BACKGROUND: This study was to investigate the effect of biomechanical stimulation on osteoblast differentiation of human periosteal-derived stem cell using the newly developed bioreactor. METHODS: Human periosteal-derived stem cells were harvested from the mandible during the extraction of an impacted third molar. Using the new bioreactor, 4% cyclic equibiaxial tension force (0.5 Hz) was applied for 2 and 8 h on the stem cells and cultured for 3, 7, and 14 days on the osteogenic medium. Biochemical changes of the osteoblasts after the biomechanical stimulation were investigated. No treatment group was referred to as control group. RESULTS: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and ALP messenger RNA (mRNA) expression level were higher in the strain group than those in the control group. The osteocalcin and osteonectin mRNA expressions were higher in the strain group compared to those in the control group on days 7 and 14. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression was higher in the strain group in comparison to that in the control group. Concentration of alizarin red S corresponding to calcium content was higher in the strain group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that cyclic tension force could influence the osteoblast differentiation of periosteal-derived stem cells under optimal stimulation condition and the force could be applicable for tissue engineering.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Bioreactors ; Calcium ; Humans* ; Jaw* ; Mandible ; Molar, Third ; Osteoblasts* ; Osteocalcin ; Osteonectin ; RNA, Messenger ; Stem Cells* ; Tissue Engineering ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Inducing Factor ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Death ; Cell Survival ; Cyclin A ; Cyclin D1 ; Cyclin E ; Cyclins ; Cytochromes c ; Cytosol ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Integrin alpha2 ; Lung ; Mitochondria ; Nanoparticles ; Phosphotransferases ; Plasma ; Proteins ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; S Phase

PURPOSE: We performed a comparative analysis of the plasma levels of antithrombin (AT) III, plasminogen, fibrinogen, and D-dimer among patients with and without clinically localized prostate cancer to investigate the clinical significance of the coagulation profile in prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed in which plasma levels of AT III, plasminogen, fibrinogen, and D-dimer were assessed in patients before they underwent prostate biopsy. According to the results of the biopsy, the patients were categorized into the cancer group or the control group. Levels of the four coagulation factors were then compared between the cancer and control groups. Also, levels of the four coagulation factors were correlated with tumor stage and grade in the cancer group. RESULTS: The cancer group had significantly lower levels of AT III activity and higher plasma D-dimer levels than did the control group (p=0.007 and p=0.018, respectively). Within the cancer group, no significant differences were observed in the levels of AT III, plasminogen, fibrinogen, or D-dimer between those with a pathological Gleason score of > or =7 and otherwise. Regarding pathologic stage of prostate cancer, the subjects with organ-confined disease and those with extraprostatic extension of a tumor demonstrated no significant differences in the preoperative levels of the four coagulation factors analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that plasma levels of AT III and D-dimer are altered in patients with prostate cancer. Further study is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanism and clinical significances of such a phenomenon among patients with clinically localized prostate cancer.
Antithrombin III ; Biopsy ; Blood Coagulation Factors ; Blood Coagulation Tests ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products ; Fibrinogen ; Humans ; Neoplasm Grading ; Plasma ; Plasminogen ; Prospective Studies ; Prostate ; Prostatic Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Lobectomy and more extended anatomic resection are regarded as standard treatment for stage Ia non-small cell lung cancer, but approximately 15~40% of patients suffer from treatment failures such as cancer recurrence or death. The authors analyzed types and causes of treatment failures in surgically treated cases of stage Ia non small cell lung cancer. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 156 patients who had undergone complete resection for stage Ia NSCLC between Jan 1992 and Aug 2005. Patients were divided into two different treatment failure groups: cancer-related deaths and non-cancer-related deaths. Risk factors were analyzed in each group by the Kaplan-Meyer survival method and the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULT: Among the 156 patients, 93 were males; the mean age was 61. The median follow-up period was 33.8 months. The 5 year survival rate was 87.6%. Microscopic lympho-vascular permeation was reported in 10 patients. Recurrence was reported in 19 patients and 12 patients died due to recurrent lung cancer. Non- cancer related deaths occurred in 16 patients. Risk factors for cancer recurrence and cancer related death were microscopic lympho-vascular permeation (HR=6.81, p=0.007, HR=7.81, p<0.001); for non-cancer related death, risk factors were pneumonectomy (HR=25.92, p=0.001) and postoperative cardiopulmonary complications (HR=29.67, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: After complete resection of stage Ia non small cell lung cancer patients, mortality includes not only cancer related deaths but also cancer unrelated deaths. Adjuvant chemotherapy is advised for patients who show microscopic lympho-vascular permeation, which is a risk factor for recurrence and for cancer related death. Patients who had pneumonectomy or who suffered from cardiac or respiratory complications need meticulous care in order to reduce comorbidity-induced death.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Medical Records ; Pneumonectomy ; Postoperative Care ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Failure

Distraction osteogenesis(DO) is a technique of lengthning bone including soft tissue by gradual separation of surgically divided bone surfaces. Distraction osteogenesis combination with a compression stimulation(DO-CO) was a new technique by authors to enhance new bone quality and to shorten the consolidation period. The purpose of this study was to compare DO with DO combined with compression force in efficiency by evaluating the expression of TGF-beta 1, osteonectin and BMP-4 on bone regenerate in rabbit mandible. Fourty two rabbits were used for this experiment. On the control group, the distraction was carried out at the rate of 1 mm per day to obtain the amount of 8 mm distraction for 8 days. On the experimental group, the distraction was carried out at the rate of 1 mm per day for 10 days, 3 days-latency period, and then the compression was carried out as counter direction 1 mm per day for 2 days. After 0 day, 5 days, 13 days, 20 days, 27 days, 34 days and 41 days, three rabbits on each group were sacrificed and the distracted portion of mandible were cut and treated for RT-PCR observation. The level of expression of TGF-beta 1 and osteonectin were shown more and longer expression in the experimental group than in the control group. The expression of BMP-4 was maintained with high level during the entire experimental period in both groups. These findings suggested that DO with compression stimulation could be a favorable technique for obtaining a good new bone quality.
Bone Regeneration* ; Mandible ; Osteogenesis, Distraction* ; Osteonectin* ; Rabbits ; Transforming Growth Factor beta*

Sarcoidosis is a multi-system granulomatous disorder of an unknown etiology and affects individuals worldwide. It is characterized pathologically by the presence of non-caseating granulomas in more than one involved organ. However, pleural involvement of sarcoidosis is rare and there are no reported cases in Korea. Traditionally, sarcoidosis has often been treated with systemic corticosteroids or cytotoxic agents. In particular, chylothorax with sarcoidosis is usually treated with corticosteroid for approximately 3~6 months, followed by repeated therapeutic thoracentesis, talc pleurodesis, dietary treatment, or thoracic duct ligation where needed. We encountered a 46 years old female patient presenting with cough, dyspnea and both hilar lymphadenopathy (stage I) on chest radiograph. The patient was diagnosed with a non-caseating granuloma, sarcoidosis by a mediastinoscopic biopsy. For one month, she had suffered from dyspnea due to right side pleural effusion, which was clearly identified as a chylothorax on thoracentesis. Corticosteroid therapy with dietary adjustment was ineffective. She was treated successfully with a subcutaneous injection of octreotide for 3 weeks and oral corticosteroid. We report a case of successful and rapid treatment of chylothorax associated with sarcoidosis using octreotide and oral corticosteroid.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Biopsy ; Chylothorax* ; Cough ; Cytotoxins ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Korea ; Ligation ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mediastinoscopy ; Middle Aged ; Octreotide* ; Pleural Effusion ; Pleurodesis ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Sarcoidosis* ; Talc ; Thoracic Duct

Angiolipoma is a benign tumor that is mainly observed in the subcutaneous tissue and is composed of mature adipose tissue and proliferative blood vessels. However, the condition is rare in the gastrointestinal tract including the colon. There was a case report of angiolipoma of the proximal ileum but there are no reports of angiolipoma of the colon in Korea. A 47-year-old man, who presented with intermittent left lower quadrant pain and hematochezia, underwent contrast enhancement CT, which revealed a huge mass with inhomogeneous density in the distal descending colon. The colonoscopy viewed a large polypoid mass with vascular engorgement, and a laparotomy was performed urgently due to the persistent abdominal pain, intussusception and hematochezia. The histology examination disclosed a benign angiolipoma. We report this case of symptomatic angiolipoma of the distal descending colon.
Abdominal Pain ; Adipose Tissue ; Angiolipoma* ; Blood Vessels ; Colon ; Colon, Descending* ; Colonoscopy ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Ileum ; Intussusception ; Korea ; Laparotomy ; Middle Aged ; Subcutaneous Tissue

PURPOSE: The prognosis of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is extremely poor. Many prospective randomized trials on patients with advanced NSCLC suggested systemic chemotherapy improves both the survival and quality of life. A phase II trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of the combination chemotherapy of gemcitabine and cisplatin in advanced NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC were enrolled. The patients received a cisplatin, 75 mg/m(2), infusion over 30 minutes on days 1, followed by a gemcitabine, 1, 250 mg/m(2), infusion over 30 minutes on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 64 years (range: 27~75). Forty-one patients were assessable for response and toxicity analyses. The overall response rate was 53.6%, but with no complete remissions. The median time to progression was 5.6 months (range: 1~15.4). The median survival was 14.2 months (95% confidence interval (CI), 13.8~22.5). A total of 179 cycles were administered, with a median of 4 cycles of chemotherapy, ranging from 2 to 9 cycles. The most common hematological toxicities were NCI grades 3/4 neutropenia (24%) and thrombocytopenia (7.8%). The most common non-hematological toxicity was fatigue (42.4%). There were no life-threatening toxicity or treatment related mortalities. The median duration of follow up was 9.4 months, ranging from 1.6 to 30.3 months. CONCLUSION: In this trial, the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin showed significant activity, with acceptable and manageable toxicities as a first-line regimen for patients with advanced NSCLC.
Cisplatin* ; Drug Therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Fatigue ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Mortality ; Neutropenia ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Thrombocytopenia

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the contribution of genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1), T1 (GSTT1), and P1 (GSTP1, Ile105Val) to carotid atherosclerosis in 40 postmenopausal rheumatoid arthritis (RA) women without histories of smoking. METHODS: We measured mean intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque of the common carotid arteries by ultrasonography, and evaluated relations among the known risk factors for atherosclerosis, genetic polymorphisms, RA outcomes and markers of inflammation. RESULTS: Subjects with the GSTT1-null genotype had greater IMT (p<0.05). On univariate analysis, carotid IMT was positively associated with age, systolic BP, antihypertensive drug use and the GSTT1-null genotype (p<0.05). When compared to subjects with a double- positive GSTM1/T1 genotype, IMT in subjects with concurrent lack of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene was significantly increased (p=0.008). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the GSTT1-null genotype might have an interaction with carotid atherosclerosis related to RA in Korean postmenopausal RA women free of smoking history.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Atherosclerosis ; Carotid Artery Diseases* ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Female ; Genotype ; Glutathione Transferase* ; Glutathione* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Paclitaxel and cisplatin, active drugs in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), have been found to be synergistic and less myelotoxic in combination when the paclitaxel is given 24 hr prior to the cisplatin. Their antitumor activity and toxicity in patients with advanced NSCLC has been evaluated herein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-four chemonaive patients, with advanced NSCLC, were enrolled. Paclitaxel, 175 mg/m2, was administered on day 1, followed 24 hr later by cisplatin, 75 mg/m2, on day 2. RESULTS: The overall response rate, median time to progression and median survival time were 51%, 7.1 months (95% confidence interval (CI), 5.5~8.7 months) and 13.7 months (95% CI, 11.3~16.1 months), respectively. There were significant differences in the overall survival rates in relation to stage and the ECOG performance status(PS). The toxicity was mainly nonhematological. Grade > or =3 neuropathy occurred in 2 (3%) patients, myalgia in 3 (4%), and bone pain in 3 (4%). The hematological toxicity was mild, and no grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was observed. CONCLUSION: The combination of paclitaxel and cisplatin is an effective and tolerable treatment regimen for advanced NSCLC during first line chemotherapy. The main toxicity was nonhematological, such as peripheral neuropathy, myalgia and bone pain, whereas the hematological toxicity itself was mild.
Cisplatin* ; Drug Therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination* ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Myalgia ; Neutropenia ; Paclitaxel* ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Survival Rate