PURPOSE: To determine the usefulness of MR urography technique for the evaluation of urinary systems in patients with obstructed urinary tract and normal volunteers with non-obstructed urinary tract after intravenous normal saline and diuretic injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three normal volunteers and 12 patients with urinary tract obstruction [ureteral calculi(n=8), extraurinary mass(n=1), ureteral tumor invasion(n=3)] underwent MR urography using a 1.0T scanner and a 2D non-breath-hold heavily T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequence. These acquisition were postprocessed with a maximum intensity projection (MIP) algorithm. Two acquisitions were performed, the first prior to saline solution infusion following standard MR urography procedures, and the second, within 2-3 minutes of the infusion of 250 ml saline solution followed by 20 mg of Lasix administered intravenously. For this latter, drug-induced MR urography procedures were followed. RESULTS: In healthy volunteers (n=3) and those experiencing partial obstruction (n=4) by a urinary stone, drug-induced MR urography provided better images of the urinary tract than did standard MR urography. In those in whom a urinary stone or tumor had caused complete obstruction (n=8), standard MR urography provided good images, as did drug-induced MR urography. CONCLUSION: In patients with a partially or non-obstructed urinary tract, drug-induced MR urography provided better anatomic and functional details of the kidney and urinary tract than did standard MR urography. In those experiencing complete obstruction of the urinary tract, however, standard or drug-induced MR urography permitted very adequate evaluation of the tract, and drug-induced MR urography was unnecessary.
Furosemide* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Kidney ; Sodium Chloride ; Ureter ; Urinary Calculi ; Urinary Tract* ; Urography*

No abstract available.
Asphyxia* ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory* ; Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Parturition*

No abstract available.
Biopsy* ; Humans

Statement of problem. The success of osseointegration can be enhanced with an implant that has improved surface characteristics. Anodic oxidation is one of the surface modifying method to achieve osseointegration. Voltage of anodic oxidation can change surface characteristics and cell activity. Purpose. This study was performed to evaluate MG63 cell responses such as affinity, proliferation and to compare surface characteristics of anodic oxidized titanium in various voltage. Material and method. The disks for cell culture were fabricated from grade 3 commercially pure titanium, 1 mm in thickness and 12 mm in diameter. Surfaces of 4 different roughness were prepared. Group 1 had a machined surface, used as control. Group 2 was anodized under 220 V, group 3 was anodized under 300 V and group 4 was anodized under 320 V. The microtopography of specimens was observed by scanning electron microscope (JSM-840A, JEOL, Japan) and atomic force microscope(Autoprobe CP, Park Scientific Instrument, USA). The surface roughness was measured by confocal laser scanning microscope(Pascal, LSM5, Zeiss, Germany). The crystal structure of the titanium surface was analyzed with x-ray diffractometer(D8 advanced, Bruker, Germany). MG63 osteoblast-like cells were cultured on these specimens. The cell morpholgy was observed by field emission electron microscope(Hitachi S-4700, Japan). The cell metabolic and proliferative activity was evaluated by MTT assay. Results and conclusion. With in limitations of this in vitro study, the following conclusions were drawn. 1. In anodizing titanium surface, we could see pores which did not show in contol group. In higher anodizing voltage, pore size was increased. 2. In anodizing titanium surface, we could see anatase. In higher anodizing voltage, thicker oxide layer increased crystallinity(anatase, anatase and rutile mixed). 3. MG63 cells showed more irregular, polarized and polygonal shape and developed more lamellipodi in anodizing group as voltage increased. 4. The activity of cells in MTT assay increased significantly in group 3 and 4 in comparison with group 1 and 2. However, there was no difference between group 3 and 4 at P<0.05. Proliferation of MG63 cells increased significantly in pore size(3-5.5 micrometer) of group 3 and 4 in comparison with in pore size(0.2-1 micrometer) of group 2.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Osseointegration ; Titanium*

Purpose: To compare efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided single-injection nerve blocks (SINB) before bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BHA) of the hip in patients with femoral neck fractures. Materials and Methods: Clinical outcomes of 89 patients who underwent BHA between September 2016 and February 2018 were retrospectively compared. Eight patients were excluded according to exclusion criteria and the remaining patients were divided into two groups: patients who received SINB before surgery (Group I; n=40), and patients who did not (Group II; n=41). The femoral, obturator, and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves were each blocked separately under US guidance. Pain scores determined using the visual analogue scale (VAS) were recorded 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively, and all use of analgesics were recorded separately for 72 hours after surgery. Duration of hospitalization, general complications, and local complications due to SINB were also compared among the groups. Results: Significant differences were observed between the two groups: I) VAS at 6 hours and at 12 hours after the operation, II) total amounts of analgesics used. VAS at 24 hours and at 48 hours were not significantly different between the two groups. General complications and duration of hospitalization were also not significantly different between the groups. Conclusion US-guided lower limb nerve blocks provide excellent immediate postoperative pain relief and can be used as a safe, and effective method of pain control after BHA.

BACKGROUND: Korean mistletoe (Viscum album) extract has been found to posses immunostimulatory activity. In this study, Korean mistletoe extract, M11C (non-lectin components), was used to know whether this extract might activate mouse peritoneal macrophages to produce interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta). METHODS: Hemagglutination assay was carried out to examine whether M11C contained a lectin or not . To know the effect of M11C on the production of IL-1 beta, the macrophages were treated by the M11C, and then collected the supernatant (M11C stimulated macrophages-conditioned media; MMCM). MMCM was analyzed for the IL-1 beta quantification and mRNA expression by means of ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: Maximum effective dose and time of M11C on IL-1 beta production from macrophages were 20 micro gram/ml and 8 hours, respectively . This ELISA data was reconfirmed by immunoblotting assay . indicating that M11C is a good candidate for an immunomodulator. The dose and time dependent effect s of M11C on the expression of IL-1 beta mRNA from macrophages was also shown in expression of mRNA detected by RT-PCR. Treatment dose and time for the maximum expression of IL-1 beta mRNA were 20 micro gram/ml and 4 hours, respectively . Maximum gene expression of IL-1 beta was much earlier than maximum production of it. CONCLUSION: As results, Korean mistletoe extract, M11C, may be used for an immunomodulator. This will be able to make up for and solve the problems caused by existent immunoagent with many adverse effects through many other studies in future including one molecule extraction.
Animals ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression ; Hemagglutination ; Immunoblotting ; Interleukin-1beta ; Macrophages* ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; Mice ; Mistletoe* ; RNA, Messenger

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) eye drops in the treatment of recurrent corneal erosions (RCE). METHODS: A total of 47 eyes were included in this retrospective study. Clinical records of 20 consecutive patients with RCE who had been treated with conventional lubricant eye drops (conventional treatment group) from June 2006 to December 2008 and 27 consecutive patients treated with autologous PRP eye drops in addition to lubricant eye drops (PRP eye drops treated group) from January 2009 to September 2014 were reviewed. Major and minor recurrences were recorded and compared between two groups. RESULTS: This study included 31 men and 16 women. The mean age was 44.5 ± 14.5 years (range, 19 to 86 years), and the mean follow-up duration was 14.9 ± 14.4 months (range, 6 to 64 months). Of the 27 cases in the PRP eye drops treated group, there were seven major recurrences in six eyes (22.2%) and ten minor recurrences in seven eyes (25.9%). In contrast, 16 eyes (80.0%) from the 20 patients in the conventional lubricant eye drops treated group had major recurrences, and all patients in this group reported minor recurrences. The mean frequency of recurrence was 0.06 ± 0.08 per month in the PRP eye drops treated group and 0.39 ± 0.24 per month in the conventional treatment group (p = 0.003). No side effects were noted in any of the patients over the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The use of PRP eye drops for the treatment of RCE was shown to be effective in reducing the recurrence rate without any significant complications.
Epithelium, Corneal ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Ophthalmic Solutions* ; Platelet-Rich Plasma* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To analyze the risk factors for posterior migration of a single cage after transforminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted retrospectively on 48 patients (60 discs) who were followed-up for 1 year after TLIF from January 2015 to January 2017. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 containing 16 patients (17 discs) with cage migration and group 2 containing 32 patients (43 discs) without it. Information related to cage migration, such as the demographic factors, shape of disc, level and location of the cage inserted, and disc height change, was acquired from the medical records and radiologic images, and the possibility for generating posterior migration of cage was evaluated statistically. RESULTS: The demographic factors and cage-inserted level were similar in the two groups (16 patients in group 1, 32 patients in group 2). In the migration group, number of patients with a pear-type disc, 9 patients, was significantly larger; the disc height change, 1.8 mm, was significantly smaller; and the cage was located frequently on non-center in the anteriorposterior view and center in the lateral view in 9 and 15 out of 16 patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: A pear-type disc shape, small disc height change, cage with non-center on the anteriorposterior view and non-anterior on the lateral view are the risk factors for posterior migration. These factors are important for preventing posterior migration of the cage.
Demography ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes of single injection adductor canal block (SACB), continuous adductor canal block (CACB), and the concomitant use of transdermal buprenorphine after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 125 patients who underwent TKA were divided into three groups and the clinical results were retrospecitively compared. Group I was comprised of patients with pain controlled by SACB (n=41). Group II consisted of patients with pain controlled by both SACB and transdermal buprenorphine (10 µg/h) (n=44). Group III contained patients with pain controlled by CACB (n=40). The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used as the pain control indicator and the patients were measured on a VAS for resting on the bed (VAS-Rest) at 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after surgery. The VAS while doing continuous passive motion (VAS-CPM) on the first and second postoperative day was also measured. In addition, the total amount of medications used (Butopahn, Tridol, and Ketorac) for the intravenous patient controlled analgesia (PCA) was counted for 48 hours after surgery. As the indicator of the functional recovery outcome, the incidence of nausea and vomiting was observed for 48 hours after surgery. The maximum knee joint flexion range and maximum walking distance on the first and second postoperative day, and the total length of stay at the hospital were compared. RESULTS: The VAS-Rest was similar in the three groups at 12 hours after surgery, but at 24 hours and 48 hours after surgery, group II and III a lower VAS-CPM and total amount of medications used for PCA than group I (p<0.05). The three groups showed a low incidence of nausea and vomiting, maximum knee joint flexion range, and similar walking distance and total length of stay at the hospital. CONCLUSION: The combination of SACB and transdermal buprenorphine has great pain control effect initially. On the other hand, it is not associated with catheter complications and it is convenient to use and safety toward the renal function. Therefore, the concomitant use of SACB and transdermal buprenorphine can be an effective pain control method after TKA.
Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Buprenorphine ; Catheters ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Knee Joint ; Length of Stay ; Methods ; Nausea ; Pain, Postoperative ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Vomiting ; Walking

Fracture and fracture-dislocation of the ankle may be caused by a variety of mechanisms. In addition to the fracture, injury of soft tissue such as ligaments, tendons, nerves, and muscles may occur. Among these, tibialis posterior tendon injury is difficult to identify due to swelling and pain at the fracture site. There is no clear finding in radiological examination, therefore, it is found during surgery. In this case, irreducible fracture-dislocation of the ankle due to tibialis posterior tendon interposition was observed after the primary operation. The authors obtained satisfactory results in performance of a secondary operation assisted with arthroscopy.
Ankle Fractures ; Ankle* ; Arthroscopy ; Ligaments ; Muscles ; Tendon Injuries ; Tendons*