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

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

No abstract available.
Lymphoma* ; Trachea*

To evaluate the effect of low lactose special formula (MF-1) for the treatment of acute diarrhea, we studied thirty nine infants who were admitted with acute diarrhea to the Department of Pediatics, Yeungnam University Hospital. 39 infants of under 6 months of age who had been fed on formula feeds were randomly allocated to receive either a diluted regular formula milk or a low lactose special formula. Each infant received intravenous rehydration during fasting for 6-12 hou s. Group 1 (n=15) was fed half strength of regular. formula (80-100cc/kg/day) for the first 24 hours, three quarters strength formula (100-120cc/ kg/day) for the next 24 hours, and continued feeding with the full strength regular formula milk. Group 2 (n= 24), who fed the same amount of milk as Group 1, continued feeding with the full strength low lactose special formula from the start of feeding. Male to female sex ratio was 1.6 to 1. The characteristics of infants on admission were comparable in the age, the duration of diarrhea and the stool frequency before admission, the degree of dehydration. There were no significant differences in the duration of hospitalization, changes in stool weight and stool frequency after admission between two groups.(p>0.05) The Body weight and skin fold thickness were increased in group 2 who fed low lactose formula, but those who fed diluted regular formula showed reduction of body weight and skin fold thickness (64.251.48 vs -11.452.2g, 0.60.8mm vs -0.10.3mm
Body Weight ; Dehydration ; Diarrhea* ; Fasting ; Female ; Fluid Therapy ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Infant* ; Lactose* ; Male ; Milk ; Sex Ratio ; Skin

PURPOSE: We studied the attitudes of general population and medical personnels toward premature infants to establish basic data about prematurity. METHODS: Ten students from Yeungnam University College of Medicine conducted field surveys on the general population at residential and commercial districts, and on medical personnels at private local clinics and hospitals in Taegu with a prepared questionaire from July 25, 1996 to August 20, 1996. Statistical analysis was done by Chi square test using SPSS computerized program. RESULTS: The respondents who have never heard about premature babies are 4.6% of 502 total respondents. Sixty percent of the respondents acquired information about prematurity from mass media (television, newspaper, radio), and television was the most frequentl among them (60%). Because the percentage of respondents who know the correct meaning of prematurity is lower in those who acquired information from mass media than those from medical personnels or books on childcare, it was observed that information about prematurity is delivered inaccurately through mass media. Fifty percent of the respondents regard premature babies as handicapped or retarded babies, sixty-five percent of the respondents want their babies, not to be treated not because of economical burden but possibilities of residual handicap or death. CONCLUSION: Delivery accurate information about recent advances in intensive care for premature babies through mass media, i.e. television, newspaper and radio, is necessary to inform the general population and to help parents or family members of a premature baby participate in making a decision on whether to continue treatment for the baby or not.
Daegu ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Disabled Persons ; Ethics ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Critical Care ; Mass Media ; Periodicals ; Parents ; Television

No abstract available.
Epidermal Cyst*

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