PURPOSE: This study was undertaker in order to develop and characterize a new murine renal cell carcinoma(RCC) model which may be closely analogous to the human RCC and which may serve as a basis for the evaluation of new therapeutic modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The tumor being investigated, Rag cell line, arose spont- aneously as a renal adenocarcinoma in an inbred Balb/c mouse. Tumor cells were injected into subrenal capsule and injected intravenously and intraperitoneally to induce tumors. Among the orthotopically inoculated animals, some were performed a nephrectomy to mimic the situation mostly often encountered in the human. RESULTS: 1 Tumors were transferred to all animals where inoculated into subrenal capsule. 2. The growth rates of tumor-bearing mice were retarded compared to control mice. 3. Tumors grew exponentially when inoculated into subrenal capsule. The doubling time of tumor was approximately 13 days. 4. Spontaneous lung metastasis could be better induced in the subrenal capsule model(80%). Higher rate of lung metastasis was obtained by intravenous inoculation of tumor cells(85.7%). 5. After nephrectomy performed on 14 days following subrenal capsular Inoculation of tumor cells, lung metastasis developed spontaneously in 80% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The behavior of Rag tumor following subrenal capsular inoculation mimics that of human RCC from the viewpoint of the formation of primary tumor mass on the kidney followed by the development of spontaneous metastases. This model can be used for the evaluation of the therapeutic erects both on the primary tumor as well as on the metastatic disease.
Adenocarcinoma ; Animals* ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Kidney ; Lung ; Mice ; Models, Animal* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nephrectomy

Blastoschizomyces capitatus (formerly Trichosporon capitatus) causes piedra and sometimes invasive infections in immunocompromised hosts. Arthritis by B. capitatus in a previously healthy person has not been reported. Herein we experienced a case of pyogenic arthritis of the knee joint in a farmer and reported the clinical course and literature review. A 68-year old man was adimitted because of swelling and painful left knee joint. Under the impression of septic arthritis of the left knee, empiric antibiotic treatment was initially done. On fifth admission day, B. capitatus was reported in joint fluid culture for the first time. Arthroscopic finding revealed infected synovium and pus-like fluid collection on patello-femoral joint. Amphotericin B was tried but discontinued due to hypokalemia after 7 day use. Secondary arthroscope showed subchondral destruction on medial femoral condyle and medial tibial plateau. Eight week treatment with parenteral fluconazole (daily 100 mg) and oral ketoconazole (200 mg daily) resulted in complete resolution of the patient's symptom. But knee joint ankylosis was remained.
Aged ; Amphotericin B ; Ankylosis ; Arthritis* ; Arthritis, Infectious ; Arthroscopes ; Fluconazole ; Humans ; Hypokalemia ; Immunocompromised Host ; Joints ; Ketoconazole ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Piedra ; Synovial Membrane ; Trichosporon

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using intermittent androgen deprivation(IAD) in patients with prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 29 patients treated with IAD for prostate cancer. Androgen deprivation with goserelin and flutamide was continued for at least 4 months after serum prostate specific antigen(PSA) became undetectable or a nadir level was reached. Medication was then discontinued until serum PSA reached a predetermined level. This cycle of treatment was repeated until there was evidence of androgen independence. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients completed the on-treatment during cycle 1, with a median time to PSA nadir of 3 months. Nine patients completed cycle 1 with a median time of off-treatment of 11 months(38% of a treatment cycle). Eight patients continued the off-treatment during cycle 1 for 1+ to 8+ months. During cycle 2, 3 patients achieved a PSA nadir in a median time of 3.5 months. While off treatment, most patients reported reduction of symptoms associated with androgen suppression. CONCLUSIONS: IAD is a feasible alternative for continuous androgen deprivation for treatment of prostate cancer. It also results in the reducion of toxicity, cost of treatment, and possibly a delay in tumor progression.
Flutamide* ; Goserelin* ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Pilot Projects* ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms*

No abstract available.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most devastating conditions and many SCI patients suffer neurological sequelae. Stem cell therapies are expected to be beneficial for many patients with central nervous system injuries, including SCI. Adult stem cells (ASCs) are not associated with the risks which embryonic stem cells have such as malignant transformation, or ethical problems, and can be obtained relatively easily. Consequently, many researchers are currently studying the effects of ASCs in clinical trials. The environment of transplanted cells applied in the injured spinal cord differs between the phases of SCI; therefore, many researchers have investigated these phases to determine the optimal time window for stem cell therapy in animals. In addition, the results of clinical trials should be evaluated according to the phase in which stem cells are transplanted. In general, the subacute phase is considered to be optimal for stem cell transplantation. Among various candidates of transplantable ASCs, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are most widely studied due to their clinical safety. MSCs are also less immunogenic than neural stem/progenitor cells and consequently immunosuppressants are rarely required. Attempts have been made to enhance the effects of stem cells using scaffolds, trophic factors, cytokines, and other drugs in animal and/or human clinical studies. Over the past decade, several clinical trials have suggested that transplantation of MSCs into the injured spinal cord elicits therapeutic effects on SCI and is safe; however, the clinical effects are limited at present. Therefore, new therapeutic agents, such as genetically enhanced stem cells which effectively secrete neurotrophic factors or cytokines, must be developed based on the safety of pure MSCs.

PURPOSE: . The aim of this study was to assess the effect of hemispherical dimple structures on the retention of cobalt–chromium (Co–Cr) crowns cemented to titanium abutments, with different heights and numbers of dimples on the axial walls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: . 3.0-mm and 6.0-mm abutments (N = 180) and Co-Cr crowns were prepared. The experimental groups were divided into two and four dimple groups. The crowns were cemented by TempBond and PANAVIA F 2.0 cements. The retention forces were measured after thermal treatments. A twoway Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Tukey HSD test were conducted to analyze change in retention forces by use of dimples between groups, as well as t test for the effect of abutment height change (α = .05). RESULTS: . Results of the two-way ANOVA showed a statistically significant difference in retention force due to the use of dimples, regardless of the types of cements used (P < .001). A significantly higher mean retention forces were observed in the groups with dimples than in the control group, using the post hoc Tukey HSD test (P < .001). Results: of t test displayed a statistically significant increase in the retention force with 6.0-mm abutments compared with 3.0-mm abutments (P < .001). The groups without dimples revealed adhesive failure of cements, while the groups with dimples showed mixed failure of cements. CONCLUSION . Use of hemispherical dimples was effective for increasing retention forces of cemented crowns.

No abstract available.
Heart*

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis, a major problem in patients undergoing chronic dialysis treatment, has been characterized as an inflammatory disease. Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of mortality, accouting for approximately half of all deaths in this population. The present study was aimed whether CRP, an important inflammatory marker, might be associated with cardiovascular risk in dialysis patients. METHODS: We performed retrospective study in 77 dialysis patients. Patients were divided into the elevated CRP group (>8 mg/L, n=11) and the normal CRP group (8 mg/L) showed significant higher cardiovascular events (by chi-squre test, p=0.032). BMI, smoking, alcohol, dialysis modality, lipid parameters, BUN, serum creatinine, serum protein, serum albumin and seurm TIBC did not show significant difference between two groups. Correlation between CRP and other biochemical parameters was analysed. Only ESR was positively correlated with CRP. In a subsequent analysis, elevated CRP group had significantly higher cardiovascular risk (by stepwise logistic regression method, odd ratio = 6.59;95% CI, 1.13 to 38.28). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that CRP level is correlated with cardiovascular risk in dialysis patients.
Atherosclerosis ; Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Creatinine ; Dialysis* ; Ferritins ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mortality ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Renal Dialysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin ; Smoke ; Smoking

An 18-year-old man presented as marked proteinuria on urinalysis. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography indicated the presense of horseshoe kidney without any other abnormalities. A percutaneous computed tomography (CT) guided renal biopsy was done. Of 6 glomeruli obtained, global sclerosis was found in 2. Some segments of affected glomerulus showed peripheral solidifications and focal hyalinosis, which are Periodic acid-Schiff and Masson Trichrome stain positive. The diagnosis of horseshoe kidney with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) was made by clinical and pathological findings. The authors report here a case of FSGS occurring in horseshoe kidney which has not yet been reported in Korea.
Adolescent ; Azo Compounds ; Biopsy ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Glomerulonephritis ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental ; Humans ; Kidney ; Korea ; Methyl Green ; Proteinuria ; Sclerosis ; Urinalysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Anomalous connection between the choledochus and the pancreatic duct is considered to be a factor in the development of carcinoma of the biliary tract. There is especially a malignant potential for gallbladder cancer without dilatation of bile duct. We intend to find the clinical significance of anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal union (APBDU) and biliary malignancy, and the correlation between type of APBDU and that of biliary malignancy (gallbladder of bile duct). Our purpose is to certificate the propriety of prophylactic cholecystectomy and to recall operation. METHOD AND RESULTS: We reviewed 880 ERCP cases from September 1994 through February 1996. There were fifteen cases of APBDU and six cases of biliary tumor associated with APBDU. They consisted of three gallbladder cancer with all P-C type union, two bile duct cancer with C-P type union and one villous adenoma in dilated bile duct. In one reoperation case in which cystojejunostomy had already been performed, there was no evidence of malignancy, but one was inoperable due to multiple liver metastasis. CONCLUSION: The patients with APBDU showed an increase of gallbladder cancer occurrence and furthermore those with the C-P type of APBDU, not associated with bile duct dilatation had a higher occurrence. And therefore were censidered preventive cholecystectomy and in operation to divide the biliary duct and pancreatic duct. Preoperative CA 19-9 test is helpful in finding the hidden cancer and is a guide to preventive operation in APBDU patients and to post-operative follow-up.
Adenoma, Villous ; Bile ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; Bile Ducts ; Biliary Tract ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholecystectomy ; Common Bile Duct ; Dilatation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; Humans ; Liver ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Reoperation