The action of cytochalasins, actin-disrupting agents on human Kv1.5 channel (hKv1.5) stably expressed in Ltk Ϫ cells was investigated using the whole cell patchclamp technique. Cytochalasin B inhibited hKv1.5 currents rapidly and reversibly at ϩ60 mV in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC 50 of 4.2 M. Cytochalasin A, which has a structure very similar to cytochalasin B, inhibited hKv1.5 (IC 50 of 1.4 M at ϩ60 mV). Pretreatment with other actin filament disruptors cytochalasin D and cytochalasin J, and an actin filament stabilizing agent phalloidin had no effect on the cytochalasin B-induced inhibition of hKv1.5 currents. Cytochalasin B accelerated the decay rate of inactivation for the hKv1.5 currents. Cytochalasin B-induced inhibition of the hKv1.5 channels was voltage dependent with a steep increase over the voltage range of the channel's opening. However, the inhibition exhibited voltage independence over the voltage range in which channels are fully activated. Cytochalasin B produced no significant effect on the steady-state activation or inactivation curves. The rate constants for association and dissociation of cytochalasin B were 3.7 M/s and 7.5 s Ϫ1 , respectively. Cytochalasin B produced a use-dependent inhibition of hKv1.5 current that was consistent with the slow recovery from inactivation in the presence of the drug. Cytochalasin B (10 M) also inhibited an ultrarapid delayed rectifier K ϩ current (IK,ur) in human atrial myocytes. These results indicate that cytochalasin B primarily blocks activated hKv1.5 channels and endogenous IK,ur in a cytoskeleton-independent manner as an open-channel blocker.

Objective : The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of Hominis Placenta Pharmacopuncture(HPP) on lower limb spasticity control in stroke patients. Methods : Twenty stroke patients with Leg spasticity were randomly divided into two groups, a Distilled water Pharmacopuncture(group I) and a HPP(group II). The number of Pharmacopuncture was 5 times a week and acupuncture treatment was 3 times a week for 3 weeks. Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS), H-reflex/M-response ratio(H/M ratio), Berg Balance Scale(BBS) and Time Up & Go(TUG) were used for evaluation of spasticity control before experiment, after 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks. Results : Group I showed significant improvement(p<.05) in BBS but no significant improvement in MAS, H/M ratio, and TUG. Group II showed significant improvement(p<.05) in MAS, BBS, and TUG, but no significant improvement in H/M ratio. The results showed significant difference in TUG, but no significant difference in MAS, H/M ratio and BBS between 2 groups. Conclusion : These results showed that HPP might decrease lower limb spasticity and increase leg motor function in stroke patients. Further studies will be required to examine more cases in the long period for the effect on lower limb in spasticity by HPP.

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The zygomatico-orbital artery (ZOA) originating from the superficial temporal artery and supplying the lower temporal region superficially has been reported. Previous studies of this artery have used definitions that are too ambiguous for the results to be directly adapted to clinical practice, including since they have resulted in marked variations in the reported incidence ofthe artery. This study dissected 193 hemifaces of 123 fixed human cadavers aged 36 to 102 years (119 males and 74 females). The authors investigated the ZOA based on the following definition: (1) it originates from the superficial temporal artery, (2) it runs mostly above the zygomatic arch, and (3) it terminates below the superior border of the orbicularis oculi muscle. The incidence of the ZOA was 22.8% (44 cases of 193 sides), and its mean diameter was 1.1 mm. The meanvertical distances from the superior borderofthe zygomatic arch to the artery were 29.6, 17.8, and 2.9 mm at the jugale, zygion, and the origin of the ZOA, respectively. An accurate definition of the ZOA and accurate knowledge of its incidence and course could be important for clinicians to avoid unintentional complications in clinical practice.

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= ABSTRACT =Objectives: This study was performed to determine the levels of depression symptoms among the community elderlies and to reveal its related factors, specifically aimed at revealing psycho-social factors such as social support net-work, sense of self-esteem, state anxiety, interpersonal behavior trait and locus of control. Methods:The interviews were performed during the period from April 1st to June 30th, 2007 to the 790 elderlies in urban and rural areas. Results:The mean scores of depression (CES-D) among all subjects were 16.65±10.97(urban: 18.81±10.31, rural: 14.49±11.20) and they were higher in urban than rural. The level of depression symptoms was influenced by the variables of educational level, with or without spouse, bear for living expenses, sense of satisfaction in daily life. As for health related behaviors, they were influenced by the variables of with or without regular exercise. As for health status, they were influenced by the subjective health status, with or without disability of body, visual acuity, hearing ability, ability of food mastication, urinary incontinence, with or without help in activity of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activity of daily living (IADL). As for social support net-work and social activities, they were influenced by number of offspring, frequency of offspring contents, frequency of going out and activity of hobbies. As for psycho-social factors, they were influenced by sense of self-esteem, state anxiety and social support, especially, the level of depression symptoms was higher influenced by the variables of psycho-social factors than other variables. Conclusions:Lower of the level of depression symptoms among the community elderlies would require development and application of programs to keep under management psycho-social factors as well as looking for ways to promoting the present health status.

The facial artery is the main artery supplying blood to the face and is known to have facial branches of the inferior labial, superior labial, lateral nasal and angular arteries.These known major branches of facial artery run medially, however, there are sometimes branches of the facial artery heading laterally. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the lateral branches of the facial artery in face. We dissected facial branches of the facial artery in 74 cadaveric hemifaces. We investigated the presence of the lateral branches of the facial artery. Following parameters were investigated: lateral branch presence, the location of its origin, and the lateral branch diameter.

nsufficient orbital volume-along with its various causes, including trauma and loss of the eye following enucleation or evisceration-is a challenging problem for craniofacial and oculoplastic surgeons. 1 This condition causes enophthalmos and deep upper eyelid sulcus, which is a significant determinant of the facial appearance. Also, the sunken and shallow fornix caused by insufficient orbital volume in anophthalmic socket syndrome cannot be completely resolved by simply increasing the size of the implanted prosthesis. 2,3 Thus, adequate orbital volume restoration is an important issue for both aesthetic and functional improvements.