We studied the effects of organic and inorganic mercury (Hg) on the uptake of L-[3H] glutamate (L-GLU) in cultured mouse astrocytes. Following exposure to mercuric chloride (MC) [0.2 approximately 5.0 microM], selective and dose-dependent inhibition of L-GLU uptake to 50% of control levels was observed, whereas 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) uptake was not significantly affected. Methylmercuric chloride (MMC) also inhibited L-GLU uptake but 50% reduction was reached only at a concentration of 10 microM. Inhibition of L-GLU uptake by MMC appears to be closely linked to voltage-sensitive calcium channels as evidenced by the lack of L-GLU uptake inhibition by MMC in calcium-free medium or in the presence of the channel blocker verapamil. Exposure to a variety of divalent metallic ions, including CuCl2, FeCl2 and ZnCl2, did not affect L-GLU uptake in astrocytes in vitro. Exposure to PbCl2, however, resulted in a decline in L-GLU uptake, though to a much smaller degree than that observed with Hg compounds. Selective impairment of astroglial L-GLU transport may represent a critical early pathogenetic feature of Hg-induced neurotoxicity.
Animal ; Astrocytes/*drug effects/metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Glutamic Acid/*metabolism ; Mercury/*toxicity ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

No abstract available.
Dysentery, Amebic ; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous ; Sigmoidoscopy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of polystyrene, titanium, and A-W ceramic focusing on the affinity of osteoblasts to the metals. Human osteoblasts were cultivated with each material (group I : polystyrene; group II :titanium; and group III:A-W ceramic) for seven days. Serial scanning electromicroscopic (SEM) examination and quantitative analysis of cellular protein synthesis were performed in each group of material. SEM examination showed that at the first day, the osteoblasts in group II and group III had longer and abundant cytoplasmic spindles than those in group 1. At the seventh day, the particulate networks (diameter 1-2 urn) were observed on the surfaces of osteoblasts in group I and group II but not in group III. In all groups, the amount of protein synthesis tended to increase with days of culture. Furthermore the actual amount was significantly larger in the orders of group III, group II, and group I (p<0.05, in all comparisons). This in vitro study suggests that when other factors are controlled, the superior affinity of human osteoblast to A-W ceramic might be attributable to the better biocompatibility than that of titanium and polystyrene.
Ceramics* ; Cytoplasm ; Glass* ; Humans* ; Metals ; Osteoblasts* ; Polystyrenes ; Titanium

Cavernous hemangiomas are one of the most common benign tumors of the orbit in adults. We report a case of a longstanding retrobulbar hemangioma that was removed successfully through a temporal transconjunctival approach combined with lateral canthotomy. A 45-year-old female patient, with a 15-year history of slowly progressive proptosis and decreased visual acuity of the left eye, had a corrected visual acuity of finger count at 50 cm OS, compared with 1.0 OD. Exophthalmometry by the Nagle's method measured 15 mm OD by 26 mm OS. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a well-encapsulated retrobulbar main mass, 2.3 x 3.0 x 3.7 cm in size along with multiple small satellite nodules that were displacing the optic nerve and globe superiorly. The tumors were removed through a superotemporal transconjunctival approach combined with lateral canthotomy. Pathological examination revealed an intraorbital cavernous hemangioma. The patient was free of visible scars, proptosis and any other noticeable complications at her last follow-up, 6 months after surgery.
Case Report ; Conjunctiva/surgery ; Female ; Hemangioma, Cavernous/pathology/*surgery ; Human ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Age ; Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures/*methods ; Orbital Neoplasms/pathology/*surgery ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical results of transverse Kirschner (K)-wire fixation for metacarpal fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2002 and May 2005, thirty-four cases (thirty-nine fingers) of unstable metacarpal fractures underwent a closed reduction and transverse K-wire fixation. The neck, shaft and base fractures of the metacarpals except the thumb were included. The follow-up period ranged from 12 months to 3 years and 4 months (mean; 2 years and 1 month). Interfragmentary fixation was performed on 24 cases. A short arm splint was maintained until postoperative 4 weeks, after which the full range of motion was permitted. The K-wires were removed after achieving the full-range of motion or pin-site infection. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, there was no limitation of motion and discomfort during the daily living activities. Five cases had skin problems around the tip of the K-wire. All cases, except for three cases with angulation over 20 degrees, had achieved the union under five degrees (average 3.24 degrees dorsal angulation). Three cases had minimal rotational deformities but they did not complain of discomfort. The one case of nonunion, in whom the K-wires had been removed four weeks after surgery, underwent plate fixation and a bone graft. CONCLUSION: Transverse K-wire fixation and additional interfragmentary fixation of the metacarpal fractures can allow the full range of motion without the need to remove the K-wires. The clinical results were excellent.
Activities of Daily Living ; Arm ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Metacarpal Bones ; Neck ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Skin ; Splints ; Thumb ; Transplants

Intraorbital expansion is not rare in frontoethmoidal mucoceles and various rhinological surgeries have been reported for the management of this condition. However, although intraorbital mucoceles are apt to be accompanied by ophthalmological or neurological complications, their treatment by neurosurgical procedures has been reported considerably less frequently than that by rhinological approach. The authors report a patient with intraorbital mucopyocele that was extended from the frontoethmoidal sinus but separated by the thick fibrous septum. The patient had suffered from progressive proptosis with orbital pain and was successfully treated with transorbital complete removal of cyst by the subfrontal extradural approach. We suggest that an subfrontal transorbital approach such as this method is needed for complete marsupialization of an intraorbital mucocele and to prevent recurrence, especially in cases like our presentation.
Exophthalmos ; Humans ; Mucocele ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; Orbit ; Orbital Diseases ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of the 3-dimensional (3D) superimposition method of digital models in patients who received treatment with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and maxillary protraction headgear. METHODS: The material consisted of pre- and post-treatment maxillary dental casts and lateral cephalograms of 30 patients, who underwent RME and maxillary protraction headgear treatment. Digital models were superimposed using the palate as a reference area. The movement of the maxillary central incisor and the first molar was measured on superimposed cephalograms and 3D digital models. To determine whether any difference existed between the 2 measuring techniques, intra-class correlation (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots were analyzed. RESULTS: The measurements on the 3D digital models and cephalograms showed a very high correlation in the antero-posterior direction (ICC, 0.956 for central incisor and 0.941 for first molar) and a moderate correlation in the vertical direction (ICC, 0.748 for central incisor and 0.717 for first molar). CONCLUSIONS: The 3D model superimposition method using the palate as a reference area is as clinically reliable for assessing antero-posterior tooth movement as cephalometric superimposition, even in cases treated with orthopedic appliances, such as RME and maxillary protraction headgear.
Humans ; Incisor ; Molar ; Orthopedics ; Palatal Expansion Technique ; Palate ; Tooth Movement

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of lateral buttress on the fracture healing of Jensen type 4 intertrochanteric fracture of the femur treated by dynamic compression hip screw (DCS) in elderly patients, retrospectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1999 to February 2003, 54 patients, older than 65 years, of Jensen type 4 intertrochanteric fractures of the femur treated by DCS were included. The relationship between the structual integrity of lateral buttress measured by proximal-medial fragment angle (PMFA) and postoperative neck-shaft angle, penetrating length of lag screw, the sliding length and incidence of fixation loss were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 38 patients of group II (PMFA above 50 degree), 6 cases (15.8%) including 4 cases of cutting out of lag screw from femoral head, 1 case of nonunion and 1 case of excessive extrusion of lag screw failed radiologically. But there was no fixation loss case in 16 cases of group I (PMFA 50 and below 50). The neck-shaft angle in last follow-up was 138.1 degree in group I and 132.1 in group II. The sliding length of lag screw was 7.0 mm in group I and 12. 5 mm in group II (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Preoperative evaluation of intactness of lateral buttress measured by proximal-medial fragmentary angle is an useful method in treatment of Jensen type 4 intertrochanteric fractures treated by DCS in elderly patients.
Aged* ; Femur* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Healing ; Head ; Hip Fractures* ; Hip* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Retrospective Studies

Intraventricular arachnoid cyst is an uncommon disease and a few surgical experiences have been reported. The authors present an experience of neuroendoscopic surgery in a 4-year-old-male patient with a large arachnoid cyst arising from the right lateral ventricle, who had suffered from generalized tonic clonic seizure. On operation, various portions of the cyst could be easily approached without unwanted parenchymal injury because most of the cystic membrane was movable and not adherent to the ventricular wall except choroid plexus area, which could be considered as origin site of the cyst. Marked shrinkages by electrocoagulation and multiple wide fenestrations of the cyst were obtained through the endoscopic working channel without difficulty. Postoperative brain computed tomography demonstrated decreasing ventricular size with no evidence of cystic recurrence. The postoperative course was uneventful for eight months follow-up period. We suggest that endoscopic procedure has definite advantages as the surgical method of choice for the treatment of intraventricular arachnoid cysts.
Arachnoid Cysts ; Arachnoid* ; Brain ; Choroid Plexus ; Electrocoagulation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lateral Ventricles* ; Membranes ; Recurrence ; Seizures

The laser is a new surgical modality that utilizes high intensity beams of radiant energy to vaporize or coagulate tissue. Radiant energy is generated by stimulated emission of photons, resulting in a unidirectional monochromatic beam that is temporary coherent small diameter beams of great power density are achievable by this means. The author reviewed 12 months experience with a CO2 laser involving neurosurgical operations. 29 neurosurgical lesion, i, e. brain tumor 17 intracerebral hemorrhage 10, cerebral paragonimiasis 1, and arteriovenous malformation 1, were removed with the use of Shaplan, CO2 laser since 1981. We have conclude that there had been a significant reduction in blood loss and neurological morbidity through it was readily conceded that the number of operations were relatively small. The particular advantages of the combination of CO2 laser and microscope were felt to be precision, reduction of mechanical trauma, good hemostasis and low cost. Especially the blood loss and replacement during operation have been reduced.
Arteriovenous Malformations ; Brain Neoplasms ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Hemostasis ; Laser Therapy* ; Lasers, Gas ; Paragonimiasis ; Photons