Neurogenic potentials of human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells according to expression levels of stem cell markers and ingredients of induction medium

PURPOSE: We investigated the neurogenic potentials of amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (AFSCs) according to the expression levels of stem cell markers and ingredients in the neural induction media. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four samples of AFSCs with different levels of Oct-4 and c-kit expression were differentiated neurally, using three kinds of induction media containing retinoic acid (RA) and/or a mixture of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine/indomethacin/insulin (neuromix), and examined by immunofluorescence and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for their expression of neurospecific markers. RESULTS: The cells in neuromix-containing media displayed small nuclei and long processes that were characteristic of neural cells. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the number of neural markers showing upregulation was greater in cells cultured in the neuromix-containing media than in those cultured in RA-only medium. Neurospecific gene expression was also higher in Oct-4 and c-kit double-positive cells than in c-kit-low or -negative cells. CONCLUSION: The stem cell marker c-kit (rather than Oct-4) and the ingredient neuromix (rather than RA) exert greater effects on neurogenesis of AFSCs.

Incidence of Cholangiocarcinoma with or without Previous Resection of Liver for Hepatolithiasis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma in patients with hepatolithiasis with or without previous resection of liver. METHODS: From 2002 to 2009, we retrospectively reviewed 117 patients who were diagnosed and treated for hepatolithiasis in Korea University Guro Hospital. Among the 117 patients, 55 patients who were lost during follow-up were excluded, and 62 patients were eligible for analysis. The hepatic resection group (n=25) included patients who underwent left hemihepatectomy (n=2); left lateral segmentectomy (n=10); left lobectomy (n=9); right lobectomy (n=3); or wedge resection (n=1). The nonhepatic resection group (n=37) included transhepatic cholangiographic lithotomy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-treated patients. The mean follow-up period was 47 months. RESULTS: The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma while patients were followed for hepatolithiasis was 12.9% (8/62) (hepatic resection group, three cases [12%] vs nonhepatic resection group, five cases [13.5%]; p=1.000). The mean follow-up period was 53 months (47+/-11 months) until the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma according to previous liver resections. Patients with hepatolithiasis should be carefully followed up for detection of cholangiocarcinoma even after a previous liver resection.

Effects of the Temporary Placement of a Self-Expandable Metallic Stent in Benign Pyloric Stenosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The use of self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) is an established palliative treatment for malignant stenosis in the gastrointestinal tract; therefore, its application to benign stenosis is expected to be beneficial because of the more gradual and sustained dilatation in the stenotic portion. We aimed in this prospective observational study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of temporary SEMS placement in benign pyloric stenosis. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with benign stenosis of the prepylorus, pylorus, and duodenal bulb were enrolled and underwent SEMS placement. We assessed symptom improvement, defined as an increase of at least 1 degree in the gastric-outlet-obstruction scoring system after stent insertion. RESULTS: No major complications were observed during the procedures. After stent placement, early symptom improvement was achieved in 18 of 22 patients (81.8%). During the follow-up period (mean 10.2 months), the stents remained in place successfully for 6 to 8 weeks in seven patients (31.8%). Among the 15 patients (62.5%) with stent migration, seven (46.6%) showed continued symptomatic improvement without recurrence of obstructive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the symptomatic improvement, temporary SEMS placement is premature as an effective therapeutic tool for benign pyloric stenosis unless a novel stent is developed to prevent migration.

Anticancer Effects of Astaxanthin and alpha-tocopherol in Esophageal Cancer Cell Lines

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Astaxanthin (AX) has been attributed with potential for protecting the organism against different types of cancer due to its anti-oxidant activity. Also several in vivo and in vitro studies suggest certain naturally occurring vitamin E (i.e. alpha-tocopherol) as promising anticancer agents. We assessed the effect of AX and alpha-tocopherol (AT) respectively and their combination on human esophageal cancer cell lines to investigate the mechanism of anticancer effect and their therapeutic potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two human esophageal cancer cell lines (TE-1, TE-4) were exposed to AX (6 to 10 microg/mL) and AT (20 to 100 microM) for 24 hours. Quantification of proliferation was performed by MTT assay. Cell cycle machinery proteins such as p-AKT, p-p38, cyclin D1, p27 and caspase-3 were investigated by Western blot. RESULTS: Significant inhibition of cell proliferation of AX and AT was observed in TE-4 cell line by a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, AX and AT as single agents increased the protein expression of p27 and cleaved caspase-3 in TE-4 cell line. The combination of the two agents decreased the expression of cyclin D1, however they did not demonstrate pro-apoptotic effect. CONCLUSIONS: AX and AT as single agents are effective at inhibition of cell proliferation and induce apoptosis by the modulation of cell cycle machinery proteins in esophageal cancer cell lines. However, our data could not suggest that their combination has any cooperative apoptotic effect.

