Articular cartilage can be damaged by trauma or by progressive degradation caused by disease. Unfortunately, it has a extremely limited capacity for repair and regeneration. The use of joint prosthesis has revolutionized but remains limited in its use. To know the possibility of clinical application of clinical application of autogenous bone-articular graft in open complicated intraarticular fractures we studied the change of bone-articular cartilage defect in medial femoral condyle of rabbits and viability of autogenous bone-articular graft stored within abdominal wall of rabbits. The results were obtained as follows: 1. There was over 90% viability of subchondral bone after 10 days storage in the adbominal wall but the articular cartilage showed degenerative change about 40% after 5 days passed. 2. The bone-articular defect was replaced by undifferentiated mesenchymal tissue and fibrous tissue, postoperative 6 weeks later. 3. In implanted bone-articular cartilage graft at 3 days, the chondrocyte of basal cell layer in articular cartilage was relatively well preserved but in 7 days, transplanted articular cartilage graft showed almost necrotic chage. Most of subchondral bones were well healed with host bone without regard to duration of implantation.
Abdominal Wall ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Chondrocytes ; Intra-Articular Fractures ; Joint Prosthesis ; Rabbits ; Regeneration ; Transplants

Meconium peritonitis is the chemical inflammation or foreign body reaction of peritoneum resulted from the prenatal bowel perforation associated with or without obstructive lesion during late intrauterine or early neonatal periods. Prenatal ultrasonographic findings of meconium peritonitis are intraperitoneal calcification, ascites, and pseudocyst. These provides the preparation for proper management which should reduce mortality and morbidity of neonate. We have experienced a case of meconium peritonitis in utero diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography and present this case with a brief review of literatures.
Ascites ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Inflammation ; Meconium* ; Mortality ; Peritoneum ; Peritonitis* ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal*

BACKGROUND: Kinesio taping is a treatment for pain and dysfunction of musculoskeletal system, using tapes which have a similar elasticity to skin. This study was done to find out about the efficacy of kinesio taping on patients with a low back pain. METHODS: This study was performed in patients with a non-specific low back pain who had visited the Inchon International Airport Construction Authority Clinic from January 2000 to April 2000. We performed taping to a randomized case group and a placebo to control group during the first 3 days. After the first 3 days, we assessed the changes of improvement in low back pain with visual-analogue pain scale (VAS) . From the second visit on, we also started carrying out kinesio taping in the control group. RESULTS: The total number of patients participating in this study was 43, but 4 patients did not complete the study stopped. After the first 3 days, control group showed just 0.93 of the VAS score improvement, while randomized case group showed 2.55(p=0.003). The VAS score of case and control group were 3.18 and 3.03 respectively, which showed improvement at the end point of treatment compared with the first score. CONCLUSIONS: Kinesio taping was more efficacious than placebo in patients with a nonspecific low back pain.
Airports ; Elasticity ; Humans ; Incheon ; Low Back Pain* ; Musculoskeletal System ; Skin

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between preoperative De Ritis ratio (aspartate transaminase [AST]/alanine transaminase [ALT]) and postoperative clinical outcome in patients with upper urinary tract carcinoma (UTUC) who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) and adjuvant chemotherapy (ACH). Materials and Methods: We respectively analyzed the clinical and pathological data of 102 patients who underwent RNU and ACH for UTUC. Patients were divided into 2 groups, according to the optimal value of AST/ALT ratio. The effect of the AST/ALT ratio was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression hazard models for patients’ cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Mean survival time was 50.5±41.2 months. Mean age was 61.4±9.7years. Forty-one of the patients (46.5%) were in the high AST/ALT group. According to receiver operating characteristic analysis, the optimal AST/ALT ratio was 1.2. In Kaplan-Meier analyses, the high AST/ALT group showed worse outcomes in OS (p=0.007) and CSS (p=0.011). Using Cox regression models of clinical and pathological parameters to predict OS, high AST/ALT ratio (hazard ratio [HR], 5.428; 95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.803–16.334; p=0.002), pathological T3 (pT3) or higher (HR, 1.464; 95% CI; 1.156-1.857; p=0.002), and to predict CSS, high AST/ALT ratio (HR, 4.417; 95% CI; 1.545–12.632; p=0.005), and pT3 or higher (HR, 1.475; 95% CI; 1.172–1.904; p=0.002) were determined as independent prognostic factors. Conclusions Pretreatment AST/ALT ratio is a significant independent predictor of CSS and OS in advanced UTUC patients receiving systemic ACH after RNU.

