BACKGROUND: Oncogenes and EGF-Receptor(EGFR) may be involved n different stages of the multistep carcinogenesis process. A specific pattern of karyotypic abnormalities in solid tumors can be detected by cytogenetic methods. OBJECTIVE: This study is intnded to observe the cytomolecular kiologic chracterization of c-myc, erb B and EGFR genes in squasnous cell carcinoma(SCC) of the skin and cervix. METHODS: We have eytogenet,ically examined the short-term culturs from SCC. The rearrangement, amplification or expressi.on of erb B, c-myc, and EGFR genes were studied by Southern blot, analysis of genomic DNA and by slot blot analysis of tota! RNA extracted from biopsies of normal skin and SCC tissues. EGFR expression was examined immunohistochemially using monoclonal antibodies and the localizat,ion of the c-myc oncogene mRNA by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: A remarkably structural aberration was del 6(q21-qter) counted 20 metaphases among 28 metaphases ana1yzed. In nunierical aberration, all chromosomes were lost or gained randomly. Amenploid including triploid and tetraploid were observed in 8 metaphases, 6 tumor cells contained marker chromosome. In Southern blot analysis, rearrangement and amglificaton of EGFR in primary squamous cell carcinoma of cervix uteri and skin respectively. In slot blot analysis, the levels of c-myc, erb B and EGFR mRNA increaaed respectively 3.5, 2.5 and 2.8 times in SCC when compared to normal tissues. In immunoperoxidase stain, EGFR was present, in SCC where keratinocytes with strong cyto-plasmic staining but no membr, line labelling, where as in normal skin the were primarily present in t,he membrane and cytoplasm of basal cells. In situ hybridization with c-myc cDNAs allowed detection of grains representative of biotin labelled cDNA-mRNA hybrids in the frozden section of SCC tissues. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that specific patterns of karyotypir abnormalites, rearrangement, or amplification of EGFR gene, and overexpression of oncogenes and EGFR gene may be associated with the carcinogenesis of SCC.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Biopsy ; Biotin ; Blotting, Southern ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Edible Grain ; Cervix Uteri ; Cytogenetics ; Cytoplasm ; DNA ; DNA, Complementary ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Female ; Genes, erbB-1 ; In Situ Hybridization ; Keratinocytes ; Membranes ; Metaphase ; Oncogenes ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin ; Tetraploidy ; Triploidy

The cerebroprotective effects of mild to moderate hypothermia(about 32degreesC) in brain ischemia have been well established. Taking into consideration of potential deleterious systemic effects of total body cooling, selective brain cooling(SBC) can be considered as an alternative mean, and recently the protective effects of SBC in focal cerebral ischemia have been reported. However, there has been no attempt to draw a comparison of antiischemic and systemic effects between systemic hypothermia(SH) and SBC. The present study investigates the effects of SH and SBC on the physiological variables, neurological outcome, and the volume of brain infarction and edema, and compares each other. In thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300-400g, permanent middle cerebral artery(MCA) occlusions were performed. Five groups of animals were studied; group 1, normothermic control(n=6); group 2, systemic hypothermia for 30min(n=6); group 3, selective brain cooling for 30min(n=6); group 4, systemic hypothermia for 60min(n=6); and group 5, selective brain cooling for 60min(n=6). In the hypothermia groups, active cooling was performed 15min following MCA occlusion. During the experimental procedures, the physiological variables such as mean arterial blood pressure and blood gases were continuously monitored. Twenty-four hours following MCA occlusion, the rats were sacrificed. Eight predefined coronal sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and the volume of ischemic damage and edema was computed. The results are as follows: 1) There were no differences in the physiological variables between SH and SBC groups. 2) In the hypothermia groups, neurological outcome was much better(p<0.05) than that in the control. 3) The volume of ischemic damage was significantly reduced to 49.2%(p<0.05) in group 4 and 26.7%(p<0.05) in group 5, compared to group 1. 4) Ischemic brain edema was significantly attenuated in group 4(23.6%; p<0.05) and group 5(7.8%; p<0.05), compared to group 1. These results reveal that systemic hypothermia may exert more beneficial effects upon focal cerebral infarction without significant systemic complication than selective brain cooling.
Adult ; Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Brain Edema ; Brain Infarction ; Brain Ischemia ; Brain* ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Edema ; Gases ; Humans ; Hypothermia* ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Alveolar soft part sarcoma is a clinically and morphologically distinct soft tissue tumor that was first defined and named by Christopherson et al in 1952. Since 1953, alveolar soft part sarcoma invading bone have been reported sporadically. We experienced a case of alveolar soft part sarcoma with metastasis to femoral shaft, which was treated by wide resection & vascularized fibular strut graft.
Neoplasm Metastasis ; Sarcoma, Alveolar Soft Part ; Transplants

