The cAMP-dependent protein kinase(PKA) is an intracellular enzyme with serine-threonine kinase activity that plays a key role in cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis in eukaryotes. In order to understand the PKA signal transduction pathway regulating cell life cycle and identify its role, we focused on the characterization of up-/down-regulated genes by PKA using the differential display polymerase chain reaction. Seven differentially expressed sequence tags(DEST) have been obtained. Among these DESTs, 2DESTs were homologous to the sequence of genes from BLAST search result. KC1-5 DEST that was up-regulated in A123.7 cells was highly corresponded to mouse apoptosis-related gene(MA-3) or mouse mRNA for topoisomerase inhibitor suppressed(TIS). MA-3 was induced in various types of apoptosis, specially in NGF-deprived apoptotic PC12 cells, TIS was down-regulated in the RVC lymphoma cells incubated with topoisomerase inhibitor that induces DNA strand breakages. PG1-1DEST that was highly expressed in PC12 cells was corresponded to transposon Tn103'-end. Tnansposon Tn10 was up-regulated in differentiated myeloblastic ML-1 cells by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. This study illuminates that MA-3/TIS was down-regulated by PKA activity, and transposon Tn10 was up-regulated by it.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; DNA ; Eukaryota ; Granulocyte Precursor Cells ; Life Cycle Stages ; Lymphoma ; Mass Screening* ; Mice ; PC12 Cells* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; RNA, Messenger ; Signal Transduction

Seventy-three uncemented total hip arthroplasties in the sixty-four patients were studied as a retrospective manner. Hydroxyapatite and tricalcium-phosphate (HA/TCP Calcicoat) coated titanium fiber-mesh stems were used in forty-eight cases and the identical components but without hydroxyapatite coating were used in the other twenty-five cases. The distribution of the patients in two groups showed no statistically significant differences and the same porous coated hemispherical acetabular components were used in two groups. At the time of two year follow-up after the operation, the mean Harris hip score and the Enghs radiographic assessment score were 95.5 and 19.8, respectively, in the HA/TCP Calcicoat tm group and 94.4 and 19.2, respectively, in the non-coated group. None of these differences were statistically significant. At three months after operation, the frequency of the thigh pain was 8.3% in the HA/TCP Calcicoat tm group and 20% in the non-coated group, which was also not significantly different (p=0.24). There were no revisions in either group. All the femoral components except one among the non-coated group showed stable bony fixation in both groups and no differences in Enghs radiographic assessment criteria were detected between the two groups. There seemed to be a tendency of early pain relief and more endosteal new bone formation in the HA/TCP Calcicoat TM group, which, however, failed to show a statistically significant clinical or radiographic differences. This result is considered as preliminary and longer follow-up should be required to uncover any hidden advantages or disadvantages of the HA/TCP Calcicoat TM coating on titanium fiber-mesh stem.
Acetabulum ; Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Durapatite* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Humans ; Osteogenesis ; Retrospective Studies ; Thigh ; Titanium*

PURPOSE: Calcium-activated potassium channels(KCa) may be involved in the transient outward current of the first phase of cardiac action potential. But it is still not clear whether cardiac myocytes express any Kca. We try to identify here the types of Kc, expressed in rat caridac myocytes. METHODS: We isolated total heart RNA from 50 rats(Spague-Dawley) and performed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) using specifically designed synthetic oligonucleotide primer sets. From the pure culture of cardiac myocyte, Kc, gene expression was detected by Southern blot analysis. RESULTS: RT-PCR revealed expressions of BKca(large-conductance Kca, rSlo) and S&,(small-conductance Kca, rSK1). We prepared cardiac myocytes pure culture(>9596 pure myocyte) using pure culture technique. RT-PCR and Southern blot analysis of rat cardiac myocyte showed only rSK1-specific band, but no rSlo-specific was detected. CONCLUSION: The expressions of more than one type of Kca are detected from rat heart. A sub-type of SKcrSK1, was expressed in cardiac myocyte, while the main subunit of BKca(rSlo) was found in cells other than myocytes, most likely in the smooth muscle of cardiac blood vessels.
Action Potentials ; Animals ; Blood Vessels ; Blotting, Southern ; Culture Techniques ; Gene Expression ; Heart ; Muscle Cells ; Muscle, Smooth ; Myocytes, Cardiac* ; Potassium ; Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated* ; Rats* ; RNA

PURPOSE: Malignant soft tissue tumors, known as sarcomas, are well known to be locally aggressive, frequently metastatic, and highly recurrent. In other hands, intermediate soft tissue tumors often recur locally with adjacent tissue infiltration so the clinical management is difficult as sarcoma. In the present study, we evaluate the clinical course of the intermediate soft tissue tumors and consider the management plan for those. METHODS: From March, 1998 to April 2008, total 3 patients of intermediate soft tissue tumors underwent operations. A patient with fibrohistiocytic neoplasm, a free flap reconstruction was performed, and he underwent several more operations because of recurrences. Other patients with desmoids-type fibromatosis showed local invasion and adhesion, and one of them underwent reoperation due to local recurrence. RESULTS: Two of 3 patients underwent recurrences of tumors and reoperations were performed. In case of the other patient with no recurrence, follow-up period was just 5 months, so there may be recurrence of tumor in long term follow-up. CONCLUSION: The clinical course of intermediate soft tissue tumors shows high recurrence rate. So clinically, intermediate soft tissue tumors should be considered as sarcomas. The successful management requires wide resection, carefully planned reconstruction, and close follow up with radiologic evaluation
Fibroma ; Follow-Up Studies ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Hand ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Reoperation ; Sarcoma ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms

Background: Many researchers have questioned whether shoulder kinematics such as the glenohumeral position and scapular kinematics would be different in different age groups. However, studies comparing shoulder kinematics between different age groups have been rare. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the three-dimensional (3D) glenohumeral position, scapular kinematics, and scapulohumeral rhythm (SHR) during scapular plane arm abduction between a normal young male group and a normal older male group. Methods: Twenty normal men (10 young and 10 older) were enrolled in this controlled laboratory study. Fluoroscopic images were obtained using a single plane X-ray system. Bilateral computed tomography scans were taken to create a 3D model. A 3D-2D registration technique was used to determine the 3D position and orientation of the bones of the shoulder. Results: During scapular plane arm abduction, there were significant differences in scapular kinematics between the groups. The older male group showed more upward rotation, posterior tilt, and external rotation than the young male group. On the other hand, the glenohumeral position such as superior inferior translation, anterior posterior translation, and external rotation of the humeral head did not show significant difference between the groups. The mean value of SHR for the overall arm elevation range from start to maximum elevation angle for the older group and young group was 2.298 ± 0.964 and 2.622 ± 0.931, respectively, showing a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.035). Conclusions Scapular kinematics and SHR were significantly different between the older male group and the young male group. Our study could provide reference values of shoulder kinematics for older men aged 55–65 years.

The endolymph and perilymph of the inner ear have unique ionic composition and electrical potential. It is widely accepted that normal auditory function depends on them and Na/K-ATPase plays a central role in production and maintenance of them. The distribution of five Na/K-ATPase subunit isoform (alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, beta1, and beta2) in rat inner ear was determined by immunohistochemistry after decalcifying the temporal bone with Gooding and Stewart's solution. In the cochlear regions, Na/K-ATPase alpha1beta1 isozyme was abundantly expressed in the infrastrial fibrocytes, suprastrial fibrocytes, spiral prominence, outer sulcus cells and spiral ganglion, and also detected in cochlear nerve and interdental cells. alpha1beta2 isozyme was abundantly expressed in all layers of stria vascularis and alpha3beta1 isozyme was detected in cochlear nerve and spiral ganglion. alpha3beta2 isozyme was expressed in spiral ganglion. In vestibular regions, Na/K-ATPase alpha1b1 isozyme was expressed in macular sacculi hair cell, transitional cells of ampulla, and vestibular ganglion, and alpha1b2 isozyme was abundantly expressed in ampullary dark cells and transitional cells and vestibular ganglion. a3b1 isozyme was abundantly expressed in crista ampularis, macula utriculi, and macula sacculi hair cells, and also moderately detected in ampullary, utricular, and saccular nerves, and vestibular ganglion. alpha3beta2 isozyme also detected in ampullary, utricular, and saccular nerves, and vestibular ganglion. But, alpha2beta1 and alpha2beta2 isozymes were not detected in any regions of inner ear. These findings suggest the possibility of four unique Na/K-ATPase isozymes deferentially expressed among the various cell types of the inner ear. This structural diversity imparts considerable biological versatility to the Na/K-ATPase and would be provided the explanations for the differences in fluid and ion transport and its regulation among the inner ear regions.
Animals ; Cochlear Nerve ; Ear, Inner* ; Endolymph ; Ganglion Cysts ; Hair ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ion Transport ; Isoenzymes ; Perilymph ; Protein Isoforms* ; Rats* ; Spiral Ganglion ; Stria Vascularis ; Temporal Bone

