The serotonin has been known to play important roles in pathology of the mood disorders. We summerize the evidences of serotonin in pathology of the mood disorders in a view of neuroanatomical and neurochemical aspects. Nowaday, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs)may be practically the first line of antidepressants with traditional tricyclic antidepressants(TCAs. Authors review the role of serotonin in the treatment of the mood disorders, in a view of the general considerations in selecting antidepressants, pharmacology, therapeutic, indications, side effects, doses of medication, drug-discontinuation syndrome, drug-to-drug interactions, and special therapeutic situations.
Antidepressive Agents ; Mood Disorders* ; Pathology* ; Pharmacology ; Serotonin*

No abstract available.
Macrophages*

No abstract available.
Macrophages*

Development of supervoltage treatment machine may minimize skin reaction by skin-sparing effect, but skin damage is still one of “the dose limiting factor” in radiation therapy. In spite of these importance, systemic histopathologic studies of skin in similar conditions which used in clinical treatment has not been performed so far. 60 mice were irradiated with conventional fraction (200x5/wk) and whole abdominal field (2x3 cm, from symphysis pubis to xyphoid process). Used machine was 250 KV, 24 mA. orthovoltage x-ray machine. Histopathological changes of acute skin reaction at the level of total irradiation dose were analyzed and possible mechanism of later chronic changes were investigated. Obtained results are as follows 1. In 1,000 rad irradiated group, only mild epidermal edema is noted. 2. In 2,000 rad irradiated group, slightly decreased number and size of hair follicles and appendages, dermal edema and scanty infiltration of inflammatory cells are visible. 3. In 3,000 rad irradiated group, marked increased capillary congestion and prominent infiltration of inflammatory cells are observed. 4. In 4,000 rad irradiated group, vascular wall thickening with proliferation of endothelial cells are prominent. Dermal thinning and hyalinization are newly developed. 5. In 5,000 rad irradiated group, complete desquamation of epidermis is not seen, despite of acceleration of all above mentioned changes.
Acceleration ; Animals ; Capillaries ; Edema ; Endothelial Cells ; Epidermis ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Hair Follicle ; Hyalin ; Mice* ; Pubic Bone ; Skin*

A case of myxoma of the breast was reported. A 25-year-old woman showed a lump in the left breast which was suddenly enlarged after the delivery of a baby. A tumor measuring 73.53cm was located in the upper outer quadrant of the breast. Fine needle aspiration cytology revealed scattered benign spindle shaped mesenchymal cells with abundant myxoid material. On excision, the tumor was partly solid, partly cystic and multilocular. Each nodule consisted of an abundant mucoid material with a few spindle or stellate mesenchymal cells. Pleomorphism and mitosis were absent. The mesenchymal cells showed immunoreactivities for S-100 protein, smooth muscle actin, and CD34. The myxoid stroma was positively stained with alcian blue and mucicarmine. These findings suggest that constituent cells derive from totipotential primitive mesenchymal cells.
Actins ; Adult ; Alcian Blue ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Breast* ; Female ; Humans ; Mitosis ; Muscle, Smooth ; Myxoma* ; S100 Proteins

Talus is an important structure of the ankle joint and its function is critical for ambulation and weight bearing. The talus fracture is rare, but the complications of fracture and dislocation are serious and resulting in avascular necrosis, osteoarthritis. So its treatment is carefully considered at initial status. Authors reviewed 11 cases of fracture and dislocation of the talus treated at Yeungnam university hospital from 1984 to 1991. The longest follow up was 8 years and shortest, 1 years. The results were as follows. 1. There were all males, the average age was 30 years old. 2. The most common cause was fall down (8 cases), and next traffic accident (2 cases), sports injury (1 case). 3. According to Marti-Weber classification, 1 case was type I, 1 in type II, 4 in type III and 5 in type IV. 4. The method of treatment were open reduction and internal fixation in 6 cases, the others were closed reduction in 5 cases. 5. Final results (by Hawkins grading system) were as follows, 3 cases were excellent, 4 cases were good, 1 case was fair and 3 cases were poor. 6. Complications were AVN in 2 cases, degenerative arthritis in 8 cases, malunion in 1 case. 7. The range of motion of the ankle joint was relatively preserved (74%), but in the subtalar joint it was decreased (43%)
Accidents, Traffic ; Ankle Joint ; Athletic Injuries ; Classification ; Dislocations ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Methods ; Necrosis ; Osteoarthritis ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Subtalar Joint ; Talus* ; Walking ; Weight-Bearing

