A 42-year-old female patient was found to have a lesion that appeared to be ascites during a trans-abdominal ultrasound at a local healthcare center as part of a routine health check-up. She was subsequently referred to the gastroenterology department of Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital for further evaluation. Abdomino-pelvic computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a cystic lesion suspected to be a retroperitoneal lymphangioma. The patient underwent laparoscopic resection based on these findings, and a postoperative pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of cystic mesothelioma. She has been followed for 5 months after surgery without any complications or signs of recurrence. When a localized lesion resembling ascites is found in a patient without underlying conditions, it is important to include cystic tumor in the differential diagnosis. Comprehensive imaging studies like CT and MRI, along with surgical intervention and immunohistochemical analysis, are crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Although the genetic basis for bone mineral density (BMD) has been studied by many groups so far, genes responsible for this complex trait has not been completely revealed. In order to localize quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for BMD variation in Asian population, the study was designed using a group of Mongolian population, a genetically closed population with a homogeneous lifestyle. BMD was measured at the left and right wrists and ankles using DEXA in 1,082 participants from 142 families. Genotyping of 13 polymorphic microsatellitemarkers on chromosome 13 (average spacing 8-9 cM) and two-point and multipoint linkage analysis wereperformed. In two-point linkage analysis, we identified two markers, D13S175 (6.03 cM) and D13S265 (68.73cM) that had LOD scores greater than 1 for left ankle (LOD=2.09, LOD=1.49, respectively). We also found a marker D13S175 (6.03 cM) with a high LOD for left wrist (LOD=1.49) and the markers D13S265 (68.73 cM) and D13S217 (17.21 cM) for the right wrist (LOD= 1.82, LOD= 1.62, respectively). Among these significant marker regions, only two regions at 17 cM (13p11) and 65 cM (13q21) for the right wrist overlapped with major QTLs reported in following multipoint linkage analysis (LOD= 1.7549, LOD=1.4462, respectively). This study provides the possible evidence of the presence of QTLs affecting right wrist BMD in Mongolian populations on 13p11 and 13q21. Modest evidence was also found for genes affecting left ankle and left wrist BMD on 13p13.
Animals ; Ankle ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bone Density ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 13 ; Humans ; Life Style ; Lod Score ; Morphinans ; Quantitative Trait Loci ; Wrist

Purpose: Regenerative medicine is expected to offer an alternative to liver transplantation for treating liver diseases in the future, with one significant challenge being the establishment of an effective stem cell administration route. This study assessed the antifibrogenic effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in a liver fibrosis mouse model, focusing on 2 methods of delivery: intravenous injection and scaffold implantation. Methods: An extracellular matrix mimic scaffold was utilized for culturing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha–overexpressing ASCs (tASCs). These scaffolds, laden with tASCs, were then implanted subcutaneously in mice exhibiting liver fibrosis. In contrast, the Cell groups received biweekly intravenous injections of tASCs for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, tissue samples were harvested from the euthanized mice for subsequent analysis. Results: Real-time PCR and Western blot analyses on liver tissues, focusing on markers like alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), matrix metalloproteinase-2, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), showed that both delivery routes substantially lowered fibrotic and inflammatory markers compared to controls (P < 0.05), with no significant differences between the routes. Histological examinations, along with immunohistochemical analysis of α-SMA, collagen type I alpha, and TGF-β1, revealed that the scaffold implantation approach resulted in a greater reduction in fibrosis and lower immunoreactivity for fibrotic markers than intravenous delivery (P < 0.05). Conclusion These findings indicate that delivering tASCs via a scaffold could be more effective, or at least similarly effective, in treating liver fibrosis compared to intravenous delivery. Scaffold implantation could offer a beneficial alternative to frequent intravenous treatments, suggesting its potential utility in clinical applications for liver disease treatment.

Purpose: Regenerative medicine is expected to offer an alternative to liver transplantation for treating liver diseases in the future, with one significant challenge being the establishment of an effective stem cell administration route. This study assessed the antifibrogenic effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in a liver fibrosis mouse model, focusing on 2 methods of delivery: intravenous injection and scaffold implantation. Methods: An extracellular matrix mimic scaffold was utilized for culturing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha–overexpressing ASCs (tASCs). These scaffolds, laden with tASCs, were then implanted subcutaneously in mice exhibiting liver fibrosis. In contrast, the Cell groups received biweekly intravenous injections of tASCs for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, tissue samples were harvested from the euthanized mice for subsequent analysis. Results: Real-time PCR and Western blot analyses on liver tissues, focusing on markers like alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), matrix metalloproteinase-2, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), showed that both delivery routes substantially lowered fibrotic and inflammatory markers compared to controls (P < 0.05), with no significant differences between the routes. Histological examinations, along with immunohistochemical analysis of α-SMA, collagen type I alpha, and TGF-β1, revealed that the scaffold implantation approach resulted in a greater reduction in fibrosis and lower immunoreactivity for fibrotic markers than intravenous delivery (P < 0.05). Conclusion These findings indicate that delivering tASCs via a scaffold could be more effective, or at least similarly effective, in treating liver fibrosis compared to intravenous delivery. Scaffold implantation could offer a beneficial alternative to frequent intravenous treatments, suggesting its potential utility in clinical applications for liver disease treatment.

Purpose: Regenerative medicine is expected to offer an alternative to liver transplantation for treating liver diseases in the future, with one significant challenge being the establishment of an effective stem cell administration route. This study assessed the antifibrogenic effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in a liver fibrosis mouse model, focusing on 2 methods of delivery: intravenous injection and scaffold implantation. Methods: An extracellular matrix mimic scaffold was utilized for culturing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha–overexpressing ASCs (tASCs). These scaffolds, laden with tASCs, were then implanted subcutaneously in mice exhibiting liver fibrosis. In contrast, the Cell groups received biweekly intravenous injections of tASCs for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, tissue samples were harvested from the euthanized mice for subsequent analysis. Results: Real-time PCR and Western blot analyses on liver tissues, focusing on markers like alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), matrix metalloproteinase-2, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), showed that both delivery routes substantially lowered fibrotic and inflammatory markers compared to controls (P < 0.05), with no significant differences between the routes. Histological examinations, along with immunohistochemical analysis of α-SMA, collagen type I alpha, and TGF-β1, revealed that the scaffold implantation approach resulted in a greater reduction in fibrosis and lower immunoreactivity for fibrotic markers than intravenous delivery (P < 0.05). Conclusion These findings indicate that delivering tASCs via a scaffold could be more effective, or at least similarly effective, in treating liver fibrosis compared to intravenous delivery. Scaffold implantation could offer a beneficial alternative to frequent intravenous treatments, suggesting its potential utility in clinical applications for liver disease treatment.

In this article, the ethical statement was missing.

PURPOSE: Almost all liver diseases are known to be accompanied by increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), regardless of the cause of the liver disorder. However, little is known about the role of hypoxic conditioned media (HCM) in the view of pro-oxidative/antioxidative balance. METHODS: Normoxic conditioned media (NCM) and HCM were obtained after culturing adipose-derived stem cells in 20% O₂ or 1% O₂ for 24 hours, respectively. Their effects on the expression of various markers reflecting pro-oxidative/antioxidative balance were investigated in both in vitro (thioacetamide-treated AML12 cells) and in vivo (partially hepatectomized mice) models of liver injury, respectively. RESULTS: HCM treatment induced the higher expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase than did NCM in the in vitro model of liver injury. We also found that HCM increased the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (NRF2). The in vivo models of liver injury consistently validated the phenomenon of upregulated expression of antioxidant enzymes by HCM. CONCLUSION: We thus could conclude that HCM provides protection against ROS-related toxicity by increasing the expression of antioxidant enzymes, in part by releasing NRF2 in the injured liver.
Antioxidants ; Catalase ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; In Vitro Techniques ; Liver ; Liver Diseases ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Stem Cells ; Superoxide Dismutase

BACKGROUND: Secretome refers to the total set of molecules secreted or surface-shed by stem cells. The limitations of stem cell research have led numerous investigators to turn their attention to the use of secretome instead of stem cells. In this study, we intended to reinforce antifibrotic properties of the secretome released from adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) transfected with miR-214. METHODS: We generated miR-214-transfected ASCs, and extracted the secretome (miR214-secretome) from conditioned media of the transfected ASCs through a series of ultrafiltrations. Subsequently, we intravenously injected the miR-214-secretome into mice with liver fibrosis, and determined the effects of miR-214-secretome on liver fibrosis. RESULTS: Compared with that by naïve secretome, liver fibrosis was ameliorated by intravenous infusion of miR-214-secretome into mice with liver fibrosis, which was demonstrated by significantly lower expression of fibrosis-related markers (alpha-smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor-β, and metalloproteinases-2) in the livers as well as lower fibrotic scores in the special stained livers compared with naïve secretome. The infusion of miR-214-secretome also led to lesser local and systemic inflammation, higher expression of an antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase), and higher liver proliferative and synthetic function. CONCLUSION: MicroRNA-214 transfection stimulates ASCs to release the secretome with higher antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties. miR-214-secretome is thus expected to be one of the prominent ways of overcoming liver fibrosis, if further studies consistently validate its safety and efficiency.
Actins ; Animals ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Mice ; MicroRNAs ; Research Personnel ; Stem Cell Research ; Stem Cells ; Transfection