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

Lumbar puncture is a simple bedside procedure that is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of several neurologic diseases. Known complications include headache, backache, infection, and hemorrhage, with the most common being postpuncture headache. We report a case of postpuncture spinal subdural hematoma-which is extremely rare-in a 29-year-old female. Although most cases of postpuncture spinal hematomas are associated with coagulation abnormalities, this case shows that it can occur in the absence of predisposing factors.
Back Pain ; Female ; Headache ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural, Spinal ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Spinal Puncture

Fractures, Comminuted ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Incidence ; Mandibular Fractures ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.
Alzheimer Disease*

OBJECTIVES: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided high intensity focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) is a newly emerging non-invasive technique for the treatment of uterine fibroids. The purpose of this study is to review the clinical impact of MRgFUS. METHODS: This study examined 157 patients. The high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) utilized in this study was Philips Achieva 1.5 Tesla MR (Philips Healthcare, Best, the Netherlands) and Sonalleve HIFU system. The patients were followed in post-operative Month 1, Month 3, and Month 6 to investigate any change. Then, these were further classified according to the use of uterine stimulant (oxytocin) in parallel, Funaki Type of uterine fibroid, HIFU intensity, and non-perfused volume (NPV) ratio. RESULTS: When the uterine stimulant was utilized, the HIFU intensity was measured at significantly lower levels, compared with the group not using uterine stimulant, and treatment duration was significantly. The NPV ratio was found significantly higher in the group using uterine stimulant. Concerning the correlation between Funaki Type of uterine fibroid and average sonication power, it was found that the closer to Type I, the lower the sonication power, the shorter the treatment duration, and the higher the NPV ratio significantly. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it was found that the lower the Funaki Types of uterine fibroids, and the higher the NPV ratio immediately after the operation, the larger the uterine fibroid volume decrease and SSS change were. Also, if uterine stimulant was used in parallel in treatment, treatment duration and HIFU intensity could become shorter and lower.
Delivery of Health Care ; High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation ; Humans ; Leiomyoma* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myoma ; Oxytocin ; Sonication ; Ultrasonography*

OBJECTIVES: We examined the effect of sildenafil citrate on advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-induced soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) release in JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cells. METHODS: Cells were incubated with control bovine serum albumin (BSA) or AGEs-BSA, and expression of sFlt-1 mRNA and protein release was determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. AGEs-BSA increased sFlt-1 mRNA expression and protein release in a dose-dependent manner. RESULTS: Sildenafil citrate suppressed sFlt-1 mRNA expression and protein release in cells treated with AGEs-BSA in a dose-dependent manner. Likewise, it inhibited the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and NF-kappaB activity in these cells. Cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) and bilirubin also inhibited sFlt-1 release and ROS production in cells treated with AGEs-BSA, whereas zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP IX) antagonized the effect of sildenafil citrate. In cells transfected with the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) siRNA, sildenafil citrate failed to inhibit the sFlt-1 release and ROS production. CONCLUSION: These results strongly suggest that sildenafil citrate inhibits sFlt-1 release and ROS production in cells treated with AGEs-BSA through upregulation of the HO-1 expression in JEG-3 cells.
Bilirubin ; Choriocarcinoma ; Citric Acid ; Cobalt ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Glycosylation End Products, Advanced ; Heme Oxygenase-1* ; NF-kappa B ; Pregnancy ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; Up-Regulation* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 ; Zinc ; Sildenafil Citrate

Annular pustular psoriasis(APP) is a rare variant of the generalized pustular psoriasis characterized by subacute onset of annular lesion with peripheral advancing pustules. Histologically, it is characterized by spongiform and/or subcorneal pustules which are also found in subcorneal pustular dermatosis(SPD). SPD is very difficult to differentiate from APP, although SPD is thought to be a separate and distinctive entity because of its clinical appearance, characteristic histology, and response to dapsone. We herein report a case of APP showing clinical and histologic features of SPD developed in a patient who had a history of generalized pustular psoriasis.
Dapsone ; Humans ; Psoriasis* ; Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous*

Hemangiopericytoma is uncommon vascular neoplasm that arises from pericytes arround the capillary walls. It was first described as a distinct vascular neoplasm by Stout and Murray in 1942 The anatomic distribution is widespread throughout the body, with approximately one third occur in the head and neck. No sex predilection has been found. Although middle age appears to be the most prevalent time of onset, this neoplasm has been found in all age groups. The differentiation between benign and malignant hemangiopericytoma can be difficult. Although the majority of these tumors are benign, there are malignant variants that can metastasize. Metastasis of seemingly benign tumors may appear year of decade later, so long term close follow-up is needed The treatment of choice is complete surgical excision of the tumor. Despite their vascular origin, these tumors are relatively radioresistant. Radiation therapy is reserved for inoperable metastases or treatment of postoperative surgical fields. Here we present a case of hemangiopericytoma occuring on the Lt. buccal mucosa.
Capillaries ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Hemangiopericytoma* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Mucosa* ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pericytes ; Vascular Neoplasms