Growth Differentiation Factor-15 as a Predictor of Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy Progression: A Retrospective Study.

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is a major cause of nephrotic syndrome. No biomarker to predict the long-term prognosis of IMN is currently available. Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a member of the transforming growth factor- superfamily and has been associated with chronic inflammatory disease.

A Case of Ethylene Glycol intoxication with Acute Renal Injury: Successful Recovery by Fomepizole and Renal Replacement Therapy.

Ethylene glycol is a widely used and readily available substance. Ethylene glycol ingestion does not cause direct toxicity; however, its metabolites are highly toxic and can be fatal even in trace amounts. Poisoning is best diagnosed through inquiry, but as an impaired state of consciousness is observed in most cases, poisoning must be suspected when a significantly elevated osmolar gap or high anion gap metabolic acidosis is found in blood tests.

Promigratory activity of oxytocin on umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Recent studies show that oxytocin has various effects on cellular behaviors. Oxytocin is reported to stimulate cardiomyogenesis of embryonic stem cells and endothelial cell proliferation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used for cardiac repair, and we elucidated the effect of oxytocin on umbilical cord derived-MSCs (UCB-MSCs).

Role of FAK phosphorylation in hypoxia-induced hMSCS migration: involvement of VEGF as well as MAPKS and eNOS pathways.

Here we show that the effect of hypoxia on human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) migration is via the modulation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and its related signaling pathways. Hypoxia increased hMSC migration and cell viability, whereas lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was not affected for up to 48 h (data not shown). In addition, hypoxia increased the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in a time-dependent manner.

Role of HIF-1alpha and VEGF in human mesenchymal stem cell proliferation by 17beta-estradiol: involvement of PKC, PI3K/Akt, and MAPKs.

17beta-Estradiol (E(2)) is a steroid hormone well known for its roles in the regulation of various cell functions. However, the precise role that E(2) plays in the proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) has not been completely elucidated. In the present study, we examined the effects of E(2) on cell proliferation and the related signaling pathways using hMSCs.

Linoleic acid stimulates gluconeogenesis via Ca2+/PLC, cPLA2, and PPAR pathways through GPR40 in primary cultured chicken hepatocytes.

Fatty acids serve vital functions as sources of energy, building materials for cellular structures, and modulators of physiological responses. Therefore, this study examined the effect of linoleic acid on glucose production and its related signal pathways in primary cultured chicken hepatocytes. Linoleic acid (double-unsaturated, long chain) increased glucose production in a dose (> or =10(-4) M)- and time (> or =8 h)-dependent manner.

Mastoid obliteration using a hyaluronic acid gel to deliver a mesenchymal stem cells-loaded demineralized bone matrix: an experimental study.

Background And Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a combination of expanded human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) with hyaluronic acid gel in human demineralized bone matrix (hDBM) can promote osteogenesis in a mastoid obliteration procedure, with using the guinea pig as an animal model.

Materials And Methods: Fourteen male guinea pigs were used for the experiment. Bulla obliteration using 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI)-labeled hMSCs (2x10(6)) loaded into hDBM with hyaluronic acid hydrogel was performed in the experimental group (n=7).

Autologous bone marrow plasma injection after arthroscopic debridement for elbow tendinosis.

Introduction: The treatment of tendinosis of elbow can be challenging, yet rewarding. Nevertheless, for the patients who failed conservative management and develop persistent recalcitrant symptoms, surgical intervention should be considered. The hypothesis of this study is iliac bone marrow plasma injection after arthroscopic debridement of degenerative tissue will bring along biological cure.

Influence of suction tube noise on hearing in pediatric patients who received ventilation tube insertion.

Background: Myringotomy with ventilation tube insertion is the most frequently used surgical procedure performed on children to treat otitis media with effusion. The risk of acoustic trauma caused by the suctioning noise during the procedure has not been clearly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the suctioning noise during ventilation tube placement procedure damaged children's hearing.

Topical vancomycin for chronic suppurative otitis media with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus otorrhoea.

There has been a steady increase in the number of cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) otorrhoea; this is a growing concern. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical vancomycin treatment in patients with MRSA otorrhoea. Fifty-five patients with MRSA otorrhoea were prospectively enrolled into the study.

Effect of Ga-as laser on the regeneration of injured sciatic nerves in the rat.

Laser irradiation is one of the therapeutic methods for the recovery of degenerated peripheral nerves. The aim of the present study was to determine if low-power laser treatment stimulates the regeneration process of damaged nerves. A standardized crush to the sciatic nerve was applied to cause extensive axonal degeneration.

Asian pear pectin administration during presensitization inhibits allergic response to ovalbumin in BALB/c mice.

Objective: A type of respiratory disorder resembling some aspects of human allergic asthma can be induced in mice using ovalbumin. The factors that influence the etiology of asthma are poorly understood even though cytokines are known to play a pivotal role. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis whether an administration of Asian pear pectin during presensitization could suppress allergic response to ovalbumin in BALB/c mice.

Electro-acupuncture reverses nerve growth factor abundance in experimental polycystic ovaries in the rat.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remains one of the most common causes of anovulation in women of reproductive age. There is some evidence that nerve growth factor (NGF) is involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Therefore, seeking the pathogenesis of PCOS is important for controlling fertility.

Development of a radioreceptor assay for measuring an oxytocin antagonist in blood.

The purpose of the present study was to develop a radioreceptor assay to monitor the pharmacokinetics of the oxytocin antagonist, TT-235, in the blood of the pregnant rat and baboon. The receptors used for this assay were prepared from the pregnant rat uterus at delivery. The assay using blood from pregnant rats and baboons was performed on filter plates and analyzed for radioactivity in a gamma counter.

Effect of exposure to mitomycin C on cultured tympanic membrane fibroblasts.

Objective: Recently, attempts have been made to prolong the patency of myringotomy site with topical use of mitomycin C (MMC). It has been shown that MMC inhibits mitosis and proliferation of ocular fibroblasts, however, there are no studies of MMC's effect on tympanic membrane fibroblasts. To investigate the effects of MMC on cultured human tympanic membrane fibroblasts and understand the cellular basis of MMC for maintain myringotomy patency, cultured fibroblasts were exposed to various concentrations of MMC for periods of 5-10 min.

Extrauterine incubation of fetal goats applying the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation via umbilical artery and vein.

The fetus is an unstable subject for an isolated physiological and biochemical study. To study the fetus in a controlled and stable environment, a trial was done using 12 goat fetuses. Extrauterine incubation system was devised using an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system.

Comparison of oxytocin and oxytocin antagonist metabolism in the plasma of pregnant humans and baboons.

Oxytocin antagonists may be useful in inhibiting the uterine contractions of preterm labor. One such compound is TT-235 (previously referred to as Antag III). The purpose of this study was to compare the resistance of TT-235 and oxytocin to enzymatic degradation by oxytocinase in the blood of humans and baboons during their 3rd trimester of pregnancy.