Effects of low-level laser therapy and adipose-derived stem cells on the viability of autologous fat grafts: a preliminary study

Background@#Autologous fat grafts are commonly used in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, and various methods are used to improve their viability. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can enhance the proliferation, growth, and differentiation of various cell lines, including stem cells. Our study investigated and compared the effects of LLLT and the addition of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on the viability of fat grafts. @*Methods@#Twenty nude mice were divided into four groups: control (group 1), LLLT irradiation (group 2), ADSC addition (group 3), and LLLT irradiation+ADSC addition (group 4). ADSCs were combined with the fat tissue. LLLT irradiation was performed once daily for 1 week from the day of grafting. After 8 weeks, the weight, volume, histology, and Western blot findings of the grafted fat tissues were evaluated. @*Results@#The retention rate and volume of the fat tissue in groups 2, 3, and 4 were higher than that of group 1, but the difference was not statistically significant. The number of capillaries, histological parameters, and immunofluorescence staining analyses for CD68, CD31, fibroblast growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) showed no significant differences among the four groups. The expression level of VEGF was higher in group 2 than in the other groups, but not to a statistically significant level. @*Conclusions@#LLLT and ADSCs did not significantly improve the viability of autologous fat grafts. Therefore, further study is necessary to develop safe and effective methods to improve the viability of these grafts for clinical application.

Effects of low-level laser therapy and adipose-derived stem cells on the viability of autologous fat grafts: a preliminary study

Background@#Autologous fat grafts are commonly used in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, and various methods are used to improve their viability. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can enhance the proliferation, growth, and differentiation of various cell lines, including stem cells. Our study investigated and compared the effects of LLLT and the addition of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on the viability of fat grafts. @*Methods@#Twenty nude mice were divided into four groups: control (group 1), LLLT irradiation (group 2), ADSC addition (group 3), and LLLT irradiation+ADSC addition (group 4). ADSCs were combined with the fat tissue. LLLT irradiation was performed once daily for 1 week from the day of grafting. After 8 weeks, the weight, volume, histology, and Western blot findings of the grafted fat tissues were evaluated. @*Results@#The retention rate and volume of the fat tissue in groups 2, 3, and 4 were higher than that of group 1, but the difference was not statistically significant. The number of capillaries, histological parameters, and immunofluorescence staining analyses for CD68, CD31, fibroblast growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) showed no significant differences among the four groups. The expression level of VEGF was higher in group 2 than in the other groups, but not to a statistically significant level. @*Conclusions@#LLLT and ADSCs did not significantly improve the viability of autologous fat grafts. Therefore, further study is necessary to develop safe and effective methods to improve the viability of these grafts for clinical application.

Bamboo salt suppresses skin inflammation in mice with 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis / 中国天然药物

Bamboo salt (BS) is a traditional Korean food, and has been reported to have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-metastatic effects. However, the anti-atopic dermatitis (AD) activity of BS has not been described yet. In the present study, we examined the preventive effect of BS on AD. The effect of oral administration of BS was tested in a 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced AD animal model, by histological analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, caspase-1 assay, and Western blotting analysis. BS administration reduced the total clinical severity and scratching frequencies, compared with the AD group. In the serum of DNFB-induced AD mice, the levels of IgE, histamine, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin (IL)-5, and IL-13 were significantly reduced by BS treatment. BS significantly reduced the protein and mRNA expression of TSLP, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the AD skin lesions. BS markedly reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Furthermore, the activation of caspase-1 was reduced by BS in the AD skin lesions. Our results suggested that BS should be considered as a candidate treatment for allergic inflammatory diseases including AD.

Bamboo salt suppresses skin inflammation in mice with 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis / 中国天然药物

Bamboo salt (BS) is a traditional Korean food, and has been reported to have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-metastatic effects. However, the anti-atopic dermatitis (AD) activity of BS has not been described yet. In the present study, we examined the preventive effect of BS on AD. The effect of oral administration of BS was tested in a 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced AD animal model, by histological analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, caspase-1 assay, and Western blotting analysis. BS administration reduced the total clinical severity and scratching frequencies, compared with the AD group. In the serum of DNFB-induced AD mice, the levels of IgE, histamine, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin (IL)-5, and IL-13 were significantly reduced by BS treatment. BS significantly reduced the protein and mRNA expression of TSLP, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the AD skin lesions. BS markedly reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Furthermore, the activation of caspase-1 was reduced by BS in the AD skin lesions. Our results suggested that BS should be considered as a candidate treatment for allergic inflammatory diseases including AD.

Factors Affecting Body Image and Sexual Life for the Colorectal Cancer Patients with Stoma

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe factors affecting body image and sexual life for colorectal cancer patients with stoma. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive correlational study was applied to 102 ostomates from June to November in 2015 using self-report questionnaires: the Body image scale (BIS), and the Derogatis interview for sexual functioning self report (DISF-SR). RESULTS: The influencing factors for body image were ‘need for preoperative sexual education and sexual counseling’ (β=−.29, p=.003), and clinical stage II of colorectal cancer (β=−.26, p=.006). The influencing factor for sexual life was educational level (college education or higher) (β=.21, p=.02). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that colorectal cancer patients with stoma had a negative body image. The sexual counseling and education for ostomates should be approached by considering gender characteristics.

Complete septate uterus, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral adnexal and renal agenesis in pregnancy

Most cases of double uterus with obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis were diagnosed at adolescents after menarche. This is the first reported case of complete septate uterus with obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis in addition to ipsilateral agenesis of fallopian tube and ovary in which the diagnosis was delayed until pregnancy. The pregnancy was uneventful in spite of intermittent vaginal spotting. During the cesarean section, the septum of the uterus was resected and about a 3-cmx3-cm window was made on the vaginal septum to allow an opening for the obstructed vaginal discharge. We followed the patient up for one and half years, and she has not had symptoms such as dysmenorrhea or abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Factors influencing on perinatal outcomes in pregnancy with IgA nephropathy / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate factors influencing on perinatal outcomes of pregnancy with IgA nephropathy and the effect of pregnancy on the prognosis of IgA nephropathy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical and laboratory findings of 28 pregnancies in 25 pregnant women with biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy at six hospitals of Catholic Medical Center throughout the period of January 1999 to December 2009. They are divided into two groups by presence or absence of perinatal complications such as preeclampsia and preterm labor and then compared. The prognosis of IgA nephropathy was determined by serum creatinine level and diagnosis of end stage renal disease (ESRD) until 3 years after delivery. Fisher exact test and Mann-Witney U test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The factors that related perinatal complications included high blood pressure (P=0.019), low glomerular filtration rate (less than 50 mL/min) (P=0.029), and high creatinine level (more than 2.0 mg/dL) (P=0.005). Especially, hypertension and high creatinine level (more than 2.0 mg/dL) increased risk of not only preterm birth (P=0.017, P=0.026, respectively) but also preeclampsia (P=0.008, P=0.001, respectively). The factors that increased risk of ESRD within 2 years after delivery included high creatinine level (more than 2.0 mg/dL) (P=0.018) and preeclampsia (P=0.018). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that hypertension and poor renal function could be predictors of poor perinatal outcomes, and when pregnancies with IgA nephropathy are complicated by preeclampsia or high creatinine level (more than 2.0 mg/dL), the prognosis of IgA nephropathy might be poor.

Early Experience with Doppler-guided Hemorrhoidal Artery Ligation

PURPOSE: Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation (HAL) is an alternative technique to the standard Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy. The purpose of this pilot study is to introduce the HAL technique for grade 2-3 internal hemorrhoids and to evaluate the efficacy of this technique in Korea in terms of results and patient satisfaction. METHODS: The HAL procedure was performed on 29 patients with grade 2 or 3 internal hemorrhoids. Twenty-eight procedures were performed under local anesthesia with lidocaine, and one procedure was performed under general anesthesia due to synchronous surgery for gallstones. With the lithotomy position, the pulsation of the hemorrhoidal artery was localized using a doppler probe, and 3-6 branches of the hemorrhoidal artery were ligated with vicryl 2-0. Patient course was evaluated before and after the procedure by using questionnaires with a visual analog scale. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 44+/-24 yr. There were no significant complications with this procedure. At 3 mo after the operation, symptom scores of anal pain, anal bleeding, and anal prolapse were significantly improved (0.4, 1.0, and 2.4, respectively) compared to the symptom scores before the operation (3.4, 4.6, and 5.9, respectively). The postoperative satisfaction score was 8.1, and the recommendation score was 8.5. CONCLUSION: HAL is a safe and effective technique to relieve anal pain, bleeding, and prolapse of internal hemorrhoids. A comparative study with other procedures and a long-term follow-up after HAL should be the basis for valdating the efficacy of this procedure.

A Case of Fetal Cardiac Rhabdomyoma with Tuberous Sclerosis / 대한주산의학회잡지

Fetal cardiac tumors are a rare condition and are histologically benign. Cardiac rabdomyoma is the most common cardiac tumor and may be associated with tuberous sclerosis. Clinical follow-up including monitoring of fetal well-being is warranted as long as the fetus remains asymptomatic and there is no evidence for hydrops fetalis. If obstruction to blood flow and/or early fetal compromise is noted, then the decision of whether to deliver early must be made. We report a case of fetal cardiac tumor diagnosed by antenatal ultrasonography and diagnosed as tuberous sclerosis with brain MRI scanning after birth.

A case of choledochal cyst diagnosed and conservatively treated during pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회지

Choledocal cyst are cystic dilatations of the biliary tree varying in location from the ampulla of vater to the intrahepatic bile ducts. The majority of the cases are diagnosed during the first decade of the life but in 20% of patients with choledochal cysts, the diagnosis is not made until adulthood. Although these cysts occur frequently in females, presentation in pregnancy or the postpartum period is rare. Choledochal cysts presenting during pregnancy an increased risk to both the mother and developing fetus. The clinical presentation is often nonspecific, and physical and radiologic examination are limited during pregnancy because of the presence of the gravid uterus. We experienced one case of choledochal cyst during pregnancy and report our experience.

A case of endometrioma at the uterine incision scar of previous cesarean section / 대한산부인과학회지

Endometriosis is defined as condition, which is ectopic location of endometrial tissue other than uterus and cause many clinical symptoms. Among extrapelvic endometriosis, scar endometriosis secondary to surgery or procedure is very rare condition. We have experienced one interesting case of endometrioma in uterine wall cesarean section scar. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologic examination of the scar tissue taken after total abdominal hysterectomy.

A case of chemoresistant placental site trophoblastic tumor in a patient who wants to remain fertile / 부인종양

Placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) is a rare form of gestational trophoblastic tumor (GTT) that has different behavior in disease process. The hysterectomy is general for PSTT, but hysterectomy is undesirable for patients who wish to remain fertile. We planned to preserve fertility of a young patient by first administering EMA/CO (Etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D/cyclophosphamide, vincristine) chemotherapy and then performing an open uterine surgery to remove residual tumor. The patient who attempted primary chemotherapy for PSTT must be undergone a hysterectomy because this conservative regimen showed sign of chemoresistance. We report a case of chemoresistant PSTT with trial to preserve fertility with a brief review of literatures.

An Unexplained case of Recurrent Massive Subchorionic Hematoma in Midpregnancy / 대한산부인과학회지

Placental abnormality is the important predisposing cause of intrauterine growth retardation. Massive subchorionic hematoma is defined as a large size of maternal blood clot that separates the chorionic plate from the villous chorion and can result in serious obstetrical complications. We report a case of massive subchorionic hematoma diagnosed prenatally, and propose an additional peculiar finding detectable on both the ultrasound and magnetic resonance images: a large hematoma in the subchorionic region at 17 weeks gestation. At 18 weeks 2 days gestation, the fetus was miscarried. The clinical and pathological findings were compatible with massive subchorionic hematoma. Recurrent massive subchorionic hematoma without thrombophilic finding was observed at the next pregnancy in 17 weeks 5 days by ultrasound. The patient was managed conservatively and had successful outcome at term. So we report the case with the brief review of literatures.

A Study of CVA patients' Experience of the Illness / 간호학회지

This work was done for 9 patients having experience of a herb medical treatment after being diagnosed as CVA during a year from January, 1996 to December, 1996 by using an ethnographic research method. The summarized result of this research are following. I. The Experience of The Illness. First, the falling-ill phase is the time that they have the first stork of paralysis and the decision pattern of medical institution' comes out. The emotional experience in the period is something like 'frustration', 'anxiety', 'despair', and 'expectation'. Second, the active-treatment phase is the time that the patients as well as their family or care giver not only show the positive attitude and actively participate in the illness treatment but also show a lot of interest in medical institutions and activities of health recovery. There is a primary factor of the continuation of treatment as an experience of treatment and being crushed and sensitivity as an experience of the illness. Third, the rehabilitation phase is the time that the patients or their family become tired and insensitive to the treatment and recuperation, and then reduce the treatment activity. There is a primary in fluence factor of the discontinuance of treatment as an experience of treatment and physical experience and emotional experience as an experience as an experience of the illness. The physical experience is divided into 'personal-hygiene care', and 'the sphere of activity'. The emotional experiences are 'blaming someone', 'contempt' and 'despair' as a negative experience and 'hope' as a positive experience. II. Coping Strategy. There are a physical coping, an emotional and mental coping, a coping, a social coping, and a spiritual coping as a coping strategy used for the patients to overcome their illness and adjust themselves to their altered life. First, the physical coping comes out as 8 categories, 'using and auxiliary tool', 'doing exercise', 'protecting', 'improving their diet', 'taking care of something', 'using subsidiary medicines', 'trying a folk remedy', and 'having interest in their health'. Second, for the emotional and mental coping, there are 'accepting' and 'trying' as a positive coping and a failure of control as a negative coping. Third, the social coping is appeared as 'being supported'. Fourth, the spiritual coping is recognized as 'recourse to God' and 'preparation of death'. After all, the elderly CVA patients in a agricultural area choose the act of treatment based on the traditional belief and the relationship with a caretaker. A personal health can be maintained by taking care of themselves and controling their mind, and the overcome of the illness is decided on the basis of traditional concepts and cultural principles in which the patients as well as the family, neighbors and take care should work out together and cooperate with each other in order to achieve that.