Merkel cells are thought to function as slowly adapting mechanoreceptors and are known as targets for sensory nerves. However, the nerve-dependency of Merkel cells remains controversial. In this respect, some investigators have found interregional differences between hairy and glabrous skin and others have shown intraregional differences within denervated rat touch domes. Differences between species have also been reported. This study was performed to determine whether Merkel cells proliferate in vitro in the absence of the systemic factors, blood vessels and the intact nerves in human skin. Suspension organ culture was performed using fetal digits to investigate their in vitro proliferation. Merkel cells and cutaneous nerves were identified using antibodies to cytokeratin 20 and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), respectively. Fetal digits of 56-82 day gestational age were cultured in serum free medium in a high O2 (45%) environment. Tissues were harvested before starting culture (D0) and 1,4,7,14, 28d after culture. Merkel cells were observed in the volar pads and dorsal nail matrices at D0. After 28d of suspension organ culture, digits looked healthy structurally and the number of Merkel cells had increased. However, PGP 9.5-immunoreactive nerves were markedly diminished after 1 day of culture and almost disappeared after 4 days. Merkel cell proliferation in vitro suggested that Merkel cell development is probably nerve-independent in human fetal glabrous skin.
Cell Division ; Female ; Human ; Intermediate Filament Proteins/analysis ; Merkel Cells/*physiology ; Organ Culture ; Pregnancy ; Skin/cytology/*embryology/*innervation ; Thiolester Hydrolases/analysis

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyurethane (PU) and silicone are widely known biocompatible polymers which are commonly used for vascular grafts. However, in vitro and in vivo calcifications of these polymers have been found to seriously compromise their quality as biomaterials. In consideration of this problem, the present study compared the calcification rate and extent of PTFE, PU and silicone. Using the in vitro flow-type method, PTFE, PU and silicone films were tested for 1, 4, 7, 10, 14 and 21 days. After 21 days of in vitro calcification test, the calcium levels on PTFE, PU and silicone were 35.89 5.01 microgram /cm2, 23.73 0.68 microgram/cm2 and 19.86 5.28 microgram/cm2, respectively. The higher observed calcium level for PTFE may be due to the effect of the rough surface of PTFE in accumulating calcium ions on the polymer surface. From the 7th day of test, the [Ca]/[P] molar ratio started to decrease over time, and PTFE showed a faster calcification process. This decreasing [Ca]/[P] molar ratio demonstrated the typical calcification mechanism consisting of phosphorus ion accumulation following calcium ion accumulation. This study concluded that PU and silicone are less calcified than PTFE film, a finding in good agreement with previously published studies.
Biocompatible Materials/*adverse effects ; *Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Calcinosis/*etiology ; Comparative Study ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Polytetrafluoroethylene/*adverse effects ; Polyurethanes/*adverse effects ; Silicones/*adverse effects

Monitoring fetal growth and assessing its predictors have important place in antenatal care management. Accurate prediction of gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) is clinically important. Standard growth curve chosen should be evaluated to see if it satisfies the criteria for a valid assesment. In this paper, for the purpose of contributing to develop national standards and to evaluate Hadlock's standard data pertaining to 1411 fetuses were examined. Of 1411 normally growing fetuses, one measurement for AC, BPD and FL was taken by ultrasound. GA was assessed via menstrual history which is also confirmed by ultrasonography. Several variables, AC, BPD, FL, FL/AC, BPD/FL and dependent variables (GA & BW) were modelled mathematically. Percentile values, correlation coefficients were calculated and well functioning regression equations were produced for the fetal growth evaluation. Simple correlation model re-confirmed that AC, BPD and FL were well predictors of GA. Via modelling by multivariate regression analysis (adj. R2=937), GA=4.945 (95% CI: 4.661- 5.654) + .606 AC + .105 BPD + .286 FL can be estimated. It couldn't be possible establishing an appropriate equation for prediction of BW vith current data. Our study is intended to draw an attention on requirement of national standards although Hadlock's standard growth curve may evaluate fetal development accurately. Forming comprehensive cohort group is under our consideration. The equation we developped (shown in the results), might be a working contribution.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; *Fetal Development ; *Gestational Age ; Human ; Pregnancy ; Regression Analysis ; *Ultrasonography, Prenatal

Hyaluronan (HA), a natural glycoaminoglycan featuring an extracellular matrix, has been suggested as an effective biocompatible material. In this study, the effectiveness of HA microparticles as a carrier system for antibiotics was evaluated, and their physicochemical characteristics were determined. Microparticles were fabricated by the gelation of sulfadiazine (SD) loaded HA solution with calcium chloride through either a granulation (GR-microparticles) or encapsulation (EN-microparticles) process, and atelocollagen was incorporated into the microparticles as an additive in order to improve their physical properties. The characteristics of the microparticles were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and swelling test. In vitro release experiments were performed for 7 days and the released amount of SD was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Microscopic observations revealed that the collagen incorporated HA particles had a more compact surface than the HA particles. DSC analysis determined a loss of SD crystallinity in the particles. Calcium chloride retarded the swelling of particles, whereas the loaded drug contents did not affect this property. Both GR-and EN-microparticles sustained SD release with initial bursting effect. SD release from EN-microparticles was faster than from GR- microparticles. In addition, the release rate was dependent on the SD content in the microparticles. These results suggest that collagen modified HA microparticles have a potential as a release rate controlling material for crystalline drugs such as SD.
Antibiotics/*administration & dosage ; Calcium Chloride/pharmacology ; Collagen/*pharmacology ; *Drug Carriers ; Hyaluronic Acid/*administration & dosage ; Sulfadiazine/administration & dosage