Component fixation on the acetabular side is not as much of a problem because of the simpler geometry and loading configuration. It is generally accepted that hemispheric component design is preferable and immediate implant stability can be achieved by using screws or spikes in the porous coated implants. The authors reviewed 130 primary noncemented porouscoated, press fit acetabular component in 110 patients; 84 were AML (Anatomical Medullary Locking) and 46 were HarrisGalante acetabular component. Radiologic analysis at a minimum of 3 years(average 4.5 years) was done with special regards to the vertical and medial migration, screw size and numbers, change of the radiolucent line and its zone with its fate and acetabular cup angles on the acetabular component by the 2 observers. Progressive radiolucent line at the component-bone intersurface were found in 14 cases(11%), frequently located in zone I and zone I & II. No significant vertical, medial migration and change of the acetabular cup angle were found. No screw and spike failure had occurred. No component had to be revised because of loosening. As a whole, in our 3-years experience we report excellent results with porous coated acetabular component although it dose not ensure long-term sucess.
Acetabulum ; Hip ; Humans

Background: Recently, there have been some trials to use dexmedetomidine in the obstetric field but concerns regarding the drug include changes in uterine contractions after labor. We aimed to evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine on the myometrial contractions of pregnant rats. Methods: In a pilot study, the contraction of the myometrial strips of pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats in an organ bath with oxytocin at 1 mU/ml was assessed by adding dexmedetomidine from 10-6 to 10-2 M accumulatively every 20 min, and active tension and the number of contractions were evaluated. Then, changes in myometrial contractions were evaluated from high doses of dexmedetomidine (1.0 × 10−4 to 1.2 × 10−3 M). The effective concentrations (EC) for changes in uterine contractions were calculated using a probit model. Results: Active tension and the number of contractions were significantly decreased at 10-3 M and 10-4 M dexmedetomidine, respectively (P < 0.05). A complete loss of contractions was seen at 10-2 M. Dexmedetomidine (1.0 × 10−4 to 1.2 × 10−3 M) decreased active tension and the number of contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. The EC95 of dexmedetomidine for inhibiting active tension and the number of contractions was 5.16 × 10-2 M and 2.55 × 10-5 M, respectively. Conclusions Active tension of the myometrium showed a significant decrease at concentrations of dexmedetomidine higher than 10-3 M. Thus, clinical concentrations of dexmedetomidine may inhibit uterine contractions. Further research is needed for the safe use of dexmedetomidine in the obstetrics field.

The authors report a case of Normal Volume Hydrocephalus with recuring ventricular catheter obstraction treated by bilateral subtemporal craniectomy. Subtemporal craniectomy provide temporary relief from increased intracranial pressure while the same time encouraging dilatation of ventricle, would protect against further catheter obstruction by prevent trapping of catheter tip between the abutting ventricular wall. The patient had been followed-up for 2 years and postoperative result was excellent.
Catheter Obstruction ; Catheters ; Decompression* ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus* ; Intracranial Pressure

We report a case of esthesioneuroblastoma with intracranial extension treated with surgical resection and chemotherapy. A 5-year-old child presented with visual disturbance, and was subsequently found to have a huge sized mass in the anterior skull base, suprasellar region and lateral ventricle. A bifrontal craniotomy with excision of the tumor through subfrontal and interhemispheric approach was performed. The patient received postoperative chemotherapy according to Tandem protocol. A follow-up magnetic resonance(MR) image showed that the tumor showed partial regression, however, there was no change in tumor size in lateral ventricle. Second operation with excision of remnant mass through a transcallosal approach was performed. MR image, 9 months after first operation showed the postoperative change in frontal area without enhancing mass. By employing staged operation and chemotherapy, the authors obtained good results in the treatment of esthesioneuroblastoma with intracranial extension.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Craniotomy ; Drug Therapy ; Esthesioneuroblastoma, Olfactory* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lateral Ventricles ; Skull Base

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET) compared with combined DWI and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Fifteen patients with hepatic NET (n=128) underwent enhanced MRI and DWI with multiple-b values. We analyzed three different sets: Precontrast set; DWI set (added DWI); combined set (added enhanced image). Two reviewers rated possibility of NET using a 5-point scale for each image set. Their diagnostic performance was compared using Jackknife alternative free-response ROC (JAFROC). RESULTS: Diagnostic performance was better on the combined set (figure of merit [FOM]=0.852, 0.761) than the precontrast set (FOM=0.427, 0.572, P〈0.05) and the DWI set (FOM=0.682, 0.620, P〈0.05). However, DWI improved performance compared with precontrast set without statistical difference. In small NETs (〈1 cm), all sets showed low sensitivity (10.7-65.9%) with high specificity (95.4-100%). Interobserver agreement was moderate in all image sets (k=0.521 to 0.589). CONCLUSIONS: Combined DWI and enhanced MRI were more useful for detecting NET. Although statistically insignficant, there was a trend in improved diagnostic performance with DWI.
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Neuroendocrine Tumors* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Authors analysed 25 cases of the narrow spinal canal in cervical and lumbar region, who admitted to the Catholic Medical Center, Seoul from Jan. 1970 to August 1976. Correlation between neurologic feature and radiologic finding was attempted and compared the measurements of narrow cervical and lumbar spinal canal with that of the healthy Korean. The mean anterioposterior diameter of the cervical canal in healthy Korean was 16.2mm at C4, 16.4mm. at C5, 16.6mm. at C6, and 16.4mm. at C7. The ratio of canal to vertebral body in the plain lumbar spine was 1 : 3.9 at L3, 1 : 3.8 at L4 and 1 : 3.8 at L5. The measurements of 25 cases of narrow spinal canal were significantly reduced comparing with the healthy one. The clinical symptoms were closely related to the severity of the narrow spinal canal while there was intermittent or insidious course of symptom in the group of mild narrow spinal canal. Symptom of root compression or neurogenic claudication is frequent manifestation in the severe narrow spinal canal. and the symptom is correlated to the severity of the narrowing. Urinary disturbance and pyramidal tract sign were evident in the cervical narrow canal. The characteristic myelographic feature was multiple constrictive defect at the level of the narrow canal. Common findings in laminectomy were the thickened laminae and hypertrophied ligamentum flavum in the narrow canal. Herniated disc was not found but in one case in the cervical narrow canal at surgery. The recovery of the symptom was better in the group of the narrow canal who had mild degree of narrowing or who had the symptom in short duration rather than prolonged course.
Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Laminectomy ; Ligamentum Flavum ; Lumbosacral Region ; Pyramidal Tracts ; Seoul ; Spinal Canal* ; Spine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We studied the correlation between radiologically identified bony osteitis and prognosis of the functional endoscopic sinus surgery in chronic rhinosinusitis patients. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A retrospective review of medical records were carried out on 77 patients who had been diagnosed as chronic paranasal sinusitis and undergone endoscopic sinus surgery from 2002 through 2003 at our institution. Computed tomography scans were used for grading according to the Lund-Mackay radiologic grading system and diagnosis the pansinusitis coexistence. Medical records were used for grading according to the Lund-Mackay surgical grading system and for follow-up observation and age. Statistical analysis was done for correlation between radiologically identified indices and post-operative prognosis. RESULTS: The study revealed that radiologically identified bony osteitis need a longer post-operative medical management period and also found that if pansinusitis coexist with osteitis, poorer outcome would be accompanied. CONCLUSION: This study provides further evidence that radiologically identified bony osteitis and pansinusitis may act as poor prognostic factors.
Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Osteitis* ; Prognosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sinusitis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed