Temporal and spatial expression of bmp-2 and bmp-4 was investigated in distraction osteogenesis and fracture healing models in order to delineate their roles in these new hone formation processes. Distraction osteogenesis was performed on the left tihia diaphyses of Sprague-Dawley rats, and was confirmed by serial radiographs and histologicaJ examination. Total RNA was isolated from the distraction gaps and fracture sites sequentially until the postoperative eighth week, and mRNA expression was quantitated hy competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) using specific primers for bmp-2 and bmp-4. In-situ hybridization was performed on the undemineralized tissue section of distraction osteogenesis group. Both bum-2 and bmp-4 mRNA expression increased during distraction osteogenesis and fracture healing. Increase in bmp-2 mRNA expression was more marked and prolonged in distraction osteogenesis compared with fracture healing, whereas bmp-4 mRNA expression was persistently increased in both groups. In-situ hybridization study revealed that hoth bmp-2 and bmp-4 were expressed at eariy osteohlasts producing osteoid, trabeculae-lining osteoblasts and osteocytes of regenerate bone. Enhanced new bone formation in distraction osteogenesis is associated with prolonged and increased expression of BMPs, especially BMP-2. lnspite of their structural similarity, BMP-2 and BMP-4 appear to have their distinct roles in new hone formation.
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins* ; Diaphyses ; Fracture Healing* ; Osteoblasts ; Osteocytes ; Osteogenesis ; Osteogenesis, Distraction* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger*

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ventricular conduction abnormalities, especially RBBB, observed electrocardiographically after surgical closure of VSD. The present study population consists of 92 patients with VSD who were surgically corrected at the Hanyang University Hospital during 6 years period from Jan. 1985 to Dec. 1990. We reviewed their clinical records including surgical notes and EKG findings before and after operations. The results of the study were as follows: 1) Male to female ratio was 1.1:1 (48:44) 2) Out of a total of 92 cases of VSD, 65cases(70.7%)were perimembranous type and 27 cases (29.3%)were subarterial type. 3) The normal preoperative EKG findings were seen in 22 patients, LVH in 21 patients, BUH in 47patients, and RVH in 3 patiens. 4) A transatrial approach was performed in 55 cases, right ventriculotomy with or without resection of muscles in right ventricle in 13 cases, and pulmonary arteriotomy alone in 24 cases. 5) The right bundle branch block after operation developed in 33 patients out of the 65 patinets with perimembranous defect and 5 patients out of the 27 patients with subarterial defects. Postoperative RBBB developed more frequently in perimembranous defect than in subarterial defect. 6) Postoperative RBBB occured in 31.8% of the patients with normal preoperative EKG findings, 23.8% with preoperative LVH, 52.1% with BVH and 66.7% with RVH. Postoperative RBBB was more frequently observed in the patients group with preoperative BVH or RVH than the patients with normal or LVH. 7) Postoperative RBBB was observed in 84.6% after right wentriculotomy, in 43.6% after right atriotomy and in 12.5% with pulmonary arteriotomy alone.
Bundle-Branch Block* ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular* ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles

OBJECTIVES: Major depression is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. One possible explanation for this association is that major depression influences autonomic neurocardiac regulation. However, previous studies on the relationship between heart rate variability (HRV) and major depression have revealed conflicting results. The purpose of this study is to clarify that major depressive patients compared to healthy controls show a reduction in HRV as an expression of reduced modulation of vagal activity to the heart. METHODS: According to DSM-IV, the time and frequency domain HRV indices (5-min resting study) of 30 patients with major de-pressive disorder were compared with those of 30 healthy controls. Standardized HRV tests enable quantitative estimation of auto-nomic nervous system function. RESULTS: After controlling for age and gender, subjects with major depression showed a higher heart rate and significantly lower modulation of cardiovagal activity compared to controls. The total power (TP) band, very low frequency (VLF: 0.003-0.04 Hz) band, low frequency (LF: 0.04-0.15 Hz) band, and high frequency (HF: 0.15-0.4 Hz) band were significantly reduced in subjects with major depression compared to control subjects. CONCLUSION: Patients with major depression may suffer from functional disturbances in the interaction between the sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic systems.
Autonomic Nervous System ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major* ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Mortality ; Nervous System

No abstract available.
Cyclosporine* ; Scleroderma, Localized*

No abstract available.
Cyclosporine* ; Scleroderma, Localized*

The expression of two cell proliferation indices, the proliferating cell nuclear antigen( PCNA), using the monoclonal antibody in the immunoperoxidase method, and the nucleolar organizer regions (NORs), using silver nitrate staining technique, were assessed in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded material of transitional cell urinary bladder carcinomas. The aim of our study was to examine comparatively the expression of PCNA and the number of NORs in 37 transitional cell bladder carcinomas and to investigate how they correlate with tumor grade and the disease stage. It was noticed that the PCNA expression rate(%) related to grade was statistically significant only between grades II and III (p<0.05), while that between grades I and II was not statistically significant(p > 0.05). The mean number of AgNORs per nucleus between grades I and II and between grades II and III were statistically significant(p<0.05). As far as the correlation of PCNA expression rate(%) with the stage is concerned, PCNA expression rate (%) was higher in the invasive tumors(p<0.05) than in the superficial tumors and AgNOR Numbers was also greater in the invasive tumors(p <0.05). The linear correlation coefficient between PCNA expression rate (%) and AgNOR counts was 0.52(p <0.001) In conclusion, a considerable relationship was found between the histological grade and each of the two indices used. A good correlation was also demonstrated between each of PCNA expression rate(%) and AgNOR scores to the pathologic stage. Our results suggest that PCNA expressionrate( % ) and AgNOR scores may be prognostic induces in urinary bladder cancer.
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell* ; Cell Proliferation ; Nucleolus Organizer Region* ; Paraffin ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Silver Staining ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder*

PURPOSE: To determine the prognostic and predictive value of liver volume in colorectal cancer patients with unresectable liver metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients received whole liver radiotherapy (WLRT) between January 1997 and June 2013. A total dose of 21 Gy was delivered in 7 fractions. RESULTS: The median survival time after WLRT was 9 weeks. In univariate analysis, performance status, serum albumin and total bilirubin level, liver volume and extrahepatic metastases were associated with survival. The mean liver volume was significantly different between subgroups with and without pain relief (3,097 and 4,739 mL, respectively; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: A larger liver volume is a poor prognostic factor for survival and also a negative predictive factor for response to WLRT. If patients who are referred for WLRT have large liver volume, they should be informed of the poor prognosis and should be closely observed during and after WLRT.
Bilirubin ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Humans ; Liver* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy ; Serum Albumin ; Tumor Burden

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based standard triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection is widely used, but it has a considerable failure rate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of rescue therapies with a quadruple regimen and a rifabutin-based regimen for patients who experienced failure with PPI-based standard triple therapy. METHODS: From July 2004 through October 2006, 52 patients for whom first line triple therapy (PPI, amoxicillin and clarithromycin) had failed were included in this study. They were treated with a quadruple regimen for 7 days (PPI, bismuth, tetracycline and metronidazole) as a second line therapy. For third line therapy, a rifabutin-based regimen (PPI, rifabutin and amoxicillin) was prescribed for 14 days. The H. pylori status was determined before and at least 4 weeks after therapy by the 13C urea breath test or by endoscopy with antral and corpus biopsies for a rapid urease test, histological examination and culture. RESULTS: The mean age was 52.6 years. Thirteen patients (25%) of the 52 patients were dropped. The eradication rate of the quadruple therapy was 84.6% (33/39). Three patients of the 6 failures with quadruple therapy were then treated with the rifabutin-based regimen. The eradication rate of the rifabutin-based therapy was 100% (3/3). Adverse effects (10.2%) were reported in 4 patients who were treated with quadruple regimen. CONCLUSIONS: The quadruple regimen is still an effective second-line therapy for Korean patients who experience failure with PPI-based standard triple therapy. The rifabutin-based regimen could be used as a third-line rescue therapy in Korea.
Amoxicillin ; Biopsy ; Bismuth ; Breath Tests ; Carbamates ; Endoscopy ; Helicobacter ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Organometallic Compounds ; Proton Pumps ; Protons ; Rifabutin ; Tetracycline ; Urea ; Urease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is difficult to correct anterior nasal septal dislocation and subluxation. This study reviewed our surgical technique for correcting septal dislocation and subluxation. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 20 patients who underwent septal reconstructive suturing of the cartilage to the premaxilla. Acoustic rhinometry, endoscopic pictures, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. RESULTS: The results of acoustic rhinometry showed that there was significant (p<0.05) improvement in the minimum cross-sectional area on both sides of the nasal cavity. The nasal cavity volume was also increased bilaterally, although not significantly on the convex side (convex side, p=0.108; concave side, p=0.007). Thirteen patients had complete correction of the septal deformity on the endoscopic pictures and seven had incomplete correction. The VAS score for nasal obstruction was decreased significantly (p<0.05). Most patients (85%) felt satisfied with the surgery. Only one patient complained about a mild deformity of the external nose. No other major complications were encountered. CONCLUSION: The correction of caudal septal dislocation or subluxation with the excision of excessive septal cartilage and suturing the cartilage to the premaxilla are both successful methods for treating septal deformities.
Cartilage* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Dislocations* ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Obstruction ; Nose ; Patient Satisfaction ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinometry, Acoustic