Dendritic cell (DC)s are protessional antigen presenting cells and they have been used for antitumor immunotherapy or cell vaccines. However therapy using DC is restricted because the number of DC available from tissue is very low. Flt3 ligand (FL) has been known as a hematopoietic growth factor that increases proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells, and recently it showed inducibility of dendritic cell (DC)s and signiticant antitumor effects in vivo. Thus FL will be frequently used for DC induction and antitumor immunotherapy in future. Here we constructed FL plasmid and studied its in vivo effect. FL plasmids were made by cloning of partial FL cDNA into pcDNA3 plasmid, and gene expression and protein producibility of FL plasmid were confirmed in Renca cells transfected with FL plasmid. Mice were injected with FL plasmid (100ug/mouse) three times and 20 days later mouse spleens were harvested for staining and RT-PCR. There were lots of blastogenic cells in the spleen of mice treated with FL plasmid. FL plasmid also induced DEC205, IL-12 and GM-CSF gene expression in mouse splenocyte. All these data suggest FL plasmid may be used for induction of DC and antitumor therapy as DNA adjuvant.
Mice ; Animals

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to compare the radiological and clinical outcomes after open reduction and plate fixation of midshaft clavicle fractures between patients who achieved successful anatomical reduction and those who had a remaining fracture gap even after open reduction and plate fixation, and were thus treated with additional demineralized bone matrix (DBM). METHODS: This retrospective analysis was conducted on 56 consecutive patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation using a locking compression plate for acute displaced midshaft clavicle fractures, and who underwent radiographic and clinical outcome evaluations at least 6 months postoperatively. The outcomes between those who achieved perfect anatomical reduction without remnant gap (n=32) and those who had a remaining fracture gap even after open reduction and plate fixation treated with additional DBM (n=24) were evaluated. RESULTS: There were no differences in the use of lag screws or wiring and operation time (all p>0.05) between those with and without remnant gap. No difference in the average radiological union time and clinical outcomes (satisfaction and Constant score) was observed between the two groups (all p>0.05). However, significantly faster union time was observed for AO type A fracture compared with other types (p=0.012), and traffic accident showed association with worse clinical outcomes compared with other causes of injury. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical outcome of midshaft clavicle fracture was more affected by initial fracture type and event, and re-reduction and re-fixation of the fracture to obtain a perfect anatomical reduction spending time appears to be unnecessary if rigid fixation is achieved.
Accidents, Traffic ; Bone Matrix ; Clavicle* ; Fracture Fixation ; Fracture Healing ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies

Since the introduction of percutaneous mitral valvotomy(PMV) in 1984, PMV was an effecive alternative to surgical commissurotomy in selected patients with severe mitral stenosis. Also PMV was an excellent palliative strategy in such patients who were high risk for operative management or longterm anticoagulation was not feasible. We performed PMV in a patient with very tight mitral stenosis and severe pulmonary hypertension under the general anesthesia because the patient was anticipated to be uncooperative due to mental problem, who was diagnosed as schizophrenia 16 years ago. Robinol was used for premedication and i.v fentanyl was used for maintenance of anesthesia. Inoue balloon was introduced into the LV and gradual ballooning was performed with favorable results. Total anesthesia time and interval from internal jugular vein puncture to the completion of valvuloplasty were 1 hour 45 min and 40 minutes respectively. Hemodynamic variables were improved immediately after intervention and mitral valve area was increased from 0.5cm2 to 1.3cm2.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General* ; Fentanyl ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Jugular Veins ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Stenosis* ; Premedication ; Punctures ; Schizophrenia*

Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty(PMV) was comparable to surgical commissurotomy in initial and long term follow-up results in selected patients with symptomatic severe mitral stenosis. Transseptal puncture was necessary for antegrade introduction of balloon. In patient with kyphoscoliosis, PMV was relatively contraindicatied due to difficulty and risk of septal puncture. We performed the PMV in a patient with kyphoscoliosis and severe mitral stenosis. The patient was presented with NYHA class III. Echocardiographic evaluation revealed mitral valve area of 0.8cm2 and mean diastolic pressure gradient of 12mmHg. X-ray film of T-L spine showed severe kyphoscoliosis. Transseptal puncture was possible with modification of angle of Brockenbrough needle at the site of 15cm from the needle tip. After transseptal puncture, Inoue balloon was introduced into the LV and gradual ballooning was performed with optimal results. Hemodynamic variable were improved immediately after intervention and mitral valve area was increased from 0.7cm2 to 1.8cm2. Patient was discharged with NYHA class I.
Blood Pressure ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Stenosis* ; Needles ; Punctures ; Spine ; X-Ray Film

No abstract available.
Humans ; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia*

Among 7,500 patients whom we have performed gastrofiberoscopy from July 1979 to June 1,982, 226 cases of stomach cancer were diagnosed. The frequency was 3. 0%. The ratio of male to female was 2: 1, the peak incidence, 69 cases(30.5%) was in 5th decade. 1) The frequency of stomach cancer among the age were 0. 5% in 1st decade, 0.4% in 2nd decade, 1.2% in 3rd decade, 2.5% in 4th decade, 5.9% in 5th decade, 12.6% in 6th decade 16.8% in 7th decade. (continue...)
Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Stomach*

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell* ; Lymph Nodes* ; Lymphoscintigraphy* ; Neoplasm Metastasis*

Herpes zoster, caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus lying dormant in the ganglion of the dorsal root, is characterized by segmental rash, pain, and sensory symptoms. Motor symptomatology is less well known and is most often related to central nervous system disease, although true lower motor neuron afflication is also thought to exist. Subclinical motor involvement is relatively more common than clinical motor weakness and is easily detected by using electromyography (EMG). An 81-year-old male patient with herpes zoster on the left shoulder, left upper arm and forearm had complained progressive weakness of the limb. On physical examination, he was noted to have groups of small vesicles on erythematous base following C4 to C6 dermatomal distribution over the left upper limb. We examined the limb using EMG and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) studies. Thereafter we concluded he had motor paralysis caused by herpes zoster.
Aged, 80 and over ; Arm ; Central Nervous System ; Deception ; Electromyography ; Exanthema ; Extremities ; Forearm ; Ganglion Cysts ; Herpes Zoster* ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Male ; Motor Neurons ; Neural Conduction ; Paralysis* ; Physical Examination ; Shoulder ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine whether low intensity regular exercise following dexamethasone treatment could attenuate steroid-induced muscle atrophy. METHOD: 36 Wistar-rats(90-110g) were divided into six groups: control group(C), dexamethasone treatment group(D), sedentary group after normal sedentary period(C+S), sedentary group after dexamethasone treatment period(D+S), exercise group after normal sedentary period(C+E), and excercise group after dexamethasone treatment period(D+E). D, D+S, and D+E groups received dexamethasone injection(5mg/Kg) for seven days whereas C, C+S, and C+E groups received normal saline injection. Both C+E and D+E groups ran on a treadmill for 60 minutes/day(20minutes/4hours) at 15m/min and a 10degreegrade for seven recovery days. RESULT: Post-weight(body weight before muscle dissection) of D group significantly decreased by 16.03%, and that of D+E group significantly increased by 15.51% compared with pre-weight(body weight before steroid treatment). Type II muscle(plantaris and gastrocnemius) weights of D group were significantly lower than those of C group. Myofibrillar protein contents of type II muscles of D group tended to decrease comparing with C group. In D+E groups, body weights and relative weights of typeII muscles(muscle weight(mg)/post-weight(g)) tended to increase comparing with D+S group. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that steroid- induced muscle atrophy can be ameliorated through low intensity regular exercise after dexamethasone treatment.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Dexamethasone ; Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch ; Muscles* ; Muscular Atrophy ; Rats* ; Weights and Measures

No abstract available.
Heart Arrest* ; Resuscitation*