Background: The use of beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) in dental surgery is limited owing to its rapid absorp‑ tion compared to mixed formulations of hydroxyapatite. However, newly developed pure beta-TCP crystals have dem‑ onstrated slow absorption; hence, they last longer within the defect and act as a scaffold until new bone formation.The oral environment is unique and can prove unfavorable for bone grafts due to the high infection rate in the oral cavity and the fragile condition of the oral mucosa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using pure beta-TCP bone grafts in various dental treatments. Methods: Panoramic X-ray images of 25 patients who underwent bone grafting during dental surgery were analyzed.A specially treated pure beta-TCP crystal, Neo Bone ® (Neo Bone ® , SN Biologics Co., Ltd, Seoul, Korea), was used in this study. The bone density at the graft site was compared with that of the surrounding bone using the ImageJ software (Wayne Rasband, NIH USA). Results: Six months after surgery, the bone graft density was similar to that of the surrounding bone in 20 patients and increased in 5 patients. No adverse effects, such as infection, dehiscence, or graft failure, were observed. Conclusion The newly developed pure beta-TCP crystal was slowly absorbed and served as support until new bone formation at the defect site, thus demonstrating its potential for use in various oral conditions requiring bone grafting.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic strategies that can promote platelet production are in demand to enhance clinical outcomes of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Our research group has studied human tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (TMSCs) and their effectiveness in promoting bone marrow (BM) engraftment. Here, we analyzed the effects of T-MSCs on platelet production and hemostasis. METHODS: Donor BM cells (BMCs) were isolated from C57BL/6 mice and transplanted with or without T-MSCs to BALB/c recipient mice. Mice were sacrificed and blood cells were counted using an Auto Hematology Analyzer. Femur sections were stained with CD41 antibody to analyze megakaryocytes in the BM. Growth factor secretion from MSCs was analyzed using the Quantibody Array. Effects of T-MSC conditioned medium (CM) on megakaryopoiesis were investigated using the MegaCult assay. In a mouse model of BMT, T-MSC CM was injected with or without anti-placental growth factor (a-PlGF) blocking antibody, and blood cell numbers and coagulation were analyzed. RESULTS: T-MSC co-transplantation increased percent survival of BMT mice. Platelet numbers were significantly lower in the BMC-only group, whereas T-MSC co-transplantation restored circulating platelets to levels similar to those of the control group. Significantly reduced numbers of CD41 ? megakaryocytes in Bu-Cy and BMC groups were increased by T-MSC co-transplantation. PlGF secretion from T-MSCs were detected and enhanced megakaryopoiesis, platelet production, and coagulation by T-MCS CM were disrupted in the presence of the a-PlGF blocking antibody. CONCLUSION We demonstrated the effectiveness of T-MSC co-transplantation in promoting platelet production and coagulation after BMT. These findings highlight the potential therapeutic relevance of T-MSCs for preventing thrombocytopenia after BMT.

BACKGROUND: Enzymatic digestion and explant method have been widely used for isolating umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC MSCs), although there is still a strong need for robust protocols for optimal isolation for large-scale stem cell banks. This study aims to establish an explant method for clinical scale production of MSCs from human UC tissue and to characterize UC MSCs isolated and cultured with the explant method. METHODS: UC MSCs were isolated by enzymatic digestion, minimal cube explant (MCE) 1–2, MCE 2–4, and MCE 10 and cultured, respectively. Also, human antibody array and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) secretion in conditioned medium (CM) was analyzed. The cells were evaluated initial cell number, colony forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F), proliferation capacity, CD marker expression, and multi-lineage differentiation. SA-b-gal assay as well as expression of p16, p21 and p53 was performed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: MCE 2–4 is the most optimized method for isolation of small umbilical cord-derived fast proliferating cells (smumf cells) with the greatest number. MCE 2–4 had the highest secretion of various bioactive factors including bFGF.The MCE 2–4 provided significantly higher CD146 expression than enzymatic digestion, and that expression was maintained until P20. The gene expression of p16, p21, and p53 of smumf cells did not change until P10 and SA-b-gal activity did not increase until P14. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that MCE 2–4 provided an optimal environment to isolate MSCs with quantity and quality from human whole UC tissue through secretion of various bioactive factors inherent to UC.

We would like to thank the authors for their interest in our work. We are grateful for the opportunity to respond to their letter regarding the origin of Jamar dynamometers.We have been delighted to learn about the history and origins of the Jamar dynamometer and believe that this information will be of interest to clinicians and researchers who use dynamometers in clinical settings or for related research. If the authors had not informed us, we would not have known this from the literature. We thank the efforts of the pioneers for their excellent work, which made it possible to objectively evaluate grip strength, and hope that researchers continue their work regarding the accurate measurement of grip strength and its clinical significance.

Background: The soluble forms of suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (ST2) and galectin-3 have been proposed as novel biomarkers for cardiac fibrosis and heart failure, as well as predictors of cardiovascular events and mortality. However, there are limited data on the association between soluble ST2 and galectin-3 and clinical outcomes in patients with kidney failure on replacement therapy. To determine this, we examined the associations between soluble ST2 and galectin-3 and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in patients on hemodialysis. Methods: This study included maintenance hemodialysis patients (over 18 years old) who consented to preserve their serum in the Biobank at our institution between March 2014 and March 2015. We used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to evaluate the associations between soluble ST2, galectin-3 levels, and clinical outcomes. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, the secondary outcome was cardiovascular disease, and patients were followed for both outcomes until March 2018. Results: A total of 296 patients were analyzed in this study. The mean age was 57 ± 13 years, and 53.0% were male. Serum concentration of soluble ST2 was significantly associated with higher mortality, after adjustment for confounding factors, but was not associated with cardiovascular disease. Serum galectin-3 level was not independently associated with either outcome after adjustment. Conclusion Elevated soluble ST2 is independently associated with an increased risk of mortality, but not with cardiovascular disease, in patients on hemodialysis. Elevated galectin-3 was not associated with mortality or cardiovascular disease.

Background: Hand eczema refers to eczema located on the hands, regardless of its etiology or morphology. Despite its high prevalence and significant impact on patients’ quality of life, treatment is frequently challenging because of its heterogeneity, chronic and recurrent course, and lack of well-organized randomized controlled trials of the various treatment options. Objective: These consensus guidelines aim to provide evidence-based recommendations on the diagnosis and management of hand eczema to improve patient care by helping physicians make more efficient and transparent decisions. Methods: A modified Delphi method, comprising two rounds of email questionnaires with face-to-face meetings in between, was adopted for the consensus process that took place between February and September 2020. Forty experts in the field of skin allergy and contact dermatitis were invited to participate in the expert panel. Results: Consensus was reached for the domains of classification, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment; and a therapeutic ladder to manage chronic hand eczema was developed. Conclusion These are the first consensus guidelines for chronic hand eczema in the Asian population, which will help standardize care and assist clinical decision-making in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hand eczema.

Background: The soluble forms of suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (ST2) and galectin-3 have been proposed as novel biomarkers for cardiac fibrosis and heart failure, as well as predictors of cardiovascular events and mortality. However, there are limited data on the association between soluble ST2 and galectin-3 and clinical outcomes in patients with kidney failure on replacement therapy. To determine this, we examined the associations between soluble ST2 and galectin-3 and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in patients on hemodialysis. Methods: This study included maintenance hemodialysis patients (over 18 years old) who consented to preserve their serum in the Biobank at our institution between March 2014 and March 2015. We used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to evaluate the associations between soluble ST2, galectin-3 levels, and clinical outcomes. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, the secondary outcome was cardiovascular disease, and patients were followed for both outcomes until March 2018. Results: A total of 296 patients were analyzed in this study. The mean age was 57 ± 13 years, and 53.0% were male. Serum concentration of soluble ST2 was significantly associated with higher mortality, after adjustment for confounding factors, but was not associated with cardiovascular disease. Serum galectin-3 level was not independently associated with either outcome after adjustment. Conclusion Elevated soluble ST2 is independently associated with an increased risk of mortality, but not with cardiovascular disease, in patients on hemodialysis. Elevated galectin-3 was not associated with mortality or cardiovascular disease.

Background: Hand eczema refers to eczema located on the hands, regardless of its etiology or morphology. Despite its high prevalence and significant impact on patients’ quality of life, treatment is frequently challenging because of its heterogeneity, chronic and recurrent course, and lack of well-organized randomized controlled trials of the various treatment options. Objective: These consensus guidelines aim to provide evidence-based recommendations on the diagnosis and management of hand eczema to improve patient care by helping physicians make more efficient and transparent decisions. Methods: A modified Delphi method, comprising two rounds of email questionnaires with face-to-face meetings in between, was adopted for the consensus process that took place between February and September 2020. Forty experts in the field of skin allergy and contact dermatitis were invited to participate in the expert panel. Results: Consensus was reached for the domains of classification, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment; and a therapeutic ladder to manage chronic hand eczema was developed. Conclusion These are the first consensus guidelines for chronic hand eczema in the Asian population, which will help standardize care and assist clinical decision-making in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hand eczema.

68 Ga-DOTA-peptide PET/CT is a valuable tool for diagnosing neuroendocrine tumors (NET). Various tumors and normal human tissue express the somatostatin receptor (SSTR), warranting attention to positive findings on 68  Ga-DOTA-peptide PET/CT. However, overexpression of SSTR in glomus tumors has not yet been reported. Gastric glomus tumors show many similar features of NET and are often misdiagnosed. We present the case of a 61-year-old male with a glomus tumor who underwent distal gastrectomy under the pretense of an NET grade 1 because the nodule showed focal intense uptake on preoperative 68  Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT.

Background: Arthrocentesis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an easy, highly efficient, minimally invasive procedure for treating temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). However, in some cases of mouth opening limitation (MOL), routine arthrocentesis is ineffective due to severe fibrotic adhesion in the superior joint space of the TMJ. In this condition, mechanical lysis of the adhesions might be needed to resolve the MOL, as well as other symptoms, such as chronic pain. Currently, this can be achieved by arthroscopic surgery or open TMJ surgery. The objective of this study was to introduce and evaluate our trial of the adhesion lysis procedure during arthrocentesis of the TMJ using normal 18-gauge needles. Results: In this study, 40 patients with MOL due to disc derangement underwent conventional arthrocentesis at first and then physical detachment was conducted using the same needle. The change in maximum mouth opening (MMO) and the pain at the TMJ were recorded before, during, and after treatment according to our protocol. The mean increase in MMO after conventional arthrocentesis was 6.6 ± 4.2mm. The mean increase in MMO after the detachment procedure with the same needle was 4.2 ± 2.0 mm. The MMO in ten patients was significantly increased after the detachment procedure than after arthrocentesis alone. In all cases, the pain intensity in the TMJ significantly decreased over time, whereas the MMO increased over time. No adverse effect was observed in all joints during our observation periods. Conclusion We confirmed that our simple lysis procedure with the same needle of the arthrocentesis of the TMJ could not only improve the MMO more than after a conventional arthrocentesis but also resolve severe adhesion of the joint space that was ineffective by conventional arthrocentesis. Although this additional lysis procedure is simple, it might reduce the number of cases of more invasive procedures such as arthroscopic surgery or open TMJ surgery.