To analyze the developmental changes in soma diameters of digastric motoneurons, wheat-germ agglutinin conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) was injected into the digastric muscle and visualized the retrogradely HRP-labeled motoneurons through tungstate/tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and following diaminobenzidine (DAB) reactions. The results obtained from Sprague-Dawley rats at postnatal days 1 (P1), 10 (P10) and 30 (P30) indicated as follows: firstly, soma diameters of digastric motoneurons showed unimodal distribution in all postnatal days examined; secondly, the period of P1 to P10 (period 1) showed about 2 times faster growth rate than that of P10 to P30 (period 2); thirdly, the smallest soma examined in each postnatal day exhibited slower growth rate with that of the largest one (increase ratio in soma diameters from P1 to P30, smallest vs. largest =1.62 : 1.93); Finally, relative growth rates a day showed again that period 1 had faster growth rate than that of period 2. Consequently, developmental changes in soma diameters of digastric motoneurons resulted in very different growth rates between both periods. This implies that the growth of the soma is almost completing within P10 and thereafter growing slowly. The period 1 and 2 are corresponding to sucking and sucking/masticatory period, respectively. Therefore present study providing morphological changes in soma diameters of digastric motoneurons suggests that both periods and their different growth rates of the motoneurons in each period may closely be related with each other.
Animals ; Carisoprodol* ; Horseradish Peroxidase ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Previous studies suggested that myelinated axons innervating rat molar pulps undergo morphological changes in their peripheral course. However, little information is available on the morphological feature of the parent axons at the site of origin. We therefore investigated the size of the myelinated parent axons and their morphological features at the proximal sensory root of the trigeminal ganglion by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injection into rat upper molar pulps and subsequent light and electron microscopy. A total of 248 HRP-labeled myelinated axons investigated were highly variable in the size. Fiber area, fiber diameter, axon area (axoplasm area), axon diameter (axoplasm diameter), and myelin thickness were 11.32 +/- 8.36 microm2 (0.80~53.17 microm2), 3.99 +/- 1.53 microm (1.08~9.26 microm), 8.70 +/- 6.30 microm2 (0.70~41.83 microm2), 3.13 +/- 1.13 microm (0.94~7.20 microm) and 0.43 +/- 0.23 microm (0.07~1.06 microm), respectively. The g-ratio (axon diameter / fiber diameter) of the labeled axons was 0.79 +/- 0.05 (0.61~0.91). Axon diameter was highly correlated with myelin thickness (correlation coefficients,r=0.83) but little correlated with g-ratio (r=-0.33) of individual myelinated parent axons. These results indicate that myelin thickness of the myelinated parent axons innervating rat molar pulps increase with increasing axon diameter, thus maintaining a constant g-ratio.
Animals ; Axons* ; Dental Pulp ; Horseradish Peroxidase ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron ; Molar* ; Myelin Sheath* ; Parents* ; Rats* ; Trigeminal Ganglion*

The reversibility of arterial stenosis in arteritis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) has been rarely reported. However, we report a 25-year-old man with TBM who developed arteritis. Initial TCD and MRA showed stenosis in the left middle cerebral and intracranial internal carotid arteries, which improved on follow-up TCD and MRA after antituberculous and steroid treatment. This case showed that the arterial stenosis in TBM could be reversed with proper management and that TCD with MRA can be useful diagnostic tools.
Adult ; Arteritis ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography* ; Tuberculosis, Meningeal*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Computed tomography during arterial portography and computed tomography during hepatic arteriography (CTAP and CTHA), one of the most sensitive method in detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nodules , is reported to reduce unnecessary operation of HCC. However, it is not clear whet her CT AP and CT HA can reduce early post operative recurrence rate of HCC. We performed this study to find any differences in early postoperative recurrence rate of HCC according to the imaging modalities used for preoperativest aging. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients with HCC who had underg one curative hepat icres ection from Dec.1994 to Mar. 1998 were included (median age = 52 years (26-78), M:F = 85:12). They were classified into 3 groups according to the imaging methods used for preoper ative staging: CTAP & CTHA group (n=56), Lipiodol CT group (n=24), and three phase helical CT group (n=16). No significant inter-group difference was found in preoperative status of the patients or characteristics of HCC. One-year recurrence rates were compared by log-rank test. RESULTS: HCC recurred in 17 of 97 patients (18.7%) within 12 months. A significant difference in 1- year recurrence rate was observed between the groups: helical CT , may be a superior imaging modality for preoperative staging of HCC that can reduce early postoperative recurrence rate.
Aging ; Angiography ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Ethiodized Oil* ; Humans ; Portography ; Recurrence* ; Tomography, Spiral Computed*

Ultrastructural parameters related to synaptic release and their correlation with synaptic connectivity were analyzed in the low-threshold mechanoreceptive vibrissa afferent boutons in laminae III and IV of the trigeminal caudal nucleus (Vc). Rapidly adapting vibrissa afferents were intra-axonally labeled, and quantitative ultrastructural analyses with serial sections were performed on the labeled boutons and their presynaptic endings (p-endings). The volume of the labeled boutons was widely distributed from small to large ones (0.8~12.3 microm3), whereas the p-endings were small and uniform in size. The volume of the labeled boutons was positively correlated with the ultrastructural parameters such as mitochondrial volume (correlation coefficient, r=0.96), active zone area (r=0.82) and apposed surface area (r=0.79). Vesicle density (r=-0.18) showed little correlation to the volume of labeled boutons, suggesting that the total vesicle number of a bouton is proportional to its volume. In addition, the bouton volume was positively correlated with the number of p-endings (r=0.52) and with the number of dendrites postsynaptic to the labeled bouton (r=0.83). These findings suggest that low-threshold mechanoreception conveyed through vibrissa afferents is processed in a bouton size-dependent manner in the Vc, which may contribute to the sensory-motor function of laminae III/IV in Vc.
Animals ; Cats ; Dendrites ; Mitochondrial Size ; Synapses ; Trigeminal Caudal Nucleus

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lamivudine is an oral nucleoside analogue with potent antiviral activity against HBV inducing normalization of ALT and improvement of necro-inflammation and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B. But its role in decompensated cirrhosis has not been established. The Child-Pugh score is a reliable and convenient prognostic indicator reflecting liver synthetic function. We evaluated the incidence of any improvement in Child-Pugh score after lamivudine treatment in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with HBV associated active decompensated cirrhosis showing detectable serum HBV received lamivudine (100 or 150 mg/day) for 6-45 months (median 16). The Child-Pugh score at 6th month of lamivudine treatment was compared with base line score. RESULTS: The Child-Pugh score improved ( 2-point reduction) in 17 (65.4%) patients, was constant in 8 (30.8%), and aggravated ( 2-point increase) in one (3.8%) of 26 patients. HBV DNA was initially cleared in 24 cases (92.3%) but breakthrough developed in 7 (29.2%). HBeAg was lost in 5 (25%) of 20 cases. Initial improvement was maintained in 14 (82.4%) of 17 cases but aggravated with breakthrough in 3 (17.6%). Two of 5 patients waiting for liver transplantation showed marked improvement and were removed from the list. CONCLUSION: Lamivudine can be an effective treatment for patients with decompensated cirrhosis due to HBV infection, improving the Child-Pugh score in many cases. However, deterioration of liver function associated with DNA breakthrough was an important problem in patients showing initial improvement.
DNA ; Fibrosis* ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Herpesvirus 1, Cercopithecine* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lamivudine* ; Liver ; Liver Transplantation

The purposes of this study were to assess the relationship between functional dyspepsia (FD) and the gastroptosis which was considered as one of the causes of FD by some physicians in Korea and to evaluate the possibility that gastroptosis was directly related to the relatively decreased abdominal fat content. METHODS: 442 subjects taken upper gastrointestinal barium series (UGIS) for routine check-up were interviewed about symptoms of FD by physicians on the basis of Rome criteria. Various parameters of obesity were also collected from 366 subjects. Gastroptosis was diagnosed by radiologists when the gastric angle was located below the Jacobys line. RESULTS: Gastroptosis was found in 23 (5.2%) of 442 subjects. Relationship between gastroptosis and FD was rejected statistically because 3 (5.8%) of 52 subjects with FD had gastroptosis but 20 (5.1%) of 390 subjects without FD also showed gastroptosis. Various parameters of obesity such as body mass index (20.6+/-2.6, 23.8+/-2.8), % body fat (23.4+/-6.1%, 28.2+/-6.6%), % ideal body weight (97.9+/-12.6%, 112.6+/-14.0%), waist to hip ratio (0.855+/-0.096, 0.900+/-0.070) and weight (53.5+/-8.2 kg, 62.5+/-9.6 kg) in subjects with and without FD showed that the gastroptosis was more frequent in subjects with low values in parameters of obesity. But on multivariate analysis, only body mass index was the independent factor related to gastroptosis. CONCLUSION: Gastroptosis is not a cause of FD but is thought to be a constitutional problem related to low values in parameters of obesity.
Abdominal Fat ; Adipose Tissue ; Barium ; Body Mass Index ; Dyspepsia* ; Ideal Body Weight ; Korea ; Multivariate Analysis ; Obesity ; Visceral Prolapse ; Waist-Hip Ratio

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a potent inhibitor of epithelial cell growth. However, carcinoma cells, unlike normal cells, can escape from negative regulation by TGF-beta through lack of expression or mutation of TGF-beta receptor gene. In this study, we investigated the role of TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta type II receptors (TbetaR-II) in the progression of gastric cancer. METHODS: We analyzed TGF-beta1 and TbetaR-II mRNA expression semi-quantitatively, measured by comparative RT-PCR using GAPDH, in 23 patients who underwent gastric resection for gastric cancer. We analyzed the relationship between the clinicopathologic findings and the level of the TGF-beta1 and TbetaR-II mRNA expression in carcinoma tissues and in adjacent normal tissues of gastric cancer. RESULTS: (1) TGF-beta1 and TbetaR-II mRNA were expressed in all of the carcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues without statistical difference in the level of the expression. (2) The level of TGF-beta1 mRNA expression was higher in patients with early gastric cancer, negative lymph nodes or negative perineural invasion. There was no significant correlation between the level of TGF-beta1 mRNA expression and several parameters such as age, gender, tumor size, differentiation, Lauren's classification, and vascular invasion. (3) There was no significant correlation between the level of TbetaR-II mRNA expression and several prognostic variables described above. (4) There was significant correlation between the level of TGF-beta1 and TbetaR-II mRNA in carcinoma tissues. CONCLUSION: The above data indicates that TGF-beta1 may contribute in the early stages of gastric carcinogenesis. Further studies are required to clarify the role of TGF-beta 1 in gastric carcinogenesis.
Carcinogenesis ; Classification ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; RNA, Messenger ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; United Nations

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of present study is to investigate the influence of a spinal gamma-aminobutyric acid B (GABAB) receptor on a central regulation of blood pressure(BP) and heart rate(HR), and to define its mechanism in the spinal cord. METHODS: In urethane-anesthetized, d-tubocurarine- paralyzed and artificially ventilated male Sprague-Dawley rats, intrathecal administration of drugs were carried out using injecton cannula(33-gauge stainless steel) through the guide cannula(PE 10) which was inserted intrathecally at lower thoracic level through the puncture of a atlantooccipital membrane. RESULTS: Intrathecal injection of an GABAB receptor agonist baclofen(30, 60, 100 nmol) decreased both blood pressure and heart rate dose-dependently. Pretreatment with 8-bromo-cAMP(50 nmol), a cAMP analog or glipizide(50 nmol), a ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker attenuated the depressor and bradycardic effects of baclofen (100 nmol) but not with 8-bromo-cGMP(50 nmol) a cGMP analog. CONCLUSIONS: The GABAB receptor in the spinal cord plays an inhibitory role in central cardiovascular regulation and that this depressor and bradycardic actions are mediated by the decrease of cAMP via the inhibition of adenylate cyclase and the opening of K+ channel.
Adenylyl Cyclases ; Animals ; Baclofen ; Blood Pressure ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Injections, Spinal ; Male ; Membranes ; Punctures ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord*

Low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma arises from long-standing Helicobacter pylori(Hp) infection. High remission rates for these lymphoma have been observed after H. pylori eradication. There was debates on the optimal treatment of low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma. The purpose of this study is to investigate clinical and endoscopic characteristics of primary low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma and to assess short-term clinical outcome of various modalities of treatment. METHODS: 30 patients(14 male, 16 female, mean age 44.9 years, range 26-76, mean follow-up 22.9 months) with primary low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma, diagnosed at the Samsung Medical Center from March 1995 to September 1998, were evaluated in a retrospective study. We evaluated patient's presenting symptoms, endoscopic finding, Hp status, staging by Musshoff system, and recurrence rate according to treatment mordalities. RESULTS: The most common symptom is epigastric discomfort or pain(36.7%). Endoscopic appearances of gastric MALT lymphoma shows the wide variation from mucosal thickening to overt malignancy. The most common site of gastric MALT lymphoma is the gastric antrum and lower body(9 and 6 patients). Histologically, 70% were found to be Hp infected. Of 21 Hp(+) patients, 11 patients were clinical stage IE and received Hp eradication by PPI-based triple regimens. 81.8%(9/11) showed complete remission. Among 11 patients, 6 patients studied by PCR. After Hp eradication, 5 in 6 patients showed persistent IgH rearangement by PCR. The mean follow-up time is 22.8 months(range 3 to 36 months), One patient, who showed complete histologic regression during second endoscopy, relapsed MALT lymphoma after 6 months. The other one patient showed no change of lymphoma and underwent surgery. 12 patients underwent surgical treatment and showed no evidence of relapse. The mean follow-up time is 35.9 months. 2 patients received chemotherapy with CHOP regimen and showed complete remission. The mean follow-up time is 6.7 months. 2 patients received radiotherapy and showed no evidence of relapse. The mean follow-up time is 15 months. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that complete remission rate after Hp eradication is as high as some studies recently reported. This suggest that Hp eradication may be considered as first-line therapy of low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma of stage IE.
Drug Therapy ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Helicobacter ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone* ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pyloric Antrum ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies