BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although several oncogenes have been implicated in cellular resistance to ionising radiation or anticancer drug, there is little known about clinical information relating oncogene expression with clinical response to chemoradiotherapy. Correlation between expression of cyclin D1 and Ki-67 and clinical response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in advanced squamous cell carcinomas was investigated. DESIGN: Retrospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor materials of 36 patients with advanced SCC of head and neck (clinical stage III, IV) were analyzed by immunohistochemical method with cyclin D1 and MIB-1 monoclonal antibodies. All patients were treated with induction chemotherapy and 22 patients were followed by radiotherapy. RESULTS: Overexpression of cyclin D1 protein was found in 33% (12/36). The expressed range of Ki-67 was from 0% to 80.1%. Expression of cyclin D1 protein was higher in the non-response group than in the response group to chemotherapy, but was not correlated with radiotherapy response. The Ki-67 index was not associated with tumor response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that overexpression of cyclin D1 would be a marker for the chemotherapy response, although not for the radiotherapy response, whereas Ki-67 index may not be associated with tumor response to the chemotherapy and not to the radiotherapy in advanced squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Cyclin D1* ; Cyclins* ; Drug Therapy* ; Head* ; Humans ; Induction Chemotherapy ; Neck* ; Oncogenes ; Radiotherapy* ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: To analyze hemodynamic changes during single catheter technique of hepatic venous isolation and extracorporeal charcoal hemoperfusion for malignant liver tumor. METHODS: Drugs for chemotherapy were infused to the liver through hepatic artery. With 4-lumen- 2-balloon (4L-2B) catheter, hepatic venous blood was circulated to the extracorporeal charcoal system. During extracorporeal charcoal system circulation, drugs were eliminated and the blood was reinfused to supra-hepatic vein-IVC. At the same time, IVC was clamped. Systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume index (SVI), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and arterial blood gas were measured after 4L-2B catheter insertion (T1), during test circulation (T2), after 20min chemotherapy (T3) and after 10min reperfusion (T4). RESULTS: MAP was decreased at T3 compared to T1 and increased at T4 compared to T3. CI was decreased at T3 and increased at T4 compared to T1. SVRI was decreased at T4 compared to T1. HR was increased at T2 and T3 compared to T1. SVI was decreased at T2 and T3 compared to T1. CONCLUSIONS: During clamping of IVC, MAP is decreased by decreased SVI in spite of increased HR. After IVC is released and the stagnated blood of lower extremity is recirculated, the MAP is returned to the value of after catheter insertion by increased SVI in spite of decreased SVRI.
Arterial Pressure ; Blood Pressure ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Catheters ; Charcoal ; Constriction ; Drug Therapy ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Hemoperfusion* ; Hepatic Artery ; Liver* ; Lower Extremity ; Reperfusion ; Stroke Volume ; Vascular Resistance

Traumatic peroneal tendon dislocation in association with fracture of the lateral process of the talus is a rare injury, which is difficult to diagnose. As a result, early detection is often delayed, which in turn leads to ankle pain and dysfunction. We treated a patient by open reduction and screw fixation in fracture of the lateral process of talus and primary repair of the superior peroneal retinaculum. We report this case with a brief review of the literature.
Ankle ; Dislocations* ; Humans ; Talus* ; Tendons*

The purpose of this study is to assess abdominal sensation after free TRAM flap for breast reconstruction. 74 patients underwent breast reconstruction with free TRAM flap by authors and were followed up to check the sensation on abdomen following the surgery at the out patient clinic. They are compared with 20 female volunteer controls. Abdomens were divided into 13 zones, and assessed for superficial touch, superficial pain, temperature, two-point discrimination, and vibration. For all five sensory modalities, subjects were found to have decreased sensation in the umbilical and infraumbilical regions. This was statistically significant compared with controls. Division following pedicle dissection showed more reduction of sensation than non-dissection side. Both Inguinal areas below the donor site closure also showed markedly decreased sensation. Sensation on most area of abdomen recovered in postoperative 1 year, however, there were remained hypoesthesia in umbilical and infraumbilical area after post operative 1 year. This study clearly demonstrates that there is a significant and persistent reduction in abdominal sensibility following free TRAM flap surgery.
Abdomen* ; Breast* ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Female ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Mammaplasty* ; Sensation ; Tissue Donors ; Vibration ; Volunteers

