Calcium ions are implicated in a variety of physiological functions, including enzyme activity, membrane excitability, neurotransmitter release, and synaptic transmission, etc. Calcium antagonists have been known to be effective for the treatment of exertional angina and essential hypertension. Selective and nonselective voltage-dependent calcium channel blockers also have inhibitory action on the acute and tonic pain behaviors resulting from thermal stimulation, subcutaneous formalin injection and nerve injury. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of iontophoretically applied Ca++ and its antagonists on the responses of WDR (wide dynamic range) cells to sensory inputs. The responses of WDR cells to graded electrical stimulation of the afferent nerve and also to thermal stimulation of the receptive field were recorded before and after iontophoretical application of Ca++, EGTA, Mn++, verapamil, omega-conotoxin GVIA, omega-conotoxin MVIIC and omega-agatoxin IVA. Also studied were the effects of a few calcium antagonists on the C-fiber responses of WDR cells sensitized by subcutaneous injection of mustard oil (10%). Calcium ions and calcium channel antagonists (Mn++, verapamil, omega-conotoxin GVIA & omega-agatoxin IVA) current-dependently suppressed the C-fiber responses of WDR cells without any significant effects on the A-fiber responses. But omega-conotoxin MVIIC did not have any inhibitory actions on the responses of WDR cell to A-fiber, C-fiber and thermal stimulation. Iontophoretically applied EGTA augmented the WDR cell responses to C-fiber and thermal stimulations while spinal application of EGTA for about 20 ~ 30 min strongly inhibited the C-fiber responses. The augmenting and the inhibitory actions of EGTA were blocked by calcium ions. The WDR cell responses to thermal stimulation of the receptive field were reduced by imtophoretical application of Ca++, verapamil, omega -agatoxin IVA, and omega-conotoxin GVIA but not by omega-conotoxin MVIIC. The responses of WDR cells to C-fiber stimulation were augmented after subcutaneous injection of mustard oil (10%, 0.15 ml) into the receptive field and these sensitized C-fiber responses were strongly suppressed by iontophoretically applied Ca++, verapamil, omega-conotoxin GVIA and omega-agatoxin IVA. These experimental findings suggest that in the rat spinal cord, L-, N-, and P-type, but not Q-type, voltage-sensitive calcium channels are implicated in the calcium antagonist-induced inhibition of the normal and the sensitized responses of WDR cells to C-fiber and thermal stimulation, and that the suppressive effect of calcium and augmenting action of EGTA on WDR cell responses are due to changes in excitability of the cell.
Animals ; Calcium Channel Blockers* ; Calcium Channels* ; Calcium* ; Egtazic Acid ; Electric Stimulation ; Formaldehyde ; Hypertension ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Ions ; Iontophoresis ; Membranes ; Mustard Plant ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; omega-Agatoxin IVA ; omega-Conotoxin GVIA ; omega-Conotoxins ; Posterior Horn Cells* ; Rats* ; Spinal Cord ; Synaptic Transmission ; Verapamil

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans

The nationwide spreaded institutionalized mental disordered offenders admitted in the several mental hospitals were transfered in one time after opening in November 3, 1987 until the end of 1988. In 1989, new admitted MDOs were 5.8%, 107 among total 1849, 203 MDOs(11%) were admitted newly in 1997. The new admitted MDOs were increased every year. The diagnosis of total 1849 mental disordered offenders to be admitted during 11 years from November 3, 1987 to December 31, 1997.Schizophrenia is 69.8%, Epilepsy 0%, Personality disorders 4.0%, Mental Retardation 4.0%, Alcohol-related disorder 3.0%, Substance-related disorder(other than alcohol) 2.0%. The crimes of total 1849 MDOs for 11 years are as follows; Homicide 33.2%, Violence 19.2%, Manslaughter 12.5%, Stealing 8.1%, Arson 6.4%, Robbery 2.5%, Rape 2.2%,II-legal Substance Abuse 1.6%. Year average recidivism of MDOs for 11 years are as follows:1st crime 70.6%, 2nd crime 12.3%, 3rd crime 4.9%, 4th crime 3.7%, 5th crime 8.5%. The number 77(6.8%) among 1141 total discharged MDOs are admitted again after discharge from the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital. The readmitted 77 MDOs for 11 years according to crimes are as follows: Stealing 30(38.9%), Substance Abuse 14(18.2%), Violence 11(14.3%), Arson 5(7.8%), Robbery 5(6.5%), Rape 5(6.5%), Homicide 4(5.2%). The readmitted 77 MDOs for 11 years according to crimes are as follows:Stealing 30(38.9%), Substance Abuse 14(18.2%), Violence 11(14.3%), Arson 6(7.8%), Robbery 5(6.5%), Rape 5(6.5%), Homicide 4(5.2%). The readmitted 77 MDOs for 11 years according to diagnosis are as follows: Schizophrenia 36(46.7%), Substance Abuse 15(19.5%), Kleptomaina 6(7.8%), Mental Retardation 4(5.2%), Personality disorders 4(5.2%), Epilesy 1(1.3%), Delusional disorder 2(2.6%), Bipolar Disorder 2(2.6%), Alcohol dependency 1(1.3%). II. Mental evaluation for Criminal Responsibility The diagnostic classification of total 1422 Mental Evaluation for 11 years are as follows: Schizophenia 431(30.3%), Alcohol-related disorder 205(14.4%), Mood disorder 188(13.2%), Personality disorders 124(8.7%), Mental retardation 108(7.6%), Delusional disorder 67(4.7%), and mental disorder due to general medical condition 42(3.0%). The number sentenced to insanity are 597(44.9%) among total 1331, diminished capacity 546(41%), and 'normal' 188(14.1%).
Alcohol-Related Disorders ; Bipolar Disorder ; Classification ; Crime ; Criminals* ; Diagnosis ; Epilepsy ; Firesetting Behavior ; Homicide ; Hospitals, Psychiatric* ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Korea* ; Mental Disorders ; Mood Disorders ; Personality Disorders ; Rape ; Schizophrenia ; Schizophrenia, Paranoid ; Substance-Related Disorders ; Theft ; Violence

Excitatory amino acid (EAA) and substance P (SP) have been known to be primary candidates for nociceptive neurotransmitter in the spinal cord, and calcium ions are implicated in processing of the sensory informations mediated by EAA and SP in the spinal cord. In this study, we examined how Ca2+ modified the responses of dorsal horn neurons to single or combined iontophoretical application of EAA and SP in the rat. All the LT cells tested responded to kainate, whereas about 55% of low threshold (LT) cells responded to iontophoretically applied NMDA. NMDA and kainate excited almost all wide dynamic range (WDR) cells. These NMDA- and kainate-induced WDR cell responses were augmented by iontophoretically applied EGTA, but suppressed by Ca2+, Mn2+ verapamil and omega-conotoxin GVTA, effect of verapamil being more prominent and well sustained. Ca2+ and Mn2+ antagonized the augmenting effect of EGTA. On the other hand, prolonged spinal application of EGTA suppressed the response of WDR cell to NMDA. SP had triple effects on the spontaneous activity as well as NMDA-induced responses of WDR cells: excitation, inhibition and no change. EGTA augmented, but Ca2+, Mn2+ and verapamil suppressed the increase in the NMDA-induced responses and spontaneous activities of WDR cells following iontophoretical application of SP. These results suggest that in the spinal cord, sensory informations mediated by single or combined action of EAA and SP can be modified by the change in calcium ion concentration.
Animals ; Calcium* ; Egtazic Acid ; Excitatory Amino Acids* ; Hand ; Ions ; Iontophoresis ; Kainic Acid ; N-Methylaspartate ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; omega-Conotoxins ; Posterior Horn Cells* ; Rats* ; Spinal Cord ; Substance P ; Verapamil

No abstract available.
Lymphangioma* ; Mediastinal Cyst*

A 35 years old female patient was admitted to our neuro-pain clinic with symptoms of low back pain(L4, L5 level) radiated to both lower(L3, L4, L5 level) extremities that developed 6 years prior to admission. Upon initial physical examination, motor weakness or sensory deficit was absent. But on straight leg raising test, it was restricted to 60 degree in both lower extremities. Low back pain and radiating pain improved significantly after we performed epidural steroid injection. However on the next day of procedure the patient complaints more pain and started to experience severe pain during overnight for 3 days. On computer tomography(CT, L3-S1 level), we find suspicious lesion of herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1. Otherwise were within normal limits. Based on these symptoms, to find the other lesions, subsequently magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) was performed. Spinal tumor was seen at L2-3 level(2 2 4 cm). Neurosurgical surgery was recommended, and operation was performed. The patient was diagnosed to ependymoma after excision and cytologic studies. Even if one lesion was diagnosed, it must be put off until any other diseases or underlying cancer are ruled out. We report a patient with spinal cord tumor missed on CT, but revealed on MRI in the evaluation and management of herniated nucleus pulposus related(L5-S1) low back pain.
Adult ; Ependymoma ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Leg ; Low Back Pain ; Lower Extremity ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Physical Examination ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms* ; Spinal Cord*

A clinical and statistical study was performed on 213 neonates of hyperbilirubinemia who were admitted to department of pediatrics of Korea University Hospital from Jan. 1989 to Jun. 1991. and we studied the difference between ABO compatible group and incompatible group, such as, day of apperance of hyperbilirubinemia, tendency of bilirubin concentration change, reticulocyte, hemoglobin and duration of hyperbilirubinemia. The following results were obtained. 1) There were no difference of initial body weight and gestational age between compatible (3.0 +/- 0.72kg, 38.2 +/- 3.2 weeks) and incompatible groups (3.2 +/- 0.54kg, 39.1 +/- 2.8 weeks). 2) Onset of hyperbilirubinemia within 2 days in the incompatible group (40.5%) was earlier than the compatible group (23.5%) significantly (p<0.05). 3) Mean bilirubin level in the incompatible group was higher than the compatible group significantly (p<0.05). 4) Peak bilirubin level in the incompatible group(18.7+/-4.1mg/dl) was higher than the compatible group (14.8+/-3.4mg/dl) significantly (p<0.05). 5) There were no difference of hemoglobin level, reticulocyte count, coombs positive finding and the ratio of exchange transfusion between two groups.
Bilirubin ; Body Weight ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal* ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Pediatrics ; Reticulocyte Count ; Reticulocytes ; Statistics as Topic

We present the cytologic features of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the liver metastasized from the uterine cervix. Cytologically, tumor cells were arranged in a pat- tern of solid sheet in necrotic background. The tumor cells were characterized by uniform, small cells, round hyperchromatic nuclei, and high nuclear cytoplasmic ratio. The smears showed frequent mitotic figures and rosette formation, These findings were identified with the previous histologic sections of uterine cervix. To make a diagnosis of metastatic small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma on the Papanicolaou smear, a high index of suspicion and careful review of clinical history are needed
Animals ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Cervix Uteri ; Charadriiformes ; Cytoplasm ; Diagnosis ; Familial Hypophosphatemic Rickets* ; Female ; Fibrous Dysplasia, Polyostotic* ; Liver ; Papanicolaou Test ; Rosette Formation ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

No abstract available.

Enlargement of bone tunnels has been noted on plain X-rays following arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. The cause of this widening is unclear, but it has been hypothesized that it may be due to either mechanical or biological cases. Ishibashi et al. reported anatomical proximal fixation resulted in the most stable reconstructed knee, with increasing instability as the level of fixation moved away from the tibial plateau. The purpose of this study is to determine if any difference exists in the amount of enlargement of the femoral tunnel following arhotoscopic ACL reconstruction with position of interference screw fixation and instability, and to know the factors which affected to the enlargement of the femoral tunnels. Total 39 patients were retrospectively reviewed for tunnel measurements radiologically at one year post-operation. (27 patients received bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft, 12 patients received bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft and Kennedy LAD-ligament augmentation device). The surgery was performed using an arthroscopic single and double incision technique. AP and lateral X-rays were obtained and the tunnels were measured by two independent observers using a digital caplper. The measurements were made at the widest part of the tunnel. Correction for magnification was performed by comparing the measured width of the interference screw used for fixation of the graft with its actual width. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) and t-test. 1. Radiographic tunnel enlargement of femoral side was average 2.42 mm (bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft : 2.36 mm, Kennedy-LAD and autograft : 2.56 mm)(p>0.05). 2. According to the position of the interference screw, the femoral tunnel enlargement were 2.25 mm in anatomical fixation, 2.40 mm in mid-tunnel fixation, 2.62 mm in mid-tunnel fixation, 2.62 mm in outer-tunnel fixation(p < 0.05). 3. The femoral enlargement according to the overall results(Clancy, 1982) were 2.39 mm in above good result group and 2.50 mm in below fair result group(p < 0.05). Tunnel enlargement group of femoral side was related to a distance between femoral articular surface and the position of interference screw. We conclude that femoral tunnel enlargement following arthoscopic bone tendon-bone ACL reconstruction is related to the mechanical effect rather than the properties of grafts and the clinical results.
Autografts ; Humans ; Knee ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplants