Human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) are used in tissue repair and regeneration; however, the mechanisms involved are not well understood. We investigated the hair growth-promoting effects of hUCB-MSCs treatment to determine whether hUCB-MSCs enhance the promotion of hair growth. Furthermore, we attempted to identify the factors responsible for hair growth. The effects of hUCB-MSCs on hair growth were investigated in vivo, and hUCB-MSCs advanced anagen onset and hair follicle neogeneration. We found that hUCB-MSCs co-culture increased the viability and up-regulated hair induction-related proteins of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) in vitro. A growth factor antibody array revealed that secretory factors from hUCB-MSCs are related to hair growth. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were increased in co-culture medium. Finally, we found that IGFBP-1, through the co-localization of an IGF-1 and IGFBP-1, had positive effects on cell viability; VEGF secretion; expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), CD133, and β-catenin; and formation of hDPCs 3D spheroids. Taken together, these data suggest that hUCB-MSCs promote hair growth via a paracrine mechanism.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Alopecia ; Cell Survival ; Coculture Techniques ; Fetal Blood* ; Hair Follicle ; Hair* ; Humans* ; In Vitro Techniques ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins* ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Regeneration ; Stem Cells* ; Umbilical Cord* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

The necessity of routine prostate biopsy prior to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in elderly comorbid patients with a high prostate specific antigen (PSA) level remains controversial. We assessed the role of TURP in prostate cancer diagnosis in these individuals. A total of 197 patients underwent TURP in conjunction with prostatic needle biopsy. Pathologic reviews of specimens of TUR chips and biopsy cores were analyzed. Overall, prostate cancer (CaP) was detected in 114 patients (57.6%). Ninety-eight cancers (86%) were detected with TURP and biopsy, and seven cancers (6.1%) with only TURP. The Gleason score of a TUR-specimen was identical to that of the biopsy-core in 43.9% of cases. Variables associated with diagnostic accuracy in the TUR-specimens included the prebiopsy PSA level, prostate specific antigen density (PSAD), and the Gleason score in biopsy cores. In patients with a PSA level and a PSAD that was greater than 15.4 ng/mL and 0.69 ng/mL/g, respectively, 100% of the cancers were detected in the TUR-specimens. Our results suggest that a prostatic biopsy might be omitted prior to TURP in elderly patients with significant co-morbidity and levels for PSA of >15.4 ng/mL.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Area Under Curve ; Biopsy, Needle ; Comorbidity ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Grading ; Prostate/*surgery ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/*blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/epidemiology/*pathology/surgery ; ROC Curve ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate

Recently, it was reported that fenestration of the lamina terminalis (LT) may reduce the incidence of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The authors investigated the efficacy of the LT opening on the incidence of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus in the ruptured anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms. The data of 71-ruptured ACoA aneurysm patients who underwent aneurysmal clipping in acute stage were reviewed retrospectively. Group I (n=36) included the patients with microsurgical fenestration of LT during surgery, Group II (n=35) consisted of patients in whom fenestration of LT was not feasible. The rate of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus was compared between two groups by logistic regression to control for confounding factors. Ventriculo-peritoneal shunts were performed after aneurysmal obliteration in 18 patients (25.4%). The conversion rates from acute hydrocephalus on admission to chronic hydrocephalus in each group were 29.6% (Group I) and 58.8% (Group II), respectively. However, there was no significant correlation between the microsurgical fenestration and the rate of occurrence of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus (p>0.05). Surgeons should carefully decide the concomitant use of LT fenestration during surgery for the ruptured ACoA aneurysms because of the microsurgical fenestration of LT can play a negative role in reducing the incidence of chronic hydrocephalus.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus/etiology/*prevention & control ; Hypothalamus/surgery ; Intracranial Aneurysm/complications/*surgery ; Male ; Microsurgery/*methods ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/etiology/*surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt/*methods

OBJECTIVE: Neurosurgeons occasionally advocated intraoperative ventriculostomy to prevent traumatic brain retraction because of severe brain swelling in an acute stage of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) surgery. The authors investigated the impact of the intraoperative ventriculostomy on the occurrence of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus in acute SAH. METHODS: The data of 141 ruptured aneurysm patients who underwent aneurysmal neck clipping in an acute stage were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into three groups according to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage amount via intraoperative ventriculostomy. Group 1 (n=44) included the patients who were not performed the intraoperative ventriculostomy, Group 2 (n=34) consisted of patients who were drained the CSF less than 40 cc (< 40 cc) via intraoperative ventriculostomy, and Group 3 (n=63) drained the CSF more than 40 cc (> or = 40 cc). By using statistical methods, the authors analyzed the influences of various variables including Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher grade, Glasgow coma scale, Glasgow outcome scale, presence of acute hydrocephalus and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) at admission on the occurrence of hydrocephalus. And also, we analyzed the relationships among the cisternal drainage, lamina terminalis fenestration, and the shunt-dependent hydrocephalus. RESULTS: Concerning the amount of CSF drainage via intraoperative ventriculostomy, the incidence of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus did not show any difference in three groups (p=0.146). Presence of the acute hydrocephalus, lamina terminalis fenestration, and cisternal drainage did not exert any influence on the incidence of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus, respectively (p=0.124, p=0.168, p=0.452). However, the incidence of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus in patients who had IVH at admission was significantly higher than in who did not have (p=0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Routine intraoperative ventriculostomy dose not increase the incidence of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus. Moreover, it obtains an adequate intraoperative brain relaxation, which results in the decrease of the brain retraction injury and the operation time.
Aneurysm* ; Aneurysm, Ruptured ; Brain ; Brain Edema ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Drainage ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus* ; Hypothalamus ; Incidence ; Neck ; Relaxation ; Retrospective Studies ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage* ; Ventriculostomy*

OBJECTIVES: Recently, it was reported that microsurgical fenestration of the lamina terminalis (LT) may reduce the incidence of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus in aneurysmal SAH. The authors investigated the efficacy of the LT opening on the incidence of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus especially in the ruptured anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms. METHODS: The data of 71 ruptured ACoA aneurysm patients who underwent aneurysmal clipping in acute stage were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to the use of intraoperative microsurgical opening of the LT. Group I (n=36) included the patients with microsurgical fenestration of LT during routine pterional approach, Group II (n=35) consisted of patients in whom microsurgical fenestration of LT was not feasible. The rate of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus was compared between two groups by logistic regression to control for confounding factor. RESULTS: Ventriculo-peritoneal shunts were performed after aneurysmal obliteration in 18 (25.4%) patients. Overall conversion rates from acute hydrocephalus on admission to chronic hydrocephalus in each group were 29.6% (Group I) and 58.8% (Group II), respectively. There was no significant correlation between the microsurgical fenestration and the rate of occurrence of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Although this study cannot provide a definitive answer, the microsurgical fenestration of LT can play a negative role for reducing the incidence of chronic hydrocephalus. Surgeons should carefully decide the concomitant use of LT fenestration during surgery for the ruptured ACoA aneurysms.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus* ; Hypothalamus* ; Incidence ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Logistic Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage* ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

During endoscopy, most endoscopists insert endoscopes into the esophagus without visual aid in order to minimize the discomfort to patients. However, studies have shown that visual guided insertion imposes little discomfort, is safe and can increase the diagnostic rate of abnormal pathology of the throat. As for the treatment of hypopharyngeal lesions, cases of endoscopic treatment are rare and any guidelines have not been clearly defined yet. However, endoscopic treatment may be feasible in selected cases. Several procedures, such as endoscopic mucosal resection with cap (EMR-C) and saline injection polypectomy can be applied. We experienced seven patients who had benign hypopharyngeal masses that were removed endoscopically without serious complications. Compared to surgical treatment, endoscopic removal of the benign hypopharyngeal tumors does not require general anesthesia; it is simple, less invasive and less costly. Therefore, endoscopy should be regarded as a treatment option. However, further studies are required before widespread application of endoscopic removal for the definitive treatment of hypopharyngeal masses, including malignancies.
Anesthesia, General ; Audiovisual Aids ; Endoscopes ; Endoscopy ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Pathology ; Pharynx

PURPOSE: Firstly, to analyze factors in terms of radiation treatment that might potentially cause subfrontal relapse in two patients who had been treated by craniospinal irradiation (CSI) for medulloblastoma. Secondly, to explore an effective salvage treatment for these relapses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two patients who had high-risk disease (T3bM1, T3bM3) were treated with combined chemoradiotherapy. CT-simulation based radiation-treatment planning (RTP) was performed. One patient who experienced relapse at 16 months after CSI was treated with salvage surgery followed by a 30.6 Gy IMRT (intensity modulated radiotherapy). The other patient whose tumor relapsed at 12 months after CSI was treated by surgery alone for the recurrence. To investigate factors that might potentially cause subfrontal relapse, we evaluated thoroughly the charts and treatment planning process including portal films, and tried to find out a method to give help for placing blocks appropriately between subfrotal-cribrifrom plate region and both eyes. To salvage subfrontal relapse in a patient, re-irradiation was planned after subtotal tumor removal. We have decided to treat this patient with IMRT because of the proximity of critical normal tissues and large burden of re-irradiation. With seven beam directions, the prescribed mean dose to PTV was 30.6 Gy (1.8 Gy fraction) and the doses to the optic nerves and eyes were limited to 25 Gy and 10 Gy, respectively. RESULTS: Review of radiotherapy portals clearly indicated that the subfrontal-cribriform plate region was excluded from the therapy beam by eye blocks in both cases, resulting in cold spot within the target volume. When the whole brain was rendered in 3-D after organ drawing in each slice, it was easier to judge appropriateness of the blocks in port film. IMRT planning showed excellent dose distributions (Mean doses to PTV, right and left optic nerves, right and left eyes: 31.1 Gy, 14.7 Gy, 13.9 Gy, 6.9 Gy, and 5.5 Gy, respectively. Maximum dose to PTV: 36 Gy). The patient who received IMRT is still alive with no evidence of recurrence and any neurologic complications for 1 year. CONCLUSION: To prevent recurrence of medulloblastoma in subfrontal-cribriform plate region, we need to pay close attention to the placement of eye blocks during the treatment. Once subfrontal recurrence has happened, IMRT may be a good choice for re-irradiation as a salvage treatment to maximize the differences of dose distributions between the normal tissues and target volume.
Brain ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Craniospinal Irradiation ; Humans ; Medulloblastoma* ; Optic Nerve ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence*

