Electrically
conductive materials can stimulate stem cells through
electric shock and thereby contribute to the regulation of cell proliferation
and differentiation. Recently, polymer–metal complexes composed
of polyaniline and gold nanoparticles have emerged as novel candidates
for use in regenerative medicine. By mixing two different materials,
such composites maximize the benefits while alleviating the disadvantages
of using either material alone. Based on their excellent conductivity,
these complexes can be applied to nerve regeneration using stem cells.
In this study, we investigated a method for producing hybrid nanocomposites
by complexing gold nanoparticles to polyaniline and tested the resultant
composites in a model of nerve regeneration. We manipulated the shape,
size, and electrical conductivity of the hybrid composites by compounding
the component materials at various ratios. The most efficient nanocomposite
was named conductive reinforced nanocomposites (CRNc’s). When
the CRNc was delivered directly to cells, no cytotoxicity was observed.
After the intracellular delivery of the CRNc, the stem cells were
electrically stimulated using an electroporator. As a result of performing
mRNA-sequencing (Seq) analysis after electrical stimulation (ES) of
the CRNc-internalized cells, it was confirmed that the CRNc-internalized
cells have a pattern similar to that of the positive group-induced
neuron cells. In particular, microtubule-associated protein 2 is more
than twice that of the control group (negative control), and the nerve
fiber protein is strongly expressed as in the positive control group.
In addition, we verified that neural differentiation progressed by
monitoring the growth of neurites from stem cells. Together, these
findings show that the CRNc can be used to induce the formation of
neuron-like cells by applying ES to stem cells.
Primary extragonadal germ cell tumors are rare and mostly occur in young men with predominance of nonseminomatous histology. We report an undescribed case of primary retroperitoneal dysgerminoma presenting as an adrenal tumor in a 17-year-old girl. Surgery was performed on a 10 × 9.5 cm sized adrenal gland tumor and the resected tumor showed unequivocal histological features of dysgerminoma. The diagnosis was confirmed by the tumor's germ cell immunophenotype. Postoperative ultrasonography, CT and PET over a 6-month period revealed no evidence of ovarian lesion. The patient is stable, but with a suspicious residual tumor after adjuvant chemotherapy.
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