BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is an essential component of tumor growth and metastasis, and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most important angiogenic factors. Several solid tumors produce substantial amounts of VEGF, which stimulates proliferation and the migration of ednothelial cells, therby inducing neovasculization by a paracrine mechanism. To evaluate the prognostic roles of angiogenesis and VEGF expression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, the relationship between VEGF expression in tumor tissues, the clinicopathologic features and the overall survival rate were analysed. METHODS: Sixty-nine resected primary non-small cell lung cancer specimens were evaluated. The pareffinembedded tumor tissues were stained by anti-VEGF polyclonal antibodies using an immunohistochemical method to assess VEGF expression. RESULTS: In Forty-one patients (59%), the VEGF antigen was expressed weakly in their tumor tissue, whereas in twenty-eight patients (41%) the VEGF antigen was expressed strongly. The median survival time of the weak VEGF expression group was 24 months, and that of the strong VEGF expression group was 19 months. The three year-survival rates were 35%, 33%, respectively. The survival difference between both groups was not statistically significnat. CONCLUSION: Although results were not statistically significant, the strong expression group tended to poorer prognosis than weak expression group.
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Antibodies ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Tuberculosis is a common chronic infectious disease, although the spleen is an uncommon organ to harbor tubercle bacilli. Immunocompromised subjects are primarily prone to miliary tuberculosis and in them the spleen is invaded by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Spleen tuberculosis is manifested commonly as a miliary form. The basic pathology is granulomatous inflammation. The CT finding of splenic tuberculosis are multiple, well-defined, roung or ovoid, low-density masses. Lymphadenopathy in the abdomen and mediastinum and pleural effusion can be found. We report two cases with tuberculosis of the spleen proved by computed tomography and histologic identification. One paitient did not improve following antituberculous medication, so splenectomy was performed. The other patient has been treated with antituberculous medication.
Abdomen ; Communicable Diseases ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mediastinum ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Pathology ; Pleural Effusion ; Spleen* ; Splenectomy ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Miliary ; Tuberculosis, Splenic

OBJECTIVE: To observe motor recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) by time and impact strength in minocycline administration rat. METHOD: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups according to minocycline administration and damage heights. Rats in first group were damaged in 2.5 cm heights, and injected with minocycline. In second group, minocycline was not injected. Rats in third group were damaged in 5 cm heights, and injected with minocycline. In fourth group, rats were damaged in 5 cm and minocycline was not injected. Rats received injury by the force-calibrated weight drop device and first and third groups injected minocycline 90 mg/kg immediately after injury and injected 45 mg/kg every 12 hours. Motor recovery was determined by the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale at 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day after injury. RESULTS: The BBB scores were significantly higher in first and third groups as compared to second and fourth groups after injury. There was significant change of BBB scores in first group as compared to third. CONCLUSION: After injury, BBB scores were significantly higher in minocycline treated rats as compared to the control. Minocycline might have beneficial effects on the recovery cascade after SCI.
Animals ; Minocycline* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spinal Cord*

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are now established as therapeutic agents for treating active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that is resistant to conventional drug treatment. However, TNF Inhibitors decrease resistance to infection, including unusual infections such as tuberculosis, and they have been shown to impair wound healing in an experimental setting. To date, there is limited data on patients with RA regarding their infections or the complications of surgery performed while taking TNF inhibitors and there is no professional consensus about this. This problem emphasizes a need for awareness and communication between patients, the rheumatologist and the surgeon when treating patients with RA. We reviewed the effects of TNF inhibitors on the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) and the risk factors for SSIs after performing elective surgery in patients with RA. TNF inhibitors should not be used during the perioperative period until conclusive evidence to the contrary is available.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Consensus ; Humans ; Incidence ; Perioperative Period ; Risk Factors ; Tuberculosis ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Wound Healing

ARheumatoid arthritis is a systemic, inflammatory, autoimmune disorder of unknown origins. Enhanced understanding of molecular pathogenesis has enabled the development of new biologic treatment that focuses on selective parts of immune system. Combined genetic and environmental factors in association with the risk of rheumatoid arthritis have received increased attention. Research undertaken on the longitudinal disease process and molecular pathology of joint inflammation has contributed to the development of new therapeutic strategies that promote early use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) with tight disease control and measurable treatment outcome. Such approach can be beneficial for control of inflammatory activity and joint destruction. We need to find out how to tailor the best individualized treatment in accordance with different cases.
Antirheumatic Agents ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Immune System ; Inflammation ; Joints ; Pathology, Molecular ; Treatment Outcome

ARheumatoid arthritis is a systemic, inflammatory, autoimmune disorder of unknown origins. Enhanced understanding of molecular pathogenesis has enabled the development of new biologic treatment that focuses on selective parts of immune system. Combined genetic and environmental factors in association with the risk of rheumatoid arthritis have received increased attention. Research undertaken on the longitudinal disease process and molecular pathology of joint inflammation has contributed to the development of new therapeutic strategies that promote early use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) with tight disease control and measurable treatment outcome. Such approach can be beneficial for control of inflammatory activity and joint destruction. We need to find out how to tailor the best individualized treatment in accordance with different cases.
Antirheumatic Agents ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Immune System ; Inflammation ; Joints ; Pathology, Molecular ; Treatment Outcome

Background: Patellar resurfacing is performed in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to improve pain in the anterior compartment of the knee joint and to restore proper coordination and movement of the patellofemoral joint. The purpose of this study was to analyze differences in clinical outcomes according to patellar resurfacing in patients who underwent bilateral TKA. Methods: Forty-three patients who underwent bilateral primary TKA with patellar resurfacing on one side only were included. Patellar resurfacing was performed selectively according to the status of the patella cartilage surface. Knee Society score (knee and function), Feller score, Kujala score, and Samsung Medical Center (SMC) score (pain and function) were evaluated. Results: There were no significant differences in Knee Society pain and function scores, Feller score, Kujala score, and SMC pain and function scores according to patellar resurfacing. On the comparison of SMC scores, there was no difference except for two questions. Conclusions It is advisable not to perform resurfacing on normal patellae. However, in order to apply this result to damaged patellae, comparative studies between resurfaced patellae and damaged patellae are needed.

Birth brachial plexus palsy (BBPP) is usually caused by plexus traction during difficult delivery. Although the possibility of complete recovery is relatively high, 5% to 25% of BBPP cases result in prolonged and persistent disability. In particular, muscle imbalance and co-contraction around the shoulder and elbow cause abnormal motor performance, osseous deformities, and joint contracture. Physical and occupational therapies have most commonly been used, but these conventional therapeutic strategies have often been inadequate, in managing the residual muscle imbalance and muscle co-contraction. Therefore, we attempted to improve the functional movements, by using botulinum toxin type A, to reduce the abnormal co-contraction of the antagonist muscles.
Botulinum Toxins* ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; Brachial Plexus Neuropathies ; Brachial Plexus* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Contracture ; Elbow ; Joints ; Muscles ; Occupational Therapy ; Paralysis* ; Parturition* ; Shoulder ; Traction

Hypoglossal nerve injury is an uncommon complication following endotracheal intubation. A transoral procedure including endotracheal intubation may result in hypoglossal nerve compression at the lateral margin on the hyoid bone and inner mandibular margin at the tongue base. A 50-year-old patient undergoing rotator cuff repair developed a transient unilateral postoperative hypoglossal nerve injury following uncomplicated endotracheal intubation for general anesthesia. The following day the patient complained of difficulty with tongue movement and buccal manipulation of food, and had slurred speech. An electrophysiologic assessment confirmed a diagnosis of unilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy. The symptoms resolved spontaneously and completely by 6 weeks. The possible etiology of the injury is discussed, and related literatures are reviewed.
Anesthesia, General ; Humans ; Hyoid Bone ; Hypoglossal Nerve ; Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases ; Hypoglossal Nerve Injuries ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Middle Aged ; Rotator Cuff ; Tongue

OBJECTIVE: To quantify activities of bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR) using root mean square (RMS) value of motor unit action potentials in power spectrum analysis. METHOD: Twenty-six male patients with spinal cord injury were studied. The BCRs were evaluated by one examiner. The patients were assigned into absent, hypoactive and normal reflex groups according to the degree of BCR activity. The electrophysiological activities of the BCRs were evaluated by the RMS value of the motor unit action potentials in power spectrum analysis recorded from the bulbocavernosus muscle using concentric needle electrode. RESULTS: The BCR by clinical examination was absent in 6 patients, hypoactive in 10 patients and normal in 10 patients. RMS values of absent, hypoactive and normal BCR groups were 15.1+/-3.6 uV, 26.7+/-13.2 uV and 36.3+/-4.8 uV, respectively. RMS values of three groups were significant different (p=0.028) and showed significant correlation (r=0.714, p= 0.005). CONCLUSION: There was strong correlation between RMS value of motor unit action potentials of bulbocavernosus muscle and degree of BCR activities estimated by clinical examination in patients with spinal cord injury.
Action Potentials ; Electrodes ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles ; Needles ; Reflex ; Spectrum Analysis ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Injuries