No abstract available.
Animals ; Linoleic Acid* ; Macrophages, Peritoneal* ; Mice*

The biocompatibility of the titanium has been estabilished through various experimental studies such as cell culture toxicity test, pyrogen test, mutagen test and others. In order to confirm biocompatibility after fabrication of titanium and to clarify the difference between the bone reaction after insertion of the lathed titanium rods and the bone reaction after insertion of the finished and polished rods, both rods were implanted into the proximal femur of a rabbit. Histologic reactions in the bone were observed according to the ASTM standards at the intervals of 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 26 weeks after implantation. The result were as follows In 6 weeks after implantation of lathed titanium rods, inflammatory reactions, such as minimal degree infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes were observed in all cases. This was thought to be caused by surgical trauma. However, inflammatory cell infiltration was not seen after implantation of polished and finished rods in all cases. The cellular infiltration and the histologic reaction of the bone after implantation of lathed group were significantly more pronounced than those after implantation of the finished group. In 12 weekt after implantation of lathed rods, two of four cases revealed a minimal degree of cellular infiliration and histologic reaction seemed to be more pronounced in the lathed group, but they were not significant statistically.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Femur ; Lymphocytes ; Neutrophils ; Titanium* ; Toxicity Tests

Calcifying aponeurotic fibroma is a rare benign soft tissue tumor that usually involves distal extremities in children and adolescents, especially the hands and feet. We report a case of calcifying aponeurotic fibroma arising in a 14-year-old boy who complained of right thumb mass. Surgical excision was performed. The resected specimen showed a 2.0x1.5 cm grayish white, fibrotic tissue. Histologic examination showed proliferation of fibroblastic cells with infiltrative growth pattern. Foci of calcification and chondroid differentiation were present.
Adolescent ; Child ; Extremities ; Fibroblasts ; Fibroma* ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Thumb

Calcifying aponeurotic fibroma is a rare benign soft tissue tumor that usually involves distal extremities in children and adolescents, especially the hands and feet. We report a case of calcifying aponeurotic fibroma arising in a 14-year-old boy who complained of right thumb mass. Surgical excision was performed. The resected specimen showed a 2.0x1.5 cm grayish white, fibrotic tissue. Histologic examination showed proliferation of fibroblastic cells with infiltrative growth pattern. Foci of calcification and chondroid differentiation were present.
Adolescent ; Child ; Extremities ; Fibroblasts ; Fibroma* ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Thumb

A 51-year-old male patient was referred for a sudden out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Upon arrival, he was conscious and had no chest pain complaints. There was no abnormality in initial electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examinations. However, episodes of recurrent ventricular fibrillation (VF) were documented on rhythm monitoring. Each VF episode was triggered by an isolated monomorphic ventricular premature complex (VPC). Suspecting idiopathic VF, emergency radiofrequency catheter ablation was planned for the VPCs. However, when coronary angiography was performed to exclude silent ischemia, the results showed a total occlusion of the right coronary artery posterolateral branch, which is thought to supply the left ventricular inferior and septal wall. After successful reperfusion, VF episodes and the triggering VPCs disappeared. We are documenting this case to emphasize the potential for silent myocardial infarction to cause out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest even in a patient without any symptom or sign of acute coronary syndrome.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Catheter Ablation ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Emergencies ; Heart Arrest* ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest ; Reperfusion ; Ventricular Fibrillation* ; Ventricular Premature Complexes*

PURPOSE: We assessed the radiographic and clinical results of one surgeon's experience treating proximal humerus fractures with a locked proximal humeral plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with unstable proximal humerus fractures were treated with a locking compression plate between February 2005 and September 2007. The average age of the patients was 60.6 years, and the average postoperative follow-up period was 22.3 months. The clinical results were evaluated using the Constant and DASH scores. The radiologic results were evaluated by the Paavolainen method, which measures the neck shaft angle and humeral head height. RESULTS: At the last follow-up examination, the mean Constant score was 75.3 and 15 cases (75%) had excellent or good results; the mean DASH score was 16.4. The mean neck shaft angle was 137.1degrees , and 19 cases (95%) had good results by the Paavolainen method. There was one delayed union, malunion, and screw loosening. CONCLUSION: The patients treated with a locking compression plate had relatively good clinical and radiologic results, and a low complication rate. Moreover, the patients could exercise earlier due to good reduction and initial stability. Treatment of unstable proximal humerus fractures with a locking compression plate is a reliable method
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humeral Head ; Humerus ; Neck

Despite the benefits of smartphones, many adverse effects have emerged. However, to date, there was no particular approach to treat or prevent smartphone addiction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of a home-based daily journal of smartphone use (HDJ-S) in Korean adolescents. Three hundred thirty five middle school students participated in this study. The severity of smartphone addiction was measured using the Korean Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale. The ability to control smartphone use was evaluated with the Motive Scale for Smartphone Regulation. We used the Parents' Concerns for Children's Smartphone Activities Scale to measure parental monitoring and supervision of adolescents' smartphone activities. The Korean Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale classified subjects into high risk and non-high risk for smartphone addiction, according to total scores. Forty six participants (14%) were high risk for smartphone addiction. The high risk group performed the HDJ-S for two weeks, and the same scales were subsequently assessed. After performing the HDJ-S, the total scores of the Korean Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale decreased significantly in the high risk group (P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in the total scores of the Parents' Concerns for Children's Smartphone Activities Scale in the high risk group between baseline and following two weeks of treatment (P < 0.05). The HDJ-S was effective for adolescents with smartphone addiction and increased the parents' concerns for their children's smartphone activities. We suggested that HDJ-S would be considered as a treatment and prevention for smartphone addiction.
Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Behavior, Addictive/*pathology/psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; *Program Evaluation ; Republic of Korea ; *Smartphone

PURPOSE: To report a case of keratitis caused by Acinetobacter baumannii and Candida parapsilosis in a patient using 0.5% levofloxacin and 0.1% fluorometholone for an extended period of time. CASE SUMMARY: A 55-year-old male patient in the neurosurgery department with conjunctival injection and discharge in his left eye was consulted for ophthalmic evaluation and treatment. He was hospitalized in the state of akinetic mutism and given 0.5% levofloxacin and 0.1% fluorometholone for 2 years. On slit-lamp examination, a 3.5 x 4.5-mm dense stromal infiltrate with an overlying epithelial defect was observed. Corneal scraping culture revealed multidrug-resistant A. baumannii and C. parapsilosis. According to the susceptibility result, the patient was treated with topical 10% piperacillin/tazobactam and 0.125% amphotericin B hourly. The corneal ulcer healed gradually with corneal opacity remaining after 8 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The authors of the present study report a case of treated multidrug-resistant A. baumannii and C. parapsilosis keratitis in a patient using topical antibiotics and steroid for an extended period of time.
Acinetobacter ; Acinetobacter baumannii ; Akinetic Mutism ; Amphotericin B ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Candida ; Corneal Opacity ; Corneal Ulcer ; Eye ; Fluorometholone ; Humans ; Keratitis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurosurgery ; Ofloxacin

PURPOSE: Revascularization is a useful method for treating Kienbock's disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of the second dorsal metacarpal vascular pedicle to treat Kienbock's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on 9 patients who had undergone vascular pedicle graft for Kienbock's disease between 1999 and 2003. The mean follow up period was 35 months. At the time of surgery, 2 patients were graded as stage II, 6 as IIIa and 1 as IIIb. The ulnar variance was neutral in all cases. A vascular pedicle graft using second dorsal metacarpal vessel were performed and temporary scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT) fixation were applied for 6 months. RESULTS: Wrist motion except for the radial deviation and grip strength had improved significantly. The patients returned to work after an average of 22 weeks. Resorption of the sclerosis was observed in 7 cases, but lunate collapse was observed in the simple radiograph in 6 cases. According to Lichtman's criteria, 7 cases were satisfactory but 2 cases with a relative old age were unsatisfactory. According to Nakamura's classification, 5 cases were good, 3 cases were fair and 1 case was poor. CONCLUSION: In Kienbock's disease with neutral ulnar variance, a revascularization procedure of vascular pedicle graft with temporary STT fixation is a good treatment method but the patient's age should be considered when determining the revascularization procedure. A prospective study will be needed to determine the optimal duration of temporary STT fixation.
Classification ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Osteonecrosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sclerosis ; Transplants* ; Wrist

STUDY DESIGN: The ingrowth of the nociceptive nerve ending into intervertebral disc was examined using immunohistochemistry and quantified using western blotting. OBJECTIVES: To determine if the nociceptive nerve innervates into the intervertebral discs of internal disc disruption (IDD). SUMMARY AND LITERATURE REVIEW: Nociceptive nerve ending and vessel ingrowth into intervertebral disc is associated with IDD and HNP. Substance P is a neurotransmitter that is found in the nociceptive nerve endings. Immunohistochemistry has confirmed the presence, and western blot has isolated the target. The localization of novel nociceptive innervation, and a quantitative comparison was made according to the original pathology is of interest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 10 specimens of intervertebral disc were collected from IDD during total disc replacement surgery , and another 10 specimens of intervertebral disc from HNP were collected during discectomy. The control samples of intervertebral disc were obtained from 3 adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis, and 2 patients with a lumbar bursting fracture. Standard immunohistochemical techniques were used to test for the nociceptive neurotransmitter (substance P), which is a protein expressed during axonogenesis (growth-associated protein 43, GAP43), and a general nerve marker (protein gene produce 9.5, PGP9.5). The expression of substance P protein was quantified using western blot for its polyclonal antibody. RESULTS: In IDD (n=10), substance P was expressed in 6 cases of outer annulus fibrosus (AF), 5 cases of inner AF, and 3 cases of nucleus pulposus (NP). In HNP (n=10), substance P was expressed in 4 cases of outer AF, 3 cases of inner AF, and 2 cases of NP. In the control group, only 2 cases expressed substance P in outer AF. GAP43 was only positive in outer AF as follows: IDD 3 cases, HNP 1 case, and control 1 case. None of the specimens showed localized PGP 9.5. Substance P was localized significantly in larger quantities in IDD than in the control group (p=0.002). In HNP, the expression level was larger than the control and lower than the IDD group but this was not statistically significant (p=0.158, p=0.108). CONCLUSIONS: Innervation of nociceptive nerve endings was identified at the degenerative intervertebral disc of IDD, which may contribute to back pain.
Adolescent ; Back Pain ; Blotting, Western ; Diskectomy ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Intervertebral Disc* ; Nerve Endings ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Pathology ; Scoliosis ; Substance P ; Total Disc Replacement