No abstract available.
9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene* ; Animals ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Estrogens* ; Rats*

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to compare the sensitivity of the Repetitive Nerve Stimulation Test (RNST) between the upper and lower extremity muscles in myasthenia gravis(MG) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 20 normal persons(control group) and 10 MG patients(MG group). Using Stalberg's method. RNST was systemically performed in orbicularis oculi muscle. upper extremity muscles(flexor carpi ulnaris. abductor digiti quinti), and lower extremity muscles(tibialis anterior. extensor digitorum brevis. vastus medialis). RESULTS: There were statistical differences of decremental response(mean+/-SD) in orbicularis oculi and upper extremity muscles between the control and MG groups(p<0.05 or p<0.01). However, there was no statistical difference of decremental response(mean+/-SD) to RNST in lower extremity muscles between the control and MG groups. There were highersensitivity in orbicularis oculi and upper extremity muscles than lower extremity muscles. Although positive reponse were detected in the lower extremity muscles, the positive response rates of lower extremity muscles were lower than o.oculi and upper extremity muscles. CONCLUSIONS: When the response rates of RNST in facial and upper extremity muscles are normal, may not be required RNST in lower extremity muscles.
Humans ; Lower Extremity* ; Muscles* ; Myasthenia Gravis* ; Upper Extremity

BACKGROUNDS: Percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy of posterior primary ramus has been in use as a treatment for persistent, mechanical low back pain for two decades. However, there has been limited studies regarding to prognostic factors related to outcome. We report our experience with at least 2-year follow up with special aftention on prognostic factors. METHODS: Of total 228 patients who underwent percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy (PRN) of posterior primary ramus for refractory low back pain during last 3 years, 128 patients whose pain was considered to be originated from facets joints or their surrounding soft tissue and responded to temporary blocks were assigned to a group II. All patients had more than 6 months of pain. These patients were compared with 100 patients to whom PRN were provided for chronic nonspecific low back pain without all inclusion criteria (Group I). RF procedures were done under local anesthesia with C-arm intensifier guidance. Pain reliefs were estimated at 1week, 1month, 6months and 2 years using visual analog scale(VAS). For patients with more that 50% reduction of previous pain was regarded as positive responder. Various clinical variables such as age, sex, symptom duration, types of pain, bilaterality, and previous surgery were studied for prognostic factors. RESULTS: Positive responders were 56% at 1week, 46% at lmonth, 18% at 6months, and 13% at 2years after PRN in group I, and 78.9% at lweek, 75.4% at lmonth, 62.5% at 6months, and 54.7% at 2years in group II. Some variables were found to be significantly related to outcome including prominent local tenderness, percussion tenderness, combination of symptoms with pain on gefting up, extension, transitional movement, pain radiating to buttock and/or posterior thigh, and good immediate response. Age, sex, symptom duration, bilaterality, imaging study results, previous lumbar surgery, and degrees of pain relief from diagnostic block were not related to outcome. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that PRN of posterior primary ramus has a moderate overall long-term beneficial effect, with no morbidity in our series. But, the long-term good results will be anticipated only in properly selected patients with low back pain originating from facet joints and surrounding structures.
Anesthesia, Local ; Buttocks ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joints ; Low Back Pain* ; Percussion ; Thigh ; Zygapophyseal Joint

OBJECTIVE: This study was a open clinical trial aimed at exploring the effectiveness of combined treatment with estrogen and antipsychotics to the chronic female schizophrenics. METHOD: 40 female patients who met DSM-VI criteria for schizophrenia who were chronically ill were randomly assigned to estrogen group(EG) and control group(CG). EG patients were received estrogen 1.25mg for 8 weeks in addition to their routine antipsychotic regimens. CG patients were received their routine antipsychotic regimens only. Both groups were evaluated by PANSS(Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale), CGI(Clinical Global Impression) at 0, 4, 8 week during the trial period and compaired with each other. RESULTS: 40 female patients have completed the study during 8 weeks. EG was significantly improved in PANSS and CGI scores than CG during the 8 weeks. In EG patients, all symptom subtypes(positive symptoms, negative symptoms, general psychopathology symptoms) of PANSS were significantly improved and positive symptoms were most significantly improved at 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: This results support the clinical value of combined estrogen therapy among chronic female schizophrenics.
Antipsychotic Agents* ; Chronic Disease ; Estrogens* ; Female* ; Humans ; Psychopathology ; Schizophrenia*