One of the primary functions for which bones have evolved is to act as a structural support. To achieve this, bones remodel throughout life so that their structure remains optimal for the prevailing mechanical environment. Bone remodeling consists of an initial phase of osteoclastic bone resorption followed by a bone formation period. Prostaglandins are potent regulators of bone formation and bone resorption that can have both stimulatory and inhibitory effects. Elevation of intracellular cAMP is an important intracellular signaling mechanism involved in the regulation of the expression of many proteins. In this study we examine whether PGE or DBcAMP affects osteoblastic activation or osteoclastic differentiation in mouse bone marrow cells and osteosarcoma ROS 17/2.8 cells. The effect of PGE and DBcAMP on the cell proliferation was measured by the incorporation of [3H]- thymidine into DNA. As a result, PGE2 (0.5-1 ug/ml) and DBcAMP (0.1-0.5 mM) inhibited the [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA in a dose dependent manner. The effect of PGE2 and DBcAMP on the induction of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was investigated in ROS 17/2.8 cells cultured in medium containing 0.4% fetal bovine serum. PGE and DBcAMP stimulated ALP activity in the cells in a dose- dependent manner. PGE2 also increased the intracellular cAMP content in a dose- dependent fashion with a maximal effect at 0.5 ug/ml. ROS 17/2.8 cells release nitric oxide upon stimulation of PGE2 or DBcAMP with interferon-r. PGE2 and DBcAMP increase the phosphorylation level of CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) without any change on the amount of CREB protein. Also, PGE (10-6 M) and DBcAMP (10-4 M) significantly increase the generation of osteoclasts in mouse bone marrow cell culture system. In conclusion, the results of this study suggested that cAMP appears to be an important regulatory molecule in the processes of bone formation and resorption.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Bone Remodeling ; Bone Resorption ; Bucladesine* ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; Dinoprostone* ; DNA ; Metabolism* ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Osteogenesis ; Osteosarcoma ; Phosphorylation ; Prostaglandins ; Prostaglandins E ; Response Elements ; Thymidine

The authors developed a computer program for use in report printing as well as data storage and retrieval for the gastrointestinal endoscopy service. This program used IBM PC XT and was written in dBASE III plus language. We applied the automatic SNOMED coding method, which is one of the most efficient and accurate method of computerization of medical data. The working sheet which contained the results of previous endoscopic studies could be printed during registration. The dBASE word processor enabled issuing of the formal report of endoscopic result, and the data storage was carried out during the typewriting of the report. Two kinds of data files were stored in the hard disk; the temporary file contained full informations and the permanent file contained patients identification data and SNOMED code. Searching of a specific case was performed by chart number, patients name, date of study, or SNOMED code within a second. All the cases were arranged by SNOMED codes of procedure, topography and morphology codes. Every new data was copied to the diskette automatically. with which data could be restored in case of hard disk failure. The main advantages of this program in comparison to the large main frame computer system are low price, flexibility and easy accessibility. Based on our experience (including surgical pathology department, radiology, clinical pathology), we assume that this program may fit every endoscopy room where there are less than 20,000 cases per year.
Information Storage and Retrieval ; Clinical Coding* ; Computer Systems ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal* ; Humans ; Information Storage and Retrieval* ; Pathology, Surgical ; Pliability ; Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine

No abstract available.
Central Venous Catheters* ; Prospective Studies* ; Thrombophlebitis*

No abstract available.
Bowen's Disease*

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Screw loosening has been a common complication and still reported frequently. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate abrasion of the implant fixture and TiN coated abutment screw after repeated delivery and removal with universal measuring microscope. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Implant systems used for this study were Osstem and 3i. Seven pairs of implant fixtures, abutments and abutment screws for each system were selected and all the fixtures were perpendicularly mounted in liquid unsaturated polyesther with dental surveyor. After 20 times of repeated closing and opening test, the evaluation for the change of inner surface of implant and TiN-coated abutment screw, and weight loss were measured. Mann-Whitney test with SPSS statistical software for Window was applied to analyze the measurement of weight loss. RESULTS: TiN-coated abutment screws of Osstem and 3i showed lesser loss of weight than non-coated those of Osstem and 3i (P < .05, Mann-Whitney test). CONCLUSION: Conclusively, TiN coating of abutment screw showed better resistance to abrasion than titanium abutment screw. It was concluded that TiN coating of abutment screw would reduce the loss of preload with good abrasion resistance and low coefficient of friction, and help to maintain screw joint stability.
Collodion ; Friction ; Joints ; Tin ; Titanium ; Weight Loss

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Nevus*

No abstract available.
Arthritis* ; Osteoarthritis* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta* ; Transforming Growth Factors*

The ESR is one of the oldest laboratory test still in use. Although it lacks specificity in diagnosis, it can be effective for monitoring disease activity and following-up. The Westergren method is used for reference method, however coefficient of variation has been described 0.8% to 22.9% according to the literature. Since the ESR was invented in 1921, measurement technique has developed and automated measurement is introduced. We analyzed one hundred forty-three patient samples using SEDIsystem' automated ESR measuring system and compared with modified Westergren and Wintrobe methods. Comparison between SEDIsystem' and modified Westergren for ESR measurement yields the following regression equation; y = 0.863x - 1.69 (r=0.830), SEDIsystem'M and Wintrobe y'= 1.14x - 14.7 (r=0.789), rcspectively. We repeated measurement to evaluate reliability, results are not significant in statistically. In conclusion, SEDIsysten' automated ESR measurement correlated with modified Westergren and Wintro" ; methods, reveal reliable results after 4 hours and can report rapidly for large samples. Thus, these results indicate that SEDIsystenT"' automated ESR measurement may be useful tool for clinical practice.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy(ADNFLE) is a recently identified partial epilepsy. This disorder is characterized by a variable age of onset(mostly in childhood), autosomal dominant inheritance, clusters of brief frontal nocturnal seizures, negative findings on neuroimaging, and fairly good prognosis. Carbamazepine is known to be the most useful drug in this type of epilepsy. We experienced a case of 5-year-old boy who had unusual arousal and irritability every night for 3 years and had sharp & wave discharges from frontal lobe region in long-term video-EEG monitoring, who was suspected as an autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy. We report a case with a brief review of literatures.
Arousal ; Carbamazepine ; Child, Preschool ; Epilepsies, Partial ; Epilepsy ; Epilepsy, Frontal Lobe* ; Frontal Lobe* ; Humans ; Male ; Neuroimaging ; Prognosis ; Seizures ; Wills

Thirty one free vascularized fibula bone grafts were performed for treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head in 26 patients, 24 men and 2 women aged from 16 to 48(mean:32 years). Twenty one patients had unilateral disease. Five patients had bilateral disease underwent staged bilateral free vascularized fibula grafts three months apart. Associated etiological factors included alcohol(9 patients), steroid(7 patients), and trauma(one patient). The condition was considered idiopathic in the remaining 9 patients. Radiologic staging by Ficat included stage 1 in one hip, stage II in 15 hips, stage III in 14 hips, and stage IV in one hip. A skin island flap was used for monitoring purpose for the grafted fibula. One monitoring, flap was necrotized due to vascular occlusion but the fibula bone graft was left in place to use as a nonvascularized bone graft. Average follow-up period was 21 months in 31 hips. Pain was relieved in 28 hips(93.3 percent) and aggravated in 2 hips(6.7 per cent). On radiographic evaluation, 26 hips(86.7 per cent) demonstrated excellent preservation of the femoral head contour. Progressive collapse of the femoral head (greater than 1-2 mm) occurred in 2 hips, i mm depression in one hip with stage III and 2 mm collapse in one hip with stage IV. In conclusion, the free vascularized fibula bone graft is an excellent treatment modality for preserving the femoral head and relieving symptoms in cases of the osteonecrosis of the femoral head.
Depression ; Female ; Fibula* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head* ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Osteonecrosis* ; Skin ; Transplants