Effects of Estrogens on the Expression of Caveolin-1 in the Urinary Bladders of Female Rats / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to investigate the effect of hormonal alterations on the expression of caveolin-1 in the urinary bladders of ovariectomized rats and to determine the role of caveolin-1 in the overactivity of the detrusor muscle that occurs with hormonal alterations in rats. METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: a control group, a group that underwent bilateral ovariectomy (Ovx), and a group that underwent bilateral ovariectomy followed by subcutaneous injections of 17beta-estradiol (Ovx+Est). After 4 weeks, urodynamic studies were done to measure the contraction interval and contraction pressure. The expression and cellular localization of caveolin-1 were determined by Western blot and immunofluorescence in the urinary bladders of rats. RESULTS: On cystometrograms, the contraction interval was significantly shorter in the Ovx group (3.0+/-0.3 minute) than in the control group (5.6+/-0.5 minute) but was longer in the Ovx+Est group (9.2+/- 0.4 minute) (P<0.05). Conversely, the average contraction pressure was higher in the Ovx group (26.4+/-0.48 mmHg) than in the control group (21.8+/-0.37 mmHg) but was lower in the Ovx+Est group (23.9+/-0.76 mmHg) (P<0.05). Caveolin-1 was expressed in the capillaries, arterioles, and venules. Expression of the protein caveolin-1 was significantly lower after ovariectomy and was restored to control levels after treatment with 17beta-estradiol (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hormonal alterations cause a significant change in the expression of caveolin-1, which suggests that caveolin-1 might have a functional role in the overactivity of the detrusor muscle related to hormonal alterations in the urinary bladders of rats.

Validity of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) in Measurement of Human Body Composition / 소아과

PROPOSE: Body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a very useful method of analysing body composition. BIA is non-invasive, inexpensive, nonhazaedous and reproducible technique. The aim of this study was to determine the level of agreement between body composition measurement by BIA and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). METHODS: Data was examined in 100 children (male 58; female 42), who visited Pusan National Hospital. Weight (kg) and height (cm) were measured, and body compositions were analyzed with fat mass, lean body mass, body fat percent by BIA and DEXA methods. RESULTS: Comparison of the DEXA and BIA methods showed highly statistically significant correlations in measurement of human body composition (fat mass, lean body mass, body fat percent). CONCLUSION: BIA should be considered as the method of choice in measurement of human body composition, since it's non-invasive, reliable, rapid, nonhazaedous and inexpensive, using portable equipment.

Predictive Factors for Prognosis of Neonatal Intrahepatic Cholestasis: Non-Familial, Non-Metabolic, Non-Syndromic Cholestasis / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: The prognosis of neonates with cholestasis is not clear. Some factors, such as high peak bilirubin levels and liver histologic findings have been claimed to affect the prognosis adversely. Our study aims to define which factors influence the prognosis of neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis. METHODS: Retrospective reviews of the medical records were performed in 32 cases with neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis, who were admitted to Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University Hospital from July 1995 to July 2002. Neonates were classified into 2 groups according to the duration of elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels more or less than 6 months. The data, such as biochemical, histopathologic and radiologic findings, were compared in both groups. Biochemical data included mean peak level of serum ALT, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase. Histologic parameters related to lobular architecture, fibrosis, inflammatory infiltration and degenerative features of hepatocytes were arbitrary estimated on a scale of 1 to 3. RESULTS: There were 19 males and 13 females, whose mean age was 48 days (14~77 days). The peak serum ALT levels were higher in the poor outcome group. Ductular proliferation and portoportal bridging were more severe in the poor outcome group. But the degree of multinucleated hepatocytes, hepatocellular swelling and canalicular plug did not appear to be significantly related to the long-term outcome. The DISIDA scintigraphy by visualization time of gall bladder and intestine was not useful in predicting outcome of neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis. CONCLUSION: Neonates who have intrahepatic cholestasis with high serum ALT levels, severe ductular proliferation and portoportal bridging in the liver biopsy specimen should be carefully followed up because they may have a poor prognosis.

A Case of Childhood Ataxia with Diffuse Central Nervous System Hypomyelination(CACH) Syndrome / 대한소아신경학회지

Childhood ataxia with diffuse central nervous system hypomyelination(CACH) syndrome is a recently described leukodystrophy of unknown etiology. The patients show normal development until the age from 1.5 to 5 years, and sudden deterioration of all motor abilities with irritability is presented after a viral infection or minor head trauma. Brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) shows generalized hypointensity of the white matter in T1-weighted image, which turns hyperintense in T2-weighted image, and Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging(1H-MRSI) shows reduced signal of N- acetylaspartate, choline, and creatine only in white matter. Dementia is not present and peripheral nerves are normal. We report a case of CACH syndrome who was born with no perinatal problem, and showed normal development until the age of 16 months. She suddenly lost all motor abilities after exanthem subitum who recovered fully over two months. At the age of 18 months she experienced similar attack after chicken pox, and developed seizures at age of 18 months.