The effects of polyadenylic.polyuridylic acid [poly(A).poly(U)] on in vitro proliferations of thymus and spleen cells from C57BL/6 mice were investigated. Mice were injected intravenously with 30 micrograms of poly(A).poly(U) or placebo. Two days later, thymus, spleen and peritoneal cells from these mice were prepared and cultured in pooled or non-pooled conditions. Cell proliferations were assessed by the technique of incorporation of tritiated thymidine. It has been revealed that the in vitro proliferations of thymus and spleen cells as well as the productions of interleukin-1 by peritoneal adhering cells and interleukin-2 by spleen cells were significantly enhanced in the cultures of cells from poly(A).poly(U)-treated mice. These enhancing effects were observed only in the cultures of pooled cells from mice whose genetic homogeneity is suspected. Furthermore, thymus cells from poly(A).poly(U)-treated mice acted as strong responder cells but not as stimulators in one way mixed cultures. Thus, the enhanced cellular responsiveness may be mediated by the increased production of cytokines and antigen recognitions of thymus-derived cells following activations via the adjuvant effect of poly(A).poly(U).
Animal ; Cell Division/drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Interleukin-1/biosynthesis ; Interleukin-2/biosynthesis ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Poly A-U/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Spleen/*cytology ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Thymus Gland/*cytology

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. PURPOSE: To comparatively investigated the rate of the adjacent segment degeneration and the clinical outcomes in patients with spondylolytic spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis or degenerative spondylolisthesis. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: There have been few studies reported on the adjacent segment degeneration following posterior lumbar interbody fusion(PLIF). Many risk factors for the adjacent segment degeneration following PLIF have been proposed. The range of decompression has been presented as one of the risk factors, yet controversial. METHODS: This study enrolled sixty-three patients who had been treated with single-level PLIF and who were followed up for more than two years. The patients were divided into 3 groups based on the preoperative diagnosis. We analyzed the difference between the preoperative and postoperative intervertebral disc heights of the superior adjacent segments. The incidence rates of instability and the clinical outcomes were comparatively analyzed between each group. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 55.8 years in the spondylolytic spondylolisthesis group, 65.9 years in the degenerative spondylolisthesis group and 60.4 years in the spinal stenosis group. The average follow-up period was 44 months, 43 months and 42 months, respectively. At the last follow-up, compared to the preoperative period, the intervertebral disc height decreased in all three groups. A statistically significant decrease (p < 0.01) was observed only in the spondylolytic spondylolisthesis group and no significant difference was observed between each group (p = 0.41). The incidence rate of instability and the clinical outcome were not significantly different between each group. CONCLUSIONS: Spondylolytic spondylolisthesis with total laminectomy and single-level PLIF showed no significant difference in the superior adjacent segment degeneration and instability, and the clinical outcome as compared to that of partial laminectomy with single-level PLIF for treating degenerative spondylolisthesis or spinal stenosis.
Decompression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intervertebral Disc ; Laminectomy ; Preoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spondylolisthesis

This prospective intervention study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence and treatment rate of osteoporosis following osteoporosis screening tests in the same cohort. From November 1, 2014 to August 31, 2015, participants received screening tests for osteoporosis using ultrasound bone densitometry and education concerning osteoporosis and related conditions. The participants were interviewed using a questionnaire on the diagnosis and initiation of osteoporosis treatment during the follow-up period. Of 960 potential participants, 595 people (68.8%; 150 men and 445 women) were given bone densitometry measurements and completed the questionnaire. The mean age of the participants was 74.0 years. Of the 595 participants, 393 people (66.1%; 67 men and 326 woman) were diagnosed with osteoporosis (T score <−2.5). The prevalence of osteoporosis showed an increasing trend, from 48.1% in 2004 to 66.1% in 2015. Of the 393 participants diagnosed with osteoporosis, 65 participants received additional bone densitometry measurements while hospitalized and osteoporosis management was re-initiated in 44 patients. The osteoporosis management rate in the study cohort increased from 21.6% to 32.8%, with osteoporosis diagnosed in 66.2% of participants at the latest follow-up. This prospective intervention study demonstrated that a screening test and an educational brochure increased the treatment rate from 21.6% to 32.8%.
Cohort Studies ; Densitometry* ; Diagnosis ; Education* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening* ; Osteoporosis* ; Pamphlets ; Prevalence* ; Prospective Studies ; Ultrasonography*

PURPOSE: To compare functional MR imaging of the motor cortex during active and passive movement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven healthy, right-handed volunteers (M:F=6:1; age:25-30 years) were included in this study. A 1.5-T whole body scanner and the multislice EPI BOLD method were used. The motor paradigm was flexion-extension of a thumb against rest. In the active motion task, the thumb was flexed voluntarily once a second, while in the passive task, it was tied with a thread and pulled to flex and extend passively at the same interval and with the same intensity as in the active task. For image postprocessing, an SPM 96 program was used. The sites, numbers, and signal intensity of the activated pixels were determined, and the threshold for significance was set at p<0.001 to p<0.01. RESULTS: In the active motion task, strong activation at the contralateral side of the primary sensorimotor cortex and supplementary motor cortex occurred in all 14 examples in all seven volunteers. Additionally, the ipsilateral primary sensorimotor cortex and supplementary motor area were activated in 12/14 and 11/14 such tasks, respectively. During passive motion tasks, on the other hand, weak activation occurred at the contralateral side of the primary sensorimotor cortex in all cases, but in the contralateral supplementary motor cortex in only three. In the ipsilateral primary sensorimotor cortex and supplementary motor area, there was no activation. CONCLUSION: Compared with the active motion task, activation occurring in the contralateral primary sensorimotor cortex and supplementary cortex was weaker and less frequent during the passive task, and during this latter, the ipsilateral motor cortex remained inactive. These results may be useful for the clinical application of functional MR imaging in unconscious patients or in animal studies.
Animals ; Hand ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Motor Cortex* ; Thumb ; Volunteers

PURPOSE: To determine the usefulness of the functional MRI (fMRI) using motor and sensory stimuli in patients with brain tumors or focal cerebral lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved five patients with brain tumors (n=2) or cerebral lesions [cysticercosis (n=1), arteriovenous malformation (n=1), focal infarction (n=1)] and seven normal controls. For MR examinations a 1.5T scanner was used, and during motor or sensory stimulation, the EPI BOLD technique was employed. For image postprocessing an SPM program was utilized. RESULTS: In volunteers, contralateral sensori-motor cortices were activated by both motor and sensory stimuli, while supplementary motor cortices were activated by motor stimuli and other sensory cortices by sensory stimuli. Preoperative evaluation of the relationship between lesions and important sensory and motor areas was possible, and subsequent surgery was thus successful, involving no severe complications. Activation of ipsilateral or other areas occurred in patients with destruction of a major sensory and/or motor area, suggesting compensatory reorganization. CONCLUSION: fMRI could be a useful supportive method for determining the best approach to surgery treatment in patients with brain tumors or focal cerebral lesions.
Arteriovenous Malformations ; Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain* ; Humans ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Volunteers

OBJECTIVE: Malignant meningiomas are rare and have worse prognosis than benign meningiomas. We report our experience of a malignant meningioma and review relevant literature in an attempt to investigate the clinical features, treatment, and prognosis of these tumors. METHODS: Fifteen patients underwent surgical treatment for intracranial malignant meningiomas between year 1990 and 2012 in our institution. Anaplastic meningiomas were diagnosed in thirteen cases and papillary meningiomas in two. Fourteen patients (93.3%) received radiotherapy after surgical resection. All patients were followed regularly including clinical-neurological follow-up as well as magnetic resonance imaging. Progression was determined radiographically when there was more than 10% of mass volume increase or when there were onset or worsening of neurological symptoms not attributable to other causes. RESULTS: Six patients were male and nine were women, and their mean age was 56.9 years (range 36-78). The median follow-up was 54 months (range 3-246). According to our study result, the 5-year progression free survival rate of malignant meningiomas was 53.6%. There were 2 cases (13.3%) of postoperative complications. Recurrences were confirmed in 4 patients (26.7%) during follow-up, the median recurrence time was 35 months (range 12-61), and further procedures were performed. Two of the recurred patients were treated with radiosurgery after secondary tumor resection, and other two patients were treated with radiosurgery alone. There was no more recurred disease patients in the follow-up period after then. CONCLUSION: We report the outcomes of the aggressive surgery with radiation of malignant meningiomas. Although the data is limited, we found that radiosurgery treatment had favorable tumor control on recurred patients from our experience.
Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Meningioma* ; Postoperative Complications ; Prognosis ; Radiosurgery ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence

No abstract available.
Perfusion*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, predictability and subjective symptoms of the implantable contact lens to treat moderate to high myopia. METHODS: A Staar Collamer posterior chamber phakic IOL was implanted in 83 eyes of 44 patients with spherical equivalent -10.10D (-3.87~-19.37D). Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction, adverse events, subjective quality of vision and satisfaction were evaluated. Mean follow-up was 4.9 months (3~9 months). RESULTS: All patients had a UCVA of 0.7 or better, and 61.4% had UCVA of 1.0 or better. Gains of 2 or more lines of BCVA occurred in 15 eyes (18.1%). Mean spherical equivalent refraction at postoperative 3 months was -0.37D (+0.25~-1.75D) and remained stable. There was no change in cylinder diopters. 81.9% of eyes were within +/-0.5D, and 97.6% were within +/-1.0D of predicted refraction. Glare and halo was observed in 5 eyes (6%) after laser iridotomy, lens flipping in 1 eye (1.2%), corneal edema in 2eyes (2.4%), drug induced ocular hypertension in 4eyes (4.8%). There was no case of cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and lens dislocation. There was significant decrease of pupil diameter at postoperative 1 month and decreased pupil diameter was maintained until the last examination. Generally patient satisfaction was very good. But, some patients reported poor in the category of glare and halo. CONCLUSIONS: ICL implantation had good visual, refractive results, and stability. Long term follow-up is required to confirm the significant complications that do not occur in most patients over time.
Cataract ; Corneal Edema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glare ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Lens Subluxation ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Myopia* ; Ocular Hypertension ; Patient Satisfaction ; Pupil ; Retinal Detachment ; Visual Acuity

BACKGROUND: The patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL) of the head and neck was treated with radiotherapy traditionally, but the results were not satisfactory. Although chemotherapy or combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy was tried recently, prognostic factors and treatment of choice has not been described yet. OBJECTIVES: We performed this study to investigate the prognostic factors of NHL and the differences of treatment outcomes among chemotherapy, radiotherapy and combined therapy for NHL of the head and neck. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The subjects are 50 patients with NHL localized in the head and neck, who were treated at Kosin University Gospel Hospital from January 1988 to January 1996. We analyzed clinical datas retrospectively. RESULTS: Five year overall survival rate was 41% in the patients whose primary lesion was Waldeyer's ring and 78.3% in patients who present with primary lesion in cervical node(p<0.05). Five year overall survival rate of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and combined therapy was 50.8%, 20%, 77% respectively(statistically not significant). These results suggest that location of primary site, pathologic type and response rate to treatment may be significant prognostic factors on univariate analysis(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy are more effective for the patients with NHL presenting in the head and neck.
Drug Therapy ; Head* ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* ; Neck* ; Radiotherapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the actual condition of management of stump and prosthesis, difficulties with or without prosthesis in the activities of daily living and the present status of cognizance of rehabilitation services in amputees. METHOD: This study was designed as a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire included the general demographic characteristics, causes of amputation, amputation level and time, practical status of fitting and management of prosthesis, satisfaction of prosthesis, difficulties in activities of daily living under prosthesis. The change of recognition of rehabilitation medicine and the degree of acceptance of rehabilitation services followed by duration-after amputation was also investigated. RESULTS: The most common cause of amputation was vehicular accidents and the mean age was 35.6 years old. The results showed that the amputees had low satisfaction in the prosthesis itself and the management. The role of rehabilitation medicine in fitting and management of prosthesis was insignificant. The 69% of amputees answered that the rehabilitation services were provided after the amputation, but only 40% of amputees reported they had known the services were provided by rehabilitation medicine. This discrepancy probably implied the poor recognition of the role of rehabilitation medicine, even though the rehabilitation services provided to the amputees has been significantly increased in recent 5 years. CONCLUSION: There is a little progress of recognition and role of rehabilitation medicine although the acceptants of rehabilitation services were increased. Physiatrists should take an active participation to the amputee community for extension of recognition and role of rehabilitation medicine.
Activities of Daily Living ; Amputation ; Amputees ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Surveys and Questionnaires