Roles of obstetricians in quality management of cord blood collection and informing potential donors: a survey on obstetricians' understanding of cord blood in Korea.

Background: The obstetrician's role in vitalizing cord blood (CB) banking is important in both informing donors and beginning CB processing. The aim of the study was to investigate obstetricians' understanding of CB and their roles in informing donors and collection management.

Study Design And Methods: Questionnaires examining the management and awareness of CB were distributed to collection centers, and we analyzed 57 respondents who had collection experience.

High elastic modulus nanoparticles: a novel tool for subfailure connective tissue matrix damage.

Subfailure matrix injuries such as sprains and strains account for a considerable portion of ligament and tendon pathologies. In addition to the lack of a robust biological healing response, these types of injuries are often characterized by seriously diminished matrix biomechanics. Recent work has shown nanosized particles, such as nanocarbons and nanocellulose, to be effective in modulating cell and biological matrix responses for biomedical applications.

Early lymphoid responses and germinal center formation correlate with lower viral load set points and better prognosis of simian immunodeficiency virus infection.

We have investigated the dynamics of germinal center (GC) formation in lymphoid tissues following acute SIV infection. SIV induces a marked follicular hyperplasia, associated with an aberrant accumulation of nonproliferating T follicular helper cells within GCs, but with an abundance of cells producing IL-21, demonstrating that the mechanisms involved for these two events appear independent. IL-21-stimulated T follicular helper cells are considered a critical element for GC formation, a physiological process that seems dysregulated and excessive during HIV/SIV infection, contributing to lymphoid pathogenesis.

Safety and efficacy of gemcitabine or pemetrexed in combination with a platinum in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and prior interstitial lung disease.

Purpose: The incidence of lung cancer in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) is higher than in the general population; however, the clinical benefit of chemotherapy and the appropriate regimen for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with ILD remain unclear. This study was conducted to elucidate the safety and efficacy of palliative chemotherapy with gemcitabine or pemetrexed, both in combination with a platinum agent in NSCLC patients with ILD.

Patients And Methods: Patients with advanced or recurrent NSCLC and ILD who received gemcitabine or pemetrexed in combination with a platinum agent as first-line chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed.

Is there any predictor for clinical outcome in EGFR mutant NSCLC patients treated with EGFR TKIs?

Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have demonstrated some dramatic response rate and prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with activating EGFR mutation. However, PFS and overall survival (OS) among those patients who were treated with EGFR TKIs are inconsistent and unpredictable. In this study, we evaluated predictors of clinical outcome in EGFR mutant NSCLC patients treated with EGFR TKIs.

PAS-positive extracellular deposits within germinal centers of hyperplastic follicles during SIV infection in a rhesus macaque.

Background: Lymphoid tissue remodeling is characteristic of chronic simian immunodeficiency virus infection.

Methods: A rhesus macaque infected with SIVmac239 was necropsied and its lymphoid tissues subjected to histopathology characterization.

Results: Germinal centers in spleen and lymph nodes contained PAS-positive, non-amyloid extracellular deposits, decreased T follicular helper cells, and normal density of Ki67(+) B cells.

Effect of milrinone on the inflammatory response and NF-kB activation in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice.

Background: Milrinone increases intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate concentration and enhances vascular relaxation. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) plays a key role in inflammatory responses during ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. We aimed to investigate the effect of milrinone on the inflammatory responses and NF-kB activation in renal I/R injury in mice.

The efficacy of single-dose postoperative intravenous dexamethasone for pain relief after endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric neoplasm.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is the gold standard technique for en bloc resection of large superficial tumors in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Little is known about the management of epigastric pain after ESD of gastric neoplasms. This study investigated the utility and safety of single-dose, perioperative, intravenous dexamethasone for epigastric pain relief following ESD.

Electromagnetically controllable osteoclast activity.

The time-varying electromagnetic field (EMF) has been widely studied as one of the exogenous stimulation methods for improving bone healing. Our previous study showed that osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells was accelerated by a 45-Hz EMF, whereas a 7.5-Hz EMF inhibited osteogenic marker expression.

Preliminary results of binding pancreaticojejunostomy.

Backgrounds/aims: The post-operative complications and clinical course of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) largely depend on the pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ). Several methods of PJ are in clinical use. We analyzed the early results of binding pancreaticojejunostomy (BPJ), a technique reported by SY Peng.

Effect of simvastatin plus cetuximab/irinotecan for KRAS mutant colorectal cancer and predictive value of the RAS signature for treatment response to cetuximab.

Purpose: Preclinical data has demonstrated the potential of simvastatin to overcome cetuximab resistance in KRAS mutant CRC patients. Therefore, we designed a study using simvastatin/cetuximab/irinotecan for KRAS mutant CRC patients who are refractory to irinotecan and oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: In this phase II study, patients received 500 mg/m(2) cetuximab, 150-180 mg/m(2) (day 1), and 80 mg simvastatin (once daily, days 1-14, every 2 weeks).

3D printing of composite tissue with complex shape applied to ear regeneration.

In the ear reconstruction field, tissue engineering enabling the regeneration of the ear's own tissue has been considered to be a promising technology. However, the ear is known to be difficult to regenerate using traditional methods due to its complex shape and composition. In this study, we used three-dimensional (3D) printing technology including a sacrificial layer process to regenerate both the auricular cartilage and fat tissue.

Combined effect of three types of biophysical stimuli for bone regeneration.

Pretreatment using various types of biophysical stimuli could provide appropriate potential to cells during construction of the engineered tissue in vitro. We hypothesized that multiple combinations of these biophysical stimuli could enhance osteogenic differentiation in vitro and bone formation in vivo. Cyclic strain, an electromagnetic field, and ultrasound were selected and combined as effective stimuli for osteogenic differentiation using a developed bioreactor.

Origin of the improved mobility and photo-bias stability in a double-channel metal oxide transistor.

This study examined the performance and photo-bias stability of double-channel ZnSnO/InZnO (ZTO/IZO) thin-film transistors. The field-effect mobility (μFE) and photo-bias stability of the double-channel device were improved by increasing the thickness of the front IZO film (t(int)) compared to the single-ZTO-channel device. A high-mobility (approximately 32.

Location and dynamics of the immunodominant CD8 T cell response to SIVΔnef immunization and SIVmac251 vaginal challenge.

Live-attenuated SIV vaccines (LAVs) have been the most effective to date in preventing or partially controlling infection by wild-type SIV in non-human primate models of HIV-1 transmission to women acting by mechanisms of protection that are not well understood. To gain insights into mechanisms of protection by LAVs that could aid development of effective vaccines to prevent HIV-1 transmission to women, we used in situ tetramer staining to determine whether increased densities or changes in the local distribution of SIV-specific CD8 T cells correlated with the maturation of SIVΔnef vaccine-induced protection prior to and after intra-vaginal challenge with wild-type SIVmac251. We evaluated the immunodominant Mamu-A1*001:01/Gag (CM9) and Mamu-A1*001:01/Tat (SL8) epitope response in genital and lymphoid tissues, and found that tetramer+ cells were present at all time points examined.

Inhibitory effects of obovatol on osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption.

Osteoclasts are polykaryons that have the unique capacity to degrade bone. Modulation of osteoclast formation and function is a promising strategy for the treatment of bone-destructive diseases. Here, we report that obovatol, a natural compound isolated from Magnolia obovata, inhibits receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation in vitro and inflammatory bone loss in vivo.

Hybrid scaffold composed of hydrogel/3D-framework and its application as a dopamine delivery system.

Cell-based drug delivery systems (DDSs) have been increasingly exploited because cells can be utilized as a continuous drug delivering system to produce therapeutic molecules over a more extended period compared to the simple drug carriers. Although hydrogels have many advantages for this application, their mechanical properties are generally not desirable to structurally protect implanted cells. Here, we present a three-dimensional (3D) hybrid scaffold with a combination of a 3D framework and a hydrogel to enhance the mechanical properties without chemically altering the transport properties of the hydrogel.

Positive correlation between baseline PET or PET/CT findings and clinical parameters in multiple myeloma patients.

Recently, positron emission tomography (PET) has been incorporated into a series of prospective studies as a predictor of outcomes in multiple myeloma (MM), and the number of (18)F-fluorodeoxuglucose (FDG)-avid focal lesions (FLs) and the intensity of tumor metabolism have been designated as important surrogate markers for predicting prognosis. Here, we compared initial clinical characteristics of MM patients with baseline PET parameters: the number of FLs and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax). A total of 59 patients diagnosed with MM between August 2004 and February 2012 were reviewed.

In vivo blockade of the programmed cell death-1 pathway using soluble recombinant PD-1-Fc enhances CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses but has limited clinical benefit.

The programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand-1 pathway has been shown to limit cell-mediated effector functions during chronic viral infections impeding clearance of pathogens. As a strategy to reverse this exhaustion and increase T cell polyfunctionality, PD-1 ligands were blocked in vivo using a recombinant macaque PD-1 fused to a macaque Ig-Fc (rPD-1-Fc) in SIVmac239-infected rhesus macaques during the early chronic phase of infection, either alone or in combination with antiretroviral therapy. In vitro blockade showed improvement of Ag-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells from monkeys chronically infected with SIV.

High-throughput molecular genotyping for small biopsy samples in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Background: Despite the key role of mutational analysis in targeted therapy, the difficulty in acquisition of adequate tumor tissues for molecular genotyping in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has led to the need for a fast and efficient method for detecting genetic alterations for targeted therapy.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed tissue specimens of advanced NSCLC. A mass spectrometry-based assay was used to investigate 471 oncogenic mutations.

Effect of cholesterol depletion on interleukin-8 production in human respiratory epithelial cells.

Purpose: The lipid entities of cell membranes are components of the immune system and important mediators of inflammation. Despite increasing interest in the function of epithelial cells in inflammation, the role of cholesterol in this process has not been described. Here, we investigated the effect of cholesterol depletion on the inflammatory process in airway epithelial cells via the expression of interleukin (IL)-8 as a marker of inflammation.

Randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase II trial of simvastatin and gemcitabine in advanced pancreatic cancer patients.

Background: Statins have potential antineoplastic properties via arrest of cell-cycle progression and induction of apoptosis. A previous study demonstrated in vitro and in vivo antineoplastic synergism between statins and gemcitabine. The present randomized, double-blinded, phase II trial compared the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine plus simvastatin (GS) with those of gemcitabine plus placebo (GP) in patients with locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms on treatment outcomes and toxicity in patients treated with sunitinib.

Background/aim: We analyzed the efficacy and toxicity profile of sunitinib according to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and Kinase insert domain receptor (KDR).

Patients And Methods: We examined eight known SNPs of VEGFA and five SNPs of KDR among patients with gastric or biliary tract cancer who were treated with sunitinib. We retrospectively assessed clinical outcomes and their relationships to these SNPs.

Clinical features and treatment outcomes of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma: a single-center experience in Korea.

Background: Clinical features and treatment outcomes of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) have rarely been reviewed due to its rarity and pathologic obscurity.

Methods: We analyzed 20 patients who were pathologically diagnosed with IVLBCL at the Samsung Medical Center.

Results: Initial manifestations were nonspecific, such as fever with cytopenia, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase and hypoalbuminemia.