Simultaneous endopthalmitis and ipsilateral cerebral abscesses are uncommon. This is the case report of a 68 years old man with left peritonsillar squamous cell carcinoma, who had coils placed in the external carotid artery to induce arterial thrombosis and slow tumor growth. The patient subsequently developed left sided endopthalmitis and left brain abscess. This shows that the coils are able to serve as a nidus of infection resulting in secondary endopthalmitis and brain abscess in an immunocompromised host.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell

Basal cell epithelioma arising from epidermis and its appendages is a common skin tumor. But multiple occurence of basal cell epitheliomas and that of arising in an epidermal nevi are extremely rsre. Since the first report by Toyama and Kojima in 1937, only few cases were reported in the world literatures. We observed a case of multiple basal cell epitheliomas arising in an epidermal nevi in a 54-year-old female patient who had rhomboidal verrucous patch on the right side of the cheek and arciform erythematous verrucous eruption from the right side of the eyebrow to the lower eyelid. Clinical features were not compatible with any type of basal cell epithelioma. But histological finding revealed basal cell epithelioma with epidermal nevi. Literatures were briefly reviewed.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Cheek ; Epidermis ; Eyebrows ; Eyelids ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Nevus* ; Skin

AIM: To investigate the effect of Z,E-butylidedephthalide (Bdph) on laser-induced experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in rat model and choroid blood flow in rabbits'eyes.METHODS: Male Brown Norway rats were treated with Nd:YAG laser to break Bruch's membrane. Thirty mg/kg and 15 mg/kg Bdph were given daily through intraperitoneal injection for 4 weeks after laser treatment. Fluorescein angiography (FA) and choroidal flat mount were used to measure the development of CNV. Female New Zealand white rabbits' eyes were instilled with 10g/L Z,E-butylidenephthalide solution,and ocular blood flow was measured with colored microsphere technique. RESULTS: The intensity of fluorescein leakage, indicating the ocular lesion, decreased significantly in group Bdph 30mg/kg and 15mg/kg, as compared to the control at P＜0.01.The area of neovascularization checked by FA in both groups of Bdph, at 30mg/kg and 15mg/kg decreased significantly compared to the control group at P＜0.05. On the choroid flat mount, the areas of CNV were also smaller in both Bdph groups than in control group. One percent Z,E-butylidenephthalide solution instilled into rabbits' eyes could improve the choroid blood flow at 30 and 60 minutes after drug instillation (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION: Z,E-butylidedephthalide could inhibit the development of CNV in the rat eyes and increase the choroid blood flow in the rabbit eyes. These results suggest that Z,E-butylidedephthalide may be a good agent for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration(ARMD).

Carcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Ultrasonography

The first Leksell Gamma Knife unit(LGU-type B) for radiosurgery in Asia was installed in Asan Medical Center. Mechanical accuracy, output, dose profiles for each collimators were measure during acceptance test. Sixty eight patients (sixty nine cases) had undergone radiosurgery from May 1990 to September 1990. AVM cases were 24 cases (35%), acoustic tumor 10 (14%), pituitary adenoma 4 (6%), metastatic tumor 18 (26%), meningioma 6 (9%) and others 18 (26%). Dose of 25 Gy-100 Gy was delivered at one time according to disease, location and sizes.
Asia ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Humans ; Meningioma ; Neuroma, Acoustic ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Radiosurgery

AIMTo determine the long-term outcome, effectiveness and patient satisfaction of congenital penile curvature correction by plication of tunica albuginea.

METHODSFrom January 1992 to January 2002, 106 young patients underwent surgical correction of congenital penile curvature by corporeal plication. Indications for operation were difficult or impossible vaginal penetration and cosmetic problems. The technique of corporeal plication consists of placing longitudinal plication sutures of 2-zero braided polyester on the convex side of the curvature until the curvature is corrected when erection is artificially induced. Results of this procedure were obtained by retrospective chart reviews and questionnaires via mail. Long-term follow-up ranged from 11 to 132 (mean 69.3) months and data were available for 68 patients.

RESULTSPenile straightening was excellent in 62 patients (91 %) and good with less than 15 degree of residual curvature in 6 patients (9 %). Sixty-seven patients reported no change in erectile rigidity or maintenance postoperatively, while 1 described early detumescence. Shortening of the penis without functional problems was noted by 26 patients (38 %). Thirty-Five patients (51 %) reported feeling palpable indurations (suture knots) on the penis. Temporary numbness of glans penis was described in 3 patients. Overall, 60 patients were very satisfied, 6 satisfied, 2 unsatisfied.

CONCLUSIONCorporeal plication is an effective and durable procedure with a high rate of patient satisfaction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of artificial ligand of peroxisome proliferators activated receptors (PPARs), rosiglitazone (RGZ) and all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) on human myeloma cell line growth in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSU266 and RPMI 8226 cells were treated with different concentration of RGZ in the presence or absence of ATRA and the results were studied by 3H-TdR thymidine incorporation (for cells proliferation), Annexin V-PI staining and caspase-3 activity assay (for cells apoptosis), RT-PCR (for FLIP, XIAP and survivin mRNA expression), and tumor formation test in BALB/c nude mice.

RESULTSExposure to RGZ induced proliferation inhibition in a dose-dependent manner in both U266 (r = 0.991, P < 0.01) and RPMI 8226 cells (r = 0.961, P < 0.01). A combination of RGZ with ATRA could enhance the inhibition effect (P < 0.001 in U266, P < 0.01 in RPMI8226). 10 micromol/L of RGZ induced apoptosis of (9.8 +/- 1.7)% in U266 cells and (10.7 +/- 3.3)% in RPMI8226 cells, in a time and dose dependent manner and combined with ATRA intensified the apoptosis induction effects (P < 0.01 in both cell lines). The FLIP, XIAP and survivin mRNAs were expressed in both cell lines and their levels decreased significantly after cultured with RGZ. The addition of RGZ + ATRA in the culture further decreased the levels. Caspase-3 activity increased substantially with the increase of RGZ concentration and the addition of RGZ + ATRA in the culture medium showed similar synergism effect on caspase-3 activation (P < 0.01). The xenograft of U266 cells in BALB/c nude mice were inhibited by RGZ and so did more by the combination of RGZ and ATRA (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe down-regulation of FLIP, XIAP and Survivin induced by RGZ can activate caspase-3, whereby induced apoptosis and proliferation inhibition in myeloma cells. ATRA can enhance these effects of RGZ.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Multiple Myeloma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Thiazolidinediones ; pharmacology ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of PPARgamma ligand (rosiglitazone, RGZ) as well as combined with all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) on human myeloma cells and try to explore the possible mechanism.

METHODSHuman myeloma cell lines U266 and RPMI-8226 cells were treated with RGZ in the presence or absence of ATRA. Cell proliferation was evaluated by [(3)H] thymidine incorporation, cell cycle distribution and CD49e expression were analyzed by flow cytometry, morphology changes were evaluated by Wright-Giemsa staining, and p27(Kip1) and p21(Waf1) expression was detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSThe exposure to RGZ induced proliferation inhibition in both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. After cultured with 5 micromol/L RGZ, the proportion of U266 and RPMI-8226 cells in phase G(0)/G(1) was (45.2 +/- 6.7)% and (40.3 +/- 7.3)%, respectively (P < 0.05). The proportion of the cells in phase G(2)/M and S was (52.2 +/- 7.4)% and (57.4 +/- 9.5)%, respectively (P < 0.05). These changes were more evident when the RGZ concentration was increased to 10 micromol/L. A combination of RGZ with ATRA enhanced the growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest effects of RGZ. The RGZ-treated myeloma cells displayed morphological characteristics of cell differentiation, and more evident signs of differentiation were observed when RGZ was combined with ATRA. These changes were confirmed by the detection of CD49e expression. The expression of p27(Kip1) and p21(Waf1) in myeloma cells was up-regulated by RGZ and this change was more apparent when RGZ was used in combination with ATRA.

CONCLUSIONRGZ can induce cell cycle arrest and cell differentiation in myeloma cells which maybe caused by up-regulation of p27(Kip1) and p21(Waf1) expression. ATRA can enhance these effects of RGZ on multiple myeloma cells and combined use of these two drugs may show a synergistic effect on myeloma cells.

Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Synergism ; Humans ; Integrin alpha5 ; metabolism ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Multiple Myeloma ; metabolism ; pathology ; PPAR gamma ; agonists ; Thiazolidinediones ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology ; Up-Regulation

Objective: To evaluate the effect of comprehensive intervention program on hypertension control in workplaces in China. Methods: The study design was a non-randomized controlled trial. First, 20 sub-centers were selected across China, then hypertension patients in 2-4 workplaces were selected as the intervention group, and hypertension patients in 1 comparable workplace selected, as the control group in each sub-center. The comprehensive intervention strategy which integrating workplace primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases and standardized management of hypertension was adopted in the intervention group for at least 2 years. Patients in the control group continued their usual health care, and only baseline data and 2-year data was collected. Analyses were conducted for hypertension patients in 30 stated-owned enterprises (SOEs), including 20 for the intervention group and 10 for the control group. The primary outcome was the control rate ofhypertension while the intervention effect (IE) was estimated by using the formula: differential value of intervention group[rate (mean)]-differential value of control group[rate (mean)]. Results: Overall, 2 622 patients completed the 2-year follow-up, of which 2 055 were in the intervention group and 567 in the control group, respectively. After 2 years of intervention, the IE on the level of SBP and DBP for intervention group and control group were-7.5 and-3.9 mmHg, respectively (P<0.05). BMI decreased by 0.4 kg/m(2), with the regular exercise rate as 36.4% and alcohol consumption rate decreased by 14.0%, respectively (P<0.05). The smoking rate decreased by 6.1% (P>0.05). The overall hypertension control rate was 25.0%, and further subgroup analysis showed that our intervention program was particularly effective for those with high education level (27.6%), white-collar employees (41.9%), and those from SOEs whose affiliated hospital had been separated away (41.9%). Conclusion: The comprehensive intervention program could greatly improve the hypertension control in the workplaces in China.
Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use* ; Blood Pressure Determination ; Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control* ; China ; Female ; Health Promotion/organization & administration* ; Humans ; Hypertension/prevention & control* ; Male ; Program Development ; Program Evaluation ; Smoking ; Workplace