Many of early findings regarding intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and their niche in the human intestine have relied on colorectal cancer cell lines and labor-intensive and time-consuming mouse models. However, these models cannot accurately recapitulate the physiologically relevant aspects of human ISCs. In this study, we demonstrate a reliable and robust culture method for 3D expanding intestinal spheroids (InSexp ) mainly comprising ISCs and progenitors, which can be derived from 3D human intestinal organoids (HIOs). We did functional chararcterization of InSexp derived from 3D HIOs, differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells, and optimization culture methods. Our results indicate that InSexp can be rapidly expanded and easily passaged, and show enhanced growth rates via WNT pathway activation. InSexp are capable of exponential cell expansion and cryopreservation. Furthermore, in vitro-matured HIO-derived InSexp proliferate faster than immature HIO-derived InSexp with preservation of the parental HIO characteristics. These findings may facilitate the development of scalable culture systems for the long-term maintenance of human ISCs and provide an alternative platform for studying ISC biology.

Computerized Tomography is now well established and important noninvasive method of diagnosting mediastinal mass lesions because of its superior imaging of their size, location and internal composition. Authors analyzed and present CT findings of 30 surgically proven mediastinal tumors and cysts that were studied and treated at the Yeungnam University Hospital during recent 6 years. The most common tumor was thymoma (9 cases), and teratoma (6 cases), lymphoma (6 cases), bronchogenic cyst (4 cases), neurogenic tumor (4 cases), pericardial cyst (1 case) were next in order of frequency. There were 5 cases of thymoma showing homogenous solid density mass, 2 cases were malignant thymoma and myasthenia gravis was present in 2 cases. A case of thymolipoma and a case of thymic carcinoma were included. All teratomas were cystic masses but pathognomonic fat, and calcified density were seen only in 4 cases. 5 cases were located in anterior mediastinum and 1 case was in posterior mediastinum. Lymphoma (3 Hodgkin's and 3 non-Hodgkin's) appeared as irregular lobulated mass in anterior mediastinum. Neurogenic tumor (2 ganglioneuroma and 2 neurilemmoma) appeared as homogenous density mass located in posterior mediastinum. Among the 4 bronchogenic cysts, 2 were located in retrotracheal area, 1 was located in subcarinal and 1 was in parathoracic area. One case of pericardial cyst was oval shaped cystic mass located in left pericardiac border.
Bronchogenic Cyst ; Ganglioneuroma ; Lymphoma ; Mediastinal Cyst ; Mediastinum ; Methods ; Myasthenia Gravis ; Teratoma ; Thymoma

BACKGROUND: Several antibiotics can be used to treat ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB-VAP) including high-dose sulbactam. However, the effectiveness of high-dose sulbactam therapy is not well known. We report our experience with high-dose sulbactam for treatment of CRAB-VAP. METHODS: Medical records of patients with CRAB-VAP who were given high-dose sulbactam between May 2013 and June 2015 were reviewed. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients with CRAB-VAP were treated with high-dose sulbactam. The mean age was 72.0 ± 15.2 years, and the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score was 15.1 ± 5.10 at the time of CRAB-VAP diagnosis. Early clinical improvement was observed in 65.5% of patients, and 30-day mortality was 29.3%. Early clinical failure (odds ratio [OR]: 8.720, confidence interval [CI]: 1.346-56.484; p = 0.023) and APACHE II score ≥ 14 at CRAB-VAP diagnosis (OR: 10.934, CI: 1.047-114.148; p = 0.046) were associated with 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose sulbactam therapy may be effective for the treatment of CRAB-VAP. However, early clinical failure was observed in 35% of patients and was associated with poor outcome.
Acinetobacter baumannii* ; Acinetobacter* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; APACHE ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated* ; Sulbactam*

No abstract available.
Hypoglycemia*

Platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF) is known to accelerate soft tissue fracture and periodontal bone healing, but little information is available for characterizing the healing of articualr cartilage. This study was designed to demonstrate the regeneration potential of pasteurized autogeneous osteochondral graft when PDFG was applied locally in vivo. Eighteen rabbits in two groups were used in the experiment. The free osteochondral fragment(1x1x1 cm) were taken from distal femur. The fragment were pasteurized in 65degrees C for 5 minutes. In experimental group(group II), the fragment were soaked in 0.25 mg/ml of recombinant human PDGF mixed 5 ml normal saline and reimplanted to the resected site, and followed with local administration of 0.25 mg/ml PDGF to knee joint. In control group(group I), the pasteurized fragment were reimplanted in the resected site without any treatments. The histologic characteristics of the transplanted autografts for three rabbits in each group were observed at 3, 5 and 7 weeks postoperatively. The results were as follows; Group II revealed the more favorable regeneration of articular cartilage, less arthritic changes and more mature arrangement of chondrocytes than group I. Even thought the cartilage is avascular and the regeneration capacity of pasteurized cartilage is severely limited, the regeneration of grafted articular cartilage is thought to be accellerated by increased newly formed blood vessels and soft tissues due to the diffusion of PDGF on grafted cartilage, and probably also by differentiation of mesenchymal cells in the initial stage of experiment. The results of this study suggest that local administration of PDGF could be used for the treatment of posttraumatic or degenerative arthritis and various cartilage damages.
Autografts ; Blood Vessels ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Chondrocytes ; Diffusion ; Femur ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Osteoarthritis ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor* ; Rabbits* ; Regeneration* ; Transplants*

PURPOSE: Urinary incontinence (UI) has substantial and important impacts on quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this study was to identify the associated risk factors of QoL in middle-aged women with UI. METHODS: The participants were 127 women aged 40-64 years who experienced UI. Data were collected from October to November, 2008 using a self-reported questionnaires. The data were analyzed through t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe test, and multiple linear regression with SPSS ver. 16.0 program. RESULTS: The distribution of UI severity was mild 18.1%, moderate 40.2% and severe 41.7%. In univariate analysis, differences in the score for QoL according to participants' characteristics were statistically significant on the type of delivery, number of births and severity of UI. In multiple linear regression analysis after adjustment of other variables, the most powerful predictor of QoL is severity of UI. Number of births was also significant predictor. These two variables explained 25% of variance in QoL of women with UI. CONCLUSIONS: UI is highly prevalent and causes suffering and impaired QoL among middle-aged women, but it stands beyond our attention. The results of this study suggest that women with moderate to severe UI should be screened for QoL by health care providers regularly. Further research is needed to determine comprehensive factors including psychosocial factors predicting the QoL for incontinent women.
Aged ; Female ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Parturition ; Quality of Life ; Risk Factors ; Stress, Psychological ; Urinary Incontinence

Hydranencephaly is congenital absence of the cerebral hemispheres which are replaced by a large fluid-filled cavity. The brain stem and basal ganglia are well formed and rudiments of frontal k occipital cortex may be present. We experienced a case of hydranencephaly caused by both internal carotid artery stenosis. We diagnosed it through the brain CT sonogram and doppler sonogram. A brief review of the related literatures was made.
Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Brain Stem ; Carotid Artery, Internal* ; Carotid Stenosis* ; Cerebrum ; Hydranencephaly*

Diabetes is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, with atherosclerosis responsible for most associated morbidity and mortality. Atherosclerosis often causes acute thrombotic events through plaque rupture and formation of platelet-rich thrombi. The principal clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis are coronary artery disease, ischemic stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. Endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and low-grade inflammation are key features in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis ; Biomarkers ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Inflammation ; Oxidative Stress ; Peripheral Arterial Disease ; Rupture ; Stroke

No abstract available.
Lymphoma* ; Trachea*

Lupus vulgaris is most prevalent on exposed parts, especially the face but can also develop on exetremities. Lupus vulgaris originates from tuberculosis elsewhere in the body by hematogenous, lymphatic, or contiguous spread. A 19-year-old male patient came to our department. The patient had had many recurrent oozing and verrucous plaques and crusts on the left foot for one year. A skin biopsy from the lesion on the left dorsum of the foot showed scattered well defined granulomas consisting of the epithelioid cell clusters with Langerhans and foreign body type giant cells in the mid dermis. Caseation necrosis was slight. There were no bacilli on AFB staining. The multi test CMI for tuberculin was highly positive. A chest X-ray did not show any abnormal findings. The presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA was demonstrated by polymerase chain reactions (PCR) for detection of mycobacterial DNA from a routinely prepared paraffin-embedded skin specimen. Herein we report a very atypical case of lupus vulgaris confirmed by PCR.
Biopsy ; Dermis ; DNA ; Epithelioid Cells ; Foot ; Giant Cells, Foreign-Body ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Lupus Vulgaris* ; Male ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Necrosis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Skin* ; Thorax ; Transplants* ; Tuberculin ; Tuberculosis ; Young Adult