The neuroprotective effect of gugijihwang-tang on trimethyltin-induced memory dysfunction in the rat.

Gugijihwang-Tang (the herbal formula PM012), a decoction consisting of several herbs including Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, has been widely used as herbal treatment for dementia. In order to investigate the neuroprotective action of this prescription, we examined the effect of Gugijihwang-Tang on learning and memory using the Morris water maze and [F-18]FDG micro PET neuroimaging technique. After injection of trimethyltin (TMT, 8.0 mg/kg, i.p.), which is a potent toxicant that selectively kills cells in the central nervous system, rats were administered Gugijihwang-Tang (100 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for two weeks, followed by the Morris water maze tasks and [F-18]FDG micro PET neuroimaging. In Gugijihwang-Tang administered TMT-treated rats, they showed improved learning and memory abilities in water maze tasks and glucose metabolism, suggesting that Gugijihwang-Tang plays effectively positive role in the improvement of brain function including learning and memory after TMT-induced neurodegeneration. Taken together, our results suggested that the Gugijihwang-Tang should be useful for developing strategies protecting nervous system and improving brain function.

Analysis of the clinicopathologic features of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma based on 7-mm tumor size.

BACKGROUND: We examined the clinicopathologic features of papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMCs) measuring≤7 mm and compared them with those of PTMCs>7 mm. METHODS: Between January 2007 and June 2009, a total of 275 patients with PTMCs underwent surgery. They were divided into two groups. Group I included patients with tumors≤7 mm, and group II included those with tumors>7 mm but ≤10 mm. We compared the two groups' clinicopathologic features. RESULTS: Total thyroidectomy was more often performed in group II (p=0.003). Central lymph node metastases were identified in 30.6% of the patients in group I and in 47.8% of the patients in group II (p=0.005). A statistically significant difference between the two groups was also found for capsule invasion (p<0.0001), extrathyroidal extension (p=0.005), and lymphovascular invasion (p=0.025). On the multivariate analysis, central lymph node metastasis was the only independent factor associated with tumor size. CONCLUSION: A PTMC≤7 mm is less likely to have aggressive features, including central lymph node metastasis, capsule invasion, extrathyroidal extension, and lymphovascular invasion, than a PTMC>7 mm. Because the aggressiveness of PTMC was found mainly in the patients with tumors >7 mm, we think that a cutoff value of 7 mm may be considered the threshold of aggressiveness of PTMCs.

Diaphragmatic lipoma in a 4-year-old girl: a case report.

A lipoma of the diaphragm is extremely rare. Although most congenital diaphragmatic lipomas are encountered in middle or old age because of their typical asymptomatic nature, none have been reported in patients younger than 14 years. We report the case of a large diaphragmatic lipoma in a 4-year-old patient.