PURPOSE: This study focused on in vitro cell differentiation and surface characteristics in a magnesium coated titanium surface implanted on using a plasma ion source. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 40 commercially made pure titanium discs were prepared to produce Ti oxide machined surface (M) and Mg-incorporated Ti oxide machined surface (MM). Surface properties were analyzed using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). On each surface, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, alizarin red S staining for mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells, and quantitative analysis of osteoblastic gene expression, were evaluated. Actin ring formation assay and gene expression analysis of TRAP and GAPDH performing RT-PCR were performed to characterize osteoclast differentiation on mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). RESULTS: MM showed similar surface morphology and surface roughness with M, but was slightly smoother after ion implantation at the micron scale. M was more hydrophobic than MM. No significant difference between surfaces on ALP activity at 7 and 14 days were observed. Real-time PCR analyses showed similar levels of mRNA expression of the osteoblast phenotype genes; osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OCN), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and collagen 1 (Col 1) in cell grown on MM at 7, 14 and 21 days. Alizarin red S staining at 21 days showed no significant difference. BMMs differentiation increased in M and MM. Actin ring formation assay and gene expression analysis of TRAP showed osteoclast differentiation to be more active on MM. CONCLUSION: Both M and MM have a good effect on osteoblastic cell differentiation, but MM may speed the bone remodeling process by activating on osteoclast differentiation.
Actins ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone Remodeling ; Cell Differentiation ; Collagen ; Gene Expression ; Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein ; Macrophages ; Magnesium* ; Mice ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Osteoblasts* ; Osteocalcin ; Osteoclasts* ; Osteopontin ; Phenotype ; Plasma ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; Surface Properties ; Titanium*

No abstract available.
Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome*

No abstract available.

Five cases of intracranial lipoma diagnosed by MR are presented. MR imaging was performed on a 0.2T permanent unit using T1 weighted, proton density-weighted, and T2 weighted spin echo sequences. In two patients, gadolinium-enhanced T1 weighted image was also obtained. The lipomas were located dorsolaterally to the splenium of the corpus callosum (n=1), inferior to the splenium (n=2), in quadrigeminal plate(n=1) and in the presumed corpus callosum area in the case of agenesis of corpus call?um (n=1). The size and shape of the lipomas were variable. No contrast enhancement was seen in post contrast study. Sagittal T1 weighted image appeared to be the most useful imaging plane for the demonstration of the relationship between the lipoma ad the adjacent normal structures. The Homogenous signal intensity paralleling the fat signal and the characteristic location of the lesion are considered to be helpful in the differential diagnosis from dermoid cyst or teratoma.
Corpus Callosum ; Dermoid Cyst ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Lipoma* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Protons ; Teratoma

Five cases of intracranial lipoma diagnosed by MR are presented. MR imaging was performed on a 0.2T permanent unit using T1 weighted, proton density-weighted, and T2 weighted spin echo sequences. In two patients, gadolinium-enhanced T1 weighted image was also obtained. The lipomas were located dorsolaterally to the splenium of the corpus callosum (n=1), inferior to the splenium (n=2), in quadrigeminal plate(n=1) and in the presumed corpus callosum area in the case of agenesis of corpus call?um (n=1). The size and shape of the lipomas were variable. No contrast enhancement was seen in post contrast study. Sagittal T1 weighted image appeared to be the most useful imaging plane for the demonstration of the relationship between the lipoma ad the adjacent normal structures. The Homogenous signal intensity paralleling the fat signal and the characteristic location of the lesion are considered to be helpful in the differential diagnosis from dermoid cyst or teratoma.
Corpus Callosum ; Dermoid Cyst ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Lipoma* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Protons ; Teratoma

No abstract available.
Rectal Neoplasms*

Bipotent progenitors for T and natural killer (NK) lymphocytes are thought to exist among early precursor thymocytes or liver lymphocytes. The identification of such a progenitor population or mature NK cells in such organs remains undefined. Here we report the identification of a novel receptor of NK cells, p58 (HLA class I-specific inhibitory receptors), in fetal thymocytes and fetal liver lymphocytes. Our finding suggests the NK cells mature in the developmental stage during feta1 ontogeny. Flow cytometric analysis revealed p58 positive cells in thymocytes or in fetal liver lymphocytes and reverse transcription PCR also showed amplification of p58 RNA. The result of single stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) showed it discriminates one or two base pair differences of the p58 gene. Although the question still remains as to whether the expression of p58 is due to the NK cells or natural T cells, it is clear the p58 is expressed in fetal thymocytes or liver lymphocytes. And SSCP analysis using appropriate sets of primers used in this study, is helpful to study the diversity of p58.
Base Pairing ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Liver* ; Lymphocytes* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA ; T-Lymphocytes ; Thymocytes*

No abstract available.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Neurons*

Fetal thymus may be the organ for NK cell maturation, but the in vivo evidences are few, Here, by analyzing NK cell receptor, we present that NK cells develop in fetal thymus and fetal liver and that NK cell receptor appears earlier than the expression CD16 or CD56. Moreover, the finding that the repertoire of NK cell receptor is different between fetal thymus and fetal liver lymphocytes suggests that the environmental factors may influence the NK cell receptor repertoire during NK cell maturation.
Killer Cells, Natural* ; Liver* ; Lymphocytes* ; Thymocytes* ; Thymus Gland

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis*