat adrenal medulla, which might be dependent on the concentration. It is also thought that these actions of d-amphetamine are probably relevant to the Ca2+ mobilization through the dihydropyridine L-type Ca2+ channels located on the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cell membrane and the release of Ca2+ from the cytoplasmic store.
(4-(m-Chlorophenylcarbamoyloxy)-2-butynyl)trimethylammonium Chloride ; 3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester ; Adrenal Glands ; Adrenal Medulla* ; Amphetamine ; Animals ; Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; Chromaffin Cells ; Cytoplasm ; Dextroamphetamine* ; Dimethylphenylpiperazinium Iodide ; Membranes ; Neurons ; Rats* ; Receptors, Nicotinic ; Veins

There is still lack of a convinient system that connect referring physicians to the information system of referral hospitals, We proposed to develop the laboratory-information-accessing system(LISA) for physicians referred to AMC referral center with Web-based internet technology. We constructed the menu of AMC Referral Center as a part of Asan Medical Center(AMC) homepage. The information of the referred patients wee collected in the separate internal server and then transferred to the external network sever by a batch. Referring physicians was able to connect to AMC Referral Center via AMC homepage and then browse the list of their patients by putting their identification number and password. At the next, the physicians chose the patients and the test item to be displayed. In order that the referral system is established tin the medical part, the LISA world be more needed, in the society, which internet is getting popular. This LISA was introduced successfully now, and it could be a model of national standard for hospital information system.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Clinical Laboratory Information Systems ; Hospital Information Systems ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Internet ; Referral and Consultation ; Tin