PURPOSE: Metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMPs) have been linked to the angiogenic process in general. In order to understand the potential roles of MMPs and TIMPs in corneal neovascularization process, we examined the expression and activities of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 during the course of suture-induced corneal neovascularization in rat model. METHODS: Corneal neovascularization of rat cornea was induced by suturing. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in sutured corneas was examined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured before and after suture by gelatin zymography. RESULTS: MMP-2 proenzyme, and TIMP-1, -2 were expressed in normal corneas, predominantly in corneal epithelium. After injury, expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 increased, notably in healing corneal epithelium, infiltrating inflammatory cells, stromal fibroblasts, and ingrowing vascular endothelial cells. The intensity of immunostaining and enzymatic activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 paralleled the magnitude of inflammatory cell infiltration, which peaked around day 7 after suture. Immunoreactivity of MMP/TIMP decreased significantly two weeks after suturing. At day 35 after suture, staining of MMP-2, TIMP-1, -2 remained visible only in corneal epithelium and vascular endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: MMPs as well as TIMPs were upregulated during suture-induced corneal neo-vascularization, suggesting that both may take part in extracellular matrix remodeling in the corneal wound healing, inflammatory, and neovascularization processes.
Animals ; Cornea ; Corneal Neovascularization* ; Endothelial Cells ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts ; Gelatin ; Immunohistochemistry ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2* ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Metalloproteases ; Models, Animal ; Rats ; Stromal Cells ; Sutures ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1* ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; Wound Healing

PURPOSE: To retrospectively review our current clinical experience with a more upgraded treatment algorithm of the talar neck fracture dislocation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the clinical results of treatment of fifty-three talar neck fractures dislocations for average of 50A months (type 1, 10 fractures; type 2, 26; type 3, 13; type 4, 2; total dislocation, 2). Principally anterolateral approach was used for accurate reduction and firm fixation without damaging the deltoid arterial circulation, which is usually intact in fracture dislo cation. RESULTS: The overall clinical results were satisfactory in these patients (excellent, 36%; good, 36%; fair, 24%; failure 4%). Avascular necrosis of the talar body occurred in 23.5 percent (12/51) of the talar neck fractures (type 2, 15.4%; type3, 53.8%; type 4, 50%) and 50 percent (1/2) of total dislocations of the talar body. The traumatic osteoarthritis in the subtalar, ankle and talonavicular joints was the most frequent complication (41.5%). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed relatively better results than previous reports and supports that early anatomical reduction and rigid internal fixation using anterolateral approach and lag screws followed by prompt aftercare could obtain promising good clinical results.
Aftercare ; Ankle ; Dislocations* ; Humans ; Joints ; Neck* ; Necrosis ; Osteoarthritis ; Retrospective Studies*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Ear, Middle*

PURPOSE: A pneumatic tourniquet is commonly used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to improve surgical field visualisation but may result in quadriceps muscle ischaemia. We performed this study to analyse the effect of the tourniquet on recovery following TKA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective randomised single-blinded trial was undertaken to examine the effect of the tourniquet on post-operative pain, swelling, blood loss, quadriceps function and outcome following TKA. Twenty patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were randomised to tourniquet or no tourniquet groups. Quadriceps function was assessed using surface electromyography (EMG) during active knee extension. RESULTS: The no tourniquet group had significantly less pain in the early post-operative period compared to the tourniquet group. There was no difference in Oxford knee score, range of motion, or thigh and knee swelling up to 12 months post-operatively. Quadriceps function, measured by surface EMG, was compromised for the first six months post-surgery by tourniquet use. The radiological cement mantle at the bone prosthesis interface at 12-month follow-up was not affected by the absence of a tourniquet. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that it is safe and beneficial for our patients to routinely perform TKA without a tourniquet.
Arthroplasty ; Electromyography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee ; Osteoarthritis ; Prospective Studies ; Prostheses and Implants ; Quadriceps Muscle ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Thigh ; Tourniquets

Intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is a major cause of stroke worldwide and is more common in Asians than Caucasians. The study results from the East and West are generally similar, but notable differences exist. For example, studies from the East have reported that ICAS is associated with young age, whereas ICAS seems to be associated with old age in the West. Studies from the East have strongly suggested that mild ICAS associated with branch occlusion is one of the main causes of single subcortical infarction, whereas this aspect has not been considered in stroke classification systems developed in the West. While clopidogrel is commonly used in patients with large artery disease in the West, cilostazol has been more extensively studied and commonly used in ICAS patients in the East. A randomized controlled study from the West reported negative results regarding the efficacy of stenting in ICAS patients due largely to a relatively high rate of periprocedural adverse events, whereas research papers from the East have reported a relatively lower rate of complications. Studies to narrow these East-West gaps should be performed, including risk factor studies using homogenous ethnic populations, studies investigating appropriate classification systems, drug trials in different ethnic populations, and rigorous high standard randomized controlled studies on the efficacy of stenting in Eastern populations.
Arteries ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cerebral Infarction ; Classification ; Humans ; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis* ; Risk Factors ; Stents ; Stroke

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to review history and trends of personal health record research in PubMed and to provide accurate understanding and categorical analysis of expert opinions. METHODS: For the search strategy, PubMed was queried for 'personal health record, personal record, and PHR' in the title and abstract fields. Those containing different definitions of the word were removed by one-by-one analysis from the results, 695 articles. In the end, total of 229 articles were analyzed in this research. RESULTS: The results show that the changes in terms over the years and the shift to patient centeredness and mixed usage. And we identified history and trend of PHR research in some category that the number of publications by year, topic, methodologies and target diseases. Also from analysis of MeSH terms, we can show the focal interest in regards the PHR boundaries and related subjects. CONCLUSIONS: For PHRs to be efficiently used by general public, initial understanding of the history and trends of PHR research may be helpful. Simultaneously, accurate understanding and categorical analysis of expert opinions that can lead to the development and growth of PHRs will be valuable to their adoption and expansion.
Adoption ; Electronic Health Records ; Expert Testimony ; Growth and Development ; Health Records, Personal ; Humans ; Medical Subject Headings

BACKGROUND: This study tests the hypothesis that of bipolar radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the thoracic facet joint capsule may provide a safe and effect method of pain control from thoracic facet origin. METHODS: Among patients suffering from localized mid back pain, nine patients with thoracic facet disease confirmed by magnetic resonance image and diagnostic thoracic facet block were enrolled. Bipolar radiofrequency ablation in the inferior aspect of the thoracic facet joint was done. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was measured pre-intervention and 1 month post-intervention. Any complications and changes in amount of pain medication were recorded. RESULTS: Significant 47.6% reduction in VAS was noted at 1 month. There were no serious complications. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular bipolarradiofrequency thermocoagulation of the thoracic facet joint may be a technically easier and valid method of treating mid back pain of thoracic facet origin.
Back Pain ; Catheter Ablation ; Electrocoagulation* ; Humans ; Methods ; Visual Analog Scale ; Zygapophyseal Joint*

BACKGROUND: The Fas antigen is a cell surface molecule that mediates apoptosis in many cell types. Matsues group indicated that keratinocytes constitutively express the Fas antigen and apoptosis was induced only on pretreatment with interferon-r (IFN-y) in cultured normal human keratinocytes (NHK). OBJECTIVE: We undertook this study to determine the induction of apoptosis by Fas antibody alone and/or in combination with IFN y, IL-1a in normal human keratinocytes (NHK) and transitional epithelioma cell lines (KB cell) which had lower levels of intracellular IL-1 receptor antago- nists (IL-1ra ). METHODS: We used cultured NHK and KB cells. Each cell was treated with IFN-r, IL-la and Fas antibody for induction of apoptosis. For quantifying the apoptosis, index fluorescent DNA- binding dyes were used. Result: Fas antibody alone could induce apoptosis not only in KB cells but also in NHK cells. The combination of Fas antibody and IFN-r enhanced the induction of apoptosis in NHK and KB cells. The IL-la alone could induce apoptosis only in KB cells which had relatively small amounts of IL-1ra compared to NHK. CONCLUSION: Our result may indicate that Fas antigen in human keratinocytes can regulate normal epidermal cellular differentiation and proliferation.
Antigens, CD95 ; Apoptosis* ; Carcinoma ; Cell Line ; Coloring Agents ; Humans* ; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein ; Interleukin-1 ; Interleukin-1alpha ; KB Cells* ; Keratinocytes*

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The degree of conversion may influence the ultimate mechanical and physical properties of provisional crown and fixed partial denture materials. The high levels of the unreacted residual monomer may cause deleterious effect on the properties. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to measure the degree of conversion of bis-acrylic based provisional crown and fixed partial denture materials by using an infrared spectroscopic method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Chemically activated three bis-acrylic based provisional crown and fixed partial denture materials, LuxaTemp [DMG, Hamburg, Germany], fast set TemPhase [Kerr, Orange, CA, USA] and Protemp 3 Garant [3M-ESPE, St Paul, MN, USA], were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR). The FTIR spectra of the materials tested were immediately obtained after mixing. The specimens were stored under dry conditions and at 23 degrees C for 24 hours, and then the spectra of the materials were also obtained. The degree of conversion (percent) was calculated from the spectrum of the absorbance between the aliphatic double bond at 1637 cm-1 and the aromatic double bond at 1608 cm-1 using the baseline method. The data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the multiple comparison Scheffe test at the significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The mean value and standard deviation of the degree of conversion were 52.5 percent +/- 1.1 percent, 50.3 percent +/- 0.8 percent, and 42.3 percent +/- 4.9 percent for LuxaTemp, Protemp 3 Garant and fast set TemPhase, respectively. There was no significant difference between LuxaTemp and Protemp 3 Garant, whereas there was a statistically difference between Protemp 3 Garant and fast set TemPhase, and LuxaTemp and fast set TemPhase (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The degree of conversion of fast set TemPhase was significantly lower than those of the others. The degree of conversion may be correlated with the rate of polymerization.
Acrylic Resins ; Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate ; Citrus sinensis ; Composite Resins ; Crowns ; Denture, Partial, Fixed ; Fourier Analysis ; Methacrylates ; Polymerization ; Polymers ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Spectrum Analysis