The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the influence of gestational age at exposure on the prenatal effects of gamma-radiation. Pregnant ICR mice were exposed to a single dose of 2.0 Gy gamma-radiation at a gestational 2.5 to 15.5 days post-coitus (p.c.). The animals were sacrificed on day 18 of gestation and the fetuses were examined for mortality, growth retardation, change in head size and any other morphological abnormalities. The only demonstrable effect of irradiation during the preimplantation period was an increase in prenatal mortality. Resorptions were maximal on post-exposure day 2.5 after conception. The pre-implantation irradiated embryos which survived did not show any major fetal abnormalities. Small head, growth retardation, cleft palate, dilatation of the cerebral ventricle, dilatation of the renal pelvis and abnormalities of the extremities and tail were prominent after exposure during the organogenesis period, especially on day 11.5 of gestation. Our results indicate that the late period of organogenesis in the mouse is a particularly sensitive phase in terms of the development of the brain, skull and extremities.
Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced/*pathology ; Animals ; Bone and Bones/abnormalities/radiation effects ; Female ; Fetal Death ; *Gamma Rays ; *Gestational Age ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Animal/*radiation effects ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects

Objectives: The effectiveness of drugs currently used in medication, which is important in the treatment of alcohol use disorders, is limited. Recently, ondansetron which acts as 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, has been studied and proved possibility as new medication for alcohol use disorder. Meanwhile, there are studies supporting that 5-HT1A receptors are related to addictive behavior. Considering those studies, we expect that vortioxetine, which acts as both 5-HT3 receptor antagonist and 5-HT1A receptor agonist, may be effective in treatment of alcohol use disorder. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of vortioxetine on alcohol intake of C57BL/6 mice. Methods: In this study C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to normal saline group, vortioxetine 10 mg/kg group and vortioxetine 1 mg/kg group. To study effect of vortioxetine on alcohol, water, food intake and body weight of mice, we administered each medication for 14 days. Results: The overall alcohol intake was different between the three groups (PGroup=0.021), and alcohol intake in vortioxetine 10 mg/kg group was significantly lower than one in placebo group. Change across time points (PTime<0.001) and the interaction between group and time (PGroup×Time =0.016) were also significant. However, there were no significant differences between the three groups in water, food intake and body weight. Conclusions These results indicated that administration of high dose vortioxetine reduced alcohol intake of mice.Therefore, it is necessary to conduct clinical studies to examine the effectiveness of vortioxetine as a new treatment for alcohol use disorder.

The reconstruction of the cheek area is a complex problem because the cheek is the most broad area of the face and is close to the aesthetically important region such as eyelids, nose, and mouth. The ultimate purpose of the cheek reconstruction is the restoration of the original shape and function, and establishment of the harmony with the adjacent structure in terms of color, nature and thickness. Various procedures such as skin graft, local flap, free flap, and local flap using skin expansion have been performed for cheek reconstruction. However, no golden principal or indication has been clarified to be imperative. Analyzing our clinical experiences of the cheek reconstruction, we intend to present a general guide of the cheek reconstruction and to assess the advantages and/or disadvantages of the operative methods. Between march of 1989 and August of 1999, we have experienced 154 cases of the cheek reconstruction. There were 52 males and 73 females, and their ages ranged from 3 to 89 years (mean 28.1 years). Preoperative diagnosis were post-burn deformity(n=74), Romberg disease (n=9), post-traumatic deformity(n=7), hemangioma(n=7), nevus(n=7), neurofibroma(n=5), hemifacial microsomia (n=3), lymphangioma(n=3), cancer(n=6), post-hemimandibulectomy(n=1), radical maxillectomy(n=1). The procedures were one stage cervicofacial flap(49 cases), cervicofacial flap following skin expansion(42 cases), local cheek flap (14 cases), deltocervicopectoral flap(2 cases), skin graft(29 cases), free flap(18 cases). Follow up period ranged from 3 to 72 months(mean 11.8 months). Advantages and disadvantages of each procedures were explained. The satisfaction rate was higher in one stage cervicofacial flap and free flap when assessed by both patients and surgeon. There were 3 cases of the ectropion of lower eylids, 4 cases of partial flap necrosis, and 1 case of exposure of tissue expander. The local flap is always the preferred method for the cheek reconstruction and the free flap is the treatment of choice for the cheek contour reconstruction. Selection of the most suitable flap is mandatory depending on the location and size of the defects.
Cheek* ; Diagnosis ; Ectropion ; Eyelids ; Facial Hemiatrophy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Goldenhar Syndrome ; Humans ; Male ; Mouth ; Necrosis ; Nose ; Skin ; Tissue Expansion Devices ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: It is known that bupivacaine induce cell death in several immortalized cells. However, there is no report concerning bupivacaine-induced cell death in the primary cultured cardiomyocytes. We compared the direct cytotoxicity of local anesthetics in cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, the mechanisms of cell death were evaluated. METHODS: The myocardial cells of rat pups were cultured 3 days after seeding. The methyltetrazolium (MTT) assay was employed to quantify differences in cellular viability. To confirm apoptosis, Hoechst-propidium iodide staining, DNA fragmentation by electrophoresis and western blot analysis were performed. And to examine the mechanisms of cell death, intracellular calcium and expression levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) family members were evaluated. RESULTS: Among the local anesthetics under 1 mM concentration for 18 h, only bupivacaine significantly decreased the MTT activity (P < 0.001). Bupivacaine induced cell death in a dose-responsive and time dependent manner. Cell death showed apoptotic characteristics, such as DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation, decrease of precursor caspase-3 protein level, increased cleaved PARP, and cytochrome C release into the cytoplasm. Bupivacaine phosphorylated three major MAPKs, i.e. extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), p38 kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) stress-activated protein kinases. Administration of ERK inhibitor increase cell death, whereas inhibitors of p38 kinase and JNK decreased cell death (P < 0.05). In addition, the intracellular calcium level was approximately 4 times higher after the bupivacaine treatment (P < 0.001), which was inhibited by calcium chelators (P < 0.001). Calcium chelators inhibited expression of MAPKs. CONCLUSIONS: In bupivacaine-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes, intracellular calcium increase and MAPKs family plays important roles.
Anesthetics, Local ; Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Blotting, Western ; Bupivacaine ; Calcium ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Death ; Chelating Agents ; Chromatin ; Cytochromes c ; Cytoplasm ; DNA Fragmentation ; Electrophoresis ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; Humans ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Myocytes, Cardiac* ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases* ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinases ; Rats

