To investigate changes of glycoconjugates (GC) on the duodenal mucosa of Korean chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus) after cold-treatment, chipmunks were maintained in cold conditions (6 C) for 3, 5 or 9 months in an attempt to mimic conditions occurring during seasonal hibernation. Most chipmunks were active as before until 3 months in the cold room and since then were hibernated. Although there was significant decrease in neutral GC in cold-treated chipmunks compared with warm chipmunks, acid GC changed little. As for histochemical properties of acid GC in the duodenum, the cold-treated chipmunk showed some differences, such as appearance of villus goblet cells which contained the mixture of sulfated and nonsulfated GC. The affinities for all lectins used in this study were shown in the columnar cells of the duodenal villus and crypt, more intensive DBA, SBA, PNA, BSL-1, RCA-1 and sWGA affinities were demonstrated in the Golgi zone of columnar cells. These affinities decreased in the cold-treated groups, especially in the Golgi zone of columnar cells. The affinities with DBA, RCA-1, sWGA and BSL-1 was demonstrated in the goblet cells of the duodenum, but these affinities except DBA decreased in the cold-treated chipmunks. All lectin affinities except UEA-1 detected in duodenal gland, but cold-treatment induced a decrease of these affinities. The changes in amount and properties of GC in the present experimental model for hibernation may be due to the different intestinal environment associated with food intake. However, the present experimental model for hibernation, especially 9 months cold-treated chipmunks, stills need to be demonstrated during seasonal hibernation in the wild.
Duodenum ; Eating ; Glycoconjugates* ; Goblet Cells ; Hibernation ; Lectins ; Models, Theoretical ; Mucous Membrane* ; Sciuridae* ; Seasons

Viral infection induces numerous tripartite motif (TRIM) proteins to control antiviral immune signaling and viral replication. Particularly, SPRY-containing TRIM proteins are found only in vertebrates and they control target protein degradation by their RING-finger and SPRY domains, and proper cytoplasmic localization. To understand TRIM30 function, we analyzed its localization pattern and putative roles of its RING-finger and SPRY domains. We found that TRIM30 is located in actin-mediated cytoplasmic bodies and produces colocalized ubiquitin chains in SPRY domain- and RING-finger domain-dependent ways that are degraded by autophagy and the proteasome. These results suggest a TRIM protein-dependent degradation mechanism by cytoplasmic body formation with actin networks.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Autophagy ; Cell Line ; Inclusion Bodies/*metabolism ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/chemistry/genetics/*metabolism ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polyubiquitin/*metabolism ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex/metabolism ; Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs ; Protein Transport ; Proteolysis ; RING Finger Domains

The study of antiviral pathways to reveal methods for the effective response and clearance of virus is closely related to understanding interferon (IFN) signaling and its downstream target genes, IFN-stimulated genes. One of the key antiviral factors induced by IFNs, 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthase (OAS), is a well-known molecule that regulates the early phase of viral infection by degrading viral RNA in combination with RNase L, resulting in the inhibition of viral replication. In this review, we describe OAS family proteins from a different point of view from that of previous reviews. We discuss not only RNase L-dependent (canonical) and -independent (noncanonical) pathways but also the possibility of the OAS family members as biomarkers for various diseases and clues to non-immunological functions based on recent studies. In particular, we focus on OASL, a member of the OAS family that is relatively less well understood than the other members. We will explain its anti- and pro-viral dual roles as well as the diseases related to single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the corresponding gene.
2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase/*genetics/*metabolism ; Animals ; Biomarkers ; *Disease Susceptibility ; Endoribonucleases/metabolism ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Multigene Family ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Signal Transduction

BACKGROUND: Epidural narcotics are now widely used for postoperative pain relief, but their side effects are problematic. Thus, this study was undertaken to evaluate the analgesic effects and to minimize the side effects of the combination of epidural morphine and ketamine versus epidural morphine alone in pateints with postoperative pain. METHODS: The value of using a combined infusion of morphine with a variable dose of ketamine for postoperative analgesia following subtotal gastrectomy was assessed in a double-blind randomised study of 30 patients. Three groups of 10 patients received an infusion of morphine at 2 mg/day, either alone, or combined with ketamine at a rate of 0.4 or 0.6 mg/kg/day. RESULTS: Postoperative anlagesia, sedation, and side effects were not statistically significantly different between groups I and II. Postoperative sedation, and side effects were not statistically significantly different between groups I and III. VAS of group III at 1-2 h was lower than in group I. CONCLUSION: The addition of ketamine to a continuous infusion of morphine dose not significantly improve postoperative analgesia. In addition, increasing the dose of ketamine does not significantly improve postoperative analgesia, Nor does it increase sedation, or side effects.
Analgesia ; Gastrectomy* ; Humans ; Ketamine ; Morphine* ; Narcotics ; Pain, Postoperative*

