Microchannel-embedded implantable device with fibrosis suppression for prolonged controlled drug delivery.

For the prolonged, controlled delivery of systemic drugs, we propose an implantable drug-delivery chip (DDC) embedded with pairs of a microchannel and drug-reservoir serving as a drug diffusion barrier and depot, respectively. We pursued a DDC for dual drugs: a main-purpose drug, diclofenac (DF), for systemic exposure, and an antifibrotic drug, tranilast (TR), for local delivery. Thus, the problematic fibrotic tissue formation around the implanted device could be diminished, thereby less hindrance in systemic exposure of DF released from the DDC.

Clinical significance of superior articular process as a reference point for free-hand pedicle screw insertion in thoracic spine.

The trajectory of the pedicle screw perpendicular to the SAP (superior articular process) is consistent with the universal trajectory presented in the previous study of the entry point using computed tomography. The ideal entry point and trajectory of pedicle screw insertion have been a matter of considerable debate. We attempted to find the relationship between SAP and entry point and trajectory of the pedicle screw.

Needle Aspiration Biopsy of Seminiferous Tubules (NABST) as a Diagnostic Method in Korea.

To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of needle aspiration biopsy of seminiferous tubules (NABST) and to represent the redistributed diagnostic results corresponding to testicular volumes and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. In this retrospective study, we investigated 65 infertile men with either azoospermia or oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Following NABST, specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and classified into five histological types.

Sexual function and stress level of male partners of infertile couples during the fertile period.

Objectives: To evaluate the sexual function and stress level during timed intercourse (TI) of male partners of infertile couples.

Patients And Methods: The study included 236 male partners of couples with >1 year of infertility who sought medical care or an evaluation of couple infertility. Besides infertility evaluation, all men were asked to complete the five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) for evaluation of sexual function, and stresses related to infertility and TI were measured using 10-division visual analogue scales (VAS).

Evaluation of accuracy of plain radiography in determining the Risser stage and identification of common sources of errors.

Background: Risser's sign is an established radiological marker for predicting growth potential in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, but the accuracy of Risser's staging has been debated. This research was designed to evaluate the accuracy of Risser's staging and to identify causes of errors in Risser's staging.

Materials And Methods: Plain radiographs of 89 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients were evaluated for Risser's stage using both the Original and French methods.

Management of pelvic organ prolapse.

Quality of life is adversely affected by pelvic organ prolapse, the prevalence of which is increasing because of the persistently growing older population. Today, the tension-free vaginal mesh kit has grown in popularity owing to its comparable cure rate to traditional reconstructive surgery and the feasibility of an early return to normal life. However, significant debate remains over the long-term cure rate and the safety of tension-free vaginal mesh in the United States.

Effect of posterior multilevel vertebral osteotomies on coronal and sagittal balance in fused scoliosis deformity caused by previous surgery: preliminary results.

Study Design: Prospective case series study.

Objective: To study the effect of posterior multilevel vertebral osteotomy (posterior crack osteotomy) on coronal and sagittal balance in patients with the fusion mass over the spine caused by previous surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Few studies have investigated revisional scoliosis surgery with the fusion mass using osteotomy.

PTEN loss-mediated Akt activation increases the properties of cancer stem-like cell populations in prostate cancer.

Objective: To demonstrate that the PTEN/PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway plays an important role in regulating the prostate cancer stem-like cell population by upregulating ABCG2.

Methods: Targeted PTEN knockdown in human prostate DU145 and 22Rv1 cells using a small interfering RNA were confirmed by immunoblot analysis using antibodies of PTEN, phospho-Akt, Akt, and α-tubulin. Knockdown PTEN DU145 and 22Rv1 cells were augmented, and the stem cell-like properties were examined by cell viability and tumor sphere formation and treated by Akt IV inhibitor to provide the signal transduction pathway.

Does delaying surgery in immature adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with progressive curve, lead to addition of fusion levels?

Purpose: To analyze the changes in the curve extent, pattern and the fusion level in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients who undergo delayed surgery instead of early surgery.

Methods: Thirty-five immature AIS patients whose radiographs demonstrated an initial primary curve of more than 40° with a subsequent increase of 10° before attaining skeletal maturity with brace were enrolled. The initial and the final radiographs taken before surgery were compared to assess the changes in curve extent, pattern and the fusion levels as recommended by King's, Lenke's and Suk's guidelines.

Changes in the spinopelvic parameters of elite weight lifters.

Objective: To describe the changes in the spinopelvic parameters in weight lifters and evaluate the factors leading to spinal anatomical changes (eg, spondylolysis and listhesis).

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Tertiary, institutional.

Short apical rib resections thoracoplasty compared to conventional thoracoplasty in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery.

Purpose: To introduce a modified technique of thoracoplasty (short apical rib resection thoracoplasty (SARRT)) and compare its clinical, functional radiological outcomes and postoperative lung functions with conventional thoracoplasty (CT) in scoliosis surgery.

Methods: Retrospectively review of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients who underwent corrective surgery with thoracoplasty from 2006 to 2010 was performed. Thoracoplasty was performed in 58 patients (CT in 31 and SARRT in 27 patients).

Correlation between serum prostate specific antigen level and prostate volume in a community-based cohort: large-scale screening of 35,223 Korean men.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between prostate specific antigen (PSA) level and prostate volume (PV) according to age in a community-based population of Korean men enrolled in a large-scale screening program.

Methods: A total of 35,223 men who enrolled in the Korean Prostate Health Council Screening Program from January 2001 to December 2011 were included in this study. Patients with a serum PSA level of >10 ng/mL or younger than 40 years were excluded.

Effects of vertebral column distraction on transcranial electrical stimulation-motor evoked potential and histology of the spinal cord in a porcine model.

Background: Spinal cord injury can occur following surgical procedures for correction of scoliosis and kyphosis, as these procedures produce lengthening of the vertebral column. The objective of this study was to cause spinal cord injury by vertebral column distraction and evaluate the histological changes in the spinal cord in relationship to the pattern of recovery from the spinal cord injury.

Methods: Global osteotomy of all three spinal columns was performed on the ninth thoracic vertebra of sixteen pigs.

Detection of Y Chromosome Microdeletion is Valuable in the Treatment of Patients With Nonobstructive Azoospermia and Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia: Sperm Retrieval Rate and Birth Rate.

Purpose: We evaluated clinical characteristics, sperm retrieval rates, and birth rates in a relatively large number of infertile patients with Y chromosome microdeletions.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical data from 213 patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) and 76 patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OATS) who were tested for Y chromosome microdeletion from March 2004 to June 2011.

Results: Of the 289 patients, 110 patients presented with Y chromosome microdeletion and 179 patients presented with no microdeletion.

Reversible infertility associated with testosterone therapy for symptomatic hypogonadism in infertile couple.

Purpose: Androgen replacement therapy has been shown to be safe and effective for most patients with testosterone deficiency. Male partners of infertile couples often report significantly poorer sexual activity and complain androgen deficiency symptoms. We report herein an adverse effect on fertility caused by misusage of androgen replacement therapy in infertile men with hypogonadal symptoms.

In vitro culture-induced pluripotency of human spermatogonial stem cells.

Unipotent spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) can be transformed into ESC-like cells that exhibit pluripotency in vitro. However, except for mouse models, their characterization and their origins have remained controversies in other models including humans. This controversy has arisen primarily from the lack of the direct induction of ESC-like cells from well-characterized SSCs.

Serum prostate-specific antigen as a predictor of prostate volume and lower urinary tract symptoms in a community-based cohort: a large-scale Korean screening study.

The aim of this study is to assess the ability of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to predict prostate volume (PV) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) represented by the international prostate symptom score (IPSS). From January 2001 to December 2011, data were collected from men who first enrolled in the Korean Prostate Health Council Screening Program. Patients with a serum PSA level of >10 ng ml(-1) or age <40 years were excluded.

Isolated percutaneous thoracoplasty procedure for skeletally mature adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients, with rib deformity as their only concern: short-term outcomes.

Study Design: Prospective case series study.

Objective: To study the effect of percutaneous thoracoplasty-only procedure on curve pattern in mature adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Summary Of Background Data: The rib hump prominence on the convex side is the major cosmetic concern among patients with AIS.

Comparative analysis of clinical outcomes in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs): conservative treatment versus balloon kyphoplasty.

Background Context: Most osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) can be treated conservatively. Recently, kyphoplasty has become a common treatment for painful osteoporotic compression fractures and has shown numerous benefits, such as early pain control and height restoration of the collapsed vertebral body. In spite of being a simple procedure, numerous complications related to kyphoplasty have been reported.

Radiographic appearance and patient outcome after ulnar shortening osteotomy for idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome.

Purpose: Radiographic carpal chondromalacia (RCC) was defined as the presence of cortical sclerosis or subchondral changes, such as a lucent defect or cystic changes in a carpal on plain radiographs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with the occurrence of RCC in idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome and to determine the efficacy of ulnar shortening osteotomy on patient outcome and RCC.

Methods: Thirty-nine patients (42 wrists) with idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome were treated with either ulnar shortening osteotomy or arthroscopic wafer resection.

Effect of soft tissue thickness over the posterior border of the vertebral body and disc space on cage placement during posterior lumbar interbody fusion: a cadaveric study.

In the present study, we investigated whether there is a difference between visual depth (VD) and radiological image depth (RD) of cages (i.e., structural interbody support devices) placed in disc spaces during posterior lumbar interbody fusion and whether soft tissues covering the posterior border of the vertebral body and associated disc space are the cause of any observed differences.

Relationship among total kidney volume, renal function and age.

Purpose: We measured kidney volume using software and investigated the relationship between kidney volume and renal function.

Materials And Methods: Age, gender, height, body weight, body mass index, body surface area and serum creatinine were recorded for 539 normal individuals. A tissue segmentation tool program was used to measure kidney volume from computerized tomography images.

Clinical application of inside-out vein grafts for the treatment of sensory nerve segmental defect.

Purpose: The gold standard for the treatment of segmental nerve defect is an autogenous nerve graft. However, donor site morbidity is an inevitable complication. We substituted an autogenous nerve graft with an inside-out vein graft for the treatment of segmental sensory nerve defect and the clinical results were evaluated retrospectively.

Reliability analysis for radiographic measures of lumbar lordosis in adult scoliosis: a case-control study comparing 6 methods.

Several methods are used to measure lumbar lordosis. In adult scoliosis patients, the measurement is difficult due to degenerative changes in the vertebral endplate as well as the coronal and sagittal deformity. We did the observational study with three examiners to determine the reliability of six methods for measuring the global lumbar lordosis in adult scoliosis patients.