• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2016

Objectives: Bufonis venonum (BV) is toad venom and is the dried, white secretions of the auricular and the skin glands of toads. This study was performed to evaluate the toxicity of intravenous injection of Bufonis venonum pharmacopuncture (BVP) through a single-dose test with sprague-dawley (SD) rats. Methods: Twenty male and 20 female 6-week-old SD rats were injected intravenously in the caudal vein with BVP or normal saline. The animals were divided into four groups with five female and five male rats per group: the control group injected with normal saline, the low-dosage group injected with 0.1 mL/animal of BVP, the medium-dosage group injected with 0.5 mL/animal of BVP and the high-dosage group injected with 1.0 mL/animal of BVP. We performed clinical observations every day and body weight measurements on days 3, 7 and 14 after the injection. We also conducted hematology, serum biochemistry, and histological observations immediately after the observation period. Results: No mortalities were observed in any experimental group. Paleness occurred in the medium- and the high-dosage groups, and congestion on tails was observed in females in the medium- and the high-dosage groups. No significant changes in weight, hematology, serum biochemistry, and histological observations that could be attributed to the intravenous injection of BVP were observed in any experimental group. Conclusion: The lethal dose of intravenously-administered BVP in SD rats is over 1.0 mL/animal.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.263-266
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• 2005

The ganglion impar is a solitary retroperitoneal structure at the caudal end of the paravertebral sympathetic chain. Block of this ganglion has been advocated as a means of managing intractable perineal pain. In 1990, Plancarte et al performed a neurolytic block of the ganglion impar using 4-6 ml of 10% phenol through the intergluteal skin over the anococcygeal ligament. However, technical difficulties are encountered with the placement of the needle while performing this technique, with complications from the injection of phenol also being a possibility. In 1995, a modified approach for blocking the ganglion impar through the sacrococcygeal ligament was introduced by Wemm and Saberski. We used a radiofrequency (RF) lesion generator to create a controlled and localized lesion with a lower incidence of neural damages compared to chemical neurolysis. RF thermocoagulation of the ganglion impar through the sacrococcygeal ligament was performed on a 70-year-old male patient with constant anal pain using a curved TEW electrode. The patient has been relieved of his pain, without serious complication. Therefore, this technique may be an easier and safer approach, which is associated with fewer chances of complications.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.217-223
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• 2008

Background: Lumbar transforaminal epidural injections (LTEIs) have been utilized in the treatment of radicular pain, and LTEIs have the advantage of target-specificity. However, there have not been enough studies on the contrast patterns in LTEIs with using fluoroscopy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the spreading epidural contrast patterns that are seen during real-time fluoroscopic guided LTEIs. Methods: A total of 131 patients who underwent fluoroscopic guided LTEIs were studied. The inclusion criteria were those patients with low back pain and/or lower extremity pain that was caused by a herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spinal stenosis, failed back surgery syndrome, and herpes zoster-associated pain. We classified the contrast patterns in regard to the contrast flow spreading to the nerve root and/or the unilateral, bilateral or cylinderic type of epidural spreading on the AP view of the fluoroscopy and the ventral or dorsal epidural filling on the lateral view. In addition to the pattern analysis, we evaluated the range of contrast spreading from the cranial to the caudal epidural filling and the incidence of an intravascular flow pattern. Results: Epidural spreading was seen in 126 cases (96.2%) of the total patients through the nerve root. Ventral spreading occurred in 120 cases (95.2%). On the AP view, a nerve root with unilateral, bilateral and cylinderic epidural filling was noted for 108 (85.7%), 9 (7.1%) and 9 (7.1%) cases, respectively. The contrast spreading to vertebral segments was smaller for the patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and failed back surgery syndrome than for the other groups (P < 0.0083). The incidence of intravascular injection was 11.1% (14/126). Conclusions: LTEIs using fluoroscopic visualization provided excellent assessment of the ventral epidural filling as well as nerve root filling. However, unilateral epidural spreading was prominent for the LTEIs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.443-448
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate changes of blood metabolites and enzyme activities at different slaughter ages of Hanwoo cattle. Blood samples were taken from six hundred thirty two steers (24~33 months of age) and one hundred twenty eight bulls (17~24 months of age) by venipuncture from caudal vein immediately prior to slaughter. Glucose concentrations were linearly increased (P<0.001) with increases of the slaughter age in steers, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations were linearly decreased (P<0.001) with increases of the slaughter age in steers. Likewise, glucose and albumin concentrations in bulls were linearly decreased (P=0.009 and P<0.001, respectively) with increases of the slaughter age. BUN, cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol concentrations were linearly increased (P<0.001, 0.018 and 0.002, respectively), and creatinine concentrations were quadratically increased (P=0.009) with increases of the slaughter age. Activity of gamma glutamyltransferase (${\gamma}$-GT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was linearly increased (P<0.001) with increases of the slaughter age in both steers and bulls, whereas alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was not affected by increasing slaughter age. In addition, the concentrations of ${\gamma}$-GT and AST were higher (P<0.05) for bulls than those of steers at 24 months of age. Increased levels of ${\gamma}$-GT and AST indicate impaired liver function; it may be associated with increases of concentrate level which is a concomitant of the extended fattening periods in Hanwoo feeding. In conclusion, the results in the present study may be one of the useful information for diagnosis of the metabolic disorder in Hanwoo cattle.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.94-98
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• 2010

In magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT), a current-injection MR imaging method is adopted to produce a cross-sectional image of an electrical conductivity distribution in addition to MR images. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of MREIT for differentiating the canine lung parenchyma without and with pneumonia. Three normal healthy beagles and two mixed breed dogs with pneumonia were used. After attaching electrodes around the chest, we placed the dog inside our MR scanner. We injected as much as 30 mA current in a form of short pulses into the chest region. Reconstructed conductivity images of normal canine lungs exhibit a peculiar pattern of a relatively coarse salt and pepper noise. On the contrary, conductivity images of pneumonic canine lungs show significantly enhanced contrast of the lesions while the corresponding MR images show a little bit of contrast in the middle and caudal lung parenchyma due to the accumulation of pleural fluid. This preliminary study indicates that MREIT imaging of the chest may deliver unique new diagnostic information.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2018

Background: The thoracic transforaminal epidural block (TTFEB) is usually performed to treat herpes zoster or postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Especially, multiple segmental involvements and approximate contrast medium spread range, according to volume, help to choose the proper drug volume in the transforaminal epidural block. This study investigated the contrast medium spread patterns of 1-ml to 3-ml TTFEBs. Methods: A total of 26 patients with herpes zoster or PHN were enrolled in this study. All participants received 1 ml, 2 ml, or 3 ml of contrast medium. Results were divided into Groups A, B and C based on the volume (1, 2, or 3 ml), with n = 26 for each group. After the injection of contrast medium, the spread levels were estimated in both the lateral and anteroposterior (AP) images using fluoroscopy. Results: The cephalad spread of contrast medium in the lateral image as expressed by the median (interquartile range) was 2.00 levels (1.00-2.00) for Group A, 2.50 (2.00-3.00) for Group B, and 3.00 (2.00-4.00) for Group C. The caudal spread level of contrast medium was 1.00 (1.00-2.00) for Group A, 2.00 (2.00-3.00) for Group B, and 2.00 (2.00-3.00) for Group C. There was ventral and dorsal spread of the 3-ml contrast medium injection in 88% (23/26) of cases in the lateral image. Conclusions: Injection of 3 ml of contrast medium through the foramina spread 6 levels in a cephalocaudal direction. Spread patterns revealed a cephalad preference. TTFEB resulted in dorsal and ventral spread in a high percentage of cases. This procedure may be useful for transferring drugs to the dorsal and ventral roots.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.174-182
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• 2018

Background: The trigeminal nucleus caudalis (Vc) is a primary central site for trigeminal transmitting. Noxious stimulation of the trigeminal nociceptors alters the central synaptic releases and neural expression of some inflammatory and trophic agents. Orexin-A and the orexin 1 receptor (OX1R) are expressed in pain pathways including trigeminal pain transmission. However, the the mechanism(s) underling orexin-A effects on trigeminal pain modulation have not been fully clarified. Methods: Trigeminal pain was induced by subcutaneous injection of capsaicin in the upper lip in rats. The effect of trigeminal pain on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the Vc of animals was determined by immunofluorescence. Subsequently, OX1R agonist (orexin-A) and antagonist (SB-334867-A) was administrated in the Vc to investigate the possible roles of the Vc OX1R on changes in COX-2 and BDNF levels following pain induction. Results: The data indicated an increase in COX-2 and decrease in BDNF immuno-reactivity in the Vc of capsaicin, and capsaicin- pretreated with SB-334867-A (80 nM), groups of rat. However, the effect of capsaicin on COX-2 and BDNF expressions was reversed by a Vc microinjection of orexin-A (100 pM). Conclusions: Overall, the present data reveals that orexin-A can attenuate capsaicin-induced trigeminal pain through the modulation of pain effects on COX-2 and BDNF expressions in the Vc of rats.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.40-40
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• 2001

Heat stress to bovine oocytes and embryos has suggested a potential role of retardation of their development. Limited study has reported on the effect of heat shock on sperm before using it for IVF. Caudal epididymal sperm cultured in 42$^{\circ}C$ incubator for 0.5, 1 and 2 h compared on sperm viability and oocyte development after its use for IVF to those of control. Oocytes were matured for 22 h and then inseminated with treated or control sperm for 16 h. Embryos were cultured in CRlaa medium, transferred to TCM199＋10% FBS on day 4, and maintained on day 9. A higher proportion (84.1%, 0.5 h; 72%, 1 h: 65%, 2 h) in treated sperm was observed dead and abnormal pattern as 100% of consider as control. In control the rates of cleavage and development into blastocyst were 76% and 22%, respectively, and did not differ the rates between 1 h and 2 h of culture. Significant differences were appeared in the rates between treated for an hour and control (32% and 5% vs. 54% and 10%, respectively). Moreover increased time of culture is more retardation to be cleaved the oocytes. However, the rates of blastocyst from cleaved embryos in treated group similar to control (25% vs. 29%, respectively). The reason for this remains unclear, but male sperm, from preliminary experiment(data un-shown) for sexing of resulting embryos, would be more fragility on heat stress.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2009

The epididymis in the male reproductive tract is the site where spermatozoa produced from the testis become mature. The epididymis is divided into 4 different segments, initial segment and caput, corpus, and caudal epididymis, depending upon functional and morphological features. Aquaporins (Aqps) are water channel molecules, which are present in the epididymis and play a major role in removal of epididymal water, resulting in creation of microenvironment for sperm maturation and concentration of sperms. Nandrolone decanoate (ND) is a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid, which is used to treat clinical diseases and improve physical ability and appearance. Even though it is well determined that the ND causes the male infertility by affecting the testis, little is known the effect of the ND on the epididymis. The present study was focused to examine the effect of ND at different treatment doses and periods on expression of Aqp1 and Aqp9 genes in the epididymis of pubertal rats. Results showed that mRNA expression of Aqp1 and Aqp9 genes among the parts of the epididymis was differentially regulated by ND treatment doses. In addition, treatment periods of ND caused differential expression of Aqp1 and Aqp9 mRNAs among segments of the epididymis. Therefore, it is believed that male infertility induced by ND could be resulted not only from malfunction of the testis but also from aberrant gene expression of Aqp1 and Aqp9 in the epididymis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.284-288
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• 2014

A rare case of atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation occurred after pediatric cervical spine surgery performed to remove a dumbbell-shaped meningioma at the level of the C1/C2 vertebrae. This case is classified as a post-surgical atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation, but has a very rare morphology that has not previously been reported. Although there are several reports about post-surgical atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation, an important point of this case is that it might be directly related to the spinal cord surgery in C1/C2 level. On day 6 after surgery, the patient presented with the Cock Robin position, and a computed tomography scan revealed a normal type of atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation. Manual reduction was performed followed by external fixation with a neck collar. About 7 months after the first surgery, the subluxation became severe, irreducible, and assumed an atypical form where the anterior tubercle of C1 migrated to a cranial position, and the posterior tubercle of C1 and the occipital bone leaned in a caudal direction. The pathogenic process suggested deformity of the occipital condyle and bilateral C2 superior facets with atlantooccipital subluxation. A second operation for reduction and fixation was performed, and the subluxation was stabilized by posterior fixation. We encountered an unusual case of a refractory subluxation that was associated with an atypical deformity of the upper spine. The case was successfully managed by posterior fixation.