Alterations in Plasma Lipid Profile before and after Surgical Removal of Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a relatively rare malignancy, accounting for about 1% of all adult cancers. It is known to have more than 70 subtypes. Its rarity, coupled with its various subtypes, makes early diagnosis challenging.

Malignant Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor Presenting as an Extra-Articular Superficial Soft-Tissue Mass in a Knee.

Malignant tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TsGCT) is a rare disease that can arise as a recurrent lesion or co-exist with a benign TsGCT lesion. Here we report a rare case of malignant TsGCT in a 73-year-old male with a history of lymphoma. The tumor appeared as a superficial soft-tissue mass in the subcutaneous fat tissue of the left knee.

Evaluation of immune-biomarker expression in high-grade soft-tissue sarcoma: HLA-DQA1 expression as a prognostic marker.

High-grade soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) is a highly malignant neoplasm with a poor overall prognosis. Numerous prognostic factors determine tumor progression and patient outcomes. Various immune-associated cells identified in the tumor microenvironment have important roles in various tumor types.

Diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI for the differentiation of benign from malignant soft-tissue tumors.

Background: A wide range of specificity values for the differentiation of benign and malignant soft-tissue tumors show the limitations of conventional MRI features. The data obtained by quantitative analysis of diffusion-weighted image (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRIs would provide more objective results, especially in terms of cellularity and perfusion.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacies of DWI and DCE MRI for the differentiation of malignant and benign soft-tissue tumors.

Prognostic scoring system for osteosarcoma using network-regularized high-dimensional Cox-regression analysis and potential therapeutic targets.

With the recent emphasis on the importance of personalized genomic medicine, studies have performed prognostic stratification using gene signatures in cancers. However, these studies have not considered gene networks with clinical data. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a novel prognostic score using grouped variable selection for patients with osteosarcoma.

Prognostic value of microRNAs in osteosarcoma: A meta-analysis.

Background: Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone malignancy. We meta-analyzed the prognostic value of altered miRNAs in patients with osteosarcoma.

Methods: Sources from MEDLINE (from inception to August 2016) and EMBASE (from inception to August 2016) were searched.

Reconstruction of Postburn Contracture of the Forefoot Using the Anterolateral Thigh Flap.

Background: Severe forefoot deformities, particularly those involving the dorsum of the foot, cause inconvenience in daily activities of living including moderate pain on the dorsal aspect of the contracted foot while walking and difficulty in wearing nonsupportive shoes due to toe contractures. This paper presents clinical results of reconstruction of severe forefoot deformity using the anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap.

Methods: Severe forefoot deformities were reconstructed using ALT flaps in 7 patients (8 cases) between March 2012 and December 2015.

Short-term follow-up MRI after unplanned resection of malignant soft-tissue tumours; quantitative measurements on dynamic contrast enhanced and diffusion-weighted MR images.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic availability of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) and diffusion-weighted (DW) MR images for evaluating residual tumours at short-term follow-up after unplanned excision of malignant soft-tissue tumours.

Methods: From January 2013 to September 2014, 38 patients underwent first follow-up MRI, including DCE and DW imaging (DWI), within 3 months of unplanned malignant soft-tissue tumour excision. The presence or absence of definite nodule formation, focal fluid/haematoma collection, oedema and fascial thickening around or at tumour beds were evaluated using conventional MR images.

Expression of hypoxic markers and their prognostic significance in soft tissue sarcoma.

Tumor hypoxia is significant in promoting tumor progression and resistance to therapy, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) is essential in the adaptive response of cells to hypoxia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of hypoxic markers and evaluate their prognostic significance in soft tissue sarcoma (STS). A retrospective analysis of 55 patients with STS from Pusan National University Hospital (Busan, Korea) between 1998 and 2007 was conducted, using immunohistochemistry to analyze the expression of HIF-1α, carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9), glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Prognostic significance of WT1 expression in soft tissue sarcoma.

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare. We evaluated the WT1 protein expression level in various types of STS and elucidated the value of WT1 as a prognostic factor and a possible therapeutic target.

Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for WT1 was performed in 87 cases of STS using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks.

Analysis of sagittal balance of ankylosing spondylitis using spinopelvic parameters.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Objective: To analyze sagittal spinopelvic parameters in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients.

Summary Of Background Data: There are little data on the relationship between the sagittal spinopelvic parameters and AS.

Intramuscular sparganosis in the gastrocnemius muscle: a case report.

Sparganosis is a parasitic infection caused by the plerocercoid tapeworm larva of the genus Spirometra. Although the destination of the larva is often a tissue or muscle in the chest, abdominal wall, extremities, eyes, brain, urinary tract, spinal canal, and scrotum, intramuscular sparganosis is uncommon and therefore is difficult to distinguish from a soft tissue tumor. We report a case of intramuscular sparganosis involving the gastrocnemius muscle in an elderly patient who was diagnosed using ultrasonography and MRI and treated by surgical excision.

Validation of the korean version of the neck pain and disability scale.

Study Design: A prospective study.

Purpose: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the adapted Korean version of the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPDS).

Overview Of Literature: The validity of Korean version of NPDS has not been completely demonstrated yet.

Baker's Cyst with Intramuscular Extension into Vastus Medialis Muscle.

Baker's cysts are one of the most common cystic lesions around the knee joint and mainly caused by fluid distension of the gastrocnemius-semimembranous bursa that is situated along the medial side of the popliteal fossa. Typically, a Baker's cyst extends along the intermuscular planes around the knee joint and may enlarge any direction. However, it is mostly located in the inferomedial or superficial layers of the knee joint and less commonly extends laterally or proximally.

Association between estrogen receptor gene polymorphism and back pain intensity in female patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Objective: To examine the possible association of estrogen receptor α (ERα) polymorphisms and pain intensity in symptomatic female degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) patients.

Summary Of Background Data: DS has been associated with a significant sex effect.

Safety and effect of adipose tissue-derived stem cell implantation in patients with critical limb ischemia: a pilot study.

Background: Treatment of critical limb ischemia (CLI) by bypass operation or percutaneous vascular intervention is occasionally difficult. The safety and efficacy of multiple intramuscular adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ATMSC) injections in CLI patients was determined in the study.

Methods And Results: The study included 15 male CLI patients with ischemic resting pain in 1 limb with/without non-healing ulcers and necrotic foot.

Cilostazol induces cellular senescence and confers resistance to etoposide-induced apoptosis in articular chondrocytes.

We recently reported that cilostazol protects chondrocytes against stress-induced apoptosis and prevents cartilage destruction in an osteoarthritis (OA) model. In the present study, we elucidate the mechanism underlying the protective effect induced by cilostazol against stress-induced apoptosis in chondrocytes. Cilostazol significantly reduced the expression of type II collagen and stimulated the accumulation of β-catenin in primary rat articular chondrocytes.

Association of estrogen receptor gene polymorphism in patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesise.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible association of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) gene polymorphisms in a cohort of degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) patients.

Methods: Accordingly, the authors examined the association between DS and ERα gene polymorphisms in 174 patients diagnosed with DS. The Pvu II and Xba I polymorphisms, bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, and biochemical markers were analyzed and compared in the 174 patients with DS and 214 patients with spinal stenosis (SS).

Validation of the Korean version of the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Objective: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the adapted Korean version of the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QDS).

Summary Of Background Data: The Korean version of the QDS has not been validated.

Validation of the Korean version of the Scoliosis Research Society-22 questionnaire.

Introduction: We evaluated the reliability and validity of an adapted Korean version of the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire.

Materials And Methods: Translation/retranslation of the English version of SRS-22 was conducted, and all steps of the cross-cultural adaptation process were performed. The Korean version of the SRS-22 questionnaire and the previously validated Short Form-36 (SF-36) outcome instruments were mailed to 102 patients who had been treated surgically for idiopathic scoliosis.

Post-operative Changes of Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Pre-operative Anxiety: Statistical Parametric Mapping Analysis of F-18 FDG Brain PET.

Study Design: A prospective study.

Purpose: To assess postoperative changes in cerebral glucose metabolism in anxiety patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (SS).

Overview Of Literature: Although an association between preoperative anxiety and abnormal cerebral glucose metabolism may exist, only a limited number of studies using F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) have evaluated preoperative to postoperative changes in cerebral glucose metabolism in SS patients in detail.

Posterior decompression and fusion in patients with multilevel lumbar foraminal stenosis: a comparison of segmental decompression and wide decompression.

Study Design: This is a prospective study.

Purpose: We compared the outcomes of segmental decompression and wide decompression in patients who had multilevel lumbar foraminal stenosis with back pain.

Overview Of Literature: Wide decompression and fusion in patients with multilevel lumbar foraminal stenosis may increase the risk of perioperative complications.

Oncologic impact of the curettage of grade 2 central chondrosarcoma of the extremity.

Background: Wide excision is considered the standard treatment for high-grade chondrosarcoma, but little is known regarding the effect of curettage on patient outcome in grade 2 chondrosarcoma.

Methods: The records of 32 patients with nonmetastatic grade 2 central chondrosarcoma of the appendicular skeleton were analyzed. The clinical characteristics and outcomes of 15 patients who underwent curettage (the case group) followed by subsequent treatment and 17 patients who underwent standard treatment were compared.

Validation of the Korean version of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire.

We evaluated the reliability and validity of an adapted Korean version of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Translation/retranslation of the English version of RMDQ was conducted, and all steps of the cross-cultural adaptation process were performed. The Korean version of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) measure of pain, RMDQ, and the previously validated Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were mailed to 100 consecutive patients with chronic lower back pain (LBP) of at least 3 months.

Extracellular Nucleotides Can Induce Chemokine (C-C motif) Ligand 2 Expression in Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.

To understand the roles of purinergic receptors and cellular molecules below the receptors in the vascular inflammatory response, we determined if extracellular nucleotides up-regulated chemokine expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Human aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMCs) abundantly express P2Y(1), P2Y(6), and P2Y(11) receptors, which all respond to extracellular nucleotides. Exposure of human AoSMCs to NAD(+), an agonist of the human P2Y(11) receptor, and NADP(+) as well as ATP, an agonist for P2Y(1) and P2Y(11) receptors, caused increase in chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 gene (CCL2) transcript and CCL2 release; however, UPT did not affect CCL2 expression.