Background: We aimed to investigate the effect of epidural polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) on mechanical allodynia and motor dysfunction in a rat model of lumbar foraminal stenosis (LFS). Methods: This study was conducted in two stages, using male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were randomly divided into eight groups. In the first stage, the groups were as follows: vehicle (V), sham (S), and epidural PDRN at 5 (P5), 8 (P8), and 10 (P10) mg/kg; and in the second stage, they were as follows: intraperitoneal PDRN 8 mg/kg, epidural 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargilxanthine (DMPX) (0.1 mg/kg), and DMPX (0.1 mg/kg). The LFS model was established, except for the S group. After an epidural injection of the test solutions, von Frey and treadmill tests were conducted for 3 weeks. Subsequently, histopathologic examinations were conducted in the V, S, P5, and P10 groups. Results: A total of 65 rats were included. The P8 and P10 groups showed significant recovery from mechanical allodynia and motor dysfunction at all time points after drug administration compared to the V group. These effects were abolished by concomitant administration of DMPX. On histopathological examination, no epineurial inflammation or fibrosis was observed in the epidural PDRN groups. Conclusions Epidural injection of PDRN significantly improves mechanical allodynia and motor dysfunction in a rat model of LFS, which is mediated by the spinal adenosine A2A receptor. The present data support the need for further research to determine the role of epidural PDRN in spinal stenosis treatment.

Background: We aimed to investigate the effect of epidural polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) on mechanical allodynia and motor dysfunction in a rat model of lumbar foraminal stenosis (LFS). Methods: This study was conducted in two stages, using male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were randomly divided into eight groups. In the first stage, the groups were as follows: vehicle (V), sham (S), and epidural PDRN at 5 (P5), 8 (P8), and 10 (P10) mg/kg; and in the second stage, they were as follows: intraperitoneal PDRN 8 mg/kg, epidural 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargilxanthine (DMPX) (0.1 mg/kg), and DMPX (0.1 mg/kg). The LFS model was established, except for the S group. After an epidural injection of the test solutions, von Frey and treadmill tests were conducted for 3 weeks. Subsequently, histopathologic examinations were conducted in the V, S, P5, and P10 groups. Results: A total of 65 rats were included. The P8 and P10 groups showed significant recovery from mechanical allodynia and motor dysfunction at all time points after drug administration compared to the V group. These effects were abolished by concomitant administration of DMPX. On histopathological examination, no epineurial inflammation or fibrosis was observed in the epidural PDRN groups. Conclusions Epidural injection of PDRN significantly improves mechanical allodynia and motor dysfunction in a rat model of LFS, which is mediated by the spinal adenosine A2A receptor. The present data support the need for further research to determine the role of epidural PDRN in spinal stenosis treatment.

No abstract available.
Histoplasmosis* ; Humans ; Immunocompetence ; Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND: A lipo-prostaglandin E1 agonist is effective for the treatment of neurological symptoms of spinal stenosis when administered by an oral or intravenous route. we would like to reveal the therapeutic effect of an epidural injection of lipo-prostaglandin E1 on hyperalgesia in foraminal stenosis. METHODS: A total of 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats were included. A small stainless steel rod was inserted into the L5/L6 intervertebral foramen to produce intervertebral foraminal stenosis and chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). The rats were divided into three groups: epidural PGE1 (EP) (n = 15), saline (n = 15), and control (n = 10). In the EP group, 0.15 microg.kg-1 of a lipo-PGE1 agonist was injected daily via an epidural catheter for 10 days from postoperative day 3. In the saline group, saline was injected. Behavioral tests for mechanical hyperalgesia were performed for 3 weeks. Then, the target DRG was analyzed for the degree of chromatolysis, chronic inflammation, and fibrosis in light microscopic images. RESULTS: From the fifth day after lipo-PGE1 agonist injection, the EP group showed significant recovery from mechanical hyperalgesia, which was maintained for 3 weeks (P < 0.05). Microscopic analysis showed much less chromatolysis in the EP group than in the saline or control groups. CONCLUSIONS: An epidurally administered lipo-PGE1 agonist relieved neuropathic pain, such as mechanical hyperalgesia, in a rat foraminal stenosis model, with decreasing chromatolysis in target DRG. We suggest that epidurally administered lipo-PGE1 may be a useful therapeutic candidate for patients with spinal stenosis.
Alprostadil ; Animals ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis-Related Groups ; Fibrosis ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; Inflammation ; Injections, Epidural ; Male ; Neuralgia ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Stenosis* ; Stainless Steel

Endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE) is characterized by deposition of collagen and elastin leading to ventricular hypertrophy and diffuse endocardial thickening. Here we report (for the first time in Korea) the case of a EFE presenting with heart failure. The patient was a 57-year-old woman who had complained of dyspnea on exertion {New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class 3} and abdominal distension at the time of hospital admission. Echocardiography showed severe diastolic dysfunction with normal systolic function. On MRI, the contrast-enhanced delayed myocardial image demonstrated hyperenhancement in the endocardium. Owing to progressive heart failure, the patient was transplanted. Histological examination of the explanted heart showed irregularly thickened endocardium with fibrosis and elastosis in the both ventricles, compatible with the diagnosis of EFE.
Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive ; Collagen ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Elastin ; Endocardial Fibroelastosis ; Endocardium ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Heart Transplantation ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Middle Aged ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Gleason score(GS) 7 tumors contain patterns 3 and 4 in various proportions. The clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with GS 3+4 and GS 4+3 found during a radical prostatectomy(RP) were retrospectively evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 124 cases of GS 7 prostate cancer were identified between April 2004 and February 2006. None of these patients had received either preoperative hormonal therapy, including 5alpha-reductase inhibitors, or radiation therapy. After classifying patients with GS 7 tumors into those with GS 4+3 and GS 3+4 tumors, the two groups were compared according to various clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: In total, 84(67.7%) and 40(32.3%) of patients had final GS of 3+4 and 4+3, respectively. A final GS of 4+3 was associated with a higher pre-biopsy level of prostate-specific antigen(p<0.001) and a higher biopsy Gleason sum(p<0.001). Also, a higher pathological T stage(p=0.005), tertiary Gleason pattern 5(p<0.001), seminal vesicle invasion(p=0.008), bladder neck invasion(p=0.002), angiolymphatic invasion(p=0.008), perineural invasion(p=0.045), positive surgical margins(p=0.038) and larger tumor volumes(p<0.001) were associated with GS of 4+3. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that the statistically significant differences exist between GS 3+4 and 4+3 prostate cancers. Thus, GS 7 prostate cancers may be considered heterogeneous in their biological behaviors, and GS 7 prostate cancers with a GS of 4+3 may be considered more aggressive tumors compared to those with a GS of 3+4.
Biopsy ; Humans ; Neck ; Neoplasm Grading* ; Prostate* ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Retrospective Studies ; Seminal Vesicles ; Urinary Bladder

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to ascertain the neuroprotective effect of cyclosporin A on the 25-min surgical ischemia model in the spinal cords of rabbits with neuropathological correlation and histoimmunochemical analyses. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty-two New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: Rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: the control I2 group (n=8), the control I7 group (n=8), the cyclosporin Cs2 group (n=8), and the cyclosporin Cs7 group (n=8). The I2 group underwent a 25-min aortic cross- clamp without intervention and were sacrificed on the 2nd day postoperatively, while the I7 group underwent a 25- min of aortic cross-clamp without intervention and were sacrificed on the 7th day postoperatively. The Cs2 group received cyclosporin A (25 mg/kg) intravenously 15 min after the 25-min cross-clamp and were sacrificed on the 2nd day postoperatively, while the Cs7 group received cyclosporin A (25 mg/kg) intravenously 15 min after the 25- min cross-clamp and were sacrificed on the 7th day postoperatively. The rabbits underwent 25-min surgical aortic cross-clamp. Neurologic functions were evaluated on the 2nd day and 7th postoperative day using Tarlov scoring system. After scoring neurologic function, all rabbits were sacrificed for histopathologic observation. RESULT: All rabbits survived the experimental procedure. The values of Tarlov score did not show any differences between the control and cyclosporin groups on the 2nd day. The scores of group Cs7 (2.75+/-0.89) were significantly higher than those of group I7 (1.25+/-1.39) on the 7th day (p<0.05). On the histologic exanminations, specimens of the spinal cord showed necrosis and apoptosis. The pathologic scores of group Cs7 (1.0+/-0.53) was less than those of group I7 (2.13+/-1.36, p<0.05). TUNEL staing showed apoptosis of the specimen in group I2 and Cs2 but there was no stastically significant difference between groups on the score. There were more overexpression of HSP70 and nNOS in cyclosporine group than in control group. CONCLUSION: We think that cyclosporin A may decrease neuronal cell death with induced upregulation of HSP70 against 25-min ischemia of the spinal cord in the rabbit.
Apoptosis ; Cell Death ; Cyclosporine* ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Ischemia ; Necrosis ; Neurons ; Neuroprotective Agents* ; Rabbits* ; Spinal Cord* ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVE: Neuroblastoma is a very common pediatric malignant tumor and sometimes involves the spinal cord to result in neurological deficits. The authors perform a retrospective analysis of the 12 cases of pediatric neuroblastoma with spinal involvement to assess the characteristics and surgical outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the 12 cases of pediatric neuroblastoma with spinal involvement which underwent surgery from 1988 to 2002 in our hospital. All the cases were confirmed by pathologic diagnosis and reviewed about initial presentation, the location of tumor, treatment, outcome and complication. RESULTS: The ratio of male to female was 1: 2 and mean age was 3.5 years(0.3-13.6). The chief complaint was motor weakness in 7 cases, mass in 2, urinary incontinence in one and 2 cases were asymptomatic. The tumor involved thoracic level in 5 cases, thoracolumbar level in 3, cervicothoracic level in 2, cervical and lumbar levels in one case each. All the cases underwent surgery, four had chemotherapy and four had both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. After 33.9 months of mean follow up, in all of the 4 cases whose intraspinal tumor was gross-totally resected, neurological status improved. Of the 4 cases with subtotal resection, all except one showed progression or no neurologic improvement. Postoperative spinal deformity has developed in 5 cases. Three cases expired because of chemotherapy complication and tumor progression. CONCLUSION: Active surgery about the spinal involvement of pediatric neuroblastoma shows neurological improvement regardless of the survival. It seems to be helpful to the quality of life in pediatric patients.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Neuroblastoma* ; Quality of Life ; Radiotherapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord ; Urinary Incontinence

BACKGROUND: The over-expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) occurs in nearly 50% of primary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Disruption of multiple signaling pathways is a critical factor in regulating the biological and clinical behavior of GBMs. In the future, therapy that specifically targets these disrupted pathways may represent the best potential treatment for patients with GBM. Large scale gene expression profiling provides a powerful approach to identify these disrupted genetic pathways and to uncover previously unknown molecular subtypes. METHODS: We used 13 cases of primary GBM biopsy samples obtained from untreated patients and Affymetrix high-density oligonucleotide arrays to identify novel subsets of primary GBMs. RESULTS: We showed that the expression of 90 genes differentiate EGFR+ from EGFR non-expressing (EGFR-) de novo GBMs, including expression of a number of potentially targetable molecules that act as growth/survival factors for GBMs. We also demonstrated the presence of two additional molecular subtypes of primary GBMs, including one characterized by the coordinate upregulation of contiguous genes on chromosome 12q13-15, which has a distinct global gene expression profile and expresses both astrocytic and oligodendroglial genes. CONCLUSION: We have shown that there are EGFR+ primary GBMs, GBMs with coordinate upregulation of genes on chromosome 12q13-15, and primary GBMs lacking either alteration. Moreover, they have distinct transcriptional profiles. Our findings strongly suggest that the three GBMs are biologically different tumor types, despite their identical microscopic appearance, and provide an important first step in developing a molecular taxonomy of GBMs.
Biopsy ; Classification ; Gene Expression Profiling* ; Gene Expression* ; Glioblastoma* ; Humans ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Transcriptome ; Up-Regulation

Intraventricular arachnoid cyst has been rarely reported. Here we present two cases of symptomatic intraventricular arachnoid cysts in the fourth ventricle and right lateral ventricle. The first patient was a 38-year-old female who complained of headache and left facial hypesthesia. Computed tomography and MR scan revealed large cystic lesion in the fourth ventricle. After cyst wall removal, facial hypesthesia disappeared immediately and headache improved slowly. The second patient was a 9-year-old girl who complained of headache, vomiting and paresthesia in her right low extremity. Cystic lesion in the right lateral ventricle was detected in the CT and MR scan. The symptoms improved after cyst wall removal. Surgical findings of these two cases showed that the cyst walls were attached firmly to the choroid plexus. Symptomatic intraventricular arachnoid cyst must be treated appropriately and we recommend complete cyst wall removal.
Adult ; Arachnoid Cysts* ; Arachnoid* ; Child ; Choroid Plexus ; Extremities ; Female ; Fourth Ventricle ; Headache ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Lateral Ventricles ; Paresthesia ; Vomiting