• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.240-245
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• 2005

Herein is described the successful treatment of complex regional pain syndrome type II with the combination treatment of spinal cord stimulation and radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the lumbar sympathetic ganglion. A 62 years old male patient, suffering from CRPS type II in his left lower extremity, visited our pain clinic. Medication and nerve blockade produced only slight improvement in his symptoms and signs. Therefore, a linear type spinal cord simulator was inserted into the thoracic epidural space, using a non-surgical percutaneous approach, with the cephalad lead located at the T11 level. Two months later, the repositioning of the electrode to the T12 level for more effective pain control, with radiofrequency thermocoagulation of lumbar sympathetic ganglion also performed at the left L2 and 3 levels for the control of trophic change. These resulted in significant pain relief and decreased trophic change, with no complications, after which the patient was able to resume a normal life.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.142-146
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• 2010

Background: Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is known to increase blood flow to the innervations area of the stellate ganglion. Near infrared spectroscopy reflects an increased blood volume and allows continuous, non-invasive, and bedside monitoring of regional cerebral oxygen saturation ($rSO_2$). We investigated the influence of SGB on bilateral cerebral oxygenation using a near infrared spectroscopy. Methods: SGB was performed on 30 patients with 1% lidocaine 10 ml using a paratracheal technique at the C6 level and confirmed by the presence of Horner's syndrome. The blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and rSO2 were measured before SGB and 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes after SGB. Tympanic temperature of each ear was measured prior to SGB and 20 minutes after SGB. Results: The increments of the $rSO_2$ on the block side from the baseline were statistically significant at 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes. The $rSO_2$ on the non-block side compared with the baseline, however, decreased at 15 and 20 minutes. The difference between the block and the non-block sides was significant at 15 and 20 minutes. The BP at 10, 15 and 20 minutes was increased and the HR was increased at 10 and 15 minutes. Conclusions: We observed an increment of the $rSO_2$ on the block side from the baseline; however, the $rSO_2$ on the non-block side decreased.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.122-129
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• 2013

Immature ganglion cell (IGC) is known for its relationship with intestinal motility and its impact on postoperative functional outcomes of Hirschsprung's disease (HD). There are few studies on the relationship between intestinal dysmotility and IGC in HD patients. 67 patients pathologically diagnosed with HD and who received definitive operation in Seoul National University Children's Hospital from 2010 to 2011 were included. 10 patients were excluded due to inadequate immunohistochemical staining results. The proximal end of resected ganglionic segment was evaluated with immunohistochemistry examination with MAP-2, a marker of ganglionic cells and bcl-2, a marker of IGCs The median age at operation was 155 (15-4678) day-old. 55 (96.5%) patients positive for bcl-2, were regarded as having IGC, and 2 (3.5%) patients positive for MAP-2 but negative for bcl-2, were regarded as having only mature ganglion cells. In the bcl-2 positive group, there were 7 patients (12.7%) with constipation, 15 patients (27.3%) with soiling, 3 patients (5.5%) with perianal excoriation and 6 patients (10.9%) with medication use. In bcl-2 negative group, intestinal dysmotility was not seen. There was no statistical significance in the two groups. Considering that HD is diagnosed at a young age, the rate of IGC present is very high and it might be inappropriate to relate IGC to functional outcome at young ages.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2003

Purpose: To analyze the clinical results of excision of the symptomatic or recurred ganglion cysts of the foot and ankle. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one cases of the ganglions located in the foot and ankle area were followed for more than 12 months postoperatively. There were 9 males and 12 females, and the mean age was 42.3 years (range, 11-71 years). The mean duration of follow-up was 2.3 years (range, 1.1-4.1 years). Clinically previous treatment, size and location of the cyst, preoperative and postoperative AOFAS foot score, postoperative complication and satisfaction of patients were evaluated. Results: As a previous treatment, 7 patients received mean 1.3 bouts of aspirations, and 6 patients were recurred after mean 1.5 bouts of operations. The size of cyst ranged from 1.4 cm to 5.1 cm with the mean size of 2.7 cm. The cyst was most common in the dorsum of the foot and ankle, where 14 cases were found. Preoperative mean AOFAS foot. scores were low in the cysts associated with the tarsal tunnel syndrome, which was 71 points, and in the cyst of the plantar aspect of the 1st toe, which was 79 points. Postoperative mean AOFAS foot scores were significantly increased to 91 points and 92 points in preceding two groups. There were 2 cases (9.5%) of recurrence, both of which had satellite mass along the tendon sheath. Conclusion: Care should be taken in the diagnosis and treatment of ganglions in the tarsal tunnel and in the plantar aspect of the 1st toe. In case of ganglion cysts originated from the tendon sheath, consideration should be given for possible satellite mass.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.77-86
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• 2012

The morphological and histologic differentiation of the central nervous system (CNS) in the wolf spider Arctosa kwangreungensis with respect to postembryonic development are studied using light and scanning electron microscopes. The organization of CNS which consisted of supraesophageal ganglion (SpG) and subesophageal ganglion (SbG) are established prior to the postembryo stage. The brain of first instar spiderling after a molt of the postembryo is also made up of supraesophageal ganglion and subesophageal ganglion. Although development of the optic nerve and optic lobe in SpG are not completed during the postembryoic stage, completion of whole neural system resemble to that of adult are established during the second instar stage. In particular, optic gangalion is developed from the undifferentiated cell clusters of the SpG, moreover four pairs of appendage ganglia and another pairs of abdominal ganglia are produced from the SbG. Nerve cells of the most developing stages are composed of typical monopolar neur1ons, and total three types of neurons can be identified through the histological and morphological basis of present study. These cell clusters are differentiated into neurons and grow dendritic fibers according to further development of the CNS.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 2024

Background: Mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are complex and the current knowledge cannot explain. Growth and regeneration of dendrites together with synaptic formation are the most important parameters for evaluating the cellular protective effects of various molecules. The effect of ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) on the growth of retinal ganglion cell processes has been poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on the neurite growth of RGCs. Methods: Expression of proteins and mRNA were detected by Western blot and qPCR. cAMP levels were determined by ELISA. In vivo effects of Rg1 on RGCs were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin, and immunohistochemistry staining. Results: This study found that Rg1 promoted the growth and synaptic plasticity of RGCs neurite by activating the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathways. Meanwhile, Rg1 upregulated the expression of GAP43, Rac1 and PAX6, which are closely related to the growth of neurons. Meantime, H89, an antagonist of PKA, could block this effect of Rg1. In addition, we preliminarily explored the effect of Rg1 on enhancing the glycolysis of RGCs, which could be one of the mechanisms for its neuroprotective effects. Conclusion: Rg1 promoted neurite growth of RGCs through cAMP/PKA/CREB pathways. This study may lay a foundation for its clinical use of optic nerve diseases in the future.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.101-108
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• 2001

Five kinds of neurosecretory cells (type-A, B, C, D and E) and neuropiles surrounding them were observed in the visceral ganglion and the right parietal ganglion of the African giant snail, Achatina fulica, by transmission electron microscopy. Type-A cells (diameter, $35{\mu}m$) are the most popular cells in the cortex of the two ganglions, which are of triangular or irregular forms. In their cytoplasm, there are found large granules of 1 fm in diameters and small round granules of about $0.1{\mu}m$ in diameters. Small granules are classified into the ones of high electron density and the others of middle electron density. Type-B cells (diameter, $19\times12{\mu}m$) are evenly distributed over various portions of cortex and medulla of the two ganglions. They are similar to type-A cells in shapes. The cytoplasm of type-B cells is crowded with high electron dense granules of about $0.1{\mu}m$. Round granules of about $0.7{\mu}m$ in diameters are also found but rarely. Type-C cells are the smallest cells whose sizes are about $8\times6{\mu}m$. Each of them contains a large nucleus of about $6\times5{\mu}m$. Its cytoplasm is full of electron dense granules of about $0.23{\mu}m$, each of which is artually an assembly of tiny granules of about $0.03{\mu}m$. Type-D cells are middle-size cells of about $28\times20{\mu}m$, which take ellipsoidal or irregular forms. They are found in the cortex more than in the medulla. Their cytoplasm looks dark due to the high electron density and, in it, two kinds of round granules whose sizes are $1.6{\mu}m$fm and $0.6{\mu}m$, respectively, are observed. Type-E cells are large cells of about $100\times50{\mu}m$, which are rarely found in the upper and middle portions of the two ganglions. The nucleus of the cell, which is very large $(70\times30{\mu}m)$ for the cytoplasm, contains electron dense round granules of diverse sizes (diameters, $1\sim0.2{\mu}m$). The surface of the cell protrudes filopodia of various forms and phagocytizes decrepit cells. Neuropiles are surrounding the neurosecretory cells. In nerve fibers, synaptic vesicles are observed, which are classified into six classes according to their electron densities , sizes and shapes.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.303-313
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• 1999

In this paper, five kinds of neurosecretory cells-light green (LG) cell, dark green (DG) cell, caudo-dorsal (CD) cell, blue green (BG) cell, and yellow (Y) cell- and neuropils in the cerebral ganglion of the African giant snail, Achatina fulica, were observed with an electron microscope. The following results were obtained. The LG cells are circular or ovoid in shape, and about $60{\mu}m$ in size. The nucleus and cytoplasm of the LG cell look light due to their electron-low density. Large granular chromatins are evenly developed in the karyolymph, where round nucleoli are also found. In the cytoplasm, electron -high dense round granules of $0.4{\mu}m$ in average size are crowded. The DG cells are ovoid in shape, and $50\sim20{\mu}m$ in size. These relatively electron-high dense cells were rarely found. In their cytoplasm, cell organelles such as rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria are found together with electron -high dense round granules of $0.2{\mu}m$ in average size. The CD cells are ellipsoidal cells densely distributed in caudo-dorsal parts of the cerebral ganglion. They have large nuclei compared with the cytoplasm. The developed granular heterochromatins are observed in the karyolymph, and lots of small round granules of $0.12{\mu}m$ in average size in the cytoplasm. The 3G cells, rarely found around endoneurium of the cerebral ganglion, take the shapes of long ellipses. They look dark due to their electron -high density. In the cytoplasm, small round granules of $0.1{\mu}m$ in average size are found. The Y cells are the smallest among the neurosecretory cells($9\times6.6{\mu}m$ in size). They are found mostly between the medio-dorsal parts and the caudo-dorsal parts of the cerebral ganglion. In the cytoplasm, tiny round granules of $0.08{\mu}m$ in average size form a group. The neuropils are found in the middle of the cerebral ganglion. In the axon ending, round granules with electron -high density ($0.07\sim0.03{\mu}m$ in diameter) and lucent vesicles ($0.03{\mu}m$ in diameter) are found in large quantities. They are excreted in the state of exocytosome formed by the invagination of the limiting membrane of the axon ending.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 2013

Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain disorder caused by nervous system lesions as a direct consequence of a lesion or by disease of the portions of the nervous system that normally signal pain. The spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model in rats that reflect some components of clinical pain have played a crucial role in the understanding of neuropathic pain. To investigate the direct effects of gabapentin on differential gene expression in cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells of SNL model rats, we performed a differential display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis with random priming approach using annealing control primer. Genes encoding metallothionein 1a, transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ and palmitoyl-protein thioesterase-2 were up-regulated in gabapentin-treated DRG cells of SNL model rats. The functional roles of these differentially expressed genes were previously suggested as neuroprotective genes. Further study of these genes is expected to reveal potential targets of gabapentin.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.129-135
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• 2010

Recent studies have implicated reactive oxygen species (ROS) as determinants of the pathological pain caused by the activation of peripheral neurons. It has not been elucidated, however, how ROS activate the primary sensory neurons in the pain pathway. In this study, calcium imaging was performed to investigate the effects of NaOCl, a ROS donor, on the intracellular calcium concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]i$) in acutely dissociated dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. DRG was sequentially treated with 0.2 mg/ml of both protease and thermolysin, and single neurons were then obtained by mechanical dissociation. The administration of NaOCl then caused a reversible increase in the $[Ca^{2+}]i$, which was inhibited by pretreatment with phenyl-N-tertbuthylnitrone (PBN) and isoascorbate, both ROS scavengers. The NaOCl-induced $[Ca^{2+}]i$ increase was suppressed both in a calcium free solution and after depletion of the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ pool by thapsigargin. Additionally, this increase was predominantly blocked by pretreatment with the transient receptor potential (TRP) antagonists, ruthenium red ($50\;{\mu}M$) and capsazepine ($10\;{\mu}M$). Collectively, these results suggest that an increase in the intracellular calcium concentration is produced from both extracellular fluid and the intracellular calcium store, and that TRP might be involved in the sensation of pain induced by ROS.