Fifteen cases of diffuse axonal injury(DAI) brought about by nonmissile head injury in humans are analyzed. All cases were subjected to comprehensive clinical studies such as measurement of cerebral blood flow by SPECT, continuous intracranial pressure monitoring and multimodality evoked potentials(MEPs). In the patients with DAI, a high incidence of low cerebral perfusion and abnormal MEPs. especially auditory evoked potentials, were found, with high incidence of high velocity traffic accident injury mechanism. On the other hand, a low incidence of increased intracranial pressure was found and dehydrating agents such as glycerol and mannitol did not exert a beneficial influence upon the clinical courses or the outcomes. The outcome of the patients with DAI depended upon the duration of coma and whether or not brain stem signs were noted.
Accidents, Traffic ; Axons ; Brain Stem ; Coma ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Diffuse Axonal Injury* ; Evoked Potentials* ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory ; Glycerol ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intracranial Pressure* ; Mannitol ; Perfusion ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Authors have experienced 104 cases of the intracranial aneurysms with subarachnoid hemorrhage, who were proved to have aneurysms by cerebral angiography for past 8 years. Aneurysms surgery under controlled hypotension has shown far better result than that of surgery under hypothermia, carotid ligation or conservative treatment. Of the 104 cases, the site distribution of aneurysms and the result of various treatment are analyzed. Followings are the results. 1. Anterior communication aneurysm was 44 per cent of the cases and it was most common site of the intracranial aneurysms. 19 per cent of aneurysms located on internal carotid artery at the posterior communicating artery, and middle cerebral artery aneurysm was 16%. The site distribution of aneurysms in Korean has shown marked difference from the reports of other countries. 2. Of 40 cases, who received conservative therapy, 15 cases (375% ) were expired, and most of them were dead due to rebleeding from aneurysms. 3. The direct attack of aneurysms through intracranial approach was performed under moderate hypothermia till 1970, and controlled hypotension was introduced thereafter. In 19 cases of intracranial aneurysm surgery, 7(14.2%) were expired following surgery. 4. Mortality of the carotid ligation for 15 cases of the intracranial aneurysms was 40 per cent. Cerebral ischemia or rebleeding was cause of death. 5. Intracranial aneurysm surgery under hypotension was carried out in 16 cases, and one cases (6.2%) was expired. Induced hypotension and careful identification of aneurysm and neighbouring structures by magnify operating glasses promoted operative result in aneurysm surgery.
Aneurysm* ; Arteries ; Brain Ischemia ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cause of Death ; Cerebral Angiography ; Eyeglasses ; Glass ; Hypotension* ; Hypotension, Controlled ; Hypothermia ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Ligation ; Mortality ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

A 72-year-old man presented with aggravating dyspnea and swelling of the face due to thymic carcinoma, which was diagnosed based on a transfemoral biopsy specimen. Chest computed tomography and transthoracic echocardiogram showed a mediastinal mass that invaded the superior vena cava and the right atrium. The patient underwent successful chemotherapy with multimodal regimens including cyclophosphamide, vincristine and the dyspnea, facial edema improved. Here, we present a case of spreading thymic carcinoma identified as an intraluminal growth spreading from the mediastinum into the superior vena cava and cardiac cavity.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Cyclophosphamide ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea* ; Edema ; Heart Atria ; Heart Neoplasms ; Humans ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; Mediastinum ; Thorax ; Thymoma ; Thymus Gland* ; Thymus Neoplasms* ; Vena Cava, Superior ; Vincristine

A 72-year-old man presented with aggravating dyspnea and swelling of the face due to thymic carcinoma, which was diagnosed based on a transfemoral biopsy specimen. Chest computed tomography and transthoracic echocardiogram showed a mediastinal mass that invaded the superior vena cava and the right atrium. The patient underwent successful chemotherapy with multimodal regimens including cyclophosphamide, vincristine and the dyspnea, facial edema improved. Here, we present a case of spreading thymic carcinoma identified as an intraluminal growth spreading from the mediastinum into the superior vena cava and cardiac cavity.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Cyclophosphamide ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea* ; Edema ; Heart Atria ; Heart Neoplasms ; Humans ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; Mediastinum ; Thorax ; Thymoma ; Thymus Gland* ; Thymus Neoplasms* ; Vena Cava, Superior ; Vincristine

The authors attempted to analyse the factors influencing the mortality involved in aneurysm surgery based on 38 cases of intracranial surgery for anterior communicating aneurysms, and obtained the following conclusion. 1. The surgical results are much better when the aneurysm surgery is delayed over one week after the occurrence of aneurysmal rupture, if there is no evidence of intracerebral hematoma. Administration of a massive dosage of epsilon aminocaproic acid in the waiting period prior to aneurysm surgery seems to be effective for preventing recurrence of bleeding from the aneurysm. 2. The direction of the anterior communicating aneurysm should be clearly visualized on a cerebral angiogram so that the most effective aneurysmal approach can be selected in surgery. 3. Microsurgery and hypotension in aneurysm surgery minimize brain damage in the exposure of aneurysm and provide accurate isolation of the aneurismal neck from the parent vessel in aneurysmal neck ligation. 4. Proximal ligation of the anterior cerebral artery is also an effective procedure to prevent recurrent hemorrhage from anterior communicating aneurysm.
Aminocaproic Acid ; Aneurysm* ; Anterior Cerebral Artery ; Brain ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Ligation ; Microsurgery ; Mortality ; Neck ; Parents ; Recurrence ; Rupture