Arthroscopic all-inside repair techniques of lateral meniscus anterior horn tear: a technical note

Although the conventional outside-in technique is especially useful for repairing tears in the anterior portion of the meniscus, it has a disadvantage of making an additional 1–2 cm sized skin incision and tying knots subcutaneously over the capsule. Therefore we devised two all-inside repair techniques of lateral meniscus anterior horn tear according to the site of meniscal tear, meniscosynovial junction or red–red zone. Because these techniques are modified methods of the outside-in meniscal repair using a spinal needle, they are as simple as conventional outside-in technique. In addition they have advantages of vertical mattress suture, which is an important characteristic of the all-inside repair, and no additional incision. We recommend these techniques as an alternative method for repairing an anterior horn tear of the lateral meniscus.     

Changes of nitric oxide synthase activity and free methylarginines contents in regenerating rat liver after partial hepatectomy

In the present study, liver regeneration rate (%) was increased up to 70% 3 days after partial hepatectomy (PH). Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in liver tissue as well as serum nitrite/nitrate content had no timed response, revealing no significant difference between shamoperated and partially hepatectomized rat liver. Contents of free methylarginines in liver tissue were increased biphasically in a time-dependent manner after PH. However, those in serum did not exhibit the same patterns as in liver. Taken together, the results suggest that N^G-monomethyl-L-arginine (MMA) and N^G, N^G-dimethylarginine (DMA) play a role in inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in regenerating rat liver because the increase of their contents was synchronized with NOS expression.     

Imaging of chest wall disorders.

Pathologic processes that may involve the chest wall include congenital and developmental anomalies, inflammatory and infectious diseases, and soft-tissue and bone tumors. Many of these processes have characteristic radiologic appearances that allow definitive diagnosis. Sternal deformities can be visualized at radiography and their severity quantified with computed tomography (CT). In cervical rib, CT with multiplanar reconstruction may demonstrate relevant anatomic detail and the relationship between bone deformity and arterial compression. In Poland syndrome, radiography reveals an area of hyperlucency on the affected side, whereas CT demonstrates the absence of the greater pectoral muscle and clearly depicts associated musculoskeletal anomalies. Tuberculosis typically manifests at radiography and CT as osseous and cartilaginous destruction and soft-tissue masses with calcification and rim enhancement. Aspergillosis involving the chest wall manifests as pulmonary consolidations and permeative osteolytic changes of the rib and spine at CT and as an area of increased signal intensity at T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Neurogenic tumors and hemangiomas also typically have high signal intensity at T2-weighted MR imaging. Apparent mass extension or unequivocal bone destruction seen at CT or MR imaging may indicate chest wall involvement by lymphoma. Radiologically, soft-tissue sarcomas typically appear as areas of soft-tissue density or attenuation, often associated with necrotic areas of low density or attenuation. At radiography, plasmacytoma typically manifests as well-defined, "punched-out" lytic lesions with associated extrapleural soft-tissue masses. Chondrosarcoma frequently appears as a large, lobulated excrescent mass arising from a rib with scattered flocculent calcifications characteristic of its cartilaginous mix. Familiarity with these radiologic features facilitates accurate diagnosis and optimal patient treatment.     

Inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitors fromMelia azedarach var.Japonica

In bioassay-guided search for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitory compounds from higher plants of South Korea, two beta-carboline alkaloids, 4-methoxy-1-vinyl-beta-carboline (1) and 4,8-dimethoxy-l-vinyl-beta-carboline (2) have been isolated from the cortex of Melia azedarach var. japonica. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Compounds 1 and 2 showed marked inhibitory activity of iNOS on LPS- and interferon-gamma-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.     

Evaluation of the Public Health Emergency Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Daegu,Korea During the First Half of 2020

ObjectivesThis study evaluated the response in Daegu, Korea to the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic according to a public health emergency response model.MethodsAfter an examination of the official data reported by the city of Daegu and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as a literature review and advisory meetings, we chose a response model. Daegu’s responses were organized into 4 phases and evaluated by applying the response model.ResultsIn phase 1, efforts were made to block further transmission of the virus through preemptive testing of a religious group. In phase 2, efforts were concentrated on responding to mass infections in high-risk facilities. Phase 3 involved a transition from a high-intensity social distancing campaign to a citizen participation–based quarantine system. The evaluation using the response model revealed insufficient systematic preparation for a medical surge. In addition, an incorporated health-related management system and protection measures for responders were absent. Nevertheless, the city encouraged the participation of private hospitals and developed a severity classification system. Citizens also played active roles in the pandemic response by practicing social distancing.ConclusionsThis study employed the response model to evaluate the early response in Daegu to the COVID-19 pandemic and revealed areas in need of improvement or maintenance. Based on the study results, creation of a systematic model is necessary to prepare for and respond to future public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.     

Genetic alterations of Wnt signaling pathway-associated genes in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background and Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Recently, abnormal activation of the Wnt pathway has been found to be involved in the carcinogenesis of HCC. However, the relationship between genetic changes in the Wnt pathway–associated genes and its protein expression has not been studied in patients with HCC and cirrhotic nodules. The purpose of this study is to explore the contribution of inappropriate activation of the Wnt pathway in liver carcinogenesis. Methods: Somatic mutation in exons 3–5 of AXIN1 and exon 3 of β‐catenin were analyzed by direct sequencing and expression of axin and β‐catenin proteins by immunohistochemistry in a series of 36 patients with HCC and cirrhosis. Results: The AXIN1 and β‐catenin gene mutations were observed in 25% (9/36) and 2.8% (1/36) of HCCs, respectively. All mutations detected in AXIN1 and β‐catenin genes were missense point mutations. Abnormal nuclear expression of β‐catenin was observed in 11 of 36 cases of HCCs (30.6%), but not in cirrhotic nodules. Reduced or absent expression of axin was seen in 24 of 36 HCCs (66.7%). The abnormal expression of β‐catenin and axin proteins was closely correlated with mutations of AXIN1 and β‐catenin (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.008, respectively). Conclusions: These data suggest that mutation of AXIN1 gene is a frequent and late event for HCC associated with cirrhosis, and is correlated significantly with abnormal expression of axin and β‐catenin. Therefore, activation of Wnt signaling through AXIN1 rather than β‐catenin mutation might play an important role in liver carcinogenesis.     

91例胃粘膜EB病毒感染的检测

ＥＢ病毒是一种肿瘤病毒，与人类鼻咽癌、淋巴瘤关系密切。近年来ＥＢ病毒相关性胃癌在国外已有报道。本文通过胃镜活检，对９１例胃粘膜行ＰＣＲ方法检测ＥＢ病毒感染。一、材料与方法：９１例患者均为我院１９９６年３月～６月门诊及住院胃镜检查者。男５８例，女３３例...