Performance characteristic of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) assay on Korean rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy controls.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the established anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) compared to Rheumatoid Factor-Immunoglobulin M (RF-IgM) and C - reactive protein (CRP). Serum samples of 176 patients were analyzed with the anti-CCP ELISA assay method established in our laboratory. The results of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, the other inflammatory patients, and healthy controls were compared using MedCalc (version 7.

Vertebral compression fracture in the middle of fused segments without a history of injury: a case report.

Study Design: A case report and review of the literature.

Objectives: To report a rare case of a vertebral compression fracture in the middle of fused segments in the absence of a history of trauma, and to investigate the contributory factors.

Summary Of Background Data: Few articles have been published on vertebral fractures among fused segments.

Matrix metalloproteinase-3 on ligamentum flavum in degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Study Design: Human ligamentum flavum (LF) was examined for the activity level of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in degenerative spondylolithesis (DS) patients using immunohistochemistry, Western blot, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and quantitative real-time PCR.

Objective: To investigate the hypothesis that the activity of MMP-3 is elevated in LF of DS patients, which might contribute to DS pathogenesis.

Summary Of Background Data: MMP-3 is a proteinase produced by connective tissue cells and is responsible for the degradation and modification of extracellular matrix molecules.

Galactography acquired with digital mammography in patients with nipple discharge: a retrospective analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the galactographic findings taken with digital mammography and to compare the findings between benign and malignant breast diseases.

Materials And Methods: Galactographic findings were retrospectively analyzed and compared with histopathological results for 42 patients who showed abnormal findings on galactography and had histologically proven diagnoses between January 2005 and March 2008. A galactography was acquired using full-field digital mammography (Hologic Lorad Selenia; Danbury, USA).

Modification of CEA with both CRT and TAT PTD induces potent anti-tumor immune responses in RNA-pulsed DC vaccination.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is expressed on human colon carcinomas, is well characterized, and continues to be a promising target for cancer immunotherapy in humans. To enhance the immunogenecity of CEA, we developed a fusion gene (CRT-TAT-DeltaCEA) of the TAT protein transduction domain (PTD) and calreticulin (CRT) with human CEA devoid of its signal sequences (DeltaCEA) and evaluated anti-tumor immunity using RNA-pulsed dendritic cell (DC) vaccination. Mice vaccinated with DC by electroporation with mRNA encoding TAT-DeltaCEA (DC/TAT-DeltaCEA) and CRT-DeltaCEA (DC/CRT-DeltaCEA) had enhanced induction of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and increased numbers of IFN-gamma-secreting T cells by ELISPOT, as compared to mice vaccinated with DC/DeltaCEA.

Efficient antitumor immunity in a murine colorectal cancer model induced by CEA RNA-electroporated B cells.

RNA electroporation as a gene delivery method is more feasible and safer as compared with viral vectors. RNA-loaded dendritic cells (DC) have been used to induce T cell responses against tumor rejection antigens and B cells can also act as antigen-presenting cells for cellular vaccines. In this study, we compared B cells and DC, after electroporation with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) RNA, for their capacity to generate cytotoxic T lymphocytes and antitumor immunity.

Degenerative changes of discs and facet joints in lumbar total disc replacement using ProDisc II: minimum two-year follow-up.

Study Design: A retrospective clinical and radiologic data analysis.

Objective: To determine the radiologic changes in the discs at the adjacent levels and facets at the index and adjacent levels after total disc replacement (TDR) using ProDisc II in a minimum 2-year follow-up.

Summary Of The Background Data: The main purposes of TDR are to preserve the physiologic segmental motion at index level, and to prevent accelerated degeneration at the index and adjacent segments.

Comparison of posterolateral fusion with and without additional posterior lumbar interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Objectives: The surgical approach that should be used for degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) is a controversial issue. Decompression and posterolateral fusion (PLF) with or without lumbar interbody fusion is widely used. Many studies have compared the outcomes of these 2 approaches, but the appropriate indications for these approaches are still unclear.

Osteogenic differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (hASCs) in a porous three-dimensional scaffold.

Recent studies have shown that liposuction aspirates from rat, rabbit, mouse, and human sources contain pluripotent adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ASCs) that can differentiate into various mesodermal cell types, including osteoblasts, myoblasts, chondroblasts, and preadipocytes. To develop a research model for autologous bone tissue engineering, we isolated ASCs from human liposuction aspirates (hASCs) and induced their osteogenic differentiation in three-dimensional poly(dl-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds. Human liposuction aspirates were proteolytically digested and centrifuged to obtain hASCs.

Life-Threatening Anaphylactoid Reaction in an Acute Ischemic Stroke Patient With Intravenous rt-PA Thrombolysis, Followed by Successful Intra-Arterial Thrombolysis.

An anaphylactoid reaction to recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is an uncommon but fatal complication. A 39-year-old man was admitted within 1 hour of the onset of a right hemispheric stroke. He was not taking any specific medication, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.

Modified posterior approach to total hip arthroplasty to enhance joint stability.

Unlabelled: We modified the posterior approach by preserving the external rotator muscles to enhance joint stability after primary THA. We asked whether this modified posterior approach would have a lower dislocation rate than the conventional posterior approach, with and without a repair of external rotator muscles. We retrospectively divided 557 patients (670 hips) who had undergone primary THA into three groups based on how the external rotator muscles had been treated during surgery: (1) not repaired after sectioning, (2) repaired after sectioning, or (3) not sectioned and preserved.

Prognostic factors related to motion dynamics following cervical arthroplasty with a bryan disc: average 2-year follow-up.

Background: This is a retrospective study to assess the prognostic factors influencing the postoperative motion dynamics and clinical outcome following cervical arthroplasty with a Bryan disc.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients (30 levels) consecutively underwent cervical arthroplasty using a Bryan disc (Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, Tennessee). Motion dynamics and clinical outcome (visual analogue score (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI) score) were examined preoperatively and at 1 month, 1 year, and final follow-up (average: 25 months).

Sagittal plane lumbar responses after anterior selective thoracic fusion for main thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Study Design: A retrospective radiographic study.

Purpose: To verify the correlation of sagittal and coronal plane changes after selective thoracic fusion in main thoracic (MT) adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Overview Of Literature: Sagittal plane deformity is known to be essential in the evolution of scoliosis.

Associations of calcium and magnesium in serum and hair with bone mineral density in premenopausal women.

Background And Aims: Some minerals have been associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women or people with certain chronic diseases, but the results have been inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the association of serum and hair levels of calcium and magnesium with BMD in premenopausal women.

Methods: This cross-sectional study of 104 premenopausal volunteers recruited from out-patient clinics and a health promotion center in a university hospital in Seoul, Korea evaluated the association of serum and hair minerals with BMD in premenopausal women.

The fate of anterior autogenous bone graft after anterior radical surgery with or without posterior instrumentation in the treatment of pyogenic lumbar spondylodiscitis.

Study Design: A retrospective clinical study.

Objective: To assess the results of anterior strut grafting and the loss of the reduction in anterior interbody fusion and anterior interbody fusion combined with posterior instrumental fusion in pyogenic spondylodiscitis.

Summary Of Background Data: Resorption of the anterior graft is an ominous sign following most anterior surgery.

Factors influencing segmental range of motion after lumbar total disc replacement using the ProDisc II prosthesis.

Object: The purpose of this prospective controlled study was to evaluate possible factors that could affect postoperative segmental range of motion (ROM) after lumbar total disc replacement (TDR) using the ProDisc II prosthesis.

Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients with intractable discogenic pain underwent lumbar TDR using the ProDisc II prosthesis, 30 of whom were followed up for at least 24 months. Segmental ROM was assessed preoperatively and every 6 months postoperatively using dynamic x-ray films.

Single balloon kyphoplasty using far-lateral extrapedicular approach: technical note and preliminary results.

Objectives: The authors have performed a single-balloon kyphoplasty using far-lateral extrapedicular approach in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The authors introduce its surgical technique and early clinical results.

Methods: Clinical outcomes were determined by comparison of preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale score.

Human rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts promote osteoclastogenic activity by activating RANKL via TLR-2 and TLR-4 activation.

The interplay between the innate immune system and inflammatory bone destruction in the joints of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear. This study was undertaken to explore the effect of toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) on the expression of RANKL and induction of osteoclastogenic activity. The levels of RANKL mRNA and protein were measured using RT-PCR, real-time PCR, and immunostaining.

Cyclosporine A inhibits IL-15-induced IL-17 production in CD4+ T cells via down-regulation of PI3K/Akt and NF-kappaB.

Cyclosporine A (CSA) has various biological effects on T cells, including inhibition of interleukin (IL)-15-induced IL-17 production in CD4+ T cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the mechanism underlying this effect is not fully understood. Here, we tried to investigate the mechanism of CSA to inhibit IL-17 production induced by IL-15 in CD4+ T cells.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in relapsing polychondritis.

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare systemic disease characterized by an inflammatory process involving predominantly cartilaginous structures. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) in RP has not been reported previously. We report a case of PCI in RP that was successfully treated with high oxygen and antibiotics.

Effects of intravenous immunoglobulin and methylprednisolone on human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro.

Endothelial cells (ECs) do more than just play a role in distinguishing blood and tissues. These cells are also influenced by various chemical mediators present in the blood and tissues. In addition, they produce diverse cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, and growth factors.

Transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-beta1) down-regulates TNFalpha-induced RANTES production in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts through NF-kappaB-mediated transcriptional repression.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is a pleiotropic cytokine with many functions, including those related to growth modulation, immunosuppression, and pro-inflammation, in a wide variety of cell types. In this study, we investigated the ability of TGF-beta1 to regulate RANTES production by activated rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) were cultured in the presence of TGF-beta1 and IL-1beta, IL-15, TNFalpha, or IL-17, and the secretion of RANTES into culture supernatants was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Dendritic cells transduced with recombinant adenoviruses induce more efficient anti-tumor immunity than dendritic cells pulsed with peptide.

Transduction with recombinant, replication-defective adenovirus (AdV) vectors encoding a transgene is an efficient method for gene transfer into murine or human dendritic cells (DC). We previously reported that human dendritic cells transduced with recombinant adenovirus encoding the CEA gene (AdVCEA) can effectively induce antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in vitro. In this study, the efficacy of vaccination using AdVCEA-transduced DC was compared with peptide-pulsed DC in terms of the antigen-specific CTL activity and anti-tumor immunity to MC38/CEA2 in a murine tumor model.