PDI regulates seizure activity via NMDA receptor redox in rats.

Redox modulation of cysteine residues is one of the post-translational modifications of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). Protein disulfide isomerases (PDI), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone, plays a crucial role in catalyzing disulfide bond formation, reduction, and isomerization. In the present study, we found that PDI bound to NMDAR in the normal hippocampus, and that this binding was increased in chronic epileptic rats.

PLPP/CIN regulates bidirectional synaptic plasticity via GluN2A interaction with postsynaptic proteins.

Dendritic spines are dynamic structures whose efficacies and morphologies are modulated by activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. The actin cytoskeleton plays an important role in stabilization and structural modification of spines. However, the regulatory mechanism by which it alters the plasticity threshold remains elusive.

P2X7 receptor-mediated PARP1 activity regulates astroglial death in the rat hippocampus following status epilepticus.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) plays a regulatory role in apoptosis, necrosis, and other cellular processes after injury. Recently, we revealed that PARP1 regulates the differential neuronal/astroglial responses to pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) in the distinct brain regions. In addition, P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), an ATP-gated ion channel, activation accelerates astroglial apoptosis, while it attenuates clasmatodendrosis (lysosome-derived autophagic astroglial death).

Endothelial NOS activation induces the blood-brain barrier disruption via ER stress following status epilepticus.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) maintains the unique brain microenvironment, which is separated from the systemic circulating system. Since the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an important cell organelle that is responsible for protein synthesis, the correct folding and sorting of proteins contributing to cell survivals, ER stress is a potential cause of cell damage in various diseases. Therefore, it would be worthy to explore the the relationship between the ER stress and BBB disruption during vasogenic edema formation induced by epileptogenic insults.

Elevated serum CA 19-9 at screening tests: underlying conditions and role of abdominopelvic CT.

Objectives: To investigate underlying conditions of patients with elevated CA 19-9 at screening tests and to evaluate diagnostic performance of abdominopelvic CT.

Methods: One hundred and thirteen patients with elevated CA 19-9 (>37 U/ml) who underwent abdominopelvic CT in a screening program were selected. Underlying conditions were determined by reviewing all available data and follow-up records.

Endothelial transient receptor potential conical channel (TRPC)-3 activation induces vasogenic edema formation in the rat piriform cortex following status epilepticus.

Transient receptor potential canonical channel (TRPC) is a nonselective cation channel permeable to Ca(2+), which express in many cell types, including neurons. However the alterations in TRPC receptor expressions in response to status epilepticus (SE) have not been explored. Therefore, the present study was designated to elucidate the roles of TRPC3 in neuronal death and vasogenic edema within the rat piriform cortex (PC) following SE.

Ultrasonographic criteria for fine needle aspiration of nonpalpable thyroid nodules 1-2 cm in diameter.

Purpose: To investigate the ultrasonographic (US) characteristics for nonpalpable thyroid nodules 1-2 cm in diameter and to evaluate the guideline for fine needle aspiration (FNA) in terms of US findings.

Materials And Methods: Between June 2005 and November 2006, FNA was performed in 919 thyroid nodules by radiologists. Of these nodules, 51 malignant nodules and 72 benign nodules were finally included.

Standardization of the korean version of the geriatric depression scale: reliability, validity, and factor structure.

Objective: We developed a Revised Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-KR) and examined its reliability, validity, and factor structures. We also estimated its optimal cutoff scores for major depressive disorder (MDD) and minor depressive disorder (MnDD) stratified by age and education.

Methods: The GDS-KR was administered to 888 subjects (61 MDD patients, 45 MnDD patients, and 782 normal elders).

Magnetic resonance pancreatography: comparison of two- and three-dimensional sequences for assessment of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas.

The purpose was to compare two-dimensional (2D) magnetic resonance pancreatography (MRP) with 3D MRP to evaluate intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). Thirty-four patients (22 men, 12 women; age range, 45-80 years) with IPMN (n = 40) were examined with MRP on 2D and 3D sequences. Two readers independently reviewed the images to assess the overall image quality, artifacts, lesion location, communication with main pancreatic duct, and potential for malignancy.

Radiologic and pathologic findings of nonpalpable thyroid carcinomas detected by ultrasonography in a medical screening center.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the ultrasonographic and pathologic findings of nonpalpable thyroid carcinomas and reliable guidelines for fine-needle aspiration (FNA).

Methods: Our study was approved by our Institutional Review Board, and written informed consent was waived. Between April 2004 and June 2006, screening ultrasonography was performed for 16,352 self-referred patients in the health care center.

Contrast-enhanced MRI combined with MR cholangiopancreatography for the evaluation of patients with biliary strictures: differentiation of malignant from benign bile duct strictures.

Purpose: To determine imaging criteria for the combined use of contrast-enhanced (CE)-MRI and MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) to differentiate malignant from benign biliary strictures.

Materials And Methods: A total of 44 patients with biliary stricture who had undergone unenhanced, MRCP, and dynamic MRI were identified from radiological and surgical databases. Two radiologists analyzed MR features for asymmetry, luminal irregularity, abrupt narrowing, outer margin, signal intensity (SI) on T2-weighted (T2W) images, and hyperenhancement relative to liver parenchyma during portal phase.

Evaluation of the longitudinal tumor extent of bile duct cancer: value of adding gadolinium-enhanced dynamic imaging to unenhanced images and magnetic resonance cholangiography.

Objective: To determine the added value of gadolinium-enhanced dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) images compared with unenhanced and MR cholangiography (MRC) images, to evaluate the longitudinal extension of bile duct cancer.

Materials And Method: Thirty-three patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma or common duct cancer who had undergone MRC, unenhanced, and gadolinium-enhanced dynamic MR images and surgery were included in this study. Two experienced radiologists independently reviewed 2 image sets in 2 steps, that is, the MRC set (unenhanced and MRC) and the combined image set (MRC set with dynamic images).

Differentiating malignant from benign wall thickening in postoperative stomach using helical computed tomography: results of multivariate analysis.

Objective: To determine significant computed tomography (CT) predictors for differentiating malignant from benign wall thickening in postoperative stomach.

Methods: Sixty-nine patients with perianastomotic wall thickening (25 malignant, 44 benign) after gastric surgery were identified. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced CT with the administration of oral contrast agents such as air, diluted barium, or water.