Dectin-1 Stimulation Selectively Reinforces LPS-driven IgG1 Production by Mouse B Cells

Dectin-1, which specifically recognizes beta-glucan of fungal cell walls, is a non-Toll-like receptor (TLR) pattern recognition receptor and a representative of C-type lectin receptors (CLRs). The importance of Dectin-1 in innate immune cells, such as dendritic cells and macrophages, has previously been well studied. However, the function of Dectin-1 in B cells is very poorly understood. To determine the role of Dectin-1 in B cell activation, we first investigated whether mouse B cells express Dectin-1 and then assessed the effect of Dectin-1 stimulation on B cell proliferation and antibody production. Mouse B cells express mRNAs encoding CLRs, including Dectin-1, and surface Dectin-1 was expressed in B cells of C57BL/6 rather than BALB/c strain. Dectin-1 agonists, heat-killed Candida albicans (HKCA) and heat-killed Saccharomyces cerevisiae (HKSC), alone induced B cell proliferation but not antibody production. Interestingly, HKSC, HKCA, and depleted zymosan (a selective Dectin-1 agonist) selectively enhanced LPS-driven IgG1 production. Taken together, these results suggest that, during fungal infection, beta-glucan-stimulated Dectin-1 may cooperate with TLR4 to specifically enhance IgG1 production by mouse B cells.

Transplantation of Neural Stem Cells in Anosmic Mice

OBJECTIVES: Treating olfactory dysfunction is a challenge for physicians. One of the therapeutic options could be transplantation of stem cells. In this study, neural stem cells were transplanted into anosmic mice. METHODS: Neural stem cells were generated from the olfactory bulb of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transgenic C57BL6 mice. Anosmia were induced by injection of intraperitoneal 3-methylindole. The neural stem cells were transplanted transnasally on the next day. The olfactory function was evaluated by a food-finding test once a week. The olfactory neuroepithelium was harvested for histologic examination and protein analysis at 4 weeks. RESULTS: Twenty-five percent (6/24) of the control mice that were not transplanted with neural stem cells survived at 4 weeks while 67% (8/12) of the transplanted mice survived (P=0.029). The food finding test showed that the transplanted mice resumed finding food at 3 weeks while the control mice resumed finding food at 4 weeks. GFP-positive cells were observed in the olfactory neuroepithelium of the transplanted mice. Western blotting revealed that the olfactory marker protein expression was significantly lower in the control mice than that in the transplanted mice. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that improvement of mouse survival was achieved and recovery of olfactory function was promoted by transnasal transplantation of neural stem cells in the anosmic mouse model. These results indicate that stem cells might be one of the future modalities for treating olfactory impairment.

Recurrence Patterns of the Maxillary Sinus Cancer after Total Maxillectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Maxillary sinus is anatomically located adjacent to the orbit and the skull base, so, in cases of advanced maxillary sinus cancer, it is difficult to completely remove the tumor with sufficient resection margins. Local recurrence is by far the most common cause of treatment failure and the long-term survival rates is low. The purpose of this study is to analyze the treatment outcomes and recurrence patterns of the advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus after total or radical maxillectomy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A group of twenty patients who underwent total or radical maxillectomy for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus between 1995 and 2004 were examined. The medical records and radiologic findings of the same 20 patients were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Eleven patients suffered from recurrence during the follow-up period. Isolated local recurrence was most common, and all local recurrences developed within 2 years after the treatment. The most common site of recurrence was the cheek. However, there was no significant difference in the recurrence rate in relation to the degree of tumor differentiation, concurrent inverted papilloma, existence of orbital involvement, the type of maxillectomy, and combined treatment. CONCLUSION: Despite the combined use of surgery and radiotherapy, prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus is very poor as the recurrence rate is 55% within the post-treatment 2 years. Failure at the primary site is the main problem. Chemotherapy was ineffective for the recurred cases, so rescue surgery should be considered for the recurred cases, if resectable

A Case of Revision Augmentation Rhinoplasty with Dermofat Graft: 2 Years Follow-up Result

Many allograft materials have been used for performing augmentation rhinoplasty. But in cases involving complications such as infection, inflammation and foreign body reaction, these should be removed and replaced with an autograft material which is more suitable for revision surgery. Frequently, the use of autograft materials, including bone and cartilage, are restricted by many limitations such as unavailability, insufficiency in volume, and resorption. By using the dermofat, however, we achieved good surgical results in revision rhinoplasty from the aspect of volume and donor site morbidity. Thus, we report this case with a review of the literature.