Limb salvage operations for osteosarcoma of the extremity usually consist of wide excision and skeletal reconstruction. Most osteosarcoma patients are anemic prior to the surgery as majority of them undergo preoperative neo-adjuvant chemotherapy; thus, it is necessary to treat anemia before and after the surgery since limb salvage operation tends to accompany significant blood loss. Despite the fact that blood transfusion has bad influence on prognosis, complication, and postoperative outcome of cancer patients, it is still considered as a standard management to fix anemia for limb salvage operations. We would like to present a case report in which the authors succeeded in performing limb salvage operations on patients with distal femur osteosarcoma without transfusion.
Anemia ; Blood Transfusion* ; Drug Therapy ; Extremities ; Femur* ; Humans ; Limb Salvage* ; Osteosarcoma* ; Prognosis

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is a rare embryonic malignant tumor of the liver. Most morphological studies on HB have limited to the histological characteristics and only 3 cases of HB have been described in the cytology literature. We present 2 cases of HB occurring in children aged 1 year and 3 years, respectively. The distinctive cytologic features of fine needle aspiration of HB were clusters of tumor cells showing acinar and trabecular pattern, smaller tumor cells with a high nuclear-cytopalsmic ratio and hyperchromatic nuclei having prominent nucleoli, and the presence of extramedullary hematopoiesis and osteoid material. These features were also found in the cell block and the biopsy specimen, and appeared very useful in the differentiation of HB from hepatocellular carcinoma.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Child* ; Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary ; Hepatoblastoma ; Humans ; Liver ; Nephrosis, Lipoid*

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor*

Macrostomia is a relatively rare malformation. There have been many surgical methods for the correction of macrostomia. The old method, a simple straight line closure , did not include reconstruction of the orbicularis oris muscle. Postoperatively, a depressed scar and severe contraction on the cheek were found, especially with animation. As a result, many authors have known that reconstruction of the orbicularis oris muscle was very important to avoid a depressed scar for the correction of macrostomia. The tendency toward lateral displacement of the reconstructed commissure has been attributed to linear scar contraction, and Z-plasty is advocated to prevent this deformity. However, we found that the Z-plasty scar may be conspicuous when the patient smiles. So we performed reconstruction of the orbicularis oris muscle to avoid a depressed scar, and straight line closure to avoid a conspicuous scar. In order to prevent linear scar contracture due to straight line closure, we overcorrected the new commissure. We treated 6 cases of macrostomia form May 1, 1996 to April 30, 1999 using straight line closure and reconstruction of the orbicularis oris muscle. Periods of follow-up were from 12 months to 35 months, with an average of 20,2 months. Every patient was analyzed clinically by ordinary scale method and anthropometrically by the ratio of abnormal distances to normal distances between cheilion and crista philtri. In 3 clinical assessments : symmetry of the commissure was excellent: degree of the scar at rest was good: and degree of depression with animation was excellent. The anthropometrical ratio was 1:1.05. Despite the fact that the linear scars were perpendicular to the minimal skin tension lines, the scars were inconspicuous. The muscle repair provided reconstruction to the modiolus and gave a natural appearance to the commissure, however it did not seem to provide sufficient bulkiness around the commissure. The straight line skin closure and repair of the orbicularis oris muscle provide effective functional and aesthetic reconstruction.
Cheek ; Cicatrix ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Contracture ; Depression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Macrostomia* ; Skin

We have submitted and published the above paper in Infection and Chemotherapy this October 2006. After the publication, we noticed that identical case was already reported in other journal (The Korean Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2005;25(6):421-424). We hereby regret to have to retract the paper.
Drug Therapy* ; Humans ; Liver* ; Publications ; Scedosporium*

We have submitted and published the above paper in Infection and Chemotherapy this October 2006. After the publication, we noticed that identical case was already reported in other journal (The Korean Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2005;25(6):421-424). We hereby regret to have to retract the paper.
Drug Therapy* ; Humans ; Liver* ; Publications ; Scedosporium*

