Kainic acid[KA], a glutamic acid analogue, has been widely used as a excitotoxin in the study of neurotoxicity due to its ability to induce strong excitation and to increase intracellular calcium concentration of the mature central nervous system[CNS] neurons. However, it is not well known whether KA is also strongly cytotoxic to the neurons of the postnatal brain. We have injected KA into rats at different developmental stages and have investigated the changes in the expression of c-fos[transcriptional factor and a marker of neuronal activity], heat shock proetin 72[hsp 72, a neuronal injury marker], and glial fibrillary acidic protein[GFAP, a neuronal injury marker] mRNAs, which are known to be increased in KA-induced neurotoxicity, and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase [GAPDH, a house keeping gene] mRNAs with in situ hybridization histochemistry using specific riboprobes. The expression of c-fos mRNA was first identified in the CA3 area of hippocampus from 6hr after KA treatment in P7 rats. The c-fos mRNA-expressing area and the level of expression was gradually increased from P7 to adult. Hsp 72 mRNA was first expressed in the dentate gyrus and hippocampus from 6hr after KA treatment in P2l rats. In the adult rats, hsp 72 mRNA was broadly expressed in the brain at 2hr after KA treatment. The increase of GFAP mRNA expression was first identified in Pl4 rat brain from 6hrs after KA treatment, and by the development of brain it tends to appear earlier. The expression of GAPDH mRNA, however, did not show changes after KA treatment except for the adult rats showing a slight decrease at 12hr after KA treatment. These results suggest that KA may offer different level of cytotoxicity to the developing neurons by their developmental status and the difference may be correlated with the completion of synaptogenesis and increase of KA receptor.
Adult ; Animals ; Brain* ; Calcium ; Dentate Gyrus ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Glutamic Acid ; Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate ; Hippocampus ; Hot Temperature ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Kainic Acid* ; Neurons ; Neurotoxins ; Oxidoreductases ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger ; Shock

Recently, surmountable amounts of genes are being cloned without information about them and it has become neccessary to develop new techniques for discovering genes with more informaiion like as chromosomal location and possible functions. We have developed one such a method and applied it to search for genes that may be related with the neural development. The mRNAs were extracted from cerebral cortex of 18 week old human fetus, cDNAs were made by reverse transcription from these mRNAs and Uni-amp cDNAs having Uni-amp adapters at both ends were made for subsequent PCR. To observe the distribution of the Uni-amp cDNAs on the chromosome, fluorescent in situ hybridization was performed with biotin labeled Uni-amp cDNAs. Among the chromosome bands showing strong hybridization with the cDNAs, 7q22 was microdissected from the chromosome hybridized with unlabeled Uni-amp cDNAs and amplified by PCR with Uni-amp primers. These amplified cDNA fragment were subcloned to vectors and the nucleic acid sequences were analysed. As a result, 46 different clones were obtained. They were categorized as 12 clones of well characterized genes, 14 clones showing low homology with known genes, 13 clones of simply registered uncharacterized human cDNAs, 7 clones of unknown genes. In situ hybridization histochemistry of 34 novel genes, except 12 known genes, were performed on developing and adult rat tissue sections to see the tissue specificity and developmental expression of these genes. The expression of several novel genes were restricted to the nervous system. From these results, it may be suggested that our technique is very useful to clone the genes expressed in the developing human braine with confirmed chromosomal location. In addition, this cloning technique can be used to discover the new genes related with neural development in combination with functional screening methods.
Adult ; Animals ; Biotin ; Brain ; Cerebral Cortex ; Clone Cells ; Cloning, Organism ; DNA, Complementary* ; Fetus ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Mass Screening ; Microdissection ; Nervous System ; Organ Specificity ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rats ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Messenger

PURPOSE: Idoxifene is currently entering phase II clinical trials for the treatment of advanced breast cancer. The radiolabeled idoxifene using 123I provides an opportunity for clinical pharmacology with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The purpose of this study was to prepare radiolabeled idoxifene using 123I and to determine its cell uptake of breast cancer cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With a view to evaluating new anticancer drugs, we are investigating the novel antiestrogen pyrrolidino- 4-iodotamoxifen (idoxifene). [123I]Idoxifene has been prepared in no-carrier-added form using a tributyl stannylated precursor which has been synthesized by means of (2-chloroethoxy)benzene with (+/-)-2- phenylbutanoic acid on the basis of previously reported standard methods. The biodistribution and dynamic behavior of the compound were investigated using the comparative breast cancer cell line, MCF-7 (estrogen receptor-positive) and MDA-MB-468 (non-estrogen receptor). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Acylation of (2-chloroethoxy)benzene with (+/-)-2-phenylbutanoic acid gave the versatile ketone (81%) which reacted with 1,4-diiodobenzene to give triphenylethylene as a mixture of E and Z geometric isomers, which were separated by the recrystallization in ethanol. The E-isomer was treated with pyrrolidine to give idoxifene (67%). In order to incorporate radioactive iodine into the 4-position, the 4-stannylated precursor was prepared (30%). The yield of radioiodination was 90-92% with a high radiochemical purity greater than 98%. The ratio of tumor uptake of the breast cancer cell line between MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468 was about 1.7.
Acylation ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cell Line ; Estrogen Receptor Modulators ; Ethanol ; Iodine ; Pharmacology, Clinical ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Synovial sarcoma is a malignant soft tissue tumor originated from the primitive mesencymal cell. It occurs primarily in the extremities, especially in the lower extremities. Primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma has been rarely reported in literatures. We experienced a case of intrapulmonary synovial sarcoma with brain metastasis which originated from the lung.
Brain* ; Extremities ; Lower Extremity ; Lung ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Sarcoma ; Sarcoma, Synovial*

OBJECTIVES: Due to the heterogeneous receptor distribution and changes of receptor status over time, the biochemical measurement of estrogen receptor status of biopsy specimens is not sufficient to diagnose breast cancer. As a result, I-123 labeled estradiols have been applied for the diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to develop a suitable radioligand for imaging estrogen receptor-positive human breast tumors. METHODS: Among the various estradiol derivatives, 17alpha-[123I]iodovinyl estradiol ([123I]IVE) has been prepared from 17alpha-ethynyl estradiol. Labeling of E-17alpha-[123I]iodovinyl estradiol (E-[123I]IVE) was carried out using peracetic acid with [123I]NaI and Z-[123I]IVE labelling was archived using chloamine- T/HCl solution with [123I]NaI. Labeling yield was determined by silica thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and radiochemical purity was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The biodistribution of E-[123I]IVE was measured in immature female rats at 60 min, 120 min and 300 min after injection. RESULTS: The labeling yield of two isomers was 92% and 94% (E-[123I]IVE and Z-[123I]IVE, respectively). The radiochemical purity was more than 98% after purification. The highest uptake was observed at 120 min in uterus (3.11% ID/g for E-[123I]IVE). CONCLUSION: These results suggest the possibility of using E-[123I]IVE as an imaging agent for the evaluation of the presence of estrogen receptor in patients with breast cancer.
Animals ; Biopsy ; Breast Neoplasms ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Diagnosis ; Estradiol* ; Estrogens ; Female ; Humans ; Peracetic Acid ; Rats ; Silicon Dioxide ; Uterus

Prevalence of splenic infarction developed during acute pancreatitis is extremely rare. However, we recently experienced a case of 42-year-old woman who developed splenic infarction during acute alcoholic pancreatitis. There were sustained subjective symptoms and no resolution of image despite of conservative management, so we performed angiography to confirm whether vascular lesion existed or not. We found the significant celiac artery stenosis due to compression by median arcuate ligament and no visible thrombus. We report an unusual case of splenic infarction developed during acute recurrent pancreatitis possibly related with celiac artery stenosis.
Adult ; Angiography ; Celiac Artery* ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Female ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Pancreatitis* ; Pancreatitis, Alcoholic ; Prevalence ; Splenic Infarction* ; Thrombosis

Cardiac trauma from penetrating chest injury is a life-threatening condition. It was reported that < 10% of patients arrives at the emergency department alive. Penetrating chest injury can cause serious damage in more than 1 cardiac structure, including myocardial lacerations, ventricular septal defect (VSD), fistula between aorta and right cardiac chamber and valves. The presence of pericardial effusion (even a small amount) on the initial echocardiography might be the only clue to serious cardiac damage in the absence of definite evidence of anatomical defect in heart. We here present a case, in which clear diagnosis of VSD and pseudoaneurysmal formation was delayed a few days after penetrating chest injury due to the lack of anatomical evidence of damage.
Aneurysm, False ; Aorta ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Emergencies ; Fistula ; Heart ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans ; Lacerations ; Pericardial Effusion ; Thoracic Injuries ; Thorax

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Antibiotic prophylaxis of infective endocarditis is required before high-risk procedures in patient with high-risk heart diseases. Although guidelines for the prevention of infective endocarditis were proposed by the American Heart Association in 1997, compliance to these recommendations has not been evaluated in Korea. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, multicentered study in 8 Korean university hospitals. Patients with high-risk heart diseases, having undergone invasive dental procedures between Jan. 1, 2000 and Dec. 31, 2003, were enrolled. The medical and dental records of the patients were reviewed to evaluate whether the prophylaxis had been appropriate. RESULTS: Of the initial 4,912 patients, 184 that had been treated with invasive dental procedures (255 total episodes, mean 1.4/patient) were evaluated. The most common high-risk heart disease was a prosthetic heart valve (233 procedures), followed by a previous history of infective endocarditis (22 procedures), cyanotic heart diseases (5 procedures) and systemic pulmonic venous shunts (2 procedures). Antibiotic prophylaxis was performed in 231 procedures (90.8%). Amoxicillin was the most common antibiotic used for prophylaxis (88.6%); however, the adequate dosage (2 gm) was administered in only 56% of these cases. Therefore, the appropriate prophylaxis, according to the AHA recommendations, was performed in only 14.1% (36 procedures). The mean duration of prophylaxis and number of antibiotic doses were 2.40 days (2.40+/-2.44) and 7.97 doses (7.97+/-7.18), respectively. A previous history of infective endocarditis (p=0.03) and dental extraction (p<0.01) resulted in a longer duration of prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: Only 14.1% of the high risk group procedures were given appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis according to the AHA recommendations. These data suggest that protocol-based education of both doctors and patients is required for appropriate antimicrobial therapy during high-risk procedures for the prevention of infective endocarditis in patients with high-risk heart disease.
American Heart Association ; Amoxicillin ; Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Compliance ; Dental Records ; Education ; Endocarditis* ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Valves ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Korea ; Retrospective Studies

Chronic cough is common in the community and causes significant morbidity. Several factors may underlie this problem, but comorbid conditions located at sensory nerve endings that regulate the cough reflex, including rhinitis, rhinosinusitis, asthma, eosinophilic bronchitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, are considered important. However, chronic cough is frequently non-specific and accompanied by not easily identifiable causes during the initial evaluation. Therefore, there are unmet needs for developing empirical treatment and practical diagnostic approaches that can be applied in primary clinics. Meanwhile, in referral clinics, a considerable proportion of adult patients with chronic cough are unexplained or refractory to conventional treatment. The present clinical practice guidelines aim to address major clinical questions regarding empirical treatment, practical diagnostic tools for non-specific chronic cough, and available therapeutic options for chronic wet cough in children and unexplained chronic cough in adults in Korea.
Adult* ; Asthma ; Bronchitis ; Child* ; Cough* ; Eosinophils ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Korea* ; Referral and Consultation ; Reflex ; Rhinitis ; Sensory Receptor Cells