Investigation of cell signalings and therapeutic targets in PTPRK-RSPO3 fusion-positive colorectal cancer.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most deadly and common diseases in the world, accounting for over 881,000 casualties in 2018. The PTPRK-RSPO3 (P:R) fusion is a structural variation in CRC and well known for its ability to activate WNT signaling and tumorigenesis. However, till now, therapeutic targets and actionable drugs are limited in this subtype of cancer.

Nanomicelle-generating Microneedles Loaded With Tranilast for Treatment of Hypertrophic Scars in a Rabbit Model.

Background/aim: Hypertrophic scars (HS) are the result of pathological wound healing characterized by a red, raised scar formation. The goal of this research was development of a new method for treatment of HS formation.

Materials And Methods: A tranilast-loaded microneedle (TMN) was developed and applied in a rabbit ear model to treat an induced HS.

Elucidation of Novel Therapeutic Targets for Breast Cancer with Fusion.

Among the various types of breast cancer, the luminal B subtype is the most common in young women, and (E:C) fusion is the most frequent oncogenic fusion driver of the luminal B subtype. Nevertheless, treatments targeting E:C fusion has not been well established yet. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate potential therapies targeting E:C fusion based on systematic bioinformatical analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data.

Real-time visualization of two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy using a wavelength-tunable femtosecond pulsed laser.

A fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) integrated with two-photon excitation technique was developed. A wavelength-tunable femtosecond pulsed laser with nominal pulse repetition rate of 76-MHz was used to acquire FLIM images with a high pixel rate of 3.91 MHz by processing the pulsed two-photon fluorescence signal.

High-speed time-resolved laser-scanning microscopy using the line-to-pixel referencing method.

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is a powerful technique to visualize photophysical characteristics of biological targets. However, conventional FLIM methods have some limitations that restrict obtaining high-precision images in real time. Here, we propose a high-speed time-resolved laser-scanning microscopy by incorporating a novel line-to-pixel referencing method into the previously suggested analog mean-delay (AMD) method.

Comparison of results of medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy with and without subchondral drilling.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to compare the results of medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) with and without subchondral drilling and to assess the formation of fibrocartilage at 2 years postoperatively.

Methods: Patients were divided into 2 groups. Thirty knees were treated with osteotomy and subchondral drilling (group 1), and 31 knees were treated with osteotomy alone (group 2).

Efficacy of periarticular multimodal drug injection after medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy: a randomized, controlled study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of periarticular multimodal drug injection after medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy regarding the postoperative pain level.

Methods: From January 2011 to January 2012, 70 patients underwent medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy. Thirty-five patients were randomly assigned to receive no injection (group I), and 35 patients were assigned to receive periarticular multimodal drug injection (group II).

Labrenzia suaedae sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from a halophyte, and emended description of the genus Labrenzia.

An endophytic, Gram-staining-negative bacterium was isolated from sterilized roots of a plant, Suaeda maritima, growing on tidal flats. Cells of the strain were motile by means of a single polar flagellum and colonies were pigmented light brown. Strain YC6927(T) was able to grow at 15-37 °C (optimum at 28-30 °C) and at pH 5.

Second-look arthroscopic assessment of cartilage regeneration after medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to evaluate regeneration of the articular cartilage after medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy for knees with medial-compartment osteoarthritis and to assess the clinical outcome and cartilage regeneration according to the postoperative limb alignment at 2 years postoperatively.

Methods: The study involved 159 knees in 159 patients. For evaluation of cartilage degeneration, the International Cartilage Repair Society grading system was used for arthroscopic grading on initial arthroscopy during high tibial osteotomy.

Transglutaminase 2 expression predicts progression free survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2), a cross-linking enzyme, is involved in drug resistance and in the constitutive activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). We investigated the association of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment efficacy with TG2 and NF-κB expression in 120 patients: 102 with adenocarcinoma and 18 with other histologic types. All patients underwent surgery; 88 received adjuvant chemotherapy, with 28 receiving platinum-based doublet chemotherapy as first-line treatment and 29 receiving epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy.

Amorphus suaedae sp. nov., isolated from the root of a tidal flat plant, Suaeda maritima.

A novel bacterial strain, YC6899(T), was isolated from the root of Suaedae maritima growing on a tidal flat of Namhae Island, Korea. Cells were Gram-reaction-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, slightly halophilic and heterotrophic. Strain YC6899(T) grew optimally at a salinity of 2-4 %, at 25-37 °C and at pH 6.

Comparative study of medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy using 2 different implants.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to perform a retrospective clinical and radiographic evaluation after opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) using a short spacer plate (Aescula; B. Braun Korea, Seoul, South Korea) and rigid long plate (TomoFix plate; Mathys, Bettlach, Switzerland) at follow-up 2 years postoperatively.

Methods: We performed 94 opening-wedge HTOs with the Aescula plate (group I) and 92 HTOs with the TomoFix plate (group II).

A phase I trial of gefitinib and nimotuzumab in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Background: Nimotuzumab (TheraCIM®) is a humanized anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody (mAb) with minimal skin toxicity. Combining a different class of anti-EGFR drug with gefitinib is a new strategy to overcome intrinsic and acquired resistance to gefitinib. The aim of this phase I trial was to determine recommended phase II dose (RPIID) and the safety of gefitinib and nimotuzumab combination treatment.

Comparison of the clinical outcomes after total knee arthroplasty with the LCS rotating platform mobile bearing knee system and the PFC Sigma RP-F mobile bearing knee system.

Background: We compared clinical outcomes after total knee arthroplasty with the Low Contact Stress (LCS) rotating platform mobile bearing knee system and the Press Fit Condylar Sigma rotating platform high flexion (PFC Sigma RP-F) mobile bearing knee system.

Methods: Fifty cases of total knee arthroplasty were performed with the PFC Sigma RP-F mobile bearing knee system and sixty-one cases were performed with the LCS mobile bearing total knee arthroplasty. The average duration of follow-up was 2.

No difference in total blood loss, haemoglobin and haematocrit between continues and intermittent wound drainage after total knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective randomized study was to compare the visible, hidden, total blood loss and postoperative haemodynamic change of 4-h clamping and nonclamping of the drain after TKA. The hypothesis in the present study was that intermittent drain clamping with injection of diluted epinephrine solution would decrease the visible, hidden blood loss and reduction of postoperative haemoglobin or haematocrit change after TKA.

Methods: From January 2010 to January 2011, 100 TKAs were performed at our hospital.

Comparison of two inflammation-based prognostic scores in patients with unresectable advanced gastric cancer.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the usefulness of two inflammation-based prognostic scores, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), assessed at diagnosis in stage IV advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 104 patients with newly diagnosed metastatic AGC treated with palliative chemotherapy.

Results: In the univariate analysis, the following variables were associated with shorter overall survival (OS): poor or undifferentiated histology (p = 0.

Prognostic factors in primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of adrenal gland treated with rituximab-CHOP chemotherapy from the Consortium for Improving Survival of Lymphoma (CISL).

Background: The objective of this study was to identify prognostic factors for survival in patients with primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the adrenal gland.

Methods: Thirty one patients diagnosed with primary adrenal DLBCL from 14 Korean institutions and treated with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) were analyzed.

Results: Complete remission (CR) and overall response rate after R-CHOP chemotherapy were 54.

The accuracy of the extramedullary and intramedullary femoral alignment system in total knee arthroplasty for varus osteoarthritic knee.

Purpose: The intramedullary (IM) femoral alignment system does not alway guarantee accuracy of the component position in the total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In some cases, the extramedullary (EM) femoral alignment system in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a useful alternative surgical option to adjust femoral component alignment. In the EM technique, accuracy of the femoral head center location is mandatory.

Efficacy and toxicity of belotecan for relapsed or refractory small cell lung cancer patients.

Introduction: Belotecan (Camtobell, CKD602) is a new camptothecin-derivative antitumor agent that belongs to the topoisomerase inhibitors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of belotecan monotherapy as a second-line therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Methods: Between June 2008 and August 2011, a total of 50 patients with relapsed or refractory SCLC were treated with belotecan 0.

Second-line chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer in Korea.

Stomach cancer is still one of the most prevalent malignancies and is the main cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The outcome for patients with metastasis, as well as for those with tumor recurrence, is dismal, with median survival time not greater than a year. Patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic lesions have been treated with systemic chemotherapy, and several randomized studies have demonstrated the benefit of chemotherapy compared with best supportive care.

Arthroscopic, suture anchor repair through a novel medial quadriceptal portal for medial meniscal root tear.

Current options for meniscal root repair include repair into trans-osseous bone tunnels, trans-osseous suture passage for surface fixation, and suture anchor fixation. Suture anchor repair techniques have been developed since it eliminates the issue of the suture abrasion, tunnel drilling, and distal fixation inherent to trans-osseous tunnel. We present a description of a new variation in the more vertical suture anchor repair technique for meniscal root tear using a novel medial quadriceptal portal.

High early failure rate of the Columbus posterior stabilized high-flexion knee prosthesis.

Background: Most studies report high survivorship rates for TKAs, however, we observed higher than anticipated rates of dislocation and femoral component loosening after implanting a Columbus posterior stabilized prosthesis.

Questions/purpose: We therefore determined (1) the incidence of dislocation and aseptic loosening that occurred after implantation of posterior stabilized high-flexion prostheses in TKAs, (2) the causative factors of dislocation and aseptic femoral component loosening when comparing two designs of prostheses, and (3) the mechanisms of dislocation.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 319 patients who underwent 384 TKAs from May 2007 to July 2008.

Transglutaminase 2 as an independent prognostic marker for survival of patients with non-adenocarcinoma subtype of non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Expression of transglutaminase 2 (TGase 2) is related to invasion and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents in several cancer cells. However, there has been only limited clinical validation of TGase 2 as an independent prognostic marker in cancer.

Methods: The significance of TGase 2 expression as an invasive/migratory factor was addressed by in vitro assays employing down-regulation of TGase 2.