Focal myositis, a benign myositis which mostly occurs at lower extremity, is a disease that is spontaneously improved by conservative treatments such as bed rest and administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Focal myositis is known to occur mostly at lower extremity, but we could not find a report of occurrence around hip. Therefore, authors attempt to report clinical progression along with the literature review.
Bed Rest ; Hip ; Hip Joint* ; Lower Extremity ; Myositis*

Transforming growth factor-B1 (TGF-B1) is well known to be one of the most potent Immunosuppressive cytokines. To determine whether TGF-B1 secreted in the latent form can be immunoregulatory, TGF-B1 cDNA driven by the human -actin promotor was transfected into a murine thymoma cell line, EL4 cells. The transfectants (ELJ4) secreted a latent torm of TGF-B1 at a concentration of 5 ng/ml under the influence of TPA. Transfected TGF-b1 transcripts was readily detected by RT-PCR in ELJ4 cells regardless of the presence of TPA, but not in EL4 cells. In addition, we found the degree of Thy-B1 expression, IL-2 secretion and the proliferation rate are not altered by the transfection. Finally, EL4 and ELJ4 cells were injected into C57BU6 mice (syngenic strain), subcutaneously. Tumor cell masses derived from both cell populations survived longer than 1 wk, and the size of tumor derived from ELJ4 was three times larger (2.5 cm of diameter) than that from EL4. Virtually, there was no histopathological difference between two tumors. Taken together, the results from the present study indicates that EL4 thymomas transfected with TGF-1 secretes a latent form of TGF-B1 which may suppress host immune defence system.
Humans ; Mice ; Animals

No abstract available.
Diagnosis*

Axillary disorders originate from an axillary lymph node, subcutaneous fat layer, accessory breast, nerve, vessel and muscle. The most common causes of a palpable axillary mass are a lymph node pathology containing a benign axillary lymphadenopathy, and malignant lymph nodes such as a metastatic lymphadenopathy from breast cancer and a malignant lymphoma. For the detection of masses in the axilla, mammography and sonography are the imaging modalities of choice. We present a spectrum of various axillary masses with correlative radiological imaging and pathological findings in this pictorial essay. Knowledge of the radiological findings of various axillary disorders is useful for a differential diagnosis and for preventing unnecessary invasive procedures.
Animals ; Axilla ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphatic System ; Lymphoma ; Mammary Neoplasms, Animal ; Mammography ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Pathology ; Radiography ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety following percutaneous disc decompression, using navigable disc decompression device for cervical herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP). METHODS: Twenty subjects diagnosed with cervical HNP and refractory to conservative management were enrolled for the study. The herniated discs were decompressed under fluoroscopic guidance, using radiofrequency ablation device with navigable wand. The sagittal and axial plain magnetic resonance images of the clinically significant herniated disc, decided the space between the herniated base and outline as the target area for ablation. Clinical outcome was determined by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Bodily Pain scale of Short Form-36 (SF-36 BP), assessed after 48 weeks. After the procedure, we structurally matched the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and C-arm images through bony markers. The wand position was defined as being ‘correct’ if the tip was placed within the target area of both AP and lateral views; if not, the position was stated as ‘incorrect’. RESULTS: The average NRS fell from 7 to 1 at 48 weeks post procedure (p<0.05). In addition, statistically significant improvement was noted in the NDI and SF-36BP (p<0.05). The location of the wand tip resulted in 16 correct and 4 incorrect placements. Post-48 weeks, 3 of the incorrect tip cases and 1 correct tip case showed unsuccessful outcomes. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated the promising results and safety of the procedure. Thus, focal plasma ablation of cervical HNP with navigable wand can be another effective treatment option.
Catheter Ablation ; Decompression* ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neck ; Neck Pain ; Plasma ; Treatment Outcome*

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical and radiological factors that predict the successful outcome of percutaneous disc decompression (PDD) in patients with lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiological features of patients who underwent lumbar PDD from April 2009 to March 2013. Sixty-nine patients with lumbar HNP were studied. Clinical outcome was assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess relationship among clinical and radiological factors and the successful outcome of the PDD. RESULTS: The VAS and the ODI decreased significantly at 1 year follow-up (p<0.01). One year after PDD, the reduction of the VAS (DeltaVAS) was significantly greater in the patients with pain for <6 months (p=0.03) and subarticular HNP (p=0.015). The reduction of the ODI (DeltaODI) was significantly greater in the patients with high intensity zone (p=0.04). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed the following 5 factors that were associated with the successful outcome after PDD: pain duration for <6 months (odds ratio [OR]=14.036; p=0.006), positive straight leg raising test (OR=8.425, p=0.014), the extruded HNP (OR=0.106, p=0.04), the sequestrated HNP (OR=0.037, p=0.026), and the subarticular HNP (OR=10.876, p=0.012). CONCLUSION: PDD provided significant improvement of pain and disability of patients. The results of the analysis indicated that the duration of pain <6 months, positive straight leg raising test, the subarticular HNP, and the protruded HNP were predicting factors associated with the successful response of PDD in patients with lumbar HNP.
Decompression* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Leg ; Logistic Models ; Radiculopathy ; Regression Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Ethyl pyruvate (EP) is a derivative of pyruvate that has recently been identified by both various in vitro and in vivo studies to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of EP on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). METHODS: 5 weeks old, male BALB/c mice were used. ALI was induced by an intratracheal instillation of LPS 0.5mg/Kg/50microliter of saline. The mice were divided into the control, LPS, EP+LPS, and LPS+EP groups. In the control group, balanced salt solution was injected intraperitoneally 30 minutes before or 9 hours after the intratracheal instillation of saline. In the LPS group, a balanced salt solution was also injected intraperitoneally 30 minutes before or 9 hours after instillation the LPS. In the EP+LPS group, 40mg/Kg of EP was injected 30 minutes before LPS instillation. In the LPS+EP group, 40mg/Kg of EP was injected 9 hours after LPS instillation. The TNF-alpha and IL-6 concentrations in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and that of NF-KappaB in the lung tissue were measured in the control, LPS and EP+LPS groups at 6 hours after instillation of saline or LPS, and the ALI score and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were measured in all four groups 24 and 48 hours after LPS instillation, respectively. RESULTS: The TNF-alpha and IL-6 concentrations were significantly lower in the EP+LPS group than in the LPS group (p<0.05). The changes in the concentration of these inflammatory cytokines were strongly correlated with that of NF-kappaB (p<0.01). The ALI scores were significantly lower in the EP+LPS and LPS+EP groups compared with the LPS group (p<0.05). In the EP+LPS group, the MPO activity was significantly lower than the LPS group (p=0.019). CONCLUSION: EP, either administered before or after LPS instillation, has protective effects against the pathogenesis of LPS-induced ALI. EP has potential theurapeutic effects on LPS-induced ALI.
Acute Lung Injury* ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Cytokines ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; Lung ; Male ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; Peroxidase ; Pyruvic Acid* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND: The role of combination therapy of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) plus long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) in asthma is well established, but nor much is known about this treatment in COPD. Recent studies have revealed that combining therapy is associated with fewer acute exacerbations in COPD, but in most of the studies, high-dose combination therapies have been employed. The current study assessed the effect of moderate or high-dose combination therapy of ICS plus LABA on the frequency of acute exacerbations in COPD. METHODS: Between January 1, 2001 and August 31, 2004, 46 patients with COPD (moderate, severe, very severe) were enrolled who received either fluticasone/salmeterol (flu/sal) 250 microgram/50 microgram twice a day (group A) or flu/sal 500 microgram/50 microgram twice a day (group B) for more than a year. We divided them into two groups depending on the dosage of ICS plus LABA. Effect of drugs was compared based on the factors such as symptom aggravation, number of admission, and time to first exacerbation during a year after use. RESULTS: Eleven of twenty-six patients in group A (42.3%) experienced acute exacerbation and eleven of twenty patients in group B (55%) experienced acute exacerbation during 1 year. Mean exacerbation rate of Group A was 0.96 and Group B was 1.05. Mean admission rate was 0.15 and 0.30, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference of aggravation rate, number of administration and time to first exacerbation between the two treatment groups. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between moderate and high dose combined inhaler therapy to reduce acute exacerbation in COPD patients (moderate, severe, very severe). Hence, the effective dose of combination therapy needs further study in patients with COPD.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones* ; Asthma ; Humans ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive*

No Abstract Available.
Animals ; Base Sequence* ; Cattle* ; Serotyping*

BACKGROUND: Gefitinib targets the epidermal growth factor receptor r(EGFR), and Gefitinib has antitumor activity in patient with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, only 10 to 20 percent of patients show a clinical response to this drug, and the molecular mechanisms underlying patient sensitivity to gefitinib are unknown. PTEN (Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome Ten) plays a role for the modulation of the phosphat?idylinositol 3-kinase pathway (PI3K), which is involved in cell proliferation and survival, so that it can inhibit cell cycle progression and induce G1 arrest. Therefore, we analyzed the relationship between PTEN expression and gefitinib's responsiveness in patients having advanced non small cell lung cancer that had progressed after previous chemotherapy. METHODS: The expression of PTEN was studied by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded tumor blocks that were obtained from 22 patients who had been treated with gefitinib from JAN, 2001 to AUG. 2004. For the evaluation of the relationships between the PTEN expression, the clinical stage and the basal characteristics, those cases that showed the respective antigen expression in >50% of the tumor cells were considered positive. RESULTS: The positive rate of PTEN staining was 55% of the total of 22 patients. There was a significant relationship between the increased expression of PTEN and the response group (p=0.039). However, there was no significant relationship between the expression of PTEN and other clinicopathologic characteristics. CONCLUSION: The expression of PTEN in patients with advanced non small cell lung cancer that has progressed after previous chemotherapy may play a role in gefitinib's responsiveness.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma