• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.289-294
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• 2013

Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is an acute-phase protein induced by injury, infection, or other inflammatory stimuli. LCN2 binds small hydrophobic ligands and interacts with cell surface receptor to regulate diverse cellular processes. The role of LCN2 as a chemokine inducer in the central nervous system (CNS) has been previously reported. Based on the previous participation of LCN2 in neuroinflammation, we investigated the role of LCN2 in formalin-induced nociception and pathological pain. Formalin-induced nociceptive behaviors (licking/biting) and spinal microglial activation were significantly reduced in the second or late phase of the formalin test in Lcn2 knockout mice. Likewise, antibody-mediated neutralization of spinal LCN2 attenuated the mechanical hypersensitivity induced by peripheral nerve injury in mice. Taken together, our results suggest that LCN2 can be therapeutically targeted, presumably for both prevention and reversal of acute inflammatory pain as well as pathological pain.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.397-401
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• 2011

Aspiration of lytic bone lesions is an excellent diagnostic test in the initial evaluation of primary bone tumor. However, cytologically, it can be difficult to differentiate osteosarcoma (OSA) from other bone neoplasms, including fibrosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, synovial cell sarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. The purpose of this study is to introduce alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining to differentiate OSA from other mesenchymal tumors. Tumors actively producing bone are specifically positive for ALP staining. Unstained, cytologic specimens were incubated for 10 minutes with nitroblue tetrazolium chloride/5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate toluidine salt-phosphatase substrate. Among 20 cases of cytology specimen, 14 were positive for ALP staining and histopathology, 6 were negative for ALP staining and histopathology. ALP staining was 100% sensitive and specificity for the diagnosis of OSA. Aspirate cytology with ALP staining was a simple, fast, safe and accurate diagnostic test for the evaluation of suspected OSA lesions in dogs.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.153-160
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• 2007

The superficial dorsal horn, particularly substantia gelatinosa (SG) in the spinal cord, receives inputs from small-diameter primary afferents that predominantly convey noxious sensation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are toxic agents that may be involved in various neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies indicate that ROS are also involved in persistent pain through a spinal mechanism. In the present study, whole cell patch clamp recordings were carried out on SG neurons in spinal cord slice of young rats to investigate the effects of hydrogen peroxide on neuronal excitability and excitatory synaptic transmission. In current clamp condition, tert-buthyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH), an ROS donor, depolarized membrane potential of SG neurons and increased the neuronal firing frequencies evoked by depolarizing current pulses. When slices were pretreated with phenyl-N-tert-buthylnitrone (PBN) or ascorbate, ROS scavengers, t-BuOOH did not induce hyperexcitability. In voltage clamp condition, t-BuOOH increased the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs), and monosynaptically evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs) by electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral dorsal root. These data suggest that ROS generated by peripheral nerve injury can modulate the excitability of the SG neurons via pre- and postsynaptic actions.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.170-186
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• 2001

Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) has newly evolved by the mechanical improvement of the machine over past several years, becoming a part of imaging techniques for the evaluation of variable diseases in the musculoskeletal system. MSUS has proven diagnostic superiority in pathologies including rotator cuff disease of the shoulder, lateral epicondylitis of the elbow, diseases of the peripheral nerve, detection of intra-articular loose bodies and soft tissue foreign bodies, and in evaluating small superficial soft tissue tumors such as ganglion, epidermoid cyst, and glomus tumor. Besides, MSUS is very useful for obtaining tissue or fluid via percutaneous fine needle aspiration and/or biopsy for the histopathologic diagnosis. Combining MSUS with MR would play a great role in the field of the diagnostic imaging of the musculoskeletal system. The MSUS examiner should have the knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy, and of the mechanical and physical properties of ultrasound in order to interpret the ultrasound findings accurately and properly, and to avoid diagnostic errors due to variable artifacts subsequently. The goal of this article is to introduce the capabilities of MSUS in certain kinds of clinical situation and to familiarize the reader with MSUS. For the purpose, author intends to describe this article according not to the disease-, or organ-based, but to the clinical problem-based format.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.88-92
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• 2005

Blink reflex could be a useful tool to differentiate facial synkinesis as one of complications of facial neuropathy, from volitional associated movements. We had performed applied blink reflex test for 23 patients with objective evidence of hemifacial weakness in which orbicularis oculi muscle(zygomatic branch) and mentalis muscle(mandibular branch) are electrophysiologically evaluated in response to supraorbital stimulation of trigeminal nerve. For an unaffected side of face there is no evidence of positive blink reflex from the mentalis muscle. We concluded that a positive blink reflex from mentalis muscle is almost always suggestive of chronic facial neuropathy even in clinical silence of facial synkinesis, or an aberrant reinnervation after peripheral facial neuropathy, and does not electrophysiologically correlate with the severity of facial palsy.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1981.05a
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• pp.14.1-14
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• 1981

Neurofibroma are slow growing benign tumors arising from the neurilemal sheath (Schwann cells) and fibroblasts of the peripheral nerve. This benign tumor may occur as a solitary lesion or as a part of the syndrome of neurofibromatosis. The neurofibroma of oral tissues is rare in otolaryngologic field and usually presents as a firm, elevated, nonpainful lesion that shows the usual histologic findings of a neurofibroma or neurilemmoma. Recently, we have experienced a neurofibroma arising from the tongue in a 54 year old female and removed successfully under local anesthesia. No evidence of recurrence has been observed up to date.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.245-256
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• 2008

Purpose: Bell's palsy is a peripheral facial palsy of unknown etiology. During pregnancy, there is an increased incidence of Bell's palsy. Due to the nature of pregnancy, it is unlikely to treat Bell's palsy during pregnancy. The purpose of this study is to report on 3 patients with Bell's palsy during pregnancy, who improved by oriental medical treatment. Methods: The patients who had Bell's palsy during pregnancy were treated with oriental medical treatment such as herbal medication and acupuncture therapy. House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system was used to estimate the efficacy of these treatments. Results: After the oriental medical treatment, the clinical symptoms of Bell's palsy during pregnancy were improved. Conclusion: This case study shows that the oriental medical therapy is effective in treating Bell's palsy during pregnancy. Further systematic studies and specific guidelines of Bell's palsy during pregnancy would be of much value.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2019

Clinical evaluations, nerve conduction studies, and electromyography play major complementary roles in electrophysiologic diagnoses. Electromyography can be used to assess pathologic changes and localize lesions occurring in locations ranging from motor units to anterior-horn cells. Successfully performing electromyography requires knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the peripheral nervous system as well as sufficient skill and interpretation ability. Electromyography techniques include acquiring data from visual/auditory signals and performing needle positioning, semiquantitation, and interpretation. Here we introduce the basic concepts of electromyography to guide clinicians in performing electromyography appropriately.

• Journal of Electrodiagnosis and Neuromuscular Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.139-143
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• 2018

Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome caused by injury to skeletal muscles and involves leakage of large quantities of potentially toxic intracellular contents into the plasma. It is known that rhabdomyolysis results in peripheral nerve injury, however, reports of bilateral sciatic neuropathy following rhabdomyolysis are rare. We report a case involving a 42-year-old female patient with no past medical history, who presented with sudden bilateral calf pain, redness, and burning sensation with weakness of both lower extremities after sleeping on an electric heating pad following alcohol drinking. Lower extremity magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed multifocal edema with enhancement of bilateral lower extremity muscles. Clinical and electrodiagnostic tests were consistent with the diagnosis of bilateral sciatic neuropathy following rhabdomyolysis. This is a rare case of bilateral sciatic neuropathy following rhabdomyolysis.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.200-205
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• 2022

Pain from nervous or musculoskeletal disorders is one of the most common complaints in clinical practice. Corticosteroids have a high pain-reducing effect, and their injection is generally used to control various types of pain. However, they have various adverse effects including flushing, hyperglycemia, allergic reactions, menstrual changes, immunosuppression, and adrenal suppression. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is known to have a pain-reducing effect similar to that of corticosteroid injection, with nearly no major side effects. Therefore, it has been widely used to treat various types of pain, such as neuropathic, joint, discogenic, and muscle pain. In the current review, we outlined the pain-reducing mechanisms of PRF by reviewing previous studies. When PRF was first introduced, it was supposed to reduce pain by long-term depression of pain signaling from the peripheral nerve to the central nervous system. In addition, deactivation of microglia at the level of the spinal dorsal horn, reduction of proinflammatory cytokines, increased endogenous opioid precursor messenger ribonucleic acid, enhancement of noradrenergic and serotonergic descending pain inhibitory pathways, suppression of excitation of C-afferent fibers, and microscopic damage of nociceptive C- and A-delta fibers have been found to contribute to pain reduction after PRF application. However, the pain-reducing mechanism of PRF has not been clearly and definitely elucidated. Further studies are warranted to clarify the pain-reducing mechanism of PRF.