Vascular differentiation of multipotent spermatogonial stem cells derived from neonatal mouse testis

We previously reported the successful establishment of embryonic stem cell (ESC)-like multipotent spermatogonial stem cells (mSSCs) from neonatal mouse testis. Here, we examined the ability of mSSCs to differentiate into vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, and compared to that of mouse ESCs. We used real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry to examine gene expression profiles of mSSCs and ESCs during in vitro vascular differentiation. Both mSSCs and ESCs exhibited substantial increase in the expression of mesodermal markers, such as Brachyury, Flk1, Mesp1, Nkx2.5, and Islet1, and a decrease in the expression of pluripotency markers, such as Oct3/4 and Nanog during the early stage of differentiation. The mRNA levels of vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin and CD31 gradually increased in both differentiated mSSCs and ESCs. VE-cadherin- or CD31-positive cells formed sprouting branch-like structures, as observed during embryonic vascular development. At the same time, vascular smooth muscle cell-specific markers, such as myocardin and alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA), were also highly expressed in differentiated mSSCs and ESCs. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that the differentiated cells expressed both alpha-SMA and SM22-alpha proteins, and exhibited the intracellular fibril structure typical of smooth muscle cells. Overall, our findings showed that mSSCs have similar vascular differentiation abilities to those of ESCs, suggesting that mSSCs may be an alternative source of autologous pluripotent stem cells for vascular regeneration.

Angiopoietin-1 Gene Therapy Attenuates Hypertension and Target Organ Damage in Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibited Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In our previous study, we found that the gene transfer of a potent derivative of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein Angiopoietin-1 (COMP-Ang-1) substantially prevented hypertension, microvascular rarefaction, and target organ damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the therapeutic effects observed after COMP-Ang-1 gene transfer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To exclude the NO-mediated effects in COMP-Ang-1 gene therapy, the SHRs were treated with an NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) before the electrophoretic gene transfer. RESULTS: The pretreatment with L-NAME induced a severe and sustained increase in systolic blood pressure (BP) in a LacZ plasmid transferred control SHR. However, the electrophoretic transfer of a COMP-Ang-1 plasmid instead of LacZ plasmid in L-NAME-pretreated SHRs substantially blocked the development of hypertension without any significant difference in comparison with L-NAME-untreated COMP-Ang-1 plasmid transferred groups. In addition, the COMP-Ang-1 plasmid transfer substantially attenuated microvascular rarefaction and arteriole remodeling in the heart and kidney, which might account for the mild histological alterations observed in the COMP-Ang-1 plasmid transferred group, in contrast to the severe fibrosis and necrosis seen in the LacZ plasmid controls. CONCLUSION: These therapeutic outcomes of COMP-Ang-1 gene transfer even in NOS inhibited SHRs suggested that the antihypertensive effect of COMP-Ang-1 was not merely secondary to NO-mediated vasorelaxation, but it may be associated with its ability to protect the vascular endothelium probably via an NO-independent mechanism which serves to attenuate microvascular rarefaction and target organ damage, and also to prevent hypertension by reducing peripheral vascular resistance.

Experience of Child-Rearing of Filipino Married Immigrant Women / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify experiences of immigrant women from Philippines in child-rearing. METHODS: The study design was a qualitative research. Participants were 15 Filipino immigrant women living in rural Korea. Average age was 37 and average duration of marriage was 11 years. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and participants were interviewed once or twice between December 2009 and February 2010. Data were analyzed with Colaizzi's (1978) phenomenological methodology. RESULTS: The Four themes-clusters were identified from fourteen themes. The theme-clusters (themes) were 1) Responsibility of a mother as a foreigner (being a role-model, patience, strict upbringing); 2) Practical problems of child-rearing (parenting alone, language difficulties, financial difficulties, lack of husbands' support, cultural obstacles; 3) Worries about their children (children's emotional problems, speech disorders, maladjustment at school); 4) Hopes for the future (self-satisfaction, expectations for their children, social support). CONCLUSION: The results help in understanding the situation of immigrant women from the Philippines when they nurture their children and suggest the necessity of programs focusing on improving mother-child relationships, especially as related to mothers' limited language skills. Further comprehensive education programs to improve better father-child relationships in relating to each other should be developed.

A Case of Large Bowel Herniation Through a Diaphragmatic Defect during Colonoscopy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Colonoscopy is a safe procedure and life-threatening complications occur rarely during diagnostic colonoscopy. There have been several reports of complications of colonoscopy, including bleeding, bowel perforation, bacteremia, vasovagal reactions and side effects of preparation and other more minor problems. The development of diaphragmatic hernia during diagnostic colonoscopy is extremely rare complication. We report a case of herniation and entrapment of the colon into the left thorax, via a small diaphragmatic defect caused by previous trauma, during diagnostic colonoscopy.

Radiologic Placement of Subcutaneous Infusion Ports in Cancer Patients: Analysis of 45 Cases / 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: We undertook this study to evaluate the usefullness of radiologic placement of subcutaneous infusion ports (SIP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 1999 and May 2000 we performed 45 implantations of SIP in radiologic suite. Both sonography and fluoroscopy were used for venipuncture and to guide port insertion. We prospectively evaluated 45 systems in 45 patients with solid tumors. RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 189 days (61~352 days). Technical success rate is 100% without any venipuncture-related complications. Early complication rate within 30 days of procedure was 4.4%, including wound dehiscence (n=1) and pocket hematoma and local infection (n=1). Catheter-related infection rate was 6.7% and catheter-related venous thrombosis rate was 4.4%. Mean duration of catheter use was 208 96 days (total, 9,381 days). Overall port survival rate was 38.5%, and four systems (8.9%) were prematurely removed because of catheter tunnel infection (n=1), pocket infection (n=1), and central venous thrombosis (n=2). CONCLUSION: Radiologic placement of SIP had higher success rate and equal or lower complication rate compared with reported conventional surgical technique using anatomical landmarks. Moreover, clinical convenience, resulting from ease of scheduling could make it replace surgical method.