Psychosis in a primary hyperparathyroidism patient with mild hypercalcemia: A case report.

Introduction: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is characterized by hypercalcemia and an elevated level of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH). PHPT presents with a complex set of renal, skeletal, and neuropsychological symptoms. Parathyroidectomy (PTX) is a radical treatment that is recommended for all physically symptomatic patients with PHPT.

In situ tissue engineering of the cricoid and trachea in a canine model.

Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to demonstrate the efficacy of in situ tissue engineering of the cricoid and trachea in a canine model.

Methods: Marlex mesh tube reinforced with polypropylene threads and covered by collagen sponge was used as a tissue scaffold for airway regeneration in 9 beagle dogs. The anterior half of the cricoid cartilage was resected in 5 dogs, whereas the cricoid cartilage and cervical trachea were simultaneously resected in 4 dogs.

Effect of hyperosmolality and cations on iodinated contrast medium-induced potassium release from human blood cells.

Purpose: Potassium release from blood cells is a contrast medium-induced phenomenon. The purposes of the study were to (1) assess the effect of hyperosmolality and of adding sodium ions and calcium ions to a solution on potassium release from human blood cells and (2) reevaluate the possibility of hemolysis as a cause of potassium elevation.

Materials And Methods: Fresh human blood was mixed with a test solution to examine the temporal changes in the whole blood potassium levels and to calculate the potassium release rate.

Fibroblast growth factor-2 promotes recovery of pulmonary function in a canine models of elastase-induced emphysema.

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) for severe emphysema is less invasive than lung volume reduction surgery. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) has been reported to enhance fibrogenesis and angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of BLVR with the FGF-2, and ability to reduce lung volume and promote recovery of lung function.

Development of beta-tricalcium phosphate/collagen sponge composite for bone regeneration.

Synthetic biomaterials have been developed and used for bone grafting. Here, we developed a biodegradable sponge composite for bone tissue engineering by combining beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) and collagen. In addition, we sought to determine the optimal beta-TCP granules/collagen ratio by evaluating and bone formation in vivo.

Calcium binding by gadolinium-based MR contrast agents.

Purpose: This study was conducted to characterize the alterations in ionic sodium, potassium, and calcium by gadolinium-based MR contrast agents.

Materials And Methods: An electrolyte solution (ES) containing 1.2 mM/L calcium ions,120 mM/L sodium, and 4.

Tissue engineering of small intestinal tissue using collagen sponge scaffolds seeded with smooth muscle cells.

In a previously reported attempt to regenerate small intestine with autologous tissues, collagen scaffolds were used without cell seeding or with autologous mesenchymal stem cell seeding. However the regenerated intestine lacked a smooth muscle layer. To accomplish regeneration of a smooth muscle layer, this present study used collagen scaffolds seeded with the smooth muscle cells (SMC) in a canine model.

Fibroblast growth factor-2 induces recovery of pulmonary blood flow in canine emphysema models.

Study Objectives: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 is one of the most powerful angiogenic growth factors to be evaluated as an agent for the promotion of angiogenesis. The aim of this study is to investigate whether intratracheal administration of controlled-release FGF-2 microspheres restores pulmonary function in beagle dogs with emphysema.

Design: Randomized, controlled, experimental animal study.

Regenerative medicine of the trachea: the first human case.

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to demonstrate regenerative medicine of the tracheal tissue by using an in situ tissue engineering technique for airway reconstruction.

Methods: Based on the previous successful experimental animal studies, the current regenerative technique was applied to repair of the trachea of a 78-year-old woman with thyroid cancer. A Marlex mesh tube covered by collagen sponge was used as a tissue scaffold.

An experimental model of Stanford type B aortic dissection.

Purpose: To create an experimental model of aortic dissection with a long-lasting patent false lumen as a proper animal model for development of less-invasive treatment for aortic dissection.

Materials And Methods: Fifteen adult beagle dogs (weight, 10-12 kg) were used. The descending aorta was exposed by a left thoracotomy at the sixth intercostal space.

New canine spinal cord injury model free from laminectomy.

The present report details the successful development of a model for spinal cord injury (SCI). This model is simple, reproducible, and requires no laminectomy. Development of the model was carried out using fourteen dogs.

Experimental study on the regeneration of peripheral nerve gaps through a polyglycolic acid-collagen (PGA-collagen) tube.

We have developed a bioabsorbable polyglycolic acid (PGA) tube filled with collagen sponge (PGA-collagen tube) as a nerve connective guide, and compared its effectiveness with that of autograft in terms of nerve regeneration across a gap. The PGA-collagen tube was implanted into 24 beagle dogs across a 15-mm gap in the left peroneal nerve. The right peroneal nerve was reconstructed with the autograft harvested from the left side, as a control.

Cricoid regeneration using in situ tissue engineering in canine larynx for the treatment of subglottic stenosis.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of cricoid regeneration via in situ tissue engineering in a canine larynx for the treatment of subglottic stenosis. As the tissue scaffold, a Marlex mesh tube coated by collagen sponge was used for a rigid airway framework and for tissue regrowth around the tube. On 5 dogs, the larynx was exposed and the anterior third of the cricoid cartilage was resected.

Transplantation of endothelial progenitor cells into the lung to alleviate pulmonary hypertension in dogs.

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is still a refractory disease, and patients deteriorate despite any treatment. We hypothesized that neovascularization in the lung could increase the volume of the vascular bed in the pulmonary circulation and thus reduce the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) might be a potential cell source for neovascularization.

In situ tissue engineering of periodontal tissues by seeding with periodontal ligament-derived cells.

The feasibility of an in situ tissue-engineering method employing cell-based therapy with autologous periodontal ligament-derived cells was investigated. Periodontal ligament cells were obtained from six beagle dogs. Periodontal fenestration defects (6 x 4 mm) were created bilaterally at a location 6 mm apical to the marginal alveolar crest in the maxillary canines.

Regeneration of mastoid air cells: clinical applications.

The objective of this study was to establish a method for regenerating mastoid air cells and their functions for clinical use in incurable otitis media. For this clinical study three patients (one male, two female) were randomly selected from patients with severe cholesteatoma about to undergo staged operations. Hydroxy-apatite in three-dimensional, honeycomb-like structures (3D-HA) were used as artificial pneumatic bones.

Tissue engineering for the regeneration of the mastoid air cells: a preliminary in vitro study.

Mastoid is a pneumatic bone, composed of small interconnecting chambers covered by a mono-layer of mucosa with an abundant blood supply. One of its main functions is gas exchange according to the concentration/pressure gradient. The final goal of our research project is to regenerate mastoid air cells and their unique physiologic functions.

Slow release of bone morphogenetic protein 2 from a gelatin sponge to promote regeneration of tracheal cartilage in a canine model.

Objectives: We investigated whether bone morphogenetic protein 2, released slowly from a gelatin sponge, could induce cartilage regeneration in a canine model of tracheomalacia and evaluated the long-term results.

Methods: A 1 x 5-cm gap was made in the anterior cervical trachea by removing 5-cm long strips of 10 sequential cartilagines. In the control group (n = 5), the gaps were left untreated.

Sterilized, freeze-dried amniotic membrane: a useful substrate for ocular surface reconstruction.

Purpose: To examine the feasibility of using sterilized, freeze-dried amniotic membrane (FD-AM) as a substrate for cultivating autologous corneal epithelial cells for ocular surface reconstruction.

Methods: Human AM deprived of amniotic epithelial cells by incubation with EDTA was freeze dried, vacuum packed, and sterilized with gamma-irradiation. The resultant FD-AM was characterized for its physical, biological, and morphologic properties by stretch stress tests, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and cell culture.

Regeneration of the vocal fold using autologous mesenchymal stem cells.

The aim of this study was to regenerate the injured vocal fold by means of selective cultured autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Eight adult beagle dogs were used for this experiment. Selective incubation of MSCs from bone marrow was done.

Transcatheter arterial embolization using poly-L-lactic acid microspheres.

Purpose: To assess the use of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) microspheres as an embolic material in transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE).

Materials And Methods: Between December 1993 and August 1995, eight patients [dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF) (n = 1), acute hemoptysis (n = 7)] underwent nine TAE procedures using PLLA microspheres. The patients were four men and four women, aged 38-82 years (mean, 62.

Capillary endothelial thrombomodulin expression and fibrin deposition in rats with continuous and bolus lipopolysaccharide administration.

We studied capillary endothelial injury, as demonstrated by fibrin deposition and changes in thrombomodulin (Tm) expression, in rats receiving continuous or bolus iv lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Rats were continuously infused with iv LPS (0.1, 0.

Biodegradation of polyglycolic acid-collagen composite tubes for nerve guide in the peritoneal cavity.

The rate of biodegradation of new types of polyglycolic acid (PGA)-collagen composite tubes for nerve regeneration was evaluated in the peritoneal cavity. PGA mesh tubes with a diameter of 2 or 4 mm were coated with collagen solution and dried at room temperature. The tubes were then subjected to dehydrothermal treatment (composite tube).