BACKGROUND: There is considerable controversy about the exact molecular mechanisms of excitatory amino acid receptors in epileptogenesis. METHODS: We used in situ hybridization to examine the hybridization density (HD) of n-methyl- D-aspartic acid receptor type 1 (NMDAR-1) and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy -5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate (AMPA) receptor type 2 (GluR-2) mRNA, in the hippocampus obtained from the kainic acid (KA)-induced status epilep-ticus (SE) model. Some Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with KA (10 mg/Kg; I.p.), and others with MK-801 (4 mg/kg) 20 minutes prior to KA. The rats were allowed to have 4-hour SE and were killed at 8 hours or 4 weeks after KA or MK-801/KA injection. HD of NMDAR-1 and GluR-2 mRNA in subfields of the hippocampus was measured by an image analysis system. RESULTS: A typical neuropathological finding of hippocampal sclerosis and spontaneous repetitive seizures (SRS) were observed in the KA injected rats, but not in the MK-801 pretreated rats, killed at 4 weeks. Compared with controls, the rats killed at 8 hours after KA showed increased CA1, CA2, and CA3 NMDAR-1 HD, and stratum granulosum (SG) GluR-2 HD. The increase of NMDAR-1, not GluR-2, HD was blocked effectively by MK-801. The increase of SG GluR-2 HD remained until 4 weeks after the KA injection. CONCLUSIONS: Not only the NMDAR-1activa-tionbut also the GluR-2 activation is an important factor in delaying hippocampal neuronal loss and epileptogenesis. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(1):36~44, 2001
alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid ; Animals ; D-Aspartic Acid ; Dizocilpine Maleate ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe ; Gene Expression* ; Glutamic Acid* ; Hippocampus ; In Situ Hybridization ; Kainic Acid ; N-Methylaspartate ; Neurons ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Glutamate* ; RNA, Messenger ; Sclerosis ; Seizures ; Temporal Lobe*

The present study was aimed at investigating the molecular regulation of the renin- angiotensin system (RAS) in two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) hypertension. The expression of renin, angiotensinogen and angiotensin II receptor genes was determined by Northern blot analysis in rats made 2K1C hypertensive for 2 or 4 weeks. The expression of renin gene was increased in the clipped kidney and decreased in the contralateral non-clipped kidney at weeks 2 and 4. The expression of angiotensinogen gene was not significantly altered at week 2, but increased at week 4 in the clipped kidney. However, it was not significantly altered in the contralateral kidney either at week 2 or 4. Nor was the expression of angiotensinogen gene significantly altered in the liver either at week 2 or 4. On the other hand, the expression of angiotensin II receptor gene was decreased at week 2, and increased at week 4 in the clipped kidney, whereas it was not significantly changed in the contralateral kidney either at week 2 or 4. In the liver, the expression of angiotensin II receptor gene was not significantly altered at week 2, but decreased at week 4. These results suggest that the components of RAS are transcriptionally regulated in 2K1C hypertension in a manner dependent on tissues and duration of hypertension.
Angiotensin II* ; Angiotensinogen* ; Angiotensins* ; Animals ; Blotting, Northern ; Hand ; Hypertension ; Kidney ; Liver ; Rats* ; Receptors, Angiotensin* ; Renin

No abstract available.
Chin* ; Hemangioma*

Neurons in the nucleus raphe magnus are involved in descending modulation of nociceptive transmission. In this study, we attempted to investigate electrophysiological properties of the NRM neurons dissociated from the postnatal rat medulla. The NRM neurons in the coronal slices of and the dissociated neurons from the postnatal rat medullae were immunohistochemically identified using antibody against serotonin. Relatively small number of neurons were positively stained in both preparations. The positively stained neurons displayed large cell body with double or multiple neurites. Using whole-cell patch clamp configuration ionic currents were recorded from the dissociated NRM-like neurons selected by criteria such as size and shape of cell body and cell population. Two types, high- and low-threshold, of voltage-dependent calcium currents were recorded from the dissociated NRM-like neurons. Some neurons displayed both types of calcium currents, whereas others displayed only high-threshold calcium current. Voltage-dependent potassium currents were also recorded from the dissociated NRM neurons. Some neurons displayed both transient outward and delayed rectifier currents but others showed only delayed rectifier current. These results suggest that there are at least two types of calcium currents and two types of potassium currents in the dissociated NRM neurons.
Animals ; Calcium ; Neurites ; Neurons* ; Potassium ; Rats* ; Serotonin

The present study was designed to investigate whether endogenous nitric oxide (EDNO) is involved in submandibular vasodilation and salivation induced by parasympathetic nerve stimulation. Effects of Nw-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) which blocks the synthesis of EDNO from L-arginine on the submandibular vasodilation and salivation induced by chorda stimulation or administration of various vasodilators were examined in anesthetized cats. Effect of L-NAME on K+ efflux induced by carbachol was also examined using the excised submandibular slice in vitro. In the submandibular slices, acetylcholine (10(-5) mol/L) or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP, 10(-5) mol/L) increased NO2 contents, which was prevented by pretreatment with L-NAME. Salivary secretion in response to the chorda stimulation (3 V, 1 msec, 10 ~ 20 Hz) was completely blocked by treatment with atropine (1 mg/kg). Increased blood flow response to the low frequency (1, 2, 5 Hz) stimulation was significantly reduced, whereas the blood flow induced by the higher frequency (10, 20 Hz) stimulation was not affected. Lingual-arterial infusion of L-NAME (100 mg/kg) significantly diminished the vasodilatory and salivary responses to the chorda stimulation at all stimuli frequencies used. Intra-arterial infusion of L-NAME (100 mg/kg) markedly diminished the vasodilatory responses to acetylcholine (5 mug/kg), VIP (5 mug/kg) or bradykinin (5 mug/kg). In the excised submandibular slice, K+ efflux in response to carbachol (10(-5) mol/L) was significantly decrease by pretreatment with L-NAME (10(-5) mol/L). In the isolated submandibular artery precontracted with phenylephrine (10(-5) mol/L), the vasorelaxation induced by ACh (10-7 mol/L) was reversed into a contraction by methylene blue (10(-4) mol/L). These results suggest that EDNO may play an important role in vasodilation and secretion of the submandibular gland.
Acetylcholine ; Animals ; Arginine ; Arteries ; Atropine ; Bradykinin ; Carbachol ; Cats ; Infusions, Intra-Arterial ; Methylene Blue ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Nitric Oxide* ; Phenylephrine ; Salivary Glands ; Salivation ; Submandibular Gland ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; Vasodilation ; Vasodilator Agents

Radiation therapy is an effective cancer treatment modality as a primary treatment in early cancer and as an adjuvant treatment in advanced cancer, especially in head and neck lesions, but it also causes irreversible chronic damages to overlying normal tissues that may lead to wound complications. As well, at the microscopic level, radiation injury causes both stasis and occlusion of small vessels. Therefore, surgical reconstruction of previously-irradiated lesions in the head and neck poses a great problem. Fifth-six patients with head and neck lesions underwent 57 microsurgical reconstructions between 1990-1998. Thirteen patients were irradiated before surgery. The previous radiation dose was 30-75.6 Gy. The free tissue transfer was successful in 52 of the 57 microsurgical reconstructions(91.2%). The success rate was 92.3%(12/13) in previously-irradiated patients and 90.9%(40/44) in nonirradiated patients. Postoperative complications, such as flap loss, fistula, and infection, developed in 4 irradiated patients and 8 nonirradiated patients. Overall complication rate was 30.8%(4/13) in previously-irradiated patients and 18.2%(8/44) in nonirradiated patients. Although the failure rate of previously-irradiated patients was higher than that of nonirradiated patients, there was no statistically significant difference between them. Thus, free tissue transfers in patients with previously-irradiated head and neck lesions are suitable for one-stage reconstruction.
Fistula ; Head* ; Humans ; Neck* ; Postoperative Complications ; Radiation Injuries ; Wounds and Injuries

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinicopathologic characteristics of tuberculous peritontitis from calcinomatosis peritonei. METHODS: From July 1994 to May 2002, fifteen women who were diagnosed tuberculous peritonitis in Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital were analyzed. We reviewed their medical records. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients eventually diagnosed by pathological or bacteriological method were reveiwed. Five patients were taken explorative lapartomy and biopsy. Eight patiets were taken laparoscopy and biopsy. One patient shows M. tubcerculous only cutured in ascites. One patient with cervical lyhphadenopathy shows chronic granuloma on cervical lymph node. CONCLUSION: Tuberculous peritonitis needs differential diagnosis with ovarian cancer because of its vague symptoms as ascites, abdominal pain and fever. Since there is no specific and sensitive method, at present, an explorative laparotomy or pelviscopic surgery can be alternatives for differetial diagnosis between tuberculous peritonitis and ovarian cancer.
Abdominal Pain ; Ascites ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fever ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Lymph Nodes ; Medical Records ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Peritonitis, Tuberculous*

Among the sympathetic blocks used to treat various symptoms and diseases, including sympathetic dysfunction in pain clinics, a stellate ganglion block (SGB) is one of the easiest to apply. However, it is difficult to evaluate the effects of SGB due to the subjective nature of patient-reported data. A 26-year-old female, who presented with symptoms of coldness and sweating on both hands, received SGB 25 times on each side over a 2-month period. The effects of SGB were followed up using a cold stress test with thermography. Although the symptoms appeared again after 6 months, the recovery rate of the palmar temperature after the cold stress test improved significantly and was maintained for 18 months.
Adult ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Hand ; Humans ; Pain Clinics ; Stellate Ganglion* ; Sweat ; Sweating ; Thermography*

Age-related vertebral fractures occur frequently in the elderly recently. An epidural block has been introduced as an effective management for the treatment of pain with vertebral compression fractures. While an epidural block is considered to be reasonably safe, serious complications may occur even when this invasive procedure is related to pain. Vasovagally mediated episodes of hypotension and bradycardia are thought to be a common cause of recurrent unexplained syncope. Precipitating factors include pain, trauma, fatigue, blood loss, or prolonged motionless standing. We report one case of vasovagal syncope associated with severe bradycardia and hypotension in a 78 year-old male patient with vertebral fractures. Syncopal attacks occurred during a caudal epidural block. The patient was resuscitated successfully and recovered without any adverse effects.
Aged ; Bradycardia ; Fatigue ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Male ; Precipitating Factors ; Syncope ; Syncope, Vasovagal*

PURPOSE: The rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) aids the anal continence function by a sampling process. On the other hand, it might impair the anal continence function because the internal anal sphincter is relaxed during the reflex. We assessed the parameters of RAIR in incontinent patients with or without a sphincter defect and compared them with healthy control subjects to clarify the exact role of that reflex in the anal continence function. METHODS: The recovery time, slope, amplitude, and area under the reflex curve of the RAIR were measured for 31 normal controls without any history of anorectal surgery (group A), 32 incontinent patients with a sphincter defect (group B), and 49 incontinent patients without a sphincter defect (group C). Incontinence was defined as bowel accidents of more than 3 by the Cleveland Clinic Florida score. A sphincteric defect was defined endoanal sonographically. The mean ages of group A, B, and C were 57.9+/-14.3, 54.5+/-13.6, and 61.8+/-15.4 years, respectively. RESULTS: When group A and group B+C were compared, the recovery times (seconds) were 17.5+/-3.5 and 14.8+/-5.5 (P=.003), the slopes (mmHg/second) were 0.67+/-3.04 and 3.27+/-2.44 (P<.001), the amplitudes (%) were 7.0+/-16.5 and 53.3+/-19.4 (P=.352), and the area under the reflex curve (mmHg*seconds) were 230.2+/-102.15 and 173.0+/-140.8 (P=.020). When group B and group C were compared, the recovery times were 15.0+/-5.8 and 14.7+/-5.3 (P=.828), the slopes were 3.6+/-2.8 and 3.1+/-2.2 (P= .388), the amplitudes were 54.2+/-22.4 and 52.7+/-17.4 (P=.737), and the area under the reflex curve were 188.0+/-151.1 and 163.2+/-134.3 (P=.443). All parameters of the RAIR, except the amplitude were significantly diminished in incontinent patients whether they had a sphincter defect or not. CONSLUSIONS: Although the RAIR functions against continence in normal conditions by inhibiting sphincteric tone, it behaves suitably for keeping continence in the presence of incontinence, whatever the cause is, by attenuating the degree of inhibition.
Anal Canal ; Fecal Incontinence ; Florida ; Hand ; Humans ; Reflex*