BACKGROUND: Exosomes, nano-sized vesicles ranging between 30 and 150 nm secreted by human cells, play a pivotal role in long-range intercellular communication and have attracted significant attention in the field of regenerative medicine. Nevertheless, their limited productivity and cost-effectiveness pose challenges for clinical applications. These issues have recently been addressed by cell-derived nanovesicles (CDNs), which are physically synthesized exosome-mimetic nanovesicles from parent cells, as a promising alternative to exosomes. CDNs exhibit structural, physical, and biological properties similar to exosomes, containing intracellular protein and genetic components encapsulated by the cell plasma membrane. These characteristics allow CDNs to be used as regenerative medicine and therapeutics on their own, or as a drug delivery system. METHODS: The paper reviews diverse methods for CDN synthesis, current analysis techniques, and presents engineering strategies to improve lesion targeting efficiency and/or therapeutic efficacy. RESULTS: CDNs, with their properties similar to those of exosomes, offer a cost-effective and highly productive alternative due to their non-living biomaterial nature, nano-size, and readiness for use, allowing them to overcome several limitations of conventional cell therapy methods. CONCLUSION Ongoing research and enhancement of CDNs engineering, along with comprehensive safety assessments and stability analysis, exhibit vast potential to advance regenerative medicine by enabling the development of efficient therapeutic interventions.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the abnormal and borderline ABIs for predicting coronary re-intervention and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Materials and Methods: Data from a previous study were obtained and used to investigate the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease among Korean patients with CAD (n=285) in 2010. All patients underwent follow-up coronary angiography as scheduled (asymptomatic: 2-, 5-, and 7-month intervals) or as clinically indicated (symptomatic). Results: In total, 33 patients had an abnormal ABI (ab-ABI: <1.0 or >1.4), and 252 had a normal ABI (nl-ABI: 1.0≤ABI≤1.4). The mean follow-up was 47 months. The mortality was significantly higher in the ab-ABI group than in the nl-ABI group (18.2% vs. 6.7%, P=0.0233). MACEs were significantly more common in the ab-ABI group (60.6% vs. 34.5%, P=0. 0036). Moreover, the ab-ABI group had a greater CAD progression than the nl-ABI group (48.5% vs. 31.3%, P=0.0496). The incidence of clinically indicated coronary re-intervention was significantly higher in the ab-ABI group than in the nl-ABI group (33.3% vs. 13.1%, P=0.0025). After adjusting for age, diabetes, dyslipidemia, dialysis, smoking, and obesity, the incidence of clinically indicated re-intervention was significantly higher in the ab-ABI group than in the nl-ABI group (HR, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.24 to 6.34). Conclusion Abnormal and borderline ABI significantly increased the incidence of clinically indicated coronary revascularization and all-cause mortality during a 4-year follow-up among patients with CAD. Hence, ABI could be used to stratify extremely high-risk patients with CAD who may require aggressive surveillance or treatment.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of changes in the horizontal plane angle on the mesiodistal width ratios of the maxillary anterior teeth during the acquisition of frontal view photographs, derive these ratios for Korean adults on the basis of the data obtained, and analyze them using the Golden Proportion as a reference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In experiment I, 30 plaster casts were mounted on an articulator and positioned on the angle-measuring device with a center setting of 0°. The device was rotated to 10° in 1° increments in a counterclockwise direction. At each angle, photographs were obtained and analyzed. Experiment II was based on 60 patients who visited the Department of Prosthodontics at Kyungpook National University Dental Hospital from February 2012 to February 2015. The patients were divided into three groups [Male (M), Female (F), Total (M + F)]. Frontal views were obtained for all groups and analyzed. RESULTS: From 1° to 10°, the relative mesiodistal width ratios for the maxillary anterior teeth showed no significant differences from those at 0°. In all three groups, the relative width ratio of the maxillary central incisor was smaller than that specified in the Golden Proportion; the opposite was true for the canine. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the mesiodistal width ratios of the maxillary anterior teeth do not follow the Golden Proportion in Korean adults, and that a change in the horizontal plane angle from 1° to 10° during frontal photography does not affect these ratios.
Adult* ; Casts, Surgical ; Dental Articulators ; Female ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Incisor ; Photography ; Prosthodontics ; Tooth

BACKGROUND: The use of automated techniques reduces the impact of human errors in blood banking and it improves the standardization and the quality of the achieved results. Erythrocyte Magnetized Technology (EMT) is now being widely used due to its simplicity and efficiency for detecting alloantibody. We evaluated the antibody screening test of the QWALYS-3 (DIAGAST, Loos Cedex, France). METHODS: The evaluation focused on antibody screening using the QWALYS-3 as compared to the standard manual tube method and the Ortho BioVue system in clinical samples (n=100) and frozen stored samples (n=64), which had RBC alloantibody. RESULTS: Using the manual tube method, the sensitivity of antibody screening was 100% by the QWALYS-3 and 42.8% by the Ortho BioVue in the clinical samples (n=7) and 2 results were discrepant by the QWALYS-3 for negative samples. For the known antibodies from the frozen stored samples (n=64) this correspondence rate amounted to 93.7% (n=60). CONCLUSION: The QWALYS-3 system displayed a good match rate with the Ortho BioVue system (92%). It also showed reliable results for the general accuracy when compared to the manual method (concordance rate: 98%). The QWALYS-3 system will facilitate the automation of routine antibody screening with high reliability, sensitivity and specificity compared to the standard manual methods.
Antibodies ; Automation ; Blood Banks ; Cephalosporins ; Erythrocytes ; Humans ; Magnets ; Mass Screening ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) can cause a broad spectrum of human illness ranging from symptom-free to hemolytic uremic syndrom (HUS). Associations between known or putative virulence factors of STEC and diseases in human were investigated. PCR analyses showed that 33 (78.6%) isolates carried an ehxA enterohemolysin gene and 6 (14.3%) isolates possessed an saa autoaggutinating adhesin gene, and 31 (73.8%) isolates carried an eae intimin gene (7 isolates with type beta, 16 with type gamma, and 3 with type epsilon). Twenty-nine (69%) isolates from patients carried eae+, ehxA+, saa- (genotype A) and 68 (86%) isolates from asymptomatic outbreaks and 4 (36%) isolates from bovine possessed eae-, ehxA+, saa+ (genotype C). Neither the bundle-forming pilus gene nor the enteropathogenic E. coli adherence factor plasmid was found. In HEp-2 cell adherence assay, isolates carrying eae gene exhibited a localized adherence phenotype, the other isolates carrying saa showed LC (loose clusters of bacteria) and IS (isolated bacteria). In conclusion, most STEC isolated from cattle feces in Gwangju, Korea showed characteristics different from those isolated from patients. But these results may be useful information for pathogenesis judgement of STEC.
Animals ; Cattle ; Diarrhea ; Disease Outbreaks ; Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli ; Escherichia coli Proteins ; Feces ; Hemolysin Proteins ; Humans ; Korea ; Lifting ; Molecular Biology ; Phenotype ; Plasmids ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli ; Virulence Factors

PURPOSE: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is very common among patients with a urological malignancy. We assessed the prevalence and patterns of use of complementary therapies among patients with bladder, prostate and renal cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May and July 2004, we conducted a survey to assess the use of CAM at 13 outpatient clinics in Korea. Seven hundred and eleven patients with bladder (269), prostate (300) or renal cancers (142) were selected to answer a self-administered questionnaire on CAM, which were then analyzed. RESULTS: Among 711 patients with urological malignancies, 279 (39.2%) had been treated with at least one type of CAM, in addition to conventional Western treatment. The cancer patients treated with radiation therapy or immunotherapy were more likely to employ CAM than those using other therapies. Age, gender, cancer type, occupations, religions, level of education and disease status (stable or progressive) were not associated with the prevalence of CAM. 44.3% of CAM users wanted to discuss CAM techniques with their doctors, but only 24.8% received an explanation of there use. CONCLUSIONS: CAM is used by a large number of patients with urological malignancies, particularly in those undergoing radiation therapy or immunotherapy. Urologists need to have an accurate knowledge and apprehension of CAM. The possible effects and side effects should be defined, with appropriate guidelines recommended for patients with a urological malignancy.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Complementary Therapies* ; Education ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Kidney Neoplasms ; Korea ; Occupations ; Prevalence ; Prostate ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: No outbreak of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) infection has occurred as a group in Korea. On July 2004, an outbreak of EHEC infection occurred in an elementary school in Gwangju metropolitan city. Epidemic investigation was undertaken to track the source of infection and the mode of transmission of EHEC. METHODS: All students and staffs of the elementary school were interviewed and completed questionnaires. We surveyed their clinical symptoms and the foods that they ate. Microbiologic examinations were also carried out on the above school-related persons and many environmental specimens. We also investigated the facilities of the school, some suppliers of food materials, and other associated institutions. All the EHEC-positive persons were isolated in 5 hospitals and tested everyday for verotoxin until they turned out to be negative twice in succession, and their family were also interviewed and tested for EHEC. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed to find out the genetic relationship between isolates. RESULTS: Of the 1,643 school-related persons, 77 persons (4.7%) were positive for EHEC. Most of them were asymptomatic. All the isolated strains were non-O157 EHEC. Serotype O91 was the most frequent serotype (68 isolates), and the isolates revealing O91 serotypes showed identical PFGE patterns. The school meal was significantly associated with this outbreak (relative risk=13.29, p=0.00). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first EHEC outbreak occurred as a group in Korea, All the isolated strains were non-O157 serotypes and the mode of transmission was most likely by school meal.
Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli* ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Korea ; Meals ; Shiga Toxins ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Four hypertensive patients with chronic renal insufficiency who were treated with sustained release verapamil hydrochloride subsequently developed acute toxic effects. All four patients developed marked bradycardia, hypotension, hyperkalemia and metabolic aciodosis and were treated with atropine, fluid therapy, potasium lowing measure, dialysis, and temporary pacemaker, and were restored to the renal function and sinus rhythm after 12-24 hr. Patients with renal impairement who are treated with sustained release verapamil may accumulate verapamil or its metabolites and develop toxic side effects. We conclude that sustained release verapamil should be used with caution in chronic renal failure and that patients should be closely monitored for adverse cardiovascular, metaboic, and hepatic side effects.
Atropine ; Bradycardia ; Dialysis ; Fluid Therapy ; Humans ; Hyperkalemia ; Hypotension ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Verapamil*

While endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is prevailing for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in modern vascular practice, PURPOSE: we conducted nationwide questionnaire survey to investigate the current status of AAA treatment and their results in Korea. METHOD: We reviewed the replies from 28 hospitals (33 departments) to the questionnaire inquiring annual number, clinical features, mode of treatment and results of AAA patients during the period from Jan. 2000 to Jul. 2004. Results: 980 AAA patients were reported including 292 ruptured AAA (29.8%) and 688 non-ruptured AAA (70.2%). For treatment of AAA, 834 (85.1%) surgical repairs (SRs) and 111 (11.3%) endovascualr aneurysm repairs (EVARs) were performed while 35 patients (3.6%) died of AAA rupture before operation. The locations of AAA were infrarenal in 889 (90.7%), juxtarenal in 62 (6.3%), and suprarenal in 29 patients (3.0%). Among 834 patients undergoing SR, 577 patients (69.2%) had non-ruptured AAAs and 257 patients (30.8%) had ruptured AAAs. Mean operative mortality rate was 4.1% after elective SRs, 30.7% after SR for ruptured AAAs, and 2.3% after EVARs. The reported brand name of stent graft devices were various including domestic custom-made in 56 (50.5%), imported brand in 18 (16.2%) while 37 (33.3%) stent grafts were not reported their brand name. The frequencies of type I and III endoleaks after EVAR were reported 5.8% and 5.8% respectively in 86 patients with an available data. CONCLUSION: SR has been used as a major treatment option in Korea for the treatment of AAA patients while EVAR is increasing. The mortality rate of SR of AAA was comparable to western multi-center trial reports but mortality or morbidity rates of EVAR were unable to know in this questionnaire survey.
Aneurysm ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal* ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Endoleak ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mortality ; Questionnaires* ; Rupture ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to understand correlation between clinical aspects and pathological findings of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and to evaluate the prognostic variables of endometrial hyperplasia. METHODS: We reviewed 500 premenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding who underwent endometrial biopsy from January 1996 to February 2003, retrospectively. Pregnant women, or women who had hematologic disease, or who used iatrogenic hormones were excluded. The age of women with AUB was mostly in the 5th decade (41.3 +/- 6.8). Body mass index (BMI) in most of women (69.6%) was between 18.6 and 24.9 (22.7 +/- 3.5). RESULTS: Among AUB menorrhagea (51.0%) was the most common bleeding pattern, and the next one was intermenstrual bleeding (38.0%). Histologic findings of endometrium were proliferative phase (34.0%), hyperplasia (26.4%), and seceretory phase (22.6%), in order of frequency. 79.0% (104 cases) of endometrial hyperplasia were simple hyperplasia, 16.0% (21 case) were complex hyperplasia, and 5.0% (7 case) were atypical hyperplasia. The associated diseases were myoma uteri, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, in order of frequency. The endometrial hyperplasia was diagnosed in 46.4% of patients whose BMI was between 27.0-29.9, in 40% of patients between 30.0-34.9 and in 100% of patients whose BMI was 35.0 or more. The endometrial hyperplasia was diagnosed in 40.6% of patients with an endometrial thickness measured 15.1 mm to 20.0 mm, in 57.1% of patients with 20.1 mm to 25.0 mm, and in 100% of patients with 25.1 mm or higher. CONCLUSION: In premenopausal woman with AUB, the endometrial hyperplasia was highly associated with women whose BMI was 27.0 or higher, or with endometrial thickness measured more than 15.0 mm. Therefore endometrial biopsy should be taken in women with AUB whose BMI is high, or endometrial thickness is thick to exclude the endometrial hyperplasia.
Biopsy ; Body Mass Index ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Endometrial Hyperplasia* ; Endometrium ; Female ; Hematologic Diseases ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Hypertension ; Metrorrhagia ; Myoma ; Pregnant Women ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterine Hemorrhage* ; Uterus