No abstract available.

In anesthetized cats the effects of lactate-activated muscle spindle upon the group Ia muscular afferent fibers were studied. Laminectomy was done from L5 to Sl spinal cord level. Extracellular recording was done at dorsal root to record the impulse discharge from group Ia muscular afferent fibers. 1) Muscle spindle of Gastrocnemius-Soleus muscle were activated by lactate injection and exhibited increased impulse discharge through group Ia muscular afferent fibers. 2) There was latency of 7-12 seconds before muscle spindle is activated by lactate injection. But the whole response was not dose related. 3) The response pattern after lactate injection was divided into three groups which were excitation, inhibition and inhibition with preceding excitation. 4) Some responses were similar to those of bradykinin, sympathetic stimulation (adrenaline injection) and succinylcholine injection. 5) It was suggested that muscle spindle has characteristics of polymodal receptor which has responses to not only mechanical stimulation but also chemical stimulation.
Animals ; Bradykinin ; Cats ; Lactic Acid ; Laminectomy ; Muscle Spindles ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; Stimulation, Chemical ; Succinylcholine

Despite advances in neurosurgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, the prognosis of patients with malignant brain tumors still remains grim. Considerable efforts have been made to develop new therapeutic strategies for malignant brain tumors. One of the promising new therapies for brain tumors is an intervention at molecular level, and several molecular approaches have been shown to have in vitro and in vivo activities. These include the use of retroviral vectors, herpes simplex viruses, adenoviral vectors in gene transfer, and antisense vectors and oligonucleotides. Preclinical studies of retroviral vector have already been extended to clinical trials, clearly demonstrating the clinical potential of these molecular therapies. Here, I discuss the current status of molecular therapy for brain tumors together with future directions for its development.
Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain* ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Neurosurgery ; Oligonucleotides ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense* ; Prognosis ; Simplexvirus ; Zidovudine

The p53 tumor suppressor gene is one of the genes with greatest therapeutic potential for cancer treatment and its growth inhibitory mechanism is thought to be mediated through the activation of its downstream mediator, WAF1/Clip1. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the replication-defective recombinant adenovirus expressing wild-type p53 gene(Ad5CMV-p53) in human glioma cell lines(U-251, LG) harboring mutant-type p53. beta-galactosidase histochemistry revealed that 90% of the U-251 and 42% the of LG cells are infected with the adenovirus at a multiplicity of infection(MOI) of 25 plaque-forming units(PFU)/cell. Immunoblot analyses showed that endogenous p53 protein is expressed at a high level, and significant exogenous p53 protein expression and WAF1/Clip 1 induction peaked on day 1 and day 3 after Ad5CMV-p53 treatment. Introduction of Ad5CMV-p53 inhibited the cell rowth of U-251(85% inhibition) and LG cells(36% inhibition), and influenced cell morphology. The optimal dose of Ad5CMV-p53 for the tumor cel ls growth inhibition was MOI of 10-40 PFU/cell. These results suggest that Ad5CMV-p53 infects human glioma cells and transduces the p53 gene with high efficiency, and could be further developed for the gene therapy of human gliomas.
Adenoviridae ; beta-Galactosidase ; Brain* ; Genes, p53* ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Genetic Therapy* ; Glioma* ; Humans*

PURPOSE: Renal transplantation which allows children normal growth and development and a return to normal life. is now proven to be the best modality for children with ESRD Up to Recently, the number of renal transplantations in Asia has rapidly increased and the outcome has also improved. This investigation was planned to estimate the current status of pediatric renal transplantation in Asia and to find the keys for better improvement of outcome in pediatric renal allograft in Asian countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The participating countries and institutions for this investigation were China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, KSPN (Korean Society of Pediatric Nephrology), KONOS (Korean Network for Organ Sharing). RESULTS: Many countries in Asia still do not have a well organized nation wide renal transplantation registration system independently in the pediatric field . So it's very difficult to evaluate the real state of pediatric transplantation among Asian countries. According to the estimation with fragmented data from each countries, in the front running countries of pediatric renal transplantation in Asia, about 40 or more transplants were performed in each country per year and the five year actuarial renal allograft survival was around 80% which is similar to that of western countries. But there were large gaps among the behind groups. CONCLUSION: Vigorous attempts to perform renal transplantation for children especially younger than 5 years old would be encouraged as well as organ donation from brain dead donor and non heart beating cadaveric donor also should be activated to cope effectively with the shortage of living donor supply. Large number of recent reports shows the favorable outcome of pre-emptive renal transplantation, we should make more efforts toward pre-emptive renal transplantation. First of all, in order to improve the outcome and to narrow the gap between Asian countries in pediatric renal transplantation, effective and continuous efforts to establish nationwide pediatric renal transplantation registration program as well as official, nation-to-nation data sharing program should be needed.
Allografts ; Asia* ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Brain Death ; Cadaver ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Growth and Development ; Heart ; Hong Kong ; Humans ; India ; Indonesia ; Information Dissemination ; Japan ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Korea ; Living Donors ; Malaysia ; Pakistan ; Philippines ; Running ; Singapore ; Thailand ; Tissue and Organ Procurement ; Tissue Donors

