The expression of the c-fos and krox-24 (immediate early genes: IEGs) and the BDNF (late response gene) were investigated by convulsants such as kainate (KA, 200 micrometer), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA, 10 mM), glutamate (GLU, 2 mM), and picrotoxin (PTX, 20 micrometer in the rat C6 glioma cells. In addition, the changes of their expression patterns were investigated by the anticonvulsants such as a NMDA antagonist MK-801, phenytoin, phenobarbiw, diazepam, and newer antiepileptic drugs like felbamate and gabapentin. NMDA induced c-fos and krox-24 expromiom were decreased spatially by the anticonvulsants. KA, NMDA, GLU, and PTX-induced BDNF expression were increased by the anticonvulsants. These results imply the molecular basis of the anticonvulsant action mechanism lies in differential and coordinated transcriptional regulation of IEGs.
Animals ; Anticonvulsants* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Convulsants ; Diazepam ; Dizocilpine Maleate ; Genes, Immediate-Early* ; Glioma ; Glutamic Acid ; Kainic Acid ; N-Methylaspartate ; Phenytoin ; Picrotoxin ; Rats

No abstract available.
Animals ; Embryonic Development* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Evans Blue* ; Female ; Humans* ; Methylene Blue* ; Mice* ; Pregnancy ; Sperm Motility* ; Spermatozoa*

No abstract available.
Holoprosencephaly*

This study was carried out to establish normal values and to compare the pattern reversal and light emitting diodes(LED) stimulating visual evoked potential(VEP) in 30 healthy volunteers (20 men and 10 women, age ranged from 24 to 56 years, with a mean age of 34 years). The result summarized in table 1, 2 and 3. VEP wave patterns were similar and easily reproducible with those different types of visual stimulation. As compared of normal values of pattern reversal and LED stimulating visual evoked responses, there are no significant variations of absolute latencies, amplitudes, absolute amplitude differences between two eyes, proportional amplitude differences between eyes, and duration differences between two eyes. Only differences were significant in latency differences between two eyes and duration of p. 100. These results suggest that pattern reversal and LED stimulating VEP test will be useful in clinical test according to various patient's conditions.
Evoked Potentials, Visual* ; Female ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Male ; Photic Stimulation ; Reference Values

Iatrogenic injury of the facial nerve branch is the main complication during a parotidectomy, leading to functional damage in the patient. An exact and thorough understanding of the anatomy of the branching pattern of the facial nerve in the parotid gland is prerequisite for surgeons performing a parotidectomy. The aim of this study was to elucidate the branching pattern of the facial nerve inside the parotid gland. The relationships between the branches of the facial nerve were investigated in 23 adult faces during parotidectomies for various etiologies. The branches of the facial nerve were divided into six types according to their branching patterns and their communication. Straight branching with two subtrunks was seen in 12 (52%) out of the 23 cases (Type I), two buccal branches from the lower and upper subtrunks was seen in 4 (17%) cases (Type II), and anastomosis between the buccal and zygomatic branches in 4 (17%) cases (Type III). There were multiple anastomoses among the temporal, zygomatic and buccal branches in 2 (9%) cases (Type IV). Only one (4%) case had buccal branch stemming from the marginal mandibular branch (Type VI). In most cases, the buccal branch was the thinnest. We think that many of the patients having a parotid tumor would possibly show a Type I branching pattern during a parotidectomy. Although the marginal mandibular branch was known to have a long course, almost no anastomosis with other branches, and the most devastating functional damage after iatrogenic injury. Surgeons should be especially careful during the dissection along the course of buccal branch, which may be the thinnest, and prone to damage, transiently or permanently, following the procedure.
Adult ; Facial Nerve* ; Humans ; Parotid Gland*

Anemia is a common clinical feature in chronic renal failure(CRF) patients. The primary cause of anemia in CRF is a deficiency of erythropoietin which is normally produced in the kidney. Erythropoietin therapy for correcting anemia has greatly increased the well-being of CRF patients and decreased cardiac morbidity. In Korea approximately 40% of CRF population on maintenance dialysis are using recombinant human erythropoietin(rhEPO). Commercially available rhEPO used in Korea is imported from abroad. Recently LG Chemical Co., produced rhEPO. In this study we evaluated the effect of LG-rhEPO on anemia in 5/6 nephrectomized rats. A total of 23 normal male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. A two-stage 5/6 nephrectomy was performed under ether anesthesia in 15 rats(group 1), additional 4 rats underwent sham operation(group 2). 4 normal rats served as normal control(group 3). rhEPO was injected subcutaneously 8 weeks after surgery. To evaluate the dose effect of rhEPO 250 IU/kg/day was injected in 2 rats, 500IU/kg/day in 4 rats, and 1000 IU/kg/day in 4 rats in group 1. To exclude the effect of LG-rhEPO vehicle, PBS, the same amount of PBS was injected in 4 rats in group 1. One rat each in groups 2 and 3 received rhEPO 250 IU/kg/day, 500 IU/kg/day, 1000 IU/kg /day, and PBS. rhEPO or PBS were injected daily in the first week, every other day in the second week and twice a week in the third week. Body weight and hematocrit level were observed weekly for the initial 8 weeks of observation period and then every other day for 3 weeks of injection and 1 week after discontinuation of injection, and BUN level every week during the study period. Body weight progressively increased in 3 groups. BUN level increased 1 week after 5/6 nephrectomy in group 1 and was stable in group 2 and 3. Hct level was significantly lower after 2 weeks of nephrectomy in group 1. Hct decreased transiently for the first week after sham operation and then returned to the baseline value in group 2. No significant change in Hct level was observed in group 3. After injection of rhEPO, Hct level increased significantly at 2 days in all 3 groups. Hct level increased significanly at 2 days in all 3 groups. Hct did not change in 3 groups with PBS injecion. In conclusion LG-rhEPO is effective in correcting anemia in animal model of CRF. A further study to evaluate the effect rhEPO on anemia in CRF patients and longterm consequences are required.
Anemia* ; Anesthesia ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Dialysis ; Erythropoietin ; Ether ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Kidney ; Korea ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Nephrectomy ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

No abstract available.
Choline*

No abstract available.
Agenesis of Corpus Callosum*

PURPOSE: Thallous-201 chloride produced at Korea Cancer Center Hospital(KCCH) is used in detecting cardiovascular disease and cancer. Thallium impurity can cause emesis, catharsis and nausea, so the presence of thallium and other metal impurities should be determined. According to USP and KP, their amounts must be less than 2 ppm in thallium and 5 ppm in total. In this study, the detection method of trace amounts of metal impurities in [201Tl]TlCl injection with polarography was optimized without environmental contamination. MATERALS AND METHODS: For the detection of metal impurities, Osteryoung Square Wave Stripping Voltammetry method was used in Bio-Analytical System (BAS) 50W polarograph. The voltammetry was composed of Dropping Mercury Electrode (DME) as a working electrode, Ag/AgCl as a reference electrode and Pt wire as a counter electrode. Square wave stripping method, which makes use of formation and deformation of amalgam, was adopted to determine the metal impurities, and pH 7 phosphate buffer was used as supporting electrolyte. RESULTS: T1, Cu and Pb in thallous-201 chloride solution were detected by scanning from 300 mV to -800 mV. Calibration curves were made by using TlNO3, CuSO4 and Pb(NO3)2 as standard solutions. Tl was confirmed at -450 mV peak potential and Cu at -50 mV. Less than 2 ppm of Tl and Cu was detected and Pb was not detected in KCCH-produced thallous-201 chloride injection. CONCLUSION: Detection limit of thallium and copper is approximately 50 ppb with this method. As a result of this experiment, thallium and other metal impurities in thallous-201 chloride injection, produced at Korea Cancer Center Hospital, are in the regulation of USP and KP. Polarograph could be applied for the determination of metal impurities in the quality control of radiopharmaceuticals conveniently without environmental contamination.
Calibration ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Catharsis ; Copper ; Electrodes ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Korea ; Limit of Detection ; Metals, Heavy* ; Nausea ; Polarography* ; Quality Control ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Thallium ; Vomiting

The incidence of Giant Condyloma Acuminata of the penis is unknown but considered rare. They are similar to condyloma acuminata, histologically and grossly similar to squamous cell ca. Most authorists consider that they get the real possibility of malignant change and they had been first described by Buschke in the German literatures in l896 as a variant of condyloma acuminata. A case of malignancy of the penis which has apparently transformed from Giant Condyloma Acuminata of the penis is herein presented with review of related literatures.
Incidence ; Male ; Penile Neoplasms* ; Penis