OBJECTIVE: The nucleoplasty ablates, coagulates and decompresses the nucleus pulposus by way of high-density plasma field rather than by way of high thermal energy. The authors intended to describe the effects, indications and technical details of nucleoplasty. METHODS: From August 2001 to January 2002, the authors performed nucleoplasty for 40 consecutive patients (45 levels) and evaluated the short-term(mean 3 months) result after the procedure according to Macnab criteria. Exclusion criteria were same for the other percutaneous procedures, significant or ruptured, sequestered disc material, spinal stenosis, spinal instability, etc. Intraoperative discogram was prerequisite for determination of the precise causative level. Average operation time was 40 minutes, and patients discharged on the next day after the procedure. RESULTS: Male was outnumbered female by 21 to 19 and age was ranged from 20 to 67 years old(mean: 42.9). Procedures were performed at single level in 35 cases and at two levels in 5 cases. The L4-5 level was the most commonly involved. According to Macnab's outcome criteria, excellent and good outcome was achieved in 35 patients(87.5%), and fair and poor outcome was in 3(7.5%) and 2(5%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Nucleoplasty by using coblation method in patients with lumbar disc herniation shows immediate relief of leg and back pain in 87.5% of the patients during the short span of follow-up. However, data collection with respect to the lengthening of population number and follow-up span, and refinement of strict inclusion/exclusion criteria are prerequisite in near future.
Back Pain ; Data Collection ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leg ; Male ; Plasma ; Spinal Stenosis

A rare case of intraventricular germinoma in the third ventricle, which occurred 30 months after total removal of mature teratoma on the same location in a 29- yr-old man is presented. Recurrence is supposed to represent an acceleration of localized dysplastic processes of totipotent germ cells present in the midline neuraxis or a growth of unidentified microscopic residue of germinoma component in mature teratoma. Although the radiation therapy after total removal of mature teratoma is still controversial, careful follow-up is warranted for evaluating a possible recurrence of other germ cell tumors.
Adult ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms/classification/pathology/*radiography/surgery ; Germinoma/classification/pathology/*radiography/surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neoplasms, Second Primary/classification/pathology/*radiography/surgery ; Teratoma/complications/*surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

OBJECTIVE: The authors report the various factors which correlated with the intraoperative rupture during aneurysm surgery. METHODS: Retrospective study was done in patients who had been perfomed aneurysmal neck clipping by same surgeon from January 1998 to May 2000. A total of 121 patients were operated by using the microsurgical technique of aneurysmal neck clipping and intraoperative ruptures occurred during dissection in 19 cases and aneurysmal neck clipping in 12 cases. In this study, the incidence of intraoperative rupture was 25.6%. We analyzed the followings: preoperative neurologic status(Hunt-Hess grade), preoperative hemorrhage volume on computed tomography(Fisher grade), timing of operation, aneurysm location, aneurysm size, aneurysm direction, shape of the aneurysmal neck, prescence of atherosclerotic plaque around aneurysmal neck and parent vessel and Glasgow outcome scale score. RESULTS: Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher grade, timing of operation, aneurysm location, aneurysm size and direction of the aneurysm had not associated with intraoperative rupture. However, the incidence of intraoperative aneurysmal rupture during surgery was higher in patients whose anterior communicating artery aneurysm was directed inferiorly and aneurysmal neck was broad. The GOS score and the prescence of atherosclerotic plaque around the aneurysmal neck and parent vessel also correlated with the intraopertive rupture but more closely influenced by neck clipping than dissection. CONCLUSION: Surgeons should keep in mind the use of careful microsurgical sharp dissection especially in cases of inferiorly directed anterior communicating artery, broad-neck aneurysm and presence of atherosclerotic plaque around aneurysmal neck and parent vessels.
Aneurysm* ; Arteries ; Glasgow Outcome Scale ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Neck ; Parents ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture* ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage*