Epiphora is a symptom in which tears overflow onto the face, with its most common cause being the obstruction of the nasolacrimal system. As a cause of nasolacrimal system obstruction, nasolacrimal duct tumors are very rare. Angioleiomyoma, which is a benign tumor, arises from vascular smooth muscle, occurs in the nasolacrimal duct, and is extremely rare. With the development of endoscopic intranasal approach for the treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction, there is increased importance for the consideration of otorhinolaryngological evaluation and treatment as well as dacryocystorhinostomy by conventional external approach. In this article, we introduce a case in which angioleiomyoma in the nasolacrimal duct was detected by nasal endoscopy and was successfully treated with endoscopic surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the CT findings of histologically confirmed endobrnchial tuberculosis(EBTB) and to access their diagnostic value by comparing with the bronchoscopic findings. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We evaluated retrospectively the CT findings of 25 patients(male : female=5 : 20) with EBTB, and classified them into 3 types by their characteristic features, which are compared with the brochoscopic findings. The 3 types of CT features were as follows ; type 1 : central mass-like lesion with coarse calcific spots associated with atelectasis, type 2: caseous pneumonia with air-bronchogram associated with atelecatasis, type 3 : irregularly distorted and narrowed bronchovascular changes. RESULTS: Comparing the characteristic CT findings with the bronchoscopic findings, they were as follows ; type 1 showed completely occluded lumen by caseous or scar-like tissue with severely swollenmucosa, type 2 showed very thick tenacious mucous plug with anthracotic pigmentation of mucosa, type 3 showed chronic inflammatory change of mucosa with severely deviated or septated bronchial lumen by out-growing caseousgranulation tissue. A tracheal tuberculosis without parenchymal lesion was noted and the bronchoscopy showed caseous materials along the tracheal lumen to the carinal level. CONCLUSION: The characteristic CT findings ofthe bronchial wall and the changes of the adjacent tissues are related to the tracheobronchial tuberculous involvement. CT is useful for diagnosis of the endobronchial tuberculosis.
Adult* ; Bronchoscopy ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; Pigmentation ; Pneumonia ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

The homing properties of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs) have stimulated intravenous applications for their use in stem cell therapy. However, the soluble factors and corresponding cellular receptors responsible for inducing chemotaxis of AdMSCs have not yet been reported. In the present study, the migration capacity of human AdMSCs (hAdMSCs) toward various cytokines or growth factors (GFs) and the expression of their receptors were determined. In a conventional migration assay, PDGF-AB, TGF-beta1, and TNF-alpha showed the most effective chemoattractant activity. When AdMSCs were preincubated with various chemokines or GF, and then allowed to migrate toward medium containing 10% FBS, those preincubated with TNF-alpha showed the highest migratory activity. Next, hAdMSCs were either preincubated or not with TNF-alpha, and allowed to migrate in response to various GFs or chemokines. Prestimulation with TNF-alpha increased the migration activity of hAdMSCs compared to unstimulated hAdMSCs. When analyzed by FACS and RT-PCR methods, hAdMSCs were found to express C-C chemokine receptor type 1 (CCR1), CCR7, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), CXCR5, CXCR6, EGF receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1, TGF-beta receptor 2, TNF receptor superfamily member 1A, PDGF receptor A and PDGF receptor B at both the protein and the mRNA levels. These results indicate that the migration capacity of hAdMSCs is controlled by various GFs and chemokines. Prior in vitro modulation of the homing capacity of hAdMSCs could stimulate their movement into injured sites in vivo when administered intravenously, thereby improving their therapeutic potential.
Adipose Tissue/*cytology ; Cell Movement/drug effects ; Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects ; Humans ; *Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology/drug effects/*metabolism ; Receptors, Chemokine/genetics/*metabolism ; Receptors, Growth Factor/genetics/*metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology

The homing properties of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs) have stimulated intravenous applications for their use in stem cell therapy. However, the soluble factors and corresponding cellular receptors responsible for inducing chemotaxis of AdMSCs have not yet been reported. In the present study, the migration capacity of human AdMSCs (hAdMSCs) toward various cytokines or growth factors (GFs) and the expression of their receptors were determined. In a conventional migration assay, PDGF-AB, TGF-beta1, and TNF-alpha showed the most effective chemoattractant activity. When AdMSCs were preincubated with various chemokines or GF, and then allowed to migrate toward medium containing 10% FBS, those preincubated with TNF-alpha showed the highest migratory activity. Next, hAdMSCs were either preincubated or not with TNF-alpha, and allowed to migrate in response to various GFs or chemokines. Prestimulation with TNF-alpha increased the migration activity of hAdMSCs compared to unstimulated hAdMSCs. When analyzed by FACS and RT-PCR methods, hAdMSCs were found to express C-C chemokine receptor type 1 (CCR1), CCR7, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), CXCR5, CXCR6, EGF receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1, TGF-beta receptor 2, TNF receptor superfamily member 1A, PDGF receptor A and PDGF receptor B at both the protein and the mRNA levels. These results indicate that the migration capacity of hAdMSCs is controlled by various GFs and chemokines. Prior in vitro modulation of the homing capacity of hAdMSCs could stimulate their movement into injured sites in vivo when administered intravenously, thereby improving their therapeutic potential.
Adipose Tissue/*cytology ; Cell Movement/drug effects ; Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects ; Humans ; *Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology/drug effects/*metabolism ; Receptors, Chemokine/genetics/*metabolism ; Receptors, Growth Factor/genetics/*metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology

PURPOSE: Erectile dysfunction (ED) remains a major complication from cavernous nerve injury during radical prostatectomy. Recently, stem cell treatment for ED has been widely reported. This study was conducted to investigate the availability, differentiation into functional cells, and potential of human muscle-derived stem cells (hMDSCs) and human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) for ED treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared the neural differentiation of hMDSCs and hADSCs. Human muscle and adipose tissues were digested with collagenase, followed by filtering and centrifugation. For neural induction, isolated hMDSCs and hADSCs were incubated in neurobasal media containing forskolin, laminin, basic-fibroblast growth factor, and epidermal growth factor for 5 days. Following neural induction, hMDSCs and hADSCs were differentiated into neural cells, including neurons and glia, in vitro. RESULTS: In neural differentiated hMDSCs (d-hMDSCs) and differentiated hADSCs (d-hADSCs), neural stem cell marker (nestin) showed a significant decrease by immunocytochemistry, and neuronal marker (beta-tubulin III) and glial marker (GFAP) showed a significant increase, compared with primary hMDSCs and hADSCs. Real-time chain reaction analysis and Western blotting demonstrated significantly elevated levels of mRNA and protein of beta-tubulin III and GFAP in d-hADSCs compared with d-hMDSCs. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that hMDSCs and hADSCs can be induced to undergo phenotypic and molecular changes consistent with neurons. The neural differentiation capacity of hADSCs was better than that of hMDSCs.
Adipose Tissue ; Blotting, Western ; Caves ; Cell Differentiation ; Centrifugation ; Collagenases ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Forskolin ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Laminin ; Male ; Muscles ; Neural Stem Cells ; Neuroglia ; Neurons ; Prostatectomy ; RNA, Messenger ; Stem Cells ; Tubulin

“Saber-sheath” trachea is a deformity of lower cervical or intrathoracic trachea. The configuration of the deformity is marked coronal narrowing associated with sagittal widening. This deformity is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We report a case of patient with saber-sheath who underwent total laryngectomy. Although the patient had no tracheal collapse after the total laryngectomy, crusted discharge was increased. Diagnosis of the saber-sheath trachea, possible causes, and clinical implications are discussed.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Laryngectomy ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Trachea

Human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell (hATMSC) have emerged as a potentially powerful tool for bone repair, but an appropriate evaluation system has not been established. The purpose of this study was to establish a preclinical assessment system to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cell therapies in a nude rat bone defect model. Segmental defects (5 mm) were created in the femoral diaphyses and transplanted with cell media (control), hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate scaffolds (HA/TCP, Group I), hATMSCs (Group II), or three cell-loading density of hATMSC-loaded HA/TCP (Group III-V). Healing response was evaluated by serial radiography, micro-computed tomography and histology at 16 weeks. To address safety-concerns, we conducted a GLP-compliant toxicity study. Scanning electron microscopy studies showed that hATMSCs filled the pores/surfaces of scaffolds in a cell-loading density-dependent manner. We detected significant increases in bone formation in the hATMSC-loaded HA/TCP groups compared with other groups. The amount of new bone formation increased with increases in loaded cell number. In a toxicity study, no significant hATMSC-related changes were found in body weights, clinical signs, hematological/biochemical values, organ weights, or histopathological findings. In conclusion, hATMSCs loaded on HA/TCP enhance the repair of bone defects and was found to be safe under our preclinical efficacy/safety hybrid assessment system.
Adipose Tissue/*cytology ; Animals ; Biocompatible Materials/therapeutic use ; Bone Diseases/pathology/radiography/*therapy ; Bone Regeneration/physiology ; Calcium Phosphates/therapeutic use ; Diaphyses/radiography/surgery/ultrastructure ; Disease Models, Animal ; Durapatite/therapeutic use ; Femur/*pathology/radiography/surgery ; Humans ; Male ; *Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/*cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Nude ; Tissue Engineering ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Transplantation, Heterologous

PURPOSE: This study compared the response evaluation using the WHO (World Health Organization) criteria for patients with breast cancer with that of the RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumor) criteria in order to determine the significance of the RECIST criteria in breast cancer. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2005, 42 patients with measurable lesions radiologically receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for a breast carcinoma were enrolled in this study. The results were compared using a kappa test as a concordance measure between the two response criteria. RESULTS: With the WHO criteria, the overall response and progression rate were 35.7% (CR 0, PR 15) and 16.6% (PD 7) respectively. On the other hand, the overall response and progression rate using the RECIST criteria were 38.0% (CR 0, PR 16) and 7% (PD 3) respectively. The kappa value as a concordance measure between two response criteria was 0.718. CONCLUSION: The RECIST criteria are comparable to the WHO criteria in evaluating the response of breast cancer patients who have undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A comparison of these results with other studies of more common tumor types supports the implementation of RECIST as the standard criteria for evaluating the treatment response but also for monitoring progression.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Drug Therapy* ; Hand ; Humans ; World Health Organization

We established age- and gender-specific reference ranges for the 36 routine complete blood cell (CBC) and 57 cell population data (CPD) items in the Sysmex XN-2000 (Sysmex, Japan). In total, 280 peripheral blood samples were obtained from an equal number of healthy adults. Values for 36 routine items and 57 CPD items were obtained for each sample, and the results were categorized into six subgroups (N>39 in each subgroup) according to patient age (20-40, 41-60, and >60 yr) and gender (male and female), and compared with respect to age and gender differences. The majority of data items (22 of 36 routine CBC items and 44 of 57 CPD items) exhibited significant differences (P< or =0.05) in their results with respect to age or gender, and several red cell-, lymphocyte-, and platelet-related data tended to decrease in women or older adults. These results provide a basis for establishing age- and gender-specific reference ranges for routine and CPD items in Sysmex XN-2000. Furthermore, these reference ranges could be used to determine clinical significance for new items of Sysmex XN-2000 in further studies.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Automation ; Blood Cell Count/*methods/standards ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reference Values ; Sex Factors

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are attractive candidates for clinical repair or regeneration of damaged tissues. Oct4 and Sox2, which are essential transcription factors for pluripotency and self-renewal, are naturally expressed in MSCs at low levels in early passages, and their levels gradually decrease as the passage number increases. Therefore, to improve MSC proliferation and stemness, we introduced human Oct4 and Sox2 for conferring higher expansion and differentiation capabilities. The Oct4-IRES-Sox2 vector was transfected into human adipose tissue MSCs (ATMSCs) by liposomal transfection and used directly. Oct4 and Sox2 were successfully transfected into ATMSCs, and we confirmed maintenance of MSC surface markers without alterations in both red fluorescent protein (RFP) (control) and Oct4/Sox2-ATMSCs. Enhanced proliferative activity of Oct4/Sox2-ATMSCs was shown by WST-1 assay, and this result was further confirmed by cell counting using trypan blue exclusion for a long period. In addition, FACs cell cycle analysis showed that there was a reduction in the fraction of Oct4/Sox2-ATMSCs in G1 with a concomitant increase in the fraction of cells in S, compared with RFP-ATMSCs. Increased levels of cyclin D1 were also seen in Oct4/Sox2-ATMSCs, indicating acceleration in the transition of cells from G1 to S phase. Furthermore, Oct4/Sox2-overexpressing ATMSCs showed higher differentiation abilities for adipocytes or osteoblasts than controls. The markers of adipogenic or osteogenic differentiation were also upregulated by Oct4/Sox2 overexpression. The improvement in cell proliferation and differentiation using Oct4/Sox2 expression in ATMSCs may be a useful method for expanding the population and increasing the stemness of ATMSCs.
Adipose Tissue/cytology ; *Cell Differentiation ; *Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells/cytology/*metabolism/physiology ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3/genetics/*metabolism ; SOXB1 Transcription Factors/genetics/*metabolism