No abstract available.
Hemorrhoids*

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess the usefulness of a unilateral x-ray of the kidney, ureter and bladder (hemi-KUB), in the place of a full-KUB, in the follow-up of patients treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), and thereby reduce the radiation exposure for patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 111 patients, who underwent ESWL, between March 2000 and July 2002, were enrolled onto the study. Patients with bilateral stones, or who had changed to another treatment model, were excluded. During the follow-up to the ESWL, we used the hemi-KUB method for the collimation of the radiation field. The numbers of hemi-KUBs during the treatment were recorded. The reductions in the exposure to the radiation dose, per patient, were calculated and analyzed according to the sizes and shapes of the stones. The typical doses were: for IVU (6 films), 2.5mSv; full-KUB film, 0.42mSv; and a hemi-KUB film, 0.21mSv. RESULTS: The total reduction in the doses of radiation exposure was 114.45mSv. The radiation doses, per patient, were reduced by a mean of 1.03+/-0.58mSv. The reduction in the dose of radiation exposure correlated well with the stone size (r=0.7082, p<0.05). The mean number of hemi-KUBs (mean reduction dose of radiation exposure), according to the stone size groups: these being 5-9, 10-19 and +/-20mm, were 3.82+/-1.76 (0.80+/-0.37), 6.52+/-2.10 (1.37+/-0.44) and 11.00+/-3.85 (2.31+/-0.81)mSv, respectively (p<0.05). Also, the mean number of hemi-KUBs (mean reduction dose of radiation exposure), according to the stone shapes, typed into I (less organized or lacy), IIa (spiculated), IIb (mulberry), III (round or ovoid) and IV (struvite or staghorn), were 2.77+/-0.85 (0.58+/-0.18), 4.48+/-1.86 (0.94+/-0.39), 4.83+/-1.43 (1.01+/-0.30), 7.54+/-1.36 (1.58+/-0.29) and 8.75+/-3.72 (1.84+/-0.78)mSv, respectively (p<0.05). Using the receiver operating characteristic curve, the cut-off value, of a stone size that could be used to determine the risk group whose radiation exposure exceeding 5mSv (personal permissible dose/year), was 23.52mm, but when using a full-KUB this was 7.97mm. CONCLUSIONS: The use of hemi-KUB is a simple and easy method to reduce the radiation exposure in the follow-up of an ESWL, especially in patients with stones larger than 7.97mm in size, with a round-ovoid or staghorn shape.
Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Kidney* ; Lithotripsy* ; ROC Curve ; Shock* ; Ureter* ; Urinary Bladder*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Adipocytes*

Neuroblastoma occurs most frequently in children. It, however, may occur in adults. The peripheral neuroblastoma in adult is a primitive neuroectodermal tumor arising from peripheral tumor arising from peripheral nerve. It is exceedingly rare and estimated less than 1% of all malig-peripheral nerve tumors. We report a case of adult peripheral neuroblastoma arising in left lower extremity, who was treated with local excision and radiation.
Adult ; Child ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Neuroblastoma ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; Peripheral Nerves

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to present methods and results for the modified Phemister operation, with a suture anchor added for augmentation of the conoid ligament in cases of acute dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 14 cases of acute dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint. This included 11 cases of Rockwood type 3, and 3 cases of type 5. The mean age of patients was 45.2 years. We operated on them using an anchor for augmentation of the conoid ligament in the modified Phemister operation. The average follow-up period was 14 months and post-operative clinical analysis was conducted using the Weitzman classification, VAS Score, Constant Score and KSS Score. RESULTS: According to Weitzman scores, 13 cases were evaluated as excellent, and one case was good. They had mean joint ranges of forward elevation of 170.7degrees, lateral elevation of 166.4, external rotation of 68.2, and internal rotation to the level of T7. The mean VAS Score was 1.9, mean Constant Score 90.8, and the mean KSS Score 91. Radiologic analysis indicated that all cases had a good result. CONCLUSION: The modified Phemister operation with a suture anchor added for augmentation of the conoid ligament is very effective clinically in acute dislocations of the acromioclavicular joint.
Acromioclavicular Joint ; Dislocations ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joints ; Ligaments ; Suture Anchors ; Sutures

No abstract available.
Animals ; Lordosis*

Skin photoaging occurs due to chronic exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UV), the main factor contributing to extrinsic skin aging. Clinical signs of photoaging include the formation of deep, coarse skin wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.Although melanogenesis and skin wrinkling occur in different skin cells and have different underlying mechanisms, their initiation involves intracellular calcium signaling via calcium ion channels. The ORAI1 channel initiates melanogenesis in melanocytes, and the TRPV1 channel initiates MMP-1 production in keratinocytes in response to UV stimulation. We aimed to develop a drug that may simultaneously inhibit ORAI1 and TRPV1 activity to help prevent photoaging. We synthesized nootkatol, a chemical derivative of valencene. TRPV1 and ORAI1 activities were measured using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+ ] i was measured using calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye (Fura-2 AM). UV-induced melanin formation and MMP-1 production were quantified in B16F10 melanoma cells and HaCaT cells, respectively. Our results indicate that nootkatol (90 μM) reduced TRPV1 current by 94% ± 2% at –60 mV and ORAI1 current by 97% ± 1% at –120 mV. Intracellular calcium signaling was significantly inhibited by nootkatol in response to ORAI1 activation in human primary melanocytes (51.6% ± 0.98% at 100 μM). Additionally, UV-induced melanin synthesis was reduced by 76.38% ± 5.90% in B16F10 melanoma cells, and UV-induced MMP-1 production was reduced by 59.33% ± 1.49% in HaCaT cells. In conclusion, nootkatol inhibits both TRPV1 and ORAI1 to prevent photoaging, and targeting ion channels may be a promising strategy for preventing photoaging.

Skin photoaging occurs due to chronic exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UV), the main factor contributing to extrinsic skin aging. Clinical signs of photoaging include the formation of deep, coarse skin wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.Although melanogenesis and skin wrinkling occur in different skin cells and have different underlying mechanisms, their initiation involves intracellular calcium signaling via calcium ion channels. The ORAI1 channel initiates melanogenesis in melanocytes, and the TRPV1 channel initiates MMP-1 production in keratinocytes in response to UV stimulation. We aimed to develop a drug that may simultaneously inhibit ORAI1 and TRPV1 activity to help prevent photoaging. We synthesized nootkatol, a chemical derivative of valencene. TRPV1 and ORAI1 activities were measured using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+ ] i was measured using calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye (Fura-2 AM). UV-induced melanin formation and MMP-1 production were quantified in B16F10 melanoma cells and HaCaT cells, respectively. Our results indicate that nootkatol (90 μM) reduced TRPV1 current by 94% ± 2% at –60 mV and ORAI1 current by 97% ± 1% at –120 mV. Intracellular calcium signaling was significantly inhibited by nootkatol in response to ORAI1 activation in human primary melanocytes (51.6% ± 0.98% at 100 μM). Additionally, UV-induced melanin synthesis was reduced by 76.38% ± 5.90% in B16F10 melanoma cells, and UV-induced MMP-1 production was reduced by 59.33% ± 1.49% in HaCaT cells. In conclusion, nootkatol inhibits both TRPV1 and ORAI1 to prevent photoaging, and targeting ion channels may be a promising strategy for preventing photoaging.

A colonoscopic perforation is rare but can cause a fatal outcome. A perforation can be intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal. Air in the retroperitoneal space by perforation can spread to the mediastinum, pleura, and subcutaneous tissue through the visceral space. Therefore, a colonoscopic perforation may manifest as a pneumomediastinum, a pneumothorax, or subcutaneous emphysema without a peritoneal irritation sign. Although a colonoscopic perforation is treated mainly with an operation, medical treatment may be possible in selected cases, especially for a perforation to the retroperitoneal area or that under peritoneal reflexion. Clipping of a perforation is effective for medical treatment. We experienced a case of pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema and pneumoretroperitoneum without peritoneal irritation following a diagnostic colonoscopy, which was diagnosed after 3 days because of atypical symptoms but was successfully managed with medical treatment and clipping.
Colonoscopy ; Fatal Outcome ; Mediastinal Emphysema ; Mediastinum ; Pleura ; Pneumothorax ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Retropneumoperitoneum ; Subcutaneous Emphysema ; Subcutaneous Tissue