Skeletal muscles are known to have tolerance to ischemia, but a prolonged ischemia can cause damage to muscular tissues. The ischemia-reperfusion injury results from the oxygen free radicals released by leucocytes and formed by the reaction of hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), one of major antioxidant enzymes ocurring in the various tissues of the body metabolizes or scarvanges the oxygen free radicals. Although many studies reported difference in tolerance to ischemia and reperfusion between white and red muscles, some other investigators failed in finding such difference. The present study was performed to examine effects of graded periods of ischemia and reperfusion on the cellular ultrastructure and activity of SOD in white and red muscles. The Sprague-Dawley rats (200~250 g) were used as experimental animals. Under pentobarbital (50 mg/kg IP) anesthesia, incision was made on lower abdomen and left common iliac artery was occluded by means of a vascular clamp for 2, 4 and 6 hour (hrs). Thereafter, the superficial portion of mid-belly of anterior tibial muscle and soleus muscles were excised at 0, 24 and 72 hrs after onset of reperfusion. The specimens were sectioned into slices, 2 mm in length, 1 mm in width and thickness. Some specimens were prepared for electron microscopic observation and others for determination of SOD activity by using antihuman Cu, Zn- and Mn-SOD antibodies. The results obtained were as follows. 1. In anterior tibial muscle, areas with loose electron-density and dilated cristae were observed in the mitochondria immediately after 2 hrs of ischemia, while widened intermyofibrillar spaces and dilated cisternae of sarcoplasmic reticulum were seen after 2 hrs and 24 hrs reperfusion. When subjected to 2 hrs ischemia and 72 hrs reperfusion, no significant change was found in the cellular ultrastructure. 2. In soleus muscle, electron density was loose in the matrix of mitochondria immediately after 2 hrs of ischemia, while cisternae of sarcoplasmic reticulum were dilalated after 2 hrs of ischemia and 24 hrs reperfusion. Following 2 hrs of ischemia and 72 hrs reperfusion, the electron microscopic findings were similar to those of normal rats. 3. The changes in cellular ultrastructure were more prominent in both the 4 hrs and 6 hrs ischemia groups, in which degree of ultrastructural changes were proportional to duration of reperfusion. 4. In anterior tibial muscle, trace or weak immunoreactivities of Cu, Zn- and Mn-SOD were seen, whereas trace immunoreactivity of Cu, Zn-SOD and trace or weak immunoreactivity of Mn-SOD were observed in soleus muscle. 5. The immunoreactivities of Cu, Zn- and Mn-SOD were not altered in 2 hrs ischemic and 72 hrs reperfused group, while they were increased slightly in 2 hrs ischemic and 24 hrs reperfused group. 6. In both muscles, the activity of SOD increased following 4 hrs or 6 hrs ischemia and 24 hrs or 72 hrs reperfusion. The changes in immunoreactivity of Mn-SOD were not different between two muscles, whereas immunoreactivity of Cu, Zn-SOD were higher in anterior tibial muscle. Consequently, it is suggested that significant ischemia reperfusion injuries are produced after 4~6 hrs ishemia followed by 24 hrs or 72 hrs reperfusion, that anterior tibial muscle is more susceptible to ischemic reperfusion injury and that the ischemic-reperfusion injury is closely related with activity of SOD.
Abdomen ; Anesthesia ; Animals ; Antibodies ; Free Radicals ; Humans ; Hypoxanthine ; Iliac Artery ; Ischemia* ; Mitochondria ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscles* ; Oxygen ; Pentobarbital ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; Reperfusion* ; Research Personnel ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Xanthine Oxidase

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the radiologic findings of primary epiploic appendagitis, with particular attention to the correlation of ultrasonographic, clinical, CT, MR and surgical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 14 patients with primary epiploic appendagitis who presented with the rapid onset of a very localized pain and tenderness, we performed ultrasonography in all, CT in eight, and MRI in four of these eight. Surgery was performed in two patients. Follow-up examinations were performed using US, CT and MRI (n=2), US and CT (n=2), US alone (n=2), and with regard to clinical features (n=12). RESULTS: US performed in 14 patients revealed the presence in all of small, well-defined, ovoid, noncompressible hyperechoic (n=12) or isoechoic (n=2) solid masses attached to the colonic wall, without bowel wall change and without communication with bowel lumen. CT performed in 8 patients showed varying hyperattenuating fatty lesions in the same location in the abdomen, without other inflammatory process. MRI findings of four patients were helpful for further evaluation of internal architecture. CONCLUSION: In primary epiploic appendagitis, US findings were sufficiently characteristic to allow accurate diagnosis and valuable for the differential diagnosis of other acute conditions of the abdomen.
Abdomen ; Colon ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Ultrasonography

Hereditary spastic ataxia is a familial neurological disorder which exhibit the features of a progressive combined pyramidal tract and cerebellar deficiency. The main features are progressive gait disturbance, incoordination, nystagmus, visual impairment, hyperreflexia, extensor plantar response, peripheral neuropathy, and pes cavus. A 27-year-old male patient with spastic ataxic gait was evaluated. He showed characteristic features of hereditary spastic ataxia. There were another twelve affected members in four generations of his family which may be inherited by autosomal dominant pattern. One of them is reported with review of the literature on familial spastic ataxia.
Adult ; Ataxia* ; Family Characteristics ; Foot Deformities ; Gait ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle Spasticity* ; Nervous System Diseases ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Pyramidal Tracts ; Reflex, Abnormal ; Reflex, Babinski ; Vision Disorders

The spontaneous hematomyelia is an uncommon event and its predisposing conditions are vascular malformation, syringomyelia, pregnancy and delivery, angioma, hemophilia, anticoagulant therapy, etc. We have recently experienced the patient with spontaneous onset and resolving hematomyelia in the cervical spinal cord. A 30-year-old male patient with non-traumatic spinal shock was evaluated. On MRI, a hematomyelia along cervical spi-nal cord was revealed. A suspicious AV malformation was noticed at C3-4 level. Fol-low-up MRIs showed spontaneous resolution of the hematoma.
Adult ; Hemangioma ; Hematoma ; Hemophilia A ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Shock ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Vascular Diseases* ; Syringomyelia ; Vascular Malformations

OBJETIVE: To investigate the efficacy of high infusion frequency of liquid nitrogen on pregnancy in human embryo after freezing and thawing. MATERIALS AND METHODS:: 150 infertile patients underwent 162 consecutive thawing-ET cycles. In the high infusion frequency group (Group A), 47 patients (50 cycles) underwent cryopreservation with high infusion frequency of liquid nitrogen. In the low infusion frequency group (Group B), 103 patients (112 cycles) underwent cryopreservation with low infusion frequency of liquid nitrogen. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, fertilization rates, development of embryo, good quality embryo ratio, implantation rates, and pregnancy rates between these two groups. RESULTS: There was no difference between the groups with regard to clinical characteristics (mean age, infertility duration, infertility factors, hormone profile), mean number of oocyte retrieval, fertilization rates, and mean embryo number of transfers. The survival rates in group A was 64.9% (228 of 350 embryos), and among the 228 embryos 190 embryos (83.3%) which progressed to the two- to eight-cell stage. After thawing, the embryo numbers were 65 (34.2%), 29 (15.3%), 35 (18.4%), and 37 (19.5%) of grades 1, 2, 3, and above 4, respectively. The survival rates in group B was 63.8% (482 of 755 embryos), and among the 482 embryos 465 embryos (96.5%) which progressed to the two- to eight-cell stage. After thawing, the embryo numbers were 106 (22.8%), 94 (20.2%), 89 (19.1%), and 112 (24.1%) of grades 1, 2, 3, and above 4, respectively. There was no difference in embryo quality change after the freezing-thawing procedure between the groups. Implantation rates (31.1% vs. 34.3%) were not significant. However hCG positive rates in group A (40%) were higher than group B, but not statistically significant. Clinical pregnancy rate (26% vs. 25.9%), on going pregnancy rates (>20 weeks) were not significant (26% vs. 25%). CONCLUSION: We compared embryo quality change, survival rates, and pregnancy rates between high infusion frequency group and low infusion frequency group and the results were similar between the two groups. Therefore, high infusion frequency of liquid nitrogen for cryopreservation is a worthy method to preserve in human embryos.
Cryopreservation ; Embryonic Development* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Fertilization ; Freezing* ; Humans* ; Infertility ; Nitrogen* ; Oocyte Retrieval ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate* ; Pregnancy* ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND: Chest X-ray of coal werkers' pneumoconiosis and shipyard welders' lung show similar and regular opacities mostly, it is very difficult that we distinguish the former from the latter by only chest X-ray. so we performed this study to understand the progression of the disease and to provide the disease by considering pulmonary function and other factors in proportion to the porfusion of small regular opacities of chest X-ray in both groups. METHOD: 430 coal workers' pneumoconiosis were compared with 311 shipyard welders' lung by the number, the age, the duration of dust exposure, %vital capacity(%VC), %FEV1.0, the type of ventilatory impairment, the combined pulmonary disease according to the profusion of small regular opacities on the chest radiographs, which were classiffied into category 0/1, category 1, and category 2. RESULT: 1) the percent of category 2 in coal workers' pneumoconiosis was 54.4%. the percent of category 1, and category 2 in welders' lung were 60.0%, 7.4%. the progression to the category 2 was higher in coal workers' pneumoconiosis than in welders' lung 2) The mean age was higher in coal workers' pneumoconiosis than in welders' lung, significantly increased in proportion to the progresion of profusion of small regular opacities in both groups 3) There was no difference in the duration of dust exposure by category 1/0, but the duration of dust exposure by category 1, 2 in coal workers' pneumoconiosis more significantly increased than in welders' lung, the duration in the proportion of category 2 to category 0/1, 1 significantly increased in the proportion to small regular opacities in coal workers' pneumoconiosis, but there was no significant difference in the proportion to small regular opacities in duration of dust exposure in welders' lung. 4) There was no sinificant difference of mean values of %VC(%vital capacity)in both groups except for category 1, the mean values of %VC had no relationship between the progression of small regular opacities in both groups. 5) The mean values of %FEV1.0 decreased more significantly in coal workers' pneumoconiosis than in welders" lung except for category 0/1. and decreased sinificantly in proportion to the profusion of small regular opacities in coal workers' pneumoconiosis, there was significant difference of %FEV1.0 in the proportion of category 2 to category 0/1 in welders' lung. 6) there were no significant difference of %FEV1.0, %VC in smoker and nonsmoker in both groups. 7) With regard to the type of ventilation in both groups in coal workers' pneumoconiosis 21.4 percent of patients belonged to the restrictive type, 11.6 percent to the obstructive type, 5.6 percent to the combined type, but in welders' lung 21.8 percent to the restrictive type, 2.9 percent to the obstructive type, 1.9 percent to the combined type. 8. in the pulmonary disease, the incidence of the pulmonary tuberculosis was the most in both groups, was more in coal workers' pneumoconiosis than welders' lung CONCLUSION: If we compare coal workers' pneumoconiosis with electric arc welders' lung by considering pulmonary function and other factors in proportion to the profusion of chest X-ray, I think that we will have the better result in understanding the progression of the disease and provision of the disease in both groups.
Coal* ; Dust ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lung Diseases ; Lung* ; Pneumoconiosis* ; Radiography, Thoracic* ; Thorax* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; Ventilation