Dermal wound healing is a complex process that involved inflammation leading to re-epithelialization, granulation tissue, and tissue remodeling. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that polysaccharides isolated from fungus, Phellinus gilvus (PG) have various anti-inflammatory activities. In present study, we have assessed the effect of polysaccharides from PG on the dermal wound healing of polysaccharides from PG in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Six of 6-mm circular wounds were created with biopsy punch on the 4th day after induction of diabetes. After 24 hours, each test substance was applied to the wound twice a day for next 5 days. Circular wounds treated with PG showed significantly reduced wound contraction and complete reepithelialization, as compared to wounds of non-treated (p < 0.05). These results show that polysaccharides isolated from PG enhanced wound repair in diabetic impaired healing, and could be developed as a wound healing agent in such clinical settings.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology ; Basidiomycota/*metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/*pathology ; Histocytochemistry ; Male ; Polysaccharides/isolation&purification/*pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin/*injuries ; Streptozocin ; Wound Healing/*drug effects ; Wounds, Penetrating/*drug therapy

No abstract available.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Drug Therapy ; Neoadjuvant Therapy

No abstract available.
Child* ; Glomerulonephritis* ; Humans

Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most frequent and troublesome complications of diabetes. Although there has been a continuous increase in the incidence of diabetic neuropathy, treatments have yet to be found that effectively treat diabetic neuropathy. Neurotrophic factors are proteins that promote the survival of specific neuronal populations. They also play key roles in the regeneration of peripheral nervous system. Recent evidence from diabetic animal models and human diabetic subjects suggest that reduced availability of neurotrophic factors may contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy. One way to reverse this effect is to take advantage of the finding that bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) promote peripheral nerve repair and the functioning of neurotrophic factors. Therefore, we speculated that treatment with BM-MSCs could be a viable therapeutic strategy for diabetic neuropathy. The present study was designed to examine the possible beneficial effect of BM-MSCs on functions of neurotrophic factors in diabetic neuropathy. To assess this possibility, we used an in vivo streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy mouse model. Quantitative real-time polymerase-chain reacion showed that BM-MSCs significantly increase expression levels of neurotrophic factors. Also, BM-MSCs ameliorated nerve conduction velocity in streptozotocin-treated mice. These results may help to elucidate the mechanism by which BM-MSCs function as a cell therapy agent in diabetic neuropathy.
Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; Incidence ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Neural Conduction ; Neurons ; Nitro Compounds ; Peripheral Nerves ; Peripheral Nervous System ; Proteins ; Regeneration ; Tissue Therapy

No abstract available.
Humans ; Hysterectomy*

BACKGROUND: Both atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia may progress to gastric dysplasia. This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing progression of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia to dysplasia. METHODS: People diagnosed with atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia for the first time received a follow-up endoscopy and were investigated for the cumulative incidence rate of gastric dysplasia by age, gender, smoking habit, alcohol intake, rice consumption and family history of stomach cancer. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence rate increased with age, consuming > or =3 bowls of rice per day and family history of stomach cancer. Multivariate analysis showed that the cumulative incidence rate of gastric dysplasia increased in subjects >61 years (RR=2.54, P=0.014), in those consuming > or =3 bowls of rice per day (RR=1.46, P=0.021) and in those with a family history of stomach cancer (RR=1.31, P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: More active management, such as intensive endoscopic follow-up examinations, lifestyle change and education regarding gastric dysplasia, are required in those older than 61 years, having a higher intake of grain or with a family history of stomach cancer.
Edible Grain ; Endoscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; Humans ; Incidence ; Life Style ; Metaplasia ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms

We retrospectively analyzed 40 adrenalectomies due to 13 cases of primary aldosteronism, 12 cases of Cushing's syndrome and 15 cases of pheochromocytoma, which were performed at Chungnam National University Hospital during the last 10 years. Of the 25 patients who presented with adrenal cortical tumors(primary aldosteronism and Cushing's syndrome), 23 had an adenoma and two had cortical hyperplasia. The overall ratio of males to females was 2:1. As to the age distribution, primary aldosteronism was predominant in the 4th and the 5th decades and Cushing's syndrome; in the 3rd and the 4th decades; however, pheochromocytoma was almost evenly distributed in 2nd through the 6th decades. Headaches, fatigue, and general weakness were the most frequent symptoms in primary aldosteronism; weight gain or a change in fat distribution in Cushing's syndrome; and headaches or blurred vision related to hypertension and palpitation in pheochromocytoma. Postoperative complications mostly occurred in patients with Cushing's syndrome: There were four wound infections, including one abdominal abscess, one pleurisy, one cerebral and cerebellar infaction, and two intestinal obstructions, but there were no postoperative deaths.
Abdominal Abscess ; Adenoma ; Adrenalectomy ; Age Distribution ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Cushing Syndrome ; Fatigue ; Female ; Headache ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Hyperplasia ; Hypertension ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Male ; Pheochromocytoma ; Pleurisy ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Weight Gain ; Wound Infection

We retrospectively analyzed 40 adrenalectomies due to 13 cases of primary aldosteronism, 12 cases of Cushing's syndrome and 15 cases of pheochromocytoma, which were performed at Chungnam National University Hospital during the last 10 years. Of the 25 patients who presented with adrenal cortical tumors(primary aldosteronism and Cushing's syndrome), 23 had an adenoma and two had cortical hyperplasia. The overall ratio of males to females was 2:1. As to the age distribution, primary aldosteronism was predominant in the 4th and the 5th decades and Cushing's syndrome; in the 3rd and the 4th decades; however, pheochromocytoma was almost evenly distributed in 2nd through the 6th decades. Headaches, fatigue, and general weakness were the most frequent symptoms in primary aldosteronism; weight gain or a change in fat distribution in Cushing's syndrome; and headaches or blurred vision related to hypertension and palpitation in pheochromocytoma. Postoperative complications mostly occurred in patients with Cushing's syndrome: There were four wound infections, including one abdominal abscess, one pleurisy, one cerebral and cerebellar infaction, and two intestinal obstructions, but there were no postoperative deaths.
Abdominal Abscess ; Adenoma ; Adrenalectomy ; Age Distribution ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Cushing Syndrome ; Fatigue ; Female ; Headache ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Hyperplasia ; Hypertension ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Male ; Pheochromocytoma ; Pleurisy ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Weight Gain ; Wound Infection

BACKGROUND: We prospectively compared the response to blind and ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection of corticosteroids for treatment of shoulder stiffness. METHODS: A total of 77 patients with shoulder stiffness between April 2008 and March 2012 were recruited. Patients were randomized to receive either a blind (group 1, n=39) or ultrasound-guided (group 2, n=38) glenohumeral injection of 40 mg triamcinolone. The clinical outcomes and shoulder range of motion (ROM) before injection, at 3, 6, and 12 months after injection and at the last follow-up were assessed. The same rehabilitation program was applied in both groups during the follow-up period. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in demographic data on age, sex, ROM, and symptom duration before injection between groups (p>0.05). There were no significant differences in ROM including forward flexion, external rotation at the side, external rotation at 90o abduction, and internal rotation, visual analogue scale for pain and functional outcomes including American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Simple Shoulder test between the two groups at any time point (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the current data, the result of ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection was not superior to that of blind injection in the treatment of shoulder stiffness. We suggest that ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection could be performed according to the patient's compliance and the surgeon's preference. Once familiar with the non-imaging-guided glenohumeral injection, it is an efficient and reliable method for the experienced surgeon. Ultrasound could be performed according to the surgeon's preference.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones* ; Compliance ; Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation ; Shoulder Joint* ; Shoulder* ; Triamcinolone ; Ultrasonography*

Heterotopic pregnancy is the coexistency of intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancy. The incidence of heterotopic pregnancy is about 1 to 30,000 pregnancy in a natural cycle. However, the frequency of heterotopic pregnancy has steadily increased because of rising incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease, pelvic surgery and the development of ovulation induction and assisted reproduction. Because heterotopic pregnancy is difficult to diagnose and it has high morbidity and mortality rate, one should always take this into consideration and should conduct careful and thorough gynecologic evaluation. We have experienced a case of heterotopic pregnancy in a 29-year old woman who presented with acute abdominal pain in a natural cycle and report this case with a brief review of literature.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Ovulation Induction ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Heterotopic* ; Reproduction