It has been known that the interconnection between the gervous, endocrine and immune system are largely mediated through regulatory soluble factors such as neruopeptides, cytokines and hormones. Capsaicin, the pungent principle of hot peppers, is a neurotoxin that affects primary sensory neurons of the C and A-b type and depletes primary sensory neurons (polymodal nociceptors) of neuropeptides like tachykinin. In this study capsaicin was used to explore the possible role of the neruons on the expression of cellular and humoral immune responses and TNF-a prodcution. Mice were pretreated with s.c. injections in the neck region with a single dose of 100 u,g of capsaicin per mouse before immunization. ...continue...
Anaphylaxis* ; Animals ; Capsaicin* ; Carcinogenesis* ; Cytokines ; Immune System ; Immunity, Humoral ; Immunization ; Mice* ; Neck ; Neuropeptides ; Sensory Receptor Cells ; Tachykinins

In the March 2009 edition of the Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society, we published an article entitled "Unilateral Lumbosacral Facet Interlocking without Facet Fracture" (Volume 45, pages 182-184). Fig. 1B on page 183 was supposed to be printed in color, but it was printed in black by mistake. We apologize to the authors and readers of JKNS for any inconvenience.

Osteoclasts are a major component of bone metabolism in physiologic condition and in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease primarily affecting the joints. Joint inflammation leads to cartilage and bone destruction by osteoclast activation. This osteoclast activation leads to typical RA symptoms and is the therapeutic target. Several kinds of drugs are used for preventing bone loss by osteoclasts in RA patients. However, the bone destructive action of osteoclasts is not the only mechanism in RA pathogenesis. Recent research suggests that the osteoclasts regulate hematopoietic stem cell niches and invoke immune responses in bone. Osteoclasts are derived from bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells, and maintain the hematopoietic stem cell niches contract with osteoblasts. Osteoclasts secret several cytokines to regulate inflammation and T cell differentiation, and present antigen to T cells via major histocompatibility complex class I and class II molecules. Osteoclast concepts in both origins and functions are under major reconsideration and research. In this review, we will discuss these new insights.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Bone Marrow ; Cartilage ; Cell Differentiation ; Cytokines ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Joints ; Major Histocompatibility Complex ; Metabolism ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts* ; RANK Ligand ; T-Lymphocytes

Benign solitary osteochondroma are the most common benign bone tumor, and often arise in the long bone of the extremities about 80% of lesions, particulary about the knee and the upper extremity. In rare cases, the spine is involved. We describe a case in which a solitary sacral osteochondroma compressed the lumbosacral plexus, producing sensory disturbance. The tumor was removed through the anterior midline approach. The excised mass was round, lobulated, measuring 7. 5cm×6cm, pedunculated type and the cartilage cap is complete and is 4mm in thickness.
Cartilage ; Extremities ; Knee ; Lumbosacral Plexus ; Osteochondroma ; Sacrum ; Spine ; Upper Extremity

We report our series of the Ilizarov surgery for lengthening and deformity correction in upper extremity at the Severance Hospital and the Yong-Dong Severance Hospital between February 1992 and October 1994. We performed the Ilizarov surgery in 12 limb segments, there were 3 humerus, 5 radius, 3 ulna and 1 metacarpal bone. The etiologies of the limb length discrepancies were 7 posttraumatic physeal injuires, 2 congenital deformities, 1 posttraumatic bone loss, 1 posttraumatic amputation and 1 postinfectious physeal injury. The goals of treatment were bone lengthening alone in 8 cases, bone lengthening and deformity correction including angular correction in 4 cases. The bone was lengthened between 1.0 cm and 9.2 cm (mean 3.7 cm) representing a 8.1% to 63.0% (mean 24.5%) increase in length. The healing index varies from 1.0 mos/cm to 10.5 mos/cm (mean 3.4 mos/cm) except three cases which need additional fixation with plate and screws add to wedge osteotomy. By radiologic appearance of the distraction callus, the straight type were 6 cases, the attenuated type were 4 cases and the pillar type were 2 cases. The healing indices of each type were 1/5 mos/cm, 7.7 mos/cm and 12.4 mos/cm, respectively. In conclusion, lengthening and deformity correction of the upper extremity can be successfully achieved by gradual mechanical distraction using the Ilizarov method. In case of pillar type, healing index was high and therefore control of the rate and the rhythm should be tried. If this control is of no use, early interventional procedure would be beneficial. The healing index of the straight type was much lower than that of the attenuated or the pillar type.
Amputation ; Bone Lengthening ; Bony Callus ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Extremities ; Humerus ; Ilizarov Technique ; Osteotomy ; Radius ; Ulna ; Upper Extremity

No abstract available.

Wernicke's encephalopathy is a reversible but potentially critical disease caused by thiamine deficiency. Most patients complain of symptoms such as ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and confusion. Heavy alcohol drinking is commonly associated with the disease, but other clinical conditions also can provoke it. In pregnant women, hyperemesis gravidarum can lead to the depletion of body thiamine due to poor oral intake and a high metabolic demand. We report a case of Wernicke's encephalopathy following hyperemesis gravidarum in a 36-year-old female at 20 weeks of pregnancy, who visited our hospital because of shock with vaginal bleeding. This case suggests that although the initial presentation may include atypical symptoms (e.g., shock or bleeding), Wernicke's encephalopathy should be considered, and thiamine replacement should be performed in pregnant women with neurologic symptoms and poor oral intake.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Ataxia ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperemesis Gravidarum* ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Shock ; Thiamine ; Thiamine Deficiency ; Uterine Hemorrhage ; Wernicke Encephalopathy*

No abstract available.
Myocardial Infarction*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the early clinical results of lumbar microdiscectomy using minimally invasive tubular retractor (METRx-MD system, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, TN), and to validate the merits of minimally invasive spinal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April, 2003 to April 2004 we retrospectively studied a consecutive series of 45 patients who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy using minimally invasive tubular retractor. In all cases, minimally invasive approach using the tubular retractor were performed with a 2 cm sized paramedian incision. The following data were collected: clinical outcomes, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, need for blood replacement, time needed before ambulation, length of hospital stay, and complications. The clinical outcomes were assessed by the modified MacNab criteria. RESULTS: Minimally invasive tubular microdiscectomy was performed in 45 patients over a 12-month period with an average follow-up of approximately 8 months. The clinical outcomes assessed by MacNab criteria were excellent in 33 patients (73%), good in 10 patients (22%). The average operative time was 63 minutes (range, 35 to 95 minutes). The average blood loss was 62 mL (range, 50 to 110 mL). None of the patients needed blood replacement. With the exception of 2 patients, all patients could walk at the day of surgery. The average hospital stay was 2.3 days. None of the patients had dural tear, wound problem, or other complications. CONCLUSION: Lumbar microdiscectomy using tubular retractor can offer a useful modality for the treatment of lumbar herniated disc with the merits of minimally invasive spinal surgery. Further long-term, randomized, prospective investigations are needed to fully evaluate the impact of this technique.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Wounds and Injuries