No abstract available.
Child* ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* ; Humans

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Embryonic Structures* ; Extremities*

Between Feb. 1992 and Apr, 1995, the authors have performed arthroscopic abrasion arthroplasty in 78 knees of 76 patients with degenerative osteoarthritis. The followup period was between 24 and 58 months, with on an average of 41 months. All patients had Zarins grade IV articular cartilage change. The results were as follows. 1. Of the total 78 knees, results were excellent in 25(32%), good in 33(42A), fair in 12(17%), poor in 8(10%) knees respectively. 2, The best results were obtained patellofemoral abrasion arthroplasty. 3. The poor results were obtained in patients with the both femoral condyle, lesion. 4. The results were much better in young age group (below 40 years). Aroscopic abrasion arthroplasty is not a curative but palliative method. But it could be an appealing altemative to total knee arthroplasty or high tibial osteotomy or can be performed postoperated after these reconstructive proeedures.
Arthroplasty* ; Cartilage, Articular ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee* ; Osteoarthritis* ; Osteotomy

No abstract available.
Genes, myc* ; Neuroblastoma* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction*

PURPOSE: To investigate the characteristics of the limbal epithelial cells auto-cultivated in vivo on amniotic membrane (LIVAMs) designed for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency. METHODS: We removed the epithelium of AM with a No.15 blade after it was blotted with 20% ethanol and made a 360 degrees stromal flap along the epithelial defect. We then mounted over-sized AM (1 mm larger in diameter than the defect) over the defect with the border of AM inserted under the flap, and performed interrupted suture with 10-0 nylon. A therapeutic contact lens was fitted over the AM and a temporary tarsorrhaphy was performed. To examine whether the limbal epithelial cells grew well onto AM, we observed the cornea after fluorescein dye staining using a slit lamp. To explore the characteristics of LIVAMs, we performed hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, immunochemical staining with AK-2, AE-5, AM-3 monoclonal antibodies, and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Three of four rabbits had successful epithelial growth on the amniotic membrane. The epithelial growth on the amniotic membrane was stained using immunohistochemical staining (AK-2, AE-5). Electron microscopy showed a structure similar to that of a normal corneal epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: The technique of auto-cultivation of limbal epithelial cells in vivo on amniotic membrane can be an efficient and convenient method and preserves the characteristics of limbal epithelial cells for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency.
Amnion* ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Cornea ; Epithelial Cells* ; Epithelium ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Ethanol ; Fluorescein ; Microscopy, Electron ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Nylons ; Rabbits* ; Stem Cells ; Sutures

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the phenotype of conjunctival epithelial cells auto-cultivated in vivo on human amniotic membrane (CIVAMs) in rabbits for ocular surface reconstruction. METHODS: A fornix based-conjunctival flap 8 mm in diameter was made in 12 eyes of rabbits. Amniotic membrane was implanted into the conjunctival defects. Rabbit conjunctival epithelial cells were cultivated in vivo on amniotic membrane for a week. A frozen section was made of the excised specimen. To investigate the phenotype of CIVAMs, Hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining to anti-MUC5AC (monoclonal antibody to conjunctival goblet cell mucin), and transmission electron microscopy were performed. RESULTS In 11 of 12 eyes, conjunctival epithelial cells grew successfully on amniotic membrane. Light microscopy demonstrated two to three layers of cuboidal epithelial cells and two to three layers of stratified epithelial cells in CIVAMs. CIVAMs exhibited non-goblet epithelial differentiation as determined by immunohistochemistry to anti-MUC5AC. Transmission electron microscopy of CIVAMs showed fine structure similar to that of normal conjunctival epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: CIVAMs showed morphological findings similar to normal conjunctival epithelial cells and are expected to accomplish more rapid reconjunctivalization than simple amniotic membrane transplantation. We expect that CIVAMs will be adopted in treating conjunctival burn, symblepharon, conjunctiva-scleral ulcer, and filtering bleb leakage with conjunctival defects.
Amnion* ; Blister ; Burns ; Epithelial Cells* ; Frozen Sections ; Goblet Cells ; Humans* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Phenotype ; Rabbits* ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the phenotype of conjunctival epithelial cells auto-cultivated in vivo on human amniotic membrane (CIVAMs) in rabbits for ocular surface reconstruction. METHODS: A fornix based-conjunctival flap 8 mm in diameter was made in 12 eyes of rabbits. Amniotic membrane was implanted into the conjunctival defects. Rabbit conjunctival epithelial cells were cultivated in vivo on amniotic membrane for a week. A frozen section was made of the excised specimen. To investigate the phenotype of CIVAMs, Hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining to anti-MUC5AC (monoclonal antibody to conjunctival goblet cell mucin), and transmission electron microscopy were performed. RESULTS In 11 of 12 eyes, conjunctival epithelial cells grew successfully on amniotic membrane. Light microscopy demonstrated two to three layers of cuboidal epithelial cells and two to three layers of stratified epithelial cells in CIVAMs. CIVAMs exhibited non-goblet epithelial differentiation as determined by immunohistochemistry to anti-MUC5AC. Transmission electron microscopy of CIVAMs showed fine structure similar to that of normal conjunctival epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: CIVAMs showed morphological findings similar to normal conjunctival epithelial cells and are expected to accomplish more rapid reconjunctivalization than simple amniotic membrane transplantation. We expect that CIVAMs will be adopted in treating conjunctival burn, symblepharon, conjunctiva-scleral ulcer, and filtering bleb leakage with conjunctival defects.
Amnion* ; Blister ; Burns ; Epithelial Cells* ; Frozen Sections ; Goblet Cells ; Humans* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Phenotype ; Rabbits* ; Ulcer

OBJECTIVE: To compare the visibility and procedural parameters between a standard spinal needle and a new laser-etched needle (LEN) in real-time ultrasonography guided lumbar medial branch access in a phantom of the lumbosacral spine. METHODS: We conducted a prospective single-blinded observational study at a rehabilitation medicine center. A new model of LEN was manufactured with a standard 22-gauge spinal needle and a laser etching machine. Thirty-two inexperienced polyclinic medical students performed ultrasonography-guided lumbar medial branch access using both a standard spinal needle and a LEN with scanning protocol. The outcomes included needle visibility score, needle elapsed time, first-pass success rate, and number of needle sticks. RESULTS: The LEN received significantly better visibility scores and shorter needle elapsed time compared to the standard spinal needle. First-pass success rate and the number of needle sticks were not significantly different between needles. CONCLUSION: A new LEN is expected to offer better visibility and enable inexperienced users to perform an ultrasonography-guided lumbar medial branch block more quickly. However, further study of variables may be necessary for clinical application.
Humans ; Needles* ; Needlestick Injuries ; Observational Study ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Prospective Studies ; Rehabilitation ; Spine ; Students, Medical ; Ultrasonography ; Zygapophyseal Joint

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Valproic acid (2-propylpentanoic acid) which enhances GABA synthesis and blocks it's degradation has been useful treatment of migraine and may activate GABA receptors to modulate trigeminal nociceptive neurons innervating the meninges. But the mechanism and action of sodium valproate in headache is not clear. To investigate the mechanism of valproic acid action in headache model, we compared the change of dural plasma protein extravasation in both substance-P neurogenic inflammation rats with valproic acid pretreatment and without valproic acid pretreatment. METHOD: Sprague-Dawely rats were pretreated with valproate 30 minutes prior to substance-P administration in order to test the effects of sodium valproate on dural plasma protein extravasation by detecting the amount of extravasated Evans blue in the dura matter. To examine the abilities of either bicuculine (GABAA antagonist) and phaclofen (GABAB antagonist) to reverse the effect of valproate, they were administered 5 min before valproate administration. After then we also test the effect of muscimol (GABAA agonist) and bicuculine (GABAA antagonist) in substance-P induced neurogenic inflammation rats. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal injection of sodium valproate and muscimol reduced dural plasma protein extravasation after intravenous substance-P administration. The GABAA antagonist bicuculine completely reversed the effect of valproate and muscimol on plasma extravasation following substance-P administration, whereas the GABAB receptor antagonist, phaclofen, did not. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the attenuation of dural plasma protein extravasation by valproate and muscimol is mediated by via GABAA receptors within the meninges. Agonists and modulators at the GABAA receptor may become useful for the development of selective therapeutic agents for migraine headache.
Animals ; Evans Blue ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Headache* ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Meninges ; Migraine Disorders ; Muscimol ; Neurogenic Inflammation ; Nociceptors ; Plasma ; Rats* ; Receptors, GABA ; Sodium* ; Valproic Acid*