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Purpose: The present study aimed to identify the physiological characteristics of cells by investigating the change in gene expression and protein levels during extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis in the intervertebral disc (IVD) under hypoxic conditions. Materials and Methods: To test the effect of oxygen on cell growth and ECM synthesis of chondrocyte-like cells, the cells from IVD were separated and cultured in two hypoxia-mimicking systems: chemical hypoxic conditions using deferoxamine (DFO), and physiological hypoxic conditions using a hypoxic chamber for 7 days. Chondrocyte like cells cultured without DFO and under the normal oxygen concentration (21% O2 and 5% CO2, 37°C) served as the controls. Results: Chondrocyte-like cells cultured in the presence of 6% oxygen demonstrated a 100% increase in cellular proliferation compared to the control. The cells treated with chemical hypoxic conditions demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in the mRNA expression of glucose transporter-1, GAPDH, aggrecan, and type II collagen on Day 1. When treated with 100 μM DFO, the cells showed a 50% increase in the levels of proteoglycan protein on Day 7. The cells treated with chemical hypoxic condition demonstrated increase in sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) protein levels on Day 7. Moreover, the cells cultured in the presence of 6% oxygen showed a 120% increase in sulfated GAG levels on Day 7. Conclusion: The oxygen concentration had an important role in the viability, proliferation, and maturation of chondrocyte-like cells in IVD. In addition, chondrocyte-like cells are sensitive to the concentration of oxygen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated characteristics of 24 parasite infection cases detected during colonoscopy in a regional hospital from January 2001 to December 2008. Sixteen patients were confirmed with Trichuris trichiura infection, 6 patients were with Ascaris lumbricoides infection, 1 patient with Enterobius vermicularis infection, and 1 patient with Anisakis infection. Among them, 7 patients (43.8%) were asymptomatic. Colonoscopy findings were normal in 18 patients (75.0%). Among the patients with T. trichiura infection, colonoscopy showed several erosions in 2 patients (8.3%) and non-specific inflammation of the affected segment of the colon in 3 patients (12.5%). In 1 patient with anisakiasis, colonoscopy revealed a markedly swollen colonic wall. Stool examinations were performed before treatment in 7 patients (29.2%) and were all negative for parasite eggs or worms. These results suggest that colonoscopy is a useful diagnostic approach for parasitic infections even for asymptomatic patients and for patients with negative stool examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]