Glia-Like Cells from Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Protect Neural Stem Cells in an In Vitro Model of Alzheimer's Disease by Reducing NLRP-3 Inflammasome

Background@#and Purpose: Neural stem cells (NSCs) have the ability to regenerate, proliferate, and differentiate, enabling them to play important roles in the recovery of the damaged nervous system. However, in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), the NSCs are damaged as well. Glia-like cells from human mesenchymal stem cells (ghMSCs) are functionally enhanced adult stem cells. In the present study, we investigated whether ghMSCs could protect NSCs from amyloid beta (Aβ)-mediated toxicity. @*Methods@#Rat NSCs were obtained from E13–14 fetal rat cortices. NSCs were seeded in pre-coated plates, and the next day, cells were simultaneously treated with 20 μM Aβ and 0.4 μm pore insert well-seeded ghMSCs. After 48 hours of co-treatment, cell viability and proliferation were evaluated. After 2 hours of co-treatment, western blotting was performed to measure inflammasome-related factors, such as NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3, caspase-1, and interleukin-1β. @*Results@#The results showed that ghMSCs increased viability and proliferation and reduced the toxicity of NSCs injured by Aβ by reducing the NRLP3 inflammasome activation of NSCs induced by Aβ. @*Conclusions@#In this study, we confirmed that ghMSCs could protect NSCs in an in vitro model of AD through the regulation of inflammatory response.

Glia-Like Cells from Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Protect Neural Stem Cells in an In Vitro Model of Alzheimer's Disease by Reducing NLRP-3 Inflammasome

Background@#and Purpose: Neural stem cells (NSCs) have the ability to regenerate, proliferate, and differentiate, enabling them to play important roles in the recovery of the damaged nervous system. However, in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), the NSCs are damaged as well. Glia-like cells from human mesenchymal stem cells (ghMSCs) are functionally enhanced adult stem cells. In the present study, we investigated whether ghMSCs could protect NSCs from amyloid beta (Aβ)-mediated toxicity. @*Methods@#Rat NSCs were obtained from E13–14 fetal rat cortices. NSCs were seeded in pre-coated plates, and the next day, cells were simultaneously treated with 20 μM Aβ and 0.4 μm pore insert well-seeded ghMSCs. After 48 hours of co-treatment, cell viability and proliferation were evaluated. After 2 hours of co-treatment, western blotting was performed to measure inflammasome-related factors, such as NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3, caspase-1, and interleukin-1β. @*Results@#The results showed that ghMSCs increased viability and proliferation and reduced the toxicity of NSCs injured by Aβ by reducing the NRLP3 inflammasome activation of NSCs induced by Aβ. @*Conclusions@#In this study, we confirmed that ghMSCs could protect NSCs in an in vitro model of AD through the regulation of inflammatory response.

Olig2-expressing Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhance Functional Recovery after Contusive Spinal Cord Injury

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Glial scarring and inflammation after spinal cord injury (SCI) interfere with neural regeneration and functional recovery due to the inhibitory microenvironment of the injured spinal cord. Stem cell transplantation can improve functional recovery in experimental models of SCI, but many obstacles to clinical application remain due to concerns regarding the effectiveness and safety of stem cell transplantation for SCI patients. In this study, we investigated the effects of transplantation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) that were genetically modified to express Olig2 in a rat model of SCI. METHODS: Bone marrow-derived hMSCs were genetically modified to express Olig2 and transplanted one week after the induction of contusive SCI in a rat model. Spinal cords were harvested 7 weeks after transplantation. RESULTS: Transplantation of Olig2-expressing hMSCs significantly improved functional recovery in a rat model of contusive SCI model compared to the control hMSC-transplanted group. Transplantation of Olig2-expressing hMSCs also attenuated glial scar formation in spinal cord lesions. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that transplanted Olig2-expressing hMSCs were partially differentiated into Olig1-positive oligodendrocyte-like cells in spinal cords. Furthermore, NF-M-positive axons were more abundant in the Olig2-expressing hMSC-transplanted group than in the control hMSC-transplanted group. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that Olig2-expressing hMSCs are a safe and optimal cell source for treating SCI.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Enhances Axonal Outgrowth in Organotypic Spinal Cord Slices via Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 1 and 2

Enhancing adult nerve regeneration is a potential therapeutic strategy for treating spinal cord injury. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major contributor to angiogenesis, which can reduce the spinal cord injury by inhibiting the inflammation and improve recovery after spinal cord injury. We have previously demonstrated that exogenous VEGF has neurotrophic effects on injured spinal nerves in organotypic spinal cord slice cultures. However, the mechanisms underlying the neurite growth by exogenous VEGF remain to be explored in spinal cord. In this study, we found out that exogenous VEGF mediated axonal outgrowth through VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1) and VEGFR2, both of which were expressed on organotypic spinal cord slices. Although VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were constitutively expressed in some cells of control spinal cord slices, VEGF treatment upregulated expression of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2. Both VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were expressed in neuronal cells as well as glial cells of organotypic spinal cord slices. We also observed that VEGF-induced axonal outgrowth was attenuated by a specific mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor PD98059 and a specific phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor wortmannin. Thus, these findings suggest that these MAPK and PI3K pathways have important roles in regulating VEGF-induced axonal outgrowth in the postnatal spinal cord.

Retraction: A Fosmid Cloning Strategy for Detecting the Widest Possible Spectrum of Microbes from the International Space Station Drinking Water System

No abstract available.

A Fosmid Cloning Strategy for Detecting the Widest Possible Spectrum of Microbes from the International Space Station Drinking Water System

In this study, fosmid cloning strategies were used to assess the microbial populations in water from the International Space Station (ISS) drinking water system (henceforth referred to as Prebiocide and Tank A water samples). The goals of this study were: to compare the sensitivity of the fosmid cloning strategy with that of traditional culture-based and 16S rRNA-based approaches and to detect the widest possible spectrum of microbial populations during the water purification process. Initially, microbes could not be cultivated, and conventional PCR failed to amplify 16S rDNA fragments from these low biomass samples. Therefore, randomly primed rolling-circle amplification was used to amplify any DNA that might be present in the samples, followed by size selection by using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The amplified high-molecular-weight DNA from both samples was cloned into fosmid vectors. Several hundred clones were randomly selected for sequencing, followed by Blastn/Blastx searches. Sequences encoding specific genes from Burkholderia, a species abundant in the soil and groundwater, were found in both samples. Bradyrhizobium and Mesorhizobium, which belong to rhizobia, a large community of nitrogen fixers often found in association with plant roots, were present in the Prebiocide samples. Ralstonia, which is prevalent in soils with a high heavy metal content, was detected in the Tank A samples. The detection of many unidentified sequences suggests the presence of potentially novel microbial fingerprints. The bacterial diversity detected in this pilot study using a fosmid vector approach was higher than that detected by conventional 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Relationships between maxillary growth and cervical vertebrae in Korean boys / 대한구강악안면방사선학회지

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate whether cervical vertebrae can be utilized in evaluating the growth of the maxilla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty one male patients took lateral cephalometric radiographs once in every two years from the age of 8 till 14. Measured parameters were the concavity depth at the lower border of the third and fourth cervical vertebrae, and three analytical maxillary dimensions. RESULTS: The analysis of the maxillary measurements and the concavity depth at the lower border of the cervical vertebrae in the lateral cephalometric radiographs showed that the measured parameters gradually increased as the patients aged. Moreover, while the parameters of the patients in age 8 and 10 did not show any correlation, those of the patients in age 12 and 14 definitely showed the correlations. CONCLUSION: Although certain correlations were seen in particular parameters, further researches and studies with various parameters and shorter age intervals are needed. The result of this study will help clinicians in making plans and evaluating the proposed treatment plans.

The effect of differential modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor on the proliferation of primary cultured normal human oral keratinocytes: DNA synthesis rate analysis

In the present study, I investigated the effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), arachidonic acid (AA), and Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor (NOSI), alone or in combination, on the proliferation of cultured primary normal human oral keratinocytes (NHOK). The purpose of this study was therefore the preliminary study for the examination of the interaction between these agents and NHOK in order to elucidate the mechanisms by which epithelial growth and regeneration are regulated. NHOK were obtained from gingival tissue of 20 individuals aged 20 to 29, and third passage (P3) cells were used for this study. The DNA synthesis was measured by the BrdU assay. Addition of low concentration of AA (1 micro M) and high concentration of AA with NMDA group (NMDA+AA 10 micro M) made DNA synthesis rate increase significantly at the early stage. Adding NNA (10 micro M) affected DNA synthesis rate to increase significantly in 4 hours. At the early stage, DNA synthesis was significantly active in the NOS-I with NMDA groups than in the control and the NMDA-only group, while it didn't become statistically meaningful in 24 hours. AA 1 micro M and NNA 10 micro M may induce the proliferation of the NHOK independently and NOS-I may induce the proliferation of the NHOK with NMDA. These reactions might be related to the NMDA receptor in the cell and the change of the intracellular calcium ion concentration.

7 years of Longitudinal Study on Pneumatization of Maxillary Sinuses using Lateral Cephalogram / 대한해부학회지

Maxillary Sinus is one of the four sinuses located in human skull, which is pyramidal shape of varying size and form. It has 4 surfaces, which are facial, infratemporal, orbital and nasal surface. It originates from invagination of mucosa at the middle nasal meatus, and the diameter at birth is reported to be only 3~4 mm. The primary pneumatization site is the inferior medial site of ethmoidal infundibulum, and the secondary pneumatization starts at 5 month after birth, proceeding inferior to the nasal capsule and penetrating the spongy bone of maxilla. This pneumatization phenomenon contributes the growth of maxillary sinus, and has been studied by several authors for many years. However, the study of the growth of human maxillary sinus, especially the longitudinal study, has been very scanty because of many reasons. Therefore, we studied the patterns of pnematization of human maxillary sinuses using longitudinal lateral cephalometric data. From 1995 to 2001, that is for 7 years, the lateral cephalograms of total 410 children (from 6 years old to 12 years) were taken with no loss of follow-up, after discarding the data which include lack of even one year. After tracing the outline of maxillary sinus, the area, height, and sagittal length of maxillary sinuses were measured. And the annual increase or decrease and sum of it were calculated. The descriptive statistics including average and standard deviation, and correlation test for each sex were performed using SPSS ver 10.0. The average area of maxillary sinuses were 470.70mm2 at 6, 544.31mm2 at 7, 604.80mm2 at 8, 647.35mm2 at 9, 761.04mm2 at 11, 837.01mm2 at 12 years old, and the total increase from 6 to 12 years old was 78.86%. The result of this study showed that there was weak to moderate sexual difference of pneumatization of maxillary sinus. And the correlation between somatic growth and the growth of maxillary sinus were statistically significant. However, the correlations were substantively non-significant since the correlation coefficients were relatively low. Continuing studies are thought to be mandatory for thorough understanding the growth of human maxillary sinus and its relation to the somatic growth.

An Evaluation of Validity of Measurements using Digital Caliper and Three-dimensional Virtual Dental Models / 대한해부학회지

The measurement of tooth and the space analysis of dental study models are essential for precise diagnosis and treatment plan for orthodontic or prosthodontic cases. Traditionally, these have been done on study models with instruments, such as a divider or a caliper. At present, three-dimensional (3-D) virtual dental models are available for clinicians, supplemented by dedicated software for performing needed measurements on them. For example, Autoscan system for dental application(TM) (ASDA; INUS technology INC, Korea) is one of these systems using a non-contact 3- D scanner. The accuracy of this system has been tested and validated by the Korea Testing Laboratory. However, the outline of dental models is not simple and has many undercuts. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the accuracy of measuring models using digital calipers or ASDA to compare these two techniques. From each ten study models, 10 duplicated stone and 10 virtual models were generated. Virtual models were scanned from duplicated model because of revival of clinical situation. Then, central incisors, canines, first molars, arch (intercanine and intermolar) width of original model were measured by a digital caliper, and the same items of virtual models were measured by software. All measurements were performed twice by two experienced observers. Data were statistically analyzed by 2-way Analysis of Variance (2-way ANOVA, SPSS Ver. 11.5). The results from this study have demonstrated that virtual model is highly valid and reliable for measuring both tooth size and arch width. Although some values of virtual model are higher or lower than original dental model, the significance value is still higher than 0.97. A digital caliper seems to be a more precise instrument to perform a scientific work, ASDA's accuracy is clinically acceptable. Furthermore, considering its present advantages and future possible applications, the examined or equivalent 3-D virtual models may become the standard for clinical use.

Study on the Perceived Stress of Father of High-Risk Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU) / 아동간호학회지

PURPOSE: To investigate the degree and sources of stress which fathers of infants in NICU experience. METHOD: Eighty-five fathers of NICU infants at 5 university hospitals in Seoul volunteered to complete the Parental Stressor Scale for NICU (PSS: NICU) from September 1, to October 15, 2002. RESULTS: Total perceived stress was 3.50+/-0.76. The highest score were in Parental Role Alteration (3.76+/-0.83) and Appearance and Behavior (3.65+/-1.04). The total perceived stress score (PSS), correlated significantly with method (t=3.50, p=.01), and route (F=5.30, p=.00) of feeding. Light & Sound correlated significantly with birth weight (F=3.39, p=.02), medical diagnosis(F=2.30, p=.03), plan of operation(t=2.50, p=.01), operation (t=3.80, p=.02), method (F=4.90, p=.003), and route (F=4.70, p=.00) of feeding. Infant Appearance and Behavior correlated significantly with birth weight (F=5.12, p=.01), plan of operation (t=2.50, p=.01), method (F=3.50, p=.01), and route (F=7.80, p=.00) of feeding. Parental Role Alteration correlated significantly with care of incubator (t=-.68, p=.03), method of feeding (F=2.80, p=.04) and education level of father (F=3.00, p=.05). CONCLUSION: Father with NICU infants were concerned mostly with parental role alteration and infant appearance. Nursing intervention should include fathers of NICU infants.

A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) with Antiphospholipid Antibodies Presented with Tendency for Severe Bleeding

We report a case of SLE with antiphospholipid antibodies presented initially with severe bleeding. A six-year-old boy was admitted due to severe nasal bleeding for 2 months. The boy showed typical malar rash. The laboratory tests indicated that his platelet count was 80,000/mm3 and the PT and the aPTT were markedly prolonged. A number of clotting factors were decreased, including factorsll<12%, Vll: 42%, lX : 38%, Xl: 41%, and Xll: 16%. Urinalysis showed hematuria and proteinuria, and 24-hour urine protein was 1.37g/day. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test was false positive, Coombs test, lupus anticoagulants and anticardiolipin antibodies (IgG and IgM) were positive. His symptoms and laboratory tests fulfilled the criteria of SLE with antiphospholipid antibody. Renal pathology showed lupus nepritis (diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis, class lV). After steroid therapy, his nasal bleeding stopped immediately, and laboratory findings became normalized. This case showed the tendency of paradoxic bleeding, instead of the expected thrombosis which can be found in this type of patient. We anticipate it is mainly due to pronounced prothrombin deficiency.

A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) with Antiphospholipid Antibodies Presented with Tendency for Severe Bleeding

We report a case of SLE with antiphospholipid antibodies presented initially with severe bleeding. A six-year-old boy was admitted due to severe nasal bleeding for 2 months. The boy showed typical malar rash. The laboratory tests indicated that his platelet count was 80,000/mm3 and the PT and the aPTT were markedly prolonged. A number of clotting factors were decreased, including factorsll<12%, Vll: 42%, lX : 38%, Xl: 41%, and Xll: 16%. Urinalysis showed hematuria and proteinuria, and 24-hour urine protein was 1.37g/day. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test was false positive, Coombs test, lupus anticoagulants and anticardiolipin antibodies (IgG and IgM) were positive. His symptoms and laboratory tests fulfilled the criteria of SLE with antiphospholipid antibody. Renal pathology showed lupus nepritis (diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis, class lV). After steroid therapy, his nasal bleeding stopped immediately, and laboratory findings became normalized. This case showed the tendency of paradoxic bleeding, instead of the expected thrombosis which can be found in this type of patient. We anticipate it is mainly due to pronounced prothrombin deficiency.

Relationship between recurrence and histopathological and immunohistochemical pattern of layngeal papilloma / 대한이비인후과학회지

No abstract available.

Composition of glycoproteins in goblet cells and submucosal glands / 대한이비인후과학회지

No abstract available.

Subungual Exostosis

Subungual exostosis are not uncommon, however, they are infrequently mentioned in the dermatologic literature. We report herein a rase of subungual exostosis in the great toe of 16-year-old female student which was confirmed by histopathologic and radiologic findings. Histopathologic examination showed that the mass was ooeered by a dense fibrous tissue which merged into a fibrocartilage cap and bone. Computed tomography showed a well defined, oval shaped, radiopacity of bony density capped by a radiolucency.

A Case of Erythema Multiforme - like Eruptions due to Contact with Lacquer Tree / 대한피부과학회지

Irritant or allergic contact dermatitis presents usually eczematous process or occasionally noneczematous lesions like in this case. We report a case of erythema rnultiforme-like eruptions in a 40-year-old female who presented multiple iris or annular shaped maculopapular eruptions on both hands and forearms after contact of lacquer tree. Being performed with standard patch test screening series, lacquer tree extracts and urushiol, she showed significant reactions to the lacquer tree and urushiol. Histopathologic findings showed both features of erythema multiforme and suh acute contact dermatitis.

A Case of Cervical Tab / 대한피부과학회지

Cervical tab is one of the congenital anomalies, originated from an accessory tragus or a remnant of branchial cartilage on the head a.nd neck. A 41 year old male patient was seen with 1.1 x0.8cm sized cartilage consistent intredermal nodule on the left supraclavicular area. Histopathologic findings showed the oval shaped cartilags surrounded with connective tissue and interstitial substance stained black with Verhoeff van Gieson stain.

A Case of Chondroid Syringoma with Ossification / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

A Case of Dilated Pore of Wliner / 대한피부과학회지

We report herein a case of dilated pore occuring on the right philtrum of a, 65-year -old man. Histopathologic findings revealed irregular hyperplasia of the follicular wall focally in the lower portion but slightly atrophic in the ostial portion. This was treated by excision.