Background: Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) are an attractive resource for wound healing because their regenerative capacity improves injury repair. Recently, stem cell-derived exosomes have been shown to play a positive role in stem cell-based therapies. However, the effects of exosomes derived from AMSCs (AEXOs) on wound healing are unclear. In this study, we aimed to examine the role of AEXOs in attenuating inflammation and explore their effects in normal wound healing. Methods: We isolated exosomes from AMSCs and established a cellular model of inflammation by treatment with the inflammatory cytokines, interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha, to determine whether AEXOs can inhibit inflammation. We examined the wound healing effects of AEXOs in in vitro wound healing models and performed a miRNA array to understand the role of AEXOs in inflammation and wound healing. Results: A significant difference was observed in wound closure and the expression of anti-inflammatory and wound-healing-related factors between control and AEXO-treated cells. Conclusion Our results showed that besides alleviating the inflammation response, AEXOs also promote wound healing. Thus, AEXOs represent a novel, stem-cell-based, therapeutic strategy for wound healing.

Background: Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) are an attractive resource for wound healing because their regenerative capacity improves injury repair. Recently, stem cell-derived exosomes have been shown to play a positive role in stem cell-based therapies. However, the effects of exosomes derived from AMSCs (AEXOs) on wound healing are unclear. In this study, we aimed to examine the role of AEXOs in attenuating inflammation and explore their effects in normal wound healing. Methods: We isolated exosomes from AMSCs and established a cellular model of inflammation by treatment with the inflammatory cytokines, interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha, to determine whether AEXOs can inhibit inflammation. We examined the wound healing effects of AEXOs in in vitro wound healing models and performed a miRNA array to understand the role of AEXOs in inflammation and wound healing. Results: A significant difference was observed in wound closure and the expression of anti-inflammatory and wound-healing-related factors between control and AEXO-treated cells. Conclusion Our results showed that besides alleviating the inflammation response, AEXOs also promote wound healing. Thus, AEXOs represent a novel, stem-cell-based, therapeutic strategy for wound healing.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The effective management of subjective tinnitus should start with an accurate diagnosis based on an appropriate classification. Since there is no gold standard for managing subjective tinnitus, clinicians can select from various treatment options after considering the multifactorial etiology of tinnitus. This study surveyed otologists at university hospitals in Korea to identify the treatments used for subjective tinnitus and to obtain basic information on evidence-based medicine for treating tinnitus. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A five-major-item questionnaire on current tinnitus treatments was sent by email to otologists at 37 university hospitals in Korea; 30 (81.1%) replied. RESULTS: The mean incidence of tinnitus in otology outpatient clinics was 22.7% (range 10-40%). Common treatments were oral pharmacological therapy, regular counseling with tinnitus retraining or cognitive behavioral therapy and hearing aids. Tinnitus retraining therapy and hearing aids were considered the most effective when the visual analog scale scores were 7.0 and 6.6, respectively, and considered safe when the scores were 9.9 and 9.3. Ginkgo biloba and benzodiazepines were the most frequently prescribed drugs, although their reported effectiveness was questionable. Intra-tympanic steroid injection was not considered effective (3.8) or safe (6.3). Somatosensory-based treatments such as treating neck muscle or temporomandibular joint disorders were also used to relieve a subgroup of somatic tinnitus. CONCLUSION: Our results showed trends similar to those in other countries, yet we have not reached the level of evidence-based clinical practice due to the lack of reliable and effective treatment options. Further research on tinnitus-treatments is needed, particularly about randomized controlled studies with blinding.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Benzodiazepines ; Cognitive Therapy ; Counseling ; Electronic Mail ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; Ginkgo biloba ; Hearing Aids ; Hospitals, University ; Incidence ; Korea ; Neck Muscles ; Otolaryngology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; Tinnitus

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that are capable of extensive self renewal and differentiation have attracted great attention as a promising tool for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Although MSCs can be isolated from various tissues, bone marrow currently represents one of the most reliable sources for providing a sufficient yield of cells in a good quality. Herein, used bone marrow processing kits were evaluated as a valuable source of MSCs. METHODS: Bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNCs) were recovered from used bone marrow processing kits after routine bone marrow processing by using the COBE 2991 Cell Processor (CaridianBCT Inc.). The MSCs were isolated from the recovered MNCs using a standard plastic adherence method. Immunophenotyping and differentiation assays were performed to clarify the characteristics of the isolated MSCs. RESULTS: An average of 1x108 bone marrow MNCs was collected, and the MSCs were successfully isolated from the recovered bone marrow MNCs in all case. The isolated MSCs were positive for essential MSC surface molecules (CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105) and they were negative for most hematopoietic and endothelial cell markers (CD34, CD45, CD31, CD14). The isolated MSCs were capable of differentiation along the osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic pathways. CONCLUSION: MSCs isolated from used bone marrow processing kits are an alternative and ethical source of bone marrow derived MSCs, and they can be used for research purposes.
Bone and Bones ; Bone Marrow ; Durapatite ; Endothelial Cells ; Immunophenotyping ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Plastics ; Regenerative Medicine ; Tissue Engineering

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical, biomechanical, and histologic changes in new distraction osteogenesis (DO) technique combined with a compression stimulation in accordance to different compression-distraction force ratio. 23 adult male rabbits underwent open-osteotomy at the mandibular body area and a external distraction device was applied. In the control group of 8 rabbits, only a 8 mm of distraction was performed by conventional DO technique. In an experimental group of 15 rabbits, a distraction followed by a compression force was performed according to the ratio of compression-distraction suggested by authors. The rate of experimental group I was set up as a 2 mm compression versus 10 mm distraction and the rate of experimental group II was set up as a 3 mm compression versus 11 mm distraction. All the rabbits were sacrificed for a gross finding, biomechanical, histomorphometric and histologic findings at the time of 55 days from the operation day. The results were as follows: 1. On the gross findings, because all rabbits had a sufficient healing time, every distracted new bone had good bone quality and we could not find any difference among all three groups. 2. In the histologic findings, rapid bone maturation (wide lamellar bone formation in the cancellous and cortical bone areas) was observed in two experimental groups compared to the control group. 3. On the bone density tests, the experimental group II showed higher bone density than the other experimental group and control group (control group - 0,2906 g/cm2, experimental group I - 0.2961 g/cm2, experimental group II - 0.3328 g/cm2). 4. On the biomechanical tests, the experimental group II had significantly higher bone microhardness than the other experimental group and control group (control group - 252.7 MPa, experimental group I - 263.5 MPa, experimental group II - 426.0 MPa). 5. On the microhardness tests, when we compared the hardness ratio of distracted bone versus normal bone, we could find experimental group II had significantly higher hardness ratio than the other experimental group and control group (control group - 0.47, experimental group I - 0.575, experimental group II - 0.80). From this study, we could deduce that the modified distraction osteogenesis method with a compression stimulation might improve the quality of bone regeneration and shorten the consolidation period in comparison with conventional distraction osteogenesis techniques.
Adult ; Bone Density ; Bone Regeneration* ; Hardness ; Humans ; Male ; Osteogenesis ; Osteogenesis, Distraction* ; Rabbits

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study reviewes the clinicopathological features, prognosis, and differences in the expression of p53 and Ki-67 immunochemical staining in squamous cell and adenosquamous carcinoma of the stomach. METHODS: From January 1995 to June 2005, 2,282 cases of gastric carcinoma were resected surgically in our hospital and 191 additional cases were resected by endoscopic mucosal resection. Retrospective pathologic review and immunochemical staining of p53 and Ki-67 were performed. RESULTS: The study consists of eight cases (0.032%) of primary squamous cell carcinoma (one case) and adenosquamous carcinoma (seven cases) without early gastric cancer. Six cases (75.0%) were male and two cases were female. The mean age was 66 year-old. The clinical presentation and physical findings did not differ from those of adenocarcinoma. The mean tumor size was 5.2+/-1.7 cm. Macroscopically, five were Borrmann type 3 (62.5%) and three were type 2. At the initial diagnosis, six (75%) were stage IV based on TNM tumor staging. Six cases (75%) progressed despite the therapy while two cases responded to the treatment. The median survival time was 11.0 months (range 4.3+/-17.7). Overexpression of p53 was seen in five cases (62.5%) and their survival was poor when compared to the p53-negative group (p=0.04). The mean Ki-67 labeling index was 70.0+/-20.8%, and was not associated with p53 staining (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Adenosquamous and squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach are very rare. They tend to be at advanced stages on initial diagnosis, and progress rapidly. They show p53 protein overexpression and high Ki-67 labeling index, which might be related to poor prognosis.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous/chemistry/mortality/*pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/chemistry/mortality/*pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ki-67 Antigen/*analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach Neoplasms/chemistry/mortality/*pathology ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/*analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastritis cystica profunda (GCP) is a rare disease that is characterized by a hyperplastic and cystic dilatation of the pseudopyloric gland with submucosal invasion. GCP is regarded as a benign lesion. However, there is some controversy regarding its malignant potential. This study reviewed the clinical features and association with malignancy. METHODS: From January 2001 to June 2005, 1,010 cases of resected and 1,228 cases of an endoscopic mucosal resection or polypectomy were examined. RESULTS: Thirty-nine cases (1.7%) were confirmed pathologically and were not associated with prior gastric surgery mostly. The mean age was 60.0+/-11.4 years old and there were 29 male patients. The body was most commonly located on the longitudinal axis (57.1%). Eleven cases (28.2%) were not associated any other gastric lesion, the majority of which were the polypoid type (82.0%). However, two cases were found as a hypertrophic mucosal fold, and a submucosal tumor, respectively. Seventeen cases (43.6%) were associated with early gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its rarity, GCP should be considered when an endoscopically polypoid lesion or submucosal tumor (SMT) is found. Because of its association with early gastric cancer or adenoma, more study will be needed to examine the relationship between GCP and gastric carcinogen
Adenoma ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Dilatation ; Gastritis* ; Humans ; Male ; Rare Diseases ; Stomach Neoplasms

