OBJECTIVE: In these retrospective studies, the authors report an evaluation of clinical and radiological outcome in patients with cervical spine injury who underwent anterior cervical fusion with Caspar Plating system. METHODS: The authors studied 45 patients with unstable cervical spine after trauma between July 1996 and December 2001. Our series consist of 39 male and 6 female. The cervical spine injury was most common in men in fourth decade. Motor vehicle accidents were a frequent cause of cervical spine injury. Thirty-three patients had fractures with instablity, ten a ligamental injury without fracture, one traumatic hernated disc. Lateral cervical spine X-rays were reviewed for evaluation of fusion and instrumentation failure. RESULTS: In most cases, operation for stabilization was done around one weeks after trauma. In all patients excellent immediate postoperative stability of the spine was obtained, although posterior fusion was necessary at same time in one patient. Solid fusion was achieved in all except two patients who died during the first 2 months after the operation. Three patients developed instrumentation related failure(6.7%): Two patients had screw loosening, one infection. Two of these patients underwent reoperation. The most dreaded complication of dural or cord penetration by drilling or screw placement was not observed. There was no postoperative neurological disturbances. Four patients died of causes unrelated to operation: Two patients died of upper gasterointestinal bleeding, and the other two died of pneumonia and sepsis respectively. CONCLUSION: The Caspar plating system affords an effective means of improving the fusion rate with acceptable instrumentaton-related morbidity in cervical spine injury.
Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Male ; Motor Vehicles ; Pneumonia ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Spine*

Intraosseous hemangioma is an extremely rare tumor that accounts for 1% or fewer of all osseous tumors. The most common sites of its occurrence are the vertebral column and calvaria. Occurrence in a facial bone is very rare. The authors aim to report a case of the surgical treatment of intraosseous hemangioma occurring in the periorbital region, which is a very rare site of occurrence and to introduce our own experiences with the diagnosis and treatment of this condition along with a literature review. A 73-year-old male patient visited our hospital with the chief complaint of a mass touching the left orbital rim. A biopsy was performed by applying a direct incision after local anesthesia. Eventually, intraosseous hemangioma was diagnosed histologically. To fully resect the mass, the orbital floor and zygoma were exposed through a subciliary incision under general anesthesia, and then the tumor was completely eliminated. Bony defect was reconstructed by performing a seventh rib bone graft. Follow-up observation has so far been conducted for 10 months after surgery without recurrence or symptoms.
Aged ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Local ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Facial Bones ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemangioma* ; Humans ; Male ; Orbit* ; Recurrence ; Ribs ; Skull ; Spine ; Transplants ; Zygoma

Larrea nitida is a plant that belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family and is widely used in South America to treat inflammatory diseases, tumors and menstrual pain. However, its pharmacological activity remains unclear. In this study we evaluated the property of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) of Larrea nitida extracts (LNE) as a phytoestrogen that can mimic, modulate or disrupt the actions of endogenous estrogens, depending on the tissue and relative amount of other SERMs. To investigate the property of SERM of LNE, we performed MCF-7 cell proliferation assays, estrogen response element (ERE)-luciferase reporter gene assay, human estrogen receptor (hER) binding assays and in vivo uterotrophic assay. To gain insight into the active principles, we performed a bioassay-guided analysis of LNE employing solvents of various polarities and using classical column chromatography, which yielded 16 fractions (LNs). LNE showed high binding affinities for hERalpha and hERbeta with IC50 values of 1.20x10(-7) g/ml and 1.00x10(-7) g/ml, respectively. LNE induced 17beta-estradiol (E2)-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation, however, it reduced the proliferation in the presence of E2. Furthermore, LNE had an atrophic effect in the uterus of immature rats through reducing the expression level of progesterone receptor (PR) proteins. LN08 and LN10 had more potent affinities for binding on hER alpha and beta than other fractions. Our results indicate that LNE had higher binding affinities for hERbeta than hERalpha, and showed SERM properties in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the rat uterus. LNE may be useful for the treatment of estrogen-related conditions, such as female cancers and menopause.
Animals ; Breast Neoplasms ; Chromatography ; Dysmenorrhea ; Estrogens* ; Female ; Genes, Reporter ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Larrea* ; MCF-7 Cells* ; Menopause ; Phytoestrogens ; Plants ; Rats* ; Receptors, Progesterone ; Response Elements ; Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators ; Solvents ; South America ; Uterus* ; Zygophyllaceae

With emerging data on the various functions of neuroglobin (Ngb), such as neuroprotection and neurogenesis, we investigated the role of Ngb in the neurovascular unit (NVU) of the brain. To study the distribution and function of Ngb after cerebral ischemia, transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) was performed in mice. Brain immunostaining and fluorescence-activated cell sorting were used to analyze the role of Ngb according to the location and cell type. In normal brain tissue, it was observed that Ngb was distributed not only in neurons but also around the brain’s blood vessels. Interestingly, Ngb was largely expressed in platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ)-positive pericytes in the NVU. After tMCAO, Ngb levels were significantly decreased in the core of the infarct, and Ngb and PDGFRβ-positive pericytes were detached from the vasculature. In contrast, in the penumbra of the infarct, PDGFRβ-positive pericytes expressing Ngb were increased compared with that in the core of the infarct. Moreover, the cerebral blood vessels, which have Ngb-positive PDGFRβ pericytes, showed reduced blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage after tMCAO. It showed that Ngb-positive PDGFRβ pericytes stayed around the endothelial cells and reduced the BBB leakage in the NVU. Our results indicate that Ngb may play a role in attenuating BBB leakage in part by its association with PDGFRβ. In this study, the distribution and function of Ngb in the pericytes of the cerebrovascular system have been elucidated, which contributes to the treatment of stroke through a new function of Ngb.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and metabolic disorders stand as formidable challenges that significantly impact the clinical outcomes and living quality for afflicted individuals. An intricate comprehension of the underlying mechanisms is paramount for the development of efficacious therapeutic strategies. Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), a class of enzymes responsible for the precise regulation of protein methylation, have ascended to pivotal roles and emerged as crucial regulators within the intrinsic pathophysiology of these diseases. Herein, we review recent advancements in research elucidating on the multifaceted involvements of PRMTs in cardiovascular system and metabolic diseases, contributing significantly to deepen our understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of these maladies. In addition, this review provides a comprehensive analysis to unveil the distinctive roles of PRMTs across diverse cell types implicated in cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, which holds great potential to reveal novel therapeutic interventions targeting PRMTs, thus presenting promising perspectives to effectively address the substantial global burden imposed by CVDs and metabolic disorders.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and metabolic disorders stand as formidable challenges that significantly impact the clinical outcomes and living quality for afflicted individuals. An intricate comprehension of the underlying mechanisms is paramount for the development of efficacious therapeutic strategies. Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), a class of enzymes responsible for the precise regulation of protein methylation, have ascended to pivotal roles and emerged as crucial regulators within the intrinsic pathophysiology of these diseases. Herein, we review recent advancements in research elucidating on the multifaceted involvements of PRMTs in cardiovascular system and metabolic diseases, contributing significantly to deepen our understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of these maladies. In addition, this review provides a comprehensive analysis to unveil the distinctive roles of PRMTs across diverse cell types implicated in cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, which holds great potential to reveal novel therapeutic interventions targeting PRMTs, thus presenting promising perspectives to effectively address the substantial global burden imposed by CVDs and metabolic disorders.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and metabolic disorders stand as formidable challenges that significantly impact the clinical outcomes and living quality for afflicted individuals. An intricate comprehension of the underlying mechanisms is paramount for the development of efficacious therapeutic strategies. Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), a class of enzymes responsible for the precise regulation of protein methylation, have ascended to pivotal roles and emerged as crucial regulators within the intrinsic pathophysiology of these diseases. Herein, we review recent advancements in research elucidating on the multifaceted involvements of PRMTs in cardiovascular system and metabolic diseases, contributing significantly to deepen our understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of these maladies. In addition, this review provides a comprehensive analysis to unveil the distinctive roles of PRMTs across diverse cell types implicated in cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, which holds great potential to reveal novel therapeutic interventions targeting PRMTs, thus presenting promising perspectives to effectively address the substantial global burden imposed by CVDs and metabolic disorders.

Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a rare benign hepatic tumor occurring predominantly in women of childbearing age. Generally oral contraceptive is not associated with FNH but might accentuate the vascular abnormalities which may cause the lesion to enlarge and, very rarely, to rupture. FNH is typically asymptomatic and seldom bleeds. Often it is incidentally observed during imaging procedures performed for some other reasons. The histologic feature of FNH is characterized by areas of localized growth of mature hepatocytes and septal fibrosis. Surgical resection is seldom required because of the benign nature of the lesion and its lack of significant complication. We experienced a case of focal nodular hyperplasia without liver cirrhosis confirmed by surgical resection and histologic examination. in a 47-year-old man.
Female ; Fibrosis ; Focal Nodular Hyperplasia* ; Hepatocytes ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver* ; Middle Aged ; Rupture