Several growth factors and polypeptides are not commonly yet used for regenerators of bone tissue or alveolar bone because of the insufficiency of studies on their side effects, genetic engineering for mass production and stability for clinical application. Recently, many herbal medicines, which have advantage of less side effects and possibility of long-term use, have been studied for their capacity and effects of anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and regenerative potential of periodontal tissues. Morindae Radix, Cibotium Barometz (L.), Albizziae Cortex, Cistandhis Herba have been traditionally used as medicines for treatment of bone disease in Eastern medicine. The objective of the present study is to examine the ability of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of human fetal osteoblast (hFOB1) when several natural medicines were supplemented. hFOB1 were cultured with Dulbecuo's Modified Eagle's Medium Nutrient Mixture F-12 HAM ( DMEM/F-12 1:1 Mixture, Sigma, USA) and negative control, dexamethasone (positive control), and each natural medicines for 3 days. And then ALP activity was measured by spectrophotometer for enzyme activity and Alizarin red S staining for morphometry. Among the natural medicines of this study, Morindae Radix, Cibotium Barometz (L.) and Cistanchis Herba induced higher activity of ALP synthesis than negative controls in all experimental group. Albizziae Cortex showed mild increases than negative control group. According to measurement of positively stained area, all of the natural medicines of this study increased compared to negative control. Especially, Cibotium Barometz (L.) and Cistanchis Herba showed statistical significance compared to negative control (p<0.05). These results indicate that Morindae Radix, Cibotium Barometz (L.), Albizziae Cortex, Cistandhis Herba have an inducing ability of ALP synthesis on osteoblast.
Albizzia ; Alkaline Phosphatase* ; Bone and Bones ; Bone Diseases ; Dexamethasone ; Genetic Engineering ; Humans* ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Morinda ; Osteoblasts* ; Peptides

Based upon the concept that carcinogenesis is associated with apoptosis, specific therapies designed to enhance the susceptibility of cancer cells to undergo apoptosis could be developed. Thus, in this paper, it was designed to investigate whether, using rat animal model with chemical-induced hepatocellular carcinoma, TGF-1 in vivo could induce apoptosis in cancer. The chemical hepatocarcinogenic procedure of Solt-Farber method was used on Sprague-Dawley rats. Experimental groups were divided into group A treated with the standard Solt-Farber regimen of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 2-Acetaminofluorene (AAF), group B TGF-, group C TGF-1, and group D adriamycin after hepatocellular carcinoma developed. For detection of apoptotic cells, apoptotic indices were examined by the in situ end DNA labelling method. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen was examined by immunohistochemical staining. Apoptosis of rat hepatocellular carcinoma cells increased significantly to 4.92+/-2.32/HPF in the group C compared with the control group (A) (2.54+/-1.13/HPF; P<0.05). Two distinctly different populations of proliferating hepatocellular carcinoma cells were identified. The cells at G1/S boundary (weak granular staining) increased to 15.75+/-6.19/HPF and 6.45+/-2.93/HPF in the groups C and D, respectively, but decreased to 2.42+/-2.06/HPF in the group B compared with the control group (A) (6.38+/-2.18/HPF; p<0.05). The cells at S phase (strong granular staining) increased to 3.37+/-2.69/HPF in the group B but decreased to 0.32+/-0.47/HPF in the group D (p<0.05). In conclusion, these results indicate that the TGF-1 may be used as an effective anticancer agent.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Diethylnitrosamine ; DNA ; Doxorubicin ; Models, Animal ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; S Phase ; Transforming Growth Factor alpha ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1* ; Transforming Growth Factors*

Chronic mitral regurgitation may be well tolerated for decades because of favorable conditions like increased preload and decreased afterload. However, in some patients with underlying overt myocardial dysfunction, opertive correction of mitral regurgitation may result in persistent left ventricular dysfunction. Myocardial dysfunction in mitral regurgitation initially occurs subclinically and may becoma irreversible before symptoms of congestive heart failure develop. In order to identify latent myocardial dysfunction, we evaluated prognostic values of several indices from patient's characteristics, echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization data and contrast left ventriculogram in 49 patients with chronic mitral regurgitation who received mitral valve replacement. The patients were defined as Groups I who had improved symptoms with decreased left ventricular end-diastolic dimension after operation and Group II who had persistent symptoms and progressed left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, or not decreased until left ventricular end-diastolic dimension 60mm after operation. The results were as follows: 1) There was no significant difference in age, sex, duration of symptoms, preoperative NYHA functional status, and aortic cross clamping time during operation between Group I and Group II. 2) There was no significant difference in echocardiographic left ventricular end-diastolic dimension between group I and group II. There were significantly more dilated left ventricular end-diastolic dimension of Group II than that of Group I and significantly more depressed fractional shortening of Group II than that of Group I. There was significantly more increased end-diastolic wall stress of Group II than of Group I. 3) There was no significant difference in cardiac index, mean pulmonary artery pressure, mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and left ventricular end-diastoic pressure between Group I and Group II. 4) There were significantly more increased end-diastolic volume index and end-diastolic volum index of Group II than those of Group I, but no significant difference in ejection fraction between Group I and Group II. There was significantly more decreased ratio of end-diastolic circumferential midwall stress to end-diastolic volume index of Group II than that of Group I. 5) In Group I, end-systolic dimension, end-systolic dimension and end-systolic wall stress were decreased significantly after operation. In Group II, end-systolic dimension was decreased significantly after operation. 6) Values for combination of end-systolic left ventricular dimension greater than 28mm/m2 and end-systolic wall stress greater than 190mmHg predicted a Group II outcome with a sensitivity of 88.2%, a specificity of 93.8%, positive predictive value of 88.2% and negative predictive value of 93.8%. Values of combination of end-systolic left ventricular dimension greater than 28mm/m2 and fractional shortening less than 32% predicted a Group II outcome with a sensitivity of 88.2% a specificity of 90.6%, positive predictive value of 83.3% and negative predictive value of 93.5%, a specificity of 90.6%, positive predictive valve of 83.3% and negative predictive value of 93.5%. According to the above results, noninvasive hemodynamic variables such as end-systolic left ventricular dimension, fractional shortening and end-systolic wall stress would be useful guideline for follow-up and determining the optimal time for surgical intervention in patients with chronic mitral regurgitation.
Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Constriction ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Failure ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency* ; Mitral Valve* ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Wedge Pressure ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left

PURPOSE: Animal and clinical experiments have recently shown that TUEIP resulted in a reduction of the prostate volume and an increase of the lumen of the prostatic urethra. We assessed the clinical efficacy of TUEIP for BPH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 2001 and December 2001, 27 patients diagnosed with BPH, and had undergone surgical management, were evaluated. With endoscopic injection set, 99% alcohol was injected into the inferior portion of the bladder neck and around the verumontanum, depending on the individual endoscopic findings. Pre-operatively, immediately after removal of the Foley catheter and at 3 months post-operatively, all the patients were evaluated with uroflowmetry and PVR, with 15 patients receiving transrectal ultrasound at 3 months post-operatively. RESULTS: The pre-operative Qmax was 8.1ml/sec, which increased to 11.8ml/sec (p<0.05) after removal of the Foley catheter, and was further increased to 13.0ml/sec (p<0.05) at 3 months post-operatively. The pre-operative PVR was 14.2ml, which increased to 15.8ml and 16.5ml after removal of the Foley catheter and at 3 months post- operatively, respectively. The pre-operative prostate volume was 39.7cc, which was reduced to 25.9cc (p<0.05) at 3 months post-operatively. There was no systematic adverse effect from alcohol absorption. CONCLUSIONS: TUEIP is considered as an effective alternative treatment of symptomatic bladder outlet obstruction caused by BPH, showing a significant increase in Qmax and reduction of the prostate volume.
Absorption ; Animals ; Catheters ; Ethanol* ; Humans ; Neck ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Ultrasonography ; Urethra ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction

Myxoma is the commonest intracardiac tumor and it is well known to present in bizarre ways. Calcification of the tumor is uncommon, though probably more frequent in right than in left heart tumors. Diagnosis can be followed by surgery with satisfactory results. A 36 years old man with partially calcified right ventricular myxoma and a 51 years old man with calcified left atrial myxoma, which were revealed different echogenic densities on 2-dimensional echocardiogram and gross calcification on fluoroscopy, were treated with surgical removal. We report above two cases of calcified myxoma with literature review.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Fluoroscopy ; Heart Neoplasms ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Myxoma*

Acute necrotizing esophagitis (AEN), also called "black esophagus," is a rare disorder with an unknown pathogenesis. Endoscopic findings generally show black pigmentation throughout the esophagus. This case also offered rare views of the gross anatomy of this disorder. Histological examination revealed that the mucosal and submucosal layers of the esophagus were involved in the severe necrotizing inflammation. The chief manifestation of this disease is hematemesis from hemorrhage of the upper gastrointestinal tract with a typically multifactorial etiology. AEN is also characterized by a clear boundary at the gastroesophageal junction where the necrosis stops. In this study, we report an autopsy case of a 61-year-old man with necrotizing inflammation throughout the esophagus and esophageal necrosis from the laryngopharynx to the gastroesophageal junction. The patient was a disabled person with a history of alcohol abuse who was also diagnosed with mild coronary arteriosclerosis and fatty liver on the basis of the underlying diseases. In this case, the main etiology for poor perfusion from the distal esophageal area was likely underlying illness, history of alcoholism, and malnutrition.
Alcoholism ; Autopsy* ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Disabled Persons ; Esophagitis* ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Esophagus ; Fatty Liver ; Hematemesis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypopharynx ; Inflammation ; Malnutrition ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Perfusion ; Pigmentation ; Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

The ideal goal of periodontal therapy is the regeneration of periodontal tissue and repair of function. Although it is very difficult to attain this goal, recent advances in periodontal wound healing concepts encourage hope reaching it. Recently many efforts are concentrated on the regeneration potential of material used in traditional Korean medicine. Phlomidis Radix has been used for the treatment of blood stasis, bone fracture and osteoporosis in traditional Korean medicine. The purpose of this study is to examine effects of dichloromethane fraction Phlomidis Radix on Bone Formation in Human Fetal Osteoblasts. Human fetal osteoblastic cell line(hFOB1 1.19 ; American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA) were used and cells were cultured containing DMEM and dichloromethane fraction Phlomidis Radix(100 ng/ml, 1 microgram/ml, 10 microgram/ml) at 34degrees C with 5% CO2 in 100% humidity. MTT was performed to examine the viability of the cell, and alkaline phosphatase activity was analyzed to examnine the mineralization. Also bone calcification nodules were evaluated. The cellular activity of hFOB1 was increased in 100 ng/ml, 1 microgram/ml, 10 microgram/ml of dichloromethane fraction of Phlomidis Radix and especially significant increation was showed in 100 ng/ml of dichloromethane fraction of Phlomidis Radix at 6days (p<0.05). ALP level of hFOB1 was significantly increased in 100 ng/ml, 1 microgram/ml, 10 microgram/ml of dichloromethane fraction of Phlomidis Radix and especially more increation was showed in 10 microgram/ml of dichloromethane fraction of Phlomidis Radix (p<0.05). Calcification nodules of hFOB1 significantly increased in 10 microgram/ml of dichloromethane fraction of Phlomidis Radix at 21days of incubation (p<0.05). These results indicate that dichloromethane fraction of Phlomidis Radix has excellent effects on mineralization of hFOB1.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Fractures, Bone ; Hope ; Humans* ; Humidity ; Methylene Chloride* ; Osteoblasts* ; Osteogenesis* ; Osteoporosis ; Regeneration ; Wound Healing

Several growth factors and polypeptides are not commonly yet used for regenerators of bone tissue or alveolar bone because of the insufficiency of studies on their side effects, genetic engineering for mass production and stability for clinical application. Recently, many natural medicines, which have advantage of less side effects and possibility of long-term use, have been studied for their capacity and effects of anti-bacterial, antiinflammatory and regenerative potential of periodontal tissues. Olibanum, Myrrha, Phlomis Radix, and Cimicifugae Rhizoma have been traditionally used as a drug for treatment of bone disease in oriental medicine. The objective of this study was to examine the ability of alkaline phosphatase(ALP) synthesis of rat calvarial osteoblast(MC3T3-E1) when several natural medicines were supplemented. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured with alpha-MEM(negative control), dexamethasone(positive control), and each natural medicines for 3 and 5 days. And then ALP synthesis was measured by spectrophotometer for enzyme activity and by naphthol AS-BI staining for morphometry. All of the natural medicines induced higher activity of ALP synthesis than the negative controls. Especially Olibanum induced the higher activity than the positive controls(p<0.05). In the aspects of culturing time, except Cimicifugae Rhizoma, the natural medicines induced higher activity of ALP synthesis at 5 days than at 3 days(p<0.05). In morphometry, all of the natural medicines showed statistical significance compared to the negative control(p<0.05). Myrrha and Phlomis Radix showed larger positively stained area at 5 days than at 3 days, whereas the others did not showed the difference between at 5 and at 3 days(p<0.05). These results indicate that several natural medicines have an inducing ability of ALP synthesis in MC3T3-E1 cells.
Rats ; Animals

Many synthetic bone materials have been studied for their potential of regenerative effects in periodontal tissue. Safflower seeds have been traditionally used as a drug for the treatment of fracture and blood stasis in oriental medicines. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the osseous responses in rat calvarial defects between bone substitutes such as calcium carbonate and bovine-derived hydroxyapatite and feeding of safflower seeds. The calvarial defects were made with 8 mm trephine bur in 24 Sprague-Dawley rats. Two graft materials were implanted in each experimental groups, whereas the control and safflower seed feeding groups were sutured without any other treatment. And then the rats of safflower seed feeding group were supplied with 3 g/day of safflower seeds. Each group was sacrificed at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. To study a histopathology related to bone healing and regeneration, Goldner's Masson Trichrome stain was done at each weeks. The tissue response was evaluated under light microscope. There were more osteoblastic activity, new bone formation, dense bony connective tissues in bovine-derived hydroxyapatite group compared to other groups at 8 weeks. The osseous defect area of safflower seed feeding group was filled with prominent fibrous tissues, where less inflammatory infiltration and new capillary proliferation. In the early phase of bone healing, safflower seed feeding reduces the inflammatory response and promotes the proliferation of connective tissue. These results suggest that natural bovine-derived HA and safflower seed feeding could enhance the regenerative potential in periodontal defects.
Animals ; Bone Substitutes* ; Calcium Carbonate ; Capillaries ; Carthamus tinctorius* ; Connective Tissue ; Durapatite ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Regeneration ; Transplants

The ultimate goal of periodontal therapy is the regeneration of periodontal tissue and the repair of function. For more than a decade there have been many efforts to develop ma- terials and methods of treatment to promote periodontal tissue regeneration. Recently many efforts are concentrated on the regeneration potential of material used in traditional medicine. Safflower(Carthamus tinctorius L.) seed extract(SSE) have long clinically used in Korea to promote bone formation and prevent osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of SSE on bone formation in human osteoblastic cell line. Human fetal osteoblastic cell line(hFOB 1.19) was cultured with DMEM and SSE(1microgram/ml, 10microgram/ml, 100microgram/ml, 1mg/ml) at 34degrees C with 5% CO2 in 100% humidity. The proliferation, differentiation of the cell was evaluated by several experiments. Cell proliferation was significantly increased at 10microgram/ml, 100microgram/ml, 1mg/ml of SSE after 3 and 7 days incubation(p<0.05). Cell spreading assay was significantly increased at 100microgram/ml of SSE after 3 days and 1microgram/ml, 10microgram/ml, 100microgram/ml, 1mg/ml of SSE after 7 days(p<0.05). Alkaline Phosphatase(ALP) level was significantly increased in 10microgram/ml, 100microgram/ml of SSE(p<0.05). Collagen synthesis was significantly increased at 10microgram/ml, 100microgram/ml, 1mg/ml of SSE(p<0.05). A quantified calcium accumulation was significantly increased at 10microgram/ml, 100microgram/ml of SSE(p<0.05). ALP and osteocalcin mRNA was expressed in 100microgram/ml of SSE by RT-PCR. These results indicate that SSE are capable of increasing osteoblasts mineralization and may play an important role in bone formation.
Calcium ; Carthamus tinctorius* ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Collagen ; Humans ; Humidity ; Korea ; Medicine, Traditional ; Osteoblasts ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis* ; Osteoporosis ; Regeneration ; RNA, Messenger