Adult ; Architecture as Topic ; Body Weight ; Bone Density ; Bone Regeneration ; Collagen ; Elastin ; Extracellular Matrix ; Hand ; Humans ; Mandible ; New Zealand ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Osteotomy ; Rabbits ; Temporomandibular Joint

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of whole body 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in the patient with a recurrence of a previously treated colorectal malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight cases were scanned using PET at the PET Center of Seoul National University Hospital between May 1995 and Aug 2002. All the patients had had a previous operation for a colorectal malignancy. The PET scans were performed for the following reasons: - investigation of a recurrence (n=12), investigation of the operability (n=38) and clinical follow up (n=8). In these 58 cases, 47 of the CT scans and 55 of the CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen) were checked prior to the FDG- PET. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the PET scans were calculated, and compared with those of conventional CT scan and CEA, which were also compared with the previous reported data. Eight cases, whose managements were influenced by the PET findings, were analyzed. RESULTS: Recurrences, or metastases, of colorectal cancer developed in 51 cases, with 49 of these being detected by the PET. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the PET were 96.6 (56/58), 96.1 (49/51) and 100% (7/7), respectively. The PPV and NPV of the PET were 100 (49/49) and 77.8% (7/9), respectively. The accuracy and sensitivity of the PET were higher than those of the CT (85.1 and 88.1%), with the differences being statistically significant (p-value 0.001 and 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that a FDG-PET scan is a more accurate and sensitive diagnostic tool than a CT scan for the detection of a recurrence or metastasis in a colorectal malignancy. In addition, a FDG-PET may alter the management of patients with recurrent colorectal cancer. Therefore, it is recommended that a PET should be considered when a tumor recurrence is suspected during conventional follow up.
Colorectal Neoplasms ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Recurrence ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Seoul ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: In 1987, the British Thoracic Society (BTS) subjected an extensive list of patient variables to statistical analysis in a prospective study of prognosis in 453 adults with communityacquired pneumonia and, subsequently published guidelines for management of severe community acquired pneumonia. It was hoped that those at risk of dying from community acquired pneumonia could be easily identified and treated appropriately, thereby reducing mortality. To date, severe community acquired pneumonia has not been well studied in Korea. Therefore, we studied retrospectively 10 patients dying of severe community acquired pneumonia in Dongsan Hospital to see clinical manifestations of .dying of severe community-acquired pneumonia. METHODS: Between July 1987 and july 1993, 498 patients were admitted to Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital with community acquired pneumonia, and 77 of them received intensive care. Of the 77 patients, 10 patients died. We reviewed medical records of these patients. RESULTS: 1) The mean age of the patients was 56.2 years(range, 25 to 75 years). There were 7 men and 3 women. Seven patients(70%) were older than 60years of age. 2) The clinical features on admission were as follows: tachypnea, hypoxemia, mental change, cyanosis, leukopenia, leukocytosis, azotemia, hypotension, hypoalbuminemia in order of frequency. Three patients had one abnormal physical finding, 3 patients had 2, 2 patients had 3, and 2 patients had none of these abnormal physical findings. All patients had at least one of the abnormal laboratory findings. 3) A potential bacterial pathogen was isolated in sputum culture from 2 patients. One was E.coli, the other Enterobacter species. Sputum stain were positive in eight cases (G(+)cocci in six, G(+)cocci and G(-)bacilli in two). 4) Features of respiratory failure were the main reasons for ICU transfer, but two patients were transferred only following a cardiac or respiratory arrest in the general ward. 5) The mean of 2.7 different antibiotics were given to the patients. The aminoglycoside and first generation cephalosporin were the most frequently prescribed antibiotics, followed by the third generation cephalosporin and vancomycin. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics combination was a 1st generation cephalosporin plus an aminoglycoside. 6) Save patients death(70%) occured after admission within the first five days, and a mean duration of hospitalization was 11.2 days. CONCLUSION: As the results show most death occured within the first days after admission and aged patients; consequently, an aggressive intensive treatment should be provided early to the patients with severe community acquired pneumonia, and we should pay more attention to the aged patients.
Adult ; Anoxia ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Azotemia ; Cyanosis ; Enterobacter ; Female ; Hope ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Hypotension ; Critical Care ; Korea ; Leukocytosis ; Leukopenia ; Male ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Patients' Rooms ; Pneumonia* ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Sputum ; Tachypnea ; Vancomycin