BACKGROUND: It is a popular notion that cutaneous ageing includes two distinct phenomenon; true ageing, a universal presumably inevitable change attributable to the passage of time alone, and photoageing, changes attributable to chronic habitual sun exposure that are neither universal nor inevitable. Numerous investigations with experimental animals, in vitro skin models have been conducted, although, few histological studies to date have attempted to announce fundamental morphological changes with innate ageing. OBJECTIVE: We compared skin derived from the breast of old and young persons using light microscopy to discern structural changes in epidermal and dermal morphology with advancing age. METHODS: The histological, immunohistochemical studies were performed with normal skin sections of thirty donors who were diagnosed with breast cancer. They were classified into three age cohort groups; nine into group I (22 to 38), twelve into group II(40 to 52), and nine into group III(54 to 87). We chose the breast as an area that might closely resemble intrinsically aged skin. This region is relatively shielded from photoageing by its anatomical location. Analysis of data was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis and ANOVA test for dermal parameters based on a 5-point rating scale, and a simple regression test for a positive rate of immunoreactants. Results : 1. Light microscopic appearance of aged skin revealed a more flattened epidermis than young skin. There was no trend for an increase in epidermal melanin content per unit area on Fontana-Masson staining. There was an age-associated decrease in the Ki-67 positive rate(p<0.001), the density of Ki-67 positive cells declined approximately 1.16% per decade in photoprotected skin(p<0.001). The number of S-100 positive cells declined approximately 4.4/mm width along the dermo-epidermal juction per decade in photoprotected skin(p<0.001). The expression of differentiation markers(keratin 1, involucrin, filaggrin, loricrin) were not different among the three age cohort groups. 2. With advancing age, there was an attenuation in the number and diameter of elastic fibers in the papillary dermis and an increase in the number and straightness of the same fibers in the reticular dermis. The collagen fibers are arranged in sparse bundles in disarray, and/or aggregates of loosely woven, straight fibers in the aged skin. There was an apparent, age-related decrease in the stainability of ground substances in the papillary dermis on colloidal iron staining. Conclusions : Our data documents semi-quantitative differences among three groups in intrinsically aged breast skin and provide the framework for future research to evaluate the ageing process.
Animals ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cohort Studies ; Collagen ; Colloids ; Dermis ; Elastic Tissue ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Iron ; Melanins ; Microscopy ; Skin* ; Solar System ; Tissue Donors

No abstract available.
Interleukin-6* ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Kidney*

No abstract available.
Hyponatremia* ; Hypopituitarism*

Although severe hemolytic diseases of the newborn triggered by anti-M are very rare, anti-M alloantibodies have been known to be associated with a cause of multipie intrauterine death. Serological and hematological investigations have been reported on a woman who experienced four multiple intrauterine deaths due to anti-M. The mothers blood type was of group A, NN and the husbands cells were of group B, MN. In the serological examination at 9th week's gestation of the fifth pregnancy, anti-M antibodies were identified in her serum. The antibodies comprised IgM saline agglutinin at a titer of 16 at 4 degrees C and IgG agglutinin reacted in an indirect antiglobulin technique at a titer of 4 at 37 degrees C. She underwent high-dose immunoglobulin infusion therapy on a monthly program from 3rd month gestation and a total of 6 times of intravenous immunoglobulin was given. The anti-M titer did not rise during the pregnancy. She delivered a live girl by cesarean section at the 37th week because of a failure of induction. The childs blood type was of group O, MN. The child was discharged and developed normally.
Antibodies ; Cesarean Section ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Immunization, Passive* ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunoglobulins* ; Infant, Newborn ; Isoantibodies ; Mothers ; Pregnancy* ; Spouses

OBJECTIVES: This survey study was conducted to investigate the effect of smoking on drinking alcohol, depression, anxiety and impulsiveness. METHODS: The survey participants were 925 residents over 20 years of age in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. Subjects were divided into smoking and non-smoking groups, and all completed the Korean Version of the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT-K), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Barret Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to identify patterns of the alcohol consumption and smoking, and to assess levels of depression, anxiety and impulsiveness. RESULTS: The number of subjects with problem drinking was significantly higher in smokers (n=58, 37.2%) than non-smokers (n=81, 11.1%), and there was also a significant difference between smokers and non-smokers on the BDI. However, there were no significant differences between smokers and non-smokers on either the BIS or the STAI. When smokers with problem drinking (Smk_Alc) and smokers without problem drinking (Smk_non-Alc) were compared, the Smk_Alc subjects were found to have higher BDI and trait anxiety scores than the Smk_non-Alc group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that smoking is closely related to drinking alcohol and suggests that the more frequently people smoke, the more likely they will drink alcohol due to depression and anxiety. It may therefore important for smokers to control depressive mood, anxiety and impulsivity.
Alcohol Drinking ; Anxiety ; Depression ; Drinking ; Drinking Behavior ; Smoke ; Smoking

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of subacromial bursa injection with steroid according to dosage and to investigate whether hyaluronidase can reduce steroid dosage. METHODS: Thirty patients with periarticular shoulder disorder were assigned to receive subacromial bursa injection once a week for two consecutive weeks. Ten patients (group A) underwent subacromial bursa injection with triamcinolone 20 mg; another group of ten patients (group B) with hyaluronidase 1,500 IU and triamcinolone 20 mg; and the other ten patients (group C) with triamcinolone 40 mg. We examined the active range of motion (AROM) of the shoulder joint, visual analogue scale (VAS), and shoulder disability questionnaire (SDQ) at study entry and every week until 1 week after the 2nd injection. RESULTS: All groups showed statistically significant improvements in VAS after 1st and 2nd injections. When comparing the degree of improvement in VAS, there were statistically significant differences between groups C and A or B, but not between groups A and B. SDQ was statistically significantly improved only in groups B and C, as compared to pre-injection. There were statistically significant differences in improvement of SDQ after the 2nd injection between groups C and A or B. Statistically significant improvements in AROM were shown in abduction (groups B and C) and in flexion (group C only). CONCLUSION: Repeated high-dose (40 mg) steroid injection was more effective in terms of pain relief and functional improvements of shoulder joint than medium-dose (20 mg) steroid injection in periarticular disorder. Hyaluronidase seems to have little additive effect on subacromial bursa injection for reducing the dosage of steroid.
Humans ; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Impingement Syndrome ; Shoulder Joint ; Triamcinolone ; Surveys and Questionnaires

There are few reports in the literature of complete obstruction of the vertebral artery (VA) due to an electric screw driver bit penetration through the neural foramen into the spinal canal with Brown-Sequard syndrome (BSS). A 25-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department with a penetrated neck injury by an electric screw driver bit after a struggle. The patient presented the clinical features of BSS. Computed tomography scan revealed that the electric screw driver bit penetrated through the right neural foramen at the level of C3-4, and it caused an injury to the right half of the spinal cord. Emergent angiography revealed VA dissection, which was managed by immediate coil embolization at both proximal and distal ends of the injury site. After occlusion of the VA, the electric screw driver bit was extracted under general anesthesia. Bleeding was minimal and controlled without difficulties. No postoperative complications, such as wound dehiscence, CSF leakage, or infection, were noted. Endovascular approaches for occlusion of vertebral artery lesions are safe and effective methods of treatment.
Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Angiography ; Brown-Sequard Syndrome* ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Emergencies ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Methods ; Neck Injuries ; Postoperative Complications ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Cord ; Vertebral Artery Dissection ; Vertebral Artery* ; Wounds and Injuries ; Wounds, Penetrating

Purpose: Giant cell tumors (GCTs) are common benign primary bone tumors and are well known for their locally aggressive performance and tendency to recur. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of denosumab and risk factors for recurrent spinal GCTs. Materials and Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to identify differences between individuals treated with and without denosumab and risk factors for spinal GCT recurrence. Patient data, including age, sex, tumor resection range, location, denosumab use, Campanacci grade, and radiotherapy, were documented. Comparable factors were evaluated using odds ratios (ORs) and weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Sixteen studies were included. The overall incidence of spinal GCT recurrence was 29%. Campanacci grade III tumors showed better recurrence outcomes than grades I and II (OR, 16.36; 95% CI, 4.19–63.93; p<0.001). Gross total resection (OR, 0.09;95% CI, 0.04–0.19; p<0.001), radiotherapy (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.11–0.65; p=0.004), and the use of denosumab during subtotal resection (OR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.07–8.17; p=0.04) were important factors for reducing recurrence. Conclusion Clinicians must consider the effects of gross total resection, radiotherapy use, and denosumab use in cases of subtotal resection during spinal GCT treatment. So far, many researchers have used denosumab in spinal GCT, but none have clearly suggested an endpoint. Most studies, however, recommend using it for more than 6 months.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a field of computer science that equips machines with human-like intelligence and enables them to learn, reason, and solve problems when presented with data in various formats. Neurosurgery is often at the forefront of innovative and disruptive technologies, which have similarly altered the course of acute and chronic diseases. In diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, AI is used to analyze images. The use of robots in the field of neurosurgery is also increasing. In neurointensive care units, AI is used to analyze data and provide care to critically ill patients. Moreover, AI can be used to predict a patient’s prognosis. Several AI applications have already been introduced in the field of neurosurgery, and many more are expected in the near future. Ultimately, it is our responsibility to keep pace with this evolution to provide meaningful outcomes and personalize each patient’s care. Rather than blindly relying on AI in the future, neurosurgeons should gain a thorough understanding of it and use it to enhance their patient care.

A chylous ascites, especially drug-induced, is very rare complication in CAPD. The diagnostic criteria for the drug-induced chylous peritoneal dialysate include 1) turbid dialysate developed within Chrs after the administration of causative drug, 2) no clinical symptoms being suggestive of peritoneal inflammation, 3) the fluid containing normal leukocyte counts and being negative for bacterial and fungal culture, and 4) it disappeared spontaneously after the withdrawal of the assumed causative agent and never recurred thereafter. We report a case of chylous ascites emerging after use of manidipine, dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, in a patient undergoing CAPD. The chylous ascites in that patient was improved after discontinuation of manidipine.
Calcium Channels ; Chylous Ascites* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Leukocyte Count ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory*