OBJECTIVETo study the preparation of liposomes surface-modified with glycyrrhetinic acid targeting to hepatocytes.

METHOD3-succinic-30-stearyl glycyrrhetinic acid(Suc-GAOSt), one of the amphiphilic glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives, was synthesized as targeting molecules, liposomes surface-modified with glycyrrhetinic acid has been produced with ethanol injection method.

RESULTTargeting molecules can be mixed into the liposomal membrane. It was confirmed that the targeting molecules is 9% of the total lipids at the most in the liposomes.

CONCLUSIONLiposomes surface-modified with glycyrrhetinic acid was successfully prepared, which is considered to be a potential approach targeting to hepatocytes.

Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; administration & dosage ; Hepatocytes ; Liposomes ; Particle Size ; Phospholipids ; Succinic Anhydrides

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluated the clinical and radiological effectiveness of sacral alar screws for augmentation of S1 pedicle screws in long-level fusion including L5-S1 segment. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The fusion rates of lumbosacral junction in long-level fusion are various when S1 pedicle screws are used without augmentation. But, reports of sacral alar screw augmentation are rare. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1996 to 2005, 63 patients performed more than two-level fusion including lumbosacral junction were reviewed. 47 patients underwent lumbosacral fusion with S1 pedicle screws only (S1 group), and 16 patients with sacral alar screws augmentation in addition to S1 pedicle screws (S1-2 group). Radiologically, bony union, halo sign, and breakage of implants were evaluated. Clinically, complications associated with screw placement and general complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Bony union was obtained in 56 cases(89%) at postoperative 4.3 months. Nonunion was observed in 7 cases(11%, S1 group:5, S1-2 group:2). Loosening of S1 pedicle screw was observed in 32 cases(89%) of S1 group and in 4 cases(25%) of S1-2 group. It showed statistical significance between two groups. Sacral alar screw loosening occurred in 8 cases(50%) of S1-2 group. Metal breakage was developed in 2 cases of S1 group without nonunion or loosening. Postoperative infection occurred in 7 cases(11%, S1 group:5, S1-2 group:2). CONCLUSIONS: Sacral alar screw augmentation was effective on protecting the loosening of S1 pedicle screw. Additional sacral alar screw can improve the rate of fusion for lumbosacral junction despite no statistical significance.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Succinates

Lumbosacral fixation or spinopelvic fixation is frequently required for the surgical treatment of neuromuscular scoliosis and degenerative lesions, trauma and tumor in the lumbosacral vertebrae. However, the establishment of stable fixation with these procedures is difficult due to the anatomic characteristics of the sacrum and this is even more problematic for the cases with long segmental fixation, severe instability and bone defects. Although the emergence of pedicle screws makes spinal fixation easier and more rigid, S1 pedicle screws alone do not provide enough stability for lumbosacral fixation. For the purposes of reinforcing lumbosacral fixation, procedures using rods or screws can be used: the procedures using rods include the Galveston method, the McCarthy S-rod and the Jackson intrasacral rod, and the procedures using screws include sacral alar screws, transdiscal screws and iliac screws. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the proper fixation methods, according to each indication, for spinopelvic fixation and we analyzed the advantages and drawbacks of each fixation method. In addition, the fixation method of iliac screws, which has recently become more popular, is presented in detail to enhance the availability and reduce the complication of this technique.
Sacrum ; Scoliosis ; Spine ; Succinates

This study is to prepare the microemulsion-based gel based on the W/O microemulsion and fluorouracil (5-Fu) as a model drug to study the transdermal characterization and observe its skin irritation of the microemulsion-based gel in vitro. IPM acted as oil phase, AOT as surfactant, Tween 85 as cosurfactant, water was added dropwise to the oil phase to prepare W/O microemulsion at room temperature using magnetic stirring, then 5-Fu powder was added. The gelatin was used as substrate to prepare 5-Fu microemulsion-based gel. The permeation flux of 5-Fu from 5-Fu microemulsion-based gel across excised mice skin was determined in vitro using Franz diffusion cell to study the influence of the amount of gelatin and the drug loading capacity. Refer to 5-Fu cream, the irritation of microemulsion and microemulsion-based gel on the rat skin was studied. Based on the water/AOT/Tween 85/IPM microemulsion, only the gelatin can form the microemulsion-based gel. At 25 degrees C, 32 degrees C and 40 degrees C, the amount of gelatin required for the formation of microemulsion-based gel were 7%, 14% and more than 17%, respectively. The 12 h transdermal cumulated permeation amount of 5-Fu from microemulsion-based gel containing 14% gelatin and 0.5% drug loading were (876.5 +/- 29.1) microg x cm(-2), 12.3 folds and 4.5 folds more than 0.5% 5-Fu aqueous solution and 2.5% (w/w) 5-Fu cream, respectively. Microemulsion-based gel exhibited some irritation, but could be subsided after drug withdrawal. Microemulsion-based gel may be a promising vehicle for transdermal delivery of 5-Fu and other hydrophilic drug.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; Dioctyl Sulfosuccinic Acid ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Emulsions ; Exanthema ; chemically induced ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; Gelatin ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Myristates ; chemistry ; Polysorbates ; chemistry ; Skin ; pathology ; Skin Absorption ; Succinates ; chemistry ; Surface-Active Agents ; Viscosity

PURPOSE: An inter-observer variability exists in the measurement of the renal length during ultrasonography, but dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy allows greater objectivity. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the discrepancy of the renal length measured using the two methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2003 and June 2005, 249 consecutive patients underwent DMSA scintigraphy and ultrasonography. Due to the exclusion of kidneys where a photon defect was observed during DMSA scintigraphy, the number of kidney enrolled in this study was 439. The renal length measurements in any plane were longest using ultrasonography. The renal lengths were measured using DMSA scintigraphy by assessing the maximum pixel length, which was then converted to centimeters. RESULTS: The mean renal lengths measured by DMSA scitigraphy and ultrasonography were 8.06+/-1.49 and 6.80+/-1.38cm, respectively. The mean difference in the renal length measured between the two methods was 1.26+/-0.84cm. The sonographic renal length was significantly shorter than that found via scintigraphy (Student's t-test, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results were similar to those of previously reported studies, where the scintigraphic renal length exceeded that obtained sonographically. Due to the possibility of underestimating the renal length when using ultrasonography, clinicians must be cautious when following up pediatric patients using ultrasonography.
Humans ; Kidney ; Observer Variation ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Succimer* ; Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid ; Ultrasonography*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the apoptosis induction effect of vitamin E succinate (VES) on Tca8113 cells and its possible mechanisms.

METHODSThe proliferative activity of Tca8113 was assessed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. After Tca8113 cells were treated with different concentrations of VES, apoptotic rates were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). Fas monoclonal antibody was used for the blocking test. Fas expression was detected by immuocytochemistry(SABC assay) and FCM.

RESULTSVES demonstrated a significant growth inhibitory effect and apoptosis induced effect on the Tca8113 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Fas neutralizing antibody can block the apoptosis induced by VES. After the administration of VES, the expression of Fas protein increased and the kytoplasm staining enhanced. Proteinum quantitative analysis showed that the mean fluorescence intensity increased.

CONCLUSIONVES can induce apoptosis in human tongue cancer cells, and the up-regulation of the cell surface Fas protein may play an important role in the process.

Apoptosis ; Humans ; Succinates ; Tongue Neoplasms ; Vitamin E

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether upper eyelid blepharoplasty causes eyebrow position change in patients with or without brow ptosis. METHODS: We analyzed the photographic records of 28 patients 53 eyes with dermatochalasis who had undergone upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Brow-pupil, brow-lid margin, lid margin-pupil, brow-lateral canthus, and brow-medial canthus distances were measured, and then the proportions of medial canthus-nasal alar were taken. Preoperative and postoperative measurements were compared. RESULTS: After blepharoplasty, no one in the group without brow ptosis developed new brow ptosis. In the group with brow ptosis, only one patient felt a significant change in brow position after blepharoplasty. In both groups, the distance between the eyebrow and the lid margin decreased by similar amounts. There was no change in the upper eyelid margin position after blepharoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with dermatochalasis, upper eyelid blepharoplasty caused a lowering of the eyebrow without a change in the eyelid margin. It is important to evaluate the brow ptosis preoperatively and excise the correct amount of excess skin to avoid aggravation of brow ptosis.
Blepharoplasty ; Eye ; Eyebrows ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Skin ; Succinates

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether upper eyelid blepharoplasty causes eyebrow position change in patients with or without brow ptosis. METHODS: We analyzed the photographic records of 28 patients 53 eyes with dermatochalasis who had undergone upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Brow-pupil, brow-lid margin, lid margin-pupil, brow-lateral canthus, and brow-medial canthus distances were measured, and then the proportions of medial canthus-nasal alar were taken. Preoperative and postoperative measurements were compared. RESULTS: After blepharoplasty, no one in the group without brow ptosis developed new brow ptosis. In the group with brow ptosis, only one patient felt a significant change in brow position after blepharoplasty. In both groups, the distance between the eyebrow and the lid margin decreased by similar amounts. There was no change in the upper eyelid margin position after blepharoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with dermatochalasis, upper eyelid blepharoplasty caused a lowering of the eyebrow without a change in the eyelid margin. It is important to evaluate the brow ptosis preoperatively and excise the correct amount of excess skin to avoid aggravation of brow ptosis.
Blepharoplasty ; Eye ; Eyebrows ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Skin ; Succinates

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: No definite concepts or nomenclature have yet been established in Korean for a number of different grafts used frequently in Korean rhinoplasty. The aims of this study were to define indications and usages of grafts frequently used in Korean rhinoplasty and to suggest appropriate Korean nomenclatures for these grafts. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We prepared diagrams and explanations for the grafts frequently used in rhinoplasty in Korea and suggested Korean nomenclature that were considered the most appropriate. We carried out a survey on the rhinoplasty experts in order to reach a consensus on the nomenclature. We also reviewed recent Korean articles on rhinoplasty to investigate how names of each graft had been translated into Korean nomenclature. RESULTS: We classified grafts according to anatomical locations; the nasal dorsum, the nasal tip, the alar region, and the alar base. Grafts of the nasal dorsum included radix graft, dorsal onlay graft, dorsal sidewall onlay graft, and spreader graft. Grafts of the nasal tip were the columellar strut, shield graft, buttress graft, cap graft, and septal extension graft. The alar batten graft, alar rim graft, composite alar rim graft, lateral crural onlay graft, and lateral crural strut graft belonged to grafts of the alar region. Grafts of the alar base included the columellar plumping graft, premaxillary graft, and alar base graft. The names of all these grafts were translated into Korean. CONCLUSION: We set definitions, indications, and usages of each graft, and suggested the most appropriate Korean nomenclature. We hope that this nomenclature can be widely accepted and used in future papers and books on Korean rhinoplasty.
Consensus ; Inlays ; Korea ; Rhinoplasty ; Succinates ; Transplants

PURPOSE: The diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis (APN) is often difficult, as its clinical and biological manifestations are non-specific in children. If not treated quickly and adequately, however, APN may cause irreversible renal damage, possibly leading to hypertension and chronic renal failure. We were suspecting the diagnostic value of 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan by experiences and so compared the results of DMSA scan to those of multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT). METHODS: We retrospectively selected and analyzed 81 patients who were diagnosed as APN by MDCT during evaluation of their acute abdomen in emergency room and then received DMSA scan also for the diagnostic work-up of APN after admission. We evaluated the results of imaging studies and compared the diagnostic value of each method by age groups, <2 years (n=45) and > or =2 years (n=36). RESULTS: Among total 81 patients with MDCT-proven APN. DMSA scan was diagnostic only in 55 children (68%), while the remaining 26 children (32%) showed false negative normal findings. These 26 patients were predominantly male with average age of 21 months and most of them, 19 (73.1%) were <2 years of age. CONCLUSION: DMSA scan has obvious limitation compared to MDCT in depicting acute inflammatory lesions of kidney in children with APN, especially in early childhood less than 2 years of age. MDCT showed hidden lesions of APN, those were undetectable through DMSA scan in children.
Abdomen, Acute ; Child ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Kidney ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Male ; Pyelonephritis ; Retrospective Studies ; Succimer ; Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid