BACKGROUND: Biodegradable microspheres are a useful method of drug delivery because they are both injectable and biodegradable. Previous work in our group has characterized implantable preparations of local anesthetics in pellets for prolonged regional anesthesia. In this paper we evaluated injectable suspensions of lidocaine-polymer microspheres for extended period of percutaneous sciatic nerve blockade in rats. METHODS: Microspheres were prepared using poly (lactide-co-glycolide) loaded with 50 wt% lidocaine by a solvent evaporation method. In vitro release rate of lidocaine from microspheres was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Percutaneous blockade of the rat sciatic nerve was performed, and sensory blockade of the nerve was assessed using an analgesiometer. RESULTS: Lidocaine was released in a controlled manner in vitro. In general 60% of the drug released in the first day, 80% in two days. Sciatic nerve blockade duration ranged from 8 to 12 hours. Incorporation of dexamethasone 0.05 wt% into the microspheres resulted in significant prolongation of block. CONCLUSION: Prolonged percutaneous blockade of peripheral nerve is achieved using biodegradable polymeric lidocaine microspheres.
Anesthesia, Conduction* ; Anesthetics, Local ; Animals ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Dexamethasone ; Lidocaine* ; Microspheres* ; Peripheral Nerves ; Polymers* ; Rats ; Sciatic Nerve ; Suspensions

Colonic stenting has been suggested as an acceptable therapeutic option for the palliation of malignant colorectal obstruction or to achieve bowel decompression and preparation. It is effective as a bridge to surgery that is useful as an option to avoid emergency colostomy. However, it is associated with complications such as intestinal perforation, stent migration, bleeding, and failure of bowel decompression. Of all the complications, intestinal perforation and failure of bowel decompression are most serious and require surgical treatment. Here we report a case of abdominal compartment syndrome after stent insertion for obstructive colon cancer. The main causative factors for abdominal compartment syndrome were bowel distension associated with endoscopic gas inflation and failure to achieve bowel decompression.
Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colostomy ; Decompression ; Emergencies ; Hemorrhage ; Inflation, Economic ; Intestinal Perforation ; Intra-Abdominal Hypertension ; Stents

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to obtain single cell-derived clones from human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) population, to compare the gene expression patterns and differentiation characteristics among the hUCB derived MSC population and its monoclonal cell populations, and to determine if the MSC population is homogenous. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The single cells were isolated from a hUCB derived MSC population and cultured on each well of a culture plate. The gene expression pattern of each monoclonal cell population expanded from the single cells was detected by RT-PCR for osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic specific genes. The monoclonal cell populations were differentiated into osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineages and were confirmed by specific staining. RESULTS: Fifteen monoclonal cell populations were obtained from the total seeding of 864 single cells. The cell morphology and gene expression patterns among the hUCB derived MSCs and its monoclonal cell population were different. Tri-lineage differentiation potency was different among the monoclonal cell populations. CONCLUSION: The difference in the cell morphology, gene expression patterns, and differentiation characteristics among the monoclonal cell populations suggest heterogeneity of the MSC population isolated using the currently available method.
Clone Cells ; Fetal Blood* ; Gene Expression ; Humans* ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; Population Characteristics ; Umbilical Cord*

Lymphocytes can produce various kinds of cytokines which are responsible for the development of the infectious and allergic inflammation. We focused on the role of the lymphocyte in the pathogenesis of the nasal polyp. This study was designed to evaluate the functional differences of the lymphocytes between allergic and non-allergic polyp. Lymphocytes were obtained from peripheral blood and tissues of polyp in 12 patients with non-allergic polyp, 7 patients with allergic polyp and 5 normal subjects as control. Cytokines were measured with ELISA from each group of lymphocytes after stimulation with Concanavalin A (Con A). We compared the production of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma between the non-allergic and allergic groups. The levels of IL-4 and IL-6 from polyp tissue lymphocytes were higher in allergic group, while those of IL-2 and IFN-gamma were higher in non-allergic group. The levels of IL-4, IL-6 and TNF-alpha from peripheral blood lymphocytes were higher in allergic group, and IFN-gamma was higher in non-allergic group. These results suggest that cytokine productivity of the polyp tissue lymphocytes appear to be parallel to that of the peripheral blood lymphocytes in each group and shows distinct pattern of ytokine production between two groups.
Concanavalin A ; Cytokines ; Efficiency ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Inflammation ; Interferons ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Lymphocytes* ; Nasal Polyps* ; Polyps ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to suggest direction and strategy of safety education proper to elementary school children. METHOD: The subject of this survey consisted of 313 3rd-5th grade from 4 elementary schools in Kyungi-Do and Kwangwon-Do. Data were collected from March to May, 2002 using a questionnaire about "safety education needs", "knowledge about injury prevention", "attitude about injury prevention. RESULT: 1. The degree of safety education needs showed averaged 77.50 on the basis of 100 points. 2. The degree of knowledge and attitude about injury prevention showed averaged 72.81 and 81.74 seperately on the basis of 100 points. 3. With the respect to the demographic characteristics, there were stastically significant differences in safety education need according to children's grade(F=8.692, p=.003), sex(t=-2.059, p=.040), family type(t=-2.229, p=.027) and in knowledge & attitude about injury prevention, there statiscally significant difference according to experience of injury prevention education(t=3.058, p=.003; t=5.308, p=.000) each. 4. The level of safety education needs is correlated at signficant level with knowledge and attitude about injury prevention of childrens(r=.166, p=.048; r=.265, p=.001) and between knowledge and attitude about injury prevention, there was significant correlation (r=.427, p=.000). CONCLUSION: From this results, nurses can plan safety education program appropriate to children's needs, level of knowledge and attitude about injury prevention.
Child* ; Education* ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Child Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: To identify possible predictors of pathologic complete response (pCR) of rectal cancer after preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 53 patients with rectal cancer who underwent preoperative CCRT followed by radical surgery at a single center between January 2007 and December 2012. The median radiotherapy dose to the pelvis was 54.0 Gy (range, 45.0 to 63.0 Gy). Five-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy was administered via continuous infusion with leucovorin. RESULTS: The pCR rate was 20.8%. The downstaging rate was 66%. In univariate analyses, poor and undifferentiated tumors (p = 0.020) and an interval of ≥7 weeks from finishing CCRT to surgery (p = 0.040) were significantly associated with pCR, while female gender (p = 0.070), initial carcinoembryonic antigen concentration of <5.0 ng/dL (p = 0.100), and clinical stage T2 (p = 0.100) were marginally significant factors. In multivariate analysis, an interval of ≥7 weeks from finishing CCRT to surgery (odds ratio, 0.139; 95% confidence interval, 0.022 to 0.877; p = 0.036) was significantly associated with pCR, while stage T2 (odds ratio, 5.363; 95% confidence interval, 0.963 to 29.877; p = 0.055) was a marginally significant risk factor. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the interval from finishing CCRT to surgery is a predictor of pCR after preoperative CCRT in patients with rectal cancer. Stage T2 cancer may also be an important predictive factor. We hope to perform a robust study by collecting data during treatment to obtain more advanced results.
Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Chemoradiotherapy* ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Hope ; Humans ; Leucovorin ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pelvis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Radiotherapy ; Rectal Neoplasms* ; Rectum ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological significance of responders with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with oxaliplatin chemotherapy. METHODS: A total of 52 patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer were enrolled for treatment between March 2000 and August 2005. Patients received first line chemotherapy consisted of oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 or 130 mg/m2 as a 2-hour infusion on day 1, concurrently with leucovorin (LV) 20 mg/m2 as a bolus infusion on day 1~5, followed by continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 425 mg/m2 on day 1~5. This treatment was repeated in 2 or 3 week intervals. All responses were assessed after 4 cycles of therapy by independent radiologic experts and categorized into two groups: responder (major reduction of tumor) and non-responder group (no change or progression of the tumor. RESULTS: The response rate was 51.9 percent (27/52 patients). There were no significant differences in clinicopathologic parameters between two groups. The decrease of CEA value after chemotherapy was significantly more frequent in the responder group than in the non-responder group. CONCLUSIONS: We could not find any clinical differences between the two groups, but these results suggest that oxaliplatin chemotherapy has a beneficial effect on tumor shrinkage and serum CEA value can be an indicator for tumor response of oxaliplatin in advanced colorectal cancer.
Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Drug Therapy* ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; Leucovorin

BACKGROUND: An adequate cerebral blood flow is critical in maintaining obligatory metabolic function of cerebral neurons. The occlusion of these flows may cause impairment of the cellular metabolic function. Therefore, the early detection and treatment of this can have a direct impact on the prognosis. This study is designed to determine the changes of electroencephalography (EEG) waves with power spectral analysis during and after cerebral blood flow impairment with reversible middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. METHODS: Five rats were anesthetized with ketamine and the left middle cerebral artery was reversibly occluded. Neurologic deficit and the EEG were evaluated. The principal procedure consisted of the following: All branches of the external carotid artery and pterygopalatine artery of the internal carotid artery were interrupted. At this point, the internal carotid artery is the only branch of the common carotid artery. Afterwards, the external carotid artery was interrupted. A 4-0 monofilament nylon suture, its tip rounded, was introduced into the external carotid artery lumen and advanced to block blood flow into the middle cerebral artery. The suture was withdrawn to permit reperfusion after 2 hours. Monitoring of the EEG was performed before the occlusion, after 10, 30, 60, and 120 minutes of occlusion, and after 10, 30 and 60 minutes of reperfusion. The neurologic findings were scored on a five-point scale. RESULTS: In the spectral power analysis of EEG, the total power of the EEG amplitude decreased significantly after left middle cerebral artery occlusion, increased after 30 minutes of occlusion, and decreased significantly after reperfusion. The theta, alpha and beta waves changed significantly after occlusion. Theta and beta waves were reversed slowly. After reperfusion, theta and alpha waves decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that the spectral analysis of an EEG is useful in early detection and treatment of ischemia in patients with cerebrovascular disease.
Animals ; Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Carotid Artery, External ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Electroencephalography* ; Humans ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery* ; Ischemia ; Ketamine ; Middle Cerebral Artery* ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Neurons ; Nylons ; Prognosis ; Rats ; Reperfusion ; Sutures

PURPOSE: To evaluate CT findings which may help differentiate benign from malignant parotid tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CT findings of seventy-one cases with surgically-proven parotid tumors were retrospectively analysed for size, location, margin, internal density, adjacent tissue plane and lymphadenopathy. RESULTS: The margin of the mass was smooth and sharp in most benign tumors (89.5%), and irregular or indistinct in twelve which were malignant (75%, p<0.01). With regard to internal density, 70.2% of benign tumors were homogeneous (similar to muscle) and 81.3% of malignant tumors were heterogeneous (p<0.01). When analysing low density patterns within the mass, focal low densities in benign tumors (11/17) and diffuse or scattered multifocal low densities in those which were maligant (8/13) were frequently seen. Three malignant tumors invaded adjacent muscles, the parapharyngeal space, and bones, each in one case, and twelve malignant and one benign tumor infiltrated the adjacent fascia or subcutaneous fat layer. In five patients with a malignant tumor, obliteration by the mass of the fat plane between the mastoid tip and styloid process was noted, suggesting facial nerve invasion, while in three cases of malignancy, lymphadenopathy greater than 1cm was seen. CONCLUSION: In differentiating malignant and benign parotid tumors, the presence of irregular or indistinct margin of the mass, and invasion of adjacent structures, are important. Lymph node enlargement greater than 1cm and diffuse internal low densities, which may suggest necrosis or cystic change were also helpful in differential diagnosis.
Diagnosis, Differential* ; Facial Nerve ; Fascia ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mastoid ; Muscles ; Necrosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Subcutaneous Fat

This is a case report and review of literature of a rare mixed odontogenic tumor, ameloblastic fibro-odontoma in the posterior area of the mandible. The ameloblastic fibro-odontoma which was developed by hyperplasia of dental epithelium and mesenchymal tissue. This tumor was classified from ameloblastic odontoma by Hooker, in 1967. At first and characterized by mixed appearance of odontoma and ameloblastic fibro-odontoma, But, on the point of pathologic feature, there are many controversial opinions among scholars up to the present. The patients of this case report was refereed to our department via the pedodontic department for the treatment of hard mass on the premolar area of the left mandible. And then, on the clinical and radiographic examination at first visit, we had tentative diagnosis that the lesion was benign mixed odontogenic tumor of defined mass margin that was amelblastic fibro-odontoma. The tumor mass was removed by surgical enucleation and curettage and extracted left mandibular second premolar which was impacted on the lesion. And the removed tumor mass was confirmed to ameloblastic fibro-odontoma on the post-operative biopsy. The patients has well done follow-up check postoperatively and shown no sign of recurrence up to the present.
Ameloblasts* ; Bicuspid ; Biopsy ; Curettage ; Diagnosis ; Epithelium ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Mandible* ; Odontogenic Tumors ; Odontoma ; Recurrence