Small extracellular vesicles from human adipose-derived stem cells attenuate cartilage degeneration.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease of articular cartilage that is the most common joint disease worldwide. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been the most extensively explored for the treatment of OA. Recently, it has been demonstrated that MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) may contribute to the potential mechanisms of MSC-based therapies.

Cell reprogramming using extracellular vesicles from differentiating stem cells into white/beige adipocytes.

Stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) offer alternative approaches to stem cell-based therapy for regenerative medicine. In this study, stem cell EVs derived during differentiation are developed to use as cell-free therapeutic systems by inducing tissue-specific differentiation. EVs are isolated from human adipose-derived stem cells (HASCs) during white and beige adipogenic differentiation (D-EV and BD-EV, respectively) via tangential flow filtration.

Reprogramming of cancer stem cells into non-tumorigenic cells using stem cell exosomes for cancer therapy.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small population of cells with stem cell-like properties found in tumors. CSCs are closely associated with tumor heterogeneity, which influences tumor progress, metastasis, and drug resistance. Here, we propose a concept to enhance efficacy of cancer therapy through CSC reprogramming into non-tumorigenic cells using stem cell-derived exosomes with osteoinductive potential.

Exosomes from differentiating human skeletal muscle cells trigger myogenesis of stem cells and provide biochemical cues for skeletal muscle regeneration.

Exosomes released from skeletal muscle cells play important roles in myogenesis and muscle development via the transfer of specific signal molecules. In this study, we investigated whether exosomes secreted during myotube differentiation from human skeletal myoblasts (HSkM) could induce a cellular response from human adipose-derived stem cells (HASCs) and enhance muscle regeneration in a muscle laceration mouse model. The exosomes contained various signal molecules including myogenic growth factors related to muscle development, such as insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2), and platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA).

Clinical Analysis for Brain Tumor-Related Epilepsy during Chemotherapy for Systemic Cancer with Single Brain Metastasis.

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective observational study was to determine the incidence, patterns, and predisposing factors for brain tumor-related epilepsy (BTRE) during chemotherapy for systemic cancer with single brain metastasis (BM).

Materials And Methods: Between February 2006 and June 2010, 103 patients who underwent chemotherapy for systemic cancer with single BM were enrolled. We compared the clinical factors of patients and BM between patients with and without BTRE.

Prognostic factors of secondary cytoreductive surgery for patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the prognostic factors of secondary cytoreductive surgery on survival in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer.

Methods: The medical records of all patients who underwent secondary cytoreductive surgery between May 2001 and October 2007 at the National Cancer Center, Korea were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were executed to evaluate the potential variables for overall survival.

Submucosal saline-epinephrine injection in colon polypectomy: appropriate indication.

Background/aims: Opinions vary among endoscopists concerning the indications for submucosal saline-epinephrine injection for the prevention of postpolypectomy complications after colonic snare polypectomy. This study was performed to determine the appropriate indications for submucosal saline-epinephrine injection.

Methodology: Clinical characteristics and complications (hemorrhage and perforation) in polypectomies were retrospectively evaluated.

Anti-gastric cancer effects of celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, through inhibition of Akt signaling.

Background And Aim: Previously, we showed that treatment with celecoxib significantly reduced the number of viable gastric cancer cells, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. However, the specific anti-cancer effects of celecoxib on gastric cancer cells have not been clarified. The present in vitro study was carried out to investigate the mechanism involved in the anti-gastric cancer effects of celecoxib.

Clinical significance of minimal change lesions of the esophagus in a healthy Korean population: a nationwide multi-center prospective study.

Background And Aim: At least half of the patients with typical reflux symptoms have non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). Minimal change lesions are commonly seen in the screening endoscopic examinations for individuals without clinically significant symptoms. We evaluated the correlation between minimal changes and symptoms in individuals visiting the hospital for routine health check-up by a nationwide survey in 2006.

[Clinical usefulness of fecal occult blood test as a screening method for asymptomatic patients with colon polyps].

Background/aims: Detection of asymptomatic benign colon polyp is increasing because colonoscopy is widely used as a screening and diagnostic method. Fecal occult blood test is usually performed for the selection of patients requiring colonoscopy as well as mass screening for colon cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of fecal occult blood test performed prior to colonoscopy as a screening method of benign colon polyps.