Increased Resting-State Positron Emission Tomography Activity After Cochlear Implantation in Adult Deafened Cats

Objectives@#. Cochlear implants are widely used for hearing rehabilitation in patients with profound sensorineural hearing loss. However, Cochlear implants have variable results, and central neural plasticity is considered to be a reason for this variability. We hypothesized that resting-state cortical networks play a role in conditions of profound hearing loss and are affected by cochlear implants. To investigate the resting-state neuronal networks after cochlear implantation, we acquired 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) images in experimental animals. @*Methods@#. Eight adult domestic cats were enrolled in this study. The hearing threshold of the animals was within the normal range, as measured by auditory evoked potential. They were divided into control (n=4) and hearing loss (n=4) groups. Hearing loss was induced by co-administration of ethacrynic acid and kanamycin. FDG-PET was performed in a normal hearing state and 4 and 11 months after the deafening procedure. Cochlear implantation was performed in the right ear, and electrical cochlear stimulation was performed for 7 months (from 4 to 11 months after the deafening procedure). PET images were compared between the two groups at the three time points. @*Results@#. Four months after hearing loss, the auditory cortical area’s activity decreased, and activity in the associated visual area increased. After 7 months of cochlear stimulation, the superior marginal gyrus and cingulate gyrus, which are components of the default mode network, showed hypermetabolism. The inferior colliculi showed hypometabolism. @*Conclusion@#. Resting-state cortical activity in the default mode network components was elevated after cochlear stimulation. This suggests that the animals’ awareness level was elevated after hearing restoration by the cochlear implantation.

Possibility in Unification of Oriental and Western Medicine Education by Combination of Educational Curricula / 의사학

The authors attempted a pdssibility of unifcation in the educational curricula of both Oriental and Western medical schools for the unification of two medicines . Historically the two medicines were originated from the most primitive state like intinctive method and we can say two medicines were entirely same. However after abrupt and current development of science in 19 century by discovery of microscope and bacteria as well as cells changed medicine into recent unbelievable current medicine from old ancient style medicine like Chinese Medicine which was just the remnant old medicine. The unification of educational curricular is thought to be possible to combine each other by technical adjustment from mutual understanding and cooperations for the most high quality of people's lives. There were good equality to partial corrrespondances between two educational curricular around 90 % at two pre- and schools from the study to analyse. The combined medicine is thought to be more efficient to the diagnosis and treatment of patients because of the effectiveness of Oriental medicine in a certain disease conditions like chronic illness by acupuncture as a alternative medicine or herbs.

Effect on Aluminum and Silicon in Peptic Ulcer Patients / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to investigate the aluminum concentrations in blood, urine and drinking water, the factors which affect the concentrations and the role of silicon in patients who were taking antacid containing aluminum. METHODS: We selected 122 peptic ulcer patients as cases and 144 healthy examinees as controls. Blood, urine, and drinking water were collected from the each study subject and we measured aluminum concentrations as well as silicon concentrations in the specimens. The factors including silicon affect on the aluminum concentrations were also analyzed. RESULTS: 1. The mean duration of antacid administration was 12 months, and the mean daily and total amount of aluminum administration were 0.9 g and 304 g per each patient, respectively. 2. The blood and urine aluminum concentrations were significantly higher in the case. 3. The blood silicon concentration was significantly lower in the control group, and the urine silicon concentration was significantly higher in the case. 4. Urine aluminum concentration was significantly correlated with blood aluminum concentration (r=0.18), and urine silicon concentration was correlated with blood aluminum (r=0.19) and urine aluminum concentrations (r=0.13). 5. The longer the duration of antacid administration and the larger the total and daily amount of aluminum in the antacid were, the higher urine aluminum and silicon concentrations were, but not to a statistically significant degree. CONCLUSIONS: Blood and urine aluminum concentrations were higher in the ulcer patients. The authors suggest that follow-up studies of the patients who administered antacid with high aluminum content for long duration should be done.