Diabetes is a metabolic disease, leading to high blood glucose levels, and oral complications were as follows : cheilosis and a tendency toward drying cracking : burning sensations : decrease in salivary flow : alterations in the flora of the oral cavity with greater predominance of Candida albicans : and increased periodontal disease. The increase susceptibility of diabetics to infection has been well known. The cellular and humoral immune systems also require accessory cells, such as macrophages and antigen-presenting cells, for an optimal response to occur. Male rats weighing about 150-200 gm were induced to diabetes by streptozotocin, and were serially sacrificed on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd day and 1st, 2nd, 6th week of experiment. And then histologic examination on the cervical lymph node & S-100 protein positive dendritic cell were carried out under th light microscope. The results of this study were as follow : 1. In control group, cevical lymph node consists of a capsule, cortex, paracortex, medullary sinus and medullary cord. The germinal centers appear in the cortex. The medullary cord was composed of closely packed lymphocytes, and the medullary sinus was full of lymph. In the features of immunohistochemical stain, S-100 protein positive cells were seen in the germinal center. 2. In the 1 day experimental group, the germinal centers were more smaller than that of control group and most of them disappeared. The medullary cord was composed of loosely packed lymphocytes. In the features of immunohistochemical stain. S-100 positive protein cells were decreased and somewhere negative. 3. In the 3 day experimental group, it is similar to 1 day finding but the germinal center had clear margin than that of 1 day experimental group. In the features of immunohistochemical stain, the number of S-100 protein positive cell was decreased and somewhere negative. 4. In the 1 week experimental group, the germinal center was more clear than that of 3 day experimental group and T lymphocytes were scattered in the paracortex. In the medullary cord, density of lymphocyte was more increased. In the immunohistochemical stain, S-100 protein positive dendritic cells were increased in the margin of germinal center and somewhere negative. 5. In the 2 week experimental group, the germinal centers were more recovered. In the medullary cord, density of lymphocyte was increased. In the immunohistochemical stain, S-100 protein positive dendritic cell were increased in the germinal center. 6. In the 6 week experimental group, histologic pattern of cortex and paracortex was similar to control group finding, in the immunohistochemical stain, somewhere the number of S-100 protein positive dendritic cell was similar to control group. From above results, in the streptozotocin induced diabetic rat, as the germinal center of cervical lymph node were decreased and antigen-presenting cell, dendritic cell was affected, the function of cervical lymph node, which was responsible for maxillofacial immune system, was decreased.
Animals ; Antigen-Presenting Cells ; Blood Glucose ; Burns ; Candida albicans ; Dendritic Cells* ; Germinal Center ; Humans ; Immune System ; Lymph Nodes* ; Lymphocytes ; Macrophages ; Male ; Metabolic Diseases ; Mouth ; Periodontal Diseases ; Rats* ; S100 Proteins ; Sensation ; Streptozocin* ; T-Lymphocytes

Animal experiment was carried out to measure the physiologic changes of thoracic or thoracolumbar spine that occurred as a result of electrical stimulation, and to evaluate the usefulness of electrical stimulation as a possible treatment for scoliosis. Unilateral electrical stimulations were applied to the back muscle of immature rabbits.They were subgrouped into medial, intermediate, and lateral muscle stimulated groups in order to observe the effects of various electrode placements. The radiograms were taken every other week to observe the changes of the spinal curvatures for the period of 12 weeks. The histological studies of the muscles, which were obtained from the stimulated(right) and the nonstimulated(left) sides at the same level, also were carried out to determine the response of the muscles to the electrical stimulation. The results were as follows. l. A significant scoliotic curvature was observed two weeks after electrical stimulation, and those curvatures did not change more for the next six weeks in spite of prolonged stimulation. 2. Scoliotic curvature induced by electrical stimulation for eight weeks remained unchanged for another four weeks after stopping stimulation. 3. There were no statistical differences in the induced scoliotic curvature among the three groups stimulated at different sites of the medial, intermediate, and lateral regions respectively. 4. A prolonged unilateral electrical stimulation could induce the scoliosis, and may be used as a method for treatment of scoliosis.
Animal Experimentation ; Back Muscles ; Electric Stimulation ; Electrodes ; Methods ; Muscles ; Scoliosis ; Spinal Curvatures ; Spine

PURPOSE: Patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) can have pain as a main symptom and overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms that are directly or indirectly related to a major mechanism that causes pain. The primary purpose of this study is firstly to identify the prevalence rate of OAB symptoms in patients with BPS/IC, secondly to identify changes in OAB symptoms after low-dose triple therapy, and thirdly to build a theoretical foundation to improve quality of life for patients. METHODS: Patients who met the inclusion criteria of BPS/IC through basic tests including the O'Leary-Sant symptom index, overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), and visual analog scale (VAS) were identified. Treatment-based changes in OAB symptoms were identified using the IC Symptom Index and IC Problem Index (ICSI/ICPI), OABSS, and VAS before, and 4 and 12 weeks after low-dose triple therapy. RESULTS: The patients consisted of 3 men and 20 women, and their mean age was 61.9 years (41.0-83.2 years). Comparing values before treatment, and 4 and 12 weeks after treatment (baseline vs. 4 weeks to baseline vs. 12 weeks), the rates of improvement were as follows: ICSI, 44.2% to 63.7%; ICPI, 46.9% to 59.4%; OABSS, 34.3% to 58.2%; and VAS, 53.6% to 75.0%, which showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05). However, comparing values at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment (4 weeks vs. 12 weeks), the ICSI and VAS showed a statistically significant decrease (P<0.05). The ICPI and OABSS showed slight improvement, but no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose triple therapy in BPS/IC results in a clear decrease in OAB symptoms in the first 4 weeks after treatment, and additional treatment for 8 weeks had a partial effect with varied statistical significances depending on the questionnaires.
Amines ; Amitriptyline ; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids ; Cystitis ; Cystitis, Interstitial ; Female ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive

Surgery for the inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm (IAAA) is a technically challenging procedure and it's associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Injuries of the vena cava, the duodenum, the left ureter and the renal vein are common in an operation for IAAA. Herein, we report 2 cases of ligation of the left renal vein during repair of the IAAA. Cases: The 1st case was a 75- year-old male patient, who had an abrupt onset of abdominal pain and a pulsatile abdominal mass. An 8.5 cm sized IAAA and left hydronephrosis were detected via CT angiogram. During the operation, the left renal vein was mobilized and then divided to gain access to the aneuysmal neck. We couldn't reconstruct the divided left renal vein. On the follow-up CT scan, the left renal vein drained into the left paravertebral plexus, and no renal congestion was demonstrated. The 2nd patient was a 72-year-old male who experienced sudden abdominal pain and a growing pulsatile mass on the abdomen. A huge IAAA 10.5 cm in diameter was detected in CT scan. During the repair of IAAA, the left renal vein was divided and ligated to expose the neck of the aneurysm. The divided left renal vein was anastomosed to the splenic vein in an end-to-side fashion instead of performing direct reconstruction. On follow-up CT scan, neither left renal congestion nor significant increment of the portal venous flow was noted. The two patients were doing well at the 15th and 10th postoperative month, respectively.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Pain ; Aged ; Aneurysm ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal* ; Duodenum ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Ligation* ; Male ; Mortality ; Neck ; Renal Veins* ; Splenic Vein ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ureter

Multiple coronary arteries to communicating with the left ventricular fistulae is a very rare congenital anomaly in adults. This anomaly involves three major coronary arteries that have a direct communication between these arteries and the left ventricle. Hemodynamically, it induces myocardial ischemia due to coronary steal syndrome and diastolic volume overload from a left-to-left shunt. A 70-year-old woman with essential hypertension was admitted to our clinic to evaluate complaints of exertional dyspnea. Clinical examination revealed a diastolic murmur at the apex. A coronary angiogram showed a common fistular channel connecting the right coronary artery, the left circumflex coronary artery, and the first large diagonal branch of the left anterior descending coronary artery with the left ventricular chamber. The patient's symptoms were relieved by the administration of calcium channel blocker and angiotensin II receptor blocker. We report a very rare case of three major coronary arteries communicating to the left ventricular fistulae via a common channel.
Adult ; Aged ; Arteries ; Calcium Channels ; Coronary Vessel Anomalies ; Coronary Vessels* ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Fistula* ; Heart Murmurs ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Receptors, Angiotensin

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility and safety of robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN), we compared the operative outcomes of patients who had undergone RPN with those of patients who had undergone laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 2009 and June 2010, 13 patients underwent transperitoneal RPN (group 1) and 14 patients underwent transperitoneal LPN (group 2) by a single surgeon. The operative outcomes of the 2 groups were compared by using Mann-Whitney U and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: All cases were completed successfully without conversion to open surgery. The mean operative time was 153.2+/-22.3 and 117.5+/-32.0 minutes in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.003). The mean robotic console time of group 1 was 101.2+/-21.5 minutes, and the mean laparoscopic time of group 2 was 86.8+/-32.3 minutes (p=0.139). The mean warm ischemic time was 35.3+/-8.5 minutes and 36.4+/-6.8 minutes in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.823). The mean estimated blood loss was 283.6+/-113.5 ml and 264.1+/-163.7 ml (p=0.382), respectively. The mean length of hospital stay was 6.1 and 5.3 days (p=0.290), respectively. The mean tumor size was 2.7+/-1.2 cm and 2.0+/-1.2 cm (p=0.035), respectively. The surgical margins were negative in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although the operative time of RPN was longer than that of LPN, there were no significant differences in operative outcomes including robotic console time and laparoscopic time between the procedures.
Conversion to Open Surgery ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Nephrectomy ; Operative Time ; Warm Ischemia

Golf is low demanded activity and becoming more popular. But it often occur problems in back, shoulder, elbow and wrist. Golf injuries in professional golfer are related overuse and frequency, while in amateur are related wrong swing technique. Also muscle activities in swing are different between professional and amateur. We report partial tear of pronator teres in middle aged amateur golfer with literatures.
Elbow ; Golf ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Muscles ; Shoulder ; Wrist

PURPOSE: To measure the muscle length of the gastrocnemius and soleus during gait in CP patients with an equinus deformity before and after surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve CP patients with an equinus deformity (17 limbs) were examined by gait analysis preoperatively and postoperatively. The patient group was further classified into the TAL and Strayer group according to the surgical technique. The mean age and mean follow-up periods were 14.3 years (5-25 years) and 15.3 months (12.5-18.5 months), respectively. The muscle length of the Gastrocnemius and Soleus was measured during gait using the SIMM program linked to a gait analysis system. RESULTS: The ankle ROM, knee ROM, maximal muscle length and peak-to-peak excursion during gait improved after surgery. There was a significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative measurements (p<0.05), but no difference between the postoperative and control groups (p>0.05). The muscle length of the soleus was elongated during gait after the Strayer procedure. CONCLUSION: Patients with an equinus deformity had a contracted triceps muscle, which was elongated after surgery. These changes were quantified by a comparison of the preoperative and postoperative measurements.
Animals ; Ankle ; Cerebral Palsy ; Contracts ; Equinus Deformity ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gait ; Humans ; Knee ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscles

PURPOSE: We introduce a new technique using a Vicryl(R) mesh made with Polyglactin 910 for breast reconstruction after performing endoscopy-assisted breast conserving surgery. METHODS: From July 2006 to July 2008, we performed endoscopiy-assisted breast surgery in 30 patients with early breast cancer. (Thirty [fourteen] patients [who] underwent endoscopy-assisted breast conserving surgery). Of the total patients, 14 underwent reconstruction procedure (volume replacement with the use of a Vicryl(R) mesh) and 16 underwent reconstuction without Vicryl(R) mesh. We were evaluated for their quality of life (QOL), the surgery-related complications and the cosmetic outcomes. Three patients were excluded from the study; two patients required mesh removal due to infection and the other patient had a total mastectomy performed due to a positive resection margin. RESULTS: The median age of the patient was 49.4 year (range 36-60 year) and all of the patients had a diagnosis of early breast cancer (less than stage IIb). In general, the patients were satisfied with the outcome for their QOL. The patients were especially satisfied with the cosmetic outcome. The patients' satisfaction increased with longer follow-up, as compared to that for the shorter intervals. At 10 months after surgery, there was encapsulated granulation tissue within a collection of tissue fluid, as seen on ultrasonography. At 20 months after surgery, the skin and breast shape both recovered. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that for relatively short follow-up period, breast reconstruction with using Polyglactin 910 mesh, which is made from oxidized regenerated cellulose, resulted in satisfactory cosmetic results and a good quality of life after breast conservative surgery.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cellulose ; Cosmetics ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granulation Tissue ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Mastectomy, Simple ; Polyglactin 910 ; Quality of Life ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) plays a crucial role in Mycobacterium tuberculosis induced pleural responses. Interleukin (IL)-33 up-regulates the production of IFN-gamma. We aimed to identify whether an association between pleural IL-33 levels and tuberculous pleurisy exists and determine its diagnostic value. METHODS: Pleural IL-33, ST2 (a receptor of IL-33), adenosine deaminase (ADA), and IFN-gamma, as well as serum IL-33 and ST2 were measured in 220 patients with pleural effusions (PEs). Patients with malignant (MPEs), parapneumonic (PPEs), tuberculous (TPEs), and cardiogenic (CPEs) pleural effusions were included. RESULTS: Pleural and serum IL-33 levels were highest or tended to be higher in patients with TPEs than in those with other types of PEs. The median pleural fluid-to-serum IL-33 ratio was higher in TPE cases (> or = 0.91) than in other PE cases (< or = 0.56). Pleural IL-33 levels correlated with those of pleural ADA and IFN-gamma. However, the diagnostic accuracies of pleural IL-33 (0.74) and pleural fluid-to-serum IL-33 ratio (0.75) were lower than that of ADA (0.95) or IFN-gamma (0.97). Pleural ST2 levels in patients with MPEs were higher than in patients with TPEs. Serum ST2 levels did not differ among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: We identified an association between elevated pleural IL-33 levels and tuberculous pleurisy. However, we recommend conventional pleural markers (ADA or IFN-gamma) as diagnostic markers of TPE.
Adenosine Deaminase/analysis ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Area Under Curve ; Case-Control Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma/analysis ; Interleukins/*analysis/blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Cavity/*metabolism ; Pleural Effusion/diagnosis/metabolism ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant/diagnosis/metabolism ; ROC Curve ; Receptors, Cell Surface/analysis/blood ; Tuberculosis, Pleural/*diagnosis/metabolism