A Study on the Optimal Culture Condition and Biomechanical Properties of In Vitro Tissue Engineered Cartilage Using a Fibrin Glue Scaffold

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of using fibrin glue polymer designed to produce tissue-engineered cartilage by in vitro culture and to determine the optimal fibrinogen and chondrocyte concentrations required to generate cartilage and to evaluate the biomechanical properties of the generated cartilages. The most favorable fibrinogen and chondrocyte concentrations were determined by measuring the volume and weight gains, evaluating the histologic changes and measuring the biomechanical properties after construction of 12 different chondrocyte-fibrin glue constructs. The results are as follows. 1. The fibrin glues without chondrocytes degraded during 8 weeks of culture period. 2. The construct gains more weight in those with higher chondrocyte and fibrinogen concentration. 3. Histologic analysis of the generated cartilage showed nearly homogeneous cartilage when using 80 mg/cc fibrinogen and 4 x 10(7) chondrocyte/cc at 8 weeks in vitro culture. 4. The compressive modulus is higher in constructs with higher fibrinogen concentration and is 35.4 -36.8% of the normal joint cartilage. 5. The yield stress is higher in constructs with higher fibrinogen concentration and is 11% of the normal joint cartilage. This study demonstrates that fibrin glue is a suitable polymer for generation of cartilage by in vitro culture method. The construct with 80 mg/cc fibrinogen and 4 x 10(7) chondrocyte/cc yields the best quality of cartilage at 8 weeks when analyzed by weight and volume changes, histology and biomechanical properties. The compressive modulus and yield stress of the generated cartilage are lower than those of normal joint cartilage, and may still be adequate for the purpose of craniofacial reconstruction which seeks more pliant cartilage not requiring weight bearing strength.

6 Cases of Salivary Gland Tumors Arising at Buccal and Masseteric Area

This is a case report of salivary gland tumors developed at buccal fat pad and masseteric area which are considered rare and characterized by asymptomatic mid-cheek mass. Three cases were diagnosed as accessory parotid gland tumor and the other 3 cases as minor salivary gland tumor with tissue pathology. Accessory parotid gland lies 6 mm anterior to the main parotid gland and accessory parotid gland tumors represent 1% of all parotid tumor. It can be managed solely by resection of the accessory parotid gland without superficial or total parotidectomy. Minor salivary gland tumors represent 10-20% of all salivary gland tumor and are usually found on the palate, paranasal sinuses and cheek. Buccal minor salivary gland tumors are usually found incidentally as submucosal mass at buccal mucosa and managed by wide excision including 1-2 cm free margin through intra-oral approach. This paper reviews our experience with these unusual tumors in terms of clinical manifestation, radiologic findings and the acceptable surgical management.

The Formation of Multimedia Medical Information Web DB by Frequent Q and A in Internet Hospital / 대한의료정보학회지

Over Past years people have known rich medical information and knowledge through mass-media. It is needed to develop medical database, which makes people get proper medical information, So we made an effort to analysis health and medical consultation data. People easily access internet hospital of Gachon Medial School Gil Medical Center, coorperated with MIDAS Dongailbo. 4020 cases of "Questions and Answers "were conducted to access from March 25th, 1997 to March 25th, 1998. Using Java Servlet, Sybase, and Apache Web Server, we classified data. Those data present over 4000 databases, such as text (3644 cases), image (212 cases), moving picture (21 cases), and medical dictionary (416 dases). People can search symptome, or disease, what they want to know. Our database as a medical service is enhance people know about medical knowledge and information, so that they can take care of their health and prevent illness in advance.