BACKGROUND: In this study, we manufactured a complex of human nasal septal cartilage (hNC) with polycaprolactone (PCL) for transplantation into cartilaginous skeletal defects and evaluated their characteristics.METHODS: Nasal septum tissue was obtained from five patients aged ≥ 20 years who were undergoing septoplasty. hNCs were isolated and subcultured for three passages in vitro. To formulate the cell–PCL complex, we used type I collagen as an adhesive between chondrocyte and PCL. Immunofluorescence staining, cell viability and growth in the hNC–PCL complex, and mycoplasma contamination were assessed.RESULTS: hNCs in PCL showed viability ≥ 70% and remained at these levels for 9 h of incubation at 4 ℃. Immunostaining of the hNC–PCL complex also showed high expression levels of chondrocyte-specific protein, COL2A1, SOX9, and aggrecan during 24 h of clinically applicable conditions.CONCLUSION: The hNC–PCL complex may be a valuable therapeutic agent for implantation into injured cartilage tissue, and can be used clinically to repair cartilaginous skeletal defects. From a clinical perspective, it is important to set the short duration of the implantation process to achieve effective functional implantation.
Adhesives ; Aggrecans ; Cartilage ; Cell Survival ; Chondrocytes ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mycoplasma ; Nasal Septum ; Tissue Engineering

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The number of diabetic patients has recently shown a rapid increase, and delayed wound healing is a major clinical complication in diabetes. In this study, the wound healing effect of Hominis placenta (HP) treatment was investigated in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Four full thickness wounds were created using a 4 mm biopsy punch on the dorsum. HP was injected subcutaneously at the middle region of the upper and lower wounds. Wounds were digitally photographed and wound size was measured every other day until the 14th day. Wound closure rate was analyzed using CANVAS 7SE software. Wound tissues were collected on days 2, 6, and 14 after wounding for H/E, immunohistochemistry for FGF2, and Masson's trichrome staining for collagen study. RESULTS: Significantly faster wound closure rates were observed in the HP treated group than in normal and diabetes control mice on days 6 and 8. Treatment with HP resulted in reduced localization of inflammatory cells in wounded skin at day 6 in normal mice and at day 14 in diabetic mice (P < 0.01). Expression of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 2 showed a significant increase in the HP treated group on day 14 in both normal (P < 0.01) and diabetic mice (P < 0.05). In addition, HP treated groups showed a thicker collagen layer than no treatment groups, which was remarkable on the last day, day 14, in both normal and diabetic mice. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, HP treatment has a beneficial effect on acceleration of cutaneous wound healing via regulation of the entire wound healing process, including inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling.
Acceleration ; Animals ; Biopsy ; Collagen ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inflammation ; Mice* ; Placenta* ; Skin ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The number of diabetic patients has recently shown a rapid increase, and delayed wound healing is a major clinical complication in diabetes. In this study, the wound healing effect of Hominis placenta (HP) treatment was investigated in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Four full thickness wounds were created using a 4 mm biopsy punch on the dorsum. HP was injected subcutaneously at the middle region of the upper and lower wounds. Wounds were digitally photographed and wound size was measured every other day until the 14th day. Wound closure rate was analyzed using CANVAS 7SE software. Wound tissues were collected on days 2, 6, and 14 after wounding for H/E, immunohistochemistry for FGF2, and Masson's trichrome staining for collagen study. RESULTS: Significantly faster wound closure rates were observed in the HP treated group than in normal and diabetes control mice on days 6 and 8. Treatment with HP resulted in reduced localization of inflammatory cells in wounded skin at day 6 in normal mice and at day 14 in diabetic mice (P < 0.01). Expression of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 2 showed a significant increase in the HP treated group on day 14 in both normal (P < 0.01) and diabetic mice (P < 0.05). In addition, HP treated groups showed a thicker collagen layer than no treatment groups, which was remarkable on the last day, day 14, in both normal and diabetic mice. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, HP treatment has a beneficial effect on acceleration of cutaneous wound healing via regulation of the entire wound healing process, including inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling.
Acceleration ; Animals ; Biopsy ; Collagen ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inflammation ; Mice* ; Placenta* ; Skin ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The relationship between Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) gene inactivation and various solid tumors has been reported; however, little information is available about RUNX3 in thyroid cancers. METHODS: We evaluated the DNA methylation of RUNX3 in 13 papillary thyroid cancer tissues and four thyroid cancer cell lines. Additionally, using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, we analyzed RUNX3 gene expression in several thyroid cancer cell lines after treating with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (DAC). RESULTS: RUNX3 was hypermethylated in many thyroid cancer cell lines and in 10 of the 12 papillary thyroid cancer tissues. Treatment with DAC increased the expression of RUNX3 in some thyroid cancer cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that RUNX3 is associated with thyroid carcinogenesis, and RUNX3 methylation is a potentially useful diagnostic marker for papillary thyroid cancer.
Azacitidine/analogs & derivatives/pharmacology ; Carcinoma/*genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit/*genetics ; DNA Methylation/drug effects ; Gene Expression/drug effects ; Humans ; Thyroid Neoplasms/*genetics ; Tumor Markers, Biological/genetics

