As a series of systematic classification of paramphistomes, in the first step, paramphistomes in the rumen and reticulum were collected on 170 Korean cattles (2-3 years age, male) slaughtered at Jeonju abattoir from July 1984 to September 1985 and were classified by means of morphology of the worms. Afterwards, the karyotype of Paramphistomum explanatum (Creplin, 1849) which is the common in Korean cattle was detected by means of modified air-drying method from testis cells of the worm. The following is a brief summary of the leading facts gained through the experiment. Most of the cattle slaughtered at the abattoir were infected with paramphistomes. The 5 species of the worms were detected on 170 Korean cattle and the worm burden per head was from 2 to 784 (on the average 170) worms, 120(70.59 percent) heads out of them involving 2-100 worms. In 28,900 individuals of paramphistomes obtained on 170 Korean cattle, appearance rates of various worms were as follows : 49.74 percent in P. explanatum, 48.08 percent in P. cervi, 0.98 percent in Orthocoelium orthocoelium, 0.89 percent in Fischoederius cobboldi and 0.14 percent in Cotylophoron cotylophorum. The chromosome number of 620 P. explanatum in the haploid and diploid cells was n=9 and 2n=18, and abundant cells in meiotic division were observed; 1,420 haploid and 38 diploid cells were reliable. Nine pairs of mitotic chromosomes were homologous and the chromosomes were composed of five medium-sized metacentrics (m), subtelocentrics (st) or submetacentrics (sm)and four small-sized subtelocentrics (st) or submetacentrics (sm), while meiotic metaphase chromosomes were composed of five medium and four small-sized. The haploid of the testis cells showed C-band in the centromeric region from 8 of them, whereas the remaining chromosome No. 5 included heterochromatin on the tip region, and chromosomes No. 3 and No. 7 showed a remarkable C-band distinguished from other chromosomes.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; karyotype ; chromosome ; Paramphistomum explanatum ; Paramphistomum cervi ; Orthocoelium orthocoelium ; Fischoederius cobboldi ; Cotylophoron cotylophorum

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are caloric test, SCEP, DP in Step velocity and VOR asymmetry in SHA test as parameters for evaluation in unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy in parameter of vestibular function test. The aim of this study is to assess the correlation between these parameters and intensity of spontaneous nystagmus in vestibular neuritis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We evaluated 75 patients who were diagnosed as vestibular neuritis with 3 degree spontaneous nystagmus at vestibular function test lab from January 2000 to July 2005 in Dankook university hospital. The correlations between direction and intensity of spontaneous nystagmus and monothermal caloric test, SCEP and DP in step velocity, VOR asymmetry (0.01, 0.04, 0.16 Hz) in SHA test were analysed. And correlations according to sex, age were also analysed. RESULTS: The correlation coefficient between intensity of spontaneous nystagmus and monothermal caloric test was 0.60. The correlation coefficient between intensity of spontaneous nystagmus and SCEP was 0.35. The correlation coefficient between intensity of spontaneous nystagmus and Tc DP was 0.36 and it showed no significant correlation. The correlation coefficient between intensity of spontaneous nystagmus and VOR asymmetry (0.01, 0.04, 0.16) was 0.57, 0.46, 0.51, respectively and there was higher correlation in man, age under 60. CONCLUSION: Intensity of spontaneous nystagmus showed close relations to monothermal caloric test, VOR asymmetry of SHA, Tc DP, SCEP DP in sequence. In addition, young male patients tends to be closely related to intensity of spontaneous nystagmus.
Caloric Tests ; Humans ; Male ; Vestibular Function Tests* ; Vestibular Neuronitis*

BACKGROUND:Many patients with symptom of recurrent episodic vertigo can neither be diagnosed nor treated. The purpose of this study is to review clinical features of a group of patients with recurrent episodic vertigo that is not defined to specific diagnosis of vertigo and to test the effectiveness of phenytoin sodium in the patients. METHOD & MATERIAL:11 of 32 patients with recurrent vertigo not defined to specific diagnostic category of vertigo who visited dizziness center of a tertiary care university hospital from November 1995 to April 2004 were studied. The patient's charts were reviewed retrospectively. A thorough otolaryngologic and neurotologic evaluation was performed in every case to determine the specific cause of dizziness. Vestibular function test, hearing test, magnetic resonance imaging of brain, electroencephalogram, and 24 hour Holter EKG monitoring were performed in all cases. Consultations to psychiatrist and neurologist were obtained. All patients were treated with phenytoin sodium. RESULT:The results of the vestibular function test, audiogram, MRI of brain, electroencephalogram, 24-hr holter monitoring were normal. Any definitive diagnosis could not be reached to this group. Vertigo was controlled by phenytoin sodium in all 11 cases. CONCLUSION:We report a group of patients with recurrent episodic vertigo that is not defined to any specific diagnosis of vertigo. The vertigo symptom was controlled successfully by phenytoin sodium. This patients were diagnosed as benign episodic vertigo as a separate disease entity.
Brain ; Diagnosis ; Dizziness ; Electrocardiography ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; Electroencephalography ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Phenytoin* ; Psychiatry ; Referral and Consultation ; Retrospective Studies ; Sodium* ; Tertiary Healthcare ; Vertigo* ; Vestibular Function Tests

Herpes zoster oticus usually accompanies vestibulopathy on the ipsilateral ear. However we have encountered two herpes zoster oticus patients with bilateral vestibulopathies. Bilateral vestibulopathy was detected on the 2nd month and 19th day of herpes zoster oticus, respectively. While the contralateral vestibulopathy was detected 2 month after the ipsilateral vestibulopathy in the first patient, the vestibular function deteriorated simultaneously on the 19th day in the second patient. It seems that the bilateral vestibulopathy was caused by an autoimmune process in both cases, but the initiating event is different. The ipsilateral vestibular damage may have sensitized the immune system in the first patient resulting in sympathetic vestibulopathy. But in the second patient, the ipsilateral cochlear damage may have sensitized the immune system resulting in simultaneous bilateral vestibulopathy.
Ear ; Herpes Zoster ; Herpes Zoster Oticus ; Humans ; Immune System

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to identify the typical pattern of otolithic function tests in unilateral definite Meniere's disease patients. And we compared with clinical features and other tests results of patients who showed abnormal otolithic function tests. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We reviewed 42 patients (29 patients are female and 13 patients are male) who were diagnosed as unilateral definite Meniere's disease and underwent otolithic function tests in Hospital from December 2005 to April 2007. RESULTS: The patients who showed abnormal findings in vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) have suffered for longer period than the others. Those results of VEMP had positive correlation with summating potential/action potential (SP/AP) ratio. The average deviation of subjective visual vertical/ horizontal (SVV/SVH) were relatively higher in that disease patients than normal controls. There was no significant relation between VEMP results and other clinical features and result of other tests (caloric test and pure tone audiometry). CONCLUSION: The longer prevalence period of Meniere's disease is, the more susceptability of abnormal VEMP we can expect. In those, SVV/H can go out of normal range. Like a electrocochleography, otolithic function test could play a supportive role in diagnosing of Meniere's disease.
Audiometry, Evoked Response ; Female ; Humans ; Meniere Disease* ; Otolithic Membrane* ; Prevalence ; Reference Values

BACKGROUND: There have been only a few electron microscopic studies after laser treatment of pigmented skin lesions. OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to investigate the pathologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic changes following Q-switched alexandrite laser treatment of pigmented skin lesions. METHODS: Three patients with acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules, and 2 patients with cafeau lait macule were irradiated with Q-switched alexandrite laser. Forty biopsies were taken before and immediately after laser treatment. Hematoxylin-eosin, Fontana-Masson, and gp100 staining were performed for the evaluation of the histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings of the specimens. Electron microscopic findings were also evaluated. RESULTS: Histopathologically, suprabasilar separations were observed immediately after laser treatment. Vacuolar alterations of pigment-containing cells were frequently found in the epidermis and/or in the dermis. Fontana-Masson and gp100 staining positivity changed to negative or decreased in the epidermis immediately after laser treatment, while they changed to negative in the dermis. Ultrastructurally, epidermal pigment-containing cells frequently showed severe vacuolar changes in the cytoplasm, pyknotic nuclei, and vacuolated and/or fragmented melanosomes immediately after laser treatment. Dermal melanocytes frequently revealed vacuolated and/or fragmented melanosomes immediately after laser treatment. CONCLUSION: Histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic examination of pigmented skin lesions immediately after Q-switched alexandrite laser treatment demonstrated vacuolated or fragmented melanosomes and vacuolar alteration of pigment-containing cells in the epidermis and/or in the dermis, which suggested selective photothermolysis of melanosomes.
Biopsy ; Cytoplasm ; Dermis ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State* ; Melanocytes ; Melanosomes ; Nevus ; Skin*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study was to investigate the characteristics of gentamicin-induced vestibulotoxicity of s otolith organs by assessing the results of earth vertical and the off-vertical axis rotation tests with a morphologic study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rabbits were grouped into two groups, ototoxic and ototoxic prevention group. Vestibulotoxicity was induced by injecting gentamicin (GM) into the peritoneum. Prevention of the vestibulotoxicity was studied by injecting NMDA receptor inhibitors (MK-801), iron chelating agents (deferoxamine) peritonially, and osmotic pumps filled with neurotrophic factors (GDNF, BDNF), respectively. The animal rotation system was designed to rotate the animal sinusoidally or in velocity step (constant velocity) rotation. Off-vertical rotation was applied to evaluate the otolithic function. Scanning electron microscopy were examined for the structural changes of the otolithic organs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: GM-induced vestibulotoxicity was confirmed by gain decreasing in the earth vertical SHA rotation test and bias decreasing in the off-vertical rotation test. However, changes in modulation was not definite. Bilateral prevention of GM-induced vestibulotoxicity was confirmed by systemic injection of deferoxamine and MK-801, and characteristics of unilateral prevention was confirmed by local application of the neurotrophic factors using osmotic pumps. In the SEM study, the GM-induced hair cell damages of the vestibule were identified, which was prevented by the preventive drugs. The reduction of bias value without change of modulation was comparable with the reduction of gain in the earth vertical axis rotation after GM-induced vestibulotoxicity.
Rabbits ; Animals ; Drug Toxicity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Diagnosis and treatment of dizziness after motor vehicle accident (MVA) is not challenging. Psychological factors may be important and patient's quality of life can be underestimated due to nonspecific vague symptoms. The aim of this study is to reveal the clinical characteristics of dizziness after motor vehicle accident. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Of the patients who have visited Dankook University hospital for traumatic dizziness from Jan. 1994 through Jan. 2008, we enrolled 51 patients who had history of motor vehicle accident and performed vestibular function test (VFT). Patients were divided into groups according to VFT findings. Patients who had unilateral hypo-function in VFT were classified as Group A. Patients who showed typical nystagmus for benign paroxismal positional vertigo (BPPV) were classified as Group B. And the others were classified as Group C who showed fair VFT results. RESULTS: Group C was found with unidentified dizziness, a tendency of late onset and long term recovery. Also they complained different distributions of their symptoms, that is, the rate of patients with headache and visual symptoms were higher in Group C. CONCLUSION: There were no remarkable characteristics in unidentified dizziness after MVA. Although the objective test results were non-specific, their clinical progress was not favorable. They complained of headache and visual symptoms more than other groups.
Dizziness ; Headache ; Humans ; Motor Vehicles ; Quality of Life ; Vertigo ; Vestibular Function Tests

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Platelet-activating factor (PAF) in middle ear effusion is thought to induce hearing loss. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of PAF placed on round window membrane (RWM) on hearing and cochlear hair cells in guinea pigs, and we also wanted to investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the mechanism of PAF-induced hearing loss by comparing its immunoreactivity to iNOS between the control group and PAF application group. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Guinea pigs were divided into 2 groups: PBS, PAF. The PBS group received phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and the PAF groups received 10, 20, and 40 mug/ml of PAF soaked in gelfoam placed on the RWM. The following three tests were performed on each animal group: hearing was tested with an auditory brainstem response (ABR) test through 24 hours. At the end of 24 hours, cochlear hair cells were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunohistochemistry was carried out on the cochlea to test the expression of inducible nitric oxide (iNOS). RESULTS: The PAF group developed significant elevation of ABR threshold and cochlear hair cell damage in SEM compared with the PBS control group. Strong expression of iNOS on cochlea was observed in the PAF group and lighter expression was seen in PBS group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that PAF placed on the RWM induced hearing loss, and cochlear hair cell damage, and strong iNOS expression in the cochlea. These findings suggest that the PAF-induced hearing loss caused by cochlear hair cell damage may have been mediated by NO. PAF-antagonists and NOS inhibitor may have future therapeutic implications in preventing sensorineural hearing loss associated with chronic otitis media.
Animals ; Cochlea ; Ear, Inner* ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; Guinea Pigs* ; Guinea* ; Hair ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Immunohistochemistry ; Membranes ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Nitric Oxide ; Otitis Media ; Otitis Media with Effusion ; Platelet Activating Factor

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The recovery of the vestibular sensory epithelia of guinea pigs after gentamicin (GM) induced hair cell injury was assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively with a functional study of the vestibular system using animal rotatory chair. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Evaluations were made via calculating the number of utricle cells bearing hair bundles using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The number of ampullar hair cells and supporting cells were calculated by toluidine blue staining. Animal rotatory chair test was performed for the evaluation of functional recovery of vestibular system after gentamicin damage in guinea pigs. RESULTS: The initial loss of hair cells in utricle and ampulla were followed by the recovery of hair cell number. The quantitative analyses indicated that the lost hair cells were replaced or regenerated after the end of GM administration, or at 3 months. SEM revealed the morphological recovery of the damaged hair cells and new hair cell regeneration in utricle. In animal rotatory chair test, the gain in slow harmonic acceleration were decreased immediate after GM application, and the gain increased over 3 months. The value of bias off the vertical axis rotation also decreased immediatly after the GM application, and the decreased value of bias were partially recovered. CONCLUSION: We find guinea pig vestibular hair cell regeneration after gentamicin damage with morphologic and functional study.
Acceleration ; Animals ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Cell Count ; Gentamicins* ; Guinea Pigs* ; Guinea* ; Hair ; Hair Cells, Vestibular* ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Regeneration* ; Saccule and Utricle ; Tolonium Chloride