BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Protein kinase C (PKC) is known to be related with development of various cells. In the heart, each isoform reacts differentially against agonists and the reaction changes during development. In this study, the roles of PKC isoforms (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta) were investigated through the localization of mRNA expression in the developing rat heart with in situ hybridization histochemistry. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The mRNA expression pattern of PKC isoforms (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta) was investigated with in situ hybridization histochemistry in developing and adult rat hearts. Whole body parasagittal sections were used for embryonal day 14 (E14), E16, E18 and heart sections were used for just born (P0), postnatal day 7 (P7), P14, P21 and adult rat. RESULTS: The expression of PKC alpha was found from E14, peaked at P7, and gradually decreased to adult level. The expression of PKC beta was observed from P14, peaked at P21, and decreased to adult level. The expression of PKC delta in the heart was observed from E14, peaked at P0, and abruptly disappeared at P14. The expression of PKC epsilon was observed from E14, peaked at P0, after that gradually decreased and disappeared at adult rat heart. The expression of PKC gamma and zeta was not found from any stage of developing rat heart. CONCLUSION: From these results, it is suspected that each PKC isoform may be differentially related with development of heart. The strong expression of PKC alpha, delta, epsilon around perinatal period, rapidly developing stage, suggests that PKC alpha, delta, epsilon may be related with rapid development of rat heart. And the late postnatal expression of PKC beta suggests that PKC beta may be related with maturation of rat heart.
Adult ; Animals ; Heart* ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Protein Isoforms ; Protein Kinase C* ; Protein Kinase C-epsilon ; Protein Kinases* ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger*

An induced hypotension is employed as a useful technique for operations on intracranial aneurysms, brain tumors and other intracranial lesions to diminish operative bleeding and to decrease brain tension. In aneurysm surgery under induced hypotension, the sac becomes softer and thus diminishes the risk of rupture when clips are applid. In 1946 Gardner used arteriotomy to lower blood pressure by decreasing the blood volume during brain tumor surgery, then gradually improved. Pharmacologically-induced hypotension soon became the cominant method of producing hypotension. Halothane and trimethaphan are the most popular drugs for this purpose. On the other hand, the risks of hypotension are obvious. These include decreased cardiac output, decreased cerebral blood flow, and low perfusion pressure exposing brain tissue to the risk of hypoxia thereby aggravating the effects of the circulatory disturbance present in the brain lesion. In this situation the blood oxygen tension in jugular-bulb and lactate content in brain tissue have been found to be reliable indices of degrees of cerebral oxygenation. Consequently, several investigators have studied the critical level of arterial blood pressure during hypotensive anesthesia and have accepted 60 mmHg of systolic pressure(40~50 mmHg of mean arterial pressure) as a clinically applicable level free from the danger of cerebral hypoxia. Furthermore, Griffiths and Gillies(1948) postulated that systolic pressure over 30 mmHg would provide adequate tissue oxygenation. However, there are only a few reports concerning the adequacy of cerebral oxygenation under such low levels of arterial blood pressure. The purpose of this study is to investigate cereral hemodynamics and metabolism during halothane-induced hypotensive anesthesia and to find any evidence of cerebral hypoxia at the levels of 60 mmHg and 30 mmHg, of systolic blood pressure. 15 adult mongrel dogs, weighing 10~13kg, were anesthetized with intravenous pentobarbital sodium. Endotracheal intubation was performed. One femoral artery was cannulated with a polyethylene tube for arterial blood sampling. The tube was connected to a Statham pressure transducer for continuous arterial blood pressure recording. The common carotid artery was exposed and a probe of square-wave electromagnetic flowmeter was placed on the vessel to record the carotid blood flow. An electrocardiogram and above two parameters were recorded simultaneously on a 4-channel polygraph. The internal jugular vein was cannulated and a catheter threaded up to the jugular-bulb for sampling of venous blood draining from the brain. The cisterna magna was punctured with an 18 gauge spinal needle to sample the cerebrospinal fluid. The experiments were divided into control phase, induction phase, hypotensive phase I, hypotensive phase II, and recovery phase. Each phase was maintained for 30 minutes. Cerebrospinal fluid, arterial venous blood were sampled at the end of each phase for analysis of gas tension and lactate content. 100% oxygen was inhaled during the induction phase. During the hypotensive phases, halothane/O2 was administered to lower the arterial blood pressure. In the hypotensive phase I and hypotensive phase II systolic pressure was maintained at 60 mmHg and 30 mmHg, respectively. In the recovery phase, halothane was discontinued and 100% oxygen only was inhaled. The results obtained are summarized as follows; 1. The carotid artery blood flow, which represents the cerebral blood flow, decreased linearly during the decline of the arterial blood pressure. At the end of each phase there was no difference in the carotid blood flow between hypotensive phase I and phase II. Cerebral vascular resistance was markedly reduced in the hypotensive phase II, which suggests cereral vasodilation. 2. Cerebral venous pO2 decreased significantly in the hypotensive phases, but the values till remained within normal limits. A marked reduction of arterial pCO2 was noted in the hypotensive phases. The values approach the lower limits of safety. 3. The most outstanding difference between hypotensive phase I and II is in the lactate content of cerebral venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid. There was a moderate increase of lactate content, and a slight reduction of cereral venous pH in hypotensive phase II, however, a significant degree of cerebral hypoxia and metabolic acidosis could be excluded. 4. Most of the changes in the cerebral metabolism and hemodynamics including arterial blood pressure, tent to return to return to normal at the end of the recovery phase. From the result of this study, it is concluded; Halothane-induced hypotensive anesthesia at 60 mmHg of systolic blood pressure(45 mmHg of possibility of mild metabolic acidosis 30 mmHg of systolic blood pressure(23 mmHg of mean arterial pressure), adequate cerebral oxygenation is maintained without difficulty.
Acidosis ; Adult ; Anesthesia* ; Aneurysm ; Animals ; Anoxia ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Volume ; Brain ; Brain Neoplasms ; Cardiac Output ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Catheters ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Cisterna Magna ; Dogs ; Electrocardiography ; Femoral Artery ; Flowmeters ; Halothane ; Hand ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypotension ; Hypoxia, Brain ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Jugular Veins ; Lactic Acid ; Magnets ; Metabolism ; Needles ; Oxygen ; Pentobarbital ; Perfusion ; Polyethylene ; Research Personnel ; Rupture ; Transducers, Pressure ; Trimethaphan ; Vascular Resistance ; Vasodilation

Telecanthus in congenital blepharophimosis has traditionally been repaired with conventional methods such as medial canthal tendon tucking and transnasal wiring.We report 2 cases of patients with telecanthus who underwent repair with titanium miniplate. After the anterior limb of medial canthal tendon was dissected, its insertion site was drilled and a titanium miniplate was fixed with screws.The dissected medial canthal tendon was fixed with 4-0 mersilene to a miniplate hole.After the surgery, we obtained a mean decrease of 11 mmin intermedial canthal distance and no complications except scar in incision site. We believe that this procedure has advantages such as short operation time, precise placement of the medial canthal tendon.For these reasons, it seems to be an excellent alternative to transnasal wiring, but considers this operation because of scar in incision site.
Blepharophimosis* ; Cicatrix ; Extremities ; Humans ; Tendons ; Titanium*

PURPOSE: We conducted a comparative study to evaluate the diagnostic values of Tl-201, Tc-99m MIBI and I-131 scans in the follow-up assessment after ablative I-131 therapy in differentiated thyroid cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 20 patients who underwent surgical removal of thyroid cancer and ablative radioactive iodine therapy, and followed by one or more times of I-131 retreatments (33 cases). In all patients, Tl-201, Tc-99m MIBI, diagnostic and therapeutic I-131 scans were performed and the RESULTS were analyzed retrospectively. Also serum thyroglobulin levels were measured in all patients. The final diagnosis of recurrent or metastatic thyroid cancer was determined by clinical, biochemical, radiologic and/or biopsy findings. RESULTS: Positive rates (PR) of Tc-99m MIBI, Tl-201, diagnostic and therapeutic I-131 scans in detecting malignant thyroid tissue lesions were 70% (19/27), 54% (15/28), 35% (17/48) and 63% (30/48), respectively. The PR in the group of 20 cases (28 lesions) who underwent concomitant Tl-201 and I-131 scans were in the order of therapeutic 131 scan 71%, Tl-201 scan 54% and diagnostic I-131 scan 36%. There was no statistically significant difference between Tl-201 and diagnostic I-131 scans (p>0.05). In the group of 20 cases (27 lesions) who underwent concomitant Tc-99m MIBI and I-131 scans, the PR were in the order of Tc-99m MIBI scan 70%, I-131 therapeutic scan 52% and I-131 diagnostic scan 33%. The PR of Tc-99m MIBI was significantly higher than that of diagnostic I-131 scan (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Tc-99m MIBI scan is superior to diagnostic I-131 scan in detecting recurrent or metastatic thyroid cancer following ablation therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Tl-201 scan did not showed significantly higher positive rate than diagnostic I-131 scan. Instead of diagnostic I-131 scan before the I-131 retreatment, Tc-99m MIBI scan without discontinuing thyroid hormone replacement would be a prudent and effective approach in the management of these patients.
Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Iodine ; Retreatment ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND: The current study evaluated the hospital utilization and characteristics of patients who received health care services for acute cerebral infarction outside their own residential area. METHODS: Using the 2014 national patient survey data, information on 2,982 patients diagnosed with acute cerebral infarction through emergency department were retrieved for the analyses. Multiple logistic regression was performed to investigate the characteristics associated with using hospitals outside residential area among patients diagnosed with acute cerebral infarction. RESULTS: Fifteen point nine percent of patients admitted for acute cerebral infarction utilized hospitals outside their residential area. Patients residing in a province were 7.7 times more likely to utilize hospitals located outside their residential areas compared to those living in Seoul metropolitan city. Patients living in Gangwon and Jeolla were 0.26 times and 0.48 times more likely to go to hospitals in different geographical areas. Also, patients within the age group of 80 years and over were 0.65 times less likely to be admitted to hospitals outside their residential area compared to those in their 40s–50s. CONCLUSION: The use of hospitals outside patient's residential area is shown to be substantial, given that the acute cerebral infarction requires immediate recognition and treatment. The findings on the geographical differences in the hospital utilization suggest further investigation.
Cerebral Infarction ; Delivery of Health Care ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Seoul

Lymphangioma of the large bowel is a rare benign tumor which is composed of numerous small or large thin-walled lymphatie spaces contained fibrous tissue, smooth muscle and aggregates of lymphoid tissue. Lymphangioma never demonstrated any potential for malignant degeneration. There are three types; l. simple capillary lymphangioma, 2 cavernous lymphangioma and 3 cystic lymphangioma. Endoscopically, lymphangioma appears as a compressible smooth, round, or oval submucosal tumor covered with pale intact mucosa. The surfaces is smooth and the superficial color is the same as the surrouding mucosa or slightly more yellowish. There are change of dimension and shape during propagation of the peristaltic wave and on compression. Recently, authors experienced 4 cases of lymphangioma of large intestine which has been revealed by typical colonoscopic findings and/or endoscopic ultrasound, and confirmed by surgical resection and colonscopic snare polypectomy. 3 of 4 cases show cystic lymphangioma and one case shows carvenous lymphangio~rna. We report these cases with review of literatures.
