No abstract available.
Ankylosis* ; Radiotherapy* ; Temporomandibular Joint*

Experimental measurements of dose characteristics with pentagonal applicator at nominal energy of 4, 6, 9, 12 and 15 MeV electron beam were performed for intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) in ML-15MDX linear accelerator. This paper presents the percent depth dose, surface dose, beam flatness and output factors of using the IORT applicator in different electron beam energy. The output factor showed as a 24 percent higher in IORT applicator than that of reference 10x10 cm? applicator. The surface dose of using the IORT applicator showed 7.7 and 2.7 percent higher than that of reference field in 4 and 15 MeV electron beam, respectively. In our experiments, the variation of percent depth dose was very small but the output factor and flatness at 0.5 cm depth have showed a large value in IORT applicator.
Particle Accelerators ; Radiotherapy

PURPOSE: There is no apparent consensus about the successful policy of antiepileptic drug (AED) withdrawal, nor about definite factors to make patients remain seizure-free. We attempted to find out the predictive factors for seizure relapse after withdrawal of AED in patients with cryptogenic partial epilepsy. METHODS: This is a case-controlled and hospital-based observational study. A total of 91 crytogenic partial epileptic patients in whom seizure had been successfully controlled by AED monotherapy for more than two years were subjected to drug withdrawal. Patients with history of febrile convulsion, status epilepticus, and abnormal intelligence were excluded. Subjects were divided into two groups; the first group consisted of patients with seizure free more than 2 years after withdrawal of AED and another group with seizure recurrence during tapering or after drug withdrawal. The group with successful withdrawal had 48 patients, and, in 43 patients, seizure was recurred. Clinical profiles were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in gender, family history, age at onset, number of seizure attacks before AED initiation, duration of illness before treatment, and seizure or epilepsy classifications between the two groups. However, an abnormal EEG finding was associated with seizure relapse (Chi-square test p<0.05). On the other hand, the number of seizure attacks and the interval between the AED initiation and the time when a seizure free period was achieved had a correlation with seizure relapse, but was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal EEG findings was the predictive factor for seizure relapse after withdrawal from AED monotherapy in cryptogenic partial epilepsy.
Case-Control Studies ; Classification ; Consensus ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsies, Partial* ; Epilepsy ; Hand ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Observational Study ; Recurrence* ; Seizures* ; Seizures, Febrile ; Status Epilepticus

PURPOSE: We wanted to investigate the effects of Troglitazone (TRO) on the cellular growth in two human osteosarcoma cell lines (U2OS and HOS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell viability was assessed by performing trypan blue exclusion assay. FACScan analysis was performed to study the cell cycle and apoptosis. Antibodies against PTEN, tAkt, pAKt, Bcl-2, Bax, pRB, p21(Cip1), and beta-actin were used in the Western blot analysis. RESULTS: TRO inhibited the growth of both the osteosarcoma cell lines. TRO induced G0/G1 arrest in the cell cycle progression for both osteosarcoma cell lines. TRO induced the apoptosis of HOS cells, but it decreased apoptosis of the U2OS cells. TRO induced Rb dephosphorylation and the increased expression of p21(Cip1). TRO increased the PTEN and Bcl-2 expressions and it decreased the level of pAkt, pRb and Bax. CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that TRO may be used as a chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of human OS. Yet further study is required for uncovering the precise the mechanism of TRO.
Actins ; Antibodies ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line* ; Cell Survival ; Humans ; Osteosarcoma* ; Peroxisomes* ; Trypan Blue

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study compared the efficacy and patient's tolerance between those given a divided dose of a polyethylene glycol solution (PEG) and those given a stimulant laxative plus a reduced dose of PEG. METHODS: 190 consecutive patients for colon cleasing were randomized into 3 groups. In group A, 2 L of PEG was administered on the evening prior to the colonoscopy followed by 2 L of the same solution on the morning of colonoscopy. In group B, 2 L of PEG was administered in the morning only. In group C, 2 bisacodyl tablets (10 mg) were administered on the evening prior to colonoscopy and 2 L of PEG was administered in the morning. The patients completed a questionnaire to assess their tolerance to the bowel preparation before the colonoscopy. The endoscopists scored the adequacy of the bowel preparation using the Ottawa scale along with their satisfaction with the quality of the procedure. RESULTS: While 4 patients (6.7%) could not completely take the recommended dose in group A, all patients in groups B and C could take the recommended dose (p=0.012). The patients in Group B had a better tolerance and fewer side effects than those in Group A (p=0.01). A higher adequacy of bowel preparation was observed in group A than in group B (p=0.000) and there appeared to be a higher adequacy of bowel preparation in Group C than in Group B (p=0.06). CONCLUSIONS: The 2 L PEG solution only does not appear to be as effective as a bowel cleansing agent for colonoscopy compared with the divided 4 L PEG solution. No statistical difference in the side effects and efficacy was observed between the divided 4 L PEG solution and the combination of bisacodyl 10 mg with 2 L of a PEG solution.
Bisacodyl ; Colon* ; Colonoscopy ; Detergents ; Humans ; Polyethylene Glycols* ; Polyethylene* ; Prospective Studies* ; Tablets ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patient-controlled sedation (PCS) allows the patients to titrate the dosages of sedative drug according to their needs. The objective of this study was to compare the safety and the efficacy of nurse-administered propofol sedation (NAPS) with those of PCS. METHODS: Eighty one patients were randomly assigned to two groups. All patients received meperidine 25 mg and propofol 40 mg as an initial dose for sedation. Patients in PCS group were subsequently infused with propofol 15 mg over 80 seconds through infusion pump whenever they required. Patients in NAPS group were injected with 10~20 mg propofol by nurse with supervision by endoscopist. The dosage of propofol, cardiopulmonary parameters, procedure time, sedation score, pain score, the patients' and endoscopists' satisfaction scores were assessed. RESULTS: With regard to blood pressure, pulse rate and oxygen saturation, serious complications were not observed. Especially, there was no significant difference of mean total dose between two groups (NAPS group and PCS group received 76.7+/-24.7 mg and 82.5+/-26.6 mg respectively). Pain score was higher in woman than in man (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: 1.2~1.5 mg/kg of propofol with small dose of opioid during colonoscopy was effective and safe. NAPS was more practical and useful method of sedation than PCS during colonoscopy.
Blood Pressure ; Colonoscopy* ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Infusion Pumps ; Meperidine ; Organization and Administration ; Oxygen ; Propofol*

PURPOSE: To investigate whether early recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) treatment in elderly patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture improves biochemical and functional recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2007 to December 2008, a total of 25 patients older than 60 years who underwent a gamma nailing surgery for an accidental hip fracture were randomized to be treated with either hGH (Declage(R), 3mg/week) (Group I: 15 patients) or placebo (Group II: 10 patients) at a postoperative 1, 2, 3 weeks, starting within 24 hour after the hip fracture. Mean age was 73.5 years. 6 cases were male and 19 cases were female. Serum IGF-I was measured by radioimmunoassay. Subjective and objective parameters were analyzed such as the mean mid-thigh circumference, change of weight, hand grip strength, functional recovery by Modified Barthel Index of activities of daily living (ADL). RESULTS: There were significant differences in the mean serum IGF-I, mid-thigh circumference, hand grip strength, Modified Barthel Index of activities of daily living between two groups. There were no significant differences in the change of weight. There were three nausea symptom after hGH injection, but no any general adverse effect. CONCLUSION: Early recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) treatment in elderly patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture showed clinical safety and good biochemical and functional recovery.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Female ; Hand ; Hand Strength ; Hip ; Human Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Male ; Nails ; Nausea ; Radioimmunoassay

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the presence of nerve fibers including nociceptive fibers in synovium of human knee joint using immunohistochemistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 10 Synovial membrane tissues of knee joint obtained from 5 cadavers were analyzed immunohistochemically using antibodies to protein gene product 9.5, betaIII-tubulin, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). RESULTS: Many nerve fibers immunoreactive for protein gene product 9.5 and betaIII-tubulin were demonstrated in synovial folds of human knee joints. Also, immunostaining showed the presence of free nerve ending fibers immunoreactive for substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide in synovium. CONCLUSION: The presence of putative nerve fibers including nociceptive fibers in synovial folds supports a possible role for theses structures as source of knee joint pain.
Antibodies ; Cadaver ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; Humans* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Knee Joint ; Knee* ; Nerve Endings ; Nerve Fibers* ; Substance P ; Synovial Membrane*

Purpose: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with optimal conditioning has helped better long-term survival in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This study investigated the efficacy and safety of reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) with busulfan and fludarabine in adult ALL patients unfit for myeloablation. Materials and Methods: Records of 78 patients who underwent HSCT with RIC consisting of 3.2 mg/kg/day of busulfan for 2 or 3 days and 30 mg/m2/day of fludarabine for 5 or 6 days were analyzed. Results: The median age at diagnosis was 49 years. Over a median follow-up of 22 months, 2-year estimates of relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival were 57.4% and 68.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed a trend of improved RFS in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (hazard ratio, 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.26–1.08; p=0.080). The cumulative incidences of relapse and non-relapse mortality were 42.9% and 19.6%, respectively and one case of central nervous system relapse was noted. No hepatic veno-occlusive disease was reported. Grade II–IV acute GVHD and any grade chronic GVHD occurred in 21.1% and 41.7%, respectively. Conclusion RIC with busulfan and fludarabine is an effective and safe conditioning regimen for adult ALL patients unfit for myeloablation.

PURPOSE: The incidence of accidentally detected small renal tumors is increasing throughout the world. In this multi-institutional study performed in Korea, histopathological characteristics of contemporarily surgically removed renal tumors were reviewed with emphasis on tumor size. MATERIALS and METHODS: Between January 1995 and May 2005, 1,702 patients with a mean age of 55 years underwent surgical treatment at 14 training hospitals in Korea for radiologically suspected malignant renal tumors. Clinicopathological factors and patient survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 1,702 tumors, 91.7% were malignant and 8.3% were benign. The percentage of benign tumors was significantly greater among those < or = 4cm (13.2%) than those > 4cm (4.5%) (p < 0.001). Among renal cell carcinoma patients, the percentage of tumors classed as stage > or = T3 was significantly less among tumors < or = 4cm (5.2%) than those > 4cm (26.8%) (p < 0.001). The percentage of tumors classed as Fuhrman's nuclear grades > or = 3 was also significantly less among tumors < or = 4cm (27.3%) than tumors > 4cm (50.9%) (p < 0.001). The 5-year cancer-specific survival rate was 82.7%, and T stage (p < 0.001), N stage (p < 0.001), M stage (p = 0.025), and Fuhrman's nuclear (p < 0.001) grade were the only independent predictors of cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSION: In renal tumors, small tumor size is prognostic for favorable postsurgical histopathologies such as benign tumors, low T stages, and low Fuhrman's nuclear grades. Our observations are expected to facilitate urologists to adopt function-preserving approach in the planning of surgery for small renal tumors with favorable predicted outcomes.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms/classification/*pathology/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging