In the investigation of patients with internal disc disruption, a discography has been the best method to decide whether intervertebral disc is normal or abnormal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine is a new technique which offers an alternative method of obtaining this information. Some authors have reported MRI was more accurate than discography, but other reports have indicated discography was more useful test in symptomatic lumbar disc disease. The authors performed retrospective study to evaluate the diagnostic value of the image findings of MRI and discography in the internal disc disruption. Image findings of MRI and discography were analyzed comparing to pattern of provocative pain during discography. The concordant pain at discography was considered as a gold standard for evaluation of the diagnostic value of these modalities. The image findings of MRI and discography for 60 discs of 21 patients were graded and compared with the pain response at discography. The validity and predictive value (PV) of these modalities were calculated and the correlation between these image findings was evaluated. The sensitivities of discography and MRI were 83.3% and 90.9% respectively. The specificities of these findings were 47.1% and 46.7%. The positive PV of discography and MRI were 52.6% and 55.6%, and the negative PV were 80% and 87.5% respectively. There was no statistical significance in these discrepancies. The determinations of symptomatic disc level based on image findings are unreliable. The MRI can be considered as a screening test for internal disc disruption since it is non-invasive and sensitive diagnostic tool. The fusion level should be decided by the pain pattern at discography.
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Mass Screening ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine

Anterior plate fixation of the cervical spine provides good primary stability to allow early mobilization without significant external support. Despite the obvious advantages of anterior cervical fixation, neurological injury resulting from the direct trauma of a drill bit or screw are possibile with this technique. In addition, screw loosening leading to dyphagia has been reported. The cervical spine locking plate (CSLP) system maintains the mechanical advantages of internal fixation and eliminate the neurological risks of perforating the posterior cortex. The purpose of this study is to review our experience with this device, to critically assess its ability to stabilize the cervical spine, and to assess for complications associated with this device. The authors reviewed 28 consecutive patients in whom the CSLP system was applied between April 1994 to April 1995. Average age was 44 years ranged from nineteen to seventy-two. Patients with trauma were eight and degenerative diseases were twenty. Eighteen screws were inserted in C3 bodies, twenty-four in C4, forty-one in C5, thirty-six in C6, twenty-four in C7, two in Tl and nine on grafted bone. With a mean follow-up of 15 months, 27 of 28 patients went on to fusion. Mean time to fusion was three months (range 2-5). Fusion status of one patient was considered as uncertain. Three patients had screws placed in the disc rather than in bone. One patient suffered deep wound infection, which developed to tracheoesophagial fistula. No patient showed neurological injury as a result of this device.
Early Ambulation ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Spine* ; Transplants ; Wound Infection

Objective To detect the expression of selenium binding protein 1 ( SBP1 ) in gastric cancer cell line SGC7901, BGC823, normal gastric epithelial cell line GES-1, gastric cancer tissues and normal gastric tissues, explore the relationship between SBP1 and pathologic features, and discuss the feasibility of SBP1 as an diagnostic marker of gastric cancer. Methods The clinical data of 135 patients with gastric cancer who were admitted to Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from 2006 to 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. The expression of SBP1 in the gastric cancer tissues and 16 cases of normal gastric tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein expressions of SBP1 of SGC7901, BGC823 and GES-1 were determined by Western blot and RT-PCR. All data were analyzed by using chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance.Results The mRNA expressions of SBP1 in BGC823 and SGC7091 were 0. 120 ± 0. 020 and 0. 133 ± 0. 015,respectively, which were significantly lower than 0. 907 ± 0. 015 in GES-1 ( F = 2106. 462, P ＜ 0.05 ). The protein expression of SBP1 in BGC823 and SGC7901 were 0.253 ±0.015 and 0.273 ±0.015 ,respectively, which were significantly lower than 0.877 ±0.025 in GES-1 ( F = 1026. 758, P ＜0.05 ). A strong positive reaction of SBP1 was observed in 3 cases of gastric cancer tissues and 16 cases of normal gastric tissues. The decrease of the protein expression of SBP1 was correlated with clinical stages of the patients ( x2 = 12. 629, P ＜ 0.05 ), rather than the sexes, ages, tumor histological types, tumor differentiation, infiltration depths and lymph node metastasis (x2 =2. 142, 0.860, 1.838, 5.001,4.858, 1.994, P＞0. 05). Conclusions The decrease of SBP1 expression could be used as a marker in diagnosing gastric cancer. Down-regulation of SBP1 expression may play an important role in the genesis and prognosis of gastric cancer.

Objective To investigate the role of oxidized LDL and coronary endothelial dysfunction in the development and progress of coronary heart disease(CHD).Methods 29 patients with unstable angina(UA),25 patients with stable angina(SA) and 20 patients without coronary heart disease(control) were studied.Oxidized low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL)、 Nitric oxide(NO),and circulating endothelial cells(CEC) were measured in both coronary sinus and peripheral blood during percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Results The level of NO in coronary sinus in patients with CHD was lower,while the level of ox-LDL and CEC was markedly higher than those in the control group.In CHD patients,the level of NO in coronary sinus blood was lower,while the level of ox-LDL and CEC was higher than that in peripheral blood.It was no siginificant difference between coronary sinus and peripheral blood was observed in the control group.Conclusion Oxidized LDL not only plays an important role in coronary endothelial dysfunction,but also contributes to the progress in the cornornary heart disease.It may be one of the pathophysiological basis of acute coronary incidents.

We herein report a case of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in a 36-year-old male patient, who had a solitary nodular skin lesion on the left supraclavicular area. The histopathologic findings showed typical features of KS as spindle cell proliferation and vascular spaces lined with endothelial cells. The patient's serum was positive for antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and he had opportunistic infection of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and pulmonary tuberculosis. The WBC count was 1,200/mm3 and CD4 count was 50/mm3 with decreased CD4/CD8 ratio to 0.06. He died due to an aggravated respiratory infection.
Adult ; Antibodies ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Cell Proliferation ; Endothelial Cells ; HIV ; Humans ; Male ; Opportunistic Infections ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis ; Sarcoma, Kaposi* ; Skin ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

We compared the efficacy of each modality of treatment group in reducing the frequency of coronary artery abnormalities and change of clinical courses in children with Kawasaki disease in the children of 81 cases who were admitted in pediatric department of Yeungnam University Hospital from September 1985 to August 1990. Group A (37 cases)-aspirin alone, Group B (44 cases)-intravenous gammaglobulin (400 mmg/kg/day) for 5 consecutive days, plus aspirin. We studied the frequency of echocardiographic abnormalities, the duration of fever, and changes in the total white blood cell counts, platelet counts, ESR and CRP value at 1, 2 and 3 weeks of the illness and compared the results between the two groups. The results were as follows. 1) There was no significant intergroup difference in age and sex ratio. 2)The duration of the febrile period after the initiation of the therapy was significant shorter in group B (2.5±1.2days) than in group A: (5.2±3.5 days) (p<0.01). 3) No significant difference was noticed in the WBC and platelet counts in two groups as measured at admission day, 1 and 2 weeks of the illness, however, at 3weeks of illness significant difference was noted. 4) The CRP values measured at 1,2 and 3 weeks after treatment were significantly lower in group B (2.42±1.8, 2.00±1.2, 1.16±1.0) than in group A (7.22±5.3, 5.25±3.9, 1.85±1.2) respectively (p<0.01). 5) In 2D-Echocardiogram, coronary artery dilatation was more frequent in Group A than in Group B at 6month of illness (p<0.01). In conclusion, intravenous gammaglobulin therapy was effective in the shortening of the duration of fever and in the anti-inflammatory action and somewhat effective in prevention of coronary artery aneurysm.
Aneurysm ; Aspirin* ; Child ; Coronary Vessels ; Dilatation ; Echocardiography ; Fever ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Platelet Count ; Sex Ratio

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Echocardiography, Doppler* ; Heart Defects, Congenital*

STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-eight patients with thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures were evaluated according to the treatment methods of the retropulsed fragments. OBJECTIVE: To confirm the pure effect of ligamentotaxis according to the approaching methods to tile involved area. SUMMARY OF BACK GROUND DATA: Retropulsed fragments were effectively treated by indirect posterior reduction. Regardless of size of the retropulsed fragments, remodelling process of the retropulsed fragments was progressed during follow-up period. METHODS: 38 patients with burst fractures of thoracolumbar and lumbar spine were divided into two groups according to tile reduction method of the retropulsed fragments ; the one group consisted of 18 cases which were treated by posterior instrumentation and indirect reduction(Group I: ligamentotaxis) and the other groups consisted of 20 cases which were treated by posterior instrumentation and posterior direct reduction(Group II). Change of neural canal compromise rate, neurologic status, remodelling process of the retropulsed fragments were measured using pre-, post-operative and follow-up radiographs and CT. RESULTS: Comparing the two groups, neural canal compromise rates were decreased at postoperative period but, there were no significant differences in both groups. There were no correlation of neurologic status and neural canal compromise rate. We could confirm the remodelling process of the retropulsed fragments, but there were no significant changes according to the size of the retropulsed fragments between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Indirect reduction by posterior instrumentation( ligamentotaxis ) could effectively treat the retropulsed fragments in burst fractures of thoracolumbar and lumbar spine without directs posterior reduction.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Neural Tube ; Postoperative Period ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: Changes of morphology and phenotype of cultured cells in media added lactate were observed. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of lactate on morphology and phenotype of cultured intervertebral disc cell. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: It was reported that lactate and pH were important factor in the degeneration of intervertebral disc. However the effect of lactate on morphology and phenotype of cultured intervertebral disc cell have not been studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cells were dissociated enzymatically from rabbit nucleus pulposus. After attaining monolayer growth, the cells were incubated in media added 2mM or 5mM lactate. Total cell counts and morphological changes of the cells were periodically observed. Changes in cell phenotype were investigated by use of anti-collagen antibody stain. RESULTS: The cell groups added no lactate and 2mM lactate showed no difference in cell counts, morphology and phenotype. The cell group added 5mM lactate showed a reduction in final cell Counts and highel'ratio of fibroblastic cell in total population. Anti-collagen I Ab stained the Intra-and extra-cellular area of fibroblastic cells and intracellular area of chondrocytic cells. CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests that high concentration of lactate inhibit intervertebral disc cell proliferation and accelerate morphological and phenotypical change to fibroblastic cell.
Cell Count ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Intervertebral Disc* ; Lactic Acid* ; Phenotype*