OBJECTIVE: 6-Gingerol, one component of ginger (Zingiber officinale) compound, has been known to possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-emetic, and anti-cancer effects. In this study, the apoptotic ability of 6-gingerol was investigated in human prostate cancer cells. METHODS: 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometry, and western blot analysis were done in LNCaP human prostate cancer cell lines treated with the various doses of 6-gingerol for the different durations of drug exposure. RESULTS: 6-Gingerol in doses ranging from 100 to 300 microM induced dose- and time-dependent inhibition of cell viability in prostate cancer cells by using MTT assay. Maximal inhibition of cell viability was observed at 300 microM of 6-gingerol for 48 hours treatment in LNCaP cells. 6-Gingerol at the dose of 100 microM did not produce any significant change in apoptotic cells in flow cytometry analysis. However, significant increase in sub-G0/G1 phase was observed in cells treated with 200 and 300 microM of 6-gingerol. Any significant cell cycle arrest was not induced by 6-gingerol. In western blotting analysis, expression of caspase-3 was not evident in cells treated with 6-gingerol for 24 hours. However, 48 hours treatment with 6-gingerol altered the expression of caspase-3 in LNCaP cells. Expression of cleaved poly showed the dose-dependent fashion in both 24 hours and 48 hours treatment of 6-gingerol. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that 6-gingerol may induce apoptosis in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells.
Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase 3 ; Catechols ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; Fatty Alcohols ; Flow Cytometry ; Ginger ; Humans ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; Prostate ; Prostatic Neoplasms

Patients with pixie ear have an attached, tapering, and low-set earlobe. Traditional methods usually describe excision of the caudal portion of the lobule and reattachment in a more superior position. The present report suggests a simplified skin redraping method for correction of pixie ear. The procedure provides easy method to design and perform, which only requires elevation and trimming of the skin. Other ancillary procedures, such as flap design, anchoring, plication, and subdermal fixation, are not required. This method produces satisfactory results. Postoperative scar is invisible because the incision is on the retroauricular region, and the corrected earlobe has a more natural appearance than the repositioned earlobe. Moreover, skin redraping avoids tension, which contributes to minimization of the postoperative scar.

Chronic wounds are generally defined as non-healing wounds after four weeks of normal treatment. Individual risk factors for chronic wounds should be identified, but the delay of wound healing is often caused by the use of inappropriate dressing material. The concept of rapid wound healing with moist dressings has developed since the 1960s, and wet dressing is currently a widely popular method of wound treatment. Hundreds of dressing materials that maintain a moist environment are commercially available; however, selecting the right dressing material for a specific purpose is not easy, and unfortunately incorrect dressing procedures occur frequently. In order to promote wound healing education, we have classified dressing materials into basic categories and discuss the pros and cons and indications for each category. The purpose of this report is to reduce errors in selecting dressing materials and to enhance precise wound treatment.
Bandages* ; Education ; Risk Factors ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries*

Sagittal synostosis is the most common isolated craniosynostosis and usually recognized in early infancy. Numerous surgical techniques including strip craniectomy, the pi procedure, subtotal calvariectomy have been used, and they are usually successful if carried out in early infancy. Unfortunately, some children with sagittal synostosis are not considered for surgical correction by the age of 2 years. From March 2001 to February 2002, we have experienced two children older than 2 years of age with sagittal synostosis, and in all cases, performed total cranial vault remodeling with minimal bony defect. Reconstruction consisted of shortening of the sagittal midline strut, barrel stave osteotomy of temporal region, and right angled Z-osteotomy of parieto-occipital region. Using right angled Z-osteotomy, we can easily reshape and fix parieto-occipital bone flap with good stability and esthetic results. We report our technique for the late correction of scaphocephaly in two children with satisfactory results
Child ; Craniosynostoses* ; Humans ; Osteotomy

PURPOSE: The clinical suspicion of idiopathic adhesive capsulitis of the hip (IACH) involves restricted range of motion and normal hip radiographs. The purpose of this study was to delineate the characteristic findings observed on magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) by identifying the anatomical structures involved and their significance on clinical presentation of restricted range of motion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated MRA's of 46 hips (44 patients) who suffered hip pain from September 2006 to August 2012 in our hospital. Of those, 10 cases (8 patients) with clinical suspicion of IACH were compared to 20 normal hip cases (control group). To identify anatomical evidence of adhesive capsulitis in the MRA's of the IACH group, capsular thickness was measured superiorly, inferiorly, anteriorly and posteriorly, and compared to that of the randomly selected control group. RESULTS: Comparison of the MRA findings of the control group to that of the IACH group showed that there was a statistically significant increase in the mean thickness of the joint capsule superiorly and posteriorly (P<0.01), while comparison of examination findings revealed a statistically significant decrease in the mean range of motion (flexion 122.5degrees+/-5.5degrees/abduction 28.0degrees+/-2.8degrees/adduction 26.5degrees+/-2.4degrees/external rotation 30.5degrees+/-3.8degrees/internal rotation 25.5degrees+/-2.4degrees) in the IACH group. CONCLUSION: A change in the capsular thickness on MRA is a common finding in IACH patients with the increase more evident in the posterior and superior capsules than the anterior and inferior capsules.
Arthrography* ; Bursitis* ; Capsules ; Hip* ; Humans ; Joint Capsule ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies

It has generally been accepted that there is a direct relationship between excessively nearwork such as writing and reading, and the incidence of myopia in primary school children. Hong et al (1967, 1968) reported a yearly increase in the incidence of myopia in primary school children in Seoul, Korea. The highest incidence of myopia was found among 5th and 6th graders. These children had to study hard for long hours in preparation for the entrance examinations into middle school. This study was on the incidence of myopia among primary school children was made to find the present incidence of refractive errors now that the entrance examination has been eliminated. In Seoul these examinations have been eliminated since 1969. This study was made in 1973 A comparison is made of the incidence of refractive errors before and after the elimination of the examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 645 primary school children (330 boys and 315 girls) between the ages of 7 and 12 were examined for refractive errors. Visual acuity was checked using the Snellen's E chart under a standard 10 foot candle illumination. There after -2% Cyclogyl solution was twice instiIled in both eyes at 5 minute intervals. The subjective and objective refractive examination was done when the pupils were fully dilated and there was no reaction to light. RESULTS: 1. Ammetropia was more common than emetropia in all of the studies for primary school children (1967, 1968, 1973). 2. Hyperopia was more common than myopia in all of the studies of the incidence of ametropia. (1967, 1968, 1973). 3. The incidence of hyperopia increased until the age of 7 following which there was an annual decrease in the incidence. in contrast, the incidence of myopia showed an annual increase from the age of 8 years. 4. Although myopia was more commonly found among the girls in the 1967, 1973 studies, the 1968 study showed a higher incidence among boys. 5. The greatest incidence of refractive errors occurred at the age of 7 years. 6. The majority of refractive errors were less than 3 diopters. 7. "With the rule" astigmatism was more commonly found than "against the rule". 8. In 1973 the incidence of myopia among primary school children had dropped to 13. 70/0 as compared with a 19.37% incidence in 1967, and 22.9% incidence in 1968.
Astigmatism ; Child* ; Cyclopentolate ; Female ; Foot ; Humans ; Hyperopia ; Incidence* ; Korea ; Lighting ; Myopia ; Pupil ; Refractive Errors* ; Seoul ; Visual Acuity ; Writing

It has generally been accepted that there is a direct relationship between excessively nearwork such as writing and reading, and the incidence of myopia in primary school children. Hong et al (1967, 1968) reported a yearly increase in the incidence of myopia in primary school children in Seoul, Korea. The highest incidence of myopia was found among 5th and 6th graders. These children had to study hard for long hours in preparation for the entrance examinations into middle school. This study was on the incidence of myopia among primary school children was made to find the present incidence of refractive errors now that the entrance examination has been eliminated. In Seoul these examinations have been eliminated since 1969. This study was made in 1973 A comparison is made of the incidence of refractive errors before and after the elimination of the examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 645 primary school children (330 boys and 315 girls) between the ages of 7 and 12 were examined for refractive errors. Visual acuity was checked using the Snellen's E chart under a standard 10 foot candle illumination. There after -2% Cyclogyl solution was twice instiIled in both eyes at 5 minute intervals. The subjective and objective refractive examination was done when the pupils were fully dilated and there was no reaction to light. RESULTS: 1. Ammetropia was more common than emetropia in all of the studies for primary school children (1967, 1968, 1973). 2. Hyperopia was more common than myopia in all of the studies of the incidence of ametropia. (1967, 1968, 1973). 3. The incidence of hyperopia increased until the age of 7 following which there was an annual decrease in the incidence. in contrast, the incidence of myopia showed an annual increase from the age of 8 years. 4. Although myopia was more commonly found among the girls in the 1967, 1973 studies, the 1968 study showed a higher incidence among boys. 5. The greatest incidence of refractive errors occurred at the age of 7 years. 6. The majority of refractive errors were less than 3 diopters. 7. "With the rule" astigmatism was more commonly found than "against the rule". 8. In 1973 the incidence of myopia among primary school children had dropped to 13. 70/0 as compared with a 19.37% incidence in 1967, and 22.9% incidence in 1968.
Astigmatism ; Child* ; Cyclopentolate ; Female ; Foot ; Humans ; Hyperopia ; Incidence* ; Korea ; Lighting ; Myopia ; Pupil ; Refractive Errors* ; Seoul ; Visual Acuity ; Writing

In an earlier study, a site directed mutant rFVIII (rFVIII(m), Arg(336) -> Gln(336)) expressed in baculovirus-insect cell (Sf9) system was found to sustain high level activity during incubation at 37 for 24 h while the cofactor activity of normal plasma was declined steadily. In this study, a mutant B-domain deleted rFVIII(m), Arg(336) -> Gln(336) expressed in baculovirus-insect cell (Sf9) system was characterized for its enzymatic and chemical properties. The expressed rFVIII(m) and plasma FVIII (pFVIII) were purified by immunoaffinity column chromatography and identified by Western blot analysis. The partially purified rFVIII(m) exhibited cofactor specific activity of 2.01 X 10(3)units/mg protein. The molecular weight of rFVIII(m) ranged between 40 to 150 kDa with a major band at 150 kDa. Treatment of both rFVIII(m) and pFVIII with thrombin increased their cofactor activity in a similar pattern. Treatment of both the activated rFVIII(m) and native FVIII with APC decreased their cofactor activities, however, the former exhibited a slower decrease than the latter, although no significant difference was present. rFVIII(m) formed a complex with vWF, resulting in a stabilized form, and the lag period of thrombin-mediated activating was extended by vWF association. These results implicated that rFVIII(m) expressed in baculovirus-insect cell system had a comparable capacity as FVIII cofactor activity and might be a good candidate for the FVIII replacement therapy for hemophilia A patients.
Animals ; Baculoviridae/genetics ; Cell Line ; Factor VIII/biosynthesis/*genetics/isolation & purification/*metabolism ; Insects ; Macromolecular Systems ; Mutation/*genetics ; Protein C/pharmacology ; Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis/*genetics/isolation & purification/*metabolism ; Thrombin/pharmacology ; von Willebrand Factor/metabolism

PURPOSE: Although muscle hernia has been well described in the lower-extremity, muscle hernias in the upper extremity are extremely rare. As with lower extremity muscle hernias, the forearm muscle hernia may result from forced exertion of strenuous activity or following blunt trauma. The objective of this paper is to report an extraordinary case of forearm muscle hernia after radial forearm sensory tendocutaneous free flap with references. METHODS: A 58-year-old male patient received wide excision and radical neck dissection and lower lip reconstruction with radial forearm sensory tendocutaneous free flap for squamous cell cancer on the lower lip. 16 weeks after the operation, he complained of protruding mass on the forearm and the size was increasing. In postoperative 18 weeks, MRI showed herniation of flexor digitorum superficialis. For unaesthetic cause and preventing progress, the authors performed direct fascial closure and Mesh graft. RESULTS: In 12 months after the surgery there was no recurrence and the patient remained symptom-free. CONCLUSION: Pain on extremity exertion and unaesthetic buldge of forearm due to forearm muscle hernia were the primary indications for surgery which consist of direct closure, fasciotomy, fascia lata onlay graft, fascia lata inlay graft, etc. The authors experienced uncommon forearm muscle hernia after radial forearm free flap and satisfying result of treatment.
Extremities ; Fascia Lata ; Forearm ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Hernia ; Humans ; Inlays ; Lip ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscles ; Neck Dissection ; Neoplasms, Squamous Cell ; Recurrence ; Transplants ; Upper Extremity

BACKGROUND: Accessory tragus is an abnormal ear structure that has the shape of a nodule or a papule. The existing surgical method is very simple, wherein an elliptical incision is made around the lesion and the underlying cartilage is removed. However, this method may leave a depressed or dimpled scar and may cause chondrodermatitis. METHODS: We corrected the accessory tragus by a new method using triangular flaps, and the procedure was performed in eight patients. Out of the four triangular flaps, which were created by drawing lines that connected the left and the right sides and the superior and inferior surfaces of the accessory tragus and quartering them, two flaps that faced each other were excised. Once the cartilaginous tissue inside was verified and removed up to the base to the greatest extent possible, the remaining two triangular flaps were sutured and the remaining skin margin of the flap was trimmed. RESULTS: None of the patients had any wound problems related to the surgery, and none of them complained of chondrodermatitis up to 6 months postoperatively. No depression or dimple was observed externally up to 6 months after the operation, and the z-shaped scar, which was created by the crossing over of the triangular flaps, was not as visible as a linear scar. CONCLUSIONS: Correction of an accessory tragus by using the triangular flaps introduced in this study provides a wider operative view through a smaller incision, while preventing the formation of dimples or a depression after the operation.
Branchial Region ; Cartilage ; Cicatrix ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Crossing Over, Genetic ; Depression ; Ear ; Humans ; Methods* ; Skin ; Surgical Flaps ; Wounds and Injuries