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the colon can be classified into small cell carcinoma and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. The incidence of neuroendocrine carcinoma is so low that the guideline for the treatment of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the colon are not established. The prognosis of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the colon is worse than that of conventional adenocarcinoma of the colon. We report a case of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the colon that treated with right hemicolectomy and 6th sequential combination chemotherapy of 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin. There has been no evidence of the recurrence or metastasis of tumor for 6 months.
Adult ; Carcinoma, Large Cell/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Colonic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Colonoscopy ; Humans ; Male ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) originating from a renal vein thrombosis (RVT) is very rare, especially in relatively healthy young women. The patient described herein presented with a syncope-associated massive PTE. She was previously healthy, except for termination of an ectopic pregnancy with methotrexate 4 months before. The only medication she was taking was an oral contraceptive (OC), which was started 3 months before the PTE. She had no family history of venous thromboembolism (VTE) or any other underlying risk factors. We report the case of a woman who had a PTE originating from a RVT associated with OC use after an ectopic pregnancy.
Contraceptives, Oral ; Female ; Humans ; Methotrexate ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Renal Veins ; Risk Factors ; Thrombosis ; Venous Thromboembolism

Many classes of drug, such as antineoplastic drugs and antiarrhythmic drugs, have potential to induce interstitial lung disease. Herbal medicines are also believed to have the potential to induce pneumonitis. However, to our knowledge, there are no reports of pneumonitis caused by herbal medications in the Korean medical database. We report a case of recurrent pneumonitis caused by a self rechallenge of the Herbal medicine Bojungikgitang (Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang : Hochu-ekki-to).
Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; Antineoplastic Agents ; Herbal Medicine ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Pneumonia

BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen in hospital-acquired infection, and is prevalent in intensive care units (ICU). The MRSA colonization rates of the nares and throat were examined in both the ICU and general ward. This study was performed to investigate the MRSA rate and necessity for MRSA screening cultures in patients admitted to ICU. METHODS: Between June and September 2004, those patients admitted to both the medical ICU and general ward participated in this study. Bacterial cultures were performed on swabs of the nares and throat taken within 24 hours of admission. Clinical data were also collected. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty one patients and 84 patients, admitted to the medical ICU and medical general ward, respectively, were investigated. The numbers of nasal MRSA colonization in the ICU and general ward were 3 (2.5%) and 3 (3.6%), respectively. There were 2 (1.7%) cases of throat MRSA colonization in the ICU, but none in the general ward. The MRSA colonization rates of the nares and throat were no different between the ICU and general ward. There were no significant differences in the previous admission, operation history and admission route between the ICU and general ward groups. CONCLUSION: The MRSA colonization rates of the nares and throat were 3.3 and 3.6% in the ICU and the general ward, respectively. The MRSA screening test does not appear to be required in all patients admitted to the ICU, but further studies, including high-risk patients, are recommended.
Colon ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units* ; Critical Care* ; Mass Screening ; Methicillin* ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Patients' Rooms ; Pharynx* ; Staphylococcus aureus* ; Staphylococcus*

A littoral cell angioma (LCA) is a rare benign vascular tumor of the spleen. A 60-year-old man, with multiple nodules in imaging study and liver cirrhosis graded as Child-Pugh classification class A, was transferred for splenomegaly. A thrombocytopenia was found on hematological evaluation. Because there was no evidence of hematological and visceral malignancy, a splenectomy was performed for a definitive diagnosis. The histological and immunohistochemical features of the splenic specimens were consistent with a LCA. After the splenectomy, the thrombocytopenia recovered to the normal platelet count. There has been no previous report of a LCA combined with liver cirrhosis. Herein, the first case of a LCA in Korea, diagnosed and treated by a splenectomy, is reported.
Hemangioma/*complications/pathology/surgery ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/*complications/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Splenectomy ; Splenic Neoplasms/*complications/pathology/surgery

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that the outcomes of the patients with acute renal failure (ARF) may related to delivered dose of dialysis. In such context, a number of investigators have reported about delivered dose of dialysis and its contribution to outcomes of ARF, using Kt/V. The purpose of the study was to evaluate actual delivered dose of dialysis in intermittent hemodialysis (HD) in critically ill ARF patients, clinical factors contributing delivery of dialysis dose, and relationship of delivered dialysis dose and survival. METHODS: Delivered and prescribed dose of dialysis, presented as Kt/V, were measured in ARF patients intermittent HD in intensive care unit of Inha University Hospital from January 1999, until December 1999, using single pool urea kinetic model. RESULTS: All subjects received intermittent HD of 6.4+/-4.8 times with mean of 225.6+/-40.4 min per session. Overall survival was 55.5%. Prescribed Kt/V in all subjects was 1.24+/-0.39, but actual delivered Kt/ V was 1.08+/-0.17. A mean delivered/prescribed Kt/V ratio was 87.1+/-43%. Duration of HD session (R= -0.547, p=0.019), Cleveland Clinic Foundation Severity Score (R=-0.486, p=0.041), and frequency of hypotensive episodes (R=-0.419, p=0.043) were significantly correlated with delivered/prescribed Kt/V ratio. Delivered dose was under 1.2 in 66.7% of the subjects. Survival rate of these patients was 50.0%, which was lower as compared to 66.6% of the patients with delivered dose over 1.2. Patients with low delivered dose (Kt/V<1.2) showed significantly low prescribed dose and short HD time (p<0.05). Delivered Kt/V was correlated with BUN at initiation of dialysis, HD duration, and prescribed Kt/V (p<0.05). Non-survivors showed significantly low initial serum creatinine, low CCF severity score, high frequency of hypotensive episodes, and less use of heparin (p< 0.05). Prescribed Kt/V was not different between survivors and non-survivor (1.22+/-0.30 vs 1.31+/-0.45), but delivered Kt/V (1.17+/-0.17 vs. 1.04+/-0.17; p<0.05) and delivered/prscribed Kt/V (95.9+/-22.6% vs. 73.9+/-15.6%; p<0.05) were significantly higher in survivors than in non-survivors. CONCLUSION: In ARF patients, the delivery of dialysis was significantly lower than as was expected. Delivered/prescribed Kt/V was about 87% and more than half of the patients received intermittent HD of Kt/V less than 1.2. Better survival was associated with higher delivered dose of dialysis. We need further prospective studies about the causal relationship between delivered dose of dialysis and outcomes in ARF patients.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Creatinine ; Critical Illness ; Dialysis* ; Heparin ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Prospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis* ; Research Personnel ; Survival Rate ; Survivors ; Urea