• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.113-117
• /
• 2000

Objective : Asymptomatic cyst of the pineal gland is a common incidental finding in adults on computerized tomography or magnetic resonance image(MRI) or at postmortem examination. This study was conducted to identify MRI findings of the benign pineal cysts and to determine the proper management of asymptomatic pineal cysts. Methods : From January 1995 to March 1999, 13 cases of asymptomatic pineal cysts were diagnosed incidentally on MRI. The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 43 years(ranged 8 to 69 years). Five patients were females and eight patients were males. We analyzed the clinical presentations and MRI findings. Results : Clincal features were not related to pineal cysts in all 13 cases included posttraumatic headache in seven cases, headache related to brain tumor in two cases, one of facial palsy, one of diabetic neuropathy, and two of other diseases. MRI demonstrated a well-demarcated mass lesion(mean 1.3cm in diameter) of low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI, performed in 10 cases, demonstrated a rim enhancement. Hydrocephalus was not present in all cases. Follow-up MRI(ranged 12 to 36 months) obtained in 3 of the 13 patients showed stability of cyst size. After symptomatic treatment, presenting symptoms were resolved in all patients and symptom related to pineal cysts have not been developed during follow up period(mean 27 months). Conclusion : The long-term behavior of asymptomatic pineal cysts is still unknown. But we advocate conservative management of these benign pineal cysts that may be developmental variants of normal pineal gland.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.57-66
• /
• 2005

Objectives : We examined the effects of electroacupuncture on the cholecystokinin-octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis in rats. Methods : Rats were administered with $75{\mu}g/kg$ cholecystokinin-octapeptide subcutaneously three times (1, 3 and 5h after shaving) for 5days. Three days after finishing cholecystokinin-octapeptide administration, high frequency electroacupuncture (100Hz) and low frequency electroacupuncture (2Hz) were applied to acupoint equivalent to ST36 (Zusanli) for 7 days. The author determined the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio, the levels of pancreatic heat shock protein HSP60 and HSP72. The author also assay the secretion of ${\beta}-amylase$, lipase and pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum. Repeated cholecysokinin-octapeptide treatment resulted in the typical laboratory and morphological changes of experimentally induced pancreatitis. Results : Eelectroacupuncture significantly decreased the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio in cholecystokinin-octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis, increased the pancreatic levels of HSP60 and HSP72, and decreased ${\beta}-amylase$ and lipase levels in cholecystokinin-octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis. Additionally, the secretion of $Interleukin-1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ was decreased in the animals treated with electroacupuncture. Conclusion : These results suggest that electroacupuncture may have protective effects against cholecystokinin-octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.94-101
• /
• 2018

Background: Atrophy of muscle and fat often contributes to temporal hollowing after pterional craniotomy. However, the main cause is from the bony defect. Several methods to prevent temporal hollowing have been introduced, all with specific limitations. Autologous bone grafts are most ideal for cranial defect reconstruction. The authors investigated the effectiveness of bony defect coverage and temporal augmentation using pterional craniotomy bone flap. Methods: This study was conducted in 100 patients who underwent brain tumor excision through pterional approach from 2015 to 2016. Group 1 underwent pterional craniotomy with temporal augmentation and group 2 without temporal augmentation. In group 1, after splitting the calvarial bone at the diploic space, the inner table was used for covering the bone defect and as an onlay graft for temporal augmentation. The outcome is evaluated by computed tomography at 1-year follow-up. Results: The mean operative time for temporal augmentation was 45 minutes. The mean follow-up was 12 months. The ratio of temporal thickness of operated side to non-operated side was 0.99 in group 1 and 0.44 in group 2, which was statistically different. The mean visual analogue scale score was 1.77 in group 1 and 6.85 in group 2. Conclusion: This study demonstrated a surgical technique using autologous bone graft for successfully preventing the temporal hollowing and improved patient satisfaction.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.59 no.6
• /
• pp.262-270
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) leads to right ventricular failure (RVF) as well as an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. Our purpose was to study the effect of sildenafil on right ventricular remodeling in a rat model of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced RVF. Methods: The rats were distributed randomly into 3 groups. The control (C) group, the monocrotaline (M) group (MCT 60 mg/kg) and the sildenafil (S) group (MCT 60 mg/kg+ sildenafil 30 mg/kg/day for 28 days). Masson Trichrome staining was used for heart tissues. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining were performed. Results: The mean right ventricular pressure (RVP) was significantly lower in the S group at weeks 1, 2, and 4. The number of intra-acinar arteries and the medial wall thickness of the pulmonary arterioles significantly lessened in the S group at week 4. The collagen content also decreased in heart tissues in the S group at week 4. Protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X, caspase-3, Bcl-2, interleukin (IL)-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), endothelin (ET)-1 and ET receptor A (ERA) in lung tissues greatly decreased in the S group at week 4 according to immunohistochemical staining. According to Western blotting, protein expression levels of troponin I, brain natriuretic peptide, caspase-3, Bcl-2, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, IL-6, MMP-2, eNOS, ET-1, and ERA in heart tissues greatly diminished in the S group at week 4. Conclusion: Sildenafil alleviated right ventricular hypertrophy and mean RVP. These data suggest that sildenafil improves right ventricular function.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.261-263
• /
• 2009

Methylprednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid which is usually taken intravenously for many neurosurgical diseases which cause edema including brain tumor, and trauma including spinal cord injury. Methylprednisolone reduces swelling and decreases the body's immune response. It is also used to treat many immune and allergic disorders, such as arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, asthma, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. To identify genes expressed during methylprednisolone treatment against neurons of rats (PC12 cells), DNA microarray method was used. We have isolated 2 gene groups (up- or down-regulated genes) which are methylprednisolone differentially expressed in neurons. Lipocalin 3 is the gene most significantly increased among 772 up-regulated genes (more than 2 fold over-expression) and Aristaless 3 is the gene most dramatically decreased among 959 down-regulated genes (more than 2 fold down-expression). The gene increased expression of Fgb, Thbd, Cfi, F3, Kngl, Serpinel, C3, Tnfrsf4 and Il8rb are involved stress-response gene, and Nfkbia, Casp7, Pik3rl, I11b, Unc5a, Tgfb2, Kitl and Fgf15 are strongly associated with development. Cell cycle associated genes (Mcm6, Ccnb2, Plk1, Ccnd1, E2f1, Cdc2a, Tgfa, Dusp6, Id3) and cell proliferation associated genes (Ccl2, Tnfsf13, Csf2, Kit, Pim1, Nr3c1, Chrm4, Fosl1, Spp1) are down-regulated more than 2 times by methylprednisolone treatment. Among the genes described above, 4 up-regulated genes are confirmed those expression by RT-PCR. We found that methylprednisolone is related to expression of many genes associated with stress response, development, cell cycle, and cell proliferation by DNA microarray analysis. However, We think further experimental molecular studies will be needed to figure out the exact biological function of various genes described above and the physiological change of neuronal cells by methylprednisolone. The resulting data will give the one of the good clues for understanding of methylprednisolone under molecular level in the neurons.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.383-389
• /
• 2017

Dexmedetomidine is an ${\alpha}2$-adrenergic receptor agonist that exhibits a protective effect on ischemia-reperfusion injury of the heart, kidney, and other organs. In the present study, we examined the neuroprotective action and potential mechanisms of dexmedetomidine against ischemia-reperfusion induced cerebral injury. Transient focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by middle cerebral artery occlusion. After the ischemic insult, animals then received intravenous dexmedetomidine of $1{\mu}g/kg$ load dose, followed by $0.05{\mu}g/kg/min$ infusion for 2 h. After 24 h of reperfusion, neurological function, brain edema, and the morphology of the hippocampal CA1 region were evaluated. The levels and mRNA expressions of interleukin-$1{\beta}$, interleukin-6 and tumor nevrosis factor-${\alpha}$ as well as the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, nuclear factor-${\kappa}Bp65$, inhibitor of ${\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and phosphorylated of ${\kappa}B{\alpha}$ in hippocampus were assessed. We found that dexmedetomidine reduced focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting the expression and release of inflammatory cytokines and mediators. Inhibition of the nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ pathway may be a mechanism underlying the neuroprotective action of dexmedetomidine against focal cerebral I/R injury.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.206-210
• /
• 2007

Turcot syndrome is characterized by the concurrence of a primary neuroepithelial brain tumor and multiple colorectal polyposis. We report a case of a 24-year-old woman diagnosed with Turcot syndrome. At first, the patient was diagnosed as having a medulloblastoma after a tumorectomy of the 4th ventricle mass. The patient underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy. After high-dose chemotherapy, neutropenic fever and severe mucositis developed. For an evaluation of the persistent hematochezia and diarrhea, a colonoscopy was performed. It revealed pseudomembranous colitis and multiple polyps in the entire colon. According to the family history, her father had undergone a total colectomy due to colon cancer and polyposis of the entire colon. Her brother also was found to have multiple polyps in the colon by a colonoscopy. The patient was diagnosed with Turcot syndrome.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.113-116
• /
• 2013

Alexander disease is a rare degenerative leukodystrophy caused by dominant mutations in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The neonatal form of Alexander disease may manifest as frequent and intractable seizures or obstructive hydrocephalus, with rapid progression leading to severe disability or death within two years. We report a case of a 50-day-old male who presented with intractable seizures and obstructive hydrocephalus. His initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggested a tumor-like lesion in the tectal area causing obstructive hydrocephalus. Despite endoscopic third ventriculostomy and multiple administrations of antiepileptic drugs, the patient experienced intractable seizures with rapid deterioration of his clinical status. After reviewing serial brain MRI scans, Alexander disease was suspected. Subsequently, we confirmed the de novo missense mutation in GFAP (c.1096T>C, Y366H). Although the onset was slightly delayed from the neonatal period (50 days old), we concluded that the overall clinical features were consistent with the neonatal form of Alexander disease. Furthermore, we also suspected that a Y366 residue might be closely linked to the neonatal form of Alexander disease based on a literature review.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.29-37
• /
• 1997

Protein Kinase C (PKC) is generally believed to play a central role in signal transduction, cellular growth control, gene expression, and tumor promotion. And it has been suggested that inhibitors of PKC might play important roles for the prevention and treatment of cancer. In order to investigate the possible inhibitors of PKC from natural products, PKC receptor binding assay was performed using bovine brain particulate as a source of PKC and the amount of $[^3H]Phorbol$ 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) bound to PKC was measured in the presence of test materials. Total methanol extracts from 100 kinds of natural products were partitioned into 3 fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous layer) and their binding ability to the regulatory domain of PKC was evaluated. The ethyl acetate fractions of Morus alba $(roots,\;IC_{50}:\;156.6\;{\mu}g/ml)$, Rehmannia glutinosa $(roots,\;IC_{50}:\;134.3\;{\mu}g/ml)$, Lysimachia foenum-graecum $(roots,\;IC_{50}:\;167.8\;{\mu}g/ml)$, Polygonum cuspidata $(roots,\;IC_{50}:\;157.3\;{\mu}g/ml)$, Cnidium officinale $(aerial\;parts,\;IC_{50}:\;145.2\;{\mu}g/ml)$, and the hexane $(IC_{50}:\;179.3\;{\mu}g/ml)$ and the EtOAc fraction of Symplocarpus nipponicus $(roots,\;IC_{50}:\;155.9\;{\mu}g/ml)$ showed inhibitory activity of $[^3H]PDBu$ binding to PKC.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.155-160
• /
• 2018

A 6-year-old intact female Shih-tzu dog was referred due to anorexia. Physical examination, complete blood count, serum chemical analysis, radiography, and ultrasonography were evaluated. Physical examination and hematological analysis showed normal findings. Abdominal radiographs and ultrasound revealed well-defined masses in the spleen. Other abdominal organs showed no significant abnormalities. Tissue samples taken via sono-guided fine needle aspiration of the splenic mass showed many bare nuclei, which were variable in size. Results of histopathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses performed after splenectomy were consistent with paraganglioma. Based on these findings, we diagnosed this patient with a paraganglioma of splenic origin. Two months after splenectomy, abdominal ultrasonography revealed a new neoplastic lesion in the liver. The clients refused further management and the patient expired three months after initial diagnosis. Necropsy as well as histopathological and IHC examinations of other systemic organs including the liver, adrenal gland, kidney, brain, urinary bladder, lung, aortic body, carotid body, and pancreas were performed. The neoplastic tissue in the liver also demonstrated features of a paraganglioma, and there were no remarkable findings in all other organs.