Fetal bovine serum requirement for pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate-induced apoptotic cell death of MCF-7 breast tumor cells.

Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) can form a complex with metal ions and then act as a proteasome inhibitor, which leads to tumor cell apoptosis, and could therefore be developed as an anticancer agent. In our efforts to find factors that induce PDTC-mediated apoptosis of tumor cells, the effect of serum concentration on the apoptotic activity of PDTC was investigated. PDTC could not induce MCF-7 breast tumor cell death in serum-free media but significantly induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of ≥25 μM in media containing 10% fetal bovine serum.

Cerebellopontine angle tumors causing hemifacial spasm: types, incidence, and mechanism in nine reported cases and literature review.

Objective: Although hemifacial spasm is usually caused by vascular compression around the root exit zone of the facial nerve, it is sometimes brought on by a cerebellopontine angle tumor. We reviewed and analyzed data from past experience with hemifacial spasm induced by cerebellopontine angle tumors.

Methods: Nine patients of a total 2,050, who had presented with hemifacial spasms associated with cerebellopontine angle tumors between 1986 and 2009, were reviewed.

Effect of taurine chloramine on the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in adiponectin- or IL-1beta-stimulated fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

Background: Adiponectin greatly stimulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) as did IL-1beta. We wondered whether taurine chloramine (TauCl) inhibits the production of MMPs stimulated by adiponectin in the same pattern as by IL-1beta stimulation in vitro

Methods: Synovial cells from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were treated with adiponectin or interleukin (IL)-1beta for 24 hr in the presence or absence of TauCl. The culture supernatant was collected and the levels of MMPs were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Efficacy of ah shi point acupuncture on acne vulgaris.

Background: Ah shi point acupuncture involves inserting needles at painful or pathological sites.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of ah shi point and general acupuncture point treatment of acne vulgaris.

Methods: 36 subjects were recruited and randomised in a double-blind (patient-blind and observer-blind) controlled trial to receive acupuncture either at general acupuncture points only, or at both general acupuncture points and ah shi points 12 times over 6 weeks.

Calcific myonecrosis of the antetibial area.

Calcific myonecrosis is a rare late post-traumatic condition, in which a single muscle is replaced by a fusiform mass with central liquefaction and peripheral calcification. Compartment syndrome is suggested to be the underlying cause. The resulting mass may expand with time due to recurrent intralesional hemorrhage into the chronic calcified mass.

The impact of artificial tears containing hydroxypropyl guar on mucous layer.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lubricant eyedrops containing propylene glycol 400 (PEG) and polyethylene glycol (PG) with hydroxypropyl guar (HP-guar) as a gelling agent on the precorneal mucous layer in vivo.

Methods: Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups. All rabbits received PEG/PG/HP-guar tear products in the right eye.

Histomorphometric analysis and removal torque of small diameter implants with alternative surface treatments and different designs.

This study was designed to investigate the histomorphometric and biomechanical comparison of small-diameter implants with different designs. These implants can be placed surgically in narrow bone spaces, such as the lower incisor region, that have low occlusal loading. Specimens of screw-shaped pin implants were designed for the study.

A case of anterior cruciate ligament tear accompanied by avulsion fractures of tibial tuberosity and Gerdy's tubercle.

A 54-year-old man visited our clinic due to a painful swelling of his right knee. He had attempted a forceful kick by his right leg during a Sepak Takraw-like sports activity, only to fail to hit the ball. He felt a popping sense on the knee and collapsed, even without direct trauma.

Surgical experience of neglected lower cervical spine fracture in patient with ankylosing spondylitis.

The management of lower cervical fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) differs from normal cervical fractures. Patients with AS are highly susceptible to extensive neurologic injuries and spinal deformities after cervical fractures from even minor traumatic forces. These injuries are uniquely complex, require careful imaging assessment, and aggressive surgical management to optimize spinal stability and functional outcomes.

Acute Ischemic Stroke in a Patient with a Native Valvular Strand.

Valvular strands are known to be a potential source of cardioembolism but the natural history of native valvular strands has not yet been fully outlined. We report a case of ischemic stroke in a patient with a native valvular strand of the aortic valve and the patient's clinical course. A previously healthy 21-year-old man suffered acute cerebral infarction in the right posterior cerebral artery territory.

Expression levels and association of gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 and collagenases MMP-1 and MMP-13 with VEGF in synovial fluid of patients with arthritis.

This study was performed to provide evidence, albeit indirectly, as to which matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), among the gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 and the collagenases MMP-1 and MMP-13, play a more proactive role in the angiogenic process in arthritic joint. Joint fluid was collected from 33 patients with rhuematoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), and protein (MMPs and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)) levels were measured by ELISA, and the association of MMPs with VEGF was evaluated in joint fluid of patients with RA or OA. The levels of collagenases (total MMP-1 and total MMP-13) and gelatinases (total MMP-2 and total MMP-9) in RA joint fluid were significantly higher than those in OA fluid.

Repeated administration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells improved the protective effects on a remnant kidney model.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) has been implied to have the therapeutic potential on chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear and administration frequency of MSCs could be an issue in a chronic disease model. We evaluated the effect of repeated administration of MSCs on a remnant kidney model.

The spectrum of vascularized superficial soft-tissue tumors on sonography with a histopathologic correlation: Part 2, malignant tumors and their look-alikes.

Objective: The objective of this article is to illustrate the sonographic findings of malignant, vascularized superficial soft-tissue masses and their look-alikes.

Conclusion: Radiologists need to be aware of the sonographic findings of malignant, vascularized superficial soft-tissue tumor findings and their look-alikes for the differential diagnosis and determining an optimal treatment plan.

The spectrum of vascularized superficial soft-tissue tumors on sonography with a histopathologic correlation: Part 1, benign tumors.

Objective: The objective of this article is to illustrate the sonographic findings of benign, vascularized superficial soft-tissue tumors.

Conclusion: Sonography can play an important role in the diagnosis of benign, vascularized superficial soft-tissue tumors. Awareness of these findings is important in establishing the correct diagnosis and determining the optimal treatment.

The prevalence of "anti-HBc alone" and HBV DNA detection among anti-HBc alone in Korea.

The "anti-HBc alone" is a frequent serological finding in clinical laboratories, making it difficult to determine whether the HBV infection has resolved. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of anti-HBc alone and HBV DNA detection (occult HBV infection) among anti-HBc alone, and to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of anti-HBc alone. A total of 17,677 sera referred from the Health Promotion Center (HPC group, 4,014 sera) as well as all the hospital clinical departments (Patient group, 13,663 sera) were tested for HBs Ag, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs.

Causes and patterns of aborting a robot-assisted arthroplasty.

For a successful robot-assisted arthroplasty, every step should be executed harmoniously. However, when we encounter serious obstacles during surgery, it is sometimes better to abort the procedure in a timely manner. This study investigated the possible causes and patterns of aborted robot-assisted arthroplasties.

Dissection of the distal vertebral artery treated by modified parent artery trapping and a contralateral stent barricade. A case report.

Endovascular trapping is the preferred treatment method for a vertebral dissecting aneurysm. We describe a case of ruptured dissecting aneurysms located just proximal to the vertebrobasilar junction treated by trapping the dissecting segment and barricading the basilar artery with a stent to protect against coil protrusion. Modified parent artery trapping with a stent barricade allows preservation of the adjoining confluent zone or side branch during endovascular trapping of the vertebral dissection.

Trajectory of transsacral iliac screw for lumbopelvic fixation: a 3-dimensional computed tomography study.

Study Design: A 3-dimensional multi detector computed tomography study.

Objective: To analyze the optimal trajectory of the transsacral iliac screw (TSIS) to overcome the disadvantages of the conventional iliac screw.

Summary Of Background Data: Iliac screw fixation increased lumbosacral fusion rate.

Bloodstream infections and clinical significance of healthcare-associated bacteremia: a multicenter surveillance study in Korean hospitals.

Recent changes in healthcare systems have changed the epidemiologic paradigms in many infectious fields including bloodstream infection (BSI). We compared clinical characteristics of community-acquired (CA), hospital-acquired (HA), and healthcare-associated (HCA) BSI. We performed a prospective nationwide multicenter surveillance study from 9 university hospitals in Korea.

Paraganglioma of the filum terminale presenting with normal pressure hydrocephalus.

We describe a patient with an intraspinal paraganglioma who presented with normal pressure hydrocephalus. A 70-year-old man presented with a 6-month history of gait disturbance and cognitive dysfunction. Computed tomography of the brain and magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed communicating hydrocephalus and a spinal mass at the T12-L1 level which proved to be a paraganglioma of the filum terminale.

Aortic thrombosis resolved with enoxaparin in a patient treated with cisplatin-based regimen for small cell lung cancer.

We present a rare case of a thrombus at the aortic arch found 1 month after cisplatin-based chemotherapy in a 50-year-old patient with a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer; there were no symptoms related to the thrombus. This patient did not have any predisposing factors for the development of an aortic thrombus before the chemotherapy was initiated. After immediate treatment with low molecular weight heparin (enoxaparin), the thrombus improved without any additional complications.

Frequent inactivation of hSRBC in ovarian cancers by promoter CpG island hypermethylation.

Objective: To explore the implication of human SRBC gene [serum deprivation response factor-related gene product that binds to the c-kinase (hSRBC)] abnormality in ovarian tumorigenesis.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Medical center.