No abstract available.
Calcification, Physiologic* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression patterns of osterix in the early stage of cranio-maxillofacial developmental in zebrafish and to prepare for a further research of osterix gene in bone and tooth development.

METHODSThe osterix templates were amplified by PCR to generate DIG labeled antisense and sense probes. Whole mount in situ hybridization was used to analyze the expression patterns of osterix in the early stage cranio-maxillofacial development of zebrafish. The expression patterns of osterix gene in mineralization progresses of cranial and maxillofacial bones were compared. The osterix gene expression in tooth development and mineralization was highlighted by alizarin red staining.

RESULTSSpecific DIG labeled probes of osterixwere synthesized successfully. The whole mount in situ hybridization showed that the osterix expression was in the intramembranous ossification at 3 days post fertilization(dpf) and 4 dpf. The specific osterix expression in tooth at 5 dpf and 6 dpf were also observed. The sense probe served as a negative control. Osterix expressed in the unmineralized early bone matrix, the tooth matrix of the primary tooth(3V(1), 5V(1)) and the first replacement tooth(4V(2)).

CONCLUSIONSOur findings showed that osterix might play roles in the process of the early mineralized bone matrix changing into the late mature mineralized bone matrix and the process of development and mineralization of tooth crown matrix.

Animals ; Calcification, Physiologic ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; In Situ Hybridization ; Maxillofacial Development ; genetics ; Osteogenesis ; genetics ; Sp7 Transcription Factor ; Tooth ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Zebrafish ; Zebrafish Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

The ultimate goal of periodontal therapy is to promote the regeneration of lost periodontal tissue, there have been many attempts to develop a method to achieve this goal, but none of them was completely successful. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Bio-Oss(R) on alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity in human fetal osteoblasts (hFOB1). The results of this study were as follows, in ALP Activity, 100 microgram/ml Bio-Oss(R) treated group showed significantly increased value than negative control group, but positive group(10(-7) M dexamethasone treated group) showed the highest ALP activity at 3 day. In mineralization assay, numerous mineralized nodules were identified as darkly stained spots in 100 microgram/ml Bio-Oss(R) treated group than two control groups, whereas a small number of mineralized nodules were showed in the positive control. ALP may relate to the initial phase of bone nodule formation. On the basis of these results, this study showed Bio-Oss(R) is capable of accelerating new bone formation through hFOB1 differentiation in vitro.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Calcification, Physiologic* ; Dexamethasone ; Humans* ; Osteoblasts* ; Osteogenesis ; Regeneration

Nicotine is one of the major components of cigarette smoking which causes various systemic and local diseases to human body. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of nicotine on bone mineralization in human fetal osteoblasts cell line(hFOB1). To compare the alkaline ph-osphatase(ALP) synthesis, hFOB1 were cultured with DMEM/F-12 1:1 Mixture and 100 pg/ml, 1 ng/ml, 10 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml, 1 microgram/ml, 10 microgram/ml, 100 microgram/ml of nicotine. And to compare the calcium accumulation, hFOB1 cultured for 23 days were quantified and photographed. ALP activity of hFOB1 exposed to nicotine was not significantly changed at a lower concentrations of nicotine, but was significantly decreased at a higher concentrations (10 microgram/ml, 100 microgram/ml) of nicotine (p<0.05). A quantified calcium acculation in hFOB1 was significantly decreased at 1, 10, and 100microgram/ml of nicotine (p<0.05). Significantly decreased calcium deposition was observed at 1, 10, and 100microgram/ml of nicotine. These results indicate that a higher concentration of nicotine show a negative effects on mineralization of hFOB1.
Calcification, Physiologic ; Calcium ; Human Body ; Humans* ; Nicotine* ; Osteoblasts* ; Smoking

Intratumoral calcification is one of the most noticeable of radiologic findings. It facilitates detection and provides information important for correctly diagnosing tumors. In the abdominopelvic cavity, a wide variety of tumors have calcifications with various imaging features, though the majority of such calcifications are dystrophic in nature. In this article, we classify the imaging patterns of intratumoral calcification according to number, location, and morphology. Then, we describe commonly-encountered abdominopelvic tumors containing typical calcification patterns, focusing on their differentiable characteristics using the imaging patterns of intratumoral calcification.
Calcification, Physiologic ; Calcinosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Abdominal Neoplasms ; Pelvic Neoplasms ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Adult

OBJECTIVE : Bone mineral density is influenced by genetic, hormonal and exogenous factor that adversely affect peak mineral density include cigarette smoking, physical disability, poor calcium intake and certain medication include steroid and anticonvulsant drugs. We studied epileptic children receiving 6months above, to document change of bone mineral density by anticonvulsant drugs. METHODS: From July 1, 1996 to September 1, 1996 lumbar bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 27 children treated with anticonvulsant drugs 6months above (age ranged : 4-13 year) in Soonchunghyang University hospital. The subjects were classified into 3 groups : treated with carbamazepine alone, valproate alone and combined group. RESULTS: 1) Mean age of carbamazepine group was 10.2+/-2.42yrs(6-l4yr), duration of therapy was 22.1+/-13.9 months(6-44 months), mean value of bone mineral densities were 0.668+/-0.128g/cm2(0.548-0.927). Though it was lower than control group in 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 year, had not statistical significance. 2) Mean age of valproate group was 9.8+/-2.92yrs(6-l3yr), duration of therapy was 40.5 +/-22.2months(17-79month), mean value of bone mineral densities were 0.618+/-0.097g/cm2(0.516-0.788). Though it was lower than control group in 7, 10, 13 year, had not statistical significance. 3) Mean age of combined group was 7.9+/-3.2yrs(4-l4yr), duration of therapy was 37.5 +/-24.7months(12-88month), mean value of bone mineral densities were 0.602+/-0.109 g/cm2(0.552-0.807). Though it was lower than control group in 7, 8, 10 year, had not statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Because growing children is more sensitive than adult, in case of receiving long-term anticonvulsant therapy, it is important that early detection and prevention of abnormal bone mineralization by appropriate monitoring.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adult ; Anticonvulsants* ; Bone Density* ; Calcification, Physiologic ; Calcium ; Carbamazepine ; Child* ; Humans ; Smoking ; Valproic Acid

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The assessment of CT-derived coronary artery calcification (CAC) has been used as a surrogate measurement for coronary atherosclerosis. However, the blooming artifact caused by CAC on MDCT is the potential limitation when evaluating the coronary artery stenosis. The aim of this study was to classify the morphologic characteristics of CAC on MDCT and to test whether this new classification predicts the stenotic severity on coronary angiography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 73 CAC lesions were observed on 64 slice MDCT in the 56 enrolled patients (M:F=33:23, mean age: 66+/-9.3 years) who underwent coronary angiography. The morphologic types of CAC on 64-slice MDCT were classified into four groups [degree of stenosis (S), shape of the calcification (M), length of the calcification (L) and the number of calcified vessels (N)] with using a scoring system, and this morphologic classification was compared with the angiographic severity of coronary stenosis. RESULTS: Diffuse (L3), elongated (M2) and multi-vessel (N2) calcified lesions were significantly associated with angiographic coronary artery stenosis (p=0.03, p=0.019 and p=0.002, respectively) On the multivariate regression analysis, multivessel CAC was the only independent predictor for significant coronary artery stenosis [p=0.019, beta=3.77, CI: 1.23-11.5 (95%)]. The type of stenosis (luminal narrowing > or =50%) accompanying CAC on MDCT was not correlated with the angiographically determined stenosis (p=0.13). A total morphologic score less than 4 had a negative predictive value of 78% for predicting significant coronary artery stenosis. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the diffuse and multi-vessel CAC on MDCT can predict the coronary artery stenosis; however, the stenosis severity of the lesion accompanying CAC on MDCT might not coincide with the angiographic severity. Therefore, the morphologic classification with this scoring system should be considered for use when evaluating lesion with CAC on MDCT.
Artifacts ; Calcification, Physiologic ; Classification ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Stenosis* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Humans

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a minimal concentration of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in terms of quantitative and qualitative analyses of newly formed bone in a rabbit maxillary sinus model. METHODS: In 7 rabbits, sinus windows were prepared bilaterally. Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) loaded with 0.05 mg/mL BMP-2 was grafted into one sinus (the BMP group) and saline-soaked BCP was placed into the other (the control group) in each animal. The animals were allowed an 8-week healing period before being sacrificed. Specimens including the augmented area and surrounding tissues were then removed and evaluated both radiographically and histologically. RESULTS: There was a difference in the mineralization of new bone between the groups. In the BMP group, the greater part of the new bone consisted of mature lamellar bone with an evident trabecular pattern, whereas the control group showed mostly woven bone, consisting only partially of lamellar bone. Histometrically, the area of new bone was significantly greater (4.55±1.35 mm2 vs. 2.99±0.86 mm2) in the BMP group than in the control group (P<0.05); however, the total augmentation volumes were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, it can be suggested that a minimal concentration of BMP-2 (0.05 mg/mL) had an osteoinductive effect with accelerated mineralization in a rabbit sinus model using a BCP carrier.
Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; Calcification, Physiologic ; Calcium* ; Maxillary Sinus ; Miners* ; Rabbits ; Sinus Floor Augmentation ; Transplants

PURPOSE: To characterize the effects of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) and quercetin (QCT) on gene expression of osteonectin (ON) and osteopontin (OP) in irradiated MC3T3-E1 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: When MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells had reached 70-80% confluence, cultures were transferred to a differentiating medium supplemented with 5 mM 2-DG or 10 micrometer QCT and then irradiated with 2, 4, 6, and 8 Gy. At various times after irradiation, the cells were analyzed for the expression of bone mineralization genes such as ON and OP. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of both ON and OP was increased according to the culture time in the differentiation medium, and the increase of the genes peaked at 14 days after the differentiation induction. In the case of OP, the increase of mRNA expression was maintained to 28 days after the differentiation, while the mRNA level of ON was reduced to the basal level at the same time. Irradiation adding 2-DG showed a significant peak value in the expression pattern of ON at 4 Gy 7 days after irradiation. Irradiation adding QCT increased the mRNA expression of ON and OP in a dose-dependant manner, but irradiation adding 2-DG did not show any differences between the control and experiments 14 days after irradiation. Irradiation adding QCT increased significantly the expression patterns of ON 21 days after irradiation. CONCLUSION: The results showed that QCT acted as a radiosensitizer in the gene expression of ON and OP during differentiation of the late stage of irradiated MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells in vitro.
Calcification, Physiologic ; Deoxyglucose ; Gene Expression ; Osteoblasts ; Osteonectin ; Osteopontin ; Quercetin ; RNA, Messenger

Vitamin D is an important fat-soluble vitamin that functions as a prohormone and affects bone mineralization and calcium homeostasis. Vitamin D deficiency causesboth musculoskeletal manifestations, including rickets, and extra-musculoskeletal symptoms. Because vitamin D is naturally present in only some foods, intake of daily foods cannot meet the dietary reference intake for vitamin D. Sunlight is the main source of vitamin D in humans therefore, the lack of sunlight can easily cause vitamin D deficiency in children and adolescents. Vitamin D deficiency can be diagnosed on the basis ofits typical clinical manifestation, laboratory tests, and radiologic findings. Detection of vitamin D deficiency in children or adolescents necessitates the simultaneous administration of vitamin D and calcium supplements. To prevent vitamin D deficiency, 200 IU of daily vitamin D intake is recommended in infants, and 400 IU of daily vitamin D intake is recommended in Korean children and adolescents.
Adolescent ; Calcification, Physiologic ; Calcium ; Child ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Infant ; Rickets ; Sunlight ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Vitamins