We investigated the electrophysiological changes in the cerebral cortical evoked potentials(CEP's) and subsequent changes in the regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) following increased intracranial pressure(ICP) in cats. A small balloon connected to a fine polyethylene tube was placed on the epidural space of the left parietal region through a small burr hole and inflated with saline in increment of 0.2 ml to simulate the expanding mass. The ICP was maintained at 150 mmH2O and 250 mmH2O levels during the experimental period. The study was conducted with 30 adult cats, weighing between 2.7 and 4.5kg. The animals were anesthetized with pentobarbital (50mg/kg) intraperitonially and tracheostomy was performed to maintain self respiration. Two small burr holes were made on both frontal regions for rCBF measurement and a small burr hole was made on the right primary sensorimotor cortex for a cerebral cortical stimulating electrode. A recording electrode for CEP's was placed on the dura of the left cerebellar hemisphere. For experiments, animals were divided into 3 groups. Group I:Animals(n=10) with 80mmH2O of ICP, Group II:Animals(n=10) with 150 mmH2O of ICP, Group III:Animals(n=10) with 250mmH2O of ICP. The CEP's and rCBF measurements were carried out in each animal before and immediately after increased ICP(IICP), at the 30th min, 60th min, 90th min, 120th min, 150th min and 180th min after IICP. The rCBF was measured by hydrogen clearance method. The results were as follows ; 1. A significant elevation of the systolic blood pressure was observed after the 60th min in both IICP groups. 2. 1) Group II animals showed a significant reduction of rCBF by 10.5% and 39.5% in the right frontal lobe at the 60th min and 180th min after IICP, and by 19.8% and 57.7% in the left frontal lobe at the 60th min and 180th min after IICP, respectively. 2) Group III animals showed also a significant reduction of rCBF by 18.2% and 54.4% in the right frontal lobe at the 60th min and 180th min after IICP, and by 62.9% and 84.7% in the left frontal lobe at the 60th min and 180th min after IICP, respectively. 3) Reductions of the rCBF of the left frontal lobe in the Group III animals were greater than those of the Group II animals. 3. 1) Changes of amplitude and latency in the CEP's were more prominent in the Group III animals than those of the Group II animals. 2) Changes of the late components of CEP's(N2) might represent derangements of the neural activity of the descending reticular formation in brainstem. 4. A close correlation was found between CEP's and rCBF changes, which suggested being a threshold relationship. In conclusion, it is assumed that the detection of CEP's in the cerebellum is a quite valuable prognostic tool to evaluate the neural activity of the non-specific reticular formation and specific somatosensory pathways in the acute intracranial hypertension. The prolongated latencies and suppressed amplitude in the CEP's indicate the presence of damages in brainstem multisynaptic pathways.
Adult ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Brain Stem ; Cats ; Cerebellum ; Electrodes ; Epidural Space ; Frontal Lobe ; Humans ; Hydrogen ; Intracranial Hypertension ; Intracranial Pressure* ; Pentobarbital ; Polyethylene ; Rabeprazole ; Respiration ; Reticular Formation ; Tracheostomy

This study surveyed and measured the level and structure of cancer deaths and their trends over time for offering the fundamental data of the cancer prevention and control in Pusan city in the future. Authors conducted the study of descriptive epidemiology using materials derived from the computerized data of total 3,722 certified cancer deaths in Pusan city from January 1 to December 31, 1993 registered on the National Statistical Office, the Republic of Korea. The obtained results were as follows: 1. According to the total registered cases of deaths(16,331 cases) in Pusan city during 1993, cancer(3,722 cases) and cerebrovascular disease(2,718 cases) were the first and second cause of deaths as 23.1% and 16.9%, respectively. These pattern showed the change between cancer(14.7%) and cerebrovascular disease(18.5%) in order of frequency in comparison to 1982. Also, the total number of cancer deaths was increased in comparison to 1982. The rate of death certification by physicians was 87.1% of all registered deaths, which was increased to 6.8% in comparison to 1982(80.3%). 2. Crude death rate and cancer specific death rate was 4.06 per 1,000 populations and 93.8 per 100,000 populations(male:117.8, female:70.0), respectively. The former was similar to that of 1982, but the latter was increased to 1.6 times as that of 1982. 3. Age-adjusted cancer specific death rate by standardization with whole country population was 111.9(male:141.5, female:106.7) per 100,000 populations, higher than not age-adjusted cancer specific death rate(93.8), and the sex difference was statistically significant with male predominance(p<0.05). 4. Cancer specific death rate by age was generally increased with age and most of cancer deaths(male:91.8%, female:88.5%) occurred since 40 years old. 5. The major cancer(cancer specific death rate per 100,000 populations) in male was liver(30.6) followed by stomach(25.6), lung(21.9), and GB and EHBD(5.7), in female stomach(15.7), liver(9.9), lung(7.3), and uterus(6.9). The relative frequency of the leading three cancer among total cancer deaths marked 66.3% in male and 47.1% in female, and decreased in comparison to 1982(male:72.2%, female:54.5%). 6. The total ratio of male to female cancer specific death rate showed 1.68 to 1 with male predominance. And the ratio was above 2.0 in larynx, oral cavity & pharynx, esophagus, liver, lung, bladder cancer and the ratio was 1.0~1.9 in stomach, pancreas, gall bladder and EHBD, brain, rectum and anus cancer, leukemia, but the ratio was reversed in thyroid and colon cancer. In conclusion, cancer was the first cause of deaths. The proportion of lung cancer was increased, that of stomach & uterine cancer was decreased relatively, and liver cancer was constantly higher proportion. In the future, it is necessary to conduct the further investigations on the cancer risk factors considering areal specificity.
Adult ; Anus Neoplasms ; Brain ; Busan* ; Cause of Death ; Certification ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Epidemiology ; Esophagus ; Female ; Humans ; Larynx ; Leukemia ; Liver ; Liver Neoplasms ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Mortality ; Mouth ; Pancreas ; Pharynx ; Rectum ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sex Characteristics ; Stomach ; Thyroid Gland ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Uterine Neoplasms