Although active inflammation may be deleterious and indicate immunologic activation in chronically rejected grafts, the underlying mechanism of tissue destruction has been little studied. Twenty-four cases of chronic rejection (CR) with or without acute rejection (AR) were stained with antibodies against CD3, CD8, CD68, granzyme B and TIA-1, and the number of positive cells were counted. Eleven cases of AR served as controls. The number of CD3 and CD8 positive cells increased in the acute on CR group compared to the CR group. About a half of CD3 positive T cells were CD8 positive in both groups, however, the proportion of TIA-1 or granzyme B positive cells was higher in the acute on CR group. The numbers of CD3, CD68, granzyme B and TIA-1 positive cells were higher in the AR group than the acute on CR group, however, no significant difference was found between the two groups. Serum creatinine level and proteinuria at the time of biopsy and the percentages of late onset AR and graft failure rate were higher in the acute on CR group than the CR group. Summarizing, these results suggest that infiltration of activated T cells containing cytotoxic granules plays a role in graft destruction in acute on CR.
Adult ; Antigens, CD3/analysis ; Antigens, CD8/analysis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; *Graft Rejection ; Human ; Immunohistochemistry ; *Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; Membrane Proteins/*analysis ; RNA-Binding Proteins/*analysis ; Serine Endopeptidases/*metabolism ; Transplantation, Homologous

The efficacy of a formalin-inactivated hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) vaccine and the effectiveness of a related vaccination program have not been previously evaluated. We measured the primary immune responses to Hantavax by plaque reduction neutralizing antibody test (PRNT), hemagglutination inhibition test (HAI), ELISA and high density particle agglutination test (HDPA) in order to confirm a possible biological efficacy through independent substantiation of experimental results and to compare the results with previous studies. Following two doses of primary vaccination, the seroconversion rate of PRNT and HAI antibody was 33.3% (10/30)[95% C.I. 17.3-52.5%] and 26.7% (8/30) [95% C.I. 12.3-45.9%], respectively. The correlation between PRNT and HAI antibody showed a statistical significance (r=0.58, p 0.01). The seroconversion rate of HDPA and ELISA were both 76.7% (23/30) [95% C.I. 57.7-90.1%], which correlated well with each other(r=0.58, p 0.01). In our study, Hantavax elicited low neutralizing antibody responses, at least in the volunteers samples that we tested. The vaccination program, including the vaccine itself, that has been adopted by the national immunization program to protect against HFRS in Korea should be re-evaluated and re-formulated to produce a higher protective immune response rate.
Adult ; Antibodies, Viral/*blood ; Hantaan Virus/*immunology ; Human ; IgG/blood ; Korea ; Middle Age ; Time Factors ; Vaccination ; Vaccines, Attenuated/immunology ; Viral Vaccines/*immunology

The present study investigated the effects of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) transformation in a simplified model and also whether or not TGF-beta exhibits similar proliferation effects on transformed RPE cells that it has on primary RPE cells. Furthermore, we examined the cell proliferation effects of RPE-conditioned medium (CM). A vertical wound measuring 2 mm in diameter was made on primary RPE monolayers. The expression of alpha- smooth muscle actin (SMA) by the cells located at the wound edges was observed using a confocal microscope under immunofluorescent staining. Cell proliferation was measured by incorporating 3H-thymidine into DNA. The presence of alpha- SMA was observed in the cells within the wound after treatment with TGF-beta2, while negative expression was observed in control cells. TGF-betas inhibited the proliferation of the primary cultures of RPE cells in a dose-dependent manner, but the spindle-shaped late-passaged RPE cells were not inhibited by these growth factors. The medium conditioned by RPE cells stimulated the proliferation of subconjunctival fibroblasts and inhibited the proliferation of primary RPE cells, in a manner similar to TGF-beta. These findings demonstrate that TGF-beta-stimulated RPE cells may evoke proliferative vitreoretinopathy through mesenchymal transformation and cell proliferation.
Actins/analysis ; Animal ; Cell Division/drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; DNA/biosynthesis ; Mesoderm/*cytology ; Pigment Epithelium of Eye/*cytology ; Rabbits ; Swine ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/*physiology ; Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative/etiology

No abstract available.
Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/*isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human/*diagnosis

No abstract available.
Albuminuria/*epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male

Eperisone and afloqualone act by relaxing both skeletal and vascular smooth muscles to improve circulation and suppress pain reflex. These drugs are typically prescribed with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as painkillers. However, there have been no reports on serious adverse reactions to oral muscle relaxants; and this is the first report to describe three allergic reactions caused by eperisone and afloqualone. All three patients had histories of allergic reactions after oral intake of multiple painkillers, including oral muscle relaxants and NSAIDs, for chronic muscle pain. An open-label oral challenge test was performed with each drug to confirm which drugs caused the systemic reactions. All patients experienced the same reactions within one hour after oral intake of eperisone or afloqualone. The severity of these reactions ranged from laryngeal edema to hypotension. To confirm that the systemic reaction was caused by eperisone or afloqualone, skin prick testing and intradermal skin tests were performed with eperisone or afloqualone extract in vivo, and basophil activity tests were performed after stimulation with these drugs in vitro. In one patient with laryngeal edema, the intradermal test with afloqualone extract had a positive result, and CD63 expression levels on basophils increased in a dose-dependent manner by stimulation with afloqualone. We report three allergic reactions caused by oral muscle relaxants that might be mediated by non-immunoglobulin E-mediated responses. Since oral muscle relaxants such as eperisone and afloqualone are commonly prescribed for chronic muscle pain and can induce severe allergic reactions, we should prescribe them carefully.
Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity/*etiology ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Relaxants, Central/*adverse effects ; Propiophenones/adverse effects ; Quinazolines/adverse effects