Naive CD4 T cells activated by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) undergo terminal differentiation in the periphery. Multiple mechanisms determine their fates, that is, whether they differentiate into conventional T (Tconv) cells or regulatory T (Treg) cells. The key event during Treg generation is expression of the transcription factor Foxp3, which is the lineage-determining regulator for Treg differentiation and function. Here we show that the transcription factor Batf3 acts as a fate-decision factor with respect to Tconv versus Tregs by restraining Treg differentiation. Batf3 was preferentially expressed in effector CD4 T cells but not in Treg cells, and ectopic expression of Batf3 inhibited Foxp3 induction. Batf3-deficient CD4 T cells favorably differentiated into Treg cells in vitro and in colonic lamina propria. Batf3 KO mice also showed enhanced Treg function in gut-associated immune disease models (for example, ovalbumin tolerance and inflammatory bowel disease models). Batf3 bound to the CNS1 region of the Foxp3 locus and reduced expression of the gene. Thus, Batf3 is a transcriptional suppressor of Treg differentiation.
Animals ; Antigen-Presenting Cells ; Colon ; Ectopic Gene Expression ; Immune System Diseases ; In Vitro Techniques ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Mice ; Mucous Membrane ; Ovalbumin ; T-Lymphocytes ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory* ; Transcription Factors*

The ultimate goal of periodontal disease 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 was to compare the effects of treatment using BBP(R) with control treated by only modified Widman flap. 22 intrabony defects from 12 patients with chronic periodontitis were used for this study, 10 sites of them were treated with BBP(R) as experimental group and 12 site were treated by only modified Widman flap as control group. Clinical parameters including probing depth, gingival recession, bone probing depth and loss of attachment were recorded at 6 months later, and the significance of the changes was statistically analyzed. The results are as follows: 1. Probing depth of control(delta2.7+/-1.3mm) and experimental group(delta3.6+/-1.8mm) weres reduced with statistically significance(P<0.05), but this changes were not different between the two experiment, control group with statistically significance. 2. Gingival recession showed statistically significant increase in control group(delta2.1+/-1.2mm)(P<0.05), but not in experimental group(delta0.5+/-0.7mm), and this changes were different between the two experiment, control group with statistically significance(P<0.05). 3. Bone probing depth showed statistically significant decrease in experimental group(delta2.9+/-1.0mm)(P<0.05), but not in control group(delta1.1+/-1.4mm), and this changes were different between the two experiment, control group with statistically significance(P<0.05). 4. Loss of attachment showed statistically significant decrease in experimental group(delta3.1+/-1.7mm), but not in control group(delta0.6+/-1.2mm), and this changes were different between the two experiment, control group with statistically significance(P<0.05) On the basis of these results, treatment using BBP(R) improves the probing depth, bone probing depth and loss of attachment in intrabony defects.
Chronic Periodontitis ; Gingival Recession ; Humans ; Periodontal Diseases ; Regeneration

PURPOSE: Cardiovascular or respiratory complications of acute intoxication are the most common causes of mortality. Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) or specific antidotes help manage these cardiac or respiratory complications in acute intoxication. On the other hand, some cases do not respond to ACLS or antidotes and they require some special treatment, such as extracorporeal life support (ECLS). ECLS will provide the chance of recovery from acute intoxication. This study examined the optimal timing of ECLS in acute intoxication cases. METHODS: This paper is a brief report of a case series about ECLS in acute poisoning. The cases of ECLS were reviewed and the effects of ECLS on the blood pressure and serum lactate level of the patients were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of four cases were reviewed; three of them were antihypertensive agent-induced shock, and one was respiratory failure after the inhalation of acid. The time range of ECLS application was 4.8-23.5 hours after toxic exposure. The causes of ECLS implementation were one for recurrent cardiac arrest, two for shock that did not respond to ACLS, and one for respiratory failure that did not respond to mechanical ventilator support. Three patients showed an improvement in blood pressure and serum lactate level and were discharged alive. In case 1, ECLS was stared at 23.5 hours post toxic exposure; the patient died due to refractory shock and multiple organ failure. CONCLUSION: The specific management of ECLS should be considered when a patient with acute intoxication does not recovery from shock or respiratory failure despite ACLS, antidote therapies, or mechanical ventilator support. ECLS improved the hemodynamic and ventilator condition in complicated poisoned patients. The early application of ECLS may improve the tissue perfusion state and outcomes of these patients before the toxic damage becomes irreversible.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support ; Antidotes ; Blood Pressure ; Hand ; Heart Arrest ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Lactic Acid ; Mortality ; Multiple Organ Failure ; Perfusion ; Poisoning* ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Shock ; Ventilators, Mechanical

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of the laparoscopy assisted mini-lap myomectomy (LAMM) as an alternative to laparotomy for patients with multiple or huge myoma unsuitable for laparoscopic myomectomy. METHODS: Uncontrolled retrospective study was done on the forty-six women with myoma of 16 or more gestational sized who were undertaken laparoscopy assisted mini-lap myomectomy. The operative procedures consisted of: 1) examination of pelvic cavity, 2) infiltration of diluted vasopressin, 3) enucleation of myoma, 4) suture of uterus, and 5) removal of myoma. The examination of pelvic cavity was always done using laparoscopy. Either the laparoscopic or mini-lap method for each of the remaining steps was determined depending on the characteristics of the cases. Before operation, patients with severe anemia were corrected by the administration of oral or parenteral iron. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 33.3 +/- 4.7 years, their mean gravidities and parities were 0.74 and 0.24, respectively. Of 46 patients, 28 women were married and 20 desired childbearing. The mean (+/-SD) myoma weight was 501 +/- 353 (range 130-1600) gm. The mean operation time was 87.0 +/- 31.3 minutes and blood loss was 208 +/- 239 mL. The mean incision length of mini- lap was 4.6 +/- 1.1 (range 2.5-6) cm. Postoperatively, 1 case of wound abscess occurred. Postoperative mild anemia was correctable with oral iron. Most patients were resumed normal activity within 3 weeks. The mean period of follow-up was 20 (range 6-58) months. Of 20 who desired childbearing, 15 women were follow-up and 9 women conceived. In 6 patients who underwent cesarean section, no significant adhesion or defect was found in the uterus. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that LAMM is feasible and safe minimal invasive method that could replace routine laparotomy in patients with huge myoma.
Abscess ; Anemia ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gravidity ; Humans ; Iron ; Laparoscopy* ; Laparotomy ; Myoma* ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Sutures ; Uterus ; Vasopressins ; Wounds and Injuries

Th17 cells promote inflammatory reactions, whereas regulatory T (Treg) cells inhibit them. Thus, the Th17/Treg cell balance is critically important in inflammatory diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this balance are unclear. Here, we demonstrate that casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a critical determinant of the Th17/Treg cell balance. Both the inhibition of CK2 with a specific pharmacological inhibitor, CX-4945, and its small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knockdown suppressed Th17 cell differentiation but reciprocally induced Treg cell differentiation in vitro. Moreover, CX-4945 ameliorated the symptoms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and reduced Th17 cell infiltration into the central nervous system. Mechanistically, CX-4945 inhibited the IL-6/STAT3 and Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. Thus, CK2 has a crucial role in regulating the Th17/Treg balance.
Casein Kinase II* ; Casein Kinases* ; Caseins* ; Central Nervous System ; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental ; In Vitro Techniques ; RNA, Small Interfering ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory* ; Th17 Cells

Amyloidosis is a disorder resulting from extracellular deposition of insoluble fibrils and causes dysfunction in many organs. Secondary amyloidosis, caused by chronic infectious and inflammatory disease, may involve the kidneys, liver, bone marrow and gastrointestinal tract. Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is common and presents various symptoms according to location. Amyloidosis as a complication of Crohn's disease is a rare but serious complication that may worsen the prognosis. We report a case of gastrointestinal amyloidosis in a 59-year-old male patient with Crohn's disease that was diagnosed with an endoscopic forceps biopsy of the stomach, terminal ileum and colon.
Amyloidosis ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow ; Colon ; Crohn Disease ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Ileum ; Kidney ; Liver ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Stomach ; Surgical Instruments