Capillaries ; Colon* ; Intestine, Large ; Lymphangioma* ; Lymphangioma, Cystic ; Lymphoid Tissue ; Mucous Membrane ; Muscle, Smooth ; SNARE Proteins ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: This study was performed to see if a particular polymorphism in the l-myc, a nuclear oncogene at the 1p32 locus, might be associated with greater risk of gastric cancer, lung cancer and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) in Korean patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genomic DNA, derived from patients diagnosed with gastric cancer (n=57), lung cancer (n=39), HCC (n=35) and healthy individuals (n= 176), was examined. The l-myc polymorphism under study was visualized by PCR followed by EcoRI digestion. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the distribution of the l-myc polymorphism genotypes and allele frequencies between the cancer patients and the controls. CONCLUSION: The l-myc polymorphism does not appear to be indicative of elevated risk of cancers of the stomach, lung and HCC.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Digestion ; DNA ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Oncogenes ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND: The Nuss procedure is a recently developed technique for minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum using a metal bar. Although its technical simplicity and cosmetic advantages are remarkable, applications have been limited to children with standard pectus excavatum. We report a single center experience of the technique that has been evolving in order to correct asymmetric pectus configurations and adult patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between August 1999 and June 2002, 322 consecutive patients underwent repair by the Nuss technique and its modifications. Among them, 71 (22%) were adults. For the precise correction, morphology of the pectus was classified as symmetric and asymmetric types. Asymmetric type was subdivided into eccentric and unbalanced types. In repair, differently shaped bars were applied to individual types of pectus to achieve symmetric correction. RESULT: Symmetric type was 57.5% (185/322) and asymmetric type was 42.5% (137/322). Eccentric, unbalanced, and combined types were 71, 47 and 19, respectively. Major modifications were bar shaping and fixation. In asymmetric group, different shapes of asymmetric bars were applied (n=125, 38.8%). For adult patients, double bar or compound bar technique was used (n=51, 15.8%). To prevent bar rotation, multipoint wire fixations to ribs were used. Major postoperative complications were pneumothorax (n=24, 7.5%) and bar displacement (n=11, 3.4%). 42 patient had bar removal 2 years after the initial procedure. CONCLUSION: The Nuss procedure is safe and effective.Modifications of the techniques in accordance with precise morphological classification enabled the correction of all variety of pectus excavatum including asymmetric types and adult patients.
Adult ; Child ; Classification ; Funnel Chest* ; Humans ; Pneumothorax ; Postoperative Complications ; Ribs

OBJECTIVE: Human cervical cancer is caused by the high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) such as HPV16, which possess the E6 and E7 oncogenes, whose expressions are a prerequisite for cancer development. We performed this study to compare the efficacy of antitumor activity by HPV siRNA which silences only E6 or both E6/E7. METHODS: We transfected siRNA 377 (HPV16 E6 siRNA), siRNA 3 (HPV16 E6 siRNA), and siRNA 198 (HPV16 E7 siRNA) into SiHa cell line (siRNA 377 silences only E6, and siRNA 3 and siRNA 198 silence both E6 and E7). We experimented cell counts and morphologic changes 24 and 48 hours after transfection and expressions of HPV16 E6/E7 mRNA by RT-PCR. RESULTS: siRNA 377, siRNA 3, and siRNA 198 suppressed the cell growth. siRNA 3 and siRNA 198 were more potent than siRNA 377 in cell growth suppression. siRNA 377 knocked down the expression of E6 mRNA, and both siRNA 3 and siRNA 198 knocked down the expression of E6/E7 mRNA. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that simultaneous suppression of E6 and E7 was more potent than E6-specific suppression in cancer cell growth.
Cell Count ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Oncogenes ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Transfection ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia is a rare congenital cause of protein losing enteropathy that is characterized by chronic diarrhea, generalized edema, ascites, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and lymphopenia. We encountered an 18-year-old woman who suffered from longstanding diarrhea and progressive leg edema. The laboratory findings showed the typical features of this disorder. The presence of enteric protein loss was documented with the 24 hour fecal clearance of alpha(1)-antitrypsin and (99m)Tc human serum albumin scintigraphy. A duodenoscopy and biopsy showed scattered white spots and markedly dilated lymphatics in the tips of the villi, respectively. The patient's clinical symptoms improved after placing her on a high protein and low fat diet with medium chain triglyceride supplements.
Adolescent ; Ascites ; Biopsy ; Dental Caries ; Diarrhea ; Diet ; Duodenoscopy ; Edema ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Hypoproteinemia ; Leg ; Lymphopenia ; Protein-Losing Enteropathies* ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Serum Albumin ; Triglycerides