Sacral agenesis is a rare condition. This syndrome was first described by Hohl in 1852 and is usually associated with other anomalies such as vertebral deformities, deformed hypoplastic legs, urologic and gastrointestinal problems. We have experienced two cases of this deformity; one with partial sacral agenesis, and the other with partial lumbar agenesis and complete absence of sacrum.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Leg ; Sacrum

The laser is a new surgical modality that utilizes high intensity beams radiant energy to vaporize of coagulate tissue. Radiant energy is generated by stimulated emission of photons resulting in a unidirectional monochromatic beam that is temporary coherent small diameter beams of great power density are achievable by this means. The author reviewed 24 months experience with a CO2 laser involving neurosurgical operations to 45 neurosurgical lesion, i, e. brain tumor 25, intracerebral hemorrhage 15, cerebral paragonimiasis 1, cysticercosis 1, brain abscess 1, and arteriovenous malformation of brain 1 and spine 1 were removed with the use of Shaplan CO2 laser since 1981. We have conclude that there had been a significant reduction in blood loss and neurological morbidity though it was readily conceded that the number of operations were relatively small. The particular advantages of the combination of CO2 laser and microscope were felt to be precision reduction of mechanical trauma good hemostasis and low cost. Especially the blood loss and replacement during operation have been reduced.
Arteriovenous Malformations ; Brain ; Brain Abscess ; Brain Neoplasms ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Cysticercosis ; Hemostasis ; Lasers, Gas* ; Paragonimiasis ; Photons ; Spine

Tension pneumocephalus is an uncommon complication of transsphenoidal surgery. This rare complication may be caused by an external lumbar subarachnoid drainage(ELD) which is placed for the treatment of a cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) fistula. Most of the tension pneumocephalus which cause severe neurologic deterioration in itself require surgical treatment. However, the pneumocephalus may be resolved after removal of the spinal subarachnoid catheter in some cases. We report two cases of tension pneumocephalus which developed after transsphenoidal surgery for the pituitary adenoma and craniopharyngioma, and fully recovered with conservative treatment.
Catheters ; Craniopharyngioma ; Fistula ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Pneumocephalus*

A 59-year-old male patient had 5-month history of gait disturbance and memory impairment. His initial brain computed tomography scan showed 3.5x2.8 cm sized mass with high density in the pineal region. The tumor was hypointense on T2 weighted magnetic resonance images and hyperintense on T1 weighted magnetic resonance images with heterogenous enhancement of central portion. The tumor was totally removed via the occipital transtentorial approach. Black mass was observed in the operation field, and after surgery, histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Whole spine magnetic resonance images and whole body 18-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography could not demonstrate the primary site of this melanoma. Scrupulous physical examination of his skin and mucosa was done and dark pigmented lesion on his left leg was found, but additional studies including magnetic resonance images and skin biopsy showed negative finding. As a result, final diagnosis of primary pineal malignant melanoma was made. He underwent treatment with the whole brain radiotherapy and extended local boost irradiation without chemotherapy. His preoperative symptoms were disappeared, and no other specific neurological deficits were founded. His follow-up image studies showed no recurrence or distant metastasis until 26 weeks after surgery. Primary pineal malignant melanomas are extremely rare intracranial tumors, and only 17 cases have been reported since 1899. The most recent case report showed favorable outcome by subtotal tumor resection followed by whole brain and extended local irradiation without chemotherapy. Our case is another result to prove that total tumor resection with radiotherapy can be the current optimal treatment for primary malignant melanoma in the pineal region.
Biopsy ; Brain ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gait ; Humans ; Leg ; Male ; Melanoma* ; Memory ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Physical Examination ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Spine

In 1960, Tskimoto first mentioned the spinal cord lesions caused by compression of posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL), thereafter, hundreds of cases have been reported. There are, however, some controversial opinions concerning the mechanisms of the formation and development of OPLL and questions why a special ligaments, posterior longitudinal ligaments can be calcified, enlarged and compress the cord. And also, there have been many reports describing various surgical method that could manage OPLL, but the OPLL still has many problems in surgical treatment. Recently, the neurosurgical team at the St. Pauls Hospital, encountered and operated on 7 cases of OPLL at cervical area. After all dignostic tests and examinations were done, the morphological classification, combined other lesions and pathological status were verified and analyzed during treatment. The different surgical methods were taken case by case. The authors would like to share with you our experiences of the surgical methods, indications of operation the results and the progrosis of treatment in OPLL.
Classification ; Ligaments ; Longitudinal Ligaments ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament* ; Spinal Cord