Treatment Outcomes after Endoscopic Band Ligation of Symptomatic Internal Hemorrhoids / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Elastic band ligation is a well-established method for the treatment of internal hemorrhoids. The aim of this study was to assess the treatment outcomes of flexible endoscopic rubber band ligation of internal hemorrhoids. METHODS: Using a flexible endoscope, 30 patients with symptomatic internal hemorrhoids were evaluated based on change in clinical symptoms (Goligher grade, bleeding score) and endoscopic classifications (range, size) before and after the procedure. RESULTS: Goligher grade and bleeding score showed significant improvement after the procedure (Goligher grade from 2.12 to 0.54, p<0.01, and bleeding score from 1.80 to 0.40, p<0.01). Endoscopic classification scores improved significantly after the procedure (range 3.03 to 1.55, p<0.01, and size from 1.80 to 0.85, p<0.01). As a complication, mild pain developed in 19 patients (90.5%) and severe pain in two patients (9.5%). Most (90.5%) were well controlled by conservative management, but one patient was operated on for hemorrhoidal thrombosis and in another patient the ligated rubber band had to be released promptly for pain relief. One patient (3.3%) experienced mild infection, which was relieved by medical treatment. During the 16.7+/-3.2-month period of follow-up, two patients relapsed, one was treated with additional endoscopic band ligation, and one underwent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Flexible endoscopic band ligation is an effective and safe method of treatment in patients with symptomatic internal hemorrhoids.

Factors Affecting Complete Small Bowel Study and Diagnostic Yield in MiroCam(R) Capsule Endoscopy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Mirocam(R) capsule endoscopy has been widely used in Korea; however, data with respect to Mirocam(R) capsule endoscopy is lacking. We have assessed the factors affecting complete small bowel studies and diagnostic yield in Mirocam(R) capsule endoscopic studies. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 103 cases that were assessed with Mirocam(R) capsule endoscopy between June 2007 and February 2010 at Guro Korea University Hospital. RESULTS: The mean age of the 103 cases was 55.47 years (range, 16-99 years) and 67 cases (65%) were male. The indications for capsule endoscopy were hematochezia/melena (77 cases, 74.8%), anemia (8 cases, 7.8%), abdominal pain (12 cases, 11.7%), and miscellaneous (weight loss and chronic diarrhea; 6 cases, 5.8%). The mean stomach transit time was 59.9+/-88.3 minutes (range, 1-630 minutes) and the mean small bowel transit time was 396.0+/-131.7 minutes (range, 117-708 minutes). The rate of successfully performing a complete small bowel study was 82.5% (85 cases), and the stomach transit time was a significant factor for a complete small bowel study (OR=0.991, 95% CI=0.984-0.998, P=0.012). The diagnostic yield was 51.5% (53 cases); visual quality was a significant factor in determining the diagnostic yield (OR=6.776, 95% CI=1.32-34.70, P=0.022). CONCLUSIONS: In a Mirocam(R) capsule endoscopic study, short stomach transit time was a significant factor affecting completion of the small bowel study. Achieving excellent visual quality by good bowel preparation was a significant factor for improving the diagnostic yield.

The Effect of Pantoprazole on Bone Turnover in Ovariectomized ICR Mice / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Long-term exposure to proton pump inhibitors is associated with osteoporosis-related fractures; however, the mechanism is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of pantoprazole on osteoporosis and bone turnover in ovariectomized ICR mice fed a calcium-free diet. METHODS: Ovariectomized female ICR mice were divided into a pantoprazole group (n=10) and a control group (n=10). The mice in the pantoprazole group were given an intraperitoneal injection of pantoprazole at 20 mg/kg twice daily. After 4 weeks, the mice were humanely euthanized, and bone mineral density (BMD) and dry tibia weight were measured. Serum osteocalcin and CTX-1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA expression levels of cytokines that stimulate osteoclast differentiation were determined using RT-PCR. Serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were also analyzed. RESULTS: Serum osteocalcin concentration was significantly lower in the pantoprazole group compared with the control group (p=0.023). There was no difference in BMD, dry tibia weight, or serum ALP, calcium, phosphorus, or CTX-1 between the two groups. The expression of interleukin (IL)-1beta was lower in the pantoprazole group compared with the control group, but not significantly lower (p=0.058). The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-6 did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Pantoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, decreased serum osteocalcin and suppressed IL-1beta expression, suggesting that pantoprazole affects bone formation and resorption in ovariectomized ICR mice. Further studies using larger sample sizes are needed.

Midtrimester Amniocentesis-Cytogenetic Analysis of 1,274 Cases / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Diagnostic amniocentesis is one of the most useful technique for the prenatal detection of genetic disorders. Traditionally standard amniocentesis has been most commonly performed during the 2nd trimester from 16 to 20 weeks` gestation. Our laboratory has received 1,284 midtrimester amniotic fluid specimens during the past 5 year period for cytogenetic analysis and 1,274 were successfully cultured and yielded results. This study was based on data from 1,274 genetic amniocentesis performed at CHA General Hospital from Jan. 1991 to Dec. 1995. Chromosomal abnormalities were found in 61(4.8%) of the cases. There were 23 cases of aneuploidy, 37 cases of chromosomal rearrangemen t and 1 case of mosaicism.