OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of manganese on the brains of rats, and chronic exposure to manganese is known to induce Parkinsonism in human. METHODS: The rats were divided into three groups: the first group was a control group that was administrated normal saline, and the second group was subdivided into the low dose group (10 mg/kg) and the high dose group (40 mg/kg) according to the administered dose of manganese. The rats of each group received an injection of normal saline and manganese via a tail vein once a week for 4 weeks. The rats were sacraficed at 4 weeks after the first adminstration of manganese. Brain MR imaging was performed before the rats were killed. After the rats were killed, the concentration of blood manganese was measured, and pathologic examination of the brain was performed in all the groups. RESULTS: The concentration of blood manganese was increased proportionally to the administered dose. The signal intensity of the basal ganglia on the T1-weighted imaging of brain MRI was increased in accordance with the administered dose. The ratio of neuron/glial cells in the basal ganglia was decreased in the experiment group as compared to that of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the signal intensity and the damage of neurons in basal ganglia were increased according to the administered dose of manganese in rats.
Animals ; Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Manganese ; Neurons ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; Rats ; Veins

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of manganese on the brains of rats, and chronic exposure to manganese is known to induce Parkinsonism in human. METHODS: The rats were divided into three groups: the first group was a control group that was administrated normal saline, and the second group was subdivided into the low dose group (10 mg/kg) and the high dose group (40 mg/kg) according to the administered dose of manganese. The rats of each group received an injection of normal saline and manganese via a tail vein once a week for 4 weeks. The rats were sacraficed at 4 weeks after the first adminstration of manganese. Brain MR imaging was performed before the rats were killed. After the rats were killed, the concentration of blood manganese was measured, and pathologic examination of the brain was performed in all the groups. RESULTS: The concentration of blood manganese was increased proportionally to the administered dose. The signal intensity of the basal ganglia on the T1-weighted imaging of brain MRI was increased in accordance with the administered dose. The ratio of neuron/glial cells in the basal ganglia was decreased in the experiment group as compared to that of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the signal intensity and the damage of neurons in basal ganglia were increased according to the administered dose of manganese in rats.
Animals ; Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Manganese ; Neurons ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; Rats ; Veins

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to survey on the prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome(CTS) in high risk jobs(meat and fish processing plant and wood plant), by application of Nerve Conduction Study(NCS), a confirmatory diagnostic method. METHODS: Experimental group was 69 workers sampled from meat and fish processing plants and 17 workers sampled from wood plants, who were simple, repetitive workers using upper extremities and control group was 28 workers sampled from managers, secretaries and keepers. All employees were examined through work history, physical examination and NCS. RESULTS: 18 workers(26.09%) in meat and fish processing plants, and 5 workers(29.41%) in wood plants had compatible findings to NIOSH diagnostic criteria for CTS. The experimental group had more symptoms(complaint of upper extremities, Visual Analogue Scale >or= 4(VAS: total 10 point)), signs(Tinel and Phalen test) and prevalence of CTS than control group ( p<0.05). The prevalence of symptoms and signs were higher in short term worke r s (<7 years), but the prevalence of CTS was higher in long term workers(>or=7 years). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CTS in meat and fish processing plant and wood plant were 26.09% and 29.41% respectively. Authors propose that meat and fish processing and wood plants should be managed as a risk job category which were designated by OSHA in 1996
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* ; Meat ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) ; Neural Conduction ; Physical Examination ; Plants ; Prevalence* ; United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration ; Upper Extremity* ; Wood