Chiari Malformation with Surgically Induced Open Neural Tube Defect in Late Chick Embryos : Characterization by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Histopathological Analysis

Objective@#: Chiari II malformation (CM II) is still the main cause of severe morbidity and mortality in children with open neural tube defects (ONTDs). The goal of this study was to validate a CM II model in late-stage chick embryos with surgically induced ONTDs. @*Methods@#: To make the chick embryo model of ONTD, their neural tubes were opened for a length of 5–6 somites at the thoracic level in Hamburger and Hamilton stage 18 chick embryos (n=150). They were reincubated in ovo. up to a total age of 17–21 days. A total of 19 embryos survived and were assigned to either the postoperative day (POD) 14–15 group (n=6) or the POD 17–18 group (n=13). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathologic findings of embryo heads with spinal ONTDs were compared with age-matched normal chick embryos. @*Results@#: The chick embryos with ONTDs demonstrated definite and constant structural changes, such as downward displacement of the cerebellum to just above the foramen magnum and narrow and small cerebrospinal fluid spaces in the crowded small posterior fossa. These morphologic features were more prominent in the POD 17–18 group than in the POD 14–15 group. @*Conclusion@#: This is the first description of CM II with spinal ONTD in a late-stage chick embryo model with MRI and histopathological analysis. The morphological changes of the posterior fossa in this study mimic those of CM II associated with spinal ONTD in humans. This model will facilitate investigation of the pathogenesis of CM II.

Knockdown of Bcl-xL Enhances Growth-Inhibiting and Apoptosis-Inducing Effects of Resveratrol and Clofarabine in Malignant Mesothelioma H-2452 Cells

Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL, key anti-apoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family, have attracted attention as important molecules in the cell survival and drug resistance. In this study, we investigated whether inhibition of Bcl-xL influences cell growth and apoptosis against simultaneous treatment of resveratrol and clofarabine in the human malignant mesothelioma H-2452 cells. Resveratrol and clofarabine decreased Mcl-1 protein levels but had little effect on Bcl-xL levels. In the presence of two compounds, any detectable change in the Mcl-1 mRNA levels was not observed in RT-PCR analysis, whereas pretreatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 led to its accumulation to levels far above basal levels. The knockdown of Bcl-xL inhibited cell proliferation with cell accumulation at G2/M phase and the appearance of sub-G0/G1 peak in DNA flow cytometric assay. The suppression of cell growth was accompanied by an increase in the caspase-3/7 activity with the resultant cleavages of procaspase-3 and its substrate poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and increased percentage of apoptotic propensities in annexin V binding assay. Collectively, our data represent that the efficacy of resveratrol and clofarabine for apoptosis induction was substantially enhanced by Bcl-xL-lowering strategy in which the simultaneous targeting of Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL could be a more effective strategy for treating malignant mesothelioma.

One-Year Outcomes of Mid-urethral Sling Procedures for Stress Urinary Incontinence According to Body Mass Index

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of the suprapubic arch (SPARC) sling operation and the transobturator tape (MONARC) sling operation according to body mass index (BMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1, 2004, and July 12, 2009, a retrospective clinical trial was performed with 284 patients treated by the SPARC sling procedure and 49 patients treated by the MONARC sling procedure. The women were classified into 3 groups by BMI according to the WHO Expert Consultation: normal weight (A, BMI 18.5 to 22.9 kg/m2), overweight (B, BMI 23 to 27.5 kg/m2), and obese (C, BMI>27.6 kg/m2). Patients' characteristics and clinical outcomes of the operation were analyzed according to BMI at 1 year after surgery via questionnaires and interviews with the patients about their voiding symptoms and medical records. RESULTS: There were 103 patients in group A, 186 in group B, and 34 in group C. The objective cure rates for groups A, B, and C after the SPARC procedure were 94.4%, 96.7%, and 96.8%, respectively (p=0.321), and the subjective cure rates were 94.4%, 96.1%, and 96.8%, respectively (p=0.222). The objective cure rates for groups A, B, and C after the MONARC procedure were 100.0%, 90.9%, and 66.7%, respectively (p=0.742), and the subjective cure rates were 92.3%, 93.9%, and 66.7%, respectively (p=0.779). The complication rates were similar among the three study groups. CONCLUSIONS: Mid-urethral sling procedures for urinary incontinence result in similar objective and subjective cure rates and postoperative complications irrespective of BMI.

Staghorn Stones Combined with Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Renal Pelvis

Longstanding, unrecognized staghorn stones remain a major cause of morbidity in the form of pain, infection, and functional impairment of the affected kidney. Squamous cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract is associated with stone disease and chronic infection, but the association with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) has not been proven. We report a case of a 73-year-old man presenting with right flank pain with episodes of total gross hematuria for 1 year. An abdominopelvic computed tomography scan showed decreased parenchymal enhancement and staghorn stones in the right renal pelvis and multiple tiny calyceal stones with severe hydronephrosis. The patient underwent a simple nephrectomy. Histopathologic analysis revealed staghorn stones combined with high-grade papillary TCC of the renal pelvis. The tumor was extended into the peripelvic fat and renal parenchyme (pT3NoMo).

Analysis of 38 Long-Term Survivors after Liver resections for Hepatocellular Carcinomas / 한국간담췌외과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was conducted to develop an optimal strategy to achive long-term survival after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Between July 1975 and March 1995, 109 patients who underwent liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma at Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital were analyzed retrospetively. RESULTS: 38 patients (34.9%) survived longer than 5 years after the operation. Prognostic factors of statistical significance were the diagnostic clue, ICG R15, TNM stage, extent of tumor, intrahepatic metastasis, portal vein thrombosis, serosal infiltration, tumor grade, resection margin, Glissonian approach, radicality of operation, cancer recurrence and disease free interval. For the 63 cases with no intrahepatic metastasis, there was no survival difference between the lobectomy group and the segmentectomy/subsegmentectomy group(36.8% vs. 50.0%). In those cases with satellite nodules in one segment of the liver, 66.7% of the lobectomy group lived longer than 5 years while 17.6% of lessthan- lobectomy group survived long-term(p=0.025). CONCLUSION: For long-term survival, a systemic segmentectomy/ subsegmentectomy is adquate for those tumors without intrahepatic metastasis, while the presence of satellite nodules in one segment mandates a standard hepatic lobectomy.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Evaluation of Acute Posterolateral Complex Injuries of the Knee

The purpose of this study is to determine whether magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) can assist in deci- sion-making in the treatment of acute posterolateral complex injuries. We reviewed retrospectively seven patients with acute posterolateral complex injury, among the 79 cases that had taken cruciate ligament recon- struction. MRI findings were then correlated with the results of examination under anesthesia or operi lateral reconstruction. Based on surgical and clinical findings, there were six complete and four partial posterolateral complex injuries. MRI was able to accurately describe the extent of injury in each case. All ten patients had concomitant anterior cruciate ligament tears, and seven were three posterior cruciate ligament injuries. The iliotibial band was avulsed from Gerdys tubercle in seven patients. In knees with complete tears, separation of the coronary ligament of the lateral meniscus was noted on MRI. A characteristic bone contusion on the anteromedial femoral condyle was present in nine patients. Popliteal tendon tearing was observed in eight cases, and biceps femoris was torn in six patients. In knee with complete tears, tears of the lateral collateral ligament complex was noted both on MRI and intraoperatively. A high-quality MRI in patients sustaining these injuries will assist the surgeon in directly applying surgical techniques in a timely fashion.

Changes of Bone Mineral Density after Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty: A quantitative comparison of two different implant designs / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To compare the mineral density of periprosthetic bone around the two collarless stems, CLS and Alloclassic, which were same in composition and coating, but different in their shape and fit. It is known that the CLS stem is designed for metaphyseal fit and the Alloclassic stem is for upper diaphyseal fit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this matched cohort study, we performed DEXA scan using Hologic QDR-1000 on 20 patients, 9 of whom had CLS (Sulzer, Switzerland) femoral stem (group A), and 11 had Alloclassic (Sulzer, Switzerland) femoral stem (group B). BMD was obtained for seven zones of Gruen, and the difference was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In group A, there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) of mean BMD in Gruen zones 1, 2 and 7 compared to normal side. In group B, there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) of mean BMD in Gruen zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 compared to normal side. Comparing the percent decreases of BMD, the only significant difference was observed in Gruen zone 1, in which group B showed more than 10% decrease than group A (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the design of stem affects postoperative changes of BMD, and that the stem with more proximal fit would behave better in terms of stress shielding.

