Antibiotics were reported to be able to alter bacterial surface properties in subinhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs). The effects of sub-MICs of certain antibiotics on a bacterial surface property such as hemagglutination, as well as on the cell morphology were studied using Streptococcus gordonii and Staphylococcus aureus. The effect of sub-M1Cs of antibiotics on the binding of these bacteria to immobilized fibrinogen were also investigated. The MICs of antibiotics were determined by culturing S. gordonii and S. aureus in media supplemented with serially diluted drug solutions, and one-half the MIC was used as the sub-MIC of the drugs, unless stated otherwise. Sub-MICs of antibiotics did not affect bacterial agglutination of erythrocytes. Microscopic observation of S. gordonii grown at sub-MIC concentration of 0.02 ug/ml of amoxicillin revealed cell enlargement of 1.6 times those grown without the drug. When grown in the sub-MIC amount of 0.08 ug/ml of cefazolin, most S. gordonii cells were enlarged and elongated into rod-shape, resulting in 3 times the size of the cells grown without the antibiotic. The data from the fibrinogen-binding experiments showed that the binding of S. gordonii to immobilized fibrinogen was increased with all the B-lactam drugs tested; the binding of S. aureus to immobilized fibrinogen, on the other hand, was decreased with the same drugs. The results show that low concentrations of certain B-lactam antibiotics are able to cause alterations in cellular morphology of S. gordonii and affect the binding of S. gordonii and S. aureus to immobilized fibrinogen.
Agglutination ; Amoxicillin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents* ; Bacteria ; Cefazolin ; Cell Enlargement ; Erythrocytes ; Fibrinogen ; Hand ; Hemagglutination ; Staphylococcus aureus* ; Staphylococcus* ; Streptococcus gordonii* ; Streptococcus* ; Surface Properties*

PURPOSE: There were many studies on the distributions of the retinal ganglion cells(RGC) in the experimental model of the retinal ischemia. RGC was known to be more sensitive to the ischemic injury than the other types of the retinal cells. So, we would identify the changes of the retinal ganglion cell morphologies and distribution after the iatrogenic retinal ischemia induced by intraocular pressure(IOP) elevation. METHODS: Eight pigmented and six white rabbits were used and retinal ischemia was induced by increasing IOP higher than 120 mmHg for 60 minutes. Electroretinogram were recorded at 6 days or 13 days, and histologic findings were observed at 7 or 14 days. RESULTS: After 7 days, RGC densities decreased, cytoplasmic staining disappeared, and the intranuclear hyperpigmentation was noted. RGC densities decreased significantly at 14 days. In the vertical retinal section, some flattening of retinal ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer was observed. Changes in the cellular morphologies were prominent. CONCLUSIONS: It may be more appropriate to examine both the retinal whole-mount and the vertical tissue section for the estimatation of the changes of retinal ganglion cell layer in the pressure-induced retinal ischemia.
Cytoplasm ; Ganglion Cysts* ; Hyperpigmentation ; Ischemia ; Models, Theoretical ; Rabbits ; Retina* ; Retinal Ganglion Cells ; Retinaldehyde*

Bullous pemphigoid is a chronic and relatively benign subepidermal blistering disease and is generally considered not to be a sulfa-responsive dermatosis. As a rule, bullous dermatosis that excellently responded to sulfapyridine and sulfones was considered by some to be diagnostic of dermstitis herpetiformia. In 1977, Person and Rogers described 6 cases of bullous pemphigoid responded to sulfapyridine and sulfones. These sulfa-responsive cases were younger than ordinary bullous pemphigoid patients and the histopathologic findings showed prevalence of the neutrophilic infiltration. In this report, the patient who diagnosed as bullous pemphigoid by immunofluorescent studies has younger onset (38 years of age) than usual bullous pemphigoid and histopatbologic findings showed dense neutrophilic infiltrations. The patient was treated with 100-200mg of DDS for 2 months and the skin lesions completely disappeared.
Blister ; Humans ; Neutrophils ; Pemphigoid, Bullous* ; Prevalence ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Sulfapyridine ; Sulfones

The clinical symptom complex characterized by syncopal attacks and sudden death in patients with electrocardiographic anomalies, especially a prolonged Q-T interval is known as the Romano-Ward syndrome. When a similar symptom complex is accompanied by congenital deafness, it is called Jervell and Lange-Nieisen syndrome. This study was undertaken to investigate the investigate the incidence of the latter syndrome in the Seoul area. A total of 1,013 children with congenital deafness who attend schools for the deaf were studied by analyzing their electrocardiograms. A corrected Q-T interval of> or =0.44 seconds was defined as a prolonged Q-T interval. The overall incidence of long Q-T syndrome observed in the deaf in the Seoul area was 0.49% as compared to 0.25% reported from elsewhere in the world. The mean age of patients with long Q-T syndrome was 11.3+/-5.9 years and the first syncopal attacks was 4.6+/-1.1 per patient. A valsalva maneuver and exercise tests in the test group were associated with significant changes in T wave configuration and prolonged Q-T intervals while similar changes were not observed in the control group. A larger survey is needed to derive more statistically significant conclusions.
Child* ; Deafness* ; Death, Sudden ; Electrocardiography ; Exercise Test ; Humans ; Incidence ; Romano-Ward Syndrome ; Seoul ; Valsalva Maneuver

PURPOSE: The authors sought to determine the neuroprotective effect of melatonin in a model of ischemic injury in rabbit retina. METHODS: Ischemia was induced by high intraocualr pressure. A dose of 100 microgram of melatonin or dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO) alone was injected intravitreally just after the induction of ischemia. After 7 and 14 days, the neuroprotective effect of melatonin on ischemic retina was examined with light microscope and transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: The authors found reduction of cytoplasm of retinal ganglion cell(RGC), vacuole formation, chromatin condensation and rupture of nuclear membrane in ischemia-injured eyes treated with DMSO alone. But in melatonin treated eyes, we found that RGC layer's thickness and number of RGC reduced and destruction of cytoplasmic organells and nuclear damage were minimal. The partial recovery of wave is noted in melatonin-treated eyes after ischemia induction. CONCLUSIONS: The melatonin(100 microgram) protected the rabbit retina from high intraocular pressure-induced ischemic injury when administered intravitreally. Melatonin may be useful to decrease neuronal damage in the retina as a result of ischemic injury. But further investigations are neccesary to decide effective concentration, route and time of administration.
Chromatin ; Cytoplasm ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; Ganglion Cysts ; Ischemia* ; Melatonin* ; Neurons ; Neuroprotective Agents* ; Nuclear Envelope ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde* ; Rupture ; Vacuoles

Purpose: This study examined the effects of action-observation training using the Y-Balance on the balance ability of young adults. Methods: Thirty-four healthy adults were randomized into an action-observation group (n=17) or a control group (n=17). All subjects performed the Y-Balance test before and after watching the video. The action observation group watched a video of someone performing a Y-Balance test, and the control group watched a video of scenery unrelated to the training. The subjects were measured through a Y-Balance test for both the length of the legs extended in three directions and the Y-balance composite score. Results: A significant difference in the Y-balance composite score was observed between the two groups. A part of the direction of the extended leg in the action observation group was increased significantly (posteromedial direction of the right leg, posterolateral direction of the right leg, posteromedial direction of left leg) compared to the control group. Conclusion These results suggest that action observation training only could help improve balance.

Purpose: Unilateral strength training effects on contralateral sides have been demonstrated in previous studies for lower extremity exercise, upper extremity exercise, and unilateral surface electrical stimulation. This study was performed to investigate the effects of unilateral ankle training on muscle strength and the balance of contralateral lower extremity in healthy adults. Methods: Thirty healthy subjects were randomized equally to a training or a control group. Those in the training group received unilateral ankle isokinetic strengthening training of the dominant leg (right side) for 4 weeks. Contralateral single-limb balance, including Anterio-Posterior Stability Index (APSI), Medio-Lateral Stability Index (MLSI) and Overall Stability Index (OSI), was assessed before and after intervention. Results: Comparison of pre- and post-test data revealed significant improvements in ipsi- and contralateral ankle strengths, and significant improvement in contralateral single limb balance. Conclusion These results have practical implications because they demonstrate that unilateral ankle isokinetic exercise improves ankle muscle strength and balance ability of contralateral lower extremity.

Purpose: This study examined the effects of action-observation training using the Y-Balance on the balance ability of young adults. Methods: Thirty-four healthy adults were randomized into an action-observation group (n=17) or a control group (n=17). All subjects performed the Y-Balance test before and after watching the video. The action observation group watched a video of someone performing a Y-Balance test, and the control group watched a video of scenery unrelated to the training. The subjects were measured through a Y-Balance test for both the length of the legs extended in three directions and the Y-balance composite score. Results: A significant difference in the Y-balance composite score was observed between the two groups. A part of the direction of the extended leg in the action observation group was increased significantly (posteromedial direction of the right leg, posterolateral direction of the right leg, posteromedial direction of left leg) compared to the control group. Conclusion These results suggest that action observation training only could help improve balance.

Purpose: Unilateral strength training effects on contralateral sides have been demonstrated in previous studies for lower extremity exercise, upper extremity exercise, and unilateral surface electrical stimulation. This study was performed to investigate the effects of unilateral ankle training on muscle strength and the balance of contralateral lower extremity in healthy adults. Methods: Thirty healthy subjects were randomized equally to a training or a control group. Those in the training group received unilateral ankle isokinetic strengthening training of the dominant leg (right side) for 4 weeks. Contralateral single-limb balance, including Anterio-Posterior Stability Index (APSI), Medio-Lateral Stability Index (MLSI) and Overall Stability Index (OSI), was assessed before and after intervention. Results: Comparison of pre- and post-test data revealed significant improvements in ipsi- and contralateral ankle strengths, and significant improvement in contralateral single limb balance. Conclusion These results have practical implications because they demonstrate that unilateral ankle isokinetic exercise improves ankle muscle strength and balance ability of contralateral lower extremity.

The purpose of this study was to compare the arch width of the hyperdivergent group with that of the neutral group in Class III malocclusion based on the vertical patterns and to compare the arch width of Class III neutral group with that of normal occlusion group based on sagittal patterns. The subjects consisted of 118 pairs of study casts, divided into three groups; 37 Class III hyperdivergent group(18 males and 19 females, SN-Mn plane angle>39.5 degrees), 40 Class III neutral group(20 males and 20 females, SN-Mn plane angle: 32+/-2.5 degrees) and 41 Class I normal occlusion group(20 males and 21 females). The intercanine, interpremolar, and intermolar width of the maxillary and mandibular study casts were measured, then the ratios of dental width to basal width and mandibular width to maxillary width were obtained. Basal arch width and dental arch width were measured to obtain the pure basal arch relation in transverse plane as ruled out the transverse dental compensation. The results were as follows: 1. There were no significant differences in any ratios between Class III hyperdivergent group and Class III neutral group as different vertical pattern. 2. As the ratios of dental arch width to basal arch width between normal occlusion group and Class III neutral group were compared, the maxillary teeth flared buccally to the basal bone, and the mandibular teeth tilted lingually to the basal bone in Class III neutral group. 3. The ratios of mandibular arch width to maxillary arch width in basal arch level were significantly different in all regions. Maxillary basal arch width of Class III neutral group was narrower than that of normal occlusion group. 4. The ratios of mandibular arch width to maxillary arch width in teeth level were not significantly different between normal occlusion group and Class III neutral group. In spite of discrepancies of maxillary and mandibular basal arch width, the dental arch width of Class III malocclusion group compensated very well. At the presurgical orthodontic treatment in clinic, it would not be desirable to decompensate for compensated dental arch width too much, for obtaining an appropriate arch compatibility and good results for orthognathic surgery.
Compensation and Redress ; Dental Arch* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Malocclusion* ; Orthognathic Surgery ; Tooth