The role of GABA or glycine as an inhibitory neurotransmitter is well established, and GABAergic or glycinergic neurons appear to play an important role in the mammalian retinas. It has been reported that certain amacrine, bipolar, displaced amacrine and ganglion cells are consistently labeled with anti-GABA or anti-glycine antisera in the mammalian retinae so far, and it has been suggested that colocalization of GABA and glycine within the retinal neurons could be common in the mammalian retina by recent immunecytochemical and electrophysiological studies. This study was conducted to localize GABAergic and glycinergic neurons and to define whether GABA and glycine are colocalized within same retinal neurons of the rat retina by immunocytochemical method using anti-GABA and anti-glycine antisera. The results were as follows : 1. GABAergic neurons of the rat retina were amacrine, interplexiform, bipolar, displaced amacrine and ganglion cells, and processes of GABAergic neurons formed dense networks with distinct two bands in the inner plexiform layer. 2. Glycinergic neurons were amacrine, bipolar, displaced amacrine and ganglion cells,and their processes were evenly distributed as dense networks through whole inner plexiform layer. 3. 28.5% of GABA immunoreactive amacrine cells and 9.8% of GABA immunoreactive bipolar cells located in the inner nuclear layer,and 11.9% of labeled neurons located in the ganglion cell layer showed glycine immunoreactivity in the rat retina. These results demonstrate that GABA and glycine, major inhibitory neurotransmitters, are colocalized within certain amacrine and displaced amacrine cells, and a few bipolar cells, and that neurons synthesizing and utilizing both GABA and glycine as their neurotransmitters may play an unique role in the visual processing in the rat retina.
Amacrine Cells ; Animals ; GABAergic Neurons ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid* ; Ganglion Cysts ; Glycine* ; Immune Sera ; Neurons* ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Rats* ; Retina* ; Retinal Neurons

No abstract available.
Neuroblastoma* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma*

PURPOSE: Prosthetic mesh is widely used for inguinal hernia repair; however, pain and stiffness can develop. This study was a prospective, multicenter, single-blind, randomized trial to assess postoperative pain and quality of life according to mesh type after inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: Forty-seven patients who underwent Lichtenstein repair for unilateral inguinal hernia with prosthetic mesh were enrolled and randomly allocated to the partially-absorbable lightweight mesh (LW group, n = 24) or heavyweight mesh group (HW group, n = 23). Data were collected using a visual analogue scale (VAS), Carolinas Comfort Scale (CCS), and Activities Assessment Scale (AAS) at screening and postoperative day 1, 7, 90, and 120; foreign body sensation, sense of stiffness, and sense of pull during activity were also evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in patients' demographics and clinical characteristics between groups. The VAS at day 90 was significantly lower in the LW group (0.46 ± 0.78 vs. 0.96 ± 0.82, P = 0.027). The CCS and AAS were significantly lower in the LW group at day 1 (51.33 ± 20.29 vs. 64.65 ± 22.64, P = 0.047 and 39.83 ± 9.88 vs. 46.43 ± 7.82, P = 0.015, respectively). Foreign body sensation was significantly lower in the LW group at day 120 (4.2% vs. 30.4 %, P = 0.023), as was sense of stiffness (P = 0.023). The sense of pull during activity was lower in the LW group at day 90 and 120 (P = 0.012 and P = 0.022, respectively). There was no recurrence or serious complication during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Partially-absorbable lightweight prosthetic mesh can be used for inguinal hernia repair safely and improve functional outcomes and quality of life after surgery.
Demography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foreign Bodies ; Hernia, Inguinal* ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Pain, Postoperative ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Recurrence ; Sensation ; Surgical Mesh

PURPOSE: Prosthetic mesh is widely used for inguinal hernia repair; however, pain and stiffness can develop. This study was a prospective, multicenter, single-blind, randomized trial to assess postoperative pain and quality of life according to mesh type after inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: Forty-seven patients who underwent Lichtenstein repair for unilateral inguinal hernia with prosthetic mesh were enrolled and randomly allocated to the partially-absorbable lightweight mesh (LW group, n = 24) or heavyweight mesh group (HW group, n = 23). Data were collected using a visual analogue scale (VAS), Carolinas Comfort Scale (CCS), and Activities Assessment Scale (AAS) at screening and postoperative day 1, 7, 90, and 120; foreign body sensation, sense of stiffness, and sense of pull during activity were also evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in patients' demographics and clinical characteristics between groups. The VAS at day 90 was significantly lower in the LW group (0.46 ± 0.78 vs. 0.96 ± 0.82, P = 0.027). The CCS and AAS were significantly lower in the LW group at day 1 (51.33 ± 20.29 vs. 64.65 ± 22.64, P = 0.047 and 39.83 ± 9.88 vs. 46.43 ± 7.82, P = 0.015, respectively). Foreign body sensation was significantly lower in the LW group at day 120 (4.2% vs. 30.4 %, P = 0.023), as was sense of stiffness (P = 0.023). The sense of pull during activity was lower in the LW group at day 90 and 120 (P = 0.012 and P = 0.022, respectively). There was no recurrence or serious complication during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Partially-absorbable lightweight prosthetic mesh can be used for inguinal hernia repair safely and improve functional outcomes and quality of life after surgery.
Demography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foreign Bodies ; Hernia, Inguinal* ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Pain, Postoperative ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Recurrence ; Sensation ; Surgical Mesh

No abstract available.
Abortion, Habitual* ; Female ; Immunization* ; Lymphocytes* ; Pregnancy

The intracranial mycotic aneurysms are a rare complication in patients with infective endocarditis, and the management of the aneurysm is controversial. We presented a case of a 50-year-old woman who had infective endocarditis, complicated by an intracranial mycotic aneurysm of distal branch of the right anterior cerebral artery. Endovascular treatment using cyanoacrylate led to a successful result.
Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, Infected ; Anterior Cerebral Artery ; Cyanoacrylates* ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Endocarditis ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Middle Aged

No abstract available.
Hand* ; Hyperpigmentation* ; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency* ; Vitamin B 12* ; Vitamins*

PURPOSE: To obtain basic information for studies of female sexual dysfunction, we investigated the sexual activities and attitudes of young Korean women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire survey via the Internet. From July 2004 to August 2004, we sent e-mail to 43,000 women who registered with an internet research company. The recipients of the e-mail were asked to join our study if they had stable sexual activities more than once a month for the most recent 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 508 subjects completed the questionnaire, a response rate of 24.7%. Among 423 questionnaires analyzed, 176 women were single and 247 were married. The mean frequency of coitus per month was 5.5 3.9. About 40% of the women had experienced masturbation, and 112 women (26.5%) had masturbated regularly, even though they had stable sexual activities with their partner(s). Among the 423 subjects, 349 had no plan to have a baby; however, only 287 subjects (67.8%) had used a contraceptive method(s). Among those who used contraceptive methods, 183 subjects (63.8%) used methods with low success rates, such as menstrual timing or extra-vaginal ejaculation. Most of the women answered that they have a positive attitude toward sex (3.4 0.8 point on a 5 point scale) and their sex life has great importance in their life. CONCLUSIONS: Via an Internet survey, we investigated the sexual life and attitudes of young Korean women. An Internet survey requires less manpower, a shorter study period, and less research funds than classical survey methods such as mail or interview surveys. The study results obtained will be useful as basic data for studies of female sexual function in Korean women.
Coitus ; Contraception ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Ejaculation ; Electronic Mail ; Female ; Financial Management ; Humans ; Internet* ; Male ; Masturbation ; Postal Service ; Sexual Behavior