Behcet's syndrome has been known as multisystemic disease caused by nonspecific immune mediated vasculitis, but it's precise etiology is not yet identified. Among the various systemic manifestations, pericardial effusion is extremely rare, and pericardial tamponade caused by massive pericardial effusion in Behcet'sydrome has not been reported in the literature. We report a case of Behcet's syndrome manifested as SVC syndrome due to SVC and right atrial thrombus with massive pericardial effusion resulting cardiac tamponade with the review of the literature.
Behcet Syndrome* ; Cardiac Tamponade ; Pericardial Effusion* ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome* ; Thrombosis ; Vasculitis ; Vena Cava, Superior*

No abstract available.
Intensive Care Units ; Sepsis ; Critical Illness ; Chronic Disease ; Hospital Mortality

No abstract available.
Animals ; Cattle* ; Lymphocytes*

BACKGROUND: Aging is a significant issue worldwide, and Korea is one of the most rapidly aging countries. Along with the demographic transition, the age structure of intensive care unit (ICU) patients changes as well. METHODS: The aim of this study was to analyze the change in age distribution of the ICU patients over the last 10 years and its effect on clinical outcomes. Single-center, retrospective analysis of all patients aged ≥18 years admitted to either the medical or surgical ICU at St. Paul's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, between January 2005 and December 2014 was conducted. For clinical outcome, in-hospital mortality, duration of ICU stay, and hospital stay were analyzed. Cost analysis was performed to show the economic burden of each age strata. RESULTS: A total of 10,366 ICU patients were admitted to the chosen ICUs during the study period. The proportion of elderly patients aged ≥65 years increased from 47.9% in 2005 to 63.7% in 2014, and the proportion of the very elderly patients aged ≥80 years increased from 12.8% to 20.7%. However, this increased proportion of elderly patients did not lead to increased in-hospital mortality. The percent of ICU treatment days attributable to elderly patients increased from 51.1% in year 2005 to 64.0% in 2014. The elderly ICU patients were associated with higher in-hospital mortality compared to younger age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of elderly patients admitted to ICUs increased over the last decade. However, overall in-hospital mortality has not increased during the same period.
Age Distribution ; Aged* ; Aging ; Costs and Cost Analysis ; Critical Care* ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units* ; Korea* ; Length of Stay ; Mortality ; Population Dynamics ; Retrospective Studies*

Melatonin could be used as an anticancer agent to suppress the proliferation of tumor cells and induce the differentiation of cancer cells. HeLa, HepG2, A549, L929, and NIH/3T3 cell lines were cultivated in alpha-MEM with 0.2 mM/2 mM melatonin. The influences of melatonin on quantitative changes of glycoprotein, fibronectin, laminin and actin related to the metastasis of tumor cells investigated with PAS or PAP at light microscopic level. To elucidate the possibility of antitumor actions of melatonin, the changes of cell organelles were observed under transmission electron microscope. Cell proliferation was suppressed after treatment with 2 mM melatonin for 2 or 3 days. Compared with control groups, the amounts of glycoprotein, fibronectin, laminin and actin in all cell lines at 1st, 2nd and 3rd day after treatment with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin were generally increased. Heterochromatin in the nucleus formed clumps in all cell lines at 2nd and 3rd day after treatment with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin. The numerical increase of rough endoplasmic reticulum and golgi complex observed in HeLa and L929 cells treated with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin at 1st, 2nd and 3rd day. The number of lysosomes increased in HeLa, A549, and L929 cells treated with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin at 3rd day. The number of vesicles increased in all cell lines treated with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin at 1st, 2nd and 3rd day. Taken together, antimitotic effect of melatonin can be expected at least 2day after treatment with 2 mM melatonin. The production of fibronectin and laminin in all cell lines treated with 0.2 mM or 2 mM melatonin increased. Therefore, the increase of amounts of extracellular matrix proteins in the extracellular space can be expected. And the increase of amounts of actin connected to the extracellular matrix proteins through the integrin of plasma membrane seemed to strengthen cell attachment. In order to metastasize of cancer cells, it is important for them to secrete various enzymes to pass through the extracellular matrix proteins. Hence, it will be more difficult for the cells to metastasize into other regions due to the increase of the extracellular matrix proteins. It was postulated that the clumps of heterochromatin and the numerical increase of vesicles induced by treatment with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin could be represented for the actions of melatonin as morpholgical criteria.
Actins ; Cell Line* ; Cell Membrane ; Cell Proliferation ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins* ; Extracellular Matrix* ; Extracellular Space ; Fibronectins ; Glycoproteins ; Golgi Apparatus ; Heterochromatin ; Laminin ; Lysosomes ; Melatonin* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Organelles

Hematuria is a common condition caused by various factors, including infections, inflammations, stone diseases, and anatomical abnormalities. While hematuria can be mistaken for other conditions, its significance should not be overlooked, as studies have shown that some patients with hematuria are diagnosed with urological cancers.Current Concepts: Experts agree on the need for specific diagnostic tests such as cystoscopy, upper urinary tract imaging, and urine cytology for visible hematuria. However, opinions differ when it comes to microscopic hematuria. Delays in diagnosing bladder cancer can significantly impact mortality rates. Therefore, objective diagnostic criteria, as well as guidelines to reduce excessive evaluations, costs, and side effects, are required. As of 2020, the American Urological Association has released new guidelines for the diagnosis and management of microscopic hematuria, that focus on assessing the risk of urological malignancies in individual patients and recommend tailored evaluations based on risk levels. This article provides an overview of these guidelines, discussing diagnostic criteria, initial evaluations, risk stratification, and recommended evaluations of the urinary tract.Discussion and Conclusion: Guidelines on hematuria aim to reduce unnecessary invasive procedures, provide appropriate follow-up strategies to patients with persistent or recurrent microscopic hematuria, and improve patient outcomes while minimizing unnecessary tests and procedures.