PURPOSE: This study was to evaluate the effect of stem cell transplantation into the sub-retinal space in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients for improving their visual acuity. RP is a progressive hereditary disease that leads to the blindness, and there is no reliable treatment for recover the disease until now. METHODS: The author transplanted mesenchymal stem cell extracted from umbilical cord blood into the sub-retina of four RP patients recommended by Korea RP association, and checked the changes of their visual acuity and electroretinograms. RESULTS: There was no obvious improvement in their visual acuity and elecroretinograms compared with preoperative state. Two patients, however, experienced slight improvements of their color sense and peripheral visual fields, and slight decrease of photophobia. Although there were no any obvious complications in relation to the stem cell transplantation, surgical procedures developed complications such as vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment. CONCLUSIONS: Mesenchymal stem cell derived from umbilical cord blood could not improve visual acuity and electroretinogram of RP patients.
Blindness ; Fetal Blood ; Genetic Diseases, Inborn ; Humans ; Korea ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Photophobia ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinitis Pigmentosa* ; Retinitis* ; Stem Cell Transplantation* ; Stem Cells* ; Strabismus ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Fields ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

It has been suspected that the cannula of the ultrasonic generator became heated during liposuction, and that the heated cannula might possibly damage the soft tissues such as vessels, nerves and muscles. To confirm these suspicions, the actual temperature of the cannula was measured after being switched on, and the influence of the heated cannula on the soft tissues of 30 rabbits was studied macroscopically and microscopically. When the cooling system of ultrasonic generator was not operated, the temperature of a cannula tip increased to 100degrees C in 10 seconds, and the temperature of a cannula shaft did not increase over 40 degrees C. When the cooling system of the ultrasonic generator was operated, the temperature of the cannula tip increased to 70 degrees C in 20 seconds and to 100 degrees C in 1 minute. The stronger ultrasonic power was, the higher the temperature of the cannula tip was. When the heated cannnula tip touched the muscles, vesseles and nerves directly, the arterial and venous walls were perforated in about 20 seconds and 10 seconds, respectively. Gross changes of the muscles, such as color change and depression of the contacted area, were seen in about 30 seconds, and histological changes occurred in about 3 seconds. When adding the Klein solution, an infiltration solution for increasing the destructive effects of the ultrasound, the onset time of tissue damage was significantly shortened in vessels and nerves, but there was no significant difference in muscles. Although there was no finding of damage by the ultrasonic wave itself on the vessels, nerves, and muscles during ultrasonic liposuction, this study confirmed that the heated cannula could damage vessels, nerves, and muscles. Thus we must try to avoid placing the cannula at certain areas for more than 10 seconds douring the ultrasonic liposuction.
Catheters* ; Depression ; Hot Temperature ; Lipectomy* ; Muscles* ; Rabbits ; Ultrasonics* ; Ultrasonography

Reconstruction of soft tissue defect with exposure of the tendons and bone in the lower third of the leg and the heel represents a challenge to plastic surgeons. The sural artery flap is a fasciocutaneous flap supplied by the sural artery that accompanies the sural nerve and connects with a septocutaneous perforator of the peroneal artery via a suprafascial network of vessels. For the coverage of soft tissue defects, we operated on 10 patients using a distally-based sural artery flap. The sites of the soft tissue defect were the lower third of the leg in 7 cases and the heel in 3 cases. The size of flap varied from 3.5x4cm to 12x18cm. Nine of 10 flaps survived completely. One flap in which the sural nerve was preserved showed partial necrosis but healed spontaneously. Two flaps showed slightly venous congestion which disappeared after a few days. The advantages of the sural flap are a reliable blood supply, easy and quick elevation of the flap, preservation of the major artery and minimal donor site morbidity. The disadvantage of the flap is hypoesthesia at the lateral part of the foot. In conclusion, the distally-based sural artery flap can be used safely for soft tissues coverage in the lower third of the leg and the heel.
Arteries* ; Foot ; Heel ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Hypesthesia ; Leg ; Necrosis ; Sural Nerve ; Tendons ; Tissue Donors

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of distraction osteogenesis in membranous onlay bone graft on the mandible and to clarify the histology of bone repair during distraction osteogenesis in the membranous onlay bone in a dog model. Four dogs, 5 months of age at the beginning of the experiment, were used for this study. The zygomatic arch was exposed in the subperiosteal plane and the full-thickness zygomatic arch was harvested to 3 centimeters in length. The lateral surface of the mandibular body was exposed in the subperiosteal plane and the membranous onlay bone graft was performed with firm contact using screws. The osteotomy on the membranous onlay bone graft and underlying mandibular body was carried down week 1 in dog 1, week 2 in dog 2, week 3 in dog 3, and week 4 in dog 4 after membranous onlay bone graft. The external distraction device was applied to the mandibular body. Mandibular distraction was started 7 days after the operation at a rate of 1mm per day for a total of 10 mm distraction over 10 days. After completion of distraction, the distraction device was left in place for 6 weeks bony consolidation of the distracted area. Radiographs were carried out at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 6 weeks after distraction. New bone between the native underlying mandibular segments was generated in the distracted zone in all dogs. The new bone between the native underlying mandibular segments was generated in the distracted zone in all dogs. The new bone between segments of membranous onlay bone graft was not generated in dog 1, but it was generated in dogs 2, 3 and 4. However, in dog 2 and 3, the new bone between segments of the distracted membranous onlay bone graft presented less firmness with fibrous tissue than that of the native underlying mandibular segment. Histologically, the distracted gap between segments of the membranous onlay bone graft was composed of much fibrous tissue in the central zone while activated osteoblastic cells formed new bone in the margins of the distracted gap in dogs 2 and 3. In dog 4, there were abundant osteoblastic activities in the distracted gap and the new bone appeared as nearly-normal cortical bone. In conclusion, these findings suggested that membranous onlay bone graft had an osteogenic capacity and that distraction osteogenesis was possible in membranous onlay bone graft.
Animals ; Dogs* ; Inlays* ; Mandible ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis, Distraction* ; Osteotomy ; Transplants* ; Zygoma

We reviewed two cases of keratosis punctata palmaris et plantaris(KPP) and the scanning electron microscopic findings(SEM). The skin lesions of KPP are multiple, hyperkeratotic on the palms and soles with central pitting. There was no subjective symptoms. The histologic findigs revea,l marked hyperkeratosis, hypergranulosis, and acanthosis with depression of the underlying malpighian layers. The SEM findings reveal one hyperkeratoic plug on punctate lesion(case I ) and three hyperkeratotic plugs on depression of the malpighian layer(case ll ).
Depression ; Keratoderma, Palmoplantar* ; Keratosis* ; Skin

Bone graft is an important procedure in craniomaxillofacial reconstruction and the success of reconstruction depends on the survival of the grafted bone. In this study, the survival of the membranous inlay bone graft on the mandibles of dogs was investigated with bone scan and histologic examination. The inlay bone graft, 1x2cm critical-sized bone, was completely separated from the lower border of the mandible of dogs and then refixed to the original site. Bone scan and histologic examination were done at 1,2,3 and 4 weeks postoperatively. The bone scan after 1 week showed radioisotope uptake on the margin of the grafted bone and the isotope count was 21% compared to the uptake of the normal bone. After 2 weeks, the radioisotope uptake in the grafted bone increased to 52% of normal bone uptake. After 3 and 4 weeks, the degree of isotope uptake was 111% and 124% respectively. Histological findings after 1 week showed the absence of osteoblastic activity and 6 viable blood vessels in one 200X magnified field, which was 25% compared to the vessels of the normal bone. After 2 weeks, osteoblastic activities were noted and the number of viable blood vessels totalled 15, which was 63% of the vessels of the normal bone. After 3 weeks, osteoblastic activities increased and the number of viable blood vessels totalled 21, which was 88% of the vessels of the normal bone. After 4 weeks, there were markedly increased osteoblastic activities with a total number of 23 vessels, which was 96% of the normal bone. In summary, the revascularization of the membranous inlay bone graft began from the first week after bone graft, and then it gradually increased. After 3 weeks, the revascularization had returned to a nearly normal value compared with the value of the near-by normal mandibular bone.
Animals ; Blood Vessels ; Dogs ; Inlays* ; Mandible* ; Osteoblasts ; Reference Values ; Transplants*

Laryngeal mask airway(LMA) is a new type of airway, which may be used as an alternative to either the endotracheal tube or the face-mask with either spontaneous or positive pressure ventilation without penetration of the larynx or esophagus. LMA have many advantages of easy intubation without laryngoscope and muscle relaxants, decreasing damages of larynx and pharynx., and also useful in difficult intubation or emergency airway care. Recently its interesting has been increased. Clinical studies of LMA was done in 242 patients, about hemodynamic changes, volume and pressure changes of cuff, problems and complications during insertion and maintaining of LMA. The results were as follows: 1) The average time taken to insert the laryngeal mask airway was 9.9sec(range:5~60sec), and 43 cases were correct placement at the second attempt. And the total insertion time was 103 min(range:15~355min). 2) Total ari volume of cuff was 20.5ml(range:15~35ml) in LMA No 3, 28.1 ml(range:25~60ml) in LMA No 4. The least volume of cuff without air leakage was 15ml in LMa No 3 and 25ml in LMA No 4. During positive pressure ventilation the peak airway pressure was 20 cmH2O(15mmHg). 3) In hemodynamic changes, blood pressure was increased about 27.5 mmHg in systolic, 21.2 mmHg in diastolic, and 22.4 mmHg in mean arterial pressure after LMA insertion. 4) Cuff pressure was increased from 70.5mmHg at insertion to 98.9mmHg after 1hours with use of N2O for anesthesia and more increased than without N2O. 5) LMA was used 229 patients in supine position and 5 patients in lateral position. In 8 cases was failed to insertion of LMA. 6) Compilcations were 3 cases of gastric distention, 1 case of difficult nasogastirc tube insertion, and 1 case of severe sore throat with mucosal bleeding on pharyax. Sor throat was complained 26.9% without regard to severity.
Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Pressure ; Emergencies ; Esophagus ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Laryngeal Masks* ; Laryngoscopes ; Larynx ; Pharyngitis ; Pharynx ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Supine Position

We have investigated the changes of DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction in proliferative lesions of rat liver. Proliferative lesions were induced by diethylnitrosamine and partial hepatectomy. DNA ploidy was measured by flow cytometer, and S-phase fraction was measured by in situ bromodeoxyuridine(BRdU)-anti BRdU monoclonal antibody techniques. Normal liver and initiated lesion revealed DNA diploidy or DNA tetraploidy. Hepatocyte nodule (NODULE) and hepatocelular carcinoma (HCC) revealed DNA diploidy, tetraploidy or aneuploidy. S-phase fraction was 1.0+/-0.9, 1.0+/-0.9m 3.7+/-2.3, 5.5+/-4.9, and 13.8+/-11.6 in normal liver, initiated lesion, NODULE not associated with HCC, NODULE associated with HCC, and HCC, respectively. In NODULE associated with HCC, it was widely distributed, ranging from 0.8 to 15.5%. In conclusion, S-phase fraction appeared to be increased as the hepatocarcinogenesis proceeded, but DNA ploidy did not. There was a heterogeneity of DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction in the proliferative hepatic lesions.
Rats ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular

When vitrectomy is performed in eyes that have undergone glaucoma surgery, the site of sclerotomy often overlaps with the previous glaucoma operation site. It can lead to serious complications such as postoperative hypotony, leakage, and/or infection. Our technique involves modification of surgeon's position and two sclerotomy sites 45° away from the original position, with an infusion cannula inserted infranasally to avoid damage to the glaucoma drainage implant or filtering bleb. The modified approach was applied to seven eyes with various indications. Vitrectomy was successfully completed, and there were no sclerotomy site complications, leakage, or hypotony in any case. Good intraocular pressure control was maintained throughout the postoperative course in all cases.
Blister* ; Catheters ; Filtering Surgery ; Glaucoma Drainage Implants* ; Glaucoma* ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Vitrectomy*

BACKGROUND: Malignant melanoma is a potentially lethal cancer that arises from melanocytes present in skin, mucosa, or the epithelial surfaces of eyes and ears, and its incidence has increased substantially. Although primary tumor excision can sometimes achieve complete remission, most melanomas are beyond surgical margins when diagnosed, and are usually resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Therefore, many other therapeutic modalities are being investigated, and one of them is dendritic cells (DC)-based immunotherapy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of DC-based immunotherapy on malignant melanoma. METHODS: Malignant melanoma was induced in mice by subcutaneously inoculating B16F10 cell line, and fifteen mice were divided into 3 groups: 1) PBS-treated (n=5), 2) treated with DC (n=5), and 3) treated with tumor lysate (Ag)-pulsed DC (n=5). We identified that DC were able to present Ag to T cells with mixed lymphocyte reaction and induce Ag-specific immune response with delayed hypersensitivity. To evaluate the therapeutic effect, we examined changes of tumor size and survival rates. RESULTS: The following results were obtained: 1. Ag-pulsed DC generated much T cell proliferation (mixed lymphocyte reaction). 2. Ag-pulsed DC treatment induced only delayed hypersensitivity. 3. Ag-pulsed DC treatment decreased tumor size (PBS:703+/-49 mm3, DC:619+/-26 mm3, and Ag-pulsed DC: 463+/-25 mm3) and increased survival rates. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that intratumoral injection of Ag-pulsed DC could be used to treat malignant melanoma.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Dendritic Cells* ; Drug Therapy ; Ear ; Hypersensitivity, Delayed ; Immunotherapy* ; Incidence ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Lymphocytes ; Melanocytes ; Melanoma* ; Mice ; Mucous Membrane ; Radiotherapy ; Skin ; Survival Rate ; T-Lymphocytes