Metastatic bone pain is among the most commonly reported pain conditions in cancer patients and pharmacological therapy frequently fails to provide satisfactory pain relief. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is a minimally invasive procedure and may be an effective alternative. However, there is little published data evaluating PRF treatment of metastatic pain. PRF therapy of select lumbar dorsal root ganglia was performed on two patients suffering from uncontrolled metastatic lumbar bone pain. After PRF therapy, the patients reported markedly improved back pain, and the effect lasted for months until they deceased. No complications or adverse events were noted from this minimally invasive procedure. PRF may be considered a potential intervention in treating certain neuropathic cancer pain conditions.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Background: Despite advances in reconstruction techniques, sacral sores continue to present a challenge to the plastic surgeon. The superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) flap is a reliable flap that preserves the entire contralateral side as a future donor site. On the ipsilateral side, the gluteal muscle itself is preserved and all flaps based on the inferior gluteal artery are still possible. However, the dissection of the perforator is tedious and carries a risk of compromising the perforator vessels. Patients and Methods: During the period between April 2003 and March 2013, 30 patients presented to our section with sacral wounds causing by pressure sores or infected pilonidal cysts. Of a total of 30 patients, 13 were female and 17 were male. Their ages ranged from 22 to 92 years old (mean 79.8 years old). Surgical intervention was performed electively with immediate or delayed reconstruction using a SGAP flap. The characteristics of patients' age, and sex, and cause of sacral defect, co-morbidities, wound culture, flap size, perforator number, hospital stay, and outcome were reviewed. Results: For all operations, the length of the pedicle dissection will not exceed 1 cm because of the vascular anatomy of the SGAP, which lies adjacent to the sacral region. Due to short pedicle dissection, all SGAP flap were elevated around an hour. All flaps survived except two, which had partial flap necrosis and were finally treated by contralateral V-Y advancement flaps coverage. The mean follow-up period was 14.8 months (range 3-24). No flap surgery-related mortality was found. Conclusion: Perforator-based flaps have become popular in modern reconstructive surgery because of low donor site morbidity and good preservation of muscle. Our study shows that deep pedicle dissection is unnecessary when the surgery involves an accurate indicating perforator, adequate flap size design, and correct selection of flap utilization between tunnel and rotation. The advantages of this modification include a faster operation, less bleeding, and less trauma of the pedicle, which make the SGAP flaps an alternative choice for sacral sores coverage.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

The diagnosis of child maltreatment leading to head injury is challenging. Here, we present the case of a 3-month-old female infant who presented with focal seizures that lasted for several minutes. After admission, she began to show intermittent clusters of head nods, irritable crying, arching, writhing, stiffening, and jerking of both arms. These results and electroencephalography findings were attributed as the diagnosis of infantile spasms (IS). Brain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the presence of chronic subdural hematoma mixed with acute ischemic injuries. Examination of the eye fundus confirmed the presence of retinal hemorrhage. Therefore, all evidence pointed to a diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome (SBS). Based on this case, we suggest that physicians should consider a diagnosis of SBS for children with new-onset IS and that should be evaluated, diagnosed, and treated as promptly as possible.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Background: Antroquinonol (Antroq) is an active component of Antrodia camphorate. The present study was to validate the preventive effects of Antroq in an atherosclerosis model. Materials and Methods: We examined Antroq inhibitory effect on rat aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration and evaluated its effect on neointima formation and inflammation in mouse carotid artery ligation (CAL). Results: Our data show that Antroq ^[1] inhibited the proliferation (Antroq [3.0 μg/ml] + PDGF 41.7 ± 7.3%, vehicle + PDGF 134.5 ± 7.3%) (p<0.005) and migration (6h: Antroq [3.0 μg/ml] + PDGF 0.9 ± 0.3%, vehicle + PDGF 25.0 ± 3.4%; 12h: Antroq [3.0 μg/ml] + PDGF 4.0 ± 1.6%, vehicle + PDGF 40.5 ± 2.2%; 24h: Antroq [3.0 μg/ml] + PDGF 14.2 ± 3.0%, vehicle + PDGF 59.8 ± 3.3%) (each, p<0.005) of the cultured smooth muscle cells, ^[2] prevented neointima formation and reduced N/M ratios in CAL mice (900 μm: Antroq + CAL 0.8 ± 0.3, CAL 3.5 ± 1.1; 800 μm: Antroq + CAL 0.6 ± 0.2, CAL 3.5 ± 0.7; 700 μm: Antroq + CAL 0.7 ± 0.2, CAL 3.8 ± 0.4; 600 μm: Antroq + CAL 0.9 ± 0.2, CAL 3.8 ± 0.9; 500 μm: Antroq + CAL 1.3 ± 0.4, CAL 3.9 ± 0.8; 400 μm: Antroq + CAL 1.5 ± 0.5, CAL 4.0 ± 1.0; 300 μm: Antroq + CAL 1.8 ± 0.6, CAL 3.5 ± 0.6; 200 μm: Antroq + CAL 2.3 ± 0.6, CAL 4.6 ± 1.1) (each, p<0.01), ^[3] and prevented inflammatory processes and matrix accumulation/fibrosis in the CAL mice. Conclusions: Our data may be useful in developing new and practical strategy for the prevention of atherosclerosis based on the pathogenesis of the disorder.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Fracture-dislocation of the hip is a rare event that usually results from high-energy injury. These patients require a systemic trauma survey to uncover concomitant injuries. Early closed reduction within 6 h is recommended to decrease the incidence of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Iatrogenic complete femoral neck fracture during closed reduction for posterior dislocation of the femoral head is a rare complication. A modified technique, the Kocher-Langenbeck approach, for open reduction of the femoral neck fracture using antegrade guide pins and retrograde cannulated screws fixation can resolute this situation in one stage. This method provides an anatomic reduction and stable fixation for this kind of injury.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

This report describes two children who presented with status epilepticus. Both patients had hyponatremia, hypochloremia, low serum osmolality, and low urine osmolality caused by voluntary drinking of excessive quantities of water or diluted formula. Seizures were controlled by the administration of benzodiazepines, antiepileptic drugs, and hypertonic saline. Educating parents regarding hazards of excessive ingestion of fluid could reduce the incidence of this preventable and life-threatening condition.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Nasotracheal intubation for airway anatomy distorted patients is often frustrating. Here, we describe a redo oral cancer patient who received awake nasotracheal intubation under flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) guidance with assistance of the Trachway ^® intubating stylet. After repeated failures of locating the epiglottis or vocal cords with the FFB, we put Trachway stylet into the oropharynx to assist identifying glottic structures. With the assistance of Trachway, glottic structures and the tip of FFB were identified, and fiberoptic intubation was achieved without complications. Therefore, this feasible application may be applied to patients with distorted airway who requires nasotracheal intubation.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Background: To investigate the role of a topoisomerase I inhibitor (topotecan) in chemoresistant ovarian cancer-initiating cells. Materials and Methods: We isolated ovarian cancer-initiating cells (CP70 side-population cells) from the CP70 cell line using FACS Aria-based sorting and cultured them in suspension to form spheroids (CP70 side-population sphere [SPS]). Gene expression was assessed by microarray, to identify potentially effective chemotherapeutic drugs. An MTS assay was used to evaluate cell growth. Results: CP70 SPS cells showed significant resistance to the chemotherapeutic drugs cisplatin and paclitaxel. Microarray analysis demonstrated a high expression of topoisomerase-related genes in CP70 SPS cells. Topotecan inhibited ovarian cancer-initiating cells (CP70 SPS) in vitro more than it did their parental CP70 cells. This result was confirmed in tissues from human patients. Conclusions: Chemoresistant ovarian cancer-initiating cells exhibited high expression levels of topoisomerase, which could be an alternative target of adjuvant therapy for patients with chemoresistant ovarian cancer.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of 2% long-acting carteolol solution with 0.5% timolol gel-forming solution added to primary treatment of 0.005% latanoprost solution in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Materials and Methods: After at least 4 weeks primary treatment with latanoprost, all patients received the combination therapy with either 2% long-acting carteolol or 0.5% timolol gel in addition to latanoprost for 8 weeks. We measured intraocular pressure (IOP) and evaluated systemic and local adverse events between Day 1 and Day 56. Results: Carteolol significantly reduced the IOP from baseline (latanoprost monotherapy) by 11.0% at Day 28 and 11.2% at Day 56. Timolol also reduced IOP by 11.5% at Day 28 and 11.0% at Day 56. There was no statistically significant difference in the IOP reduction between the two groups. There was no adverse event related to the administration of these anti-glaucoma medications during the study period. Conclusions: Both once daily carteolol and timolol medications are safe and effective treatments combined with latanoprost single therapy.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Pyomyositis is an acute infection of skeletal muscles. It can be life-threatening if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. We present a case of a 23-year-old male delayed diagnosis of pyomyositis of the iliacus muscle and gluteal minimus muscle complicated with pulmonary septic embolism and septic shock who was treated with early goal directed cardiovascular resuscitation and surgical exploration combined with parenteral antibiotics. Computed tomography is useful in making the diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment may avoid surgery and reduce mortality.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

The classical concept of estrogen receptor (ER) activation is that steroid passes the cell membrane, binds to its specific protein receptor in the cell's cytoplasm and the steroid-receptor complex travels to the nucleus where it activates responsive genes. This basic idea has been challenged by results of experiments demonstrating insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) activation of the ER in the complete absence of estrogen suggesting at least one other mechanism of ER activation not involving steroid. One explanation is that activation of the cell surface IGF-1 receptor leads to synthesis of an intracellular protein(s) able to bind to and stimulate the ER. Based on results using the two-hybrid system, coimmunoprecipitation and transfection-luciferase assays, we herein show that one of these proteins could well be receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK-1). Using the human ER type α (ER-α) as bait, a cloned complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) library from IGF-1 treated human breast cancer MCF-7 cells was screened for ER-α - protein interactions. Many positive clones were obtained which contained the RACK-1 cDNA sequence. Coimmunoprecipitation of in-vitro translation products of the ER-α and RACK-1 confirmed the interaction between the two proteins. Transfection studies using the estrogen response element spliced to a luciferase reporter gene revealed that constitutive RACK-1 expression was able to powerfully stimulate ER-α activity under estrogen-free conditions. This effect could be enhanced by 17β-estradiol (E2) and blocked by tamoxifen, an E2 antagonist. These results show that RACK-1 is able to activate the ER-α in the absence of E2, although together with the latter, enhanced effects occur. Since RACK-1 gene expression is stimulated by IGF-1, it is distinctly possible that RACK-1 is the mediator of the stimulatory effects of IGF-1 on ER-α.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]