In this study, we have investigated the dose characteristics of PTW-LinaCheck designed to detect output of medical LINAC and discussed clinical use of the detector. The reproducibility, linearity, and dose rate dependency of the dosimeter were measured for photons of 6 and 15 MV and the electrons of 4, 6, 9, 12, and 16 MeV. To know the error ranges of the measured data in daily output measurement, the response variations due to geometrical setup errors were measured. As a result of measurement, the error range from the geometrical setup and the reproducibility was less than +/-0.6% for given beam qualities in daily output measurement, where the errors from the linearity and the dose rate dependency were negligible. Finally, we concluded that the LinaCheck dosimeter has a good characteristics in terms of dose and setup convenience in daily output measurement. In addition we have shown an examples of clinical use of this dosimeter for measuring daily output more than 60 days.
Dependency (Psychology) ; Electrons ; Photons

OBJECTIVE: To differentiate the human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the defined culture condition and determine its therapeutic potential for the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases. METHODS: The embryoid bodies were formed from hESCs and attached on the matrigel coated culture dishes. The neural structures consisting neural precursors were selected and expanded to form rosette structures. The mechanically isolated neural rosettes were differentiated into pigmented cells in the media comprised of N2 and B27. Expression profiles of markers related to RPE development were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining. Dissociated putative RPE cells (10(5) cells/5 microL) were transplanted into the subretinal space of rat retinal degeneration model induced by intravenous sodium iodate injection. Animals were sacrificed at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after transplantation, and immnohistochemistry study was performed to verify the survival of the transplanted cells. RESULTS: The putative RPE cells derived from hESC showed characteristics of the human RPE cells morphologically and expressed molecular markers and associated with RPE fate. Grafted RPE cells were found to survive in the subretinal space up to 4 weeks after transplantation, and the expression of RPE markers was confirmed with immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION: Transplanted RPE cells derived from hESC in the defined culture condition successfully survived and migrated within subretinal space of rat retinal degeneration model. These results support the feasibility of the hESC derived RPE cells for cell-based therapies for retinal degenerative disease.
Animals ; Collagen ; Drug Combinations ; Embryoid Bodies ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Iodates ; Laminin ; Proteoglycans ; Rats ; Retinal Degeneration ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium ; Retinaldehyde ; Sodium ; Transplants

Authors describe methods for evacuation of intracerebral and/or intraventricular hematomas with CT-aided stereotaxic infusion of urokinase into the hematoma and controlled drainage. In the past 6 months we performed the procedures in 21 cases during acute(within 3 days) or subacute(between 4 and 14 days) stage after the apoplectic attack. Three dimensional CT images were used to locate the hematoma sites, to assess its volume and to determine stereotaxic coordinates. Under local anesthesia a silicon tube was inserted into the hematoma through burr hole and the hematoma was aspirated with syringe. And then urokinase(6,000IU/5ml saline) was infused into the hematoma and the drain was clipped. There after aspiration and administration were performed repeatedly every 6 hours until the hematoma was completely removed. In cases of intraventricular hematoma a drain was inserted into the ventricle having the main hematoma. As a first trial of hematoma removal, the ventricle was irrigated with urokinase(6,000IU/100ml saline), and the drain was clipped after administration of urokinase(6,000IU/5ml saline). Subsequentry clipping of the drain for 4 hours and drainage of the CSF with the hematoma for 2 hours were repeated under the monitoring of intracranial pressure. Now we review serial changes of CT findings and results of 10 cases which were followed up for at least 4 months' and preliminarily conclude that this procedure may be as good as conventional cranitomy, and safer and less traumatic than any other management especially in cases of intraventricular or deep seated hematomas and elderly or high-risk patients.
Aged ; Anesthesia, Local ; Drainage ; Hematoma* ; Humans ; Intracranial Pressure ; Silicones ; Syringes ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator*

OBJECTIVES: Lung injuries due to exposure to nitrogen oxides can occur in various process in industry. We experienced a case of chemical pneumonitis induced by accidental inhalation of nitrogen oxides emitted from the bath in an acid dipping operation. CASE: Dyspnea, cough and blood-tinged sputum production, cyanosis, and tachypnea occurred after exposure to oxides of nitrogen. There were bilateral diffuse ground glass opacities in simple chest radiography and high resolutional computed tomography, hypoxemia in arterial blood gas analysis, mixed ventilation defect and reduced diffusion capacity in spirometry. As an oxygen and supportive therapy, after hospitalization, was given, the patient recovered completely from the lung injury on the 8th day after admission. There was no evidence of delayed onset of bronchiolitis obliterance or pulmonary edema in a follow-up for about 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Acid dip operation require more efficient hooding and exhausting system for the prevention of lung injuries caused by inhalation of nitrogen oxides. Also health education for worker need.
Anoxia ; Baths ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Bronchiolitis ; Cough ; Cyanosis ; Diffusion ; Dyspnea ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glass ; Health Education ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Lung Injury* ; Lung* ; Nitrogen Oxides ; Nitrogen* ; Oxides* ; Oxygen ; Pneumonia ; Pulmonary Edema ; Radiography ; Spirometry ; Sputum ; Tachypnea ; Thorax ; Ventilation

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate the toxic effects of toluene on the placental functions and reproductionin the rat. In this study, the expression of placental prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) and Pit-1 genes, the frequency of placental trophoblast cells, and the reproductive data were analyzed. METHODS: The pregnancy of the Sprague-Dawley rats (250+/-25 g) was determined by verifying the presence of the copulatory plug or sperm in the vaginal smear and the day on which this was observed was defined as pregnancy day 0. The pregnant rats were divided into three groups. The control group was intraperitoneally (ip) injected with sesame oil, and the other two groups were given either 150 or 750 mg/kg BW/day of toluene resuspended in sesame oil during pregnancy days 7-11 and 16-20. The rats from the three experimental groups were sacrificed on pregnancy days 11 and 20, respectively. The mRNA levels of the PRL-GH, Pit-1a and b isotype genes were analyzed by Northern blot hybridization and Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. The hormonal concentration was analyzed by Radioimmunoassay. The frequency of the placental trophoblast cells was determined by means of a histochemical study. Reproductive data, such as the placenta and infnat weight, pregnancy period and litter size were surveyed at pregnancy day 20 and after birth. Statistical analysis was carried out by means of the SAS program (version 8.1). RESULTS: The mRNA levels of the PRL-GH family genes were reduced in a linear fashion by exposure to toluene. The mRNA levels of the Pit-1a and b isotype genes, which induce the expression of the PRL-GH family genes, were also reduced by exposure to toluene. The placental lactogen Iv and II concentrations in the rat placenta, fetus and maternal blood were also decreased by exposure to toluene. During the last stage of gestation, exposure to a high dose of toluene reduced the frequency of the spongiotrophoblast cells that secrete the PRL-GH hormones. Reproductive data such as the placenta and infant weight, and litter size were reduced, and the pregnancy period was extended in the toluene exposed group as compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Toluene disrupts the PRL-GH hormone metabolism in the rat placenta and this leads to reproductive disorder.
Animals ; Blotting, Northern ; Fetus ; Humans ; Infant ; Litter Size ; Metabolism ; Parturition ; Placenta ; Placental Lactogen ; Pregnancy ; Radioimmunoassay ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reproduction* ; RNA, Messenger ; Sesame Oil ; Spermatozoa ; Toluene* ; Trophoblasts ; Vaginal Smears

