Human umbilical cord blood stem cells and brain-derived neurotrophic factor for optic nerve injury: a biomechanical evaluation.

Treatment for optic nerve injury by brain-derived neurotrophic factor or the transplantation of human umbilical cord blood stem cells has gained progress, but analysis by biomechanical indicators is rare. Rabbit models of optic nerve injury were established by a clamp. At 7 days after injury, the vitreous body received a one-time injection of 50 µg brain-derived neurotrophic factor or 1 × 10(6) human umbilical cord blood stem cells. After 30 days, the maximum load, maximum stress, maximum strain, elastic limit load, elastic limit stress, and elastic limit strain had clearly improved in rabbit models of optical nerve injury after treatment with brain-derived neurotrophic factor or human umbilical cord blood stem cells. The damage to the ultrastructure of the optic nerve had also been reduced. These findings suggest that human umbilical cord blood stem cells and brain-derived neurotrophic factor effectively repair the injured optical nerve, improve biomechanical properties, and contribute to the recovery after injury.

Unilateral lymphadenopathy due to the use of granulocyte colony stimulating factor.

A 36-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital after modified radical mastectomy operation. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered using TAC regimen. Severe neutropenia occurred after chemotherapy. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) was given to treat neutropenia. On the second day of G-CSF use, the patient complained of swelling of her neck on the left side, which subsided spontaneously after discontinuation of G-CSF medication. However, the same symptom recurred following G-CSF use on the second cycle of chemotherapy. B-mode ultrasound showed swollen lymph nodes and biopsy revealed no evidence of metastasis. Therefore, the unilateral lymphadenopathy is considered to be the side effect of G-CSF, which is very rare.

Metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma to the fifth distal phalange of right hand.

A 46-year-old male was diagnosed of lung adenocarcinoma with right adrenal gland metastasis in January 2009, and underwent chemotherapy (DC (docetaxel and cisplatin) regimen) and stereotactic radiotherapy. In December 2009, whole brain radiotherapy was given to the patient due to brain metastasis. In January 2010, he complained of redness, swelling and tenderness of the fifth terminal phalange of his right hand. Open surgery and biopsy confirmed bone metastasis to the finger. The patient then received local injection of OK-432 combined with radiotherapy. The symptoms were greatly relieved after treatment and the patient has survived for 28 months at the time of this report.