Diesel Exhaust Particles Impair Therapeutic Effect of Human Wharton’s Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells against Experimental Colitis through ROS/ERK/cFos Signaling Pathway

Background and Objectives@#Epidemiological investigations have shown positive correlations between increased diesel exhaust particles (DEP) in ambient air and adverse health outcomes. DEP are the major constituent of particulate atmospheric pollution and have been shown to induce proinflammatory responses both in the lung and systemically. Here, we report the effects of DEP exposure on the properties of human Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs), including stemness, regeneration, and immunomodulation. @*Methods@#and Results: Non-apoptotic concentrations of DEP (10 μg/ml) inhibited the migration and osteogenic differentiation capacity of WJ-MSCs. Gene expression profiling showed that DEP increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and expression of pro-inflammatory and metabolic-process-related genes including cFos. Furthermore, WJ-MSCs cultured with DEP showed impaired suppression of T cell proliferation that was reversed by inhibition of ROS or knockdown of cFos. ERK inhibition assay revealed that DEP-induced ROS regulated cFos through activation of ERK but not NF-κB signaling. Overall, low concentrations of DEP (10 μg/ml) significantly suppressed the stemness and immunomodulatory properties of WJ-MSCs through ROS/ERK/cFos signaling pathways. Furthermore, WJ-MSCs cultured with DEP impaired the therapeutic effect of WJ-MSCs in experimental colitis mice, but was partly reversed by inhibition of ROS. @*Conclusions@#Taken together, these results indicate that exposure to DEP enhances the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and immune responses through a mechanism involving the ROS/ERK/cFos pathway in WJ-MSCs, and that DEP-induced ROS damage impairs the therapeutic effect of WJ-MSCs in colitis. Our results suggest that modulation of ROS/ERK/cFos signaling pathways in WJ-MSCs might be a novel therapeutic strategy for DEP-induced diseases.

Staged Revision of Infected-hip Arthroplasty Using an Antibiotics-loaded Intra-articular Cement Spacer: Impact on Cemented and Cementless Stem Retention / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE@#Currently, standard management of a peri-prosthetic infection is a two-stage revision precedure. However, removal of well-fixed cement is technically demanding and associated with numerous potential complications. For theses reasons, two-stage revision with preservation of the original femoral stem can be considered and several previous studies have achieved successful results. While most prior studies used cemented stems, the use of cementless stems during arthroplasty has been gradually increasing; this study aims to assess the comparative effectiveness of a two-stage revision of infected hip arthroplasties at preserving cemented and cementless stems.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#Between December 2001 and February 2017, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital treated 45 cases of deep infections following hip arthroplasty with a two stage revisional arthroplasty using antibiotics-loaded cement spacers. This approach was applied in an effort to preserve the previously implanted femoral stem. Of these 45 cases, 20 were followed-up for at least two years and included in this analysis. Perioperative clinical symptoms, radiological findings, function and complications during insertion of an antibiotics-loaded cement spacer were analyzed in this study.@*RESULTS@#Peri-prothetic infections were controlled in 19 of the 20 included cases. Clinical outcomes, as assessed using the Harris hip score, Western Ontario and McMaster University score, also improved. Importantly, similarly improved outcomes were achieved for both cemented and cementless femoral stems.@*CONCLUSION@#In cases of deep infection following hip arthroplasty, two-stage revision arthroplasty to preserve the previously implanted femoral stem (cemented or cementless) effectively controls infections and preserves joint function.

Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Modified Phemister Operation with Coracoclavicular Ligament Augmentation Using Suture Anchor for Acute Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation

BACKGROUND@#Modified Phemister operation has been widely used for the treatment of acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation. Additionally, the use of suture anchor for coracoclavicular (CC) fixation has been reported to provide CC stability. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of a modified Phemister operation with CC ligament augmentation using suture anchor for acute AC joint dislocation.@*METHODS@#Seventy-four patients underwent the modified Phemister operation with CC ligament augmentation using suture anchor for acute AC joint dislocation and were followed-up for an average of 12.3 months. The visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motion, Constant score, and Korean shoulder scoring system (KSS) were used for clinical assessment. Acromioclavicular interval (ACI), coracoclavicular distance (CCD), and acromioclavicular distance (ACD) were obtained to evaluate the radiological assessments.@*RESULTS@#At the last follow-up, the mean VAS Score was 1.7 points, the mean joint range of the forward flexion was 164.6°, external rotation at the side was 61.2°, and internal rotation to the posterior was a level of T12. The mean Constant score and the mean KSS was 82.7 points and 84.2 points, respectively. At the mean ACI, CCD, and ACD, significant differences were found preoperatively and at the last follow-up. When the ACI, CCD, and ACD were compared with the contralateral unaffected shoulder at the last follow-up, the affected shoulders had significantly higher values.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The modified Phemister operation with CC ligament augmentation using suture anchor is clinically and radiologically effective at acute AC joint dislocation.

Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Modified Phemister Operation with Coracoclavicular Ligament Augmentation Using Suture Anchor for Acute Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation

BACKGROUND: Modified Phemister operation has been widely used for the treatment of acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation. Additionally, the use of suture anchor for coracoclavicular (CC) fixation has been reported to provide CC stability. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of a modified Phemister operation with CC ligament augmentation using suture anchor for acute AC joint dislocation. METHODS: Seventy-four patients underwent the modified Phemister operation with CC ligament augmentation using suture anchor for acute AC joint dislocation and were followed-up for an average of 12.3 months. The visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motion, Constant score, and Korean shoulder scoring system (KSS) were used for clinical assessment. Acromioclavicular interval (ACI), coracoclavicular distance (CCD), and acromioclavicular distance (ACD) were obtained to evaluate the radiological assessments. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, the mean VAS Score was 1.7 points, the mean joint range of the forward flexion was 164.6°, external rotation at the side was 61.2°, and internal rotation to the posterior was a level of T12. The mean Constant score and the mean KSS was 82.7 points and 84.2 points, respectively. At the mean ACI, CCD, and ACD, significant differences were found preoperatively and at the last follow-up. When the ACI, CCD, and ACD were compared with the contralateral unaffected shoulder at the last follow-up, the affected shoulders had significantly higher values. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Phemister operation with CC ligament augmentation using suture anchor is clinically and radiologically effective at acute AC joint dislocation.

Minimal Stitch Canalicular Repair of Canalicular Lacerations

PURPOSE: To examine the results of minimal stitch on the restoration of tissue after canalicular laceration. METHODS: We have operated using sutures of tissues around canalicular laceration by inserting bicanalicular silicone stents and minimal horizontal mattress sutures with 8-0 Vicryl in cases of canalicular laceration instead of the existing method for the past 6 years. The ages of patients ranged from 2 to 76 years (average age 39.8+/-17.4 years), with most patients in their thirties (12 patients, 40%), 30 cases underwent canalicular repair with minimal stitch and bicanalicular silicone stent insertion within 24 hours after trauma. The silicone stent was removed 3 months after the operation if the patient did not complain of epiphroa while the canalicular remained open. RESULTS: Twenty-five eyes (83.3%) showed symptom improvement and good passage in lacrimal syringing test in 4~12 months (average: 6.8+/-2.2 months) of follow-up study. Complications included one case each of fistula formation, stent prolapse, and wound infection, and two cases of canalicular stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend this method because of its satisfying success ratio.

Degree of Compliance with Polypharmacy and Its Influential Factors in Rural Elderly Patients with Chronic Diseases in South Korea

BACKGROUND: This study was to verify the necessity of a control program developed to improve compliance, by conducting a research on the status of medication compliance in the elderly with chronic diseases in rural area and analyzing the related variables. METHODS: The organized questionnaire and pill-count were used to collect information on personal details, physical status, drugs taken in the elderly over 65 years old suffering from more than two chronic diseases in one rural area. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 73.13+/-6.36 (65~93), and the number of the subjects in compliance group was 60 (77.9%) and the accuracy of self-report which was identified by pill-count was 0.86. Polypharmacy and visiting several clinics were the main factors that decided a low- degree of compliance, with OR of 5.92 (95% CI 1.11~31.44, P=0.037), and 4.25 (95% CI 1.03~17.53, P=0.045), respectively. CONCLUSION: Systematic efforts are necessary and plans must be established without delay to increase compliance in the elderly in the rural, expansively to manage chronic diseases in stay-at-home elders.

Two Cases of Deepening of the Upper Lid Sulcus from Topical Bimatoprost Therapy

PURPOSE: To report two cases of deepening of the upper lid sulcus following bimatoprost. METHODS: A 54-year-old woman who used bimatoprost for one week and a 70-year-old woman who used bimatoprost for 4 months developed deep lid sulcus. Both were using bimatoprost for glaucoma treatment. RESULTS: Both patients also showed improvement of dermatochalasis and widening of the palpebral fissure. One week after discontinuing bimatoprost, the lid sulcus of the 54-year-old returned to baseline and exophthalmometry was unchanged. The orbital CT of the 70-year-old was normal. She did not complain about deepening of the lid sulcus, and she has not discontinued treatment due to this adverse effect.

Extracellular ATP is generated by ATP synthase complex in adipocyte lipid rafts

Mitochondrial biogenesis is known to accompany adipogenesis to complement ATP and acetyl-CoA required for lipogenesis. Here, we demonstrated that mitochondrial proteins such as ATP synthase alpha and beta, and cytochrome c were highly expressed during the 3T3-L1 differentiation into adipocytes. Fully-differentiated adipocytes showed a significant increase of mitochondria under electron microscopy. Analysis by immunofluorescence, cellular fractionation, and surface biotinylation demonstrated the elevated levels of ATP synthase complex found not only in the mitochondria but also on the cell surface (particularly lipid rafts) of adipocytes. High rate of ATP (more than 30 micrometer) synthesis from the added ADP and Pi in the adipocyte media suggests the involvement of the surface ATP synthase complex for the exracellular ATP synthesis. In addition, this ATP synthesis was significantly inhibited in the presence of oligomycin, an ATP synthase inhibitor, and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), an ATP synthase uncoupler. Decrease of extracellular ATP synthesis in acidic but not in basic media further indicates that the surface ATP synthase may also be regulated by proton gradient through the plasma membrane.

T and B Cell Changes with Aging / 대한임상병리학회지

BACKGROUND: Lymphocyte subset analysis in peripheral blood is widely performed to assess the immune status and to diagnose and monitor various diseases. Some lymphocyte subsets are known to change with age, but only a little data about age-related changes for these subsets in healthy individuals have been reported. So we attempted to review changes for these subsets with age. METHODS: Lymphocyte subset analysis was performed on 302 subjects, 189 males and 113 females with age group in all decades of life. Two color direct immunofluorescence flow cytometry (FCM) was done using a SimultestTM IMK-Lymphocyte kit (Becton Dickinson, USA), FACScanTM (Becton Dickinson, USA) and FACSCaliburTM (Becton Dickinson, USA). Lymphocyte subsets analysed were T (CD3+) and B cells (CD19+), helper/inducer T (CD4+) and suppressor/cytotoxic T cells (CD8+), and helper/suppressor (CD4+/CD8+) ratio and natural killer (NK) cells (CD3-CD16+/CD56+). The absolute numbers of each subset were calculated from the total lymphocyte counts. The data collected was analysed using SAS 6.12. A P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between male and female subjects. The percentage of CD4+ T cells, and the count of NK cells did not show any significant differences among the various age groups. The age-related changes observed in our study were as follows: 1) A decrease in the percentage of B cells; 2) A decrease in the counts of lymphocytes, T cells, B cells, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells; 3) An increase in the percentage of NK cells; and 4) An increase in the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. CONCLUSIONS: A characteristic of the aging process shows a marked decrease in T and B cells. The age-related increase in the percentage of cells bearing NK markers can be interpreted as a compensatory consequence to cope with the deterioration of the immune system with age.

General View of Aging Mechanism with the Immunologic Approach / 대한임상병리학회지

No abstract available.