PURPOSE: To determine the means, medians and reference intervals for TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and fT4 (free thyroxine) for each month of gestation and for three trimesters in Korean pregnant women. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 265 pregnant women with singleton gestation. Levels of TSH, fT4 were measured by immunoassay. After exclusion of subjects with positive antimicrosomal autoantibodies, the means, medians and reference intervals based on 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles for TSH, fT4 were determined. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 94 women in first trimester, 49 women in second trimester, and 122 women in third trimester. The trimester-specific reference intervals were: TSH (1st trimester: 0.03~2.72, 2nd: 0.27~2.29, and 3rd: 0.03~2.88 mIU/L), fT4 (1st trimester 4.50~19.75, 2nd: 4.70~12.98 and 3rd: 5.07~11.84 pg/mL). fT4 levels were significantly lower in the second and third trimesters. TSH levels were lower in the first trimester than second and third trimester, with gradual elevation in the second and third trimester. CONCLUSION: Levels of TSH, fT4 during pregnancy differ from those in non-pregnant women. Gestational age specific reference intervals will play a cental role in screening and diagnosis of thyroid disorders. Further studies for normal reference ranges during pregnancy are needed to create reference intervals in Korean pregnant women.
Autoantibodies ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Mass Screening ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Pregnant Women ; Reference Values ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyrotropin

BACKGROUND: Thalium 201(TI-201) has been a widely applied myocardial perfusion agent for the detection of coronary artery disease. however its low emission energy and long half-life make this agent suboptiomal for the examination of coronary artery disease. To circumvent the physical limitation of TI-201, a group of technetium 99m-labeled isonitril complex has been developed. Our study was done to examine the value of SPECT with 99mTc-HexaMIBI in estimating myocardial perfusion in patients with myocardial infarction. METHODS: We evaluated the sensitivity of SPECT with 99mTc-HexaMIBI in 29 patients with acute myocardial infarction. We also compared the severity and vascular territory of abnormal perfusion on SPECT scanning with severity of coronary artery stenosis, values of serum enzyme and sites in ECG. RESULTS: 1) There were 26 patients(90%) who showed perfusion defect, and 3 patients(10%) who showed normal perfusion in myocardial SPECT. The 3 patients with normal perfusion demonstrated non Q-wave infarction of ECG. 2) Among 23 patients performed coronary argiography, there were 19 patients(82%) who showed positive findings on myocardial SPECT and luminal narrowing above 50% on coronary angiogram, and there were 3 patients(13%) who showed significant coronary artery stenosis in spite of negative myocardial SPECT. 3) The grade of perfusion defect showed no significant difference between groups undergone thrombolytic therapy and groups not undergone thrombolytic therapy. 4) There was good correlation between the site of perfusion defect on SPECT and the site of infarction on ECG. CONCLUSION: We conclude that SPECT with 99mTc-HexaMIBI is a promising non invasive test for simultaneous diagnosis of myocardial infarction and evaluation of perfusion defect.
Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Stenosis ; Diagnosis ; Electrocardiography ; Half-Life ; Humans ; Infarction ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Perfusion ; Phenobarbital ; Technetium ; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi* ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the injection rate affects the spread of spinal anesthesia in cesarean sections. METHODS: Spinal anesthesia was performed on 45 parturients in a cesaren section. Dural puncture was performed in the sitting position with a 27-gauge Whitacre needle. All patients received a mixture of 10 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine and 15 microgram fentanyl. Twenty five (Group I) patients received rapid injections (about 0.2-0.3 ml/sec) and twenty (Group II) received slow injections (about 0.1 ml/sec). Anesthetic levels, time to T4 sensory block, maximal height sensory block and incidence of hypotension were measured. RESULTS: There was significantly rapid T4 sensory block in group I but no differences in maximal height of sensory block and incidence of hypotension between the two groups. CONCLSIONS: We conclude that injection rate (about 0.1-0.3 ml/sec) has a statistically insignificant influence on the maximal height sensory block and incidence of hypotension.
Anesthesia, Spinal* ; Bupivacaine* ; Cesarean Section* ; Female ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Incidence ; Needles ; Pregnancy ; Punctures

Gitelman syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary salt-losing tubulopathy, that manifests as hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalciuria. It is caused by mutations in the solute carrier family 12(sodium/chloride transporters), member 3 (SLC12A3) gene encoding the thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride cotransporter channel (NCCT) in the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney. It is associated with muscle weakness, cramps, tetany, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and growth retardation. The incidence of growth retardation, the exact cause of which is unknown, is lower than that of Bartter syndrome. Herein, we discuss the case of an overweight 12.9-year-old girl of short stature presenting with hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis. The patient, on the basis of detection of a heterozygous mutation in the SLC12A3 gene and poor growth hormone (GH) responses in two provocative tests, was diagnosed with Gitelman syndrome combined with complete GH deficiency. GH treatment accompanied by magnesium oxide and potassium replacement was associated with a good clinical response.
Abdominal Pain ; Alkalosis ; Bartter Syndrome ; Diarrhea ; Gitelman Syndrome ; Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney ; Magnesium Oxide ; Muscle Cramp ; Muscle Weakness ; Overweight ; Potassium ; Sodium Chloride Symporters ; Tetany ; Vomiting

It has been postulated that otosclerosis may produce vertigo by several mechanisms. An association between otosclerosis and Meniere's disease has been proposed on both a clinical and histopathologic basis but the causal relationship is controversial. We report a case of bilateral otosclerosis in a man manifesting vertiginous symptoms. Fifty one year-old man was examined for rotational vertigo and poor hearing in his both ear for ten years. The audiogram revealed left sided hearing loss of a conductive type and right sided sensorineural hearing loss, and caloric asymmetry. Meniere's disease was suspected, but temporal bone CT showed low attenuated lesion around bilateral cochlear and semicircular canal. A diagnosis of otosclerosis was made. He was recommended sodium fluoride therapy. Severe endolymphatic hydrops manifesting itself as Meniere's disease can be the result of otosclerosis, so vertiginous and concurrent hearing symptoms should not be overlooked.
Ear ; Endolymphatic Hydrops ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Meniere Disease ; Otosclerosis ; Semicircular Canals ; Sodium Fluoride ; Temporal Bone ; Vertigo

Aspergillus tracheobronchitis is one form of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis which is characterized by ulcers and pseudomembrane formation in tracheobronchial tree. In Aspergillus tracheobronchitis, the infection is often limited to the mucosa and it accounts for less than 10 percents of invasive disease. Invasive aspergillosis mainly occurs in immunocompromized patients with prolonged neutropenia, advanced AIDS, organ transplantation, high-dose glucocorticoid therapy or cytotoxic therapy although it can occur in less immunocompromised patients, such as after influenza, COPD, old age, and diabetes. We report a case of Aspergillus tracheobronchitis in a 61 year-old patient with diabetes and Child Pugh class A liver cirrhosis. He presented with cough and purulent sputum for 10 days. He was diagnosed by bronchoscopy and successfully treated with antifungal therapy.
Aspergillosis ; Aspergillus ; Bronchitis ; Bronchoscopy ; Child ; Cough ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Influenza, Human ; Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Mucous Membrane ; Neutropenia ; Organ Transplantation ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Sputum ; Transplants ; Ulcer