Character comparison of abdomen-derived and eyelid-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

OBJECTIVES: While most human adipose tissues, such as those located in the abdomen, hip and thigh, are of mesodermal origin, adipose tissues located in the face are of ectodermal origin. The present study has compared stem cell-related features of abdomen-derived adult stem cells (A-ASCs) with those of eyelid-derived adult stem cells (E-ASCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adipose tissue-derived cells were maintained in DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS. Before passage 6, cells were analysed using FACS, immunocytochemistry and quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). To examine multi-differentiational potential, early passage ASCs were cultivated in each of a commercial Stempro(®) Differentiation kit. RESULTS: Unlike fibroblast-like morphology of A-ASCs, E-ASCs had bipolar morphology. Both types of cell exhibited similar surface antigens, and neuronal cell-related genes and proteins. However, there were differences in mRNA expression levels of CD90 and CD146; neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and nuclear receptor-related protein 1 (Nurr1) were different between the two cell types. There was no difference in multi-differentiational potential between 3 E-ASCs lines, however, E-ASCs had higher expression levels of chondrocyte-related genes compared to A-ASCs. These cells underwent senescence and maintained normal karyotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Although isolated from similar adipose tissues, both types of cells displayed many contrasting characteristics. Understanding defining phenotypes of such cells is useful for making suitable choices in differing clinical indications.

Human insulin secreted from insulinogenic xenograft restores normoglycemia in type 1 diabetic mice without immunosuppression.

In the present study, we examined the therapeutic potential of human amnion-derived insulin-secreting cells for type 1 diabetes. Human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMs) were isolated from amnion and cultivated to differentiate into insulin-secreting cells in vitro. After culture in vitro, the differentiated cells (hAM-ISCs) were intensively stained with dithizone and secreted insulin and c-peptide in a high-glucose-dependent manner. They expressed mRNAs of pancreatic cell-related genes, including INS, PDX1, Nkx6-1, NEUROG3, ISL1, NEUROD1, GLUT1, GLUT2, PC1/3, PC2, GCK, PPY, SST, and GC, and were positive for human insulin and c-peptide. Transplantation of hAM-ISCs into the kidneys of mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes restored body weight and normalized the blood glucose levels, which lasted for 210 days. Only human insulin and c-peptide were detected in the blood of normalized mice after 2 months of transplantation, but little mouse insulin and c-peptide. Removal of graft-bearing kidneys from these mice resulted in causing hyperglycemia again. Human cell-specific gene, hAlu, and human pancreatic cell-specific genes, insulin, PDX1, GLUT1, GLP1R, Nkx6-1, NEUROD1, and NEUROG3, were detected in the graft-bearing kidneys. Colocalization of human insulin and human nuclei antigen was also observed. These results demonstrate that hAMs could differentiate into functional insulin-secreting cells in vitro, and human insulin secreted from hAM-ISCs following transplantation into type 1 diabetic mice could normalize hyperglycemia, overcoming immune rejection for a long period.

Distribution and fate of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in indoor environments of elementary schools.

UNLABELLED: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are considered harmful to human health because of their toxicities and persistence in environments. In the current study, the distribution and fate of PBDEs in classrooms and computer rooms in 17 elementary schools in South Korea have been described. Eight congeners (brominated diphenyl ether-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154, -183, and -209) in air, floor dust, and product surface dust were measured. While Sigma(8)PBDEs in the air in classrooms showed considerable variations (0.659-1600 pg/m(3), arithmetic mean +/- s.d.: 377 +/- 441 pg/m(3)), those in computer rooms were somewhat similar (134-220 pg/m(3), arithmetic mean +/- s.d.: 169 +/- 40 pg/m(3)). Sigma(8)PBDEs in floor dust varied over a wide range, from 453 to 45,700 ng/g, for all rooms. Based on congener patterns, two groups were created--CL-1 that is dominated by high-brominated congeners and CL-2 primarily comprising low-brominated congeners--for both air and floor dust of classrooms. Surface dust had low concentrations, ranged from ND to 181, from ND to 128, and from ND to 256 pg/cm(2) for desk/chair sets, lockers, and playing tools, respectively. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated individually for air, floor dust, and surface dust. The results indicate that both surface dust and floor dust may act as a secondary source of PBDEs in indoor environments after emission from facilities. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Children have been estimated to have a higher potential exposure to PBDEs than adults. Since children spend most of their day time at school, PBDE distributions in school environments should be a matter of great concern.

Overexpression of stathmin1 in the diffuse type of gastric cancer and its roles in proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Stathmin1 is a microtubule-regulating protein that has an important role in the assembly and disassembly of the mitotic spindle. The roles of stathmin1 in carcinogenesis of various cancers, including prostate and breast cancer, have been explored. However, its expression and roles in gastric cancer have not yet been described. METHODS: Stathmin1 expression in paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 226 patients was analysed by immunohistochemistry. Roles of stathmin1 were studied using a specific small interfering RNA (siRNA). RESULTS: The expression of stathmin1 was positively correlated with lymph node metastasis, TNM stages and vascular invasion, and negatively with recurrence-free survival, in the diffuse type of gastric cancer. The median recurrence-free survival in patients with a negative and positive expression of stathmin1 was 17.0 and 7.0 months, respectively (P=0.009). When the expression of stathmin1 was knocked down using siRNA, the proliferation, migration and invasion of poorly differentiated gastric cancer cells in vitro were significantly inhibited. Moreover, stathmin1 siRNA transfection significantly slowed the growth of xenografts in nude mice. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that stathmin1 can be a good prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival rate and is a therapeutic target in diffuse-type gastric cancer.

Manganese does not alter the severe neurotoxicity of MPTP.

We utilized a mice model of Parkinsonism: (1) to evaluate 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced neurotoxicity; and (2) to evaluate whether manganese (Mn) exposure can affect MPTP-induced neurotoxicity. A 2 x 3 experimental design (MPTP x+/- Mn) was as follows: SS, MPTP(-) x Mn(-); SLMn, MPTP(-) x low Mn(+); SHMn, MPTP(-) x high Mn(+); MpS, MPTP(+) x Mn(-); MpLMn, MPTP(+) x low Mn(+); MpHMn, MPTP(+) x high Mn(+). We administered MPTP (30 mg/kg per day) to male C57BL/6 mice intraperitoneally, once a day for 5 days. Subsequently, mice were treated with either 2 or 8 mg/kg of MnCl(2).4H(2)O intraperitoneally, once a day for 3 weeks. Blood and striatal Mn levels were elevated in the Mnexposed groups. The number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive (ir) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta were decreased significantly in the MPTP-exposed groups. The densities of TH-ir axon terminals in caudate-putamen (CPU) were significantly decreased in the MPTP-treated groups. However, Mn treatment did not affect MPTP neurotoxicity. The densities of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-ir astrocytes in the CPU or globus pallidus were significantly increased in the MPTP-treated groups. Concentrations of dopamine in the striatum were decreased significantly in the MPTP-exposed groups only, but Mn had no effect.

Gross quantitative measurements of spinal cord segments in human.

STUDY DESIGN: Anatomical measurement. OBJECTIVE: To obtain quantitative anatomical data on each spinal cord segment in human, and determine the presence of correlations between the measures. SETTING: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan, Korea. METHODS: A total of 15 embalmed Korean adult human cadavers (13 males, two females; mean age 57.3 years) were used. The length of each cord segment was defined as the root attachment length plus the upper inter-root length. After performing a total vertebrectomy, a transverse cut was made at the approximate proximal and distal point of each segment from segment C3 to S5. Sagittal and transverse diameters at the proximal end of each segment, and cross-sectional area, height, and volume of the segment were measured. RESULTS: The transverse diameter was largest at segment C5, and decreased progressively to segment T8. However, the sagittal diameter of each segment did not change distinctly with the segment. The cervical and lumbar enlargements were determined by the transverse diameters of the segments. Segment C5 had the largest cross-sectional area, at 75.0 mm(2). Segment T6 was the longest, averaging 22.4 mm in length. The longest segment in the cervical spinal cord was segment C5, at 15.5 mm, and segment L1 in the lumbar spinal cord. The volume was largest at segment C5, with a value of 1173.9 mm(3). CONCLUSIONS: We found characteristic quantitative differences in the values of the parameters measured in the thoracic spinal cord compared to those measured in the cervical and lumbar or lumbosacral spinal cords. These measurements of spinal cord segments appear to provide valuable and practical standard quantitative features and may provide basic data for understanding the morphometric characteristics relevant to pathophysiologic conditions of the spinal cord.

Immunohistochemical characterization of macrophage and dendritic cell subpopulations of the spleen, thymus, tongue and heart in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed rat.

This study was undertaken to investigate the immunohistochemical characterization of different subpopulations of macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) of the spleen, thymus, tongue and heart in cyclophosphamide (CY)-induced immunosuppressed rat. After CY treatment, remarkably, ED1+, ED2+ and ED3+ macrophage subpopulations, in general exhibited signs of cellular activation such as an increase in number and size of cell, and an upregulation of the ED1, ED2 and ED3 reactive surface molecule expression in all the organs studied, except for some macrophage subpopulations including ED1+ macrophages in the non-lymphoid tissues. Subpopulations of DCs showed a differential sensitivity to CY. Lymphoid DCs were more sensitive to CY than non-lymphoid interstitial DCs. CY induced a conspicuous upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in the vascular endothelial cells, splenic marginal zone and thymic cortex. In this study, we demonstrated the in vivo effects of CY treatment on subpopulations of macrophages and DCs as well as on ICAM-1 expression in the rat spleen, thymus, tongue and heart. Moreover, our results shed more light on the activation effects of CY on certain subpopulations of macrophages, on the differential sensitivity of DCs to CY between the immature and mature ones, on the functional role of different subpopulations of macrophages, and on the significance of upregulated ICAM-1 expression in the splenic marginal zone and thymic cortex after CY treatment.

Antitumor effect of intratumoral administration of dendritic cell combination with vincristine chemotherapy in a murine fibrosarcoma model.

A new antitumor therapeutic strategy utilizing the combined effect of chemotherapy and DC (dendritic cell)-based immunotherapy was designed, and the effect of intratumoral injections of unpulsed, immature DCs was evaluated after in vivo pretreatment of vincristine on tumor growth in a murine fibrosarcoma tumor model. Vincristine exerted a much more potent apoptosis/necrosis-inducing effect on MCA-102 tumor cells than on DCs both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, CD11c, CD40, CD80 and CD86 molecules on DCs were not downregulated after treatment with vincristine either in vitro or in vivo. The growth of tumor significantly regressed in the group which received the combined vincristine chemotherapy with intratumoral administration of DCs in contrast to the untreated group, the group treated with DCs alone, and the group treated with vincristine alone. In particular, an upregulated expression of CD40, CD80 and CD86 molecules on DCs was found in the combination treatment group. Furthermore, the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and the staining intensity of their CD4 and CD8 surface molecules also increased after the combination treatment. Therefore, our results indicate the feasibility of this combination therapy with vincristine chemotherapy and DC-based immunotherapy as an efficient antitumor strategy for the treatment of fibrosarcoma.

Analysis of the in vivo dendritic cell response to the bacterial superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B in the mouse spleen.

To investigate the in vivo effects of Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) on dendritic cells (DCs) in the spleen, a single dose of SEB (50 microg/kg) was administered to BALB/c mice by intraperitoneal injection. Afterwards, the mice were sacrificed at 2, 6 and 24 hr, 2, 4, 7 and 15 days, and the spleens were removed. The immunocytochemical characterization of the cells was carried out using various monoclonal antibodies in cryostat-cut sections. The distribution patterns of DCs and their major costimulatory molecules, CD80, CD86 and CD40 in the spleen were identified, and the evidence for maturation of DCs in vivo in response to SEB was obtained. It was found that systemic administration of SEB induced the migration of most of the immature, splenic DCs from the marginal zone to the periarterial lymphatic sheath within 6 hr. This movement paralleled a maturation process, as assessed by upregulation of CD40, CD80 and CD86 expression in the interdigitating dendritic cells (IDCs). The upregulation of costimulatory molecule expression was conspicuous only in DCs in contrast to other antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as macrophages and B cells which did not show any significant alterations in their costimulatory molecule expression. We also demonstrated the temporal expression pattern of these costimulatory molecules on the activated DCs. The upregulation of costimulatory molecules on DCs reached a peak level 6 hr after SEB injection, while the increase in number of T cells expressing T cell receptor V138 reached a peak level on day 2 after SEB treatment. In conclusion, we demonstrated the in vivo DC response to SEB in the mouse spleen, especially a potent stimulative effect of SEB on DCs in vivo, a temporal distribution pattern of DCs as well as T cells including TCR Vbeta8+ T cells, and a differential expression pattern of costimulatory molecules on the activated DCs. The results of the present study indicate that DCs are the principal type of APCs which mediate T cell activation by SAg in vivo, and that each costimulatory molecule may have different role in the activation of DCs by SAg. Thus, it is plausible to speculate that DCs play a critical role in the T cell clonal expansion by SAgs and other SAg-induced immune responses in vivo.

Two-dimensional multiplanar and three-dimensional volume-rendered vascular CT in pancreatic carcinoma: interobserver agreement and comparison with standard helical techniques.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare two-dimensional curved multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstructions, routine axial presentations, and combined techniques in the assessment of vascular involvement by pancreatic malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 44 patients with known pancreatic malignancy a total of 56 arterial phase helical CT scans were obtained. Targeted pancreatic imaging was performed, and reformatted images were generated. Axial source images, reformatted images, and the combination of axial and reformatted images were interpreted independently by three observers. The observers graded the celiac axis, common and proper hepatic, splenic, gastroduodenal, and superior mesenteric arteries for tumor involvement. Grades of vascular involvement were compared by intra- and interobserver variability analyses. RESULTS: Intraobserver agreement averaged over five vessels was good between the axial and combined techniques for each individual observer (0.64 < or kappa < or = 0.66), but intraobserver agreement was poor between the axial and reformatted (kappa = 0.17 and kappa = 0.31, respectively) and the reformatted and combined techniques (kappa = 0.31 and kappa = 0.38, respectively) for two observers. For grading of vascular involvement in each vessel, intraobserver agreement was good to excellent between the axial and combined techniques (0.48 or = kappa < or = 0.82). Interobserver agreement averaged over five vessels was poor for imaging techniques except between observer 2 and observer 3 on the axial (kappa = 0.47) and combined techniques (kappa = 0.47). For grading of vascular involvement in each vessel, interobserver agreement for reformatted technique was poor (0.09 < or = kappa < or = 0.40). CONCLUSION: Multiplanar and volume-rendered techniques showed the highest intra- and interobserver variability in grading vascular involvement by pancreatic malignancy. These images should be used in combination with routine axial images to decrease observer variability.

Serum immunoreactivity to S-100 in children with cerebral palsy and delayed development and in their healthy parents.

The passive immunization of pregnant female rats to S-100 protein often leads to ultra-structural abnormalities in the brain glial structures of the offspring of these rats and induces signs of delayed development in the fetal brain. Additionally passive immunization of pregnant animals with certain antigens induces permanent Ag-specific changes in the immune response of their offspring. The purpose of this study was to investigate serum immunoreactiviy (SIR) to S-100 in cerebral-palsied and developmentally-delayed children as well as in their healthy parents and to evaluate its significance related to radiologic findings of brain MRI and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The subjects were children with cerebral palsy and delayed development that had abnormal findings on brain MRI or Brain SPECT. SIR to S-100 protein was measured by ELISA method in the patients, their healthy parents, 20 normal adult controls and 22 normally developed children. The SIR to S-100 protein was significantly higher in the cerebral-palsied and developmentally-delayed children when compared to that of the normal control group children. Increased SIRs were detected in healthy mothers but not in their fathers. There was no difference of SIR between the cerebral-palsied and developmentally-delayed children or any significant difference of SIRs according to the findings of the brain MRI or to developmental quotients. But, the SIRs to S-100 protein were higher in the group of more abnormal findings on brain SPECT.

Incidence and characterization of Listeria monocytogenes from domestic and imported foods in Korea.

A total of 1,537 domestic and imported food products were examined for the incidence of Listeria monocytogenes between 1993 and 1997 in Korea. L. monocytogenes was detected using the U.S. Department of Agriculture isolation method. Isolated L. monocytogenes was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction with hly1 and hly2 primers designed from the listeriolysin O. Overall, 122 samples (7.9%) contained L. monocytogenes. The rate of isolation was 4.3% for beef, 19.1% for pork, 30.2% for chicken, 1.2% for shellfish, 4.4% for raw milk, 4.4% for frozen smoked mussels, and 6.1% for ice cream. No L. monocytogenes was found in pasteurized milk, pasteurized processed cheese, saltwater fish, dried seafoods, or ham. The overall incidence was lower than that reported in previous studies from other countries. Most isolates were serotype 1/2b except for chicken, in which serotype 1/2a was predominant. The serotyping results might imply the presence of food or geography-specific L. monocytogenes strains.

Pancreatic serous cystadenoma associated with islet cell tumour.

We report the case of a 29-year-old female patient with a diffuse type of serous cystadenoma involving the entire pancreas except for part of the head, which was replaced by islet cell tumour. Ultrasound and CT showed multiple cysts in the entire pancreas and a solid mass with calcification in the head. MRI characterized the fluid content of the cysts and the extent of disease.

Value of the dynamic and delayed MR sequence with Gd-DTPA in the T-staging of stomach cancer: correlation with the histopathology.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the usefulness of dynamic and delayed magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the T-staging of stomach cancer and to compare the enhancement pattern of the cancerous lesion and the normal wall. METHODS: We performed MR imaging in 46 patients with stomach cancer (including four early gastric cancers and 42 advanced gastric cancers). Axial, sagittal, or coronal two-dimensional fast low-angle shot) MR images for the water-distended stomach were obtained with dynamic protocol, including precontrast images and images obtained 30, 60, 90, and 240-300 s after intravenous injection of the 0.1 mM Gd-DTPA/kg solution. We evaluated the thickness, interruption (or not) of the low signal intensity bands, and enhancement pattern of the cancerous wall and normal gastric wall. We prospectively evaluated the depth of cancer invasion, perigastric infiltration (extraserosal invasion), perigastric organ invasion, and regional lymph nodes and determined tumor staging on MR images. These MR evaluations including MR-determined staging were correlated with the surgicopathologic findings. RESULTS: Stomach cancer was shown as having a thickened wall with a rapid enhancing pattern after intravenous Gd-DTPA administration. The mucosa (and/or submucosa) affected by stomach cancer showed an early enhancement pattern (30-90 s after Gd-DTPA administration) in 43 of 46 patients (93%). The normal gastric mucosa demonstrated a delayed peak enhancement pattern (> 90 s after Gd-DTPA administration) in 29 of 46 patients (63%) and variable enhancement pattern in 17 of 46 patients (37%). An interrupted low signal intensity band or highly enhanced tumorous lesion penetrating through the gastric wall was seen in 17 of 19 pT3 patients (90%). Consistency between MR-determined staging and surgicopathologic staging occurred in three of four pT1 tumors (75%), 10 of 13 pT2 tumors (77%), 17 of 19 pT3 tumors (90%), and eight of 10 pT4 tumors (80%); overall accuracy was 83%. Overall accuracy of regional lymph node involvement, as determined by enhanced MR, was 52%; 24 of 46 node groups were positive. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic and delayed MR imaging can be useful for predicting depth of cancer invasion, perigastric infiltration (extraserosal invasion), and perigastric organ invasion by gastric cancer.

Usefulness of T1-weighted image with fast inversion recovery technique in intracranial lesions: comparison with T1-weighted spin echo image.

To evaluate the usefulness of T1-weighted images using the fast inversion recovery (T1FIR) technique as compared with routine T1-weighted spin echo (T1SE) images in various intracranial lesions. Routine spin echo and T1FIR images were performed in 15 consecutive patients with 18 lesions, cerebral infarction in five, astrocytoma in four, vascular lesion in three, encephalomalacia and hemorrhage in each two, arachnoid cyst and meningioma in each one. T1FIR images were performed with 1.5-T Signa [repetition time (TR)/echo time (TE)/inversion time (TI) was 2000/34/800 in 14, 4000/34/1200 in four lesions] and qualitatively compared with the T1SE images in signal intensity, lesion detectability, determination of lesion extent and conspicuity, contrast between lesion and background. Additionally, gray-to-white matter and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-to-white matter contrast were evaluated. The signal intensity of the lesions was similar on both T1FIR and T1SE images in all cases. The lesion detectability was similar on both sequences in 15 lesions, and the determination of the lesion extent was definitely higher in 16 lesions on the T1FIR images. Lesion conspicuity was superior in 11, similar in 5, and inferior in 2 patients on the T1FIR images. And also, contrast of lesion-to-background, gray-to-white matter, and CSF-to-white matter was superior on the T1FIR images. The T1FIR technique improved the determination of lesion extent and lesion conspicuity and was qualitatively superior for image contrast as compared with T1SE, but it takes more time than T1SE. The clinical application of T1FIR images depends on whether the superior aspect of the T1FIR images outweighs the disadvantage of the longer time required for this technique.

US and CT findings of tuberculosis of the thyroid: three case reports.

With two ultrasonographic and two CT films of three cases of thyroid tuberculosis, we evaluate the ultrasonographic and CT findings and correlate them with the pathologic findings. They are demonstrated as heterogeneous hypoechoic mass on ultrasonogram and peripheral-enhancing low-density abscess on CT scan with regional lymphadenopathy. Ultrasonography (US) and CT can help the diagnosis of thyroid tuberculosis.

Significance of resistive index in color Doppler ultrasonogram: differentiation between benign and malignant breast masses.

The objective of this article is to evaluate the significance of resistive index in differentiation between benign and malignant breast lesions on duplex ultrasonographic examination. Resistive indices obtained in 106 breast lesions of 104 patients were included. Sixty-four were benign (mean age: 32.4 +/- 11.1 years), and 42 were malignant lesions (mean age: 47.8 +/- 11.4 years). The resistive index was classified as follows: below 0.49, from 0.5 to 0.59, 0.6 to 0.69, 0.7 to 0.79, and above 0.8. We analyzed and defined the optimal threshold value of RI between benign and malignant lesions. The mean values of the RI of benign and malignant lesions were 0.62 +/- 0.095 (range 0.44-0.86) and 0.74 +/- 0.097 (range, 0.50-0.92), respectively. The resistive index exceeded 0.7 in 80% of malignant lesions. The difference of the RI between malignant and benign lesions was statistically significant when the threshold value was 0.7 (P < 0.001). A resistive index over 0.7 may suggest malignant lesions. Due to the considerable overlap of the range of the RI, it may not be diagnostic in any single patient; however, it may be helpful in conjunct with gray-scale image.

Proliferation of human Schwann cells induced by neu differentiation factor isoforms.

Neu differentiation factor (NDF), a 44-kD polypeptide, is a member of the neuregulin family which also includes glial growth factor, heregulin and acetylcholine-receptor-inducing activity. Previous studies have demonstrated that NDF/glial growth factor/heregulin/acetylcholine-receptor-including activity are products of neurons and mediate proliferation, differentiation and gene expression in Schwann cells of experimental animals. In the present study, the efficacy of different isoforms of NDF in stimulating human Schwann cell proliferation is investigated in Schwann-cell-enriched cultures derived from fetal human dorsal root ganglia (15-20 weeks gestation). NDF isoforms examined include alpha1, alpha2, EGF-like domain alpha2 (EGFalpha2), alpha3, beta1, EGFbeta1, EGFbeta, beta2 and beta3. For the assessment of Schwann cell proliferation, double immunostaining using antibodies specific for S-100 protein and bromodeoxyuridine was used. While treatment of Schwann cells with NDF alpha isoforms (alpha1, alpha2, alpha3 and EGFalpha2) had little effect on Schwann cell proliferation, NDF beta isoforms (beta1, beta2, beta3, EGFbeta1 and EGFbeta) induced a greatly enhanced proliferation in Schwann cells. The proliferation index in unstimulated Schwann cells was 1.3 +/- 0.9%, whereas in Schwann cells treated with NDFbeta isoforms the proliferation index was 21.8 +/- 2.2%. The finding that the truncated beta isoforms such as EGFbeta1 and EGFbeta retain a mitogenic activity as potent as full-length beta isoform indicates that the C-terminal portion of the EGF-like domain is responsible for its receptor binding and subsequent biological activity.

Post-traumatic arterial priapism: colour Doppler examination and superselective arterial embolization.

PURPOSE: To evaluate selective embolization for management of post-traumatic priapism and colour Doppler sonography for the diagnosis of the causative lesion and for planning embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six male patients with post-traumatic priapism underwent selective angiography and embolization. Colour Doppler sonography with grey-scale was performed in all six patients before angiography. RESULTS: Selective angiography showed intracavernosal arteriovenous fistulas in all patients and pseudoaneurysm of the cavernosal artery (or common penile artery) in three patients. After successful embolization, detumescence was achieved in all patients. Colour Doppler sonography enabled localization and characterization of the lesion causing priapism in four patients. Grey-scale ultrasonography showed the dilated cavernosal sinuses in all patients. CONCLUSION: Angiography with selective embolization is safe and effective method to correct post-traumatic priapism. Colour Doppler sonography with grey scale is a useful preangiographic study, as it allows for characterization and localization of the causative lesion except lesions at the proximal cavernosal or distal penile artery near the symphysis pubis.