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to investigate the cause, magnitude and transmission route of the cholera outbreak in 2001. METHODS: The study population were those persons who ingested foods at the restaurant, were confirmed as cholera patients, had symptoms of diarrhea and served as workers at the restaurant. A questionnaire survey and microbiological examinations on the microbes isolated from rectal swabs were conducted. Of the cases, 316 food histories were surveyed by an analysis of the restaurant menu. RESUJLTS: There were 139 confirmed cases of cholera reported in Korea in 2001. Of these, 104 were related to the restaurant. By region, Gyeongsangbuk-do had the highest incidence with 91 cases. Of these 91 cases, 74 had ingested foods at the restaurant, 2 were employees and 3 were secondary infection cases within the families. The results of the odds ratio analysis of the 316 persons having ingested foods at the restaurant were as follows: sandwiches 5.07 (95% CI, 1.85-14.59), soybean curd 2.45 (95% CI, 1.09-5.56), noodles 2.34 (95% CI, 1.24-4.42), steamed squid 2.01 (95% CI, 1.17-3.47) and vinegared rice 1.82 (95% CI, 1.08-3.09). It was certain the restaurant in question was the cause of the 2001 outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: We suspected that more than one restaurant employee contaminated foods served at the restaurant. In addition, eating raw fishes purchased at the Pohang Fisheries infected the employees of the restaurant. There is a possibility that these raw fishes were themselves contaminated by cholera bacilli in the sea.
Acetic Acid ; Cholera* ; Coinfection ; Decapodiformes ; Diarrhea ; Disease Outbreaks ; Eating ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Fisheries ; Fishes ; Gyeongsangbuk-do* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Odds Ratio ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Restaurants ; Soybeans ; Steam

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to investigate the cause, magnitude and transmission route of the cholera outbreak in 2001. METHODS: The study population were those persons who ingested foods at the restaurant, were confirmed as cholera patients, had symptoms of diarrhea and served as workers at the restaurant. A questionnaire survey and microbiological examinations on the microbes isolated from rectal swabs were conducted. Of the cases, 316 food histories were surveyed by an analysis of the restaurant menu. RESUJLTS: There were 139 confirmed cases of cholera reported in Korea in 2001. Of these, 104 were related to the restaurant. By region, Gyeongsangbuk-do had the highest incidence with 91 cases. Of these 91 cases, 74 had ingested foods at the restaurant, 2 were employees and 3 were secondary infection cases within the families. The results of the odds ratio analysis of the 316 persons having ingested foods at the restaurant were as follows: sandwiches 5.07 (95% CI, 1.85-14.59), soybean curd 2.45 (95% CI, 1.09-5.56), noodles 2.34 (95% CI, 1.24-4.42), steamed squid 2.01 (95% CI, 1.17-3.47) and vinegared rice 1.82 (95% CI, 1.08-3.09). It was certain the restaurant in question was the cause of the 2001 outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: We suspected that more than one restaurant employee contaminated foods served at the restaurant. In addition, eating raw fishes purchased at the Pohang Fisheries infected the employees of the restaurant. There is a possibility that these raw fishes were themselves contaminated by cholera bacilli in the sea.
Acetic Acid ; Cholera* ; Coinfection ; Decapodiformes ; Diarrhea ; Disease Outbreaks ; Eating ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Fisheries ; Fishes ; Gyeongsangbuk-do* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Odds Ratio ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Restaurants ; Soybeans ; Steam

A visual stimulus elicits a complicated series of potentials from the human cortex. The visual evoked potential test has advantages in detecting lesions that alter electrophysiology but do not produce detectable alterations of radiodensity, displace surrounding structures or change vascular supply. A sequence of four wave component(I, II, III, IV) that occured in the 100 msec following the flash stimulation can be recorded from scalp electrodes in 20 patients with focal lesions of the visual conducting system using computer averaging techniques. 1) 20 patients presenting with visual symptoms were classified as four groups according to the locations of the lesions in visual pathway : optic nerve lesion(8 cases), chiasmatic lesion(5 cases), optic tract or radiation lesions(4 cases) and visual cortical lesion(3 cases). 2) In optic neuritis, wave patterns of VEP was suppressed markedly in I(P30~40 msec) and II(N50~60 msec) wave components and in the optic nerve injuries, flat wave patterns were noted. 3) In chiasmatic lesions, VEP showed mild prolongation of latency(wave II, N50~60 msec) throughout and mild supperssion of the amplitudes of the wave components presented. On stimulation of one eye, latency and amplitude of the contralateral sided eye were markedly delayed and suppressed. 4) VEP of optic tract and optic radiation lesions showed marked prolongation and suppression of wave pattern in late components(wave II, III). In multiple sclerosis, VEP abnormality was presented in early state(N80~90 msec). 5) In the visual cortical lesions, the wave patterns of the VEP were almost symmetrically flat on both side. Serial evaluation of the VEP could provide good information for the evaluation of visual pathway lesions and functional recovery marker.
Electrodes ; Electrophysiology ; Evoked Potentials, Visual* ; Humans ; Multiple Sclerosis ; Optic Nerve ; Optic Nerve Injuries ; Optic Neuritis ; Scalp ; Visual Pathways*