Purpose: To evaluate changes in central macular thickness (CMT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) after phacovitrectomy over a 2-year period in idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) patients. Methods: The records of 52 idiopathic ERM patients (52 eyes) who underwent phacovitrectomy, without recurrence of the condition over a 2-year follow-up period, were reviewed retrospectively. Changes in CMT and SFCT, as measured by optical coherence tomography, were analyzed and compared with those of a normal control group over a 2-year period. Results: The mean preoperative CMT and SFCT were 425.67 ± 84.67 and 257.56 ± 90.13 μm, respectively. Postoperative CMT was reduced significantly to 372.17 ± 45.26 μm at 1 year and 363.15 ± 47.35 μm at 2 years (p < 0.001). SFCT at 1 and 2 years postoperatively was significantly reduced to 238.85 ± 84.85 and 230.31 ± 87.95 μm, respectively (p < 0.001). In the control group, there was no significant change in CMT; however, the SFCT decreased by 11.09 ± 22.36 μm during the 2-year follow-up (p = 0.007). In contrast, in the patient group, CMT and SFCT decreased by 62.52 ± 71.45 and 27.25 ± 41.97 μm, respectively, showing a significant difference from the control group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.043, respectively). Both before surgery and at 1 year postoperatively, the thinner the CMT, the better the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (p = 0.010 and p = 0.018, respectively). A better postoperative BCVA at 2 years was associated with a thinner CMT and better BCVA before surgery (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions Following a phacovitrectomy procedure, ERM patients showed significant reductions in both the CMT and SFCT at the 2-year follow-up.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of calcium and potassium channel blockers on local anesthetics-induced vascular relaxation of isolated rat thoracic aorta. In the presence of lidocaine and bupivacaine, the aortic rings previously contracted with phenylephrine(10(-4)M) were slightly contracted at the beginning of the administration of local anesthetics. But in the presence of tetracaine, aortic rings were not contracted at the beginnings. Verapamil, diltiazem and nifedipine in concentration of 10(-9)M to 10(-5)M produced cumulative concentration-dependent vasorelaxation significantly in the aortic rings previously contracted with phenylephrine(10(-4)M). In the presence of lidocaine, bupivacaine and tetracaine, verapamil, diltiazem and nifedipine in concentration of 10(-9)M to 10(-5)M caused dose-dependent vasorelaxation in aortic rings significantly. Tetraethylammonium HCl(TEA) in concentration of 10(-9)M to 10(-5)M did not produce dose-dependent vasorelaxation but slight contraction showed at the beginning of the administration. In the presence of lidocaine, bupivacaine, TEA in concentration of 10(-9)M to 10(-5)M did not produce vasorelaxation remarkably. But in the presence of tetracaine, TEA in concentration of 10(-9)M to 10(-5)M produced cumuIative concentration-dependent vasorelaxation significantly. These findings suggest that local anesthetics, especially tetracaine, which interact with calcium and potassium channel bleckers, lead to blockade of the sodium and calcium channels as well as potassium channels.
Anesthetics, Local ; Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Bupivacaine ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; Calcium Channels ; Calcium* ; Diltiazem ; Lidocaine ; Nifedipine ; Potassium Channel Blockers* ; Potassium Channels* ; Potassium* ; Rats* ; Relaxation* ; Sodium ; Tea ; Tetracaine ; Tetraethylammonium ; Vasodilation ; Verapamil

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare in vivo biofilm formation on titanium surface and zirconia surface. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For biofilm formation on titanium and zirconia in oral cavity, after producing oral appliances using acrylic resin and orthodontic wire tailored to 9 subjects, we made titanium and zirconia specimens (6 mm x 6 mm x 2 mm), fixed them on oral appliances and maintained them in oral cavity of test subjects for 24 and 72 hours. Test subjects who have equipped two pairs of specimens maintained oral hygiene not by using toothpaste but only by tooth brushing. After 24 and 72 hours, we removed and observed specimens through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: Biofilm formation showed large deviation depending on individuals. For formation comparison between titanium and zirconia for 24 hours, zirconia showed less biofilm formation than titanium. Biofilm formation showed large deviation depending on individuals. As for formation comparison between zirconia and titanium, the degree of biofilm formation in zirconia was less than it was in titanium after a lapse of 24 hours. The result of biofilm formation in 72 hours trial show that zirconia has an inclination to formate less biofilm than it was in titanium. CONCLUSION: Based on the above results, we can conclude that early biofilm formation in oral cavity was influenced by difference of abutment materials.
Biofilms* ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Mouth ; Oral Hygiene ; Orthodontic Wires ; Titanium* ; Tooth ; Toothpastes ; Zirconium

BACKGROUND: Bilirubin prevents oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein, and may protect vessels from atherosclerosis. Several studies showed an inverse relationship between serum bilirubin and coronary artery disease. However, there are some needs to clarify the relationship between serum bilirubin and carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes, especially. METHODS: A total of 346 type 2 diabetic patients, between 35 and 95 years of age (146 men and 200 women), were studied. Subjects with normal serum total bilirubin were divided into two groups, according to their serum total bilirubin levels (group I, total bilirubin > or = 1.0 mg/dL [n = 59]; group II, total bilirubin < or = 0.5 mg/dL [n = 76]). Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque scores were measured by ultrasonography. Carotid atherosclerosis was defined by the presence of plaque or more than 1 mm of common carotid IMT. RESULTS: Carotid IMT was positively correlated with age, duration of diabetes and hypertension, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and fibrinogen, but, it was negatively correlated with bilirubin, gamma glutaryltransferase, albumin, hemoglobin, cystatin C and estimated-glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in all subjects. After controlling for sex, age and levels of hemoglobin, direct bilirubin only was negatively correlated with carotid IMT (r = -0.151, P = 0.034). Low serum total bilirubin group had a lot of female, long duration of diabetes and hypertension, higher hs-CRP, platelet counts, serum creatinine, HbA1c and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, lower albumin, hemoglobin, estimated-GFR and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index. Carotid IMT and plaque scores were significantly greater in low serum bilirubin group (0.785 +/- 0.210 mm vs. 0.678 +/- 0.146 mm, P < 0.01; 1.95 +/- 2.56 vs. 1.03 +/- 1.40, P < 0.05, respectively) than in the high serum bilirubin group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, serum albumin and total bilirubin were independent associated factors for carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic women. CONCLUSION: Total bilirubin is inversely correlated with carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients, and it is an independent associated factor for carotid atherosclerosis in women.
Atherosclerosis ; Bilirubin ; C-Reactive Protein ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Creatinine ; Cystatin C ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; Filtration ; Hemoglobins ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipoproteins ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Platelet Count ; Serum Albumin