In order to examine the neurotoxic mechanism of oxygen radicals on cultured bovine oligodendrocytes, cytoxic effect of oxygen radicals was examined when cultures were treated with various concentrations of xanthine oxidase (XO) and hypoxanthine (HX) in culture medium. In addition, the neuroprotective effect of iron-chelators against the neurotoxicity induced by oxygen radicals was evaluated by MTT assay. Cell viability was remarkably decreased in a time-dependent manner after exposure of cultured bovine oligodendrocytes to 20mU/ml XO and 0.1mM HX for 4 hours. In the neuroprotective effect of iron-chelators on oxidant-induced neurotoxicity, tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN) blocked the neurotoxicity induced by oxygen radicals, while DFX was not effective in blocking oxidant-induced neurotoxicity in these cultures. These results suggest that oxygen radicals are toxic in cultured bovine oligodendrocytes, and also selective iron-chelators such as TPEN are effective in blocking the neurotoxicity induced by oxygen radicals.
Allopurinol* ; Cell Survival ; Hypoxanthine ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Oligodendroglia ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Xanthine Oxidase

One hundred and thirty-eight strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from the 7th nationwide tuberculosis prevalence survey in 1995 were subjected to the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using IS6110 probe to define the representative fingerprinting patterns of Korean strains of M. tuberculosis and to evaluate the usefulness of DNA fingerprinting in tracing the transmission link of M. tuberculosis. Among 138 strains, 129 different IS6l10 RFLP types were identified. The number of bands in IS6110 RFLP types diversed from 1 to 20, and the majority (75%) was 9 to 14 bands. The RFLP patterns of 8 out of 15 strains isolated from the follow-up survey of one and half year later after the 7th national TB prevalence survey were unchanged when compared with previous RFLP patterns. Fifteen (11%) out of 138 strains were grouped in 6 IS6110 clusters; 2 with 10 copies, 2 with 12 copies, 1 with 14 copies, and 1 with 17 copies. These clusters were unable to be subclassified by IS1081 or (GTG) probes except one cluster by pTBN12 probe. The transmission links of 2 clusters were deducible; one from household and another from neighborhood, but those of remaining clusters were unclear because they had no contact one another. The results suggest that vigorous transmissions in tuberculosis are still progressing in Korea.
Dermatoglyphics ; DNA Fingerprinting* ; DNA* ; Family Characteristics ; Follow-Up Studies ; Korea ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Prevalence* ; Residence Characteristics ; Tuberculosis*

Merkel cell carcinoma is a skin disease that rarely involves the spine. The common presentation of spinal involvement is quite confusing and may be easily misdiagnosed. However, once it spreads, the disease progresses rapidly, with an extremely poor outcome. We report on the case of a 30-year-old male with cervical spinal metastasis of Merkel cell carcinoma causing quadriparesis.
Adult ; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Quadriplegia ; Skin Diseases ; Spine

PURPOSE: The analysis of recurring chromosome aberrations has become an integral part of the diagnostic and prognostic workup of many human cancers, and their molecular analyses have facilitated the identification of genes related to the pathogenesis of cancer But the technical limitation of conventional cytogenetic method makes unable us to characterize all recognizable chromosome rearrangements. The generation of chromosome region specific painting probe by PCR amplification of microdissected chromosomal DNA has proven extremely useful in identification of chromosomal derivation for marker chromosomes which are indeterminable by routine chromosome banding analysis. In this study we have constructed and analyzed the band-specific painting probe for unidentified marker chromosomes of renal cell carcinoma cell line, Caki-1 to determine the derivative chromosomes and the painting probes applied to CURC-II to compare the marker chromosomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microdissection was performed on 9q+ and unidentified one of Caki-1, and chromosomal BNAs were amplified by PCR using topoisomerase I and T7 DNA polymerase. Fluorescent in situ hybridization was conducted with biotin labeled PCR products to normal, Caki-1 and CURC- II metaphase chromosomes. RESULTS: With this method, it was possible to construct the band-specific painting probes for markers and the probes hybridized specifically to the dissected regions and derivative chromosomes. The 9q+ and unidentified one were identified as t(9;17)(q34;q21) and t(15;20) respectively. The marker chromosomes - t(9;I 7), der(1 ;17)(ql0;q10), t(15;20), t(?;15), der(1 ;20), t(14;89) were examined same in Caki-1 and CURC-II. CONCLUSIONS: Thus this methodological advance significantly extends the limits of conventional cytogenetic analysis by enabling the analysis of unknown chromosome regions, and these painting probes can be applied to detect the similar marker chromosomes in renal cell carcinoma, and the probe pools for markeys may be used to identify the cancer-relevant genes.
Biotin ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Cell Line* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Banding ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Cytogenetics ; DNA ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type I ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Metaphase ; Microdissection* ; Paint ; Paintings ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

PURPOSE: This examined the effect of Kinesio taping pre-intervention on the pain, tenderness, proprioceptive sensation, and muscle strength associated with delayed onset muscle soreness. METHODS: Thirty subjects were divided into a Kinesio taping application group of 15 subjects and a control non-taped group of 15 subjects, and the changes in individual variables were analyzed before taping and at 24, 48, and 72 hours after taping using two-way repeated ANOVA. Post-hoc t-tests were conducted in the cases with intergroup interactions, and the significance level α was set to α=0.01. RESULTS: The changes in pain during rest were significantly different only for the times, while the changes in pain during exercise were significantly different for the times, interactions between the times and groups, and intergroup changes (p<0.05). The changes in tenderness were significantly different for the times and for interactions between the times and groups (p<0.05). The changes in proprioceptive sensation were significantly different for the times, interactions between times and groups, and intergroup changes (p<0.05). The changes in muscle strength were significantly different only for the times (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The application of Kinesio taping had positive effects on the pain, tenderness, and proprioceptive sensation of delayed onset muscle soreness. These results suggest that Kinesio taping can be a useful therapeutic factor in future studies and in clinical settings.
Muscle Strength ; Myalgia ; Proprioception ; Sensation

Infection of the lids by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis is uncommon. It usually arises by local extension from the skin adjacent to the lid, but it occasionally arises from the conjunctiva or hematogenous spread. Primary infection of the eyelid by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is very rare. The lid lesion shows brownish red papule that develops into an indurated nodule or plaque; it is occasionally associated with skin ulceration and regional lymphadenopathy. The diagnosis is established through specific histopathologic findings, tuberculin skin testing, and the stain and culture of acid-fast bacilli. It is also done indirectedly through the response to anti-tuberculosis medications. The regimen for treatment of tuberculosis is isoniazid and rifampin taken daily for 6 months. The authors experienced a case of tuberculosis of the lid which occurred in a 4 year-old female whose skin of the upper and lower eyelids showed brownish red nodules and which was treated with anti-tuberculosis medications.
Child, Preschool ; Conjunctiva ; Diagnosis ; Eyelids ; Female ; Humans ; Isoniazid ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Rifampin ; Skin ; Skin Tests ; Skin Ulcer ; Tuberculin ; Tuberculosis*

No abstract available.
Thymus Hyperplasia*

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical features of periorbital spasm and facial asymmetry in the patients who recovered poorly from Bell's palsy and facial trauma and to investigate the effect of Botulinum toxin A as a treatment for periorbital spasm and facial asymmetry. METHODS: Between November 2001 and January 2010, Botulinum toxin injection was performed in 17 patients who had blepharospasm and facial asymmetry following poor recovery from facial palsy. The past history, trauma history, clinical manifestation of blepharospasm, Botulinum toxin A injection dose, injection site, frequency of injection, and duration of effect was evaluated. Data was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, SPSS 12.0. RESULTS: The mean number of injections was 2.7 +/- 2.4 times and the mean dose per injection unit was 12.2 +/- 1.2 units. The Botulinum toxin effect lasted 6.9 +/- 5.5 months in Bell's palsy patients, and 8.0 +/- 4.2 months in trauma patients. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups. Most patients reported improvement of periorbital spasm and facial asymmetry. After treatment, 1 patient complained of epiphora and 1 patient complained of ptosis; conservative treatment was performed for these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Blepharospasm can be treated and a cosmetic improvement in facial symmetry can be achieved by Botulinum toxin A injection in the patients who recover poorly from facial palsy.
Bell Palsy ; Blepharospasm ; Botulinum Toxins ; Cosmetics ; Facial Asymmetry ; Facial Nerve ; Facial Paralysis ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases ; Paresis ; Spasm ; Synkinesis

No abstract available.

By using (99m)Tc-Pertechnetate, we evaluated the thyroid function of 136 persons with uptake slopeindex(U.S.I.) which was calculated by computerized dynamic flow study. Also, we compared our results of U.S.I.with those of established ¹³¹I-24 hr uptake % in given materials by comparative analysis of their correlation with the hormonal values of T3, T4, Free T4. The results wre as follows: 1. The U.S.I. of euthyroidismal group and hyperthyrodismal group were 4.87±2.26, 27.67±9.56 respectively. The ¹³¹I-24 hr uptake % of above groups were29.22±10.23, and 71.45±15.51. So the differentiation of the two groups could be done more easily by using (99m)Tc-Pertenchnetate U.S.I. than by using ¹³¹I-24 hr uptake %. 2. The correlation rates between (99m)Tc-Pertechnetate U.S.I. and other laboratory hormon levels, T3, T4, Free T4, ar almost parallel with thosebetweeen ¹³¹I-24 hr uptake % and the values of T3, T4, Free T4. Also the direct correlation rate between (99m)Tc-Pertechnetate U.S.I. and ¹³¹I-24 hr uptake % was 0.898. So, the method of thyroidal function evaluation by (99m)Tc-Pettechnetate U.S.I. is very reliable. 3. The (99m)Tc-Pertechnetate U.S.I. is very helpful to evaulate thefunctions of each lobe respectively incases of having obviously different radioactivity between both lobes. 4. (99m)Tc-Pertechnetate used dynamic thyroid function study and scan can be performed during the short time without preparation and especially helpful in debilitating patient and patients under antithyroid drug therapy, who need repetitive follow-up examination.
Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Methods ; Radioactivity ; Thyroid Gland