BACKGROUND: It is not yet clear whether the abnormal cytokine production in relation to serum IgE levels in atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with the amount of mRNA of cytokine gene. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to delineate the effect of reciprocal correlation in the level of mRNA between interleukin-4 (I") and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in severe AD. METHODS: We examined 15 cases including 5 AD patients with high serum IgE (>2,000 kU/liter), 5 AD patients with low serum IgE (<100 kU/liter), and 5 healthy controls. Using semi quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, IL-4 and IFN-γ gene expressions in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) were examined. RESULTS: 1) IL-4 gene expression in spontaneous PBMC was higher in AD patient groups than in control group, significantly higher only in AD patient group with high serum IgE level (p < 0.05). 2) IFN-γ gene expression in spontaneous PBMC showed increased tendency in AD patient groups than in control group without statistical significance. 3) IL-4 and IFN-γ gene expressions in stimulated PBMC were not different among all three groups. CONCLUSION: In light of our results, high and low IgE subgroups in AD can exist and AD may not be R characterized by the shift in the reciprocal relationship between IL-4 and IFN-γ when T cells are stimulated under antigen presenting cell-independent conditions.
Dermatitis, Atopic ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Interferon-gamma* ; Interleukin-4* ; RNA, Messenger ; T-Lymphocytes

Different kinds of forces can be applied to the biological tissue. The analysis of the applied force is highly important to explain the mechanism of cellular response. In this study, the applied force to the collagen gel was analyzed by the finite elements analysis. The model received two different kinds of static force (compression and tension). The force range was 50g to 400g. In results, von Mises stress was concentrated in the peripheral region in the compression model. It was concentrated in the central area in the tension model. However, the compressive force was high in the peripheral area of the compression model and the tensional force was also high in the same area of the tension model. In conclusion, the applied force could be different to the region and it should be considered in the experiment to analyze the effects of the mechanical force on the cells.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Collagen ; Finite Element Analysis

Different kinds of forces can be applied to the biological tissue. The analysis of the applied force is highly important to explain the mechanism of cellular response. In this study, the applied force to the collagen gel was analyzed by the finite elements analysis. The model received two different kinds of static force (compression and tension). The force range was 50g to 400g. In results, von Mises stress was concentrated in the peripheral region in the compression model. It was concentrated in the central area in the tension model. However, the compressive force was high in the peripheral area of the compression model and the tensional force was also high in the same area of the tension model. In conclusion, the applied force could be different to the region and it should be considered in the experiment to analyze the effects of the mechanical force on the cells.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Collagen ; Finite Element Analysis

No abstract available.

Accidental intrathecal vincristine instillation is extremely toxic to the central nervous system. If given intrathecally, it produces a rapidly ascending, usually fatal, neuromyeloencephalopathy. This is a case where a 10-year-old girl received an inadvertent intrathecal administration of vincristine. The clinical course was rapidly progressive and resulted in comatose and vegetative state. Magnetic resornance image at post-injection 11 day showed high signal intensity lesion in cerebellar hemisphere and vermis adjacent to CSF passage third and fourth ventricle on T2 weighted images.
Central Nervous System ; Child ; Coma ; Female ; Fourth Ventricle ; Humans ; Persistent Vegetative State ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Vincristine*

