Nicotine is one of the major components of cigarette smoking which causes various systemic and local diseases to human body. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of nicotine on bone mineralization in human fetal osteoblasts cell line(hFOB1). To compare the alkaline ph-osphatase(ALP) synthesis, hFOB1 were cultured with DMEM/F-12 1:1 Mixture and 100 pg/ml, 1 ng/ml, 10 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml, 1 microgram/ml, 10 microgram/ml, 100 microgram/ml of nicotine. And to compare the calcium accumulation, hFOB1 cultured for 23 days were quantified and photographed. ALP activity of hFOB1 exposed to nicotine was not significantly changed at a lower concentrations of nicotine, but was significantly decreased at a higher concentrations (10 microgram/ml, 100 microgram/ml) of nicotine (p<0.05). A quantified calcium acculation in hFOB1 was significantly decreased at 1, 10, and 100microgram/ml of nicotine (p<0.05). Significantly decreased calcium deposition was observed at 1, 10, and 100microgram/ml of nicotine. These results indicate that a higher concentration of nicotine show a negative effects on mineralization of hFOB1.
Calcification, Physiologic ; Calcium ; Human Body ; Humans* ; Nicotine* ; Osteoblasts* ; Smoking

In order to observe the development of ventricular arrhythmia during regional myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, especially under the presence or absence of ST-T electrical alternans on epicardial EKG. The proximal left descending coronary artery(LAD) was ligated for 20 minutes and then reperfused suddenly in twenty-three cats. Standard lead EKG(Lead??, chest lead EKG and epicardial lead EKG were recorded simultaneously during the occlusion and reperfusion respectively. During the ligation of LAD, STEA was observed in thirteen cats(56.5%). In occlusion period, the incidence of ventricular tachycardia in STEA positive group was significantly higher than in the negative group(p<0.01) and arrhythmic score was significantly higher(p<0.005) also In the reperfusion period the incidence of vefntricular fibrillation in STEA positive group was significantly higher than in the negative group(p<0.025). But there was the tendency to be higher in arrhythmic score of STEA positive group. There were no differences in heart rate, systolic left ventricular pressure, ST elevation and ST width in both groups. Most forms of ST-T of sinus rhythm before and after development of ventricular premature beat was low form(L). It was concluded that at the presence of STEA on EKG, the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia was more prevalent. So, STEA can be available as a marker of ventricular arrhythmia and prognostic factor.
Animals ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac* ; Cardiac Complexes, Premature ; Cats ; Electrocardiography* ; Heart Rate ; Incidence ; Ligation ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Reperfusion ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Thorax ; Ventricular Pressure

PURPOSE: Anteromedial surface of the leg is susceptible to trauma, which frequently induces soft tissue defect. When the size of a soft tissue defect is small to moderate, a local muscle flap is an easy and reliable alternative to a free flap. The authors performed medial hemisoleus flaps for reconstruction of soft tissue defects on the anteromedial surface of legs. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and effectiveness of the medial hemisoleus flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients underwent the medial hemisoleus flap for reconstruction of a soft tissue defect on the anteromedial surface of the leg from February 2009 to December 2013. There were eight males and four females with a mean age of 47.8 years (15 to 69 years). The mean size of defects was 4.7x4.2 cm (2x2 to 9x6 cm). Flap survival and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 39.6 months (7 to 64 months) and all flaps survived. There were two cases of negligible necrosis of distal margin of the flap, which were healed after debridement. All patients were capable of full weight bearing ambulation at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: The medial hemisoleus flap is a simple, reliable procedure for treatment of a small to moderate sized soft tissue defect on the anteromedial surface of the leg.
Debridement ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Leg* ; Male ; Necrosis ; Postoperative Complications ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Walking ; Weight-Bearing

Benign cystic mesothelioma (BCM) is a rare mesothelial lesion that forms multicystic masses in the upper abdomen, pelvis and retroperitoneum. Although it is categorized as a benign lesion, it has a tendency to recur. It is uncertain whether the nature of this lesion is reactive or neoplastic, but many articles support the conclusion that it is reactive rather than neoplastic. The majority of cases were associated with a history of a previous abdominal or pelvic operation, or an evidence of endometriosis or a pelvic inflammatory disease, or a combination of these findings. In a 26-year-old woman we experienced a case of BCM which was incidentally discovered at cesarean delivery revealing multilocular thin and translucent walled cysts in the pelvic cavity. Microscopic examination revealed a thin cyst wall that was composed of fibrous connective tissue and lined by internal stratified and external nonstratified single cuboidal epithelia.
Abdomen ; Adult ; Connective Tissue ; Endometriosis ; Female ; Humans ; Mesothelioma, Cystic* ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; Pelvis

Elastofibroma is a rare benign tumor-like condition manifesting as firm and spherical mass with poorly circumscribed margins of fibroelastic tissue, occuring in the subscapular region or the chest wall of elderly persons. It is not a true neoplasm but rather a reactive or degenerative process causing abnormal elastogenesis. It is unilateral in the majority of cases and the right side is affected more commonly than the left. We report a case of bilateral elastofibromas removed from both subscapular regions of a 73-year-old female farmer. She was presented with tender masses on the bilateral subscapular areas for seven years. Microscopically, it consisted of a mixture of intertwining broad eosinophilic collagen bundles and elastic fibers associated with a few fibroblasts and mature fat cells. The elastic fibers had a degenerated beaded appearance or were fragmented into serrated globules in a linear arrangement.
Adipocytes ; Aged ; Collagen ; Elastic Tissue ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Thoracic Wall

The most common cause of blurred vision after extracapsular cataract extraction is known to be an opacification of the posterior lens capsule. The pathogenesis of posterior lens capsule opacification is primarily caused by residual lens epithelial cells. For the prevention of posterior capsular opacification, several kinds of anti-mitotic drugs is being actively investigated. But the antimitotic drugs are not clinically used due to toxicity towards the intraocular tissues. The objectives of this study is to evaluate the effect of mitomycin C and tirilazad mesylate(FREEDOX(TM)) respectively for inhibiting the proliferation of rabbit lens epithelial cells when it is administered in a short period. Lens epithelial cells from white rabbits were harvested andcultured for 4 passages. Mitomycin C was applied for 3 minutes with 0.025mg/ml and 0.05mg/ml in concentration respectively. The proliferation assay was performed by [(3)H]-thymidine uptake test. Significant decrease of lens epithelial cell proliferation appeared in both drugs.When Mitomycin-C was applied with 0.025mg/ml for 3 minutes, cell proliferation was reduced to 31.5% compared with control and in 0.05mg/ml concentration, to 12.5%. When tirilazad mesylate was applied 0.15mg/ml for 3 minutes, cell proliferation was reduced to 46.5% compared with control and in 1.5mg/ml concentration, to 7.5%. If futher investigation would show the effectives and safety of these drugs, these agents could be applied into the lens capsular bad at the time of surgery to prevent the posterior capsular opacification after cataract surgery.
Antimetabolites* ; Antimitotic Agents ; Capsule Opacification ; Cataract ; Cataract Extraction ; Cell Proliferation ; Epithelial Cells* ; Mesylates ; Mitomycin ; Rabbits

Transurethral resection (TUR) is the gold standard treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancers. Recurrence occurs in approximately half of the patients with bladder cancer after initial TUR. Most recurrent bladder cancers present as polypoid masses with intraluminal growth originating from the mucosa. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no report on imaging findings of recurrent bladder cancers located within the subepithelial and intramural layers. Recurrent cancers within the intramural layer are difficult to detect with cystoscopy; they are also difficult to remove surgically. Imaging studies reveal the most important indicators for diagnosing subepithelial recurrent cancers. Here, we present a rare case of a recurrent bladder cancer within the subepithelial layer detected on imaging.

Transurethral resection (TUR) is the gold standard treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancers. Recurrence occurs in approximately half of the patients with bladder cancer after initial TUR. Most recurrent bladder cancers present as polypoid masses with intraluminal growth originating from the mucosa. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no report on imaging findings of recurrent bladder cancers located within the subepithelial and intramural layers. Recurrent cancers within the intramural layer are difficult to detect with cystoscopy; they are also difficult to remove surgically. Imaging studies reveal the most important indicators for diagnosing subepithelial recurrent cancers. Here, we present a rare case of a recurrent bladder cancer within the subepithelial layer detected on imaging.

The present study was to determine the influence of micro-macro biphasic calcium phosphate(MBCP) on proliferation and differentiation of human marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Primary stem cells were cultured from bone marrow and 3-4 passaged cells were used. This study tested the proliferative effects by cell counting. Collagen sythensis, alkaline phosphatase activity, expression of osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein by Western blot analysis were evaluated. The cellular proliferation of ASC was not influenced by MBCP. Collagen synthesis of ASC cultured on MBCP significantly increased at 5th and 7th days(p<0.05). The ALP activity in ASC cultured on MBCP significantly increased at 5th and 7th days(p<0.05). The expression of OC and BSP incresaed in ASC cultured on MBCP. These results suggest that MBCP may stimulates the osteoblastic activity of ASC.
Adult Stem Cells* ; Adult* ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Blotting, Western ; Bone Marrow ; Calcium* ; Cell Count ; Cell Proliferation ; Collagen ; Humans ; Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Osteoblasts* ; Osteocalcin ; Stem Cells

In order to determine the most suitable computer interfaces for patients with high cervical cord injury, we report three cases of applications of special input devices. The first was a 49-year-old patient with neurological level of injury (NLI) C4, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (ASIA)-A. He could move the cursor by using a webcam-based Camera Mouse. Moreover, clicking the mouse could only be performed by pronation of the forearm on the modified Micro Light Switch. The second case was a 41-year-old patient with NLI C3, ASIA-A. The SmartNav 4AT which responds according to head movements could provide stable performance in clicking and dragging. The third was a 13-year-old patient with NLI C1, ASIA-B. The IntegraMouse enabling clicking and dragging with fine movements of the lips. Selecting the appropriate interface device for patients with high cervical cord injury could be considered an important part of rehabilitation. We expect the standard proposed in this study will be helpful.
Animals ; Forearm ; Head Movements ; Humans ; Light ; Lip ; Mice ; Pronation ; Spinal Injuries ; User-Computer Interface