Knee Ligament and Meniscus Injuries Associated with Ipsilateral Diaphyseal Femoral Fractures

One hundred and ninety-four consecutive patients with two hundred and one diaphyseal femur fractures were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the frequencies, types and the results of treatments for the associated ipsilateral knee ligaments and menisci injuries from Oct. 1990 to Feb. 1997 at Eulji Medical Center. Fifteen patients had associated ipsilateral knee ligament injuries. There were eleven(73.3%) males and four(26.7%) females with an average age of 35.7(17-68) years. Thirteen(86.7%) patients were injured by traffic accident. Ten patients were followed for average of 38 months(12-73 months). There were five(33.4%) partial and two(13.3%) complete tears of anterior cruciate ligaments, three(20.0%) partial and four(26.7%) complete tears of posterior cruciate ligaments, one(6.7%) partial and four(26.7%) complete tears of medial collateral ligaments, one(6.7%) complete and three(20.0%) partial tears of lateral collateral ligaments, five(33.3%) tears of medial menisci and four(26.7%) tears of lateral menisci. There was no relationship between specific ligament damage and the cause of the injury or level of fracture. Better range of knee motion and HSS knee score was obtained when both the femur and ligament injuries were surgically managed. The invention of the MRI and the development of arthroscopic techniques have made it easy to diagnose and take care for ligament injuries. Early diagnosis and proper treatment on ruptured ligaments and tom meniscus combined with diaphyseal femur fractures seem to be important for good prognosis.

Preliminary Results of Uncemented Metal on Metal Total Hip Replacement Arthroplasty / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Particulate wear debris(polyethylene, polymethylmethacrylate and metal particles, or combination of these) can initiate aseptic loosening. To eliminate polyethylene debris and reduce the total amount of wear, metal on metal bearings(Metasul) which were made of a wrought Co-28Cr-6Mo-0.2C alloy, were introduced. From May 1994 total hip replacements using a Metasul metal on metal articulation were performed by the authors. 34 patients with 40 hips with minimum follow-ups during 24 months were analysed in this study. The mean follow up period was 31 months(ranging from 24 to 47 months). We used Armor cups and standard cups as acetabular comporients and SL stems, CLS stems and cone stems as femoral components. Preoperative average Harris hip score of 48 points became postoperatively 93(from minimum 81 to maximum 100). And there were slight and occasional thigh pains in 2 cases(5%). There were no revisions for the early aseptic loosening of femoral stems or stem failures. Radiologic evaluation which revealed mild calcar atrophy was developed in 33 cases(82.5%), revealing cortical hypertrophy in 10 cases(25%). Osteolysis was not noted around the prosthetic stem nor around the cup. Radiolucent lines were found in 9 cases of femoral components(22.5%) and in 1 case of acetabular component(2.5%) and subsidence of more than 3mm in 1 case of femoral components(2.5%) were also found. There was 1 case of definitive loosening of acetabular component(2.5%). These also showed that endosteal bone formation adjacent to femoral prosthesis was developed in 22 cases(55%) but no distal pedestal and stem shift occurred. The short-term but satisfactory results of the contemporary metal on metal articulation investigated in this study were encouraging and warrant continued study.

Treatment of the Ipsilateral Fractures of the Scapular Neck and Clavicle / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Scapular fractures are being seen with increasing frequency in our mechanized society, specially in patients who have multiple injuries. Most of the scapular fractures have been treated non-operatively, with early mobilization of the shoulder. The result of such functional treatment have been predictably good. However, this non-operative approach may not yield such good results in patients who have a fracture of the scapular neck in association with the ipsilateral clavicular fracture or other double disruptions of the superior shoulder suspensory complex. Ipsilateral fractures of the scapular neck and clavicle disrupt the suspensory mechanism of the shoulder resulting in fuctional loss and deformity. From January 1989 to June 1995, twelve patients were identified with this specific pattern of injury. The follow up period was 39.2 months in average. Seven patients were treated operatively using 3.5mm DCP or reconstruction plate, and five patients were performed K-wire fixation or wiring. Upon review all were healed radiographically. According to the scoring system of Rowe, five patients had an excellent fuctional result, five had a good result, and two had a fare result. The average score for the twelve patients was 85 points. The results of our retrospective study show that operative treatment for these complex fractures is safe and that functional recovery is predictably good.

Surgical Treatment of Lower Lumbar Burst Fractures / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Burst fractures of lower lumbar spine are rare and have not been well delineated in the literature. Treatment and management considerations for lower lumbar burst fractures are somewhat different from the rest of spine because this area only has the cauda equina and nerve roots. The purpose of this study was to analyse the clinical and radiological results and to determine operative approach. The authors analysed the 16 patients who had been treated with spinal instrumentation (Cotrel- Dubousset, Danek, Kaneda) from Dec. 1990 to Dec. 1994, and following results were obtained. 1. The classification of fracture by Francis-Denis method was B type in 7 cases, A type in 6 cases, E type in 2 cases, and D type in 1 case. 2. By the load-sharing classification, six points or less in 11 patients (first group) and seven or more in 5 patients (second group). In first group lordosis was corrected from 20.4degreespreoperatively to 32.6degrees postoperatively and 24.1degrees at the end of follow-up. In second group lordosis was corrected from 14.8degrees preoperatively to 21.3degrees postoperatively and 0.8degrees at the end of follow-up. 3. The short segmental fixation through posterior approach yielded good result in the first group, but poor result in the second group with complications including two cases of loss of reduction and one case of screw breakage. As a result, posterior approach might be more perferable in first group and anterior approach in the second group.

A Case of Asphyxiating Thoracic Dysplasia / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Asphyxiating thoracic dysplasia(ATD;Jeunes's syndrome) is a rare variety of short limb dwarfism. It is characterized by an extremely small thorax when compared to the ab-dominal circumference, which frequently results in respiratory distress. Other anomalies as-sociated with Jeune's syndrome are pelvic bone malformations and renal dysplasia. It was first described and namely by Jeune et al. in 1954. Jeune's syndrome is an autosomal rece-ssive trait and has a 25% recurrence risk. These patients died at early age due to respirat-ory insufficiency. Death due to uremia has occurred in number of children surviving infan-cy, following progressive renal failure, hypertension and hepatic failure. About 50 cases have been reported in the world literature. We experienced a case of small thorax with short limb dwarfism on antenatal ultraso- und examination and then the baby was delivered by cesarean section. The diagnosis was confirmed to Asphyxiating thoracic dysplasia by clinical features, radiological findings and pathological findings. We reported a case of Asphyxiating thoracic dysplasia with review of literatures.

Active adenosine transporter-mediated adenosine entrance into HL-60 cells leads to the induction of apoptosis through down-regulation of c-Myc

Although adenosine (Ado) is being recently recognized as a potent inducer of apoptosis, molecular mechanism of apoptosis by Ado remains to be elucidated. In this study we observed that c-Myc was rapidly down-regulated in the apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells treated with Ado. To establish the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of apoptosis, we tested the specific effects of several antagonists of Ado receptors or inhibitors of Ado transporter on the induction of apoptosis. Treatment of dipyridamole (DPD), an Ado transport inhibitor, effectively suppressed both c-Myc reduction and DNA fragmentation, suggesting that the induction of apoptosis and down-regulation of c-Myc is mediated by active Ado transporter. It was another evidence supporting the entrance of Ado into cells undergoing apoptosis that Ado cytotoxicity was potentiated by a addition of methylation cycle intermediates. These results suggest that the active Ado transporter-mediated Ado entrance into HL-60 cells leads to the induction of apoptosis through down-regulation of c-Myc.