PURPOSE: Gene therapy (ex vivo) has recently been used as a means of delivering bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) to sites of tissue regeneration. In the present study, we investigated the effect of co-transduction of adenoviruses expressing BMP-2 and BMP-7 on osteogenesisof C2C12 cells in vitro. METHODS: A replication-defective human adenovirus 5 (Ad5) containing a cDNA for BMPs in the E1 region of the virus (Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7) was constructed by in vivo homologous recombination. Functional activity of Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 were evaluated in mouse stromal cells (W20-17cells). C2C12 cells are transduced with various MOI (multiplicity of infection) of Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 to assess most effective and stable titer. Based on this result, C2C12 cells were transduced with Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 alone or by combination. BMPs expression, alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity, cell proliferation, and mineralization were assessed. RESULTS: Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 are successfully transduced to W20-17 cells, and secreted BMPs stimulated cell differentiation. Also, C2C12 cells transduced with Ad5BMPs showed expression of BMPs and increased ALPaseactivity. In all groups, cell proliferation was observed over times. At 7days, cells co-transduced with Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 showed lower proliferation than the others. C2C12 cells co-transduced with Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 had greater ALPaseactivity than that would be predicted if effect of individual Ad5BMPs were additive. Little mineralized nodule formation was detected in cells transduced with individual Ad5BMPs. In contrast, Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7 combination stimulated mineralization after culturing for 10 days in mineralizing medium. CONCLUSIONS: Present study demonstrated that adenoviruses expressing BMPs gene successfully produced BMPs protein and these BMPs stimulated cells to be differentiated into osteoblastic cells. In addition, the osteogenic activity of Ad5BMPs can be synergistically increased by co-transduction of cells with Ad5BMP-2 and Ad5BMP-7.
Adenoviridae ; Adenoviruses, Human ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA, Complementary ; Durapatite ; Genetic Therapy ; Homologous Recombination ; Mice ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Regeneration ; Stromal Cells ; Viruses

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of powered toothbrush with a wireless remote display on the subjective and objective oral hygiene improvement. METHODS: One hundred and fifteen subjects in healthy or mild gingivitis status between the ages of 20 and 90 were recruited and reviewed for study inclusion criteria. At first visit, 115 pre-screened subjects filled in the questionnaire form which consisted of demographic factors, behavioral factors (smoking, alcohol consumption), toothbrushing habits (brushing time and frequency), self-reported oral health status, and self-satisfaction. Baseline clinical indices (Plaque index, Gingival index) were also recorded by a periodontist. Subjects were instructed how to use powered toothbrush with a wireless remote display, and were provided with it. Thirty days after first visit, 90 subjects returned for the second assessment by self-reported questionnaire form and professional clinical checkup. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test for the difference between baseline and second visit data. The relationship among variables was examined with chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Significant differences were not found on self-reported satisfaction related with sex, smoking, alcohol consumption (P<0.05). Self-reported tooth brushing habit was improved in the aspect of brushing time and frequency. Significant differences were found on the self-reported oral health status, self-satisfaction, and clinical indices between the baseline and second visit data (P<0.01). Clinical indices were significantly reduced after using powered toothbrush with a wireless remote display (P<0.01). No adverse reactions were reported during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Powered toothbrush with a wireless remote display successfully promoted oral hygiene from the subjective and objective viewpoint after 30 days of home usage.
Alcohol Drinking ; Demography ; Gingivitis ; Oral Health ; Oral Hygiene ; Periodontal Index ; Personal Satisfaction ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tooth ; Toothbrushing

No abstract available.
Dental Implants* ; Mandible*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of hydroxyapatite containing toothpaste with positive control toothpastes in reducing dentine hypersensitivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical trial was a double-blind, randomized, parallel group comparison of two, namely hydroxyapatite containing toothpaste and strontium chloride containing toothpaste. A total of 55 subjects were included in this study. The subjects were given randomly assigned one of the two toothpastes after received tooth brushing instruction at baseline. Some clinical indices(PI, GI, PD), verbal rating score(VRS) for sensitivity to stimulus, the effect in relieving sensitivity and visual analogue scale(VAS) for sensitivity at baseline, week 2, week 4 and week 8 were assessed. All data were evaluated by intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: Overall, PI and GI scores were significantly reduced compare baseline in all groups(p<0.05). In addition, there was significant difference in PI at 4 weeks and in GI at 4, 8 weeks between groups. The proportions of subjects relieved sensitivity were 70.4% in experimental group and 57.1% in control group at 8 weeks respectively. The VRS for sensitivity to three kinds of stimuli and VAS for sensitivity decreased according to time, there was no overall difference between two groups(p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the new hydroxyapatite containing toothpaste was similarly effective in reducing dentine hypersensitivity with pre-existing benchmark toothpaste.
Dentin ; Dentin Sensitivity ; Durapatite ; Strontium ; Tooth ; Toothpastes

No abstract available.
Dentin* ; Hypersensitivity*