Chronic Administration of Monosodium Glutamate under Chronic Variable Stress Impaired Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Function in Rats

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is the primary endocrine system to respond to stress. The HPA axis may be affected by increased level of corticotrophin-releasing factors under chronic stress and by chronic administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether chronic MSG administration aggravates chronic variable stress (CVS)-induced behavioral and hormonal changes. Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 200~220 g, were divided into 4 groups as follows: water administration (CON), MSG (3 g/kg) administration (MSG), CVS, and CVS with MSG (3 g/kg) administration (CVS+MSG). In addition, for the purpose of comparing the effect on plasma corticosterone levels between chronic stress and daily care or acute stress, 2 groups were added at the end of the experiment; the 2 new groups were as follows: naive mice (n=7) and mice exposed to restraint stress for 2 h just before decapitation (A-Str, n=7). In an open field test performed after the experiment, the CVS+MSG group significant decrease in activity. The increase in relative adrenal weights in the CVS and CVS+MSG group was significantly greater than those in the CON and/or MSG groups. In spite of the increase in the relative adrenal weight, there was a significant decrease in the plasma corticosterone levels in the CVS+MSG group as compared to all other groups, except the naive group. These results suggest that impaired HPA axis function as well as the decrease in the behavioral activity in adult rats can be induced by chronic MSG administration under CVS rather than CVS alone.

The Effect of Functional Electrical Stimulation on the Motor Function of Lower Limb in Hemiplegic Patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on the motor function of lower limb in hemiplegic patients with stroke or brain injury. METHOD: Fifty subjects (age, 56.66+/-9.85 years old; prevalence duration, 113.49+/-79.94 days after stroke or brain injury) were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 groups; the experimental group (n=25) received conventional rehabilitation with FES and the control group (n=25) received conventional rehabilitation without FES. FES was applied 20 minutes concomitant with rehabilitation, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Outcome measurements included muscle strength, modified Ashworth scale, Brunnstrom stage, motricity index, 10 meter walking test (10 MWT), and circumference ratios of lower extremity (including thigh and calf). Subjects were evaluated before treatment and at 4 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the baseline measurements. After 4 weeks of treatment, there was significant improvement in thigh circumference ratio and 10 MWT in the FES group, when compared with the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Twenty sessions of FES, applied to postacute stroke or brain injured patients plus conventional rehabilitation, improved their motor and walking ability.

The Clinical Features of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections by Pseudomonas aeruginosa / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important pathogen in complicated urinary tract infections(UTIs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the isolation rate of Pseudomonas from patients with UTIs and to define the accompanying clinical features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2006, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 170 urology patients with Pseudomonas UTIs. We analyzed the isolation rate of Pseudomonas in patients with UTIs and determined the antibiotic susceptibilities. We also analyzed the clinical features and underlying diseases in patients with Pseudomonas UTIs. RESULTS: Pseudomonas was cultured in the urine from 234 of 3,470 patients (6.6%) with positive urine cultures. One hundred seventy of 234 patients had underlying urologic disease. Eighty-two patients(48.2%) had indwelling urinary catheters and 34 patients(20.0%) had diabetes. Patients with catheters tended to have febrile UTIs compared to patients without catheters(70.7% vs. 42.0%, respectively). The isolation rate of Pseudomonas increased between 2000 and 2006(2.8% vs. 13.1%, respectively). The sensitivity of Pseudomonas to most antibiotics decreased between 2000 and 2006. Patients with neurogenic disease and catheters were more easily infected with Pseudomonas. CONCLUSIONS: The isolation rate of Pseudomonas in urine cultures is on the rise. Patients with UTIs and catheters, unlike those without, have high fevers. Because the sensitivity of Pseudomonas to antimicrobial agents has decreased, we need to choose appropriate antibiotics through urine cultures and antibiotics sensitivity tests in treating complicated UTIs.