Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are believed to have potential use for treating many illnesses. Most cells, including ASCs, are generally cultured in medium containing fetal bovine serum (FBS). However, FBS, which could induce an immune response or infection, is not recommended for clinical applications. In the present study, we evaluated the morphology, proliferation rate, and characterization of rabbit ASCs grown in medium containing autologous serum (AS) and compared these cells to ones cultured with FBS. Morphological changes were monitored by microscopy and flow cytometry. Proliferation rates were assessed with cell counting and ASC phenotypes were characterized by flow cytometry using representative surface markers (CD44 and CD45). Expression of epidermal growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results of our study showed that ASCs had a greater expansion rate in AS without developing morphological heterogeneity than cells grown in FBS. AS-cultured ASCs expressed representative growth factors, CD44 but not CD45, similar to cells cultured in FBS. Expression levels of some growth factors were different between AS and FBS. In conclusion, our findings indicated that AS could potentially be used as a culture medium supplement for the expansion of autologous ASCs.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Bystander Effect ; Cell Count ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Flow Cytometry ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Microscopy ; Phenotype ; Population Characteristics ; Stem Cells ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Lichen sclerosus (LS) refers to a benign, chronic, progressive dermatologic condition that primarily causes anogenital lesions in middle aged women. But LS has been identifi ed in patients of all ages including those in the fi rst years of life. The risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva is 4% to 5% in women with LS, and has been reported to be as high as 7% in some reviews. We recently encountered a case of LS in a post-menopausal woman without hormone therapy. To remind clinicians of the neglected issue of LS, we report a case of LS with literature review.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Female ; Humans ; Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus ; Lichens ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause ; Vulva

The term rete ovarian cyst has been used mostly in animal pathology. Cysts of the ovarian hilus have been reported in experimental animals, but have not received attention in human beings. In the literature review, most women with these cysts were postmenopausal and the cysts were not malignancy. But, there have been some reports of hormonal imbalance associated with these cysts. This article reports the clinicopatholgical findings of a case of ovarian rete cyst in postmenopausal woman with some literature review.
Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Ovarian Cysts ; Ovary ; Postmenopause

Noonan syndrome is a condition involving facial, cardiovascular and skeletal abnormalities that may pose problems to anesthesiologists during surgery. Propofol, which is used as an induction agent for noncardiac surgery, produces little or no change in the heart rate. Remifentanil decreases the sympathetic and somatic responses to noxious stimuli and can be given in high doses without negative inotropic effects. We report successful management of a patient with Noonan syndrome, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and atrial fibrillation, undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy using the the total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil.
Anesthesia, Intravenous* ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Noonan Syndrome* ; Propofol

Cardiac fibroblasts constitute one of the largest cell populations in the heart, and contribute to structural, biochemical, mechanical and electrical properties of the myocardium. Nonetheless, their cardiac functions, especially electrophysiological properties, have often been disregarded in studies. Ca2+-activated K+(KCa) channels can control Ca2+influx as well as a number of Ca2+-dependent physiological processes. We, therefore, attempted to identify and characterize KCa channels in rat Cardiac fibroblasts. First, we showed that the cells cultured from the rat ventricle were cardiac fibroblasts by immunostaining for discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR-2), a specific fibroblast marker. Secondly, we detected the expression of various KCa channels by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and found all three family members of KCa channels, including large conductance KCa (BK-alpha 1- and -beta 1~4 subunits), intermediate conductance KCa (IK), and small conductance KCa (SK1~4 subunits) channels. Thirdly, we recorded BK, IK, and SK channels by whole cell mode patch clamp technique using their specific blockers. Finally, we performed cell proliferation assay to evaluate the effects of the channels on cell proliferation, and found that the inhibition of IK channel increased the cell proliferation. These results showed the existence of BK, IK, and SK channels in rat ventricular fibroblasts and involvement of IK channel in cell proliferation.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Fibroblasts ; Heart ; Humans ; Myocardium ; Physiological Processes ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rats ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Receptors, Mitogen ; Reverse Transcription

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in women aged 20 years and older in Gumi province. METHODS: We recruited a total of 2,347 women aged 20 years and older in Gumi province who visited the health care center in Soonchunhyang University Gumi hospital from January 2010 to December 2011. The bone mineral densities in the calcaneus were measured by an ultrasound bone densitometry. Osteoporosis and osteopenia were defined by World Health Organization criteria. Age-specific prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in Gumi province were determined and compared with the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia from other provinces within Korea. The prevalence of each was described by %. RESULTS: Age-specific prevalence of osteoporosis was less than 2% in women younger than 50 years but it rapidly increased in those older than 55 years and up to about 50% in women older than 70 years. The prevalence of osteoporosis in women in Gumi province was lower than that of Kangwon province. However, its results were higher than Jung-up province. In addition, the prevalence of osteoporosis in women in Gumi province was lower than other provinces including: Gang-hwa, Chun-cheon, Chung-ju, Jungnang and Gangseo in Seoul, Korea Health Statistics 2009. CONCLUSION: The age-specific prevalence of osteoporosis in women in Gumi province increased with ages, especially in those older than 55 years. Also, the prevalence of osteoporosis in women in Gumi province was lower than Kangwon and other provinces within Korea as stated by Korea Health Statistics 2009. However, its results were higher than Jung-up province.
Aged ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Calcaneus ; Delivery of Health Care ; Densitometry ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Osteoporosis ; Prevalence ; World Health Organization

Various trials have been conducted to develop therapies for serious untreatable diseases. Among these, those using stem cells have shown great promise, and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) are easier to obtain than other types of stem cells. Prior to clinical trials, characterization of ADMSCs with monoclonal antibodies should be performed. However, it is difficult to use species-specific antibodies for veterinarians. This study was conducted to confirm the panel of human antibodies applicable for use in immunophenotypic characterization of canine adipose-derived stem cells and feline ADMSCs extracted from subcutaneous adipose tissue collected during ovariohysterectomy. For flow cytometric immunophenotyping, the third passages of canine ADMSC and feline ADMSC and human CD31, CD34, CD42, CD44, CD62 and CD133 antibodies were used. Of these, CD133 reacted with canine cells (3.74%) and feline cells (1.34%). CD133 is known as a marker related with more primitive stem cell phenotype than other CD series. Because this human CD133 was not a species-specific antibody, accurate percentages of immunoreactivity were not confirmed. Nevertheless, the results of this study confirmed human CD133 as a meaningful marker in canine and feline ADMSCs.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Cats ; Dogs ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Phenotype ; Stem Cells ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Veterinarians

Various trials have been conducted to develop therapies for serious untreatable diseases. Among these, those using stem cells have shown great promise, and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) are easier to obtain than other types of stem cells. Prior to clinical trials, characterization of ADMSCs with monoclonal antibodies should be performed. However, it is difficult to use species-specific antibodies for veterinarians. This study was conducted to confirm the panel of human antibodies applicable for use in immunophenotypic characterization of canine adipose-derived stem cells and feline ADMSCs extracted from subcutaneous adipose tissue collected during ovariohysterectomy. For flow cytometric immunophenotyping, the third passages of canine ADMSC and feline ADMSC and human CD31, CD34, CD42, CD44, CD62 and CD133 antibodies were used. Of these, CD133 reacted with canine cells (3.74%) and feline cells (1.34%). CD133 is known as a marker related with more primitive stem cell phenotype than other CD series. Because this human CD133 was not a species-specific antibody, accurate percentages of immunoreactivity were not confirmed. Nevertheless, the results of this study confirmed human CD133 as a meaningful marker in canine and feline ADMSCs.