Muscle-derived stem cells.

The existence of cells with stem cell-like abilities derived from various tissues can now be extended to include the skeletal muscle compartment. Although researchers have focused on the utilization of these cells with regard to their myogenic capacity, initially exploring more efficient cellular therapy treatments for muscular dystrophy, it is becoming increasingly apparent that such cells may one day be used in the treatment of non-myogenic disorders. Evidence regarding the existence and differentiation capacity of muscle-derived stem cells is discussed, along with current theories regarding their proposed position within the myogenic hierarchy.

Identification of a novel population of muscle stem cells in mice: potential for muscle regeneration.

Three populations of myogenic cells were isolated from normal mouse skeletal muscle based on their adhesion characteristics and proliferation behaviors. Although two of these populations displayed satellite cell characteristics, a third population of long-time proliferating cells expressing hematopoietic stem cell markers was also identified. This third population comprises cells that retain their phenotype for more than 30 passages with normal karyotype and can differentiate into muscle, neural, and endothelial lineages both in vitro and in vivo.

[Acrylic bone cement use for internal spondylodesis in neurosurgical operations].

Vertebral column stabilization relying on performing of surgical internal spondylodesis with acrylic bone cement (methylmethacrylate, MMA) was carried out in 27 cases treated surgically in Department and Clinic of Neurosurgery in Poznań from 1996 to 1999. The age of patients was 16-69 (mean age 50.29 +/- 15.

Eosinophilia and cell activation mediators in nasal secretions.

Objectives/hypothesis: In rhinologic disorders such as polyposis or rhinitis, nasal cytology allows differentiation between patients according to the degree of eosinophilia in nasal secretions. The egress of eosinophil and/or neutrophil polymorphonuclears from the underlying mucosa might correlate with the release of soluble mediators of cell activation such as the chemokine IL-8, and such molecules of the innate immunity as the LPS-receptor CD14 or lysozyme. We assayed the levels of these three molecules in nasal secretions in correlation with cytologic findings and especially the degree of eosinophilia.

Muscle-derived stem cells: characterization and potential for cell-mediated therapy.

Skeletal muscle may represent a convenient source of stem cells for cell-mediated gene therapy and tissue-engineering applications. A population of cells isolated from skeletal muscle exhibits both multipotentiality and self-renewal capabilities. Satellite cells, referred to by many as muscle stem cells, are myogenic precursors that are capable of regenerating muscle and demonstrating self-renewal properties; however, they are considered to be committed to the myogenic lineage.

[Dysontogenetic tumors of the vertebral column].

13 patients were managed surgically for dysontogenetic tumours of vertebral column between 1970 and 1997. 6 males and 7 females aged from 3 to 45 years (average age = 28.46 +/- SD 12.

[Acute sinusitus in adults. Management by general practitioners].

Objective: Acute sinusitis is a common condition encountered in general practice and raises the question of appropriate management. Sufficient data are still lacking in the literature to provide a fully satisfactory response.

Methods: We conducted a survey among 193 physicians representative of the general practitioners in France to collect 755 cases of acute sinusitis treated in the outpatient setting from January 6 through March 15, 1999.

[Smell dysfunction in nasal and paranasal sinus disease: a review of the literature (II)].

Substantial advances have been achieved during the last decade in our understanding of the biological bases of the sense of smell, as well as in the clinical identification, diagnosis, and management of dysosmia. Nasal obstruction can result from inflammatory, neoplastic, traumatic, and developmental alterations within the nasal cavity. All these processes, if they result in bilateral restriction of airflow to the olfactory neuroepithelium, presumably alter the ability to smell.

[Smell dysfunction in nasal and paranasal sinus disease: a review of the literature (I)].

Substantial advances have been achieved during the last decade in our understanding of the biological bases of the sense of smell, as well as in the clinical identification, diagnosis, and management of dysosmia. Nasal obstruction can result from inflammatory, neoplastic, traumatic, and developmental alterations within the nasal cavity. All these processes, if they result in bilateral restriction of airflow to the olfactory neuroepithelium, presumably alter the ability to smell.

Flow cytometric characterization of myogenic cell populations obtained via the preplate technique: potential for rapid isolation of muscle-derived stem cells.

Myoblast transplantation has been investigated as a therapy for muscle-related diseases and as a gene delivery vehicle for therapeutic recombinant proteins. Clinical successes involving muscle cell transplantation have been limited, in part because of poor donor cell survival, and the heterogeneous nature of myogenic donor cells has largely been ignored. We have previously reported an isolation technique, preplating, that results in purified myogenic cells that are capable of significantly higher rates of donor cell survival leading to enhanced gene transfer to skeletal muscle.

[Sinobronchial syndrome].

The sinobronchial syndrome consists of chronic sinusitis and chronic nonspecific inflammation of the lower airways, typically chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis and diffuse panbronchiolitis. This airway disease of unknown etiology is not related to smoking. It is common in Japan and is poorly described in western countries.

Efficacy and tolerability of budesonide aqueous nasal spray treatment in patients with nasal polyps.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of once-daily treatment with budesonide aqueous nasal spray in patients with nasal polyps.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study.

Setting: Sixteen hospital clinics.

The nuclear protein import assay in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Nuclear protein import plays a critical role in both proliferation and apoptosis. Both actions are of great importance in vascular development and pathology. Consequently, a technique that would allow us to characterize import and identify novel cofactors important in modulating the process in smooth muscle cells is of great applicability.

Clonal isolation of muscle-derived cells capable of enhancing muscle regeneration and bone healing.

Several recent studies suggest the isolation of stem cells in skeletal muscle, but the functional properties of these muscle-derived stem cells is still unclear. In the present study, we report the purification of muscle-derived stem cells from the mdx mouse, an animal model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We show that enrichment of desmin(+) cells using the preplate technique from mouse primary muscle cell culture also enriches a cell population expressing CD34 and Bcl-2.

Eosinophil count in nasal secretions of subjects with and without nasal symptoms.

The aim of this paper, based on a cross-sectional study of 129 patients with nonallergic chronic nasal symptoms and 40 healthy controls, was to examine the leucocyte differential count in nasal secretions as a diagnostic test. Nasal secretions were collected using preweighed suction glass canulas under controlled conditions (-100Pa, 30 sec). Leucocyte and differential counts were performed using a Thoma hemocytometer and on cytospin slides after May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining.

Directions in cardiovascular tissue engineering.

The generation of tissue replacements or supplements for diseased tissue within the cardiovascular system has been the target of recent tissue engineering efforts. While clinically applicable methodologies remain to be achieved, important foundational experimentation has been performed in recent years to begin the move toward engineered tissue replacement therapy. Inadequacies of current valve, vessel, and other heart prostheses are reviewed briefly, followed by the discussion of selected progress in the supplementation or replacement of each cardiovascular component with tissue constructs.

Targeting and ultrasound imaging of microbubble-based contrast agents.

Preparation and characterization of targeted microbubbles (ultrasound contrast agents) is described. Specific ligands were attached to the microbubble shell, and ligand-coated microbubbles were selectively attached to various targets, using either an avidin biotin model system or an antigen-antibody system for targeting to live activated endothelial cells. Firm attachment of microbubbles to the target was achieved.

[Lumbar disk herniation treated by microsurgery].

Microsurgical technique was applied in 46 cases of lumbar disc herniation in the years 1993-1994. The group comprised 17 women and 29 men aged 17-46 years (mean age 39.54 +/- 8.

[Vertebral column primary neoplasms].

Clinical analysis was carried out in 53 cases treated surgically because of primary vertebral column neoplasms in Department of Neurosurgery in Poznań between 1976-1995. Plasmocytoma solitaire (9 cases), angioma (5 cases), osteoblastoma (4 cases) and aneurysmal bone cysts (4 cases) were observed most frequently. Neoplasms localization was as follows: cranio-vertebral junction (4 cases), cervical segment (14 cases), thoracic (23 cases) and lumbo-sacral segments (12 cases).

[Intraoral surgical approach to tumors destroying the axis. Report of three cases].

Primary and metastatic tumours of the axis vertebra are difficult surgical problems. The authors report 3 patients with axis tumours who underwent surgery in 1993 and 1994. Clinical symptoms and signs included pain in three, myelopathy in two, vertebrobasilar circulatory insufficiency and cranial nerve lesions in two patients.

[Does idiopathic naso-sinusal polyposis exist in children?].

Unlabelled: Nasal polyposis, a rare disease in childhood, can present itself as an idiopathic disease. The aim of this study was to describe some of the clinical features of idiopathic nasal polyposis in children and to emphasize this condition as a specific clinical entity.

Population And Methods: The study was based on a retrospective analysis of 26 cases of idiopathic nasal polyposis that were studied to our department between 1979 and 1996.