Electromagnetic fields and nanomagnetic particles increase the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) are widely used in a number of cell therapies and have osteogenic differentiation capacity. Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) increases the osteogenic differentiation of hBM-MSCs. Nanomagnetic particles (MPs) also promote the differentiation potential of stem cells. In the present study, we investigated the effects of EMFs and MPs on the osteogenic differentiation of hBM-MSCs. hBM-MSCs were treated with 50 µg/ml of Fe3O4 MPs or exposed to a frequency of 45 Hz and an intensity of 1 mT EMF twice every 8 h per day for 7 days. MP incorporation, EMF exposure and MP incorporation with exposure to EMFs did not induce cytotoxic effects. A strong expression of osteogenic markers (osteocalcin, osteopontin and osteonectin) and von Kossa staining intensity was observed in the cells treated with MPs, the cells exposed to EMFs and in the cells treated with MPs and exposed to EMFs compared with the control group, as shown by immunohistochemical staining. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the mRNA expression levels of osteoblast markers [osteocalcin, osteopontin, osteonectin, collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (runx-2)] were markedly increased in the cells treated with MPs and exposed to EMFs. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of calcium channels (CACNA1C, CACNA1E, CACNA1G and CACNA1I) was activated during osteogenic differentiation. The expression levels of osteogenesis-related proteins (BSP, BMP-2, osteopontin and osteonectin) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) were increased in the cells treated with MPs, those exposed to EMFs and in the cells treated with MPs and exposed to EMFs compared with the control group, as shown by western blot analysis. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis was performed for the hBM-MSC markers, CD73, CD90 and CD105. The expression levels of hBM-MSC surface antigens were decreased in the cells treated with MPs, those exposed to EMFs and in the cells treated with MPs and exposed to EMFs compared with the control group. The cell numbers were determined to be approximately 3.4 x 10(5) cells in the control group, 3.7 x 10(5) cells in the MP-treated group, 3.1 x 10(5) cells in the group exposed to EMFs and 3.9 x 10(5) cells in the group treated with MPs and exposed to EMFs. The cell mitochondrial activity among the 4 experimental groups was similar. The hBM-MSCs treated with MPs and exposed to EMFs showed an increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Taken together, these results suggest that the treatment of hBM-MSCs with MPs or exposure to EMFs increases osteogenic differentiation, and that treatment with MPs in conjunction with EMF exposure is more effective in increasing osteogenic differentiation.

A giant retroperitoneal lymphangioma in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is a genetically inherited disorder that may cause skin abnormalities and tumors that form on nerve tissues. These tumors can be small or large and can occur anywhere in the body, including the brain, spinal cord, or other peripheral nerves. Retroperitoneal lymphangiomas are very rare benign malformations of the lymphatic system. About 95% lymphangiomas occur in the skin and the subcutaneous tissues of the head, neck and axillary region and the remaining 5% appear in other parts of the body such as lungs, pleura, pericardium, liver, gallbladder, kidney, and the mesentery. Herein, we report the case of a giant retroperitoneal lymphangioma in a patient with NF-1 with a review of the literature.

Association between changes in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels and changes in left ventricular mass index in stable hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is a powerful predictor of mortality in dialysis patients. Serial measurements of LV mass provide prognostic information. We evaluated the association between changes in biomarkers and changes in LV mass index (LVMI) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 21 stable HD patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (> or =50%). Echocardiography and measurements of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiac troponin T were performed on the same day and repeated 6 and 12 months later. RESULTS: At baseline, the NT-proBNP and BNP levels correlated with LVMI. Percent changes in LVMI were positively associated with those in log-transformed NT-proBNP levels during both the first (baseline vs. month 6, r = 0.78, p < 0.001) and the second 6 months (months 6 vs. 12, r = 0.73, p < 0.001). Among the 3 biomarkers, NT-proBNP was the only one that was related to changes in LVMI by multivariate correlation analysis, including age, sex, blood pressure, predialysis weight and use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker. CONCLUSION: Our results show that changes in LVMI are closely correlated with variation in NT-proBNP levels in HD patients. These data have significant implications for the application of NT-proBNP as a biomarker for assessing changes in LVMI in HD patients.

[Difference in time of bowel sounds and passing of gas in abdominal hysterectomy patients having San-Yin-Jia (SP-6) acupressure].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare differences in the time when bowel sounds were heard and gas was passed in women who had an abdominal hysterectomy and were treated for 5 minutes (experimental group A) or 10 minutes (experimental group B) with San-Yin-Jiao (SP-6) acupressure. METHOD: The design of this study was a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized post test only design. The participants included 142 women, 39 in experimental group A, 30 in experimental group B, and 73 in the control group. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire which included items on general characteristics and a self report of time when gas was passed. Differences for the three groups as to time when bowel sounds were heard and gas was passed were analyzed using ANOVA. RESULT: The time when bowel sounds were heard was statistically significantly shorter in both experimental groups compared to the control group(F=10.29, p=.000). The time when gas was passed was statistically significantly shorter in experimental group B(10 min) compared to the control group(F=4.68, p=.011). CONCLUSION: It could be concluded that SP-6 acupressure of 10 minutes was effective in shortening the time until bowel sounds were heard and gas was passed for women who had had an abdominal hysterectomy. Replication of the study with a larger number of participants is necessary in order to be able to generalize the results.

[Effects of genetic polymorphisms of ethanol-metabolizing enzymes on alcohol drinking behaviors].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Genetic variations of ethanol-metabolizing enzymes can affect alcohol drinking behavior. The aims of this study were to investigate and compare the distributions of these genetic polymorphisms between a healthy control group and a heavy drinker group which included an alcoholic liver cirrhosis group. METHODS: Genotypes of ADH2, ALDH2, CYP2E1, and catalase were identified by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes in 42 healthy controls, 12 heavy drinkers, and 30 alcoholic liver cirrhosis patients. RESULTS: 1) The genotype frequencies of ALDH2 (1*1), ADH2 (1*1), CYP2E1 (c1c1), and catalase1 (TT) were 69%, 55%, 38%, and 12%, respectively in healthy Korean males. 2) There was a significant difference in the distribution of the genetic polymorphism of ALDH2 between the control group and heavy drinker group (12 heavy drinkers and 30 alcoholic liver cirrhosis patients). The genotype frequency of ALDH2 mutant, ALDH2 (1*2) and ALDH2 (2*2) in the heavy drinker group (12%) was significantly lower than that in the control group (30%). 3) We didn't find anyone with ALDH2 homozygote mutant (DD) in the heavy drinker group. 4) There was no significant difference in the distribution of genetic polymorphisms in ADH2, CYP2E1 and catalase1 between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the absence of ALDH2 mutant genotype is strongly related to heavy drinking behavior. We can not prove, however, any evidence that the polymorphisms of other ethanol-metabolizing enzymes are associated with the determination of alcohol-drinking behavior.

Concurrent FP (5-fluorouracil, cisplatin) Chemoradiotherapy for Patients with Esophageal Cancer.

PURPOSE: The outcomes of a surgical approach for patients with an esophageal carcinoma remain unsatisfactory despite its high complication rates. We conducted a phase II trial, using combined FP (5-fluorouracil and cisplatin) chemotherapy and concurrent radiotherapy, as a definitive therapy for patients with esophageal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with histologically proven esophageal cancer were enrolled onto this study. The treatment consisted of four courses of chemotherapy and six and a half weeks of radiotherapy. The patients received chemotherapy in weeks 1, 5, 12 and 16 (5-fluorouracil 1, 000 mg/m2 on days 1 to 4 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1). Radiotherapy was administered at a dose of 59.4 Gy, in five 1.8 Gy fractions a week. RESULTS: A total of 22 eligible patients entered the study. Of the 19 evaluable patients, a complete response occurred in 7 (37%), and a partial response in 8 (42%). After a median follow-up of 35 months, the overall survival rate was 32% at three years and the median survival was 11 months. Fourteen (64%) received planned dose of radio-therapy and 13 (59%) received more than three courses of chemotherapy. However, there was no difference in three-year survival rates between the patients that received less than three courses of chemotherapy and those that received three or more courses (31% vs. 32%). The major treatment related toxicity was mucositis, which developed in every patient, with grades III or IV in thirteen (59%) patients. During the treatment, the patients lost, on average, 3.8% of their body weight. The mean hospital stay was 23 days, with a total duration of treatment of 74 days. CONCLUSION: S: Concurrent FP chemoradiotherapy was effective as a definitive therapy for patients with esophageal cancer. The major toxicity was mucositis. Although the treatment was relatively feasible, a randomized trial of reduced courses of chemotherapy is warranted.