• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.128-135
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of overlaying titanium mesh (TM) with an adjunctive collagen membrane (CM) for preserving the buccal bone when used in association with immediate implant placement in dogs. Methods: Immediate implant placements were performed in the mesial sockets of the third premolars of five dogs. At one site the TM was attached to the fixture with the aid of its own stabilizers and then covered by a CM (CM group), while the contralateral site received only TM (TM group). Biopsy specimens were retrieved for histologic and histomorphometric analyses after 16 weeks. Results: All samples exhibited pronounced buccal bone resorption, and a high rate of TM exposure was noted (in three and four cases of the five samples in each of the TM and CM groups, respectively). A dense fibrous tissue with little vascularity or cellularity had infiltrated through the pores of the TM irrespective of the presence of a CM. The distances between the fixture platform and the first bone-implant contact and the bone crest did not differ significantly between the TM and CM groups. Conclusions: Our study suggests that the additional use of a CM over TM does not offer added benefit for mucosal healing and buccal bone preservation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3555-3559
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• 2014

Background: The triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive cancer characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Preoperative mammography and ultrasound features of TNBC may potentially suggest characteristics of the disease and assist in treatment decisions. Materials and Methods: The study covered 153 patients with TNBC from May 2011 to May 2012 who were confirmed by postoperative pathology results in our hospital. We compared the radiological findings among the patients and sought to determine the significant iconographic features. The biomarkers p53 and Ki-67 are regarded as significant factors in TNBC. They were therefore used to divide the TNBC into four groups for assessment of relationships with TNBC imaging features. Results: On mammography, most TNBCs exhibit obscure (44.3%) masses. On ultrasound, the majority of masses (95.4%) were predominantly indistinct (50.7%), irregular (76.0%) or featuring posterior echo enhancement/shadowing. Color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) emphasized hypervascular (32.9%) masses. Differences in CDFI by ultrasound among the four groups were statistically significant (p=0.009). There were obvious differences in the percentages of spiculated margin (p=0.049) and intensive posterior echo (p=0.006) with spotty flow imaging by ultrasound between the Ki-67 (+) p53 (+) and other groups. Conclusions: A combination of mammography and ultrasound revealed the imaging characteristics of TNBC included an obscure mass with less attenuated posterior echoes and some vascularity. A worse prognosis was associated with spiculated margin and intensive posterior echoes with spotty flow imaging.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.855-860
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• 2014

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between different sonographic features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) on high-frequency ultrasound and cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM). Materials and Methods: We enrolled 548 patients who underwent initial surgery for PTC between May 2011 and December 2012 in our hospital at diagnosis. The sonographic features of 513 PTC nodules in 513 eligible patients, who had single PTC nodules in their thyroid glands, were retrospectively investigated. All patients with a suspect malignant nodule (d<0.5cm) among multiple nodules were initially diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) to ascertain if the suspect nodule was PTC. The final diagnosis of all the thyroid nodules and existence of CLNM were based on postoperative pathology. Patients were divided into two groups: a positive group with CLNM (224 nodules) and a negative group without CLNM (289 nodules). The following factors were investigated: gender, age, echogenicity, echotexture, size, shape, location, margin, contour, calcification morphology, distance between the nodule and pre- or post-border of the thyroid capsule, vascularity and the differences between the two groups. Results: Correlation analysis showed that shorter distances between the nodule and pre- or postborder of thyroid capsule resulted in greater risk of CLNM (Spearman correlation coefficient=-0.22, p<0.0001). The significant factors in multivariate analysis were age<45yrs, larger size (d>1cm), "wider than tall" shape, extrathyroid extension and mixed flow (internal and peripheral) (p<0.05, OR=0.406, 2.093, 0.461, 1.610, 1.322). Conclusions: Significant sonographic features of PTC nodules in preoperative high-frequency ultrasound are crucial for predicting CLNM.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2010

The seed powder of Abrus precatorius L. has traditionally been used as oral contraceptive agent by the women in some rural areas in Bangladesh. The present study aimed to examine the antifertility activity of A. precatorius seed extracts in experimental female rats. Finely ground seeds were extracted with aqueous acetone followed by successive partitioning with n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), methanol (MeOH) and water. Water suspended crude seed powder, organic fractions of acetone extract and a standard contraceptive drug ($Nordette^{(R)}28$) were separately administered orally to the female rats for 30 days. n-Hexane, EtOAc and MeOH solubles at the doses of 2, 4 and 6 mg/rat/day, respectively and crude seed powder at 100 mg/rat/day exhibited 100% antifertility activity with lowest levels of serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and $17{\beta}$-estradiol. Histological study of ovary and uterus of these rats exhibited reduced number of developing follicles and increased number of atretic follicles in the ovary, and fewer uterine glands with shrunken morphology, reduced endometrial height, poor vascularity and compact stroma in uterus. However, the activities of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase and the body weight of the rats remained almost unaffected in all the seed extract treated rats compared to control. These results suggest that A. precatorius seed extracts reduced the levels of serum FSH, LH and $17{\beta}$-estradiol probably by affecting hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The reduced levels of these hormones might have affected the oestrous cycle, follicular development, and subsequently the establishment of pregnancy in treated rats.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2009

Purpose: Excessive scarring in the forms of keloid and hypertrophic scar could be a consquence of the accumulation of granulation tissue cells due to aberrant control of apoptosis. Verapamil retard extracelluar matrix production and inhibits VEGF production in primary cultured keloid fibroblast. The object of this study was effect of verapamil on VEGF expression and apoptosis in early wound scarring of the rabbit ear. Methods: Full thickness wounds were created on the ventral side of 6 New Zealand rabbits's ear. 16 days after initial wounding verapamil and saline were injected each scars and scars were harvested 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks later. The wounds were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, TUNEL stain, immunohistochemical stain for VEGF and calculated scar elevation index. Results: Histologic analaysis demonstrated significant reduction in inflammation, vascularity and improvement in dermal collagen organization in experimental group. In TUNEL staining apotosis positive cells were increased and immunohistochemial staining of VEGF demonstrated significant reduction of VEGF expression in experimental group. No significant difference was noted in scar elevation index between two groups. Conclusion: This study suggest that intralesional injection of verapamil on early wound scarring of the rabbit ear decreased VEGF production and increased apoptosis and have a benefit on the pathophysiology of scar formation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.365-370
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• 2020

The ability to directly harvest thin and superthin perforator flaps without jeopardizing their vascularity depends on knowledge of the microsurgical vascular anatomy of each perforator within the subcutaneous tissue up to the dermis. In this paper, we report our experience with ultrahigh-frequency ultrasound (UHF-US) in the preoperative planning of thin and superthin flaps. Between May 2017 and September 2018, perforators of seven patients were preoperatively evaluated by both ultrasound (using an 18-MHz linear probe) and UHF-US (using 48- and 70-MHz linear probes). Thin flaps (two cases) and superthin flaps (five cases) were elevated for the reconstruction of head and neck oncologic defects and lower limb traumatic defects. The mean flap size was 6.5×15 cm (range, 5×8 to 7.5×23 cm). No complications occurred, and all flaps survived completely. In all cases, we found 100% agreement between the preoperative UHF-US results and the intraoperative findings. The final reconstructive outcomes were considered satisfactory by both the surgeon and the patients. In conclusion, UHF-US was found to be very useful in the preoperative planning of thin and superthin free flaps, as it allows precise anticipation of very superficial microvascular anatomy. UHF-US may represent the next frontier in thin, superthin, and pure skin perforator flap design.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.291-292
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• 2001

We report a case of malignant pericardial effusion originated from adenocarcinoma of the lung incidentally diagnosed by bone scintigraphy, prior to echocardiographic detection. A 76 year-old man with adenocarcinoma of the lung underwent Tc-99m MDP bone scintigraphy to evaluate skeletal metastasis. Anterior images of the chest of the bone scintigraphy unexpectedly showed diffuse increased activity in the region of the heart surrounded by an oval-shaped band of increased activity corresponding to the periphery of the cardiac silhouette (Fig. 1). There was no evidence of bony metastasis. Pericardial effusion was confirmed by echocardiography (Fig. 2) and malignant cells were revealed by subsequent microscopic examination of the pericardial fluid. Bone scintigraphy using Tc-99m phosphate compounds is commonly used to detect bony metastasis in cancer patients. Tc-99m phosphate compounds occasionally accumulate in extra-osseous sites, including $pleural^{1,2)},\;pericardial^{3,4)},\;and\;ascitic\;fluids^{5,6)}$. It has been reported that their accumulation in serous effusions should strongly suggest $malignancy^{1-6)}$. The exact mechanism for accumulation of Tc-99m phosphate compounds in serous effusions is unclear. Several investigators have proposed that the radiopharmaceuticals exuded directly from peripheral vessels to the serous cavity due to increased vascularity and vascular permeability, and bleeding by disruption of blood vessels due to cancerous $infiltration^{5,6)}$.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2004

Lower extremity injuries are frequently accompanied with large soft-tissue defects. Such Injuries are difficult to manage for its poor vascularity, rigid tissue distensibility, easy infectability and a relatively long healing period. Also, osteomyelitis, and/or non-union of the fractured bones are relatively common in lower extremity injuries and its weight-bearing role should be considered. Therefore, it is important to select appropriate reconstruction method of the lower extremities, which is applicable to a variety of surgical techniques according to these considerations. The goal of flap coverage in the lower extremity should not only be satisfactory wound coverage, but also acceptable appearance and minimal donor site morbidity. In this article, we have tried to establish a reconstruction method in the lower extremity based on our experiences and clinical analysis of soft tissue reconstruction using free muscle flap transfer in 27 cases from Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2002. The results showed 96% flap survival, and flap failure noted in one of the cases due to vascular insufficiency. In conclusion, we believe that in cases of lower extremity soft-tissue defects especially with open comminuted fractures and infections, muscle free flaps should be considered as the first line of treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.350-356
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• 1994

Purpose : Hepatic arterial perfusion scintigraphy with Tc-99m-macroggregated albumin (HAPS) study was carried out in 16 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and in six patients without liver tumor to evaluate HAPS findings of hepatocellular carcinoma and usefullness of HAPS. Materials and Methods : HAPS with planar and SPECT study were performed in 22 patients after conventional hepatic or celiac arteriography. For HAPS study, 4-5 mCi of MAA mixed with 2ml of saline was injected into proper hepatic artery or its distal branches at the rate of approximately 1ml/sec. We analysed 21 HCCs over 2cm in diameter(average diameter; 6.4cm) and 17 of 21 HCCs were over 4cm in diameter(Table 1). CT, sonography and angiography were performed within two week in all 16 patients and liver scan was performed in 12 patients. Results : Three different pattern of tumor perfusion were observed in 16 patients with HCC (Table 2). 1) diffuse increased perfusion in 16 of 21(76%)(Fig. 1) 2) increased peripheral perfusion in 4 of 21(19%) (Fig. 2) 3) diffuse decreased perfusion in 1 of 21 (5%) Arteriovenous shunt indicated by lung uptake of MAA were observed in 9 of 16(56%)(Fig. 4). In contrast, angiography demonstrates arteriovenous shunt in 2 of 16(13%). There was no accumulation of radioactivity on RBC-blood pool scan in all six patients with HCC examined (Fig. 1). Conclusion : HAPS is useful study in evaluation of perfusion pattern or vascularity of HCC and in detection of arteriovenous shunt.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 2016

Purpose: Soft tissue defects in the lumbosacral area can be challenging to treat, and various methods to accomplish this have been proposed, including the use of perforator flaps. Herein, we present our experience with superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) and inferior gluteal artery perforator (IGAP) flaps for the reconstruction of lumbosacral defects. Materials and Methods: From March 2013 to July 2016, 28 cases (27 patients) of lumbosacral defects were treated by reconstruction with SGAP or IGAP flaps. The defects were caused by pressure sores (21 cases), burns (3 cases), tumor resection (2 cases), scars (1 case), or foreign body infection (1 case). Reliable perforators around the defect were found using Doppler ultrasound. The perforator flaps were elevated with a pulsatile perforator and rotated to cover the defects. Results: Twenty-three SGAP and 5 IGAP flap reconstructions were performed. The mean flap size was $9.2{\times}6.1cm^2$ (range, $5{\times}3cm^2$ to $16{\times}10cm^2$). Donor sites were closed by primary closure. Partial flap necrosis occurred in two cases, and minor complications of wound dehiscence occurred in 3 cases, which were healed by primary closure. The mean follow-up period was 4.4 months (range, 1~24 months). Conclusion: Gluteal-based perforator flaps can be safely harvested due to pliability and reliable vascularity in the gluteal area, reducing donor site morbidity without sacrificing the underlying muscles. Thus, these flaps are useful options for the reconstruction of lumbosacral defects.