Acute peripheral facial palsy usually manifests Bell's palsy of unknown cause, and rarely lacunar infarct which located in facial nucleus can mimic peripheral facial palsy. A 73 year-old man with isolated facial asymmetry diagnosed with lacunar infarction which selectively involve the facial fascicles which lie in inferolateral aspect of pons. Clinicians should take into account the possibility of central lesion and brain stem infarction, even when patients present with isolated peripheral type facial palsy.
Bell Palsy ; Brain Stem Infarctions ; Facial Asymmetry ; Facial Nucleus ; Facial Paralysis* ; Humans ; Pons ; Stroke, Lacunar

A volvulus of the colon is a twisting of a redundant segment of the colon at its narrow mesentery. A sigmoid volvulus is the most common type. This disorder may spontaneously reduce and recur as a chronic problem. However, it more frequently becomes acute as a result of an obstruction, which can lead to strangulation and gangrene with a high mortality if not treated promptly. Colonoscopic reduction and decompression is the preferred initial treatment for patients with a sigmoid volvulus who show no signs of bowel strangulation, which may be the cause of the high mortality associated with emergency surgery. We experienced 2 cases of a sigmoid volvulus in a 44-year-old female and a 51-year-old male. The sigmoid volvulus was diagnosed by simple abdominal film and treated successfully by an emergency colonoscopic reduction. We report our experience on the use of colonoscopy to treat sigmoid volvulus with a reviews of the relevant literlature.
Female ; Humans ; Mortality

Gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess is an uncommon, life-threatening, necrotizing infection that is usually found in poorly-controlled diabetic patients. Herein, we report a case of gas-forming liver abscess caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae, as proven by aspirated pus culture, in a 70-year old woman with diabetes mellitus. The patient was successfully managed with broadspectrum antibiotics and transhepatic percutaneous drainage and was discharged after 3 weeks of hospitalization. In conclusion, strict control of diabetes mellitus is the most important factor in the prevention of gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Drainage ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Liver Abscess ; Liver Abscess, Pyogenic* ; Suppuration

BACKGROUND: Onychomycosis, especially toenail onychomycosis has become one of the common fungal infection and has historically been regarded as a cosmetic rather than medical problem by many patients, even by physicians. Recently, however, there are several reports that this is a refractory disease which may cause a deleterious effect on patients' quality of life (QOL). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of toenail onychomycosis on QOL in Korea and to assess the changes of QOL after treatment. METHODS: Total 1004 patients with toenail onychomycosis which was confirmed by clinical findings and KOH preparation were enrolled at 47 dermatologic centers in Korea, and interviewed with standardized QOL questionnaire before and after systemic antifungal treatment. Responses to the questionnaire were scored by f-point scale (0~4) and averaged, and were analyzed for 5 dimensions of emotional impact, social impact, symptom and functional impact, patients' views concerning treatment, and relationship with doctor. RESULTS: 1. Before and after treatment, the most serious impact was emotional dimension showing 1.90 and 1.30 in average score (AS), and social (AS: 1.14 and 0.83) and symptom and functional impact (AS: 1.05 and 0.92) was also affected. 2. In female rather than male, statistically more significant impact on patients' QOL was observed in all dimensions. 3. After treatment, 3 of 5 dimensions were improved significantly - emotional dimension (AS: from 1.90 to 1.30), social dimension (AS: from 1.14 to 0.83), patients' view concerning treatment(AS: from 1.34 to 1.02) 4. The degree of patients' satisfaction at the therapeutic effect was very high - 62.4% (immediately after. treatment) and 65.8% (9 months after initiation of treatment) of patients answered excellent or good. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that toenail onychomycosis has significant Impact on the overall QOL of patients. Also the effect of antifungal therapy on patients' QOL were satisfactory. Therefore, both doctor and patient should pay more attention to the treatment of onychomycosis.
Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Nails* ; Onychomycosis* ; Quality of Life* ; Social Change ; Surveys and Questionnaires