Changes in the phosphorylation of nucleotide metabolism‑associated proteins by leukemia inhibitory factor in mouse embryonic stem cells.

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a stem cell growth factor that maintains self‑renewal of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). LIF is a cytokine in the interleukin‑6 family and signals via the common receptor subunit gp130 and ligand‑specific LIF receptor. LIF causes heterodimerization of the LIF receptor and gp130, activating the Janus kinase/STAT and MAPK pathways, resulting in changes in protein phosphorylation.

Changes in Emberiza bunting communities and populations spanning 100 years in Korea.

The rapid decline of a few Emberiza bunting species is increasing conservation concerns, especially in Asia. However, temporal changes in communities and populations of buntings, ones of the most common migratory songbirds in Korea, have not been quantitatively assessed. To understand how the status of buntings has changed over the past 100 years, we collated abundance data from museum collections and bird-banding records between 1910 and 2019.

Clinical outcome of proton therapy for patients with chordomas.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical outcome of proton therapy (PT) in patients with chordoma.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-eight patients with chordoma treated with PT between June 2007 and December 2015 at the National Cancer Center, Korea, were retrospectively analyzed. The median total dose was 69.

Temporal augmentation with calvarial onlay graft during pterional craniotomy for prevention of temporal hollowing.

Background: Atrophy of muscle and fat often contributes to temporal hollowing after pterional craniotomy. However, the main cause is from the bony defect. Several methods to prevent temporal hollowing have been introduced, all with specific limitations.

Effectiveness of Temporal Augmentation Using a Calvarial Onlay Graft during Pterional Craniotomy.

Temporal hollowing occurs to varying degrees after pterional craniotomy. The most common cause of temporal hollowing is a bony defect of the pterional and temporal regions due to the resection of the sphenoid ridge and temporal squama for adequate exposure without overhang. The augmentation of such bony defects is important in preventing craniofacial deformities and postoperative hollowness.

Transfacial Surgical Approaches to Secure Wide Exposure of the Skull Base.

Background: Treatment of skull base tumors is challenging due to limited access and presence of important neurovascular structures nearby. The success of a complete tumor resection depends on the extent of tumor exposure and secure field of view. While these tumors are often removed by transcranial endoscopic access, transfacial approach is sometimes required depending on the location and size of the tumor.

Cochlear line: a novel landmark for hearing preservation using the anterior petrosal approach.

Object: The goal of this study was to develop a practical landmark for the safe and easy identification of the cochlea when performing anterior petrosectomy based on cadaver dissection results.

Methods: The cochlear line was defined as the line drawn from the crossing point between the greater superficial petrosal nerve (GSPN) and the petrous internal carotid artery to the line drawn over the apex of the superior circumference of the dura of the internal auditory canal at a right angle. The validity of the cochlear line marking the anteromedial perimeter of the cochlea at the angle of the GSPN and the internal acoustic canal as a practical landmark were evaluated using 5 cadaver heads.

Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas: clinical characteristics and management based on location and hemodynamics.

Objective: A dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) generally refers to a vascular malformation of the wall of a major venous sinus. These lesions have diverse symptoms according to the location and venous drainage, and require multidisciplinary treatment. We report on our experience and analyze the treatment outcome of intracranial DAVFs for a nine-year period.

Effectiveness of nicardipine for blood pressure control in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Objective: The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness and safety of nicardipine infusion for controlling blood pressure in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 52 patients with SAH and treated with nicardipine infusion for blood pressure control in a 29 months period. The mean blood pressure of pre-injection, bolus injection and continuous injection period were compared.

Meningeal layers around anterior clinoid process as a delicate area in extradural anterior clinoidectomy : anatomical and clinical study.

Objective: Removal of the anterior clinoid process (ACP) is an essential process in the surgery of giant or complex aneurysms located near the proximal internal carotid artery or the distal basilar artery. An extradural clinoidectomy must be performed within the limits of the meningeal layers surrounding the ACP to prevent morbid complications. To identify the safest method of extradural exposure of the ACP, anatomical studies were done on cadaver heads.

Endoscope-assisted microsurgical removal of an epidermoid tumor within the cavernous sinus.

Epidermoid tumor of the cavernous sinus is rare. The aim of this case report is to discuss the role of neuroendoscopes in the removal of such lesions. A 21-year-old man presented with 6-year history of progressive headache, diplopia, and visual disturbance.

Spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma causing brown-sequard syndrome.

Spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma (SCEH) is a rare clinical entity and has a varied etiology. Urgent surgical decompression should be done to prevent serious permanent neurologic deficits. We describe a 59-year-old female who presented with Brown-Sequard syndrome due to spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma.

Surgical results and risk factors for recurrence of lumbar disc herniation.

Objective: Recurrent lumbar disc herniation has been defined as disc herniation at the same level, regardless of ipsilateral or contralateral herniation, with a pain-free interval greater than 6 months. The aim of this study is to analyze outcomes and identify the potential risk factors for recurrent lumbar disc herniation.

Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed the cases of 178 patients who underwent open discectomy for single-level lumbar disc herniation.

An early comparative analysis of the use of autograft versus allograft in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to verify the usefulness of autograft versus allograft in the radiographic and clinical outcome in early period after the surgery.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 38 patients who had undergone one- or two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with rigid anterior plate fixation from March 2006 to May 2009. Interbody graft materials were iliac autograft (n=17) or with allograft (n=21).