The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the ball-cone contact interface variation on the ceramic ball stress which is the dominant factor of the design of the moldular artificial hip joint. A contact stress analysis problem is formulated using the optimization principle and finite element analysis technique on the ball-cone system of three dimensional axi-symmetrical model, Numerical procedure is employed to get the solution for varying angles of cones and angular mismatches between the ball and cone interfaces. There is a fair amount of friction in the interface and included in the analysis model.
Ceramics ; Finite Element Analysis ; Friction ; Hip Joint ; Hip

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of resiniferatoxin (RTX) and botulinum toxin (BTX) on the bladder detrusor function in a cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups (1: saline treated, 2: CYP and BTX treated, 3: CYP and RTX treated, 4 and 5: CYP treated and sham operated as the counterpart of groups 2 and 3, respectively, with normal saline). 100mg/kg CYP was injected every third day for five weeks. Cystometrograms were performed after the BTX and RTX treatments. RESULTS: 1. The normal control group and the CYP-treated only group. In the CYP-treated group, the time of micturition frequency, the maximal detrusor pressure on the cystometergram (Pvesmax at CMG), the maximal detrusor pressure on the pressure-flow study (Pvesmax at pr/flow) and the episodes of irregular contractions were increased. 2. The CYP-only group and the CYP/BTX or CYP/RTXtreated groups. In the CYP/BTX or CYP/RTX treated groups, the time of micturition frequency, the Pvesmax at CMG, the Pvesmax at pr/flow and the episode of irregular contractions were decreased. 3. The CYP/BTXtreated group and the CYP/ RTXtreated group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding micturition frequency, the PvesMax at CMG and the PvesMax at pr/flow, the Dhfo and the episodes of involuntary contractions (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intravesical administration of BTX or RTX blocked the CYP-induced detrusor overactivity as was shown by the restoration of the micturition frequency, the intravesical pressure and the involuntary contraction episodes to a control level. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the urodynamic parameters.
Administration, Intravesical ; Animals ; Botulinum Toxins* ; Cyclophosphamide* ; Cystitis ; Models, Animal ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urination ; Urodynamics

Clear cell sarcoma of kidney(CCSK) is a rare pediatric neoplasm characterized by a predominating component of clear cells, a predilection for metastases to bone, and a poor prognosis. The incidence of CCSK peaks during the 2nd year of life and adult cases are very rare. We report a case of CCSK encountered in the right kidney of a 39-year-old man. Grossly, it was a lobulated mass showing infiltrative margin, measured 7x5.5x5cm and had a homogeneous gray-tan color with a soft, fish-flesh consistency. Microscopically, about half of the tumor revealed the classic pattern of CCSK, having tumor cell cords or nests separated by the characteristic alveolar capillary networks. The tumor cells had clear pale cytoplasm, bland looking round nuclei and inconspicuous nucleoli. The other half showed the epithelioid-trabecular pattern forming pseudorosette or cord-like structures. Immunohistochemically, there was only a focal positive reaction to vimentin. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells showed the primitive nephrogenic mesenchymal differentiation such as electron lucent cytoplasm, a small amount of organelles, scanty heterochromatin, inconspicuous nucleoli, and a lack of flocculant basal lamina material around the cytoplasmic membrane. We consider that this is a case of CCSK occuring in the oldest patient ever reported, confirmed by both immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy.
Adult ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Neoplasm Metastasis

PURPOSE: Since the publication of the 5th edition of the AJCC cancer staging manual in 1997 (old stage), significant developments have occurred in the field of breast cancer diagnosis and management; therefore, it was revised at 2002 (new stage). There are few reports comparing the changes in prognosis in relation to the changes in the staging system. The aims of this study were to evaluate the changes in patient distribution and prognosis according to the changes in the staging system and to elucidate the efficacy of new staging system. METHODS: The records of 1, 275 patients who underwent an operation for breast cancer at Yeung-Nam University Hospital between 1987 and 2003 were reviewed. The pathological stage was assigned retrospectively according to the 5th and the 6th AJCC staging criteria. The patient distributions by stage, nodal status, 5-year relapse free survival (RFSR) and overall survival rates (OSR) were retrospectively compared. RESULTS: Five hundred and five of 616 stage II patients according to the 1997 classification system were also stage II according to the 6th AJCC staging system. The number of patients with stages IIA and IIB decreased from 370 and 246 (old stage) to 342 and 165 (new stage), respectively. Conversely, the number of patients with stage III increased from 158 (old stage) to 271 (new stage). The five-year RFSR for patients with stage I, IIA, IIB, and IIIA were 94.2, 87.1, 74.3, and 48.8% according to the old stage (P<0.0001), and 95.2, 87.8, 81.7, and 66.8%, respectively, according to the new stage (P<0.0001). The five-year OSR for patients with stage I, IIA, IIB, and IIIA were 98.7, 94.3, 86.1, and 63.5% according to the old stage (P<0.0001), and 98.7, 95.7, 96.5, and 72.9%, respectively, according to the new stage (P<0.0001). The RFSR and OSR for stage IIIC were 42.0 and 59.5%, respectively. There was significant difference in the five-year OSR for stages IIB and IIIA (P=0.0308 and P=0.0132, respectively). CONCLUSION: In our study, the 6th AJCC staging system shifted poorer prognostic cohort of each stage toward a higher stage compared to the 1997 version. Therefore, the survival rate for any one stage assigned by 2002 staging system was also improved. In conclusion, it is imperative that careful attention is devoted to this effect so that accurate conclusions regarding the efficacy of new treatment can be drawn.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Classification ; Cohort Studies ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Joints* ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Publications ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

Among many adverse effects of docetaxel, fluid retention is a well recognized, cumulative side effect, but severe fluid retention is rare. We report here on a case of docetaxel-induced severe fluid retention with peripheral edema, pleural effusion, severe ascites and pericardial effusion in a 41-year-old woman. She had been treated with 3 cycles of docetaxel 9 days previously and she was admitted to our hospital due to abdominal distention and mild dyspnea. Radiologic studies revealed pleural effusion, severe ascites and a small pericardial effusion. Diuretics were given for 21 days. The pleural effusion was resolved after treatment with diuretics for 2 days, but the ascites wasn't resolved until 14 days of diuretics. After treatment with diuretics for 21 days, all the symptoms of the patient were completely resolved. Early detection is mandatory and diuretics are very effective for patient suffering with docetaxel-induced severe fluid retention.
Adult ; Ascites ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Diuretics ; Dyspnea ; Edema ; Female ; Fluid Shifts ; Humans ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pleural Effusion ; Retention (Psychology) ; Stress, Psychological ; Taxoids

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to know the correlation between resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP) and height-length (H/L) ratio of foot. METHOD: Both feet of 173 persons who visited the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital were included in the study. Their mean age was 23.6 years old. H/L ratio, RCSP and navicular angle of 346 feet were measured. All people were divided into 3 groups, such as, normal foot (-2degrees2degrees) according to the angle of RCSP. And the relationship between RCSP and H/L ratio were evaluated. Independent T-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation of SPSS was used for statistical data processing. RESULTS: The mean H/L ratio of rear foot valgus was 0.2206, noraml foot 0.2440 and rearfoot varus 0.2625. H/L ratio and navicular angle showed significant increase in each RCSP groups in order of rear foot angle. CONCLUSION: H/L ratio and RCSP showed strong positive correlation and the value of H/L ratio in normal group was 0.2440+/-0.0114 (Mean+/-S.D.). H/L ratio is easily acceptable parameter in human mechanics or orthotic field of rehabilitation.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Foot* ; Humans ; Mechanics ; Rehabilitation

Papillary thyroid cancer is a common endocrine cancer and commonly presents with lymph node metastases. It has been generally accepted that lymphatic drainage occurs from the thyroid primarily to the central lymphatic compartment and secondarily to the lateral compartment nodes. Recently, improvements in the resolution of imaging studies and the availability of highly sensitive thyroglobulin assays have highlighted the importance of identifying disease in the pre-operative assessment and dealing effectively with metastatic regional disease in order to prevent recurrence. However, there are limitations to diagnosing central lymph node metastases. With unreliable imaging modalities, prophylactic central lymph node dissection should be performed on all patients with papillary thyroid cancer. In comparison with the central compartment, prophylactic lateral node dissection has little or no effect on improving the prognosis of patients with papillary thyroid cancer. Therefore, lateral node dissection is recommended only as a part of the therapeutic procedure. The extension of lateral neck dissection is recommended a comprehensive selective neck dissection of levels IIa, III, IV, and Vb. The rich lymphatic supply of the thyroid gland coupled with the propensity for nodal metastases in papillary thyroid cancer require the modern thyroid surgeon to be familiar with the indications for and techniques of regional lymph node dissection.
Drainage ; Endocrine Gland Neoplasms ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes* ; Neck Dissection ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND: Spinal stenosis and herniated intervertebral discs are the principal causes of lumbosacral radiculopathy. This study was conducted to compare the therapeutic value and duration of pain relief of fluoroscopic guided transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) in patients with refractory radicular leg pain. METHODS: Between August 2006 and March 2007, 87 patients (H group: patients with herniated intervertebral disc, S group: patients with spinal stenosis) who met the inclusion criteria were treated with fluoroscopic guided TFESIs. Prior to treatment, the VAS and ODI scores were determine to evaluate the degree of pain and level of disability. The degree of pain relief was then assessed 1 month after treatment with the TFESIs and graded as excellent (no residual pain), good (improvement of pain symptoms by more than 50%), fair (improvement of pain symptoms by less than 50%) and Poor (no improvement of pain). In addition, the duration of pain relief was evaluated by regular outpatient visits for 6 months, and by telephone interviews after 6 months. RESULTS: The H and S group both had excellet results at 1 month after treatment with TFESIs showing improvements of 44.1% and 20.8% respectively. However this difference was not significant between groups. In addition, a duration of pain relief greater than 6 months was achieved in 32.4% of the patients in the H group and 37.7% of those in the S group. CONCLUSIONS: TFESIs had a similar degree of therapeutic effectiveness and duration of pain relief in patients with spinal stenosis and herniated intervertebral discs.
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Interviews as Topic ; Leg ; Outpatients ; Radiculopathy ; Spinal Stenosis

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of the breast volume in primary breast cancer patients with the same T stage. METHODS: The study population consisted of 358 patients with T1 and T2 primary breast cancer, who underwent preoperative mammography and surgery in our institution from March 1992 to December 2006. The patients were divided into three groups based on the calculated breast volume as the following: Group A: <285 cc (n=117), Group B: 285-460 cc (n=121) and Group C: > or =460 cc (n=120). Overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) of the patients in the three groups in each T stage were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 46.3 years (age range, 22-85 years) and the mean calculated breast volume was 403.1 cc (volume range, 94-1,231 cc). As the age of patients was increased, the breast volume was increased (r=0.184, p<0.001). With a mean follow up period of 80.8 months, there was no significant difference in DFS or OS among patients in Groups A, B, and C (p>0.05). For patients with T1 stage disease, Group A patients showed the highest DFS and OS, and patients in Group C showed the lowest DFS and OS; however, the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). For patients with T2 disease, patients in Group C showed the highest DFS and OS, though the difference with the two other groups did not have statistical significance (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The breast volume was not a significant predictor of DFS and OS for patients with T1 and T2 breast cancer. However it should be noted that this was the first study to evaluate the correlation between breast volume and survival in breast cancer patients.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Disease-Free Survival ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mammography ; Organ Size ; Prognosis

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is the major ingredient of over-the-counter drugs, including diet pills and nasal decon-gestants. We present a case of ICH induced by PPA in diet pills in a 36-year-old woman. She didn't have any medical concerns when she began taking diet pills, containing PPA, since 10 days before admission. A brain CT showed large ICHs on the right basal ganglia and lateral ventricle. Physicians should be alerted to the potential fatal side effects of PPA, in commonly used OTC drugs. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(3):298~301, 2001)
Adult ; Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Cerebral Hemorrhage* ; Diet ; Female ; Humans ; Lateral Ventricles ; Nonprescription Drugs ; Phenylpropanolamine*