Background: Many researchers have questioned whether shoulder kinematics such as the glenohumeral position and scapular kinematics would be different in different age groups. However, studies comparing shoulder kinematics between different age groups have been rare. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the three-dimensional (3D) glenohumeral position, scapular kinematics, and scapulohumeral rhythm (SHR) during scapular plane arm abduction between a normal young male group and a normal older male group. Methods: Twenty normal men (10 young and 10 older) were enrolled in this controlled laboratory study. Fluoroscopic images were obtained using a single plane X-ray system. Bilateral computed tomography scans were taken to create a 3D model. A 3D-2D registration technique was used to determine the 3D position and orientation of the bones of the shoulder. Results: During scapular plane arm abduction, there were significant differences in scapular kinematics between the groups. The older male group showed more upward rotation, posterior tilt, and external rotation than the young male group. On the other hand, the glenohumeral position such as superior inferior translation, anterior posterior translation, and external rotation of the humeral head did not show significant difference between the groups. The mean value of SHR for the overall arm elevation range from start to maximum elevation angle for the older group and young group was 2.298 ± 0.964 and 2.622 ± 0.931, respectively, showing a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.035). Conclusions Scapular kinematics and SHR were significantly different between the older male group and the young male group. Our study could provide reference values of shoulder kinematics for older men aged 55–65 years.

BACKGROUND: Surgical excision and alcohol sclerotherapy have been used to treat congenital vascular malformations (CVM) with a significant success rate but the methods have also left marked morbidity. The alternative, sclerotherapy using ordinary sclerosants, although resulting in trivial complications, has a relatively low cure rate and is rarely used in Korea for CVM management. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects and side effects of sclerotherapy using ordinary sclerosants such as polidocanol (POL) and sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) for the treatment of CVM of a venous and lymphatic type. METHODS: To confirm the long-term effects and safety with at least a 3-year follow-up, we chose a total of 26 patients who had undergone sclerotherapy between 2000 to 2004. There were 22 venous malformations (VMs) and 4 lymphatic malformations (LMs) which were rather small and superficial, not beyond muscular fascia. Sclerotherapy using POL and STS was performed by blind intraluminal and/or intralesional injection without the aid of imaging methods such as ultrasound examination. The results were evaluated by the patients' subjective satisfaction, physical examination, comparison of photographs and/or radiological examinations, then they were classified into 4 groups; excellent (improvement >75%), good (50~75%), fair (25~49%) and poor (<25%). RESULTS: Twenty two VMs comprised 14 in the excellent group (66.7%), 6 in the good group (25.0%), 1 in the fair group (4.2%) and 1 in the poor group (4.2%). Two LMs of macrocystic type revealed excellent results but the other two showing microcystic type revealed poor results. The dose of sclerosant was 0.1 to 2 ml in every session and a total of 1 to 6 sessions (average: 2.2) were performed. Only one VM showed hyperpigmentation as a side effect. CONCLUSION: Sclerosants for ordinary varicose vein eradication can be used on the treatment of small and superficial venous malformations and macrocystic-lymphatic malformations with relative efficacy and safety.
Fascia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Injections, Intralesional ; Korea ; Physical Examination ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Sclerosing Solutions ; Sclerotherapy ; Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate ; Varicose Veins ; Vascular Malformations

Objective: While impaired facial expression recognition has been closely associated with reduced temporal lobe volume in patients with schizophrenia, this study aimed at examining whether empathy and social attribution affect such a relationship. Methods: A total of 43 patients with schizophrenia and 43 healthy controls underwent a facial expression recognition task (FERT) and magnetic resonance imaging. Basic empathy scale and the social attribution task-multiple choice were used to measure empathy and social attribution. Results: Patients with schizophrenia showed significant positive correlations between the total temporal lobe volume and the FERT-accuracy (FERT-ACC). Diminished temporal lobe volume predicted the impaired facial emotion recognition ability. Both empathy and social attribution played roles as moderators of the path from the left amygdala volume, left fusiform gyrus volume, both sides of the superior temporal gyrus volume, and left middle temporal gyrus volume to the FERT-ACC. In contrast, empathy alone functioned as a moderator between the right fusiform gyrus volume, right middle temporal gyrus volume, and FERT-ACC. No significant interaction was found for healthy controls. Conclusion Our results suggest that social cognition remediation training on empathy and social attribution, could buffer the negative effects of small temporal lobe volume on interpersonal emotional communication in patients with schizophrenia

Anomalies of the intestinal rotation mainly produce clinical manifestations in infants and children, but are uncommon in adults. We report three adult patients who presented with a surgical abdomen and the characteristic computed tomographic findings associated with anomalies of the intestinal rotation. Two patients presented with acute appendicitis, and one presented with an intestinal obstruction caused by colon cancer. In all patients, the computed tomographic findings were suggestive and were helpful for making a preoperative diagnosis of the anomalies of intestinal rotation: (1) a left-sided colon and/or (2) mesenteric vascular inversion. A computed tomographic scan is useful not only for providing an accurate diagnosis of a suspected surgical abdomen but also for detecting associated rotational anomalies, which may require a separate surgical correction.
Abdomen ; Adult* ; Appendicitis ; Child